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Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation
An Ethonobotanical Report
Sicyos angulatus L. Native American name There are not many names for this plant but the Ponca and Omahas called it "wata n gtha". This means bitter herb.
Description This native plant is an annual climber growing to 8m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, the leaves are alternate, hairy, and rounded to heart shape. they have 3-5 angled lobes and toothed margins and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are fluffy and are pollinated by insects. This native plant is located in Eastern N. America-Quebec and Ontario to Florida, west to South Dakota, Kansas and Texas. And it can be found in its habitat which is low woods, bottoms, fields, thickets, and railroads. It also grows in river banks and damp yards. On the Omaha Indian Reservation, you could find this plant growing on the big spruce tree right next to Peggy Sheridan`s house. The uses This fruit is said to be edible, possibly the seed is edible but there is no flesh on the fruit, it is just a bristly skin around the seed. A decoction of the vine has been used in the treatment of venereal disease.
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