Fabaceae Astragalus crassicarpus var. crassicarpus

Groundplum Milkvetch

Ponca - Other, Ceremonial Items

Use documented by:
Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 91

View all documented uses for Astragalus crassicarpus var. crassicarpus

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Scientific name: Astragalus crassicarpus var. crassicarpus
USDA symbol: ASCRC3 (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Groundplum Milkvetch
Family: Fabaceae
Family (APG): Fabaceae
Native American Tribe: Ponca
Use category: Other
Use sub-category: Ceremonial Items
Notes: Fruits gathered just before corn planting time and ceremonially soaked with seed corn. The fruits were not planted with the seed corn, but were discarded before planting. The informants could not give a reason for this process as they said they had forgotten the origin of the old custom.

RECRD: 31445 id: 6495

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