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- Fish Creek, Arizona
Description: Fish Creek Canyon, Superstition Mountains Wilderness. Collection: Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories. - Saguaro in the Snow
Description: Saguaro in the snow near Tucson, Arizona. Collection: Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories. - Oracle, Arizona
Description: A basin dominated by prickly pear cactus and shrubby grown in the lower elevations surrounding the Santa Catalina mountains near Oracle, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Collection: Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories. - Christmas Cholla (Opuntia leptocaulis)
Common names: Christmas Cholla, Desert, Christmas Cactus; sometimes confused with Pencil Cholla Scientific name: Opuntia leptocaulis Description: A narrow-stemmed cactus with pale yellow flowers, small bright red fruit, and long golden spines. The fruit remains on the plant even in the winter. Dye: None. Other uses: May be prepared as a food or beverage by Acoma, Hopi, Laguna, Maricopa, Navajo, Papago, Pima, and Yavapai. Considered a famine food by Acoma/Laguna. - 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. - Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)
Common name: Ocotillo Scientific name: Fouquieria splendens Description: Tall, woody cactus with small green leaves and red flowers. Dye: None. Other uses: Among the Papago and Pima, ocotillo has been used for fencing, house walls, and ramada roofs. The cut, buried stems often root, creating a living fence. The flowers may soaked in cold water to make a refreshing beverage. Portions of the plant were also formerly used for medicinal purposes. - Saguaro Ribs
Subject: The woody ribs of the Saguaro were used as fencing and house construction material. - 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. - Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
Common name: Saguaro Scientific name: Carnegiea gigantea Description: A towering cactus with upraised "arms," large white flowers, and red fruit. Dye: None. Other uses: The saguaro fruit is an important seasonal food, available after the season called the “Painful Moon” or “Hunger Hurting Moon.” The beginning of the Tohono O’odham and Piman year is haashañ bahidag mashad, the “Saguaro Harvest Moon.” In June and early July, O’odham live in temporary camps in the saguaro forests and conduct the saguaro fruit harvest (hasañ bahidaj). Women use poles made from saguaro ribs to knock down saguaro fruits. The pulp is boiled down to a syrup and prepared as a wine that is consumed during the rainmaking ceremony. The seeds may be dried for a winter snack, or ground into flour and made into a gruel. The Pima have traditionally dried the fruit and prepared it as jam and syrup - ground seeds were mixed with grains to make a porridge or peanut butter-like paste. - 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. - Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus spp.)
Common name: Hedgehog Cactus, Strawberry Cactus, Calico Cactus Scientific name: Echinocereus spp. Description: Small barrel-like cacti covered in a multitude of spines, or "quills." Flowers range from deep red to pink and bloom in the spring and summer. Dye: None. Other uses: Entire plant or parts may be prepared as food/beverage by Acoma, Apache, Cochiti, Havasupai, Hopi, Isleta, Laguna, Navajo, Papago, and Pima. Also used for medicinal and/or ceremonial purposes. - Arizona Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)
Common name: Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel, Compass Barrel, Fishhook Barrel Cactus Scientific name: Ferocactus wislizeni Description: Squat barrel-shaped cactus with long, curved spines, yellow to orange colored flowers, and yellow fruit. Dye: None. Other uses: The Seri and other groups use this particular barrel cactus as an emergency water source; Seris have survived on it for as long as a month. The Tohono O’odham eat the fruit as an emergency food (year-round). The Seri also eat the flowers and buds. - Desert Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum)
Common name: Desert Mistletoe Scientific name: Phoradendron californicum Description: A parasitic shrub that grows in ironwood, mesquite, palo verde, and acacia. The stems appear segmented because of the scale-like leaves. This shrub produces tiny fragrant flowers and small white berries with red seeds. The Pima, Seri, and Tohono O’odham (Papago) eat the berries (from mistletoe growing on specific tree species). May also be used for medicinal purposes - the Seri prepare a medicinal tea from the stems. - Cholla (Cylindropuntia spp.)
Common names: Cholla, Chain Fruit Cholla; Jumping Cactus; Teddy Bear Cholla, Staghorn Cholla, among others Scientific name: Cylindropuntia spp. Description: A branching cactus with a woody base and segmented "branches" and excessive spines Fruits and flowers vary. Dye: None. Other uses: Various parts (bud, fruit, root) prepared as food/beverage by Acoma, Apache, Laguna, Cocopah, Hano, Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Laguna, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Papago, Pima, Yavapai, and Zuni. Acoma use(d) spines for tattooing and sewing. Several groups also use(d) plant parts for medicinal/ceremonial/symbolic purposes. Cholla buds are still eaten by the Tohono O'odham (Papago). Archaeological evidence also suggests the Hohokam cultivated the plants near residences.