Lab 14: Ethnobotany of the Mohave Desert
(Mostly Informational)
Objective
By the end of this lab, you'll understand:
What ethnobotany is and why indigenous plant knowledge matters
Traditional uses of native plants by indigenous peoples of the Mohave Desert
How plants provided food, medicine, tools, and materials for desert survival
The difference between traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and Western science
Ethical considerations in studying and using traditional plant knowledge
Sustainable harvesting principles
How traditional knowledge can inform modern conservation and medicine
Materials
Field notebook and pencil
Camera with gps
Plant identification guides (specific to Mohave Desert)
Measuring tape
IMPORTANT ETHICAL GUIDELINES
Cultural Respect and Sensitivity
Ethnobotany studies the relationship between people and plants, particularly traditional and indigenous knowledge.
RESPECT INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
Traditional knowledge is intellectual and cultural property
Indigenous peoples are the original botanists and ecologists of this land
This knowledge was developed over thousands of years
Always acknowledge the source of traditional knowledge
DO NOT HARVEST WITHOUT PERMISSION
Never collect plants on tribal lands without explicit permission
Never collect plants in National Parks or protected areas
Follow all regulations on BLM and public lands
When in doubt, observe and photograph only
NEVER SELF-MEDICATE WITH WILD PLANTS
Many traditional medicines are powerful and potentially dangerous
Dosage, preparation, and identification must be exact
What we study is for knowledge, not personal use
This is educational, not a guide for home medicine
ACKNOWLEDGE TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY
The indigenous peoples of this region are sovereign nations
Their knowledge and sacred sites deserve protection
Some plant uses may be sacred or ceremonial - not for sharing
Not all traditional knowledge should be documented or publicized
PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE OBSERVATION
Leave no trace
Minimal disturbance
Never harvest rare or threatened plants
Follow the "1 in 20 rule" if harvesting permitted (take max 5%)
Ethnobotany isn't just plant science - it's cultural anthropology. We're learning about human relationships with plants that sustained peoples for millennia. Approach this with humility and respect.
BACKGROUND
Indigenous Nations of This Region
The Mohave Desert has been home to indigenous peoples for over 10,000 years.
Primary Nations in Mohave County:
1. Mohave (Aha Macav) People
Traditional territory along the Colorado River
Name means "People who live along the water"
Fort Mohave Indian Reservation
Master farmers, traders, and desert travelers
2. Hualapai (Walapai) Nation
Traditional territory in northwestern Arizona
Name means "People of the tall pines"
Hualapai Reservation (1 million acres in Mohave County)
Mountain and plateau dwellers
3. Southern Paiute People
Traditional territory in northern Mohave Desert
Kaibab Band in northern Arizona
Master desert survival specialists
Extensive plant knowledge for arid environments
4. Chemehuevi People
Closely related to Southern Paiute
Traditional territory along lower Colorado River
Part of Colorado River Indian Tribes
Known for basket-making artistry
Important: These peoples are still here! They are living, thriving cultures - not historical footnotes. Many traditional practices continue today.
What is Ethnobotany?
Ethnobotany = The study of how people use and understand plants
Western science categorizes plants by their evolutionary relationships. Ethnobotany categorizes plants by their relationships with people - how they're used, what they mean culturally, and how they fit into human survival and culture.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
TEK = The evolving knowledge acquired by indigenous peoples over hundreds or thousands of generations through direct contact with the environment
Characteristics of TEK:
Holistic - sees connections between everything
Spiritual - plants have sacred significance
Practical - tested over millennia
Place-based - specific to local environment
Transmitted orally - passed down through stories, practice, teaching
Dynamic - evolves with new observations.
Major Plant Use Categories Indigenous peoples of the Mohave Desert classified plants by function:
FOOD PLANTS
Seeds and nuts (mesquite, pinyon, acorns)
Fruits (prickly pear, agave)
Greens (amaranth, dock)
Roots and tubers (cattails, wild potato)
MEDICINE PLANTS
Pain relief
Digestive remedies
Wound healing
Fever reducers
Respiratory treatments
FIBER & MATERIAL PLANTS
Basketry (willow, devil's claw, yucca)
Cordage (yucca, milkweed)
Tools (hardwoods)
Shelter (wood, thatching)
CEREMONIAL & CULTURAL PLANTS
Sacred plants
Dyes and pigments
Cleansing/purification
Note: Some uses are not appropriate to discuss
TECHNOLOGY PLANTS
Fire-making
Weapons (bows, arrows)
Adhesives and waterproofing
Tools and implements
Part 1: Food Plant Survey & Documentation
Introduction to Traditional Desert Foods
Survival in the Mohave Desert required intimate knowledge of plant foods.
No grocery stores, no agriculture (except along rivers). Every meal required knowing which plants were edible, when they were ready, how to process them, and where to find them. This knowledge meant survival.
Desert plants are highly seasonal. Indigenous peoples followed seasonal rounds - moving to different elevations and locations as different plants became available.
The seasonal calendar:
Spring (March-May): Greens, early flowers, some roots
Summer (June-August): Fruits (prickly pear, wolfberry), mesquite pods
Fall (September-November): Seeds, nuts (pinyon), late fruits, acorns
Winter (December-February): Stored foods, evergreen plants
Step 1: Identify Traditional Food Plants
Attempt to find (and photograph) at least 5 of the species below that were used as food by indigenous peoples. Use the Image GPS to document location.
You will IDENTIFY and DOCUMENT only - not harvest or taste!
Major Traditional Food Plants of Mohave County:
STAPLE FOODS (Most Important)
1. MESQUITE (Prosopis glandulosa, P. velutina)
Mohave name: Aha'eely
Hualapai name: Watalay
Traditional uses:
Seed pods ground into flour for cakes, mush, bread
Sweet taste, high protein and sugar
Could be stored for years
Harvested summer through fall
Nutritional value:
High protein (11-17%)
Natural sugars (25-30%)
Calcium, iron, potassium
More nutritious than wheat!
Processing method:
Collect ripe brown pods (not green!)
Dry completely
Pound in bedrock mortars
Grind into fine flour
Mix with water for cakes or mush
Modern note: Mesquite flour is now sold commercially as a "superfood" - indigenous peoples knew this for thousands of years!
2. PINYON PINE NUTS (Pinus edulis, P. monophylla)
Mohave: Ava
Hualapai: Huwet
Southern Paiute: Tuvip
Traditional uses:
Eaten raw, roasted, or ground into flour
Extremely high in fat and protein
Single seed could sustain energy for hours
Prized trade item
Harvested in mountains (5,000-7,000 ft elevation)
Nutritional powerhouse:
23% protein
60% fat (healthy fats)
High calories for survival
Vitamins B and E
Cultural significance:
Entire families traveled to mountains for harvest
Mast years (heavy production) caused major celebrations
Rights to specific groves were recognized
Surplus stored for lean years
Harvest timing:
August-October depending on elevation
Cones harvested before opening
Heated to open cones and release nuts
Pinyon nuts are so nutritious that a handful provides enough calories and protein for half a day's energy. In desert with scarce resources, this made pinyon pines incredibly valuable.
3. AGAVE (Agave utahensis, A. deserti)
Mohave: Athar
Hualapai: Wiil
Southern Paiute: Various names
Traditional uses:
Heart (center) roasted in earth ovens for days
Becomes sweet (like sweet potato)
Flower stalks also edible (roasted or raw)
Fibers used for cordage and sandals
Juice fermented for drink (post-contact)
Processing - MAJOR UNDERTAKING:
Harvest mature plant (10-15 years old)
Cut away leaves (dangerous!)
Extract heart (can weigh 20-40 lbs)
Dig pit oven
Heat rocks
Layer heart with hot rocks
Cover with earth
Roast 2-3 days
Result: Sweet, fibrous food
Cultural importance:
Special plant requiring ceremony
Shared communally - too much work for one family
Sustainable if only mature plants harvested
Conservation: Never harvest agave without permission - they take 15+ years to mature!
4. PRICKLY PEAR (Opuntia spp.)
Mohave: Kwathanay
Hualapai: Navchi
Southern Paiute: Yampa
Traditional uses:
Fruits (tunas) eaten fresh, dried, or made into cakes
Pads (nopales) eaten as vegetable (young pads)
Seeds separated and ground
Juice drunk fresh or concentrated
Harvest and preparation:
Use sticks to knock fruits into basket
Roll in sand to remove glochids (tiny spines)
Burn off remaining glochids
Peel and eat, or process further
Nutritional value:
High in vitamin C
Calcium and magnesium
Antioxidants
Helps regulate blood sugar
Seasonal timing:
Fruits ripen July-September
Young pads best in spring
Medicinal crossover:
Pads used for wounds and inflammation
Flowers made into tea
Modern research confirms traditional uses!
5. ACORNS (Quercus spp. - various oak species)
Used primarily by Hualapai in higher elevations
Traditional uses:
Ground into flour after leaching (removing bitter tannins)
Made into mush, bread, soup
Could be stored for long periods
High in fats and calories
Processing - ESSENTIAL STEPS:
Collect ripe acorns (fall)
Shell (remove cap and outer shell)
Grind into coarse meal
LEACH with cold water repeatedly
Tannins are bitter and can cause stomach upset
Must remove before eating!
Pour water through meal many times
Continue until water runs clear and taste is mild
Dry leached meal
Grind into fine flour
Cook as mush or cakes
Raw acorns are VERY bitter (tannic acid) and will make you sick. Indigenous peoples discovered that cold water leaching removes tannins while preserving nutrients. Genius food processing!
SUPPLEMENTARY FOODS (Important but not staples)
6. CHIA (Salvia columbariae)
Traditional uses:
Seeds eaten whole or ground
Mixed with water for energy drink
Small seeds, but high in omega-3 fatty acids
Gathered in spring
Modern recognition: Now sold as "superfood" - traditional knowledge validated!
7. CATTAIL (Typha spp.)
Along washes and springs
Traditional uses:
Roots/rhizomes: Starchy, eaten roasted or raw
Young shoots: Like asparagus
Pollen: Protein-rich, added to foods
Young flower heads: Boiled like corn on cob
Also used for mats, baskets
Why important: Reliable food near water sources year-round.
8. WOLFBERRY/DESERT THORN (Lycium spp.)
Traditional uses:
Berries eaten fresh or dried
High in vitamin C
Available summer
Made into cakes for storage
9. AMARANTH (Amaranthus spp.)
Traditional uses:
Seeds ground into flour
Greens eaten as vegetable
High protein content
Volunteers in disturbed areas
10. INDIAN RICEGRASS (Achnatherum hymenoides)
Traditional uses:
Seeds (grain) ground into flour
Labor-intensive to harvest (small seeds)
Grows in sandy areas
Important in lean years
Step 2: Data Table - Food Plants
Importance rating:
5 = Staple food (mesquite, pinyon, agave)
3 = Important supplementary food
1 = Emergency/minor food
Part 2: Medicinal Plant Survey
Introduction to Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine sustained indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
CRITICAL WARNING: DO NOT attempt to use wild plants medicinally based on this lab!
Proper identification is critical
Dosage must be precise
Preparation methods matter
Many plants are toxic if used incorrectly
Some traditional medicines interact with modern drugs
This is for EDUCATIONAL purposes only
Traditional healers trained for years to learn plant medicines. They knew exactly which plant, which part, how much, how to prepare it, and for which conditions. Without this training, medicinal plants can be dangerous.
Traditional Medicine Principles
Indigenous medicine was holistic:
Treated whole person, not just symptoms
Included spiritual/ceremonial components
Prevention was emphasized
Sustainable harvesting was essential
Knowledge was specialized (not everyone knew all remedies)
Step 1: Identify Medicinal Plants
Attempt to find (and photograph) at least 5 of the species below used medicinally.
IMPORTANT: IDENTIFY and OBSERVE only - never harvest or use!
Common Medicinal Plants of Mohave County:
1. CREOSOTE BUSH (Larrea tridentata)
Mohave name: Ahway
Hualapai name: Tutúwa
Paiute name: Shegoi
Traditional medicinal uses:
Respiratory problems: Tea from leaves for coughs, colds, tuberculosis
Arthritis/pain: Leaf poultice on joints
Wounds: Resin applied as antiseptic
Digestive issues: Tea for stomach problems
Skin conditions: Wash for rashes, infections
Active compounds (modern research):
NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) - powerful antioxidant
Volatile oils - antimicrobial
Tannins - astringent
Preparation:
Tea: Steep leaves in hot water (not boiling!)
Poultice: Crush fresh leaves
Wash: Decoction of branches and leaves
Modern validation: Research confirms antimicrobial and antioxidant properties!
Caution: Can cause liver problems in high doses or long-term use. Traditional use was controlled and specific.
2. DESERT WILLOW (Chilopsis linearis)
Hualapai name: Ha'ja
Traditional uses:
Fungal infections: Bark tea for athlete's foot, candida, valley fever
Coughs and sore throat: Flower/bark tea
Wounds: Bark poultice
Active compounds:
Antifungal compounds
Antimicrobial properties
Preparation:
Tea from bark or flowers
Must be properly prepared to avoid bitterness
3. BRITTLEBUSH (Encelia farinosa)
Mohave name: Havasuk
Traditional uses:
Toothache: Resin chewed or applied to tooth
Pain relief: Resin taken internally (small amounts)
Wounds: Resin applied as seal/antiseptic
Gum: Chewed like chewing gum
Active compounds:
Aromatic resins
Pain-relieving properties (mild analgesic)
Cultural note: Resin was also used as adhesive and for waterproofing.
4. YERBA SANTA (Eriodictyon californicum)
"Holy herb" in Spanish
Traditional uses:
Respiratory ailments: Tea for asthma, bronchitis, colds
Fever reducer
Wound wash
Preparation:
Tea from leaves
Strong, slightly bitter taste
Sometimes mixed with honey
Modern use: Still used in herbal medicine today!
5. JUNIPER (Juniperus spp.)
Various species in Mohave County
Traditional uses:
Digestive problems: Berry tea
Urinary tract: Berry tea (diuretic)
Diabetes: Berry tea (helps regulate blood sugar)
Ceremonial cleansing: Smoke from burning branches
Arthritis: Branch tea for bathing sore joints
Active compounds:
Essential oils
Tannins
Various medicinal compounds
Preparation:
Tea from berries (use sparingly - strong!)
Smoke for cleansing
Branch infusion for baths
Caution: Strong medicine - traditional use was controlled doses.
6. MORMON TEA (Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis)
Hualapai name: Tu'ga
Also called "Desert Tea"
Traditional uses:
Stimulant: Tea for energy (contains ephedrine-like compounds)
Respiratory: Opens airways
Kidney/bladder: Diuretic
Blood cleanser
Venereal diseases (traditional use)
Preparation:
Tea from green stems (not dried yellow stems)
Boiled for 5-10 minutes
Sometimes sweetened
Modern caution: Contains ephedrine alkaloids (milder than E. sinica from Asia). Can raise blood pressure and heart rate. Banned in some supplement forms.
Cultural use: Also used as everyday beverage, not just medicine.
7. WHITE SAGE (Salvia apiana)
Sacred plant
Traditional uses:
Ceremonial cleansing: Smoke used in smudging
Respiratory: Tea for colds, congestion
Women's medicine: Various uses (some not publicly shared)
Fever reducer
Digestive aid
Cultural significance:
SACRED PLANT - ceremonial uses
Over-harvested commercially for "smudge sticks"
Should only be used with proper cultural context
Conservation: Please do not harvest sage for "smudging" unless you have cultural connection and proper permission. Commercial over-harvesting threatens wild populations.
8. OSHA (Ligusticum porteri)
"Bear root" - found at higher elevations
Traditional uses:
Respiratory: Root tea for colds, flu, bronchitis
Immune system: Taken at first sign of illness
Stomach: Digestive problems
Snake bite: Traditional antidote (root chewed)
Active compounds:
Strong volatile oils
Z-ligustilide and other compounds
Antimicrobial and antiviral properties
Preparation:
Tea or tincture from root
Very strong taste (root beer/celery-like)
Conservation: Over-harvested! Slow-growing. Many traditional users now cultivate it.
9. YERBA MANSA (Anemopsis californica)
Found near springs and seeps
Traditional uses:
Infections: Root tea for internal infections
Wounds: Root poultice for external wounds
Digestive: Stomach problems
Women's health: Various applications
Active compounds:
Methyleugenol
Strong antimicrobial properties
10. DATURA (Datura wrightii, D. stramonium)
Warning: EXTREMELY TOXIC!
Various indigenous names
Traditional uses:
ONLY by specialized medicine people
Vision quests/ceremonies: Carefully controlled use
Pain relief: External only, extremely controlled
Setting bones: Muscle relaxant properties
EXTREME CAUTION:
Contains deadly tropane alkaloids (scopolamine, hyoscyamine, atropine)
Hallucinogenic
NEVER ingest - can cause death!
Difference between medicine dose and lethal dose is tiny
Even touching can cause skin absorption
To demonstrate that traditional medicine people had profound knowledge. They could use extremely dangerous plants safely because of precise training. This is NOT something to experiment with!
Datura shows why traditional knowledge is specialized. Only trained medicine people used this plant, with exact preparations and doses. Without that training, it's simply poison.
*Note: Willow not common in Mohave County but illustrates principle
Step 2: Data Table - Medicinal Plants
Part 3: Fiber, Material, and Technology Plants
Introduction to Traditional Materials
Every tool, basket, shelter, and piece of clothing came from plants.
No plastic, no metal (except what was traded), no synthetic fibers. Indigenous peoples developed technologies entirely from natural materials - mostly plants. The sophistication is astonishing!
Categories of Material Plants:
Basketry
Cordage (rope and string)
Tools and weapons
Shelter materials
Dyes and pigments
Step 1: Basketry Plants
Basketry was essential technology - baskets served as:
Food storage
Water carriers (tightly woven, sealed with pine pitch)
Cooking vessels (hot rocks dropped in to boil water)
Seed beaters
Carrying containers
Cradles
Artistic expression
Major basketry plants:
WILLOW (Salix spp.)
Use: Framework and weaving
Parts: Young, flexible shoots
Characteristics: Strong, flexible, abundant near water
Preparation: Cut, peel bark (or leave on for color contrast), dry
Collection: Winter/early spring when sap is down
YUCCA (Yucca spp.)
Use: Coiled baskets, mats
Parts: Leaves (fibers extracted)
Characteristics: Strong fibers, durable
Preparation:
Cut mature leaves
Pound to soften
Strip fibers from leaf
Dry and clean fibers
Sometimes dyed
DEVIL'S CLAW (Martynia parviflora)
Use: Black decoration in baskets
Parts: Dried seed pods
Characteristics: Black color, pliable when soaked
Preparation: Harvest mature pods, dry, split into strips
Design: Creates black geometric patterns
SUMAC (Rhus trilobata)
Use: Basket framework
Parts: Young shoots
Characteristics: Flexible, strong, aromatic
COTTONWOOD/WILLOW ROOT
Use: Coiled basket foundation
Characteristics: Soft but strong, easy to coil
Step 2: Cordage Plants
Cordage (rope, string, thread) was essential for:
Nets (fishing, rabbit hunting)
Snares and traps
Bow strings
Tying tools and weapons
Sandal making
Clothing
Major cordage plants:
YUCCA (Yucca spp.)
Best all-purpose fiber
Process:
Extract fibers from leaves (pound or soak)
Clean and dry
Twist fibers together (2-ply or 3-ply)
Continue adding fibers for desired length
Yucca cordage is incredibly strong - can support hundreds of pounds!
MILKWEED (Asclepias spp.)
Use: Fine cordage, thread
Process: Strip bark, soak (ret), separate fibers
Characteristics: Very fine, strong
Special use: Bowstrings
DOGBANE/INDIAN HEMP (Apocynum cannabinum)
Best for fine thread and string
Process: Similar to milkweed (retting bark)
Use: Fishing nets, clothing, thread
Cultural note: Highly prized for quality
AGAVE (Agave spp.)
Use: Heavy-duty cordage, rope
Process:
Extract fibers from leaves
Scrape away pulp
Dry fibers
Twist into rope
Characteristics: Very strong, coarse
Step 3: Tool and Weapon Materials
ARROWS:
Shafts: Hardwoods (desert willow, rabbitbrush stems)
Foreshafts: Very hard wood (greasewood, mesquite)
Fletching: Bird feathers
Points: Stone, bone, or hardwood
Binding: Sinew and pitch glue
BOWS:
Material: Willow, desert willow, mulberry (if available)
Bowstring: Milkweed or dogbane fiber cordage, or sinew
DIGGING STICKS:
Material: Hardwoods (mesquite, ironwood)
Use: Harvesting roots, agave hearts
Design: Fire-hardened tip
SEED BEATERS:
Material: Willow frame, woven basket weave
Use: Beating seeds into basket
Design: Flat paddle shape
Step 4: Shelter Materials
Shelter construction required diverse plant materials:
Structural framework
Roofing/thatching
Wall coverings
Insulation
Waterproofing
Lashing materials
Major shelter plants:
OCOTILLO (Fouquieria splendens)
Use: Wall construction, ramada frames
Parts: Long, straight stems
Characteristics: Durable, rot-resistant, readily available
Construction:
Cut stems to desired length
Plant vertically in ground or lash horizontally
Creates semi-permeable walls for shade and privacy
Cultural note: Classic Southwestern shelter material
SAGUARO RIBS (Carnegiea gigantea)
Use: Roof beams, wall supports, framework
Parts: Internal woody ribs (from dead saguaros)
Characteristics: Lightweight, strong, straight, decay-resistant
Preparation: Harvest from naturally deceased cacti, clean
Length: Up to 15-20 feet long
MESQUITE (Prosopis spp.)
Use: Main structural beams, posts
Parts: Trunk and large branches
Characteristics: Extremely hard, durable, decay-resistant
Preparation: Cut to length, debark if desired
Design: Primary load-bearing elements
CATTAILS/TULE (Typha spp.)
Use: Thatch, mats, wall coverings
Parts: Leaves and stems
Characteristics: Water-resistant, insulating
Preparation:
Harvest mature plants
Dry thoroughly
Bundle or weave into mats
Layer for roofing
Application: Overlapping layers shed rain
GRASSES (various species - beargrass, sacaton, etc.)
Use: Thatching bundles
Parts: Whole plant or leaves
Characteristics: Abundant, water-shedding when bundled
Preparation: Harvest, dry
JUNIPER/CEDAR BARK (Juniperus spp.)
Use: Thatch, wall covering, insulation
Parts: Shredded bark
Characteristics: Fibrous, weather-resistant, insulating
Preparation:
Strip bark from dead trees
Shred into fibrous material
Layer for insulation or weave into mats
WILLOW (Salix spp.)
Use: Wickiup frames, bent framework
Parts: Long, flexible shoots
Characteristics: Can be bent while green
Construction: Form dome or conical frames
Step 5: Dyes and Pigments
Plant dyes provided:
Basket decoration
Body paint
Textile coloring
Hide decoration
Ceremonial use
Artistic expression
Major dye and pigment plants:
RABBITBRUSH (Chrysothamnus/Ericameria spp.)
Color: Bright yellow to gold
Parts: Flowers and stems
Process:
Harvest flowering tops
Boil in water
Strain
Soak fibers or apply to baskets
Mordant: Sometimes used with mineral mordants for permanence
Result: One of the best yellow dyes
BLACK WALNUT (Juglans spp.) / ARIZONA WALNUT
Color: Rich brown to black
Parts: Nut hulls (outer shell)
Process:
Collect green or aged hulls
Soak or boil
Creates dark brown/black dye bath
Characteristics: Very permanent, no mordant needed
Use: Basket decoration, hide darkening
DOCK/CANAIGRE (Rumex hymenosepalus)
Color: Yellow to tan
Parts: Roots
Process:
Dig roots
Chop or crush
Boil to extract color
Additional use: Roots contain tannins for hide tanning
MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY (Cercocarpus spp.)
Color: Reddish-brown
Parts: Bark and roots
Process: Boil bark or roots
Use: Basketry dyes, hide coloring
SUNFLOWER (Helianthus spp.)
Color: Purple to lavender
Parts: Seeds (seed coats)
Process: Boil seeds, strain liquid
Use: Textile and basket dyes
LICHEN (various species)
Color: Range of colors - yellows, browns, reds
Parts: Whole lichen body
Process:
Collect carefully (slow-growing)
Soak or boil
Some require fermentation
Characteristics: Colors vary by species
Sustainability note: Harvest sparingly
Part 4: Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Understanding TEK Principles
This section explores the principles behind traditional plant knowledge.
Principle 1: Sustainable Harvesting
Traditional peoples practiced sustainability naturally - their survival depended on it! The "1 in 20" rule is very conservative - it protects populations effectively!
Key practices:
"Take only what you need"
Don't overharvest
Leave plenty for next year
Leave plenty for wildlife
"Give thanks and give back"
Spiritual practice of thanking plant
Offerings (tobacco, prayer)
Reciprocity with nature
"1 in 20 rule" (modern expression of traditional practice)
Take maximum 1 out of 20 plants
Take maximum 5% of a population
Ensures population can recover
"Harvest makes plants stronger"
Traditional knowledge: Proper harvesting stimulates growth
Modern science: Confirms this for many plants!
Example: Pruning willow shoots promotes more shoots
"Rotate harvest areas"
Don't return to same patch every year
Spread impact across landscape
Allow recovery time
Principle 2: Interconnected Knowledge
Traditional knowledge sees connections between everything:
Plant-Plant connections:
Nurse plants (mesquite shades seedlings)
Plant communities (certain plants grow together)
Seasonal succession
Plant-Animal connections:
Pollinators
Seed dispersers
Herbivores
Predator-prey relationships affect plant distributions
Plant-Water-Soil connections:
Indicator plants (certain plants indicate water)
Soil builders (nitrogen fixers improve soil)
Erosion control
Western science often studies one thing at a time in detail. Traditional knowledge studies how everything relates. Both approaches give insights!
Part 5: Ethical Ethnobotany & Conservation
Understanding Ethical Issues
Ethnobotany raises complex ethical questions:
Issue 1: Intellectual Property
Who owns traditional knowledge?
Traditional View:
Knowledge belongs to the community
Knowledge is passed down through proper channels
Some knowledge is not for sharing outside community
Sacred knowledge especially protected
Western/Scientific View:
Knowledge should be freely shared for benefit of humanity
Publication is how science advances
Anyone can use published information
The Problem:
Pharmaceutical companies have used traditional knowledge to develop medicines
Profits went to companies, not to indigenous communities
This is called "biopiracy"
Examples of biopiracy:
Hoodia (appetite suppressant from southern Africa) - San people's traditional knowledge, companies profited
Neem tree (India) - traditional uses patented by Western companies
Many others
Ethical approach:
Acknowledge source of traditional knowledge
Obtain permission before documenting/publishing
Share benefits if commercial applications result
Respect that some knowledge is not meant to be shared
Issue 2: Sacred Plants and Practices
Some plants have sacred significance:
Examples:
Datura (vision plant)
White sage (ceremonial cleansing)
Tobacco (offerings, ceremonies)
Peyote (sacrament - not found in Mohave County)
Ethical issues:
Non-indigenous people using sacred plants inappropriately
Commercial sale of sacred plants (especially white sage)
"Cultural appropriation" vs. "cultural appreciation"
Over-harvesting of sacred plants for commercial market
The "smudging" problem:
White sage used traditionally by some tribes for ceremonial cleansing
Became popular in "New Age" practices
Commercial demand led to over-harvesting
Wild populations declining
Indigenous peoples having trouble finding sage for traditional use
Ethical guidelines:
If you're not part of culture, don't use sacred plants ceremonially
Don't purchase wild-harvested sage or palo santo
Support indigenous-led conservation efforts
Acknowledge that not all traditional knowledge should be public
Issue 3: Conservation vs. Traditional Use
Tension between:
Protecting endangered plants (conservation)
Maintaining traditional practices (cultural survival)
Example scenarios:
Osha root is overharvested by commercial harvesters, making it scarce for traditional users
Devil's claw needed for traditional baskets becoming harder to find
Climate change affecting pinyon pine seed production
Questions:
Should traditional uses be allowed for endangered plants?
Should commercial harvest be banned but traditional use permitted?
How do we balance cultural preservation with species preservation?
Collaborative solutions:
Co-management: Tribes and agencies work together
Cultivation: Growing traditionally used plants
Harvest rights: Recognizing tribal rights to harvest on traditional lands
Education: Teaching sustainable practices to all
Issue 4: Climate Change Impacts
Climate change threatens both plants and traditional knowledge:
Observed changes in Mohave Desert:
Earlier springs (phenology shifts)
More severe droughts
Pinyon pine die-offs
Species range shifts
Timing mismatches (plants and pollinators out of sync)
Increased wildfire frequency
Invasive species expansion (cheatgrass, tamarisk)
Impacts on traditional practices:
Reduced pinyon nut harvests
Changes in plant abundance and distribution
Traditional seasonal rounds disrupted
Sacred sites threatened
Basket materials becoming scarce
Medicinal plants less available
Traditional knowledge as solution:
Indigenous peoples have survived climate changes before
TEK includes adaptation strategies
Long-term observation patterns
Resilience practices (not over-harvesting, diversifying resources)
Collaborative approach:
Combine TEK with climate science
Include indigenous peoples in management decisions
Protect traditional use rights
Support indigenous-led conservation