NATIVE PLANTS OF PAYAHUUNADÜ

Scientific Name: Leymus cinereus

Common Name: Great Basin Wild Rye

Nüümü Name: Waiya

Seeds of the wild rye were a valued food source throughout the Great Basin. In the Owens Valley, the bundles of rye were made into shingles to cover houses in both winter and summer. Sheaves of grass also served as bedding or matting. The sturdy stems could also be used to make cradleboards.

Scientific Name: Sporobulus airoides

Common Name: Alkali Sacaton

Nüümü Name: Hokei

This plant is known as bunchgrass. This was used like many other grasses; as a grain, though it was not as well used as other forms of grass in the area.

Scientific Name: Ephedra viridis

Common Name: Green Ephedra

Nüümü Name: Tudupi

Paiute and other Native Americans used the leaves of the green ephedra as a poultice for cuts. Pioneer steeped the leaves and made a black tea. This stimulant was more powerful than coffee and could cause heart problems.

Scientific Name: Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

Common Name: Curly-Leaf Rabbitbrush

Nüümü Name: Sigupi

Rabbitbrush was used as a cold remedy by the Paiute tribes. A crushed leaf infusion was created and taken for colds.

Scientific Name: Atriplex canescens

Common Name: Four-wing Saltbush

Nüümü Name: Tonoh

The hardwood of this shrub was used for firewood and to make arrows and arrowheads. The seeds can be used as a food source. The leaves can be used to rub sores and heal them. Fresh roots can be boiled with salt to make a general health drink.

Scientific Name: Purshia tridentata

Common Name: Bitterbrush

Nüümü Name: Unip

Used by the Paiutes for many things including analgesics, cold remedy, cathartic, dermatological aid, blood and general tonic, pneumonia, and a wash for smallpox, chickenpox, and other maladies.

Scientific Name: Ribes cereum

Common Name: Wax Currant

Nüümü Name: Wiaapühiya

Gooseberries, or currants, were widely collected during the summer months by the Great Basin tribes. These berries were usually cooked in small amounts of water. The berries were eaten fresh in June and July, or dried and stored for later use. Jelly was made when the berries were boiled with sugar.

Scientific Name: Salvia dorrii

Common Name: Purple Sage

Nüümü Name: Tübishkono

The leaves of this plant are a valued medicine. The tea boiled from the leaves is useful for stomach troubles, colds, sore throats, and other ailments. The dried leaves were smoked for medicinal purposes. The tops of the plant were boiled and the solution was an external wash for swollen leg veins.

Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium

Common Name: Yarrow

Nüümü Name: Wiütu

Various tribes applied wiütu as a poultice of boiled or chewed leaves as a treatment for sores, burns, bruises, sprains, swellings, and even broken bones. The leaves and roots were chewed for tooth and gum aches, and a piece of leaf could be rolled and inserted into the cavity of a painful tooth to bring relief.

Scientific Name: Apocynum cannabinum

Common Name: Indian Hemp or Dogbane

Nüümü Name: Wishibü

This was one of the most important plants for creating fiber. It was used to make twine and cordage for many purposes. After the stems were soaked in water, the fibers and bark were easily removed. Long nets used in rabbit drives were made from this twine. The translation of the Owens Valley Paiute name refers to something that is used to make string.

Scientific Name: Stanleya pinnata

Common Name: Desert Prince's Plume

Nüümü Name: Ter-water

This plant was an important source of dietary greens in the spring. These plants were intensely managed by the Native populations to ensure their successful return in following years. These greens are similar to spinach in nutritional value.

Scientific Name: Oenothera elata

Common Name: Hooker's Evening Primrose

Nüümü Name: Kotoba

The Owens Valley Paiute collected seeds of this plant, which were then ground to a meal, and eaten raw. This was a very important food source for the Paiute tribes.

Scientific Name: Asclepias speciosa

Common Name: Showy Milkweed

Nüümü Name: Whishibü'üp

This plant was mostly used for making fiber. The dried stems were treated to remove the outer bark and inner pith. Then the remaining fibers were rolled together on the leg to create a soft, strong, 2 or 3 ply string. The milky latex was also useful for medicine and a chewing gum. This latex served as an antiseptic and healing agent for sores and cuts. Hot tea made from the roots was used for respiratory diseases.

Scientific Name: Xylorhiza tortifolia

Common Name: Mojave Aster

Nüümü Name: Tonikupü

The stems of this plant were crushed to make a topical dressing for cuts or wounds, and are still used for medicinal purposes today. This plant was a very important tool for many groups.

Scientific Name: Penstemon eatonii

Common Name: Firecracker Penstemon

Nüümü Name: Toxo'awatsip, Toxopui'bimp

Various penstemon species were used as medicine for burns, swelling, sores, and toothaches. This particular penstemon was boiled and the solution was used to wash burns. It was known to ease the pain and promote growth of new skin.

Scientific Name: Aquilegia formosa

Common Name: Red Columbine

Nüümü Name: Ker-ger-win

The ripe seeds of this plant were mashed, moistened, and then rubbed vigorously into the hair to discourage head lice.

Scientific Name: Asclepias fascicularis

Common Name: Narrow-Leaf Milkweed

Nüümü Name: Uump

This plant was used for its fiber. The fiber could be used to create string for many purposes including net and basket making. The exterior material from the stems, picked in winter, was stored until they were used for string making.