Washington Native Plant Society: Ethnobotanical Uses of Native Plants

Ethnobotanical Uses of Native Plants

Can you eat it? Make tools from it? Weave it? Wear it? Create medicines from it? PNW Native Americans had the bounty of the sea, prairies, and forests to house, clothe, and feed them. Modern science continues to expand the applications and benefits of native plants. The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington has wonderful exhibits and a demonstration ethnobotanical garden out front.

Washington's State Capital Museum is home to the lovely Delbert McBride Ethnobotanical Garden

The Central Puget Sound Chapter will loan out a slide show on Ethnobotany. Please contact the WNPS office at 206-527-3210 or 1-888-288-8022.

The Society for Ethnobiology promotes the interdisciplinary study of the relationships of plants and animals with human cultures worldwide. The March 2003 annual conference was held at UW’s Center for Urban Horticulture. Back issues of the Journal of Ethnobiology may be available.

Gunther, Erna and Jeanne R. Janish. Ethnobotany of Western Washington – The Knowledge and Use of Indigenous Plants by Natvie Americans. University of Washington Press, June 2003.

Kirk, Donald R.. Wild Edible Plants of the Western United States. Naturegraph Publishers, Nealdsburg, CA, 1975.

Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. Red Crane Books, Santa Fe, 1993.

Turner, Nancy J. and Royal British Columbia Museum. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples. University of Washington Press, Seattle, August, 1997.

Turner, Nancy J.. Plant Technology of First Peoples in British Columbia. University of Washington Press, Seattle, March 1999.