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 as for basketmaking, the stems seem to regenerate without any significant damage to the plant. Basketmaking: all Seri baskets have been made of splints prepared from this plant. Dye and Pigment: reddish brown paint or dye was obtained from the roots. The sap stains clothing and was said to be indelible. Firewood: the dry, brown tips made the best kindling. Headring: the headring was almost always made with the stems of this plant, although mesquite was sometimes substituted. Tattoo: a strip of the green stem was pulled back and forth over a bleeding, freshly tattooed area of skin to stop the bleeding and help it heal. Weapons: the sap was used on arrow points for hunting and warfare. However, some said it was not poisonous. Other uses: flexible strips from living stems were used to bind or tie a wide variety of objects. Women used the strips to tie the framework of the brush house. Men used them to bind a torch and tie a desert tortoise to a pole to carry it back to camp. Men sometimes carried columnar cactus fruit into camp strung on a loop of wood. A stem was cut, the bark removed, and a long strand torn from the center portion of the flexible stem in order to string the fruit. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".