Pestle lomatium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pestle lomatium |
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Selineae
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L. nudicaule
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| Lomatium nudicaule (Pursh) J.M.Coult. & Rose
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Lomatium nudicaule is a type of flowering plant often called pestle lomatium, barestem biscuitroot, Indian celery, or Indian consumption plant. It belongs to the carrot family. This plant grows naturally in western North America, from British Columbia down to California and over to Utah. You can find it in different places like forests and woodlands.
This plant is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It grows up to about 70 centimeters (about 2.3 feet) tall. It has a thick taproot that helps it store food and water. Usually, this plant doesn't have a main stem above ground. Instead, its leaves and flowers grow directly from the ground.
The leaves are a dull green color and feel a bit waxy. They are made up of many small, lance-shaped leaflets, each up to 9 centimeters (about 3.5 inches) long. The flowers grow in a cluster called an umbel, which looks like an umbrella. This cluster sits on a strong stalk called a peduncle. The flowers can be yellow or purplish.
Uses of Lomatium nudicaule
This plant has been an important resource for many Native American groups for a long time. They have used different parts of the plant for food and for medicine. For example, it was traditionally used to help treat illnesses like tuberculosis.
The plant also plays a role in special ceremonies. Among the peoples of southwestern British Columbia and Washington, it was used when fishing for and preparing salmon. The W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) people, who call it qexmín, would burn the seeds in a fire or on a stove when they were drying salmon.
Other groups, like the Kwakwaka'wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth, also use the seeds. They burn them as incense during funerals. Singers sometimes chew the seeds to help soothe their throats.
Images for kids
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Mature seeds of Lomatium nudicaule
See also
In Spanish: Lomatium nudicaule para niños
