FOOD
The fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, roots, and stems of plants are used
by humans as food.
Pumpkins and corn were foods that early American settlers learned about
from
Native Americans. Other plants, such as beebalm and chives, less basic to
human
needs, added interest to the diets of early Americans. Many homegrown
herbs took
the place of spices which were prohibitively expensive for the average
household.
The fleshy fruit of the pumpkin could Corn, Zea mays, was a basic food
be dried to be used in the winter of early settlers and could be
Small gourds were used as ladles. dried and ground into corn meal.
Larger birdhouse gourds were used There are distinct male and female
carry water and store seeds. flowers, the tassel being the
Native American art used gourds pollen producing male flower.
as models for pottery. The silk of the female flower,
traps the pollen.
Beebalm, Monarda didyma, also known Chives, Allium schoenoprasum, is
as Oswego tea is native American herb. a perennial plant that is onion-like
The flower is usually red and in flavor. The leaves were cut and
has a citrus-like smell. The leaves in soups, salads, and could be dried
were used by colonial Americans to make for a winter seasoning.
tea when the British levied the tax on tea.
It was also used in potpourri and in apple
jelly.
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