Iridaceae Iris versicolor L.

Harlequin Blueflag

Ojibwa - Other, Protection

Use documented by:
Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 430

View all documented uses for Iris versicolor L.

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Scientific name: Iris versicolor L.
USDA symbol: IRVE2 (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Harlequin Blueflag
Family: Iridaceae
Family (APG): Iridaceae
Native American Tribe: Ojibwa
Use category: Other
Use sub-category: Protection
Notes: Used as a charm against snakes. When blueberry picking, everyone carries a piece of this plant in his clothes and will handle it every little while to perpetuate the scent. They believe that snakes will shun them while so protected. They say that the Arizona Indians use it when they hold their snake dances and are never struck as long as their clothes are fumigated with it. They also chew it to get the odor into their mouths, preparatory to taking rattlesnakes into their teeth. The rattlesnake never offers to bite them so long as the scent of the blue flag persists.

RECRD: 242 id: 18106

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