Tipsin, or prairie turnip, is now blossoming in the grasslands of the northern plains. 21st century ethnobotanists and 19th century observer, William Clark, note this was a staple food of many of the Native people of the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming, a source of starch in their diet. The root was harvested to be eaten fresh, or dried for use during the difficult winter months.
Stories have it that the younger children of the family helped with harvest by locating the plants, while their mothers dug for the tubers. Children were told that the leaves pointed in the direction of the other tipsin plants, so they should follow the direction the leaflets pointed to find more. Take a close look at that leaf....pretty sneaky way to keep the kids occupied, but also helpful to a busy mother having more eyes looking for the plants. Love the universal ingenuity of mothers!
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