Chapters 6.33
6.33 - Lapland Buttercup(Ranunculus lapponicus)
Joanna Vellenga , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Vellenga,J. (2022) Greens, Fleshy Stems and Gourds. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
Cochlearia officinalis, or as it is more commonly known, scurvy grass, is a plant that once believed to, as the name implies, cure scurvy. Although evidence may not be concrete it is however known that Cochlearia officinalis provides healthy amounts of vitamin C to those who consume it (Porsild, 1953). This plant is grown in often salinized land, as well as along the coasts and near grassy hills (Cochlearia officinalis - common scurvy-grass, 2020). This plant provides many health benefits and was used historically in many ways, including medicinal purposes. The purpose of this paper is to educate Canadians about how Cochlearia officinalis has been used historically and how it can be utilized today.
Description
North America is home to an abundance of flora and fauna. From the frozen arctic to the deserts in Texas, the diversity of nature is immense. With these drastic climate differences comes a multitude of flora that ranges from tundra-tolerant to tropical. One such colder climate species is the Ranunculus species, commonly known as buttercups (Penskar & Higman, 2022). Buttercups are known for being toxic but pretty specks of colour in forests or on roadsides. Specific varieties of buttercups, such as the Lapland buttercup (Ranunculus lapponicus), have been found to be of use for human consumption and remedy (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991). Many Indigenous tribes native to North America used the Lapland buttercup for food and in medicinal practices.
Botanical Information
The Lapland buttercup is a small herbous flower native to North America (Penskar & Higman, 2002) (see figure 2). It is generally found in shaded, swampy areas or boreal forests (Penskar & Higman, 2002) as it prefers to grow near cedars and among brown mosses (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources , 2022) (see figure 1). In many states, this habitat is being threatened by the expansion of cities. The Lapland buttercup is listed on the Rare Species list in Maine, Minnesota, and Michigan and is considered Endangered in Wisconsin (Minnesota Wildflowers, 2022). The Latin name Ranunculus comes from the root rana which means “frog” due to the habitat that the frog and buttercup generally inhabit (Gracie, 2012). The Lapland buttercup is a perennial plant that typically blooms during the late spring and early summer months (Penskar & Higman, 2002). The flowers typically contain five to eight petals which vary from white to pale yellow in colour, and a shoot will only produce one flower (Penskar & Higman 2002) (see figure 1). Three green sepals accompany these petals, along with a hemisphere of hooked seeds, called achenes during the fruit-bearing months (Penskar & Higman, 2002). As it is not self-pollinating, the Lapland buttercup needs insects to move pollen from one plant to another so that fertile seeds may be produced and new plants may be grown (Minnesota DNR, 2022). The Lapland buttercup also grows through rhizomes (Minnesota DNR 2022). Rhizomes are similar to stems but also behave like roots as they grow along the ground or just below the soil (Minnesota DNR 2022) (see figure 3). They grow nodes which in turn grow a vertical stem with another flower (Minnesota DNR 2022). Over winter, the upper parts of the plant die but the root crowns live and sprout a new shoot in the warmer months (Minnesota DNR, 2022).
Toxic and Healing Properties
The Lapland buttercup can be slightly toxic if eaten or used raw (Penskar & Higman, 2002). Ranunculus species contain a compound called ranunculin, which is the storage form of the toxin lactone protoanemonin (Majak, 2001). This toxin is in the cyanide family and can be fatal if enough is consumed (Gracie, 2012). Ranunculin is stored in an inactive form in the plant and is activated when it is exposed to enzymes in the digestive tract and when it is crushed or broken down mechanically (Majak, 2001). Exposing the toxin to hot dry air breaks down the compound and boiling water hydrolyzes it, both of which inactivate it (Centre for Food Safety, 2007). Because of this, Indigenous peoples were able to boil Lapland buttercups and consume them or dry the plants and use them as medicines without ill effects. In the maritime parts of Canada, many Native tribes used buttercups as medicines and remedies for various ills, such as headaches (Chandler et al., 1978). Buttercups were also effective in treating swollen and painful joints, as well as skin irritations and boils (Turner, 2014). The plants had to be used carefully because they would cause rashes and blisters if prepared and used incorrectly (Turner, 2014). The Haida and Stl’atl’imx nations used buttercups mainly as a counter-irritant but also used it as a poison in hunting (Turner, 2014).
Indigenous Use- Yupik Tribe
While these flowers are common in northern parts of Canada and Alaska, Lapland buttercups are considered an endangered species in a number of American states (Minnesota Wildflowers, 2022). In Alaska, Lapland buttercups are so common that they became part of the diet of the Kuskokwim Valley people and the Yupik people (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991). Young shoots were boiled and eaten plain or with duck or fish meat (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991). The Yupik tribe originated from Siberia, Alaska, and the Diomede Islands (see figure 4) and has chosen to identify as Inuit (Britannica, 2022). The majority of their diet was comprised of various portions of meat they hunted from the land and sea (Britannica, 2022). The Lapland buttercup was only consumed as a survival food when other food was scarce (Kuhnlein and Turner, 1991).
Indigenous Use- Haida Nation
The Haida nation inhabits coastal regions of British Columbia (Kennedy et al., 2010) (see figure 5). Their territory is very important to them as its name, Haida Gwaii, means “islands of the people” and historically, each family lineage owned its own property (Kennedy et al., 2010). Because of their island home and other coastal lands, the Haida people ate and traded a variety of fish, such as eulachon and salmon (Kennedy et al., 2010). Along with hunting and fishing, the Haida people also had gardens of useful plants owned by each family (Kennedy et al., 2010). One plant used for medicinal purposes was the buttercup (Turner, 2014). The Haida people would often call the buttercup “doctor leaves” due to its effectiveness in treating aches and irritants (Turner, 2014). Today, the Haida people are not known for their medicinal knowledge but for their art (see figure 6), fisheries, and political councils in action across British Columbia (Kennedy et al., 2010).
Indigenous Use- Stl’atl’imx Nation
The Stl’atl’imx people, also called the St’at’imc Lil’wat nation, were the original inhabitants of the current location of Lillooet, British Columbia (Stewart, 2011). They were, and still are, very connected to the land and had certain times and places to hunt, gather plants, travel, and collect medicines (St’at’imc Government Services, 2021). Passing down knowledge, stories, and practices from one generation to another was and is an important part of their culture (SGS, 2021). One piece of knowledge the Stl’atl’imx people had was using the blooming of buttercup to indicate the start of the salmon fishing season (Turner, 2014). As part of their medicinal practices, they would use buttercups to treat burns and other skin irritations (Turner, 2014). Today, the Stl’atl’imx people are generally referred to as the Lillooet Tribe and are actively claiming their territory in British Columbia (SGS, 2021)
Conclusion
The Lapland buttercup has much historical importance for many of the Indigenous tribes in North America. From food to medicines, Lapland buttercups and their relatives were an important part of the health of many Native tribes. However, as the Americas were colonized and society progressed, European practices took over. North American food and medicine are very different now than they were for the Indigenous tribes pre-colonization. While many Indigenous people still hold to their heritage and continue to exercise their medicinal practices, most of North America knows little about the benefits and history of the Lapland buttercup. Even though the Lapland buttercup may no longer be an important food source, it is still a pleasant contribution to the shady swamps and frozen lands of North America.
References
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