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Drawing copyright Mark Müller
Rhamnaceae Family - "New Jersey Tea. Red Root, Mountain Sweet, Wild Snowball, Wild Pepper, Spangles, Walpalo Tea"
Ceanothus from an ancient name, the meaning of which has been lost and from americanus meaning "of America".
Found on prairies and prairie remnants and along the borders of woods and rocky sites. Blooms from late May to September. Low upright shrub up to 3 feet in height. Very small five-petaled flowers occur in clusters 3/4 of an inch to 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
Native Americans used New Jersey Tea extensively and they claimed great powers from this plant. They called it Kituki Manito, meaning "spotted snake spirit". The roots of Ceanothus americanus are twisted and knotted and reminded them of bowels. To this end, they ascribed many uses for treatment of bowel ailments (there's that old Doctrine of Signatures again). A syrup made from the leaves and flowers was used to treat sore throats, even to the extent of ulcerated sore throats. It was also used to treat dysentery, gonorrhea, eye trouble in children and high blood pressure. It also served as an expectorant, stimulant, sedative and as an astringent. Among all the Tallgrrass species, it is the best known substitute for tea. New Jersey Tea contains no caffiene, but certain objectionable alkaloids may be extracted if steeped too long. The fresh flowers when crushed and rubbed with water, make up an excellent lather. The Cherokees used this lather as a wash for skin cancer and venereal sores. New Jersey Tea was also used to tanhides because the roots have a very high tannin content.
