Chapters 4.52
4.52.Mayapple(Podophyllum Peltatum)
Annelise Rasmussen , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Rasmussen,A. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
The American bush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) is a versatile deciduous shrub that has been found in many regions such as, Europe, North Africa, North Asia and North America, and is an important part of indigenous culture (Kajszczek et al., 2020). The plant has been widely used for consumption, medical purposes, as well as decoration. The American bush cranberry has many beneficial health properties that have sparked recent research regarding its chemical and biological properties to reduce many illnesses prevalent today. This paper will discuss the plant species, the Indigenous communities that use the plant and the significance of it to their culture, the geography, uses, preparation and nutritional benefits of the plant as well as how the American bush cranberry can further benefit the Indigenous committees in Canada.
Species Description and Geography
The American bush cranberry is a plant that belongs to the Viburnum L. genus from Adoxaceae family (Kajszczek et al., 2020). The American bush cranberry is a native plant variety found in Europe, North Africa and Asia. As seen in Figure 1, this plant can be found scattered across wetlands or moist, wooded areas around Canada, within the Great Lake regions as well as North United States. In addition, two varieties have been mainly found growing in North America; V. opulus var. americanum Aiton (American cranberry bush) and V. opulus var. Opulus (European cranberry bush) and have very similar characteristics (Small & Catling, 2005). Both varieties are closely related relatives.
Kajszczek et al., (2020) explain that the American bush cranberry is roughly four to five meters in height and have three-lobed leaves that are similar to the look of maple leaves. The stems may be up to four centimetres in diameter (Small & Catling, 2005). The plant is dark green in colour, and form a blub or cluster of white fllowers roughly five centimeters across in diameter (Small & Catling, 2005). As seen in Figure 2, there are two types of flowers on the bulb, outer sterile flowers and inner fertile flowers for pollination (Small, 2013).
When the plant matures, small cluster of red berries are produced. The fruits are six to fifteen milometers long, firm, and acidic with a large hard seed in the middle (Small, 2013). The berries can hang on the plants until the next bearing season if not picked (Small, 2013).
History Within Indigenous Communities
The fruits of American bush cranberry (V. opulus var. americanum; syn. V. trilobum) were also widely eaten, fresh or preserved, by the groups such as the Stoney (Assiniboin), Iroquois, Ojibwa, Algonquin, Micmac, and Malecite, and by the Shuswap, Kootenay, and possibly the Nlaka'pamux of British Columbia (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). In the Haida territory, the fruit of the bush was considered high class and was a valuable trading item or gift that was believed to be the food of supernatural beings (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). “In the Kwakwaka'wakw area, the fruits, uncooked or steamed for a short time, were placed in cedarwood storage boxes, covered with water, and allowed to stand for several months until they become soft and red until winter, when they were drained, mixed with grease and other types of berries, and eaten with spoons” (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). Tanaina people used the raw berries to treat colds (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). The fruit was served at many feasts and eaten in many forms.
Health Benefits
Health benefits of the American bush cranberry is extensive. The fruit has an extremely high antioxidant content which has been linked to treating and preventing ailments cough, colds, tuberculosis, rheumatic aches, ulcers, liver disease, diabetes, and hypertension (Kajszczek et al., 2020). Published in vitro studies that indicate antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties due to the beneficial effect of the presence of bioactive compounds found in antioxidants which the American bush cranberry is full of (Kajszczek et al., 2020). Aside from the bitter taste of the fruit, the chemical compounds found in the berries show promise in use as an additive or active compound in pharmaceuticals (Mazur et al., 2021). “Antioxidants can convert free radicals into non-radical compounds, break the chain reaction of lipid oxidation, inhibit pro-oxidative enzymes and chelate metal ions, among others” (Kajszczek et al., 2020).
Nutrient Composition
Most of the research that supports the medicinal benefits of the American bush cranberry have been performed on the fruit. Minor research has been performed on the nutritional benefits of the morphological parts of the plants such as the bark, stalks, flower, and leaves ((Kajszczek et al., 2020). The main component of the cranberry fruits is water, which makes up to eighty-five to eighty-eight of their fresh weight (Kajszczek et al., 2020). The sugars from the fruit can be synthesized into simple organic compounds that can be studied easier for health benefits. (Kajszczek et al., 2020).
References
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2.Global Biodiversity Information Facility. (2022). Viburnum opulus L. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
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4.Kuhnlein, H., & Turner, N. (1991). Traditional Plant Foods of Canadian Indigenous Peoples: Nutrition, Botany and Use (1st ed.). Routledge.
5.Mazur, M., Szperlik, J., Salejda, A. M., Krasnowska, G., Kolniak-Ostek, J., & Bąbelewski, P. (2021). Description of the guelder rose fruit in terms of chemical composition, antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds. Applied Sciences, 11(19), 9221.
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