elkweed
Tesseranthium radiatum Kellogg
Traditional Food Use
Nectar used for honey or as a sweetener
Medicinal Documentation
Infusion of dried, pulverized leaves or roots taken for diarrhea. Additional commentary: This plant was used to treat diarrhea. For a mild case, a tea would be made from the dried and powdered leaves; one made from the dried, pulverized roots was made for more severe cases.300
Root is used to make a medicine.
Ceremonial & Cultural Notes
Commentary: The plant also is called “elk lily” by the Arapaho is valued for the plant’s nectar. It is found in the high mountains.88 | Artifacts: An elk call is manufactured from the large stem Commentary: The Arapaho calls the plant “elk lily”. It is found in the high mountains.90 | Commentary: The Arapaho calls the plant “elk lily”. It is found in the high mountains.92 152
Botanical Reference
Parts Documented: leaves_or_roots, Nectar, Root, Stem
Distribution: Moderately dry, open or shaded sites; plains to sub-alpine; Montana to New Mexico