| Eriogonum compositum Dougl. ex Benth. Arrowleaf Buckwheat USDA ERCOC8 |
Okanagan-Colville Other, Toys & Games Stems used by children to play a game. Children played a game with the stems of these plants. They broke off the main stem, leaving one side branch attached to make a 'hook.' Each child took one of these. They hooked them together and pulled. The first one to break his or her stick lost the game. Turner, Nancy J., R. Bouchard and Dorothy I.D. Kennedy, 1980, Ethnobotany of the Okanagan-Colville Indians of British Columbia and Washington, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 112 |
| Eriogonum heracleoides Nutt. Parsnipflower Buckwheat USDA ERHEH3 |
Okanagan-Colville Other, Toys & Games Stems used by children to play a game. Children played a game with the stems of these plants. They broke off the main stem, leaving one side branch attached to make a 'hook.' Each child took one of these. They hooked them together and pulled. The first one to break his or her stick lost the game. Turner, Nancy J., R. Bouchard and Dorothy I.D. Kennedy, 1980, Ethnobotany of the Okanagan-Colville Indians of British Columbia and Washington, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 112 |
| Eriogonum niveum Dougl. ex Benth. Snow Buckwheat USDA ERNI2 |
Okanagan-Colville Other, Toys & Games Stems used by children to play a game. Children played a game with the stems of these plants. They broke off the main stem, leaving one side branch attached to make a 'hook.' Each child took one of these. They hooked them together and pulled. The first one to break his or her stick lost the game. Turner, Nancy J., R. Bouchard and Dorothy I.D. Kennedy, 1980, Ethnobotany of the Okanagan-Colville Indians of British Columbia and Washington, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 112 |
| Erythronium grandiflorum Pursh Dogtooth Lily USDA ERGRG3 |
Thompson Food, Unspecified Corms considered an important traditional food source. Because raw corms were considered poisonous, most of the corms were pit cooked, either immediately after harvesting or at a later date after they had been strung and dried. In the latter case, they were soaked for a few minutes in lukewarm water until they had regained about two-thirds of their moisture before being placed in the cooking pit. They could be eaten immediately or redried for later use, when they could be could again very quickly. One informant confirmed that the corms cooked and eaten immediately after harvesting were not as sweet and good as those that had been stored first. Turner, Nancy J., Laurence C. Thompson and M. Terry Thompson et al., 1990, Thompson Ethnobotany: Knowledge and Usage of Plants by the Thompson Indians of British Columbia, Victoria. Royal British Columbia Museum, page 121 |
| Evernia vulpina (L.) Acharius |
Blackfoot Drug, Dermatological Aid Plant blackened in a fire and rubbed on rashes, eczema and wart sores. Hellson, John C., 1974, Ethnobotany of the Blackfoot Indians, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 76 |
| Fouquieria splendens Engelm. Ocotillo USDA FOSP2 |
Cahuilla Other, Fuel Wood used for firewood. Bean, Lowell John and Katherine Siva Saubel, 1972, Temalpakh (From the Earth); Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants, Banning, CA. Malki Museum Press, page 74 |
| Fragaria vesca ssp. americana (Porter) Staudt Woodland Strawberry USDA FRVEA2 |
Iroquois Food, Dried Food Raw or cooked fruit sun or fire dried and stored for future use. Waugh, F. W., 1916, Iroquis Foods and Food Preparation, Ottawa. Canada Department of Mines, page 127 |
| Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Virginia Strawberry USDA FRVIV |
Iroquois Food, Dried Food Raw or cooked fruit sun or fire dried and stored for future use. Waugh, F. W., 1916, Iroquis Foods and Food Preparation, Ottawa. Canada Department of Mines, page 127 |
| Fraxinus nigra Marsh. Black Ash USDA FRNI |
Chippewa Other, Fuel Wood used for fuel for quiet fires because it did not crackle and shoot sparks like other woods. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1933, Some Chippewa Uses of Plants, Ann Arbor. University of Michigan Press, page 139 |
| Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. Green Ash USDA FRPE |
Cherokee Fiber, Building Material Wood used for firewood and lumber. Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 23 |
| Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. Green Ash USDA FRPE |
Cherokee Other, Fuel Wood used for firewood and lumber. Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 23 |
| Fraxinus sp. Ash |
Algonquin, Quebec Drug, Ear Medicine Sap used for earaches. Medicine was made by placing the end of a fresh log or branch in a fire. The sap was collected as it appeared from the opposite end. Black, Meredith Jean, 1980, Algonquin Ethnobotany: An Interpretation of Aboriginal Adaptation in South Western Quebec, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series Number 65, page 218 |
| Fritillaria camschatcensis (L.) Ker-Gawl. Kamchatka Missionbells USDA FRCA5 |
Hesquiat Food, Forage The first horse seen in the Hesquiat area was said to have eaten mission bells. Turner, Nancy J. and Barbara S. Efrat, 1982, Ethnobotany of the Hesquiat Indians of Vancouver Island, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 55 |
| Fucus gardneri Silva Bladderwrack Kelp |
Haisla and Hanaksiala Other, Tools Plant used with an open fire to steam heat kerfed boards to bend into red cedar bentwood boxes. Compton, Brian Douglas, 1993, Upper North Wakashan and Southern Tsimshian Ethnobotany: The Knowledge and Usage of Plants..., Ph.D. Dissertation, University of British Columbia, page 125 |
| Gaillardia pulchella Foug. Firewheel USDA GAPUP2 |
Kiowa Other, Decorations Flowers used for ornaments in the homes. Vestal, Paul A. and Richard Evans Schultes, 1939, The Economic Botany of the Kiowa Indians, Cambridge MA. Botanical Museum of Harvard University, page 60 |
| Gaillardia pulchella Foug. Firewheel USDA GAPUP2 |
Kiowa Other, Good Luck Charm Flowers believed to bring luck. Vestal, Paul A. and Richard Evans Schultes, 1939, The Economic Botany of the Kiowa Indians, Cambridge MA. Botanical Museum of Harvard University, page 60 |
| Gaillardia pulchella var. pulchella Firewheel USDA GAPUP2 |
Keres, Western Drug, Gynecological Aid Plant rubbed on mothers' breasts to wean infant. Swank, George R., 1932, The Ethnobotany of the Acoma and Laguna Indians, University of New Mexico, M.A. Thesis, page 44 |
| Gaillardia pulchella var. pulchella Firewheel USDA GAPUP2 |
Keres, Western Drug, Psychological Aid Infusion of plant used to become good drummers. Swank, George R., 1932, The Ethnobotany of the Acoma and Laguna Indians, University of New Mexico, M.A. Thesis, page 44 |
| Galium sp. Bedstraw |
Cowichan Other, Fuel Dried plants used for lighting fires. Turner, Nancy Chapman and Marcus A. M. Bell, 1971, The Ethnobotany of the Coast Salish Indians of Vancouver Island, I and II, Economic Botany 25(1):63-104, 335-339, page 88 |
| Garrya elliptica Dougl. ex Lindl. Wavyleaf Silktassel USDA GAEL |
Yurok, South Coast (Nererner) Other, Tools Wood hardened by fire and used for mussel bars to pry the mussels off the rocks. Merriam, C. Hart, 1966, Ethnographic Notes on California Indian Tribes, University of California Archaeological Research Facility, Berkeley, page 169 |
| Gaultheria procumbens L. Eastern Teaberry USDA GAPR2 |
Iroquois Food, Dried Food Raw or cooked fruit sun or fire dried and stored for future use. Waugh, F. W., 1916, Iroquis Foods and Food Preparation, Ottawa. Canada Department of Mines, page 128 |
| Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal USDA GASH |
Kwakiutl, Southern Food, Dried Food Berries mashed, dried over fire and resulting cakes used as a winter food. Turner, Nancy Chapman and Marcus A. M. Bell, 1973, The Ethnobotany of the Southern Kwakiutl Indians of British Columbia, Economic Botany 27:257-310, page 282 |
| Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal USDA GASH |
Nitinaht Drug, Reproductive Aid Large leaves eaten by both newly wed husband and wife for a firstborn baby boy. Turner, Nancy J., John Thomas, Barry F. Carlson and Robert T. Ogilvie, 1983, Ethnobotany of the Nitinaht Indians of Vancouver Island, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 104 |
| Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal USDA GASH |
Salish, Coast Food, Bread & Cake Berries boiled, poured into frames, sun or fire dried into cakes and used as a winter food. Turner, Nancy Chapman and Marcus A. M. Bell, 1971, The Ethnobotany of the Coast Salish Indians of Vancouver Island, I and II, Economic Botany 25(1):63-104, 335-339, page 83 |
| Gaura mollis James Velvetweed USDA GAMO5 |
Navajo Other, Protection Plant used to keep the dancers from burning themselves during the Fire Dance at the Mountain Chant. Elmore, Francis H., 1944, Ethnobotany of the Navajo, Sante Fe, NM. School of American Research, page 66 |
| Gaylussacia baccata (Wangenh.) K. Koch Black Huckleberry USDA GABA |
Iroquois Food, Dried Food Raw or cooked fruit sun or fire dried and stored for future use. Waugh, F. W., 1916, Iroquis Foods and Food Preparation, Ottawa. Canada Department of Mines, page 128 |
| Gossypium thurberi Todaro Thurber's Cotton USDA GOTH |
Papago Fiber, Unspecified Used as a source of fiber. Castetter, Edward F. and Willis H. Bell, 1942, Pima and Papago Indian Agriculture, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. First Edition., page 106 |
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby Broom Snakeweed USDA GUSA2 |
Jemez Other, Insecticide Plant placed upon a slow fire and smoke destroyed bees. Cook, Sarah Louise, 1930, The Ethnobotany of Jemez Indians., University of New Mexico, M.A. Thesis, page 23 |
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby Broom Snakeweed USDA GUSA2 |
Navajo Drug, Ceremonial Medicine Wood made into charcoal used in the medicines applied to the ailing gods. Two kinds of charcoal were used in the medicines which were applied to the ailing gods. The first was made from the bark of the pine and willow. The second was made from this plant and three-lobed sagebrush, to which were added the feathers dropped from a live crow and a live buzzard. Elmore, Francis H., 1944, Ethnobotany of the Navajo, Sante Fe, NM. School of American Research, page 86 |
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby Broom Snakeweed USDA GUSA2 |
Navajo Other, Tools Stems used for whirls when making fire by friction. Elmore, Francis H., 1944, Ethnobotany of the Navajo, Sante Fe, NM. School of American Research, page 86 |
| Halosaccion glandiforme (Gmelin) Ruprecht Bladder Seaweed |
Nitinaht Drug, Reproductive Aid Sacs chewed by newly wed women wanting their first baby to be a boy. Turner, Nancy J., John Thomas, Barry F. Carlson and Robert T. Ogilvie, 1983, Ethnobotany of the Nitinaht Indians of Vancouver Island, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 51 |
| Hedysarum alpinum L. Alpine Sweetvetch USDA HEAL |
Tanana, Upper Food, Vegetable Roots eaten raw, roasted over a fire, fried or boiled. Kari, Priscilla Russe, 1985, Upper Tanana Ethnobotany, Anchorage. Alaska Historical Commission, page 14 |
| Hedysarum alpinum L. Alpine Sweetvetch USDA HEAL |
Tanana, Upper Food, Winter Use Food Used in the winter during times of food shortage. A large fire was set over an area where the Indians knew the roots to be abundant. By thawing the ground this way, they were able to dig them out. Kari, Priscilla Russe, 1985, Upper Tanana Ethnobotany, Anchorage. Alaska Historical Commission, page 14 |
| Helianthus annuus L. Common Sunflower USDA HEAN3 |
Tewa Other, Smoking Tools Dried stalks made into fire-sticks and used to light cigarettes. Robbins, W.W., J.P. Harrington and B. Freire-Marreco, 1916, Ethnobotany of the Tewa Indians, SI-BAE Bulletin #55, page 56 |
| Heracleum maximum Bartr. Common Cowparsnip USDA HEMA80 |
Blackfoot Other, Cooking Tools Hollow stems used by infirm people to suck soup and stew without raising up. Hellson, John C., 1974, Ethnobotany of the Blackfoot Indians, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 113 |
| Heracleum maximum Bartr. Common Cowparsnip USDA HEMA80 |
Ojibwa Drug, Hunting Medicine Root used to smudge a fire and drive away a bad spirit from the camp of the hunter. There is a bad spirit who is always present trying to steal away one's luck in hunting game. He must be driven away from the camp of the hunter by smudging a fire with the roots. This gets into the spirit's eyes and he cannot see the hunter leave the camp, so naturally does not follow and bother him. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 432 |
| Heracleum maximum Bartr. Common Cowparsnip USDA HEMA80 |
Ojibwa Drug, Hunting Medicine Seeds used to smudge a fire and drive away a bad spirit from the camp of the hunter. There is a bad spirit who is always present trying to steal away one's luck in hunting game. He must be driven away from the camp of the hunter by smudging a fire with the seeds. This gets into the spirit's eyes and he cannot see the hunter leave the camp, so naturally does not follow and bother him. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 432 |
| Hesperostipa neomexicana (Thurb. ex Coult.) Barkworth New Mexico Needlegrass USDA HENE5 |
Hopi Other, Ceremonial Items Plant used for necklaces on the first initiants in the Wu-chim ceremony. Colton, Harold S., 1974, Hopi History And Ethnobotany, IN D. A. Horr (ed.) Hopi Indians. Garland: New York., page 367 |
| Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth Porcupinegrass USDA HESP11 |
Omaha Fiber, Brushes & Brooms Grains bound with sinew and used to make combs or hairbrushes. The grains were firmly bound with sinew, the points being broken or burned off, the grains forming the teeth, the awns bent back, making the attachment for combs or hairbrushes. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1913, A Study in the Ethnobotany of the Omaha Indians, Nebraska State Historical Society Collections 17:314-57., page 324 |
| Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth Porcupinegrass USDA HESP11 |
Omaha Fiber, Brushes & Brooms Stiff awns firmly bound into a bundle and the pointed grains burned off to make a hairbrush. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 66 |
| Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth Porcupinegrass USDA HESP11 |
Omaha Other, Ceremonial Items Stiff awns firmly bound into a bundle and the pointed grains burned off to make a ceremonial brush. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 66 |
| Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth Porcupinegrass USDA HESP11 |
Pawnee Fiber, Brushes & Brooms Stiff awns firmly bound into a bundle and the pointed grains burned off to make a hairbrush. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 66 |
| Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth Porcupinegrass USDA HESP11 |
Pawnee Other, Ceremonial Items Stiff awns firmly bound into a bundle and the pointed grains burned off to make a ceremonial brush. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 66 |
| Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth Porcupinegrass USDA HESP11 |
Ponca Fiber, Brushes & Brooms Stiff awns firmly bound into a bundle and the pointed grains burned off to make a hairbrush. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 66 |
| Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth Porcupinegrass USDA HESP11 |
Ponca Other, Ceremonial Items Stiff awns firmly bound into a bundle and the pointed grains burned off to make a ceremonial brush. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 66 |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia (Lindl.) M. Roemer Toyon USDA HEARA2 |
Karok Food, Fruit Berries roasted over an open fire and eaten. Baker, Marc A., 1981, The Ethnobotany of the Yurok, Tolowa and Karok Indians of Northwest California, Humboldt State University, M.A. Thesis, page 32 |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia (Lindl.) M. Roemer Toyon USDA HEARA2 |
Yurok Food, Fruit Berries roasted over an open fire and eaten by children. Baker, Marc A., 1981, The Ethnobotany of the Yurok, Tolowa and Karok Indians of Northwest California, Humboldt State University, M.A. Thesis, page 32 |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia var. arbutifolia Toyon USDA HEARA2 |
Karok Food, Fruit Berries put on a basket plate in front of the fire, turned until wilted and eaten. Schenck, Sara M. and E. W. Gifford, 1952, Karok Ethnobotany, Anthropological Records 13(6):377-392, page 385 |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia var. arbutifolia Toyon USDA HEARA2 |
Karok Other, Toys & Games Leaves thrown into the fire by children to hear them crack like firecrackers. Schenck, Sara M. and E. W. Gifford, 1952, Karok Ethnobotany, Anthropological Records 13(6):377-392, page 385 |
| Heuchera cylindrica Dougl. ex Hook. Roundleaf Alumroot USDA HECYC |
Thompson Drug, Dermatological Aid Poultice of root with Douglas fir pitch used for wounds. Turner, Nancy J., Laurence C. Thompson and M. Terry Thompson et al., 1990, Thompson Ethnobotany: Knowledge and Usage of Plants by the Thompson Indians of British Columbia, Victoria. Royal British Columbia Museum, page 282 |