Plants of the Opasquia Park

Fireweed at Central Lake

The Opasquia Park is abundant with fireweed in 


purple and white flowers.



Fireweed derives from the species' abundance as 


a coloniser on burnt sites after forest fires. The 


young shoots were often collected in the spring by 


Native American people and mixed with other 


greens. They are best when young and tender; as 


the plant matures the leaves become tough and 

somewhat bitter. 


The southeast Native Americans use the 


stems in this stage. They are peeled and eaten raw. When properly 


prepared soon after picking they are a good source of vitamin C and pro-vitamin A. The Dena'ina add 


fireweed to their dogs' food. Fireweed is also a medicine of the Upper Inlet Dena'ina, who treat pus-filled 


boils or cuts by placing a piece of the raw stem on the afflicted area. This is said to draw the pus out of the 


cut or boil and prevents a cut with pus in it from healing over too quickly.



A flowering fireweed plant

The root can be roasted after scraping off the outside, but often tastes bitter. To mitigate this, the root is 


collected before the plant flowers and the brown thread in the middle removed.

In Alaska, candies, syrups, jellies, and even ice cream are made from fireweed. Monofloral honey made 


primarily from fireweed nectar has a distinctive, spiced flavor.

-Evie

www.bighookcamps.com