This is what your uvula looks like. At least that's what early American settlers thought (note: NOT Native Americans). European civilization was still following the "Doctrine of Signatures" - a theory dating back to ancient Greece and given a theological justification in the Middle Ages. The doctrine states that God designed plants to look like the body parts for which they are a medicine. The botanical name "Uvularia sessilifolia" even speaks to the idea that this plant was thought to be used for treating throat diseases. While some religions still cling to this idea, unless you are desperately hungry this plant shouldn't be picked or used for any other purposes. Me ... I was thanking God that I saw this small beautiful flower before I might have stepped on it yesterday.
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