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Thelesperma megapotamicum

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Thelesperma megapotamicum

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Thelesperma
Species:
T. megapotamicum
Binomial name
Thelesperma megapotamicum
Synonyms
  • Thelesperma gracile (Torr.) A.Gray

Thelesperma megapotamicum is a perennial species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name wild tea[1] and rayless greenthread. It is native to sections of the Americas, including the central United States, where it grows in many types of habitat.

Description

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It is a perennial herb producing a slender, branching stem 30 to 60 centimeters tall or more. The leaves are narrow, mostly compound with linear or threadlike segments measuring a few centimeters long. The inflorescence bears several flower heads each in a cuplike involucre of phyllaries with purple-tinged, pointed lobes with white edges. The head contains many yellow or orange disc florets, and sometimes one or more yellow ray florets, although these may be absent.

Human uses

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Native American groups such as the Hopi and Navajo use this plant to make herbal teas, as a medicinal remedy and a yellow dye.[2] The Hopi name for this plant is hohoysi. The plant can be boiled whole until the water turns a rusty color and used as a tea. In addition, the Hopi people also add the plant, along with water, into large glass jars and place in the sun to make sun tea.[3]

It is known as izeets'ósé in Apache.

References

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  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Thelesperma megapotamicum​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  2. ^ "BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database". naeb.brit.org.
  3. ^ Healthy Hopi recipes and native edible plants. Hopi Tribe of Arizona, Office of Community Health Services. September 1, 2008. OCLC 610218338 – via Open WorldCat.

Further reading

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