Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
NON-FLOWERING, ETC
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
COMAMONADACEAE Leptothris ochracea iron bacteria U:  red pigment Harrington 1933
    (mooshic)    
         
         
ZYGNEMATACEAE Spirogyra particalis green algae F:  greens (ritual) Harrington 1933
    (ayaaraka)    
         
         
POLYPORACEAE Laetiporus conifericola sulfphur shelf mushroom F: eaten Sparkman 1908
    (shakapish)    
         
         
EQUISETACEAE Equisetum hyemale common scouring rush U: cleaning pad  
Horsetail     M: diuretic  
         
         
PTERIDACEAE Pellaea mucronata bird's foot cliff-brake M:  beverage Sparkman 1908
Brake Fern   (wikunmal)    
         
         
BLECHNACEAE Woodwardia fimbriata ? giant chain fern M: root for internal and external pain Sparkman 1908
Deer Fern   (mashla)    
         
         
EPHEDRACEAE Ephedra californica California ephedra M: tea- blood thinner  
EPHEDRACEAE        
         
         
CUPRESSACEAE Calocedrus decurrens California incense cedar U:  canoes, paddles, coffin, Harrington 1933
Cypress   (tovot) house posts, bark for roofing  
         
  Juniperus californica California juniper U:  canoes, bows Harrington 1933
    (waa 'at)    
         
         
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
NON-FLOWERING, ETC
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
PINACEAE Abies concolor white fir U:  canoes Harrington 1933
Pine   (u 'unmal)    
         
  Pinus ponderosa yellow pine U:  canoes Harrington 1933
    (pow 'hit)    
         
  P. coulteri big cone pine U:  canoes Harrington 1933
    (wixe 'tut)    
         
  P. quadrifolia pinyon pine U:  canoes Harrington 1933
    (tuvat) F:  seeds  
         
  P. monophylla single leaf pinyon pine F: seeds Harrington 1933
    (yoela)    
         
  Pseudotsuga macrocarpa big cone douglas fir U:  canoes, paddles Harrington 1933
    (yuyla)    
         
         
LAURACEAE Umbellularia californica California Bay M: leaves for analgesic infusion;  
Laurel      leaves as incecticide/fumigate  
         
         
SAURURACEAE Anemopsis californica yerba mansa M: root-internal/external Sparkman 1908
Lizard's Tail   (chevnash)    
         
         
         
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
MONOCOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
         
AGAVACEAE Agave shawii  Shaw agave F:stalk roasted  
(LILACEAE)     U: fiber  
Agave      
  Hesperoyucca whipplei chaparral candle F: head cooked, flowers and stalk Sparkman 1908
    (panal) U:  charcoal-tattoo Harrington 1933
         
  Yucca schdigera Mohave yucca F: flowers, pods Sparkman 1908
    (hunuvut) U: leaves-fiber  
         
         
ARECACEAE Washingtonia filifera California fan palm U:  seeds in rattles Harrington 1933
(PALMAE)   (maashul)    
Palm        
         
         
CYPERACEAE Carex schottii Schott's sedge  C:  girl's puberty ceremony Dubois 1908
Sedge   (neenishyal)   Harrington 1933
         
  Schoenoplectus californicus California bulrush F: shoots Sparkman 1908
    (piveesac) U:  reed boat, mats, roofing Harrington 1933
      C:  girl's puberty ceremony  
         
         
HYACINTHACEAE Chlorogalum parviflorum small- flower F: bulb cooked;  Sparkman 1908
(LILACEAE)   soap-plant/amole raw bulb used to stun fish  
Hyacinth   (kenut)    
         
  C. pomeridianum wavy-leaf U: fiber around bulb used for brush Sparkman 1908
    soap-plant/amole    
         
         
IRIDACEAE Sisyrinchium bellum blue-eyed grass M: roots for purgative Sparkman 1908
Iris   (patumkut)    
         
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
MONOCOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
JUNCACEAE Juncus dubius Mariposa rush U: wrap in baskets, lower part  Sparkman 1908
Rush   (shoila) stem that is brown  
         
  J. effusus Pacific rush U: wrap in  baskets  Sparkman 1908
    (pivut)    
         
         
POACEAE Avena fatua wild oat F: seeds Sparkman 1908
(GRAMINACEAE) *Alien (pivut)    
Grass        
  Bromus carinatus California brome F: seeds Sparkman 1908
    (wosh hat)    
         
  Leymus condensatus giant wild-rye U: arrow shaft Sparkman 1908
  (Elymus) (huik ish)   Harrington 1933
         
  Muhlenbergia rigens deergrass U: basket coil foundation Sparkman 1908
  (Epicampas) (yulalish)    
         
  Panicum acuminatum Western panic grass F: seeds Harrington 1933
    (pivut)    
         
  Phragmites australis common reed / Sp. carrizo U:  arrow shafts Harrington 1933
    (huykic)    
         
         
THEMIDACEAE Bloomeria crocea common goldenstar F: bulb Sparkman 1908
(LILACEAE)   (kawichhal)    
Brodiaea        
  Brodiacea terrestris ? dwarf brodiaea F: bulb  
         
  Dichelostemma capitatum few flower blue dicks F: bulb Sparkman 1908
    (wild hyacinth)    
    (tokapish)    
         
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
ADOXACEAE Sambucus mexicana blue elderberry F:  Fruit (dried/fresh) Sparkman 1908
(CAPRIFOLIACEAE) (glauca) (kutpat) U:  wood-bows Harrington 1933
Adoxa (Honeysuckle)     M:  flowers - female complaints  
         
         
AIZOCEAE Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum Fig-marigold F:  fruit Sparkman 1908
(FICOIDEAE) *alien (panavut)    
Fig-marigold        
         
         
AMARANTHACEAE Chenopodium californicum California amaranth F:  seeds, greens Sparkman 1908
(CHENOPODIACEAE)   (soap plant) M:  root for soap  
Amaranth (Pigweed)   (kahawut)    
         
  C. album lamb's quarter F:  leaves/greens Sparkman 1908
  *alien (ket)    
         
         
ANACARDIACEAE Rhus trilobata skunkbrush F:  berries Sparkman 1908
Sumac   (three-leaf sumac) U:  wrap-coiled baskets  
    (shoval)    
         
  R. integrifolia lemonadeberry F:  berries Sparkman 1908
         
  R. orata sugarbush F:  berries Sparkman 1908
         
  Malosma laurina laural sumac F:  berries Sparkman 1908
      U: wamkish construction Harrington 1933
       
  Toxicodendron diversilobum poison oak M:  preventive, topical Harrington 1933
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
APIACEAE Apium common celery F:  greens  
(UMBELLIFERAE) graveoleus      
 Carrot *alien      
         
  Apiastrum angustifolium wild celery F:  greens Sparkman 1908
    (pakil)    
         
  Tauschia arguta southern tanschia M:  root Sparkman 1908
  (Dewaya) (kaiyat)    
         
         
APOCYNACEAE Apocynum cannabinum Indian hemp U:  string (bark) Sparkman 1908
(ASCLEPIADACEAE)   (wicha)   Harrington 1933
Dogbane        
         
         
  Asclepias eriocarpa Indian milkweed U: fiber/cordage; nets;  Sparkman 1908
    (tokmut) chewing gum base from sap Harrington 1933
         
  Sarcostemma cyanchihoides climbing milkweed F: greens w/salt Sparkman 1908
  (Philibertia heterophylla) (towunla)    
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
ASTERACEAE Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed M: emetic Sparkman 1908
(COMPOSITAE)   (pachavut) C:  girl's puberty ceremony Dubois 1908
        Harrington 1933
         
  Artemisia californica coastal sagebrush M:  deodorant Harrington 1933
    (hulvul qawiimal)    
         
  A. dracunculus tarragon F: seeds  Sparkman 1908
    (wachish) M: stomach  
         
  A.douglasiana mugwort F: seeds Sparkman 1908
    (pa'aku) U: arrow shafts for boys Harrington 1933
      M: cauterization of wounds  
      C: boy's puberty rites  
         
  Baccharis douglasii marsh baccharis U: stem for fire drill (vertical) Sparkman 1908
    (morwaxpish) M: leaves for sores/wound poultice Harrington 1933
         
  Cirsium occidentale California thistle F: greens and buds  Sparkman 1908
  (Carduus sp?) (chochawish)    
         
  Ericameria (Bigelovia) Parrish goldenbush F: seeds Sparkman 1908
  parishii (sanmikut) M: ?  
         
  E. cuneata wedgeleaf goldenbush F: seeds Sparkman 1908
    (sanmikut kwingwish) M:?  
         
  Helianthus annuus Western sunflower F: seeds Sparkman 1908
    (pankla)    
         
  Heterotheca grandiflora telegraph weed U: arrow shaft Sparkman 1908
    (humut)    
         
  Layia glandulosa white layia F: seeds Sparkman 1908
  (Blepharipappus) (tidy-tips)    
    (solisal)    
         
  Malacothriz californica desert dandelion F:  seeds Sparkman 1908
    (makiyal)    
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
ASTERACEAE Pluchea sericea arrowweed U:  arrow shafts; roofing Sparkman 1908
(COMPOSITAE)   (hangla)   Harrington 1933
         
  Sonchus asper sow thistle F:  greens Sparkman 1908
  *alien (posi 'kana)    
         
         
BRASSICACEAE Brassica nigra black mustard F.  Greens Sparkman 1908
(CRUCIFERAE) *alien      
Mustard        
  Lepidium nitidum peppergrass F:  seeds, leaves (greens) Sparkman 1908
    (pakil)    
         
  Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum watercress F:  greens Sparkman 1908
         
CACTACEAE Cylindropuntia californica cholla F:  seeds Sparkman 1908
Cactus snake cholla (mutal)    
         
  C. prolifera coast cholla    
       
  Opuntia littoralis coastal prickly pear F:  fruit, seeds Sparkman 1908
         
  O. ficus-indica Indian fig F: fruit, seeds Harrington 1933
  *alien (navut)    
         
CONVOLVULACEAE Cuscuta californica chaparral dodder U: cleaning Harrington 1933
Morning-Glory   (wikat?)    
         
         
CORNACEAE Cornus sericea creek dogwood U:  bows, arrow shafts Harrington 1933
Dogwood   (taawumal)    
         
         
CRASSULACEAE Dudleya pulverulenta chalk dudleya F:  leaves, juice Sparkman 1908
Stonecrop (Cotyledon) (hens and chickens)    
    (topnal)    
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
CUCURBITACEAE Cucurbita foetidissima Wild squash F:  seeds Sparkman 1908
Gourd     U:  fruit; soap  
         
  Marah macrocarpus wild cucumber U:  seeds - paint base Sparkman 1908
  (Echinocystis) Sp. chilicothe (enwish) M:  roots - pargative  
         
         
ERICACEAE Arctostaphylos  Zaca lake manzanita F:  berries Sparkman 1908
Heather glandulosa (Parryi) (kohul) U: seeds for rattles Harrington 1933
       
  A. glauca big berry manzanita F: berries Harrington 1933
      U: seeds for rattles  
         
  Xylococcus bicolor mission manzanita F: berries Harrington 1933
    (muukul) U: seeds for rattles  
         
         
EUPHORBIACEAE Croton californicus California Croton M: abortive Sparkman 1908
Spurge   (shuikawut)    
         
  Chamaesyce polycarpa small-seed sandmat M:  poultice-rattlesnake bites Sparkman 1908
  (Euphorbia) (kenhamal)    
  Sp: Yerba golodrina    
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
FABACEAE Hoita orbicularis round-leaf psoralea F:  greens Sparkman 1908
(LEGUMINOSAE) (Psoralea) (shi'kal)    
Legume        
         
  H. macrostachya leather rood M:  roots - ulcers, sores Sparkman 1908
  (Psoralea) (pi 'mukvul) O:  root-yellow dye  
         
  Lathyrus vestitus San diego sweet pea F: greens Harrington 1933
         
         
  Lotus strigosus Bishop's or strigose lotus F:  greens Sparkman 1908
    (tovinal)    
         
  Lupinus succulentus arroyo lupine F:  greens Sparkman 1908
  L. bicolor dove lupine    
  L. latifolius stream lupine    
    (mawut)    
         
  Trifolium ciliolatum Tree clover F:  seeds; greens - raw/cooked Sparkman 1908
    (mukalwut)    
         
  T. gracilentum pin-point clover F:  greens - raw/cooked Sparkman 1908
    (ke 'kesh)    
         
  T. microcephalum maiden clover F:  greens - cooked Sparkman 1908
  (tridentatum) (pehevi)    
         
  T. willdenovii valley clover F:  seeds; greens - raw/cooked Sparkman 1908
    (chokat)    
         
  T. obtusiflorum creek clover F:  greens - cooked  
    (shookut)    
         
  Prosopis glandulosa Mesquite F:  beans - meal (limited) Sparkman 1908
    (ela)    
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
FAGACEAE Quercus kelloggi Black oak F:  acorn - most preferred Sparkman 1908
(CUPULIFORAE) (Californica) (kwila)    
Oak        
         
  Q. chrysolepsis Canyon live oak F:  acorn Sparkman 1908
    (wiat) U:  cup used as gambling toy  
         
  Q. dumosa Nuttall's scrub oak F:  acorn - least preferred Sparkman 1908
    (pawish) M:  oak gall - sores/wounds  
         
  Q. engelmanni Englemann's Blue Mesa oak F:  acorn Sparkman 1908
    (tovashal) U:  fungus used as tinder  
         
  Q. agrifolia Live oak (coastal/interior) F:  acorn Sparkman 1908
    (wiashal)    
         
  Q. wislizenii Scrub live oak F:  acron - least Sparkman 1908
    (I'mushla)    
         
GENTIANACEAE Centaurium venustum canchalagua M: leaves for tea to reduce fever Harrington 1933
GENTIANACEAE        
         
         
GROSSULARIACEAE Ribes indecorum white flower current F:  berries Sparkman 1908
(SAXIFRAGECENE)   (kawa 'wal) M: root for toothache  
Gooseberry        
  R. speciosum fuchia flower F:  berries Sparkman 1908 ?
    gooseberry    
    (             )    
         
         
         
         
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
HYDROPHYLLACEAE Eriodictyon crassifolium felt-leaf yerba santa M:  expectorant Sparkman 1908
(BORAGINACEAE)        
Waterleaf E. trichocalyx shinny-leaf yerba santa    
    (palwut)    
         
  Phacelia ramosissima branching phacelia F: greens  
    (sikimona)    
         
  Turricula parryi sticky nama, M:  ? Sparkman
  (Eriodictum) poodle dog bush    
    (atovikut)    
         
         
LAMIACEAE Monardella lanceolata mustang mint F:  tea Sparkman 1908
(LABIATAE)   (huvawut) M:  Tea  
Mint        
         
  Salvia carduacea thistle sage F:  seeds Sparkman 1908
    (palit)    
         
  S. columbariae chia  F:  seeds Sparkman 1908
  (pashal)    
         
  S. apiana white sage F:  seeds Sparkman 1908
  (Ramona stachyoides) (kashil) U:  stem fire drill (horizontal) Harrington 1933
         
  S. mellifera black sage F:  seeds, leaves-flavoring Sparkman 1908
  (Ramona polystahya) (kanavut)    
         
  Satureja chandleri San Miguel savory M: tea beverage or medicine Sparkman 1908
  (Micromeria Douglassii) Sp: yerba bulna    
    (huvaumal)    
         
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
MALVACEAE Malacothamnus fasciculatus bush mallow M:  leaves- emetic Sparkman 1908
Mallow (Malvastrum sp.) (kaukat)    
       
  Sidalcea malviflora checker-bloom F:  greens Sparkman 1908
    (pashangal)   Harrington 1933
         
NYCTAGINACEAE Mirabilis laevis  wishbone bush M:  leaves for purgative Sparkman 1908
Four o'clock (Californica) (nanukvish or tisi)    
         
         
OLEACEAE Fraxinus parryi chaparral ash U:  bows Sparkman 1908
Olive   (pavlac)   Harrington 1933
         
         
OROBANCHACEAE Orobanchaceae californica sagebrush broom-rape F:  roots Sparkman 1908
(SCROPHULARIOCEAE)      
(Figwort) O. bulbosa chaparral broom-rape    
Broom-rape (mashal)    
         
  Cordylanthus rigidus dark-tip bird's beak M:  emetic Sparkman 1908
    (yumayut)    
         
         
PAPAVERACEAE Eschscholzia California poppy F:  leaves; flowers chewed as gum Sparkman 1908
Poppy californica (ataushanut)    
         
         
POLEMONIACEAE Gilia diegensis San Diego gilia F:  seeds Sparkman 1908
Gilia   (chachwomal)    
         
         
POLYGONACEAE Eriogonum fasciculatum California buckwheat M: leaves for infusion for   
Buckwheat   (hulakal?) stomach, diuretic, uterine  
         
  Rumex salicifolius willow dock M: root ? Sparkman 1908
    (ipelwut)    
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
PORTULACACEAE Calandrinia ciliata red maids F:  greens; seeds Sparkman 1908
Purslane C. breweri, C. maritima (puchakla)    
         
  Calytonia perfoliata Mexican miner's lettuce F:  greens - cooked/raw Sparkman 1908
    (towish popa 'kwa)    
         
  Portulaca oleracea purslane F:  greens Sparkman 1908
  *alien (pokut)    
         
         
RHAMNACEAE Rhamnus californica California coffeeberry M:(cascara sagrada) bark infusion  
Buckthorn   (hunwut quaiva?) purgative  
         
  R. illicfolia holly-leaf redberry    
  R. crocea (   ?    )    
         
ROSACEAE Adenostoma fasciculatum chamuse F:  gum - scale insect deposit Sparkman 1908
Rose   (u 'ut) U:  arrow for shaft Harrington 1933
         
  Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon, Christmas berry F:  berries Sparkman 1908
    (achawut)   Dubois 1908
        Harrington 1933
         
  Prunus virginiana western choke cherry F:  fruit Sparkman 1908
    (atut) U: seeds for rattles Harrington 1933
         
  P. ilicifolia holly-leaf cherry F:  fruit; kernal (ground/flour) Sparkman 1908
  (Cerasus) (chamish)    
    Sp: Islaya    
         
  Rosa californica California rose F:  bud Harrington 1933
    (ushla)    
         
  Rubus parviflovus thimbleberry F:  fruit Sparkman 1908
  (vitifolus) (pavlash)    
         
  R. ursinus California blackberry F:  fruit; juice (stain/dye) Sparkman 1908
    (pikwlax)   Harrington 1933
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
RUTACEAE Cneoridium dumosum coast spice bush,  M:  diuretic ? Sparkman 1908
Rue, Citrus   bush-red    
    (navish)    
         
         
SALICACEAE Populus fremontii Western cottonwood U:  inner bark - women's apron Sparkman 1908
Willow   (avahut)   Harrington 1933
         
  Salix goodingii Godding's black willow U:  bows; fiber women's aprons Harrington 1933
    (wat) M:  inner bark  
         
  S. lasiolepis arroyo willow U:  bows, basket foundations Harrington 1933
    (sashat)    
         
         
SOLANACEAE Datura wrightii Western jimson weed M:  boy puberty shamon Sparkman 1908
Nighshade   (naktomush)   Dubois 1908
        Harrington 1933
         
  Nicotiana quadrivalis Indian tobacco M: decongestant Sparkman 1908
  (bigelorii) (pavivut) C:  girl's puberty-infusion Dubois 1908
      purification Harrington 1933
         
  N. attenuata coyote tobacco M:  decongestant Harrington 1933
    (pivat-isil)    
         
  Solanum douglasii  Douglas nightshade F:  leaves Sparkman 1908
  S. nigram (takovshish) M:  berries/juice - eye Harrington 1933
      U:  tattoo  
       
  S. parishii Parish nightshade M:  berries/juice - eye Harrington 1933
      U:  tattoo  
         
         
URTICACEAE Urtica dioica hoary nettle U:  fiber Sparkman 1908
Nettle   (shakishla) M:  topical for rheumatism Harrington 1933
Luiseņo
Ethnobotanical Master List
DICOTS
Family Scientific Names Common Names Uses Sources
         
VIOLACEAE Viola pedunculata johnny jump-up F:  leaves; greens Sparkman 1908
Violet   (ashla)    
         
         
VITACEAE Vitis girdiana desert-wild grape F:  fruit cooked Sparkman 1908
Grape   (makwit)