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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. - Mahonia (Berberis haematocarpa)
Common names: Mahonia, barberry, desert holly Scientific name: Berberis haematocarpa Description: A relatively large evergreen shrub with glossy, sharp-pointed leaves. In spring, the mahonia produces bright yellow flowers, followed by small purple berries in mid-summer. In the fall, the leaves turn red and purple, and remain those shades through the winter. Dye: Brilliant yellow from the roots and bark. Other uses: edible berries. - Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina)
Common names: Mesquite Scientific name: Prosopis velutina Description: A common desert tree with catkin-like clusters of greenish-yellow flowers from April to June. The flowers are followed by long sweet-smelling bean pods. Dye: Black from the sap. Weaving: The shredded inner bark woven into baskets. Other uses: Food such as 'pinole' meal-cakes and tea. - 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. - Beargrass (Nolina microcarpa)
Common names: Beargrass Scientific name: Nolina microcarpa Description: Beargrass is a large clumping grass with narrow fibrous leaves. Dye: None. Other uses: Widely used in basket and/or mat weaving. - Englemann Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii)
Common names: Prickly Pear, Cactus Apple Scientific name: Opuntia engelmannii Description: Englemann prickly pear is the largest of Arizona's prickly pear species, with large pads and dark-red to purple pear-shaped fruits. Dye: Rose-colored from fruits. Other uses: Food and medicine. - 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.