Fagaceae Quercus agrifolia N‚e

California Live Oak

Luiseno - Food, Staple

Use documented by:
Sparkman, Philip S., 1908, The Culture of the Luiseno Indians, University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 8(4):187-234, page 194

View all documented uses for Quercus agrifolia N‚e

Scientific name: Quercus agrifolia N‚e
USDA symbol: QUAGA (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: California Live Oak
Family: Fagaceae
Family (APG): Fagaceae
Native American Tribe: Luiseno
Use category: Food
Use sub-category: Staple
Notes: Acorns from storage granaries pounded in a mortar and pestle to make a flour. Several methods were used to remove the bitterness from the acorn meal. The meal was either leached with hot water, placed in a rush basket and warm water poured over it or placed in a sand hole and warm water poured over it to soak away the bitterness.

RECRD: 30801 id: 31849