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- S.P. Crater, Arizona
Description: View from S.P. Crater, north of the San Francisco Peaks. Collection: Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories. - Wahweap Badlands
Description: Northwest of Lake Powell. Collection: Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories. - Wahweap Badlands
Description: Northwest of Lake Powell. Collection: Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories. - Zion Narrows, the Confluence
Description: Zion Narrows, confluence with Orderville Canyon. Collection: Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories. - Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.)
Common name: Prickly Pear Scientific name: Opuntia spp. Description: A variety of prickly pear species grow in the Southwest, all with large fleshy pads and dark red to purple fruits. Dye: Ground up cochineal (a scale insect that feeds on prickly pear) were processed by native peoples to create red or purple textile dyes. In Europe this color of dye was so rare that only royalty could afford it. In some kingdoms the colors “royal purple”(derived from a sea cucumber) and, after discovery of the New World, royal crimson from cochineal, were reserved for the king by law. Cultivation and export of cochineal dye became a major economic activity, and its source was kept secret for many years. Other uses: Pads and fruit may be prepared as food or beverage by Acoma, Apache, Laguna, Cochiti, Havasupai, Hopi, Isleta, Navajo, Papago, Pima. Isleta have used dried pulp for candlemaking. Also used for medicinal/ceremonial/symbolic purposes by several groups. - Big Bursage (Ambrosia ambrosioides)
Common names: Bursage, Canyon Ragweed Scientific name: Ambrosia ambrosioides Description: A perennial shrub with large gray-green leaves triangular leaves; develops spiny burs (the fruit). Dye: None. Other uses: The Tohono O’odham (Papago) used canyon ragweed in sweat baths to relieve arthritic pain. No known uses among the Pima, however, the plants are largely associated with arroyos - a'akĭ. - Mormon Tea (Ephedra spp.)
Common names: Ephedra, Mormon Tea, Joint Fir Scientific name: Ephedra spp. Description: A somewhat woody shrub with thin jointed green stems bare of leaves. Dye: Yellow from the stems. Other uses: Widely used as a potent medicine - typically brewed as a tea - by Acoma, Apache, Cocopah, Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Isleta, Navajo, Papago, Pima. - Desert Broom (Baccharis sarothroides)
Common name: Desert Broom Scientific name; Baccharis sarothroides Description: An evergreen shrub with dense thin branches, fine green new-growth twigs, and small fall-blooming flowers. Dye: None. Other uses: As suggested by the English names, the thin terminal twigs have been bundled at the end of a pole to make a broom. Also used by the Pima to create a roof thatching. - Triangle Leaf Bursage (Ambrosia deltoidea)
Common name: Triangle Leaf Bursage, Burrobush, Rabbitbush Scientific name: Ambrosia deltoidea Description: Triangle leaf bursage is a small round shrub with slender, brittle branches, triangular serrated leaves, small greenish-yellow flowers,and bur-like seeds. - Desert Cattail (Typhus dominguensis)
Common name: Cattail Scientific name: Typhus dominguensis Description: Tall reed-like perennial with long narrow leaves and soft, dense flower spikes. Uses: The Pima use the split, dry stalks for coiled basketry. The cattail flower, wupdaj, can be used to make pillows - mo'ochkud is 'pillow.' Both the roots and flowers/pollen are also edible. Pollen also played(s) a role in ceremony for many Native American people. - Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii)
Common name: Cottonwood Scientific name: Populus fremontii Description: A fast-growing deciduous tree with furrowed gray bark on mature tree parts and light green smooth bark on new stems. Leaves are broad based and roughly triangular, with toothed edges. Uses: Predominantly used as fuel and for construction. Parts may be processed for use as chewing gum (Apache, Acoma/Laguna, Navajo). Also used for a wide variety of medicinal/ceremonial/symbolic purposes (including hair/textile dyes), in addition to carvings (such as kachina dolls), basketry, and tool parts (esp. handles for lithic blades). - Shrub Live-Oak (Quercus turbinella)
Common name: Live Oak Scientific name: Quercus turbinella Uses: Acorns (nuts) widely eaten as food by Acoma, Apache, Cocopah, Gosiute, Havasupai, Hualapai, Laguna, Mohave, Navajo, Papago, Pima, Southern Paiute, Tewa, Uintah Ute, Yavapai, and Yuma. Variously used for making tools/tool parts (digging sticks, handles, etc.), ceremonial/ritual purposes, and as a tannin (Apache). Sap may also be used as chewing gum or as an adhesive (Navajo). - Fourwing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens)
Common names: Saltbush, chamisa Scientific name: Atriplex canescens Description: Common Southwest shrub with golden flowers in the summer and early fall, followed by winged seeds in late fall and winter. Dye: Bright yellow from the flowers and twigs. Other uses: in baking and as medicine. - Cliffrose (Cowania mexicana)
Common names: Cliffrose, Quinine-bush Scientific name: Cowania mexicana Description: Small shrub with cream-colored, small rose-like flowers in the early summer and fall. Dye: When mixed with pounded juniper branches, cliffrose produces a tan dye. Other uses: shredded bark padding, arrows, and as medicine.