Practical
Plants

Lygodesmia juncea

Skeleton Weed

a perennial member of the Lygodesmia genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A gum from the seeds is used for chewing[8][1]. Other reports say that the gum is obtained from the flowering stems[7][2]. Another report says that the roots were left in the sun until the gum came out and hardened, and this was then used for chewing[5].

Product or use
Gum

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Skeleton weed was employed medicinally by various native North American Indian tribes who used it particularly as a galactogogue[3][5]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The leaves and stems are galactogogue and tonic[3][5]. An infusion of the stems has been used to promote milk flow in nursing mothers, in the treatment of smallpox, measles, kidney problems, diarrhoea, heartburn and burning coughs and also as a general tonic for children[5]. A poultice of the plant has been applied to bring relief to rheumatic and swollen joints[5]. An infusion has been used as a wash for sore eyes[5]. An infusion of the powdered galls that are found on the plant is diuretic[5].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the stems, mixed with oil, has been used as a hair tonic[5]. The crushed stems have been used as foot pads in shoes[5].

Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Insulation

Environment

Range
N. America - Wisconsin and Alberta to Texas.
Habitat
Prairies and plains, especially in sandy soils[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division can be tried in the spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most areas of the country. It is likely to require a sunny position in a light well-drained soil.

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  3. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  4. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

  5. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  6. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  7. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

Edit this page