Here's a swamp tea plant (not in bloom)
from around this area.Dried to keep (which
few seem to do any more) it is best gathered
when the plant's in flower (late July,
August), and dried in the shade. Its Ojibwe
name, Muskeegobug Aniibi, translates
directly as "Swamp-growing" tea. The word
"muskeg" has entered English, meaning
northern swamps.That's Ledum groenlandicum just above, ometimes called Laborador tea because it
flourshes in long snowy winters, comparatively cold wet conditions. It's known, found,
dried and drunk by tribal people all over the Anishiinabeg range, and I've heard that
they like it as far nmorth as it grows. This plant's leaves contain both caffein and tannin.
On White Earth when some was brought over, I was told "When we can't afford coffee,
we can always get this."This is ledum palustrium, another
variety which seems to flower more
showily than we see around here. Its
leaves are perpendicular to the stem --
like Groenlandicum -- but are narrow-
rolled at the edges, and darker green.
This variety of "Indian tea" grows in
the west, in drier areas whose winters
are warmer.Around here, the ledum is known as "the real swamp tea" but another plant is also
referred to as "the other swamp tea."Native Foods -- Swamp teas
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/food/swamp.html (2 of 4) [5/17/2004 11:47:56 AM]