Lakota name: caŋhlóġaŋ hu waŋjila– Means “weed with one stem”.
hituŋkala nakpála- Means “mouse ear”, because of the shape of the leaves.
poipiye- Name for any medicine good for swellings.
táhca nakapála- Means “deer ear” because of the shape of the leaves.
Listen to Lakota Names: caŋhlóġaŋ hu waŋjila/hituŋkala nakpála/táhca nakpála/poipiye
Scientific name: Antennaria parvifolia
Common Names: littleleaf pussytoes, small-leaf pussytoes, Nuttall's pussytoes, common pussytoes, Rocky Mountain pussytoes, silver pussytoes, and pussytoes.
Lakota medicinal use: Good for swelling.
Description: Littleleaf pussytoes is a stoloniferous, mat-forming, perennial forb. Stems are 1.2 to 6.0 inches (3-15 cm) tall. Leaves are simple, alternate, and mostly basal. Cauline leaves are reduced upwards. The inflorescence is a large, closely aggregated cyme with two to six heads. The fruit is a small achene. This is a wildflower, it can grow in dry conditions, and it needs sun and partial shade. Inflorescence of 1-4 heads, sessile clustered; outer involucral bracts of pistillate heads with obtuse tips.
![Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window](/tree/img/magnify.gif)
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
![](/tree/ToLimages/antennaria_parvifolia1.250a.jpg)
Antennaria parvifolia plants and close-up of flowers © Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte.
Flowering Period: White/Cream colored flowers in May.
U.S. Distribution: In Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
South Dakota Distribution: Infrequent on dry plains over the state, more frequent w. May—June (Van Bruggen 1996).
Habitat: The plant is found on open plains and prairie, in open forests, dry meadows, and pastures, and along roadsides. It exhibits good growth on gentle slopes, but does not grow well on steep slopes. It grows best on loam-, clayey loam-, and clay-textured soils. Growth is poor on gravel, sand, and dense clay.
Existing or Potential Threats: Possible threats are grazing, timber harvest, conversion to agricultural or residential development, recreational activities, and road maintenance and construction.
Comments: This plant is a larval host for the painted lady butterfly.
Information on the Internet
Education Standards
State Education Standards
- South Dakota Education Standards
- 9-12.L.1.1. Students are able to relate cellular functions and processes to specialized structures within cells.
- 9-12.L.1.2. Students are able to classify organisms using characteristics and evolutionary relationships of major taxa.
- 9-12.S.1.1. Students are able to explain ethical roles and responsibilities of scientists and scientific research.
- 9-12.S.1.2. Students are able to evaluate and describe the impact of scientific discoveries on historical events and social, economic, and ethical issues.
- 9-12.N.1.1. Students are able to evaluate a scientific discovery to determine and describe how societal, cultural, and personal beliefs influence scientific investigations and interpretations.
- 9-12.N.2.1. Students are able to apply science process skills to design and conduct student investigations. (Synthesis)
- 9-12.N.2.2. Students are able to practice safe and effective laboratory techniques.
National Education Standards
- National Education Standards
CONTENT STANDARD A: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understandings about scientific inquiry
CONTENT STANDARD B: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of
- Structure of atoms
- Structure and properties of matter
- Chemical reactions
- Motions and forces
- Conservation of energy and increase in disorder
- Interactions of energy and matter
CONTENT STANDARD C: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of
- The cell
- Molecular basis of heredity
- Biological evolution
- Interdependence of organisms
- Matter, energy, and organization in living systems
- Behavior of organisms
CONTENT STANDARD E: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop
- Abilities of technological design
- Understandings about science and technology
CONTENT STANDARD F: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of
- Personal and community health
- Population growth
- Natural resources
- Environmental quality
- Natural and human-induced hazards
- Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
CONTENT STANDARD G: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of
- Science as a human endeavor
- Nature of scientific knowledge
- Historical perspectives
About This Page
Author: 1sagebrush26
Classroom Project: Medicinal Plants of the Lakota Sioux
Lead-Deadwood High School
Lead, South Dakota United States
License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to , Lead-Deadwood High School
Page copyright © 2008 1sagebrush26
About This Portfolio
I would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their help with this project:
- Rev. Raymond Bucko S.J., Creighton University Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- My student mentor Devan, Kim Loeffen, Tony Beisiot, Wade Mackey, and Sharon Burns for their technical help.
- F.J. Doody, Buechel Memorial Museum, St. Francis, S.D.
- Ben Black Bear Jr. for his audio of Lakota names, St. Francis, S.D. (Author of the Introduction of Dilwyn Rogers' Book of Father Buechel's research.)
- Katja Schulz Managing Editor ToL
- And mostly, my students for their perserverence!
Page copyright © 2008