1/29/23 Ethnobotany Plants to Know - 10

Question 1

How was California Buckwheat used by indigenous peoples

Answer 1

Used to treat headache, diarrhea, stomach problems, heart problems, colds, coughs, wounds

Used in its entirety (leaves, seeds, roots, flowers) for teas and poultices

Seeds also were food

Question 2

Eriogonum Fasciculatum

Answer 2

California Buckwheat

Question 3

How is California Buckwheat used in modern day

Answer 3

Its poultice is used today to treat arthritis utilizing the anti-inflammatory properties

Question 4

How did California Buckwheat inspire a modern commodity?

Answer 4

Inspired modern food diets

Gluten free, fiber + protein source, vitamin source

Improves heart health, weight loss, diabetes

Question 5

Nicotiana spp.

Answer 5

Tobacco Plants

Question 6

How was Tobacco used by the Indigenous people

Answer 6

Used for religious ceremonies (prayers/sweat lodges), and offerings to deities

Pain killer for ear and toothaches

Trade and currency

Question 7

How did Tobacco inspire a modern commodity

Answer 7

Europeans brought back to Europe, and harvested it as a cash crop -> American export

Question 8

How is Tobacco used today

Answer 8

Large tobacco industry, cigarettes, cigars, dipping tobacco, etc.

Question 9

Satureja douglasii

Answer 9

Yerba buena

Question 10

How was Yerba buena used by the Indigenous peoples

Answer 10

Leaves used for tea for stomach ailments, fevers, eye infections, colds

Stems and leaves wrapped around head for headache

Skin wash for rashes and prickly heat

Question 11

How is Yerba Buena used today?

Answer 11

Toothpaste, soaps

Cooking for its spearmint flavor

Question 12

Yucca Whipplei

Answer 12

chaparral yucca

Question 13

How was Yucca Whipplei used by the Indigenous peoples?

Answer 13

Weaved baskets, rope, sewing, and soap

Used by the Chumash for fishing line

Question 14

How is Yucca Whipplei used today?

Answer 14

Xeriscaping (process of landscaping with little irrigation)

Question 15

Lophophora williamsii

Answer 15

Peyote cactus

Question 16

How was peyote cactus used by the Indigenous peoples?

Answer 16

Religious sacrament / ceremonial medicine

Snakebite, scorpions, burns, wounds, fever, toothache, arthritis

Question 17

How did peyote cactus inspire a modern commodity?

Answer 17

Schedule 1 narcotic (drugs with. no benefits)

May help with mental health

Question 18

How id Peyote cactus used today?

Answer 18

Native American Church can use it

Government restricts it elsewhere

Question 19

Umbellularia californica

Answer 19

California bay

Question 20

How was California bay used by the Indigenous peoples?

Answer 20

Skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal
Crushed leaves for pain relief
Tea for sore throats
Leaf oil for earaches and sores

Fruity flesh and nut was edible
Leaf was used for cooking

Wood for bows

Question 21

How did California bay inspire a modern commodity?

Answer 21

Wood used for instruments
Seasoning

Question 22

How is California bay used today?

Answer 22

Antimicrobial effects again bacteria (MRSA)
Cooking
Wood for instruments and furniture

Question 23

Sambacus mexicana

Answer 23

Mexican elderberry

Question 24

How was Mexican elderberry used by Indigenous peoples?

Answer 24

Flowers brewed in a broth, berries spread externally for sprains or sore joints

Berries eaten or dried

Question 25

How is Mexican elderberry used today?

Answer 25

Syrups, preserves, baked goods Boiling flowers in tea for fever, cold, flu, stomach

Question 26

Claytonia perfoliata

Answer 26

Miner's lettuce

Question 27

How was miner's lettuce used by the Indigenous peoples?

Answer 27

Poultice for rheumatic pain Juice for appetizer restorer Tea used as a diuretic

Question 28

How is miner's lettuce used today?

Answer 28

Inspired Gold rush miners to eat it to prevent scurvy Salad garnish or served boiled

Question 29

Sequoia sempervirens

Answer 29

Coastal Redwood

Question 30

How was Coastal Redwood used by Indigenous peoples?

Answer 30

Young trees used for earaches Tea was for UTI Inner bark for blood purification Thick bark for shelter

Question 31

How is Coastal Redwood used today?

Answer 31

Trees exported for lumber Slow to burn, water absorption, durability

Question 32

Archtostaphylos spp.

Answer 32

Manzanita

Question 33

How was Manzanita used by Indigenous peoples?

Answer 33

Berries for cider Wood for fire drills Chewed for nausea and upset stomachs Soaked leaves for dressing to reduce discomfort with poison oak rashes

Question 34

How is Manzanita used today?

Answer 34

Wood for driftwood Leaves for poison oak Flowers and berries edible Bark smoked or used for tea