Grindelia squarrosa / Curlycup gumweed

Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal

Synonyms: = Grindelia aphanactis, Grindelia serrulata, Donia squarrosa

Common names: Curlycup gumweed, rosinweed, tarweed, gum plant

Blackfeet: aks-peis – “sticky weed” (McClintock 1909:276)

Dakota: pte-ichi-yuḣa – “curly buffalo” (Gilmore 1977:81)

Omaha-Ponca: pezhe-wasek – “strong herb” (Gilmore 1977:81)

Pawnee: bakskitits – “sticky head” (Gilmore 1977:81)

Flathead: telshisqa – “it sticks to horses’ hooves” (Hart 1979:279)

Location in Texas: C & N TX; not in Travis Co.

Form: herb; annual, biennial, perennial.

Flowers: July-Oct (yellow).

Food

Leaves – dried, powdered, and sprinkled over fresh meat or fruit by the Flathead to keep insects off (Hart 1979:279).

Whole plant – alternating layers were used by the Flathead to pack meat or berries in rawhide containers (Hart 1979:279).

Medicine

Sap – the gummy resin on the leaves was rubbed on the eyelids by the Northern Cheyenne to treat snowblindness (Bernier 2004:80).

Aboverground parts – a decoction of the leaves and tops of the plant was used by the Pawnee to wash saddle galls and sores on horse’s backs (Gilmore 1977:81). A decoction of the flowering tops was applied externally to skin diseases, sores, or scabs by the Northern Cheyenne (Bernier 2004:80).

Whole plant – a decoction was drunk by Teton Dakota children to treat colic (Gilmore 1977:81). A decoction was drunk by the Ponca for tuberculosis (Gilmore 1977:81). An infusion was drunk by the Flathead for colds, fevers, upset stomach (Hart 1979:279). An infusion was drunk by Flathead women at childbirth (Hart 1979:279).

Root – a decoction was drunk by the Blackfeet for liver ailments (McClintock 1909:276).

[unspecified parts] – a decoction was drunk by the Cahuilla to treat colds (Bean and Saubel 1972:75).