| Acer macrophyllum Pursh Bigleaf Maple USDA ACMA3 |
Thompson Other, Cooking Tools Leaves used to line the containers used in making ripened salmon eggs. The maple leaves were used to line the basket and were placed in layers between the eggs. The eggs were generally prepared in a birch bark basket, placed in a hole in the ground lined with birch bark and left there until springtime when they were considered cooked. 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 147 |
| Acer saccharum Marsh. Sugar Maple USDA ACSAS |
Ojibwa Food, Beverage Sap saved to drink as it comes from the tree, alone or mixed with box elder or birch sap. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 394 |
| Acer saccharum Marsh. Sugar Maple USDA ACSAS |
Ojibwa Food, Sweetener Maple sugar used to season all kinds of meats, replaced now with salt. Smith describes in detail the process by which the Ojibwe make maple syrup. Although now (1932) they use iron kettles, originally the sap and storage vessels were 'made of birch bark, sewed with boiled basswood fiber or the core of the jack pine root.' The vessels are rendered waterproof by the application of pitch secured by boiling jack pine cones. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 394 |
| Acer spicatum Lam. Mountain Maple USDA ACSP2 |
Potawatomi Other, Designs Leaves used as a pattern for bead and applique work. In making up a design for art work or bead work, a woman would burn deer antlers until they turned to charcoal and use this to rub on the backs of leaves. This surface was placed down upon a piece of white birchbark and rubbed until the shape and venation of the leaves were transferred to the birchbark. Then arranging with other leaves, a design would be formed which would be the pattern for the bead work. Oftentimes, this would be placed directly under the loom so that the form and outline of the finished bead work would be a true representation of the natural object. Smith, Huron H., 1933, Ethnobotany of the Forest Potawatomi Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 7:1-230, page 110 |
| Alnus incana (L.) Moench Mountain Alder USDA ALINR |
Cree, Woodlands Dye, Unspecified Infusion of bark applied to darken birch bark used to make baskets. Leighton, Anna L., 1985, Wild Plant Use by the Woods Cree (Nihithawak) of East-Central Saskatchewan, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 27 |
| Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (Du Roi) Clausen Speckled Alder USDA ALINR |
Cree, Woodlands Dye, Unspecified Infusion of bark applied to darken birch bark used to make baskets. Leighton, Anna L., 1985, Wild Plant Use by the Woods Cree (Nihithawak) of East-Central Saskatchewan, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 27 |
| Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (Nutt.) Breitung Thinleaf Alder USDA ALINT |
Cree, Woodlands Dye, Unspecified Infusion of bark applied to darken birch bark used to make baskets. Leighton, Anna L., 1985, Wild Plant Use by the Woods Cree (Nihithawak) of East-Central Saskatchewan, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 27 |
| Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (Nutt.) Breitung Thinleaf Alder USDA ALINT |
Jemez Dye, Red Bark, mountain mahogany bark and birch bark boiled together and used as red dye to paint moccasins. Cook, Sarah Louise, 1930, The Ethnobotany of Jemez Indians., University of New Mexico, M.A. Thesis, page 20 |
| Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roemer Saskatoon Serviceberry USDA AMALA |
Cree, Woodlands Fiber, Basketry Stems used to make rims for birch bark baskets. Leighton, Anna L., 1985, Wild Plant Use by the Woods Cree (Nihithawak) of East-Central Saskatchewan, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 28 |
| Betula alleghaniensis Britt. Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Ojibwa, South Drug, Diuretic Compound decoction of inner bark taken as a diuretic. Hoffman, W.J., 1891, The Midewiwin or 'Grand Medicine Society' of the Ojibwa, SI-BAE Annual Report #7, page 199 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Algonquin, Quebec Food, Substitution Food Sap mixed with maple sap if the latter is not available in sufficient quantities. 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 80 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Cherokee Fiber, Building Material Wood used for 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 25 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Delaware, Oklahoma Drug, Cathartic Decoction of bark taken as a cathartic. Tantaquidgeon, Gladys, 1942, A Study of Delaware Indian Medicine Practice and Folk Beliefs, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission, page 25, 74 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Delaware, Oklahoma Drug, Emetic Decoction of bark taken as an emetic. Tantaquidgeon, Gladys, 1942, A Study of Delaware Indian Medicine Practice and Folk Beliefs, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission, page 25, 74 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Delaware, Oklahoma Drug, Gastrointestinal Aid Decoction of bark taken 'to remove bile from the intestines.' Tantaquidgeon, Gladys, 1942, A Study of Delaware Indian Medicine Practice and Folk Beliefs, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission, page 25 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Delaware, Oklahoma Drug, Liver Aid Decoction of bark taken 'to remove bile from the intestines.' Tantaquidgeon, Gladys, 1942, A Study of Delaware Indian Medicine Practice and Folk Beliefs, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission, page 25 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Iroquois Drug, Blood Medicine Complex compound used as a blood purifier. Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Iroquois Drug, Dermatological Aid Complex compound decoction used as wash for affected parts of 'Italian itch.' Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Iroquois Drug, Gynecological Aid Decoction of plant used for lactation. Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 301 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Micmac Drug, Other Wood used as a hot-water bottle. Chandler, R. Frank, Lois Freeman and Shirley N. Hooper, 1979, Herbal Remedies of the Maritime Indians, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1:49-68, page 55 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Ojibwa Drug, Blood Medicine Decoction of bark taken for internal blood diseases. Reagan, Albert B., 1928, Plants Used by the Bois Fort Chippewa (Ojibwa) Indians of Minnesota, Wisconsin Archeologist 7(4):230-248, page 231 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
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 alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
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 alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Ojibwa Food, Beverage Sap and maple sap used for a pleasant beverage drink. Smith, Huron H., 1932, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of Milwaukee 4:327-525, page 397 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
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 alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
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 alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
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 alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Potawatomi Drug, Adjuvant Infusion of twigs used as a seasoner for medicines. Smith, Huron H., 1933, Ethnobotany of the Forest Potawatomi Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 7:1-230, page 44 |
| Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis Yellow Birch USDA BEALA |
Potawatomi Fiber, Building Material Branches used as poles for the wigwam or medicine lodge. Smith, Huron H., 1933, Ethnobotany of the Forest Potawatomi Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 7:1-230, page 112 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Algonquin, Quebec Drug, Unspecified Infusion of plant used for many medicinal purposes. 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 151 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Cherokee Drug, Antidiarrheal Leaves chewed or infusion taken for dysentery. Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 25 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Cherokee Drug, Cold Remedy Infusion taken for colds. Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 25 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Cherokee Drug, Gastrointestinal Aid Infusion of bark taken for the stomach. Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 25 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Cherokee Drug, Urinary Aid Infusion of bark taken for 'milky urine.' Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 25 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Chippewa Drug, Antidiarrheal Decoction of bark taken for diarrhea. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1933, Some Chippewa Uses of Plants, Ann Arbor. University of Michigan Press, page 128 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Chippewa Drug, Pulmonary Aid Bark used for pulmonary troubles and decoction of bark taken for pneumonia. Gilmore, Melvin R., 1933, Some Chippewa Uses of Plants, Ann Arbor. University of Michigan Press, page 128 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Drug, Blood Medicine Compound decoction taken when the 'blood gets bad and cold.' Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Drug, Cold Remedy Compound infusion taken by women 'when they catch cold with the menses.' Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Drug, Febrifuge Compound decoction taken for fever. Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Drug, Gynecological Aid Compound decoction taken by women who have had gonorrhea and are pregnant. Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Drug, Orthopedic Aid Compound decoction taken for soreness. Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Drug, Stimulant Compound decoction taken 'when a person tires.' Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Drug, Unspecified 'Highly valued medicine because it sustains the deer, the mainstay of life.' Herrick, James William, 1977, Iroquois Medical Botany, State University of New York, Albany, PhD Thesis, page 300 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Iroquois Food, Beverage Twigs steeped into a beverage. Waugh, F. W., 1916, Iroquis Foods and Food Preparation, Ottawa. Canada Department of Mines, page 148 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Mohegan Drug, Tonic Complex compound infusion including black birch bark taken as spring tonic. Tantaquidgeon, Gladys, 1928, Mohegan Medicinal Practices, Weather-Lore and Superstitions, SI-BAE Annual Report #43: 264-270, page 266 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
Mohegan Drug, Tonic Inner bark used to make a tonic. Tantaquidgeon, Gladys, 1972, Folk Medicine of the Delaware and Related Algonkian Indians, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission Anthropological Papers #3, page 70, 128 |
| Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
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 lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
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 lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
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 lenta L. Sweet Birch USDA BELE |
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 |