Botanical atlas

Pinedrops

Pterospora andromedea

Long before botanists understood how it survived without a single green leaf, pinedrops caught the attention of the people who shared its forests. Several Native nations of western and northern North America, including Gosiute, Paiute, Shoshoni, and Washoe communities, are recorded as having used infusions or decoctions of the plant for stomach complaints, kidney and bladder troubles, and as a wash or poultice for sores. The Cheyenne are said to have valued the dried, rust-colored stalks for their own reasons beyond the physical, keeping them as a plant of protection. Because it cannot be cultivated and rarely grows thick enough to gather without harm, pinedrops never became a mainstay of any materia medica, but it remained a quietly respected part of forest life and lore.

In tradition.

Long before botanists understood how it survived without a single green leaf, pinedrops caught the attention of the people who shared its forests. Several Native nations of western and northern North America, including Gosiute, Paiute, Shoshoni, and Washoe communities, are recorded as having used infusions or decoctions of the plant for stomach complaints, kidney and bladder troubles, and as a wash or poultice for sores. The Cheyenne are said to have valued the dried, rust-colored stalks for their own reasons beyond the physical, keeping them as a plant of protection. Because it cannot be cultivated and rarely grows thick enough to gather without harm, pinedrops never became a mainstay of any materia medica, but it remained a quietly respected part of forest life and lore.

Safety.

Pinedrops has no reliable record of food or medicinal use, so no safe dose can be given. It's also rare or endangered across much of its range and dies when dug up, so it's best left growing wild rather than harvested.