Pinaceae Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.

Sitka Spruce

Nitinaht - Other, Paint

Use documented by:
Gill, Steven J., 1983, Ethnobotany of the Makah and Ozette People, Olympic Peninsula, Washington (USA), Washington State University, Ph.D. Thesis, page 234

View all documented uses for Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.

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Scientific name: Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.
USDA symbol: PISI (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Sitka Spruce
Family: Pinaceae
Family (APG): Pinaceae
Native American Tribe: Nitinaht
Use category: Other
Use sub-category: Paint
Notes: Pitch used like shellac on harpoons. The pitch was ignited and caught with a mussel shell as it melted. The whale hunter's entire family would join in and chew the pitch until it was the right consistency. Then the hunter would put the pitch on his harpoon, smooth it over and then burn off the excess. Finally, he would shine it until it was smooth like shellac.

RECRD: 6150 id: 27241

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