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Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation
An Ethonobotanical Report
Oxalis dillenii Native American Names The Kiowa called wood sorrel "Aw -tawt-an-ya, which means salt weed. the Omaha and Ponca called it "Hade-sathe", and the Pawnee called it "Skidadihorit" and "askirawiya". Description Wood sorrel is a very interesting plant, it rises from rhimzones. It has long thin reddish stalks with a clover-like trefoil leaf. It has 3 pale-green heart-shaped leaflets. The stems (9 up to 15 cm) has lovely 5 petalled bell-to-cup shaped flowers, which are white with purplish vein. They are hermaphroditic and the plant may have cleistogamous petal-less flowers later on in the season. Location & Habitat Wood sorrel is widespread in Britain, except for some parts of East England. It can be found in the woods, moist shady places, mountain ledges, limestone grikes, hedges, usually in humus rich soils. On the Omaha Reservation you can find this plant in Macy, NE on the southside of the school. In the lot next to the Shinga Zhinga daycare. Uses The most common medicinal actions of wood sorrel are: Diuretic, Antisorbutic, Refrigerant, Analgesic, Alleviates fever, and Aids menstrual flow. A decoction made from its pleasant acid leaves is given in high fever, both to quench thirst and to allay the fever. Russians make a cooling drink from an infusion of the leaves, which may be infused with water or boiled in milk. You can eat in soups, salads, and et cetera. The Indians used to season it with muskrat and beaver. It has a stronger blood clensing abilities, and herblists for those with cancer. Avoid foods with oxalic acid if you have kidney stones and gout. By: Sam Dick
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