Family: Linaceae/ Flax Ecology/ Botany: This perennial grows in dry climatic regions, usually in dry to moist forest openings of Interior Douglas Fir forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: The commercial variety is used to make linen fibre and linseed oil. The Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) people have used a decoction of this wild variety to make a hair […]
Family: Montiaceae/ Purslane Ecology/ Botany: This perennial grows from seemingly dead taproots in the dry, open ground of arid ecosystems like Bunchgrass zones and even the desert. The stunning flowers glow against the grey earth like they had been dropped from the heavens and only open in the sun. Rediviva means revived or restored to […]
Family: Asteraceae/ Daisy/ Sunflower/ Aster Ecology/ Botany: These bright perennials have a variety of species that can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Most varieties can be found in openings of montane forests. Medicinal/ Other Uses: Arnicas various species are well known as topical analgesics (pain-relievers) for bruising, swelling, cuts, arthritis, etc. Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) […]
Family: Asteraceae/ Daisy/ Sunflower/ Aster Ecology/ Botany: This perennial grows scattered in dry to moist forest meadows at any elevation. It prefers the Engelmann Spruce- Subalpine Fir forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: Arnicas various species are well known as topical analgesics (pain-relievers) for bruising, swelling, arthritis, etc. Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) people have used them for this purpose […]
Family: Polemoniaceae/ Phlox Ecology/ Botany: Some other wild Phlox species are similar and difficult to tell apart. This perennial prefers arid, desert-like climates on Sagebrush slopes in Bunchgrass or Ponderosa Pine forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: A tea of the whole plant has been used to treat anemic children by Syilx (Okanagan) people. References/Other useful Links: […]
Family: Rosaceae/ Rose Ecology/ Botany: This shrub is common at low to mid-elevation along rivers, streams, marshy areas, and gullies. It prefers Interior Douglas Fir and Cedar Hemlock forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: It has medicinal properties for the heart and circulatory system. Most commonly, the dark red clusters of seedy berries are used for heart […]
Family: Apocynaceae/ Dogbane Ecology/ Botany: This shrub prefers warm, dry forest openings and meadows of Interior Douglas Fir and Interior Cedar Hemlock forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: Do not let this beauty fool you. It contains toxic cardiac glycosides in its milky sap. Sickness and death have occurred when people have attempted internal use. It’s safe […]
Family: Polemoniaceae or Phlox Ecology/ Botany: This biennial and sometimes perennial grows in well-drained, sandy openings or water’s edge in the dry climatic region. It prefers forest zones of Interior Douglas Fir or Ponderosa Pine. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: The leaves are a blood tonic and are used to treat blood diseases. The whole plant is cathartic […]
Family: Asteraceae or Daisy/ Sunflower/ Aster Ecology/ Botany: This perennial is common and widespread in dry openings, clearings, and meadows in a variety of forest types such as Interior Douglas Fir or Montane Spruce forest zones. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: Syilx (Okanagan) and Secwepemc (Shuswap) people have used the roots to make a wash for skin ailments […]
Family: Asteraceae or Sunflower/ Aster/ Daisy Ecology/ Botany: This tap-rooted perennial covers open, sunny slopes in the dry climatic regions. It prefers forest types like Ponderosa Pine or Interior Douglas Fir. Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses: An important food and medicine plant for Indigenous cultures, the resinous taproots are edible, and the small sunflower-like seeds can be made […]
