Funastrum heterophyllum  ( ) ( ) Sarcostemma cynanchoides Apocynaceae This is one of the few common vines in the Seri region. It is often encountered sprawiling over shrubs in floodplains, arroyos, and canyons. Flowers may be produced at various times of the year. Food: the flowers were picked and eaten fresh, often as a snack while walking through the desert. The flavor is faintly onion-like. Medicine: to cure a severe headache, the head was washed in a decoction of the branches and leaves. Tea made by brewing stems and leaves was taken for the bite of a black widow spider. Eye drops were made by cooking the roots in water. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".

      Asclepias albicans  ( ) ( ) Asclepiadaceae The Seri did not distinguish between this and A. subulata. A. albicans generally occurs on more arid sites than does A. subulata. A. subulata is the common reed-stem milkweed in the lowlands of the mainland and on Tiburon Islands; it is absent from San Esteban Island. A. albicans is infrequently encountered, and is usually found on exposed mountain slopes; however, it is common on San Esteban Island. A. albicans is taller than A. subulata   and there are significant floral differences. The stems of both species are slender, erect, and essentially leafless when mature. Adornment: the stems, with the bark removed, were cut into pieces approximately 1 cm in lenght. These pieces were stained blue or red, left natural, or toasted black in a pan filled with sand, sometimes with animal fat added to aid in the toasting. The beads were then strung for necklaces, often with Olivella shells. A special necklace pattern m...

     Tidestromia lanuginosa  ( ) ( ) Amaranthaceae This summer-fall ephemereal is common through most of the Seri region. The plant has a silvery, speckled look, due to dense pubescence of branched hairs, and thus was said to cause dandruff. Medicine:   to relieve aching feet, the herbage was heated and placed under the feet. An infusion of the leaves was used for drawing out a thorn. The twigs were cooked and used as shampoo to cure a headache . “People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians. Richard Stephen Felger and Mary Beck Moser”

    Amaranthus fimbriatus   ( ) ( ) Burseraceae The plant has relatively flexible herbage ant thin, delicate leaves; the bracts are not prickly. These characters are indicated by its Seri name ( ziim caitic "soft ziim"). This common hot-weather ephemeral occurs on the islands and throughout the mainland region. While generally reaches maximum development along washes and arroyos, it may be seasonally common on open desert and rocky slopes. The seeds are dark brown or black, lens-shaped, and less than 1.0 mm in diameter. There are three other kinds of ziim : A. watsonii, Chenopodium, and Salsola.   Food: the seeds were prepared in the same manner as for A. watsonii . Since A. fimbriatus is not as abundant as A. watsonii , we assume that it was of less importance. The seeds were stored in pottery ollas. The leafy green shoots, when tender and young, were prepared as greens. The "leaves" (shoots or herbage) were cooked in water, and then the water squeezed out by h...

    Sesuvium verrucosum ( sea purslane) ( ) Aizoaceae The Seri distinguished Sesuvium by its narrow leaves and Abronia maritima by its rounder (broader) leaves. They have similar life forms and occupy similar niches, and both were considered to be "soft" plants. This trailing perennial herb is glabrous, and has succulent leaves and stems. It forms low, spreading mats along the margins of mangroves and on upper beaches. Food preparation:   A sea turtle carapace or basket was lined with Sesuvium or some other "soft" plants to provide a bed on which to place meat to keep it clean. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians. Richard Stephen Felger and Mary Beck Moser."

  Guaiacum coulteri  ( ) (guayacán) Zygophyllaceae Face paint materials: for blue color the resin was used. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians. Richard Stephen Felger and Mary Beck Moser".