I arrived in Tucson completely tired of the Montana winter. The weather report called for sandstorms down in southern Arizona, and sure enough there was a brown haze over Tucson as we made a choppy landing. I saw Vince Pinto, my guide, frantically looking for me just outside the baggage area, and we warmly said hello. I was getting reading for another primitive outdoor camping trip with minimal gear. I had not gone on one of these trips for several years, but I had been practicing certain skills up in Montana with my friend Melvin who had been doing these skills his whole adult life. These trips always rejuvenate me, and I was desperately in need of one.
Despite being windy, the weather was warm and sunny in Tucson as we headed to Vince's car. I loved the warmth and sunshine I had been missing for the last several months. A broken collarbone and two minor fender-benders had really soured my taste for the current winter season.
Vince and I hit it off right away, and I instantly knew I had made the right choice to spend a week with him at his property south of Tucson and also in the Chiricahua Mountians in the extreme southeast corner of Arizona. We drove south towards the town of Patagonia to his property which is called Raven's Nest. Vince and his wife Claudia (who was born in Columbia) run the Ravens Way school for wilderness skills and Nature Education. Vince started this business back in 1993 and is one of the best Naturalists/outdoor skills people I have ever met. His ethic for the land and living sustainably is something I have only seen in a few individuals.
We reached Raven's Nest and I was dazzled with the property. The desert landscape was a virtual wildlife sanctuary with scrubby trees (e.g. Mesquite, Juniper, Netleaf Hackberry...), cacti, grasses, and tons of wildlife. Aside from the many bird species on the property, there are also coyotes wildcat, javalina, etc. Vince and Claudia's house sits up on a hill at the top of the property with expansive views of several mountain ranges, and some interesting plants right around their place. At the bottom of the property is a nice bottomland habitat complete with a large former horse barn converted to their school, camping sites, an outdoor primitive skills village, shade structures called Ramadas, and other nice surprises. A system of trails and an arroyo make getting around the place fairly easy, although one has to be aware of things that can prick, bite or otherwise hurt a person.
I spent the rest of the first day exploring the property and taking in the virtual museum of natural information within his school. I slept under the stars that night with blankets and a sleeping pad and was woken up several times by coyotes, two low flying planes following one another (??), and finally by the cold ground. I spent the last two hours of darkness shivering back in the unheated school, reading some books. The next day was spent packing for the primitive trip, exploring the property further (with Vince’s guidance), reading books, and doing a few skills. I made a jute, webbed bag for my water bottle, which was a lot of fun. Claudia made me dinner the first two nights, including gourmet burritos and a delicious chicken dish. We also sorted out our food that we had purchased at Trader Joes for the trip ahead. We were taking a balanced diet with simple foods like nuts, trail mix, meusli, dried fruit, beef jerky and dulse (a type of seaweed). We
agree to wake up the next morning early, drive to the Chiricahua Mountains, and hit the trail early.
The next morning, we headed out talking and planning a bit for the trip. We would each have all the clothing we wanted to bring, a blanket, our food, a water container, and primitive tools. I also brought a water filter so as not to get sick. We arrive at a trailhead on the western side of the Chiricahuas and took off. At the trailhead, Vince read a nice spiritual passage and pointed out that the area is amazing for wildlife, birds and butterflies. He also pointed out that four ecological zones meet right at the Chiricahuas, making them one of the most diverse mountain ranges in North America.
We started up the trail with about 20 pounds on our backs. I deliberately did not bring a camera along, although I took pictures before and after the camping outing for posterity. My pack was made from my blanket Vince had loaned me, some rope and all the stuff packed inside. It was definitely not very comfortable, but we kept adjusting my pack until it was. Vince was wearing some buckskins, and his packs and pouches were either buckskin or cloth. He also had a coon skin cap, and made a striking image as if an early Spanish explorer to the area. Our plan was to be out five days and four nights total. The hike started out steep, and Vince tore off an Agave stalk for future use.
The mountains were very forested and looked a lot like the rest of the Rocky Mountains except that the trees included large oaks, manzanitas, and other more southern species. Also, in the middle of the forest, you would suddenly see a spiky desert plant among the pines, firs and junipers such as agave, sotol, and yucca. This strange sight was very weird and wonderful. Also, one would come up to open meadows that looked a bit like grasslands you might see in Africa. In fact, many of the valley areas that we drove through to get to this mountain range looked like picture of Africa with endless yellow grasses, and scrubby trees. This is not far off, as the climates are similar between southern Arizona and the African Serengeti. Like Africa, Arizona has a dry season and monsoon season. This particular year was fairly dry, so we had to be careful with fire.
The weather was perfect, in the 80s, and as we walked on to our eventual campsite, we went through several habitats as our elevation increased. At one point, we came to some pools encased by beautiful rocks in what would be a cascading waterfall during monsoon season. We unsuccessfully hunted some lizards to eat (we didn't try that hard) and also picked some wild onions for later. It is hard to be motivated to hunt small critters for food, when you bring lots of good food along!
We continued on over a pass, expecting to be the only ones up there in that area of the mountains. In fact, Vince was happy of the fact that we would be alone out there away from everyone in an isolated valley. As we went over the last pass, we heard one voice and then many human voices. As Murphy's Law would have it, there was a huge trail crew camped right in the spot Vince had planned for us to camp. Vince was kind of upset, but I told him it was okay. So, we carried on mostly unnoticed past the trail crew and up a side stream. We hiked another half a mile, and cut up off the side trail up the valley side until we found an area we could use as a campsite. We were mostly out of range of the trail crew or any of their noise, and we were off the valley floor, which would allow us to be warmer at night. Right where we left the side trail, there were pools of water in rock that could sustain our supply for weeks.
The spot Vince picked was fairly flat, with a lot of oaks for shelter and holding in the heat from a campfire. It was getting dark, so I filtered water while Vince cleared out an area for us. He cleared the vegetation off the soil in the area we would sleep and then we both gathered rocks for a fire pit. We both collected as much wood as we could for the fire (there were tons of dead oak branches around as a result of no recent fires, so we were set for wood), and Vince mentioned that breaking off dead branches would be like a small and beneficial fire coming through the area. He really knows what he is doing and is very comfortable in the outdoors. However, it was getting dark and Vince's first attempts at a hand drill fire did not work very well. We had a few emergency matches, but wanted to get the fire going by handdrill. Finally, Vince grabbed the set he had given me and started a fire as I heaped small branches and grass on the coal to get the fire going. Once we had a fire going, it got completely dark. The nights were getting down to 25 degrees on Vince's previous scouting trip, but our nights were much warmer at around 35 or even 40 degrees. Nevertheless, fire was going to be essential to keeping us warm without a sleeping bag.
A thin moon was still up for a few more hours, and I was having the same uneasy feeling that I always have at the beginning of these trips. The feeling is generally that I would rather be elsewhere in comfort or at home curled up with a book. I kept asking myself why I do these hard things on my vacation--why not go to California on the beach or just stay at home and be a slug? I guess the main answer is that I slow my mind down and obtain internal strength from these trips, and over all I let go. I get out of my usual thinking patterns out in the woods because I have no distractions out here and no place to escape to. The only choice is to deal with myself and everything that I am.
We stayed up a bit the first night and then both went to bed with grass and fir bough bedding to keep the cold of the ground away from our bodies. I curled up in a blanket and feel asleep with all the clothes on that I had (two winter hats, thermal underwear, five layers on top,etc). Vince stayed up keeping the fire going, and then I woke up to take over as he slept. After a while I fell asleep, and Vince and I traded off keeping the fire going. Before you know it, it was morning and we had survived the first night. We continually ate some food and practiced a few skills. The agave stalk Vince cut off became a potential container for storing whatever, and the bees that had partially hollowed out the stalk had long since left.
We built up the fire hearth from nearby rocks so as to help channel the warmth more to our bodies the next night. The rocks served to lower fire danger, retain heat and thermal mass, and channel the heat to the two spots we were sleeping. Before we took off to hike for the day, we gathered some Mountain Yucca caudex to use as a coal extended and put those on the coals of the morning fire. Then we put some rocks on top of the coal extender to keep the coals going throughout the day without the risk of fire danger.
As it turned out, the trail crew came right up our side canyon and continued on for trail work. So much for isolation! Vince and I followed their tracks, and looked for a way up a steep mountain across the valley from us. We scouted out a potential trail to hike for the following day, and then headed back down to the original camp of the trail crew.
After walking quietly through their empty camp, we went downstream and found a place with water pools where we could bathe in the cold water and rest up. Not having soap or toilet paper, I needed some cleaning! Vince also mentioned that cleaning ourselves would fluff up the microhairs on our skin and allow us to be warmer at night while sleeping, not to mention the psychological benefits of being clean. We found some pools of water and each took one for ourselves. I bathed in a cold pool and laundered a few pieces of nasty clothing. I then dried out naked in the hot sun and found some ‘toilet paper plant’ (mullen). I considered burning my underwear. After bathing, I drew some artistic lines on a tree fungus with an agave quill that Vince had given me. The art looked kind of African or aboriginal. I had a blast, and some of the uneasy feeling being out in the woods went away.
Out in the desert and even up in these desert ranges there are lots of things that can get a person if they are not careful. Dangers in Arizona include rattle snakes, scorpions, and lots of prickly plants (including Palmer Agave that can mess up one's joints) with a single puncture, heat, dehydration, venomous spiders, bears, etc. I did not feel at danger, but we had to be aware. As Vince said, the most dangerous part of our trip was driving in the car to get to these places.
I was honest the whole time with Vince about how I resist these trips--especially in the first 48 hours out in the bush. He was extremely supportive. After the bath and artwork, I felt better but still wished to be elsewhere. Thankfully, Vince was great company and had a great attitude that kept lifting me up. We went back to camp and ate some food and then dark came quickly. The night was fine and we woke the next morning to climb the mountain across the valley. Instead of taking a roundabout trail up towards the peak, we bushwhacked straight up the side of the mountain through dense brush after soaking our hats. Getting to the top was challenging as we met manzaneta thickets, cacti, and slippery rocks. After much trail and error we got to the summit ridge and sat upon a nice rock. The actual summit was too hard to get to with all the vegetation in the way. As we sat on the ridge rock, I pulled out some rock I was working on for tools and Vince taught me how to pressure flake the rock to make a rock saw and an arrowhead. I used Vince’s deer antler as the pressure flaking tool. On the ridge, we could see the crest of the Chiricahuas and the National Monument to the north and a rock formation called Cochise Head. It was nice up there, but our water supply was limited so we headed down after a bit. We came down mostly the way we came up with a Rock Rattlesnake as the only exciting moment. We gave him a large berth and got back down.
At camp, we practiced more skills including handdrill on sotol, more flint knapping, making a container out of the agave stalk, and setting up a deadfall trap to kill a mouse or bird for food. I was having fun and was finally feeling at ease. The 48 hour mark into our trip had come and I was feeling good. We had decided to cut the camping trip short a day to see more of the Chiricahua Mountains. So, we slept that night at our camp eating some of our onions and listening to a distant owl, and mostly got a full night's sleep due to the warmer weather. We also shared some personal challenges with society and with growing up in it. It was nice to be out there with a kindred soul. We also did a bit of astronomy pointing out some compass directions by certain stars. The stars and Milky Way are amazing out there.
The next day we woke up, broke camp, tried to erase all signs of camp, and headed back out on the trail. We met a few of the trail crew who were Americorps members by our camp. We continued out hiking taking some rests. Now that I was much calmer and relaxed, I was really seeing the different ecosystems as we went down in elevation hiking back towards the car. The perfect weather was holding-about 80 degrees-and the trail was winding through great stuff. We would be in forest and then in a small grassland park with trees at the edge. Around one corner, Vince stopped suddenly and whispered, “Bobcat”. The cat quickly took off and I never saw it but heard it. We continue down to the car, tired and thirsty and took a while to rest.
Driving out, we had decided to go north in the range to the Chiricahua National Monument. Vince called his wife and we heard for the first time of the horror happening in Japan. I couldn’t believe it. We kept driving and hit the national monument which was amazing. A paved road took us past a visitors center up to an amazing lookout with 360 degree views. I was stunned. We hiked a bit from the lookout area among rock hoodoos that looked like stuff you would see in Utah. We got to one area called The Grotto with some cool passages and other rock formations. The rock was slightly pale pink colored and was called rhyolite—the remains of an ancient eruption. I looked out from my high perch to the valley west of the mountains and tried to imagine all the huge animals that used to be in southern Arizona before humans arrived—animals such as the huge sloth, a camel, an indigenous horse, and apparently cheetahs, and mammoths! Arizona really did used to be a Serengeti! We took a short nap in the rock formations and I felt the timelessness of the wind blowing over me and looking up at clouds passing over the sun.
After hiking a bit in the rock formations, we left the mountains and went north to I-10 in order to get to the east side of the Chiricahuas and to Vince’s other piece of property. We passed several gas stations that were mysteriously out of gas, and finally found a place that sold it. We also had a Quizno’s sandwich which was great after several days of cold meals. We arrived at his other property at nightfall. His property is in the vicinity of the tiny town of Portal and is undeveloped except for some primitive shelters including a stone pit house, a structure of rock walls, a wickiup, and some other wooden shelters.
I bundled up in my blanket in one of those structures with a nice fire and stone walls as a heat reflector and mostly had a warm and complete sleep. Rather than hear a lot of wildlife at night it was mostly quiet. The night sky was unreal again and a layer of clouds kept us relatively warm. The next morning, we explored his property by climbing a steep hill up to some cliffs and looking out over the valley to the east of the Chiricahuas and across the valley at the next mountain range. Basically, we were looking into New Mexico since we were very close to the state line. To our right was a distant mountain range that was located in Mexico. We hiked around looking at the structures and great plants in Vince’s property. This was more of a desert-like ecosystem with agave stalks that reached 20 feet high and huge Prickly Pear Cacti. Some of it looked like another planet to me.
We hopped in the car and visited the nearby sleepy town of Portal tucked into the mountains, and then we drove a few miles up Cave Creek Canyon which looked like Yosemite and Zion National Parks with its huge cliff walls. The road between the cliffs was beautiful and we ended up at a biological research station that mostly gets traffic from bird watchers and biologists. It was beautiful and funny to see so much civilization tucked back in the mountains.
After taking in the beauty of the site, we drove out of there for several hours south to the town of Bisbee, Arizona. On the drive, I fell asleep, and woke up for a bit in the town of Rodeo to take some pictures of desolate playground equipment (in the middle of nowhere). Bisbee is a mining town with a funky art community and a few funny tourist traps. We spent the better part of the afternoon there, buying a couple of books and looking at the art. We kept talking the whole time joking and building up more rapport. Again, I knew that our friendship would be a long-term one.
Driving again towards Patagonia and Ravens nest, we kept talking and he surprised me by sharing the music he grew up on. Being a music junkie myself, I was interested. He ended up playing early Bruce Springsteen and pointing out how it affected him. We played that until we got back to his home and school. I showered up at their house, ate some more gourmet burritos that Claudia made at the house, and watched the continuing horror on TV from Japan of nuclear catastrophe, etc. We shook our heads at the world and the bad luck those Japanese were going through. Vince had on a Japanese robe after he showered in honor of the tragedy. I thought he looked funny. I went back down to the school, read a book, and slept with lots of blankets to keep warm.
The next morning I packed up, and Vince and I headed for the airport in Tucson. On the way, we had a Japanese meal (best ever) and stopped at a great bookstore. I picked up some nonfiction works, a book called Call of the Kalahari, and for an indulgence, a Rolling Stone magazine. I had not brought any books along in order to get out of my head, but wanted some reading for the return trip. Vince dropped me off, we said goodbye and had someone actually take a picture of the two of us at the airport. Then, I made it home with little interruption.
Here in Montana, I sit here with a box of new primitive skills projects to work on and I look forward to it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
THE UNEXPECTED WORLD OF THE DESERT BROOM
As an affectionado of all native plants the world over and in particular of those found within the spectacular Sky Islands Region of southeastern Arizona I sometimes find myself defending the reputation of Desert Broom (Baccharis sarothroides). Despite possessing many wonderful qualities across a broad range of categories, I have met with a good handful of of people who view this well-known species as little more than a tenacious weed in shrub form - a nuisance to be net with all manner of mechanical aids all aimed at its ultimate demise.
I can see where some may acquire a less-than-enlightened view of this handsome species. After all its own success seems to mirror that of our own species, as this opportunistic and pioneer plant often germinates and grows in the wake of humanity. Newly cleared house sites, freshly razed roadways, and even cracks within older pavements are all places where Desert Broom gains footholds and thrives. It ranges from parts of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts up into the arid grasslands, even infiltrating the lower recesses of creeks spilling out from the mountains - a versatile plant indeed!
It is perhaps the versatility as well as the sheer abundance of Desert Broom in some localities that sometimes offends. We tend, rather, to relish the rare, the grandiose, and odd, and the delicate species found in the plant world. You will rarely hear a discouraging word uttered about a stately Saguaro, a negative explicative directed at a winsome Mariposa Lilly, or a verbal or literal siege laid upon an Ocotillo springing up near a home. These unflattering feelings and the resultant actions are reserved for the seemingly coarse and undistinguished Desert Brooms of the world. Even the so-called "broomy" growth of this species is shared by an apparent legion of both closely and distantly related plants contained within the Aster Family. For those of us so interested in the identification and use of wild plants, these species are sometimes relegated, albeit temporarily, to the "another damn composite" category (referring to the type of flower that many members of the Aster family possess).
You may find it a bit odd, then, that I am here to sing the praises of this much ignored and maligned plant. Those who know me know better already. I am one of those die-hard Nature fanatics who leads the cheer for all native plants, wildlife, and fungi. To me they deserve our admiration and affection, even if it comes after some personal mishaps and after ingesting much bad press and sometimes even outright lies. The lowly Mosquito, stinky Skunks (we boast 4 species in Arizona), homely Vultures, pesky Poison Ivy, painful Harvester Ants, shocking Mala Mujer (a stinging plant), and terrifying Tarantulas are among the species that I hold near and dear to my heart in the Sky Islands. I once found myself defending the honor of Spotted Hyenas as I watched a Nature video with my wife, Claudia. She, understandably, found both their appearance and habits (brute scavengers in marauding packs) to be less than appealing. So it is with many people as, quite honestly, this is literally the sensible thing to think. These species tend to - in one way or another - offend our senses - why would we like them?!
That's why I think that they need more kind words and a warrant a second look - beyond our evolutionarily bound, sometimes knee-jerk reactions. The proverbial "don't judge a book by its cover" concept comes to mind. The Elegant Trogons, Jaguars, Apache Pines, and Great Purple Hairstreaks (a fabulously beautiful Butterfly) of the world have no shortage of defenders and admirers. They elicit as much positive response as the aforementioned species do negative. So, if you are willing to stay with me, here are a few thoughts about Desert Brooms that may change or elevate your opinion of them.
I'll begin with the natural history of the species, which in and of itself is a marvel to behold. After an achene (the parachute-like seed structure common to members of the Aster family) lands in a favorable spot and germinates into a young Desert Broom the life cycle of the species effectively begins. This is also where the species can start to falter in the eyes of those who desire and demand neat and tidy garden and landscaped spaces. In these often disturbed patches, which approximate those found in Nature and which favor Desert Brooms, the horrified homeowner can sometimes find almost countless seedling popping up at every turn. The "I didn't plant this, so it must be a weed" mentality now kicks into full gear, particularly since young Brooms have little to distinguish themselves from a host of other would-be plant invaders.
We are blessed to live on a 42-acre Nature Sanctuary where we treasure every native species, including the plants. When we first purchased the land we inherited a horrible weed-whacked man-made disaster, notably lacking and plant diversity or density around our house. I suppose that the previous owner was either plant or fire phobic or both. Of course its only common sense to avoid an abundance of dry plants very close to a structure, as you are inviting any wild fire to raze it to the ground. The polar opposite attitude, where any plant within a huge radius of the house is subject to anihiliation is just as bad in my opinion. No, your house is very unlikely to suffer any fire damage associated with the outside landscape, though you will feel the brunt of the sometimes brutal southwestern Sun and incessant winds that not only try your patience but which will also eventually wreak havoc upon your now naked dwelling.
Noting the perils of each of these extreme attitudes we tend to trod the middle road, allowing intrepid Desert Brooms to augment and even dominate the native landscaping around our home. Since March of 2007 when we first moved in Desert brooms have risen from the hardest soil in the most disturbed area like a plant version of the proverbial phoenix bird. They now form dense thickets of evergreen abundance over large patches near our house. They have noticeably diminished the sometimes vexing winds, attracted a broad spectrum of native wildlife, and blessed our senses with its attractive shape, colors, and flower-born scents. A wide variety of small birds, including Canyon Towhees and several Sparrow species are among the birds that seem to relish the deep shade and cloaking cover of Desert Brooms, as evidenced by the frequent flushing that occur when we come too close to these hidden realms for the comfort of the birds. The deep green foliage also seems to be a favorite haunt of the equally verdant Praying Mantises that seek their invertebrate prey amongst the dense, needle-like leaves of the Broom. When the Brooms come into flower, however, is when they truly shine as a wildlife plant extraordinaire.
Just so I balance the picture here, we do have many Desert Brooms pop up in less-than-convenient places where we then feel compelled to play plant executioner. It's simply not the most sage of decisions to allow them to grow at the base of your home's foundation, as the roots can likely cause at least some minor damage. Nor do we deem it ideal if a young and robust Broom is rapidly overtaking one of the many native species that we've planted in an effort to rehabilitate and create wildlife habitat. That victory goes to where the money and effort was put! Still, we've had a number of these bought natives benefit from the shade and overall protection of nearby Brooms.
Fast forward to Autumn in the Sky Islands - a time when most other plant species have already flowered, but when Desert Brooms burst forth in a veritable orgy of mating. Both the male and female plants - basically the same sexual arrangement as humans - send out their blooms in a synchronous manner in order to effect the act of pollination. This means that the pollen from the male plants must, by action of wind or animal pollinator, find its way to an awaiting female blossom where it will fertilize an egg, eventually forming a viable seed. Neither flower gender particularly shines in the beauty department according to conventional logic. They are small and a dull white color and, though in abundance, boast only a relatively mild scent.
Apparently the hordes of potential pollinators that descend upon the flowers could care less about what most people think! When Desert Brooms are in full bloom they are a veritable blizzard of insect activity. I liken the spectacle to an ephemeral and diminutive insect version of the Serengeti in Africa. The various wasps and mantids, as well as ambush bugs take the place of lions, hyenas, and leopards - no less fierce and deadly despite their small size. They lay in wait and prowl for diurnal (daytime) moths, butterflies (including the aforementioned and dazzling Great Purple Hairstreak), and a particularly abundant species of Longhorn Beetle that may specialize in feeding at the flowers of Desert Broom. The list of insect species to be found at a patch of flowering Brooms is indeed impressive. Its the type of spectacle that gives even the Nature curmudgeon pause, if only to avoid "all those damn insects!". Since Brooms bloom at a time when few other plants dare brave the increasingly dry autumnal soil conditions and perilously chilly nights, they seem to have nearly "cornered the market" on the available pollinators at that time of year.
So, have I given you reason enough to reconsider the the status of Desert Brooms in your own personal plant hierarchy? Don't worry, I have yet a few more thoughts to share in this vein! In addition to its many wildlife-related benefits, Desert Broom also excels in the eyes of the resourceful herbalist, frugal survivalist, and clever stone-age technologist. I like to wear all of these hats, sometimes simultaneously, so I'll briefly speak to each of them.
The evergreen stems of Desert Broom contain powerful astringents that make them an ideal skin wash for a variety of external ailments. These include sunburn, Poison Ivy dermatitis, and minor wounds. Simply steep the cut or crushed stems in boiling hot water until it cools and use topically. I would not hesitate to mash up the stems between 2 handy rocks to make a paste with which I could treat minor wounds in the field.
In the wilderness survival realm Desert Broom excels as a shelter material. Given that the branches are generally easily broken by hand and that they lack sharp spines or thorns, I consider them an expedient solution to certain shelter challenges. One of these is to create quick shade amidst the searing southwestern Sun. Thus, Desert Broom makes an excellent horizontal shade layer atop ramadas or simply added to the branches of a live or dead tree. The same branches can be used as a bedding layer with which to insulate your body from excessive heat or cold.
The freshly removes fine branches are excellent as a quickie brush for removing the irritating deciduous spines (i.e. glochids) of Prickly Pear fruit and pads, rendering them consumable. These plants often grow in the same localities and make for a convenient juxtaposition of useful plants.
Finally, you can use the dead and dried branches of Desert Broom for fine to medium-sized fuel in your wilderness fires. The wood burns quickly and evenly, providing plenty of light and some modest coals when the blaze has receded. With the normal plethora of dense desert woods that yield long-lasting coals (e.g. Mesquite) having ready access to finer, more flammable fuels is certainly a useful thing.
Perhaps next time you see the "lowly" Desert Broom you'll have reason to take a second glance and to ponder its many unexpected virtues!
I can see where some may acquire a less-than-enlightened view of this handsome species. After all its own success seems to mirror that of our own species, as this opportunistic and pioneer plant often germinates and grows in the wake of humanity. Newly cleared house sites, freshly razed roadways, and even cracks within older pavements are all places where Desert Broom gains footholds and thrives. It ranges from parts of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts up into the arid grasslands, even infiltrating the lower recesses of creeks spilling out from the mountains - a versatile plant indeed!
It is perhaps the versatility as well as the sheer abundance of Desert Broom in some localities that sometimes offends. We tend, rather, to relish the rare, the grandiose, and odd, and the delicate species found in the plant world. You will rarely hear a discouraging word uttered about a stately Saguaro, a negative explicative directed at a winsome Mariposa Lilly, or a verbal or literal siege laid upon an Ocotillo springing up near a home. These unflattering feelings and the resultant actions are reserved for the seemingly coarse and undistinguished Desert Brooms of the world. Even the so-called "broomy" growth of this species is shared by an apparent legion of both closely and distantly related plants contained within the Aster Family. For those of us so interested in the identification and use of wild plants, these species are sometimes relegated, albeit temporarily, to the "another damn composite" category (referring to the type of flower that many members of the Aster family possess).
You may find it a bit odd, then, that I am here to sing the praises of this much ignored and maligned plant. Those who know me know better already. I am one of those die-hard Nature fanatics who leads the cheer for all native plants, wildlife, and fungi. To me they deserve our admiration and affection, even if it comes after some personal mishaps and after ingesting much bad press and sometimes even outright lies. The lowly Mosquito, stinky Skunks (we boast 4 species in Arizona), homely Vultures, pesky Poison Ivy, painful Harvester Ants, shocking Mala Mujer (a stinging plant), and terrifying Tarantulas are among the species that I hold near and dear to my heart in the Sky Islands. I once found myself defending the honor of Spotted Hyenas as I watched a Nature video with my wife, Claudia. She, understandably, found both their appearance and habits (brute scavengers in marauding packs) to be less than appealing. So it is with many people as, quite honestly, this is literally the sensible thing to think. These species tend to - in one way or another - offend our senses - why would we like them?!
That's why I think that they need more kind words and a warrant a second look - beyond our evolutionarily bound, sometimes knee-jerk reactions. The proverbial "don't judge a book by its cover" concept comes to mind. The Elegant Trogons, Jaguars, Apache Pines, and Great Purple Hairstreaks (a fabulously beautiful Butterfly) of the world have no shortage of defenders and admirers. They elicit as much positive response as the aforementioned species do negative. So, if you are willing to stay with me, here are a few thoughts about Desert Brooms that may change or elevate your opinion of them.
I'll begin with the natural history of the species, which in and of itself is a marvel to behold. After an achene (the parachute-like seed structure common to members of the Aster family) lands in a favorable spot and germinates into a young Desert Broom the life cycle of the species effectively begins. This is also where the species can start to falter in the eyes of those who desire and demand neat and tidy garden and landscaped spaces. In these often disturbed patches, which approximate those found in Nature and which favor Desert Brooms, the horrified homeowner can sometimes find almost countless seedling popping up at every turn. The "I didn't plant this, so it must be a weed" mentality now kicks into full gear, particularly since young Brooms have little to distinguish themselves from a host of other would-be plant invaders.
We are blessed to live on a 42-acre Nature Sanctuary where we treasure every native species, including the plants. When we first purchased the land we inherited a horrible weed-whacked man-made disaster, notably lacking and plant diversity or density around our house. I suppose that the previous owner was either plant or fire phobic or both. Of course its only common sense to avoid an abundance of dry plants very close to a structure, as you are inviting any wild fire to raze it to the ground. The polar opposite attitude, where any plant within a huge radius of the house is subject to anihiliation is just as bad in my opinion. No, your house is very unlikely to suffer any fire damage associated with the outside landscape, though you will feel the brunt of the sometimes brutal southwestern Sun and incessant winds that not only try your patience but which will also eventually wreak havoc upon your now naked dwelling.
Noting the perils of each of these extreme attitudes we tend to trod the middle road, allowing intrepid Desert Brooms to augment and even dominate the native landscaping around our home. Since March of 2007 when we first moved in Desert brooms have risen from the hardest soil in the most disturbed area like a plant version of the proverbial phoenix bird. They now form dense thickets of evergreen abundance over large patches near our house. They have noticeably diminished the sometimes vexing winds, attracted a broad spectrum of native wildlife, and blessed our senses with its attractive shape, colors, and flower-born scents. A wide variety of small birds, including Canyon Towhees and several Sparrow species are among the birds that seem to relish the deep shade and cloaking cover of Desert Brooms, as evidenced by the frequent flushing that occur when we come too close to these hidden realms for the comfort of the birds. The deep green foliage also seems to be a favorite haunt of the equally verdant Praying Mantises that seek their invertebrate prey amongst the dense, needle-like leaves of the Broom. When the Brooms come into flower, however, is when they truly shine as a wildlife plant extraordinaire.
Just so I balance the picture here, we do have many Desert Brooms pop up in less-than-convenient places where we then feel compelled to play plant executioner. It's simply not the most sage of decisions to allow them to grow at the base of your home's foundation, as the roots can likely cause at least some minor damage. Nor do we deem it ideal if a young and robust Broom is rapidly overtaking one of the many native species that we've planted in an effort to rehabilitate and create wildlife habitat. That victory goes to where the money and effort was put! Still, we've had a number of these bought natives benefit from the shade and overall protection of nearby Brooms.
Fast forward to Autumn in the Sky Islands - a time when most other plant species have already flowered, but when Desert Brooms burst forth in a veritable orgy of mating. Both the male and female plants - basically the same sexual arrangement as humans - send out their blooms in a synchronous manner in order to effect the act of pollination. This means that the pollen from the male plants must, by action of wind or animal pollinator, find its way to an awaiting female blossom where it will fertilize an egg, eventually forming a viable seed. Neither flower gender particularly shines in the beauty department according to conventional logic. They are small and a dull white color and, though in abundance, boast only a relatively mild scent.
Apparently the hordes of potential pollinators that descend upon the flowers could care less about what most people think! When Desert Brooms are in full bloom they are a veritable blizzard of insect activity. I liken the spectacle to an ephemeral and diminutive insect version of the Serengeti in Africa. The various wasps and mantids, as well as ambush bugs take the place of lions, hyenas, and leopards - no less fierce and deadly despite their small size. They lay in wait and prowl for diurnal (daytime) moths, butterflies (including the aforementioned and dazzling Great Purple Hairstreak), and a particularly abundant species of Longhorn Beetle that may specialize in feeding at the flowers of Desert Broom. The list of insect species to be found at a patch of flowering Brooms is indeed impressive. Its the type of spectacle that gives even the Nature curmudgeon pause, if only to avoid "all those damn insects!". Since Brooms bloom at a time when few other plants dare brave the increasingly dry autumnal soil conditions and perilously chilly nights, they seem to have nearly "cornered the market" on the available pollinators at that time of year.
So, have I given you reason enough to reconsider the the status of Desert Brooms in your own personal plant hierarchy? Don't worry, I have yet a few more thoughts to share in this vein! In addition to its many wildlife-related benefits, Desert Broom also excels in the eyes of the resourceful herbalist, frugal survivalist, and clever stone-age technologist. I like to wear all of these hats, sometimes simultaneously, so I'll briefly speak to each of them.
The evergreen stems of Desert Broom contain powerful astringents that make them an ideal skin wash for a variety of external ailments. These include sunburn, Poison Ivy dermatitis, and minor wounds. Simply steep the cut or crushed stems in boiling hot water until it cools and use topically. I would not hesitate to mash up the stems between 2 handy rocks to make a paste with which I could treat minor wounds in the field.
In the wilderness survival realm Desert Broom excels as a shelter material. Given that the branches are generally easily broken by hand and that they lack sharp spines or thorns, I consider them an expedient solution to certain shelter challenges. One of these is to create quick shade amidst the searing southwestern Sun. Thus, Desert Broom makes an excellent horizontal shade layer atop ramadas or simply added to the branches of a live or dead tree. The same branches can be used as a bedding layer with which to insulate your body from excessive heat or cold.
The freshly removes fine branches are excellent as a quickie brush for removing the irritating deciduous spines (i.e. glochids) of Prickly Pear fruit and pads, rendering them consumable. These plants often grow in the same localities and make for a convenient juxtaposition of useful plants.
Finally, you can use the dead and dried branches of Desert Broom for fine to medium-sized fuel in your wilderness fires. The wood burns quickly and evenly, providing plenty of light and some modest coals when the blaze has receded. With the normal plethora of dense desert woods that yield long-lasting coals (e.g. Mesquite) having ready access to finer, more flammable fuels is certainly a useful thing.
Perhaps next time you see the "lowly" Desert Broom you'll have reason to take a second glance and to ponder its many unexpected virtues!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
THE WORLD OF ETHNOBOTANY
I believe that we humans quite naturally gravitate to plants on so many levels. The tree that beckons us to climb its sturdy limbs, the juicy berry that invites a tasting, and the tall grass that would make a great shelter all speak to the universal pull that we experience thanks to wild plants. Why, then, are so many ignorant of this vital realm today? I believe that the answer lies largely in lack of exposure. When adults expose their children to little else than the electronic claptrap and useless baubles of modern society that inundate our lives today they miss an opportunity to help connect these young souls to Nature.
A quick look at most habitable environments on our planet soon reveals that, indeed, plants dominate our world. Even today, while people live increasingly disconnected from Nature, they seem to long for its solace more than ever. We still rely upon plants for our oxygen, for beauty, and for countless resources that make our lives possible. Still, we as a species seem hellbent on destroying that which so obviously supports us. We indeed tend to destroy that which we consider foreign or useless. While there are no easy solutions to reconnecting humans with Nature, I believe that wild plants can play a key role in this process.
Regardless of your age and other interests, I strongly encourage you to venture outside to your nearest wild area with the goal of making the acquaintance of some of your native plant neighbors. Even if you don't know their names, reach out and touch them, smell them, and use all of your senses to immerse yourself into a different reality - one that relies not upon other humans, but rather upon plants. Stepping "out of the box" in this fashion can provide profound insights not only into the plant under your inspection, but also into yourself!
Curiosity goes a long way in introducing yourself to plants and in remembering how to identify them. When people complain that its too difficult to identify wild plants, I point out that they can readily recognize a bevy of domesticated food plants in a supermarket, even if they are unlabeled. If you can tell a peach from a nectarine, an orange from a grapefruit, or a head of lettuce from one of cabbage, then you indeed possess the skills required to distinguish wild useful plants! Of course, one of the best and time-tested ways to learn about plants and their uses is from other, more seasoned people. A few field guides go a long way in this regard, but nothing takes the place of direct teacher-student relationship. Acquiring knowledge about wild plants is likely one of if not the oldest skills possessed by humans - a tradition that runs deep within us.
Soon after identifying a particular plant you may be curious if it is edible, if it might help a Poison Ivy rash, or wonder what other qualities it may possess that could benefit you. There is no magical shortcut in learning this knowledge. Study the plants directly, learn from those more knowledgeable than yourself, and consult field guides when you can and (before you know it) you've learned about a few useful plant species! After several months of applying yourself you may well have a nice list or even journal going of the plants that you learned. To this you can begin to add their uses - not by way of mere repetition from other sources but by trying these things for yourself.
Start basic and small with your first experiments. For example, if you're interested in wild edibles, then perhaps sample some wild blackberries or other familiar fruit before tackling more difficult and potentially dangerous species. If you would like to learn fire by friction (i.e. "rubbing 2 sticks together" to create fire) then first learn a few of the softer, yet strong and resin-free woods of your region even before any rubbing occurs!. Experimentation rarely fails to net interesting results when learning various ethnobotanical skills. Do beware, however, of foolhardy moves in regards to wild edible and medicinal plants, as one key mistake is all that it takes to turn a passion in a postscript! This is yet another reason to study with the experts, who have trod a similar path and are now able to guide you along yours. Good ones are able to help guide you through your learning process in a safe and engaging fashion.
I find myself now in this position of Ethnobotany guide and expert. It has taken me many years to admit this to myself, as I mostly despise the latter term. Many so-called experts lack the first-hand knowledge of their topic and are mere shadows of those that have an in-depth understanding of their passion, born of direct experience. Further, it is the wild plants themselves that are the "stars" of Ethnobotany. The focus should be on them, not on the person teaching about them. So, while I would love to have you as my student, I vow to devote this blog to the plants and not to impressing anyone with what I've done with them. I will speak about my Ethnobotany adventures and my experiences with plants, but hopefully with a humility born of a deep respect for these incredible life-givers.
As I travel in Arizona and throughout the world, I find myself increasingly connected to wild plants. They pervade my life, while enriching it beyond comprehension. When I am surrounded by them, I am enveloped by friends, but when there are few or none around (as in many urban areas) then my soul quickly longs for their beauty, solace, mystery, and familiarity. I know that I will always seek the secret world of plants wherever I find myself.
You too can artfully intertwine your world with that of wild plants. They will be your friends for life, providing you with adventure and challenge whenever you venture to any place with even a remnant of wildness. You don't have to be a professional botanist or scientist to learn them. Just remember that all of us are ethnobotanists with a working knowledge of plants - some are just better than others!
**Take a class, trip, workshop, or internship with RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS. We offer a wide range of adventures, including Ethnobotany and many related topics!
Check out our website at : www.ravensnatureschool.com
EDIBLE MESQUITE SAP & MESQUITE GIRDLER BEETLES
RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS
The following narrative gives but a glimpse of how knowing more about the insects of a particular area can translate into being a better Ethnobotanist and Naturalist.....
Every Autumn in the spectacular Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona I look forward to a profound natural event with both humility and hunger. Late Summer and Fall are the times that a species of small Long-horned Beetle covertly descends upon the now lush and unsuspecting Mesquite trees. Velvet Mesquite is the species common where we live, though I suspect that its relatives, Honey Mesquite and Screwbean Mesquite, experience a similar influx. Though it is relatively common to encounter the beetles, the amount of havoc that they wreak upon the branches of the Mesquites is disproportionate to their apparent abundance. In their destructive, though quite natural, wake lies a delicious edible plant part that you can enjoy - more on this later.
After all, how could a small (body ~ 1/2" long; antenna longer than body) insect kill so many branches of a tree noted for the tenacity of its wood? The answer lies in both the anatomy of the Beetle and in the timing of its assault upon the Mesquite branches. In regards to the former, the jaws of the beetle are particularly long and strong, as is the case with most Long-horned Beetle species that I've encountered. They're the type of beetle that give you pause when picking one up, lest those jaws test the integrityof you skin! In the case of the latter, the beetles time their attack so that they are able to girdle (i.e. make a completely encircling cut to) the youngest, most vulnerable branches that grew the previous Spring through current Fall. These youngsters apparently have fewer protections and simply are smaller and easier to girdle than the large ones.
Upon completing this task the death knoll of the particular Mesquite branch in question has been sealed, its life-giving supply of sap having been precipitously and forever cut off. The female Mesquite Girdler Beetle then proceeds to lay a series of eggs in the now sap-poor branch. Flowing sap in a live branch would have likely killed her eggs, hence the need for such a drastic evolutionary strategy to perpetuate the species. The young eventually hatch out of the dead branches to once again perpetuate the cycle of the Mesquite Girdler. This act completed, the adults die and leave the dead branches festooned upon the otherwise live Mesquite tree. Many of these branches easily fall off the tree within a year or two and create a bit of a natural minefield of potent thorns that the intrepid Ethnobotanist must navigate in order to procure the culinary reward afforded by the beetles. Mesquite spines quite easily penetrate all manner of footwear, however impregnable you may deem it!
What is this reward you now ask? Slowly, but surely the girdled wound of the Mesquite exudes a translucent, light amber-colored sap that is designed to seal it against infections and diseases. At first the exudate is merely a thin veneer or small droplet of sap. Eventually, however, some grow to the size of a large grape or so. As you wander through a Mesquite grove in September through December, be it gargantuan trees in a riverside forest or diminutive specimens dotting a grassland, you may begin to notice some of Nature's finest art - amber spheres of light reflecting and refracting the Sun's rays like so many gaudy ornaments. At this moment you have arrived at not only a visual treat, but one that may delight your taste buds as well!
To gather the sap balls, I merely pluck them from their branch stump, noting the level of stickiness that they possess. Early in the gathering season they will, quite naturally, be tackier. and even malleable in your hands. As the Autumn progresses, however, they drier out and take on a more solid form that is even more convenient to gather and store. Be aware, though, that unlike the sap of most conifer trees that I know (e.g. Pines, Cypresses, Junipers, Spruces, & Firs) Mesquite sap is water soluble. Meaning? Namely that they can just as quickly dissolve and disappear after a somewhat unexpected Autumn or early Winter rain storm, as they apparently materialized after the branches were girdled. One storm, then gone! This speaks to one of the Ethnobotanist's and wild forager's main creeds - collect it (when abundant enough) while its there, for tomorrow it may be gone! Still, I always strive to leave some sap behind, not knowing what other sap-eaters may be seeking this treat and wishing to share the feast.
What do I do with these sap nodules? I slowly suck upon them as I wander the incredible wilds of the Sky Islands. They have a rich, yet subtly sweet taste that, unlike candy, never quite gets old. I soon find myself depleting my stores of sap months before they'll be replenished next year. I do store enough to show my students, but am periodically tempted to raid even these meager supplies given my love of the edible oddity.
While I can't vouch for the caloric value of this translucent Mesquite sap, I suspect that it is minor. More important, I feel, is the soothing effect that the sap appears to have on my mouth, throat (a bit of an expectorant effect), and even my soul. I slowly suck upon the sap and I feel immersed in my immediate environment - Mesquite and Man becoming one. So it is with Ethnobotany adventures - they transport me to a world unto itself and one forgotten and neglected by many of my fellow humans.
A quick note on sap types on Mesquite. You may notice that there is a second, much darker (e.g. deep amber to dark orange-red) type of Mesquite sap. Having sampled this type - normally caused by major wounds, such as a human-cut branch - I can say that I have no desire to repeat the feat. As good as the Mesquite Girdler sap is, the darker type is equally as vile. It is the stuff traditionally used to mend broken pottery in the Southwest, not an edible plant part. If you've had a different experience with either type of sap, I would love to hear from you on this topic.
And what, you may ask, becomes of the Mesquite Trees that made this unique treat possible? They continue to grow, attempting to keep one step ahead of the Mesquite Girdler Beetles in their quest to grow bigger and stronger. Two steps forward and one step back for many trees, I suspect. I view this autumnal toll as just one more balance in the infinite checks and balances that define seemingly every nuance and expression of life.
My habit of late is to gather the girdled Mesquite branches and make a pile within which the local birds and other wildlife can take refuge from both inclement weather and predator alike. This MAY allow the then liberated Mesquite trees to be less pruned the following Fall when the young beetles hatch out from the dead branches, though this is perhaps wishful thinking at best. While we (my wife, Claudia, and I) may have somewhat smaller Mesquite trees due to the Beetles, we also have them to thank for this unusual treat!
NOTE: Future entries in blog will contain a wide range of Ethnobotany (= how people employ wild plants for a variety of uses) topics, including: Archery, Basketry, Arts & Crafts, Shelters, Tools, Wild Edible Plants, Wild Medicinal Plants, and much more!
Let me know what you think and....think of taking a class with us at:
RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS
www.ravensnatureschool.com
We can custom-make an Ethnobotany walk, lecture, or trip for you, your family, or your organization/group!
The following narrative gives but a glimpse of how knowing more about the insects of a particular area can translate into being a better Ethnobotanist and Naturalist.....
After all, how could a small (body ~ 1/2" long; antenna longer than body) insect kill so many branches of a tree noted for the tenacity of its wood? The answer lies in both the anatomy of the Beetle and in the timing of its assault upon the Mesquite branches. In regards to the former, the jaws of the beetle are particularly long and strong, as is the case with most Long-horned Beetle species that I've encountered. They're the type of beetle that give you pause when picking one up, lest those jaws test the integrityof you skin! In the case of the latter, the beetles time their attack so that they are able to girdle (i.e. make a completely encircling cut to) the youngest, most vulnerable branches that grew the previous Spring through current Fall. These youngsters apparently have fewer protections and simply are smaller and easier to girdle than the large ones.
Upon completing this task the death knoll of the particular Mesquite branch in question has been sealed, its life-giving supply of sap having been precipitously and forever cut off. The female Mesquite Girdler Beetle then proceeds to lay a series of eggs in the now sap-poor branch. Flowing sap in a live branch would have likely killed her eggs, hence the need for such a drastic evolutionary strategy to perpetuate the species. The young eventually hatch out of the dead branches to once again perpetuate the cycle of the Mesquite Girdler. This act completed, the adults die and leave the dead branches festooned upon the otherwise live Mesquite tree. Many of these branches easily fall off the tree within a year or two and create a bit of a natural minefield of potent thorns that the intrepid Ethnobotanist must navigate in order to procure the culinary reward afforded by the beetles. Mesquite spines quite easily penetrate all manner of footwear, however impregnable you may deem it!
What is this reward you now ask? Slowly, but surely the girdled wound of the Mesquite exudes a translucent, light amber-colored sap that is designed to seal it against infections and diseases. At first the exudate is merely a thin veneer or small droplet of sap. Eventually, however, some grow to the size of a large grape or so. As you wander through a Mesquite grove in September through December, be it gargantuan trees in a riverside forest or diminutive specimens dotting a grassland, you may begin to notice some of Nature's finest art - amber spheres of light reflecting and refracting the Sun's rays like so many gaudy ornaments. At this moment you have arrived at not only a visual treat, but one that may delight your taste buds as well!
To gather the sap balls, I merely pluck them from their branch stump, noting the level of stickiness that they possess. Early in the gathering season they will, quite naturally, be tackier. and even malleable in your hands. As the Autumn progresses, however, they drier out and take on a more solid form that is even more convenient to gather and store. Be aware, though, that unlike the sap of most conifer trees that I know (e.g. Pines, Cypresses, Junipers, Spruces, & Firs) Mesquite sap is water soluble. Meaning? Namely that they can just as quickly dissolve and disappear after a somewhat unexpected Autumn or early Winter rain storm, as they apparently materialized after the branches were girdled. One storm, then gone! This speaks to one of the Ethnobotanist's and wild forager's main creeds - collect it (when abundant enough) while its there, for tomorrow it may be gone! Still, I always strive to leave some sap behind, not knowing what other sap-eaters may be seeking this treat and wishing to share the feast.
What do I do with these sap nodules? I slowly suck upon them as I wander the incredible wilds of the Sky Islands. They have a rich, yet subtly sweet taste that, unlike candy, never quite gets old. I soon find myself depleting my stores of sap months before they'll be replenished next year. I do store enough to show my students, but am periodically tempted to raid even these meager supplies given my love of the edible oddity.
While I can't vouch for the caloric value of this translucent Mesquite sap, I suspect that it is minor. More important, I feel, is the soothing effect that the sap appears to have on my mouth, throat (a bit of an expectorant effect), and even my soul. I slowly suck upon the sap and I feel immersed in my immediate environment - Mesquite and Man becoming one. So it is with Ethnobotany adventures - they transport me to a world unto itself and one forgotten and neglected by many of my fellow humans.
A quick note on sap types on Mesquite. You may notice that there is a second, much darker (e.g. deep amber to dark orange-red) type of Mesquite sap. Having sampled this type - normally caused by major wounds, such as a human-cut branch - I can say that I have no desire to repeat the feat. As good as the Mesquite Girdler sap is, the darker type is equally as vile. It is the stuff traditionally used to mend broken pottery in the Southwest, not an edible plant part. If you've had a different experience with either type of sap, I would love to hear from you on this topic.
And what, you may ask, becomes of the Mesquite Trees that made this unique treat possible? They continue to grow, attempting to keep one step ahead of the Mesquite Girdler Beetles in their quest to grow bigger and stronger. Two steps forward and one step back for many trees, I suspect. I view this autumnal toll as just one more balance in the infinite checks and balances that define seemingly every nuance and expression of life.
My habit of late is to gather the girdled Mesquite branches and make a pile within which the local birds and other wildlife can take refuge from both inclement weather and predator alike. This MAY allow the then liberated Mesquite trees to be less pruned the following Fall when the young beetles hatch out from the dead branches, though this is perhaps wishful thinking at best. While we (my wife, Claudia, and I) may have somewhat smaller Mesquite trees due to the Beetles, we also have them to thank for this unusual treat!
NOTE: Future entries in blog will contain a wide range of Ethnobotany (= how people employ wild plants for a variety of uses) topics, including: Archery, Basketry, Arts & Crafts, Shelters, Tools, Wild Edible Plants, Wild Medicinal Plants, and much more!
Let me know what you think and....think of taking a class with us at:
RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS
www.ravensnatureschool.com
We can custom-make an Ethnobotany walk, lecture, or trip for you, your family, or your organization/group!
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