The Bee’s Teacup

Cup Plant is an herbaceous, native, hardy perennial in the Daisy family. These beauties adorn the meadow beneath the Caldwell First Nations’ Boardwalk from August to September.

Fun Fact: Cup Plant is fancifully known as the Indigenous “Chewing Gum”. The Anishinaabe peoples (including the Chippewa/Ojibwe, of which the Caldwell First Nation is a part) historically gathered and used this plant’s resinous sap as chewing gum. The children would gently slice the upper stems, let the thick, milky liquid ooze out and harden in the summer sun into solid, clear drops of resin. Once firmed up, it was chewed to clean the teeth, freshen the breath, and protect oral health.

The Bee’s Teacup

The Cup Plant opens big and wide,
Like gold summer sunshine outside!
It has a wee rainwater cup,
Where fuzzy, buzzy bees can sup.

They dance below the boardwalk high,
As yellow dust goes floating by,
To dress the meadow in a gown
Of golden light and floral crown!

’Til next time, y’all…