Ruellia californica  ( ) ( ) Acanthaceae This small shrub has slender, brittle stems, and showy lavender flowers. It is common in the southern part of the Seri region and certain parts of Tiburon Island, especially on rocky bajadas and hills near the mountains. R. peninsularis from the Baja California peninsula is similar and closely related to R. californica but differs in having dull oily glandular-pubescent foliage and not glabrate foliage which is glutinous and somewhat shiny. These characters might have an effect on the medicinal and smoking qualities of the plant. Food: nectar was sucked from the base of the corolla. Medicine: tea made from the leaves was taken for dizziness, and put on the face of one who was tired out. The same liquid was used as shampoo to relieve a headache, and also as eyedrops. As another means to cure a headache, the leaves or leafy branches were put on moderately hot or warm coals; then the toasted leaves were put in an olla with warm wa...

     Atriplex canescens  ( Fourwing Saltbush ) ( ) Chenopodiaceae These dense shrubs are common on coastal dunes and low-saline and alkaline soils. They have four-winged fruits. It can be distinguished from A. linearis by its larger stature and larger fruits and leaves. The Seri did not distinguish between them, and also sometimes did not distinguish them from   A. polycarpa . Medicine: tea made from the leaves was taken as an emetic. Shelter: the leafy branches were used as roofing material for the brush house. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".

    Allenrolfea occidentalis  ( Iodinebush ) ( ) Chenopodiaceae This evergreen bush or small shrub has succulent stems with bead-like green or reddish green joints and an alternate branching pattern. It is abundant at the desert edge of marshy and saline wet places throughout the Gulf of California. the seeds are reddish brown, about 0.8 mm long, and are produced in great quantity in mid-winter. A container the size of an ordinary work basket can be filled in about ten minutes by shaking the seed bearing branches into it. Food: the seeds were toasted, ground, and cooked as gruel, or mixed with turtle oil. The seeds were said to pop when toasted. Shelter: the branches wee used to provide shade and roofing for the brush house. The Supernatural: it was considered to be one of the first plants formed. It was one of several plants used in the smoking ceremonies. Tanning: because it was a soft plant, it was used to cover the ground beneath a deer hide to keep it clean during th...