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Duck potatoes, Wapato, Arrowhead,
Broadleaf Arrowleaf, Sagittaria latifolia Willd..
Tubers on roots are baked, boiled, peeled and eaten. Also,
parboil and roast after coating in olive oil.
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Medicine: According to
Chippewa and Cherokee informants Wapato tubers were used to treat indigestion, leaves
infused in water and given in sips to infants to reduce fever.
Potawatomi mashed root corms to dress wounds, cuts boils and sores. Many tribes considered the corm both food and medicine. Whole plant infused to alleviate fears and bad dreams especially in children.
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It is said a muskrat hutch can be opened where these plants are prolific and the winter cache provides edible spoils without the cold pain of harvesting the tubers with bare toes, probing in deep, near freezing, muck. |
