Ethnobotany

This little plant is in the iris family, and looks so much like grass it is overlooked when it’s not in bloom. In moist grasslands it grows 10–30 cm tall with a cluster of up to five purple-blue flowers at the end of the stems. Each flower lasts only one day. The name Sisyrinchium means “swine snout”—the Greek name for a plant whose roots were relished by pigs.

Kimball and Lesica report that First Nations people “used the plant to relieve digestive disorders; modern herbalists use it to treat menstrual problems.” (195)

Botany

Will be added soon. 

References

• Kimball, Shannon Fitzpatrick and Lesica, Peter. 2005. Wildflowers of Glacier National Park and Surrounding Areas. Trillium Press, USA.