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Introduction
Plants
Vilgesluovvar
Fiskesmiehtaluovvar
Varraruohtas
Čáhppesskážir
Bađverássi
Niitohombil
Gieddejuopmu
Biiporássi
Gieganjuollá

Notes on foraging

Introduction


Plants

This is the part where I talk (read: write) about various plants as I come across them.

Vilgesluovvar

Vilges - white, Luovvar - clover

Trifolium repens

A common and nutricious plant. Vilgesluovvar, white clover, spreads fast and is popular as animal food. I have some personal contempt for the concept of a lawn, and I believe that people should keep gardens diversity alive. Tall grass attracts many insects, and for some that itself is a nightmare. Tall grass could also be a fire hazard; for these two reasons I adore clover, as it makes a fine substitute for grass. Grass must be cut, clover does not - it doesn't grow very tall, it smells discrete but lovely, it flowers and overs the ground. Clover flowers are rich in pollen and taste quite sweet at the right time of the year. Both the flowers and pedals are edible, although the pedals are best early in spring.

Varraruohtas

Varra - blood, Ruohtas - root

Potentilla erecta

Named for its blood red root, varraruohtas is used to treat bacterial infections in the mouth or stomach. The root can be dried and pulverised or used fresh.

Čáhppesskážir

Čáhppes - black

Skážir - long strand of grass

Plantago lanceolata

A favorite of mine. Wonderful for small wounds in the mouth, and most known for its healing effect on the lungs. Čáhppesskážir can be eaten raw and would make a good addition to the diet of people with lung issues such as asthma or long term lung infections.

Bađverássi

Bađvi - ┐(゚ ~゚ )┌

Rássi - grass

Alchemilla vulgaris

Beautiful and refreshing plant. The water that gathers in the flowercup has been believed to have magical powers in many different cultures. It is said that princesses would wash their face with the drows of this plant. The drops are produced by the plant itself, and will appear in the morning even when it hasn't rained. My favorite are leaves before they open, and the flowers.

Niitohombil

Niitu - natural meadow

Hombil - ┐(゚ ~゚ )┌

Prunella vulgaris

An all around healing plant. Loved by bees and taste quite well when it is not too dry. Used in herbal teas, ointments etc., both inside and outside of the body.

Gieddejuopmu

Gieddi - cultural meadow

Juopmu - sourgrass

Rumex acetosa

A classical plant, known to every child as natures sour candy. Used in a type of traditional sámi porridge.

Biiporássi

Biipu - pipe

Rássi - grass

Valeriana sambucifolia

The root of biiporássi is quite famous for its effect of stress and trouble sleeping. It is a sedative plant that has also been processed and commercialised for its medicinal value. The sámi name suggests that it has been used in pipes (smokes), a traditional also found in some native american communities. When drying the root of biiporássi, it will produce a very strong smell that some dislike strongly, and others find more pleasant - root of biiporássi has a similar effect on cats as that of the catnip plant.

Gieganjuollá

Giegan - goat

Juolla - ┐(゚ ~゚ )┌

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Gieganjuollá has a tendency to completely cover areas where the soil skin and root system in damaged, placed with exposed soil. It is loved for it "asparges-like" quality, and prerably gathered very soon after it sticks it head out of the ground, as the stem becomes very hard and stringy when older. The bright pink flowers are popular as garnish.