Iva annua
L.
Sumpweed, Annual Marsh-elder
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Summary
Source: WikipediaIva annua, the annual marsh elder or sumpweed, is a North American herbaceous annual plant in the family Asteraceae that was historically cultivated by Native Americans for its edible seed.
Description
A herb. It grows 60-100 cm high.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
Iva annua was cultivated for its edible seed by Native Americans around 4,000 years ago in the central and eastern United States as part of the Eastern Agricultural Complex. It was especially important to the indigenous peoples of the Kansas City Hopewell culture in present-day Missouri and Illinois. The edible parts contain 32 percent protein and 45 percent oil. However, like its relative ragweed, sumpweed possesses many objectionable qualities which include being a severe potential allergen and possessing a unique odor. Probably for these reasons it was abandoned after more pleasant alternatives (such as maize) were available and, by the time Europeans arrived in the Americas, had disappeared as a crop.
Traditional Uses
The seeds are oily and nutritious.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Other Information
It is an important food for some ethnic groups.
Synonyms
References (5)
- Hermandez Bermejo, J.E., and Leon, J. (Eds.), 1994, Neglected Crops. 1492 from a different perspective. FAO Plant Production and Protection Series No 26. FAO, Rome. p 12
- http://www.stoller-eser.com/Flora/ethnobotany_table.htm
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 452
- Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1861
- Sp. pl. 2:988. 1753
