OCR Text |
Show Uses by the Utes: Biscuitroot was reported as a food dug in the spring and baked overnight in an earthen oven ( Smith 1974a: 271). There was no confirmation on this, however, from Ute consultants. Uses By Neighboring Great Basin Populations: According to Fowler ( 1986: 70), the Northern and Western Shoshones, Northern Paiutes, Panamint, and Kawaiisu also used the buscuitroot. A, 3.. 18.... Rabbit... Brush ( Chrysothamnus sp., Asteraceae): Reported Locations: Rabbit Brush is found in various plant communities in the Uinta Basin from 6,000 to 10,500 ft ( Goodrich and Neese 1986: 50). ECOTONE ( 1995: A- 1, A- 4, A- 8, A- 12, A- 16, A- 20, A- 22, A- 29, A- 33) noted two varieties, rubber ( C. nauseosus) and low ( C. viscidiflorus) rabbit brush in many environments on the reservation. Ute Food Uses: One consultant ( 2.1) noted that this plant was relied upon for its roots. As the roots were pounded, a black colored juice was formed that was used as a chewing gum. This was also reported by Stewart ( 1942: 252). Uses by Neighboring Great Basin Populations: The Shoshones and Paiutes of Nevada had many uses for the various rabbit brush varieties including colds, coughs, influenza, stomach disorders, bloody diarrhea, rheumatism, and toothaches ( Train et al. 1974: 57- 8). The Gosiutes chewed the outer portion of the roots of the rabbit brush as a gum ( Chamberlin 1911: 344). A... 3.. 19 / ti. a. r. na. k. ap. a= pi/: ( unidentified botanical species): Smith ( 1974a: 272) reports that the roots of this plant were boiled and drunk for coughs. This might be bitterroot [ Appendix A. 3.4]. A. 4 SEEDS. GRASSES. AND FLOWERS Seeds were another important source of food for the Ute Indians ( Lowie 1924: 201, 203; Stewart 1942: 251). Various grass seeds and sunflower seeds were collected by the Utah Valley Utes ( Janetski 1983: 65). Although Ute consultants mentioned that water grass seeds and sunflowers were once used, they appear to be rarely collected today for food purposes ( 1.4; 2.1). The major grass used by the Utes today is sweet grass, which is collected primarily for spiritual reasons ( 1.4; 2.1; 3.1; 4.1). A... 4.. 1... Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa, Fabaceae): Reported Locations: This is found in the Uinta Basin on range lands, roadsides and in irrigated fields up to 9,500 feet ( Goodrich and Neese 1986: 151). ECOTONE ( 1995: A- 24, A- 30, A- 33) lists it in palustrine/ shrub, wet meadows, and irrigated fields in the Uintah- Ouray Reservation. 60 |