- 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. - Charred Bean
Description: Charred bead (Phaseolus lunatus). Dimensions: Unknown. Provenience: Upper Ruin. Collection: WACC, Tonto National Monument (Catalog No. TONT 387). - Charred Beans
Description: Charred beans. Dimensions: Unknown. Collection: On display at the Tuzigoot National Monument Visitor Center (catalog card). - 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. - 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. - Corn
Description: A short corn cob retaining most of the original kernels. Collection: On display at the Montezuma Castle National Monument Visitor Center (Catalog No. MOCA 448). - Corn Cob
Description: Corn cob; originally on a stick. Dimensions: Unknown. Provenience: Upper Ruin. Collection: WACC, Tonto National Monument (Catalog No. TONT 594). - Corn Cob on a Stick
Description: Corn cob on a stick. Dimensions: L 22.5 cm. Provenience: Upper Ruin. Collection: WACC, Tonto National Monument (Catalog No. TONT 462). - Corn Cob on a Stick, Close-up
Description: Corn cob on a stick. Dimensions: L 22.5 cm. Provenience: Upper Ruin. Collection: WACC, Tonto National Monument (Catalog No. TONT 462). - Corn Cobs
Description: Corn cobs. Dimensions: Unknown. Provenience: Upper Ruin. Collection: WACC, Tonto National Monument (Catalog No. TONT 1484). - Corn Cobs, Alternate View
Description: Corn cobs. Dimensions: Unknown. Provenience: Upper Ruin. Collection: WACC, Tonto National Monument (Catalog No. TONT 1484). - Corn Kernels
Description: Sixteen corn kernels. Dimensions: Unknown. Collection: On display at the Tuzigoot National Monument Visitor Center (catalog card). - Corn Kernels on Spikelet
Description: Corn spikelet with six red-brown kernels. Dimensions: Unknown. Provenience: Upper Ruin. Collection: WACC, Tonto National Monument (Catalog No. TONT 1459). - 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. - 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.