Ethnobotany of the Mohave Desert

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)

  • https://www.blm.gov/programs/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/ecoregional-programs/mojave-desert-native-plant-guide

• Measuring tape

IMPORTANT ETHICAL GUIDELINES

Cultural Respect and Sensitivity

Ethnobotany studies the relationship between people and plants, particularly traditional and indigenous knowledge.

1. 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
     
     
     

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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:

1. FOOD PLANTS

   • Seeds and nuts (mesquite, pinyon, acorns)

   • Fruits (prickly pear, agave)

   • Greens (amaranth, dock)

   • Roots and tubers (cattails, wild potato)

2. MEDICINE PLANTS

   • Pain relief

   • Digestive remedies

   • Wound healing

   • Fever reducers

   • Respiratory treatments

3. FIBER & MATERIAL PLANTS

   • Basketry (willow, devil's claw, yucca)

   • Cordage (yucca, milkweed)

   • Tools (hardwoods)

   • Shelter (wood, thatching)

4. CEREMONIAL & CULTURAL PLANTS

   • Sacred plants

   • Dyes and pigments

   • Cleansing/purification

   • Note: Some uses are not appropriate to discuss

5. 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:

1. Collect ripe brown pods (not green!)

2. Dry completely

3. Pound in bedrock mortars

4. Grind into fine flour

5. 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:

1. Harvest mature plant (10-15 years old)

2. Cut away leaves (dangerous!)

3. Extract heart (can weigh 20-40 lbs)

4. Dig pit oven

5. Heat rocks

6. Layer heart with hot rocks

7. Cover with earth

8. Roast 2-3 days

9. 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:

1. Use sticks to knock fruits into basket

2. Roll in sand to remove glochids (tiny spines)

3. Burn off remaining glochids

4. 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:

1. Collect ripe acorns (fall)

2. Shell (remove cap and outer shell)

3. Grind into coarse meal

4. 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

5. Dry leached meal

6. Grind into fine flour

7. 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:

1. Basketry

2. Cordage (rope and string)

3. Tools and weapons

4. Shelter materials

5. 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:

  1. Cut mature leaves

  2. Pound to soften

  3. Strip fibers from leaf

  4. Dry and clean fibers

  5. 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:

  1. Extract fibers from leaves (pound or soak)

  2. Clean and dry

  3. Twist fibers together (2-ply or 3-ply)

  4. 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:

  1. Extract fibers from leaves

  2. Scrape away pulp

  3. Dry fibers

  4. 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:

1. Cut stems to desired length

2. Plant vertically in ground or lash horizontally

3. 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:

1. Harvest mature plants

2. Dry thoroughly

3. Bundle or weave into mats

4. 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:

1. Strip bark from dead trees

2. Shred into fibrous material

3. 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:

1. Harvest flowering tops

2. Boil in water

3. Strain

4. 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:

1. Collect green or aged hulls

2. Soak or boil

3. 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:

1. Dig roots

2. Chop or crush

3. 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:

1. Collect carefully (slow-growing)

2. Soak or boil

3. 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