| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Basketry Bark stripped and used to make emergency trays or buckets in the woods. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Basketry Bark used for buckets and baskets. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 413 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Basketry Baskets made for gathering and storing berries, maple sugar, dried fish, meat or any food. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Building Material Bark used for wigwam coverings. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 413 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Building Material Bark used to build dwellings and lodges. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 241 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Building Material Sheets of bark sewn together, made into rolls and used as waterproof roofing for wigwams. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Canoe Material Bark used for canoes. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 413 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Canoe Material Bark used to make birch bark canoes. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 241 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Fiber, Canoe Material Heavy pieces of bark used to make very durable canoes. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Food, Preservative Birch bark keeps the food stored in it from spoiling. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Ceremonial Items Bark placed on the coffins when burying the dead. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 241 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Containers Bark used to make small vessels, pails and trays. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 241 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Containers Bark used to make storage containers, sap dishes, rice baskets, buckets, trays and winnowing dishes. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 241 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Cooking Tools Bark used to make all sorts of drying trays. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Cooking Tools Bark used to make dishes. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 241 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Cooking Tools Bark used to make funnels for pouring hot lard. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Cooking Tools Bark used to make shallow trays for winnowing wild rice. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Cooking Tools Nearly any kitchen utensil common to the white man, could be duplicated in birch bark by the Ojibwe. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Fuel After stripping a felled tree of its bark, it was salvaged for firewood. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Fuel Scraps of bark used by women to kindle or light fires. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Lighting Bark rolled into a handy, burn all night torch. The Ojibwe often used a torch of rolled birch bark in lieu of candles. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 416 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Paper Patterns for decorative art made upon the bark. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 413 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Paper Records of medicine lodge rituals kept on its virgin surface. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Paper There were many layers of bark ranging from the thinnest paper to quite heavy pieces. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Preservative Wood had the property of protecting articles stored in it from decay. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Protection Ojibwe claim that birch was never struck by lightning, hence offered a safe harbor in thunderstorms. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Sacred Items No birch was gathered by the Ojibwe without due offering of tobacco to Winabojo & Grandmother Earth. Families made a pilgrimage to birch groves during the latter part of June and in July to gather their supply of birch bark, because it peels most easily at that time. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Sacred Items Paper birch and cedar form the two most sacred trees of the Ojibwe, both of which were very useful. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper Birch USDA BEPAP |
Ojibwa Other, Sacred Items The Ojibwe regard the bark as a distinct 'contribution from Winabojo.' Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 414 |
| Betula pumila var. glandulifera Regel Glandulose Birch USDA BEPUG |
Ojibwa Drug, Gynecological Aid Infusion of cones taken during menses and for strength after childbirth. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 358 |
| Betula pumila var. glandulifera Regel Glandulose Birch USDA BEPUG |
Ojibwa Drug, Respiratory Aid Smoke of cones inhaled for catarrh. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 358 |
| Betula pumila var. glandulifera Regel Glandulose Birch USDA BEPUG |
Ojibwa Fiber, Basketry Twigs of this dwarf birch used for the ribs of baskets. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 417 |
| Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. Rattlesnake Fern USDA BOVI |
Ojibwa Drug, Pulmonary Aid Plant said to be good for lung trouble. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 377 |
| Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. Rattlesnake Fern USDA BOVI |
Ojibwa Drug, Tuberculosis Remedy Plant said to be good for consumption. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 377 |
| Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. Rattlesnake Fern USDA BOVI |
Ojibwa, South Drug, Dermatological Aid Poultice of bruised root applied to cuts. Hoffman, W.J., 1891, The Midewiwin or 'Grand Medicine Society' of the Ojibwa, SI-BAE Annual Report #7, page 201 |
| Brassica rapa var. rapa Birdrape USDA BRRAR |
Ojibwa Drug, Unspecified Plant used for medicinal purposes. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 232 |
| Caltha palustris L. Yellow Marshmarigold USDA CAPAP6 |
Ojibwa Food, Unspecified Leaves cooked with pork in the spring time. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 408 |
| Campanula rotundifolia L. Bluebell Bellflower USDA CARO2 |
Ojibwa Drug, Pulmonary Aid Compound containing root used for lung troubles. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 360 |
| Cardamine diphylla (Michx.) Wood Crinkleroot USDA CADI10 |
Ojibwa Food, Sauce & Relish Ground roots mixed with salt, sugar or vinegar and used as a condiment or relish. Arnason, Thor, Richard J. Hebda and Timothy Johns, 1981, Use of Plants for Food and Medicine by Native Peoples of Eastern Canada, Canadian Journal of Botany 59(11):2189-2325, page 2207 |
| Cardamine maxima (Nutt.) Wood Large Toothwort USDA CAMA36 |
Ojibwa Drug, Gastrointestinal Aid Roots used as a good medicine for the stomach. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 399 |
| Cardamine maxima (Nutt.) Wood Large Toothwort USDA CAMA36 |
Ojibwa Food, Vegetable Favored wild potatoes cooked with corn and deer meat or beans and deer meat. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 399 |
| Carya ovata (P. Mill.) K. Koch Shagbark Hickory USDA CAOV2 |
Ojibwa Food, Unspecified Edible nuts were appreciated. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 405 |
| Carya ovata (P. Mill.) K. Koch Shagbark Hickory USDA CAOV2 |
Ojibwa Other, Hunting & Fishing Item Wood used for making bows. Some are quite particular about the piece of wood they select, choosing a billet from the tree that includes heart wood on one side and sap wood on the other. The heart wood is the front of the bow in use, while the sap wood is nearest the user. It is a wood of general utility. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 419 |
| Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. Blue Cohosh USDA CATH2 |
Ojibwa Drug, Analgesic Root used for stomach cramps accompanying painful menstruation. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 358 |
| Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. Blue Cohosh USDA CATH2 |
Ojibwa Drug, Emetic Decoction of root taken as an emetic. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 358 |
| Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. Blue Cohosh USDA CATH2 |
Ojibwa Drug, Gynecological Aid Root used for stomach cramps accompanying painful menstruation. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 358 |
| Celastrus scandens L. American Bittersweet USDA CESC |
Ojibwa Drug, Gastrointestinal Aid Berries used for stomach trouble. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 362 |
| Celastrus scandens L. American Bittersweet USDA CESC |
Ojibwa Drug, Unspecified Plant used for medicinal purposes. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 233 |
| Celastrus scandens L. American Bittersweet USDA CESC |
Ojibwa Food, Soup Inner bark used to make a thick soup when other food unobtainable in the winter. The Ojibwe name of the bitter-sweet is 'manidobima' kwit' which means 'spirit twisted' and 'refers to the twisted intestines of the their culture hero, Winabojo. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 398 |
| Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B.S.P. Atlantic White Cedar USDA CHTH2 |
Ojibwa, South Drug, Analgesic Decoction of leaves used as herbal steam for headache and backache. Hoffman, W.J., 1891, The Midewiwin or 'Grand Medicine Society' of the Ojibwa, SI-BAE Annual Report #7, page 198 |