Template:Chapters 6.32
6.32 - Aster Macrophyllus (Eurybia Macrophylla)
Joel Toohey, University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Toohey,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
Aster macrophyllus is a plant species native to North America and the plant has seen much usage by Indigenous communities. The purpose of the paper is to inform and enlighten Canadians on the history and background of this aster species and explore the vast opportunities this plant has to offer Canadian citizens today.
Plant Species
The plant Eurybia macrophylla, formally known as Aster macrophyllus, is part of the “Aster” family (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], n.d.). There are many species of plants within the aster family, which all have unique and distinguishing traits among them, such as plant size and flower colour (Armitage, 1998). Eurybia macrophylla is a tall plant, reaching a mature height of 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) and has dense, deep green leaves (USDA, n.d.). Furthermore, it generates serrated leaves up to 10 inches long, in a heart-like shape, which has earned it an alternative name, “Bigleaf aster” (Armitage, 1998). The various names are used interchangeably. The plant possesses flowers that range from a pale blue to a violet color, and they bloom from August to September (Armitage, 1998). It does not yield any fruit, but still produces small, brown seeds for reproduction (USDA, n.d.). One important characteristic of this species is that they are perennials , meaning they can regrow year after year, and do not require resowing (Missouri Botanical Garden, n.d.). The plant has a high ratio of carbon to nitrogen and does not possess the ability of nitrogen fixation (USDA, n.d.). This means is it cannot synthesize its own supply of nitrogen from the soil (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021). Eurybia macrophylla is adapted to both fine and medium textured soils, and its roots can grow more than 10 inches in length (USDA, n.d.). It has a low drought tolerance, but only requires a medium amount of water (USDA, n.d.). Like most plants, it is not favorable to salt nor freezing temperatures (USDA, n.d.). As a result, these characteristics make Eurybia macrophylla very suitable for its native climate.
Historical Background
Eurybia Macrophylla has a significant background in North America. It had limited use by Indigenous groups, although was still important to them regardless (Smith, 1932). It served as a food, medicine, and charm for them (Smith, 1932). It has been previously known as “lumberjack toilet paper” which can indicate the type of usage underwent by western civilization upon discovery (Missouri Botanical Garden, n.d.). Modern research and documentation of the plant has determined its physical attributes, and not much more (USDA, n.d.). Further studies would need to be undergone to validate if it is indeed a suitable food and medicine source (Smith, 1932). It is not used much at all in modern Canada, due to the wild nature of the plant, as well as limited knowledge of its existence (USDA, n.d.).
In short, Eurybia macrophylla was a versatile plant which held immense value to Indigenous peoples.
Geographic Origins
Eurybia Macrophylla has a wide range of origin. It has been found from Nova Scotia to Manitoba, and south to Northern Georgia (TWC Staff, 2018). It grows primarily in the understory of forests, such as that of beech, maple, pine, fir, hemlock, or aspen varieties (Flora of North America Committee, 2006). It also is known to grow along roadsides with adequate shade or clearings in wooded areas (Flora of North America Committee, 2006). Canada possesses a large quantity of both mixed deciduous and needle leaf forests, which can explain is broad outspread (Natural Resources Canada, 2019). It can survive in slightly acidic soils ranging from a pH of 4.9 to 6.9 (USDA, n.d.). In summary, Eurybia Macrophylla is well suited to its survival as a species.
Associated Indigenous Peoples
Despite the wide range of Eurybia macrophylla, only a select few Indigenous communities used the plants (Black, 1980). The only groups that were reported to have made use of this plant were the Algonquin, the Chippewa, and the Ojibwe peoples (Black, 1980). The Algonquin of the River Desert Reserve, near the town of Maniwaki, Quebec, were reported to use this species (Black, 1980). It was stated that due to the fewer number of frost-free days, corn cultivation was unreliable and so other means were relied upon, such as gathering food, which included Eurybia macrophylla, from the wild (Black, 1980).
The Chippewa of the Minnesota are a people who relied heavily on vegetable consumption, which gives credence to the idea they sought many forms of plant life that were abundant (Densmore, 1974). The Chippewa gathered Eurybia macrophylla on the banks of Lake Superior where it grew (Densmore, 1974). The food which was obtained during the growing season was stored for later in caches (Densmore, 1974).
The Ojibwe people have also used Eurybia macrophylla to satisfy their various needs (Smith, 1932). Chief among these uses was that of a medicine (Smith, 1932). The Ojibwe are some of the most knowledgeable Aboriginal peoples in the medicinal uses of plants, and frequently partake in medicine lodge ceremonies (Smith, 1932). The Flambeau Ojibwe called the plant by the name “megisi bug” which translates to “eagle leaf” (Smith, 1932). The Pillager Ojibwe gave the plant the name “nemegosi bug” which translates to “trout leaf” (Smith, 1932). They are said to have used traditional songs while digging for medicinal roots (Smith, 1932). The Ojibwe relied primarily on gathering plants to eat as opposed to the growing of plants themselves (Smith, 1932). The Ojibwe were appreciative of the foods they consumed, as they regarded them as gifts from their respective creators (Smith, 1932). The women of the tribe would often be found tending to the various harvests and food gatherings from July to September (Smith, 1932).
Overall, despite the abundance of Eurybia macrophylla, few Indigenous groups chose to use it to their advantage. Further investigation into the uses by Indigenous people can be located under “Consumption and Uses.”
Consumption and uses
Eurybia macrophylla has been consumed in many distinct methods by Indigenous peoples. The Chippewa, in particular the tribe located in Minnesota, would gather the leaves for boiling with fish (Densmore, 1974). They would then be consumed together as one meal (Densmore, 1974). The Algonquin tribe located on the River Desert Reserve in Quebec, would simply consume the leaves as a form of greens (Black, 1980). The Flambeau and Pillager Ojibwe, who are located in Wisconsin and Minnesota, respectively, consumed the plant in their own unique ways (Smith, 1932). The Flambeau Ojibwe recognized they had good flavor and are eaten when the leaves are young and tender (Smith, 1932). The Pillager Ojibwe used the root material in soups (Smith, 1932). The young roots of Eurybia macrophylla also were an ingredient in a tea used for bathing the head to treat a headache (Smith, 1932). The final use the Ojibwe had for the plant was that of a hunting charm (Smith, 1932). The leaf would be smoked, and the fumes would attract deer (Smith, 1932). Altogether, there were many unique ways Eurybia macrophylla could be consumed.
Health Benefits
Historically, Eurybia macrophylla has been used as a medicine to treat headaches by Indigenous people (Smith, 1932). There are no conclusive studies as to why this occurs (Smith, 1932). However, studies have proven leafy, dark green vegetables are an excellent source of nutrients (Yan, 2016). Leafy greens are reported to be a plentiful source of vitamins such as A, E, and K as well the B vitamins (Yan, 2016). Additionally, they contain sufficient levels of iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fibre for a person’s diet (Yan, 2016). In particular, the B vitamin folate is useful in preventing cancer and birth defects (Yan, 2016). Leafy greens are also low in carbohydrates, and as such are beneficial to maintain a healthy body weight (Yan, 2016). The prominent level of dietary fibre present helps to promote better digestion and bowel movement (Yan, 2016). Thus, it can be hypothesized that these are some of the nutritional benefits that Eurybia macrophylla possesses due to its dark, leafy composition, and is supported by its consumption by Indigenous groups.
Limitations
Eurybia macrophylla are considered a wildflower (Illinois Wildflowers, n.d.). Thus, to locate seed stocks, one must gather them from areas of wilderness, such as forests, clearings, and roadsides, which blunts the usefulness as a cultivar (Flora of North America Committee, 2006).
Furthermore, due to the nature of where Eurybia macrophylla is located, the sharp increase in urbanization in many areas of Eastern Canada pose a threat to this wild species (Statistics Canada, 2022a). Urban spread growth is increasing by 20% in certain intermediate suburb areas, such as in Ottawa, and the distant suburbs of Toronto and Montreal saw a growth of 9% (Statistics Canada, 2022a). This growth is stripping away land that is otherwise a more natural landcover and can thus provide a home for Eurybia macrophylla (Statistics Canada, 2022a). It is evident that there are factors which blunt the usefulness of Eurybia macrophylla.
References
1.Armitage, A M. (1998). Herbaceous Perennial Plants-A Treatise on their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes. (2nd ed.). Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.
2.Black, M. J. (1980). Algonquin ethnobotany. University of Ottawa Press.
3.Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (2021). Nitrogen Fixation. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/nitrogen-fixation
4.Densmore, F. (1974). How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine, and Crafts. Dover Publications, Inc.
5.Flora of North America Editorial Committee. (2006). Flora of North America: North of Mexico Volume 20: Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, Part 7: Asteraceae, Part 2, 366-377. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066753
6.Illinois Wildflowers. (n.d.). Big-Leaved Aster. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/bglv_aster.html
7.Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.) Eurybia macrophylla. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b918
8.Natural Resources Canada. (2019). Mixed Forest. The Atlas of Canada -Canada’s Land Cover Interactive Map. https://atlas.gc.ca/lcct/en/index.html
9.Smith, H. H. (1932). Ethnobotany of Ojibwe Indians. Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisc., 1932.
10.Statistics Canada. (2022a). Canada’s large urban centers continue to grow and spread. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220209/dq220209b-eng.htm
11.TWC Staff. (2018). Eurybia macrophylla. University of Texas at Austin. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=euma27
12.United States Department of Agriculture [USDA]. (n.d.) Eurybia macrophylla (L.) Cass. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=EUMA27
13.Yan, L. (2016). Dark Green Leafy Vegetables. United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/gfnd/gfhnrc/docs/news-2013/dark-green-leafy-vegetables/