shortstyle onion
Liliaceae

shortstyle onion

Allium brevistylum S. Watson

Indigenous Names: Kha-a’-mot-ot-ke-‘wat, Kha-ohktsi-me-is’-tse-hi, Tohtoo?e-xaoe-nestavo, Xaoe-hehestavo
Habitat: Moist sites; prairies, open woods, montane, and sub-alpine zones, sometimes roadsides; Idaho, Montana, into Colorado
Seasonality: Spring, summer, or fall
Status: Native

Medicinal Documentation

Cheyenne

Poultice of ground roots and stems applied and infusion used as a wash for opened and unopened carbuncles. Additional commentary: The finely ground roots and stems of wild onions were applied as a poultice in the treatment of unopened carbuncles. If the carbuncle were opened, the powder would be boiled in an infusion to be poured over it to “clean out the pus clinging to the cavity.”66

Botanical Reference

Parts Documented: roots, stems

Distribution: Moist sites; prairies, open woods, montane, and sub-alpine zones, sometimes roadsides; Idaho, Montana, into Colorado