Entradas

Krameria bicolor

  Krameria bicolor  (White Ratany) (Cosahui) Krameria grayi  Krameriaceae Low-spreading shrub, spine-like branch tips, and small drought-deciduous leaves. The deep magenta flowers, ca i cm in diameter, are crowded in small clusters and may appeal at various times of the year. The bur-like fruit, ca i cm in diameter, resembles a miniature sea urchin. The thick roots radiate from a point about 15 cm below the soil surface. It is a common desert plant, found on the mainland and Tiburon Island. South of Kino Bay it is replaced by a similar, although distinct species, K. sonorae , which develops into a shrub 1.5 to 2 m in height. Dye: the most common basket dye color and, according to Seri oral history, the only color traditionally used was a reddish brown dye. It was generally made from cosahui root. Johnson (1959:12) described it as a "rich burnt sienna color. With considerable effort the lateral roots (not the main root) were dug up with a stick, seashell, knife, or metal s...
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Koeberlinia spinosa

             Koeberlinia spinosa  (Crucifixion Thorn) ( ) Koenerliniaceae Shrub or small tree, mainland coast south nearly to Tastiota and on Tiburon Island. The wood is exceedingly hard and produces copious oily black smoke when burned. The plant was said to be poisonous or toxic and to cause the flesh to swell when one was pricked by the thorny branches. Medicine: tea made from the flowers was taken as a remedy for dizziness and a certain intestinal disorder, or diarrhea. The twigs were combined with hierba del manso as a remedy for rheumatism. The wood was burned in a hut to drive away disease during epidemics, probably measels. During the nineteenth century, after excursions to Hermosillo to sell and trade, the Seri came home and burned this plant's wood to disinfect their houses against diseases they had encountered in the city. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".  
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Aristida californica

            Aristida californica  ( ) ( ) Poaceae Perennial grass, forming small, dense clumps in sandy soils, generally near the shore. Relatively thick, tough, almost wiry roots. It is common from Kino Bay northward and on the east and north coasts of Tiburon Island. Boats: men used pads of this grass to cushion their knees when paddling a balsa. Hair Care: the hairbrush was usually made from roots of this grass. Several plants were pulled out and several close to the rootcrown. The roots were tied into a bundle and evened off by burning. Firemaking: pieces of this grass mixed with rabbit dung were used as tinder. The Supernatural: of one used the brush at night his spirit would wander off toward the place of the dead. If one dared to use it a second time at night, his hand would swell A discarded hairbrush used by one who had died was considered dangerous. Tanning: the grass was mixed with animal brains and made into patties which were dried for sto...
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Jatropha cuneata

           Jatropha cuneata  ( ) ( ) Euphorbiaceae This shrub is abundant and widespread in the Gulf of California region, including most of the major islands. It ranges from the Guaymas area northward into southwestern Arizona, and extends through most of the peninsula of Baja California. It is characteristic of arid places, and is often abundant on hot, dry, south or west-facing slopes. It is common throughout all of the territory of the various Seri groups. It is a semi-succulent and multiple-stemmed shrub, commonly reaching 1 to 2 m in height. Each shrub has a number of large, radiating, and carrot-shaped roots, up to about 10 cm in diameter. The roots and lower stems exude copious blood-like sap when cut. The stems are flexible, the wood very soft, and the foliage drought-deciduous. The sensitivity of this species to freezing weather limits its northern range. Relatively rapid stem growth may occur with the summer-fall rains. After being cut, such...
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Euhporbia misera

          Euhporbia misera  ( ) ( ) Euphorbiaceae Small to medium-sized shrub with knotty stems, often on north-facing slopes. Superficially resembling Jatropha cuneata but readily distinguished by its copious milky sap. Reported to be used un the making of blue clay, or Seri Blue, but this practice was not verified by the Seri. Medicine: tea made from the roots was used as a remedy for stomachache, dysentery, and venereal diseases. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".  
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Acalypha californica

         Acalypha californica  ( ) (hierba del cáncer) Euphorbiaceae After collecting the very last columnar cactus fruit of the year, the people of the Libertad region were said to have spread branches of this shrub on the ground and dumped the fruit out of their collecting baskets onto the branches. This small, drought-deciduous shrub ranges through most of the region, including Tiburon and San Esteban Islands. Shelter: the branches were used as roofing for the brush house. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".  
Publicar un comentario
Leer más

Dudleya arizonica

        Dudleya arizonica  ( ) ( ) Crassulaceae In Sonora, this thick-leaved succulent occurs in coastal mountains as far south as Cerro Tepopa, but it is not common in the region. It usually grows wedged in crevices of cliffs or canyon walls. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".  
Publicar un comentario
Leer más