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 storage. These were moistened and rubbed into deer hide to cure it. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".

 

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