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Igiituk is another wild celery. It grows to heights
of over 3 feet and has a 2-3 inch thick hollow stem. The
large umbel-shaped head of flowers can grow to be 5 or 6
inches in diameter. The leaves are compound, or divided into
sections and resemble the leaves of domestic celery that is
found in stores.
Igiituk is eaten just as domestic celery is eaten
raw. The outside is peeled off, just like some people peel
the stringy cellulose out of domestic celery. The stem is
cut into sections and dipped in seal oil similar to using
salad dressing.
Agnes and Debbie Amorak mentioned the use of the
igiituk seeds as a beverage, like coffee.
Agnes said that her father would pan fry the seeds in a dry
pan and then pour hot water over the seeds just like coffee.
Neither of the women had done this themselves, but it would
be interesting to try.
Kathy Punguk, who married my Uncle Tommy Punguk told me her
people use the root of this plant for medicinal purpose to
cure chest and head colds. She is from Gamble, Alaska, where
they speak Siberian Yupik. Gamble is located on St. Lawrence
Island found in the Bering Sea just 50 or 60 miles from the
Siberian coast, closer to Siberia than to Alaska. The name
for this plant there is, dipluk . The root
is collected in the summer and dried for use in winter, when
colds are most common. Aunt Kathy said they chew the root in
small amount and it soothes sore throats.
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