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Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation
An Ethonobotanical Report
Chenopodium album Native American Names The Pawnee called Lambsquarters "Kitsarius". The Dakota called it "Whape toto", and the Lakota called it "Canxlogan inkpa gmigmela" Description Lambsquarters is a broadleaf summer weed that can be found anywhere the soil is disturbed. The growth habits of the lambsquarters vary with its location. If growing along the road or in an open field, it may reach 3 or 4 feet in height. Those plants that are found in lawns can produce seeds when they are only a couple of inches tall. Lambsquarters prefer rich soil and are often found in vegetable gardens. The first two true leaves appear are opposite and ovate from each other with smooth edges. Later leaves are alternate, arrowhead-shaped and with unevenly-toothed edges. At the top of the plant, the leaves become long and narrow. All of the leaves are pale green and covered with white, mealy granules that give the appearance of frost.
Location & Habitat Lambsquarters is very common in the temperate regions. Growing almost everywhere in soils rich in nitrogen. Especially on the wasteland. You can find this plant almost everywhere along roadsides, in overgrown fields, in backyards, and in urban parks. Uses You can make a tea with the leaves and it was used to treat diarrhea. A poultice was used for burns on the skin. People used to eat the leaves for a stomach ache cure. The pollen from these plants can cause hay fever. It is also used as a green dye which is obtained from the young shoots. If you crush the fresh roots you can make a mild soap out of them. You can powder them and use them to enrich and flavor maincourse dishes. You can put it in soups, stews, cassaroles, and saute it. Napoleon used to make bread for his army when other food was almost gone. By: Sam Dick
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