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Flagroot In the marshy areas around the shores of Big Lake grows a woody fibrous plant known as flagroot. Flagroot is harvested in the late spring. The Passamaquoddy people hang the plants and dry the roots. The roots can be eaten or chewed. More commonly the plant is steeped and brewed into a tea. Flagroot has a slightly bitter flavor and is used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms, sorethroats, and respiratory ailments. The sixth, seventh, and eighth graders went to the swamp and harvested the plant. Then we hung it up to dry for a few days and then brewed it into a tea and drank it. It does work as our teacher choked it down and the next day her throat was better. We integrate Passamaquoddy culture into our science lessons and this accompanied our study of plant life.