Family: Polemoniaceae or Phlox
Ecology/ Botany:
This biennial and sometimes perennial grows in well-drained, sandy openings or water’s edge in the dry climatic region. It prefers forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir or Ponderosa Pine.
Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses:
The leaves are a blood tonic and are used to treat blood diseases. The whole plant is cathartic and emetic, causing purging and vomiting. The roots are a laxative. Syilx (Okanagan) people have used it as a purgative, or as a skin toner and eye wash, with a decoction of the leaves. Shoshone people have used it as medicine for venereal diseases.
References/Other useful Links:
Parish, Coupe, Lloyd. 1996. Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia. B. C. Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing.
E-FLORA BC: ELECTRONIC ATLAS OF THE FLORA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Ipomopsis aggregata