The Roots of Cows [cous]

Object Status:

Unlocated

Primary Source Reference:

Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 44

Additional Source Text:

"So called by the Pallatepallers [Nez Perce] with whom it forms a principal article of food."

This artifact appears on a long list of "Articles collected by Meriwether Lewis Esqr. and William Clark Esq. in their voyage and Journey of Discovery, up the Missouri to its source and to the Pacific Ocean, presented at different periods, through the president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson."

Notes:

Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and William Clark (1770-1838) undertook their western Expedition in 1804-1806.

Lomatium cous (cous biscuitroot) is a perennial herb of the family Apiaceae whose root is prized as a food by the tribes of the southern plateau of the Pacific Northwest.

Jefferson also provided a specimen to the American Philosophical Society, since transferred to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (pictuted here).

See the article "Cous" by Joseph A. Mussulman at http://www.lewis-clark.org/article/2776#

Current Common Name:

Cous

Current Scientific Name

Lomatium cous