Bot 127 - Ethnobotany

 

Instructor:      Neil Reese

 

Class:              Wednesday 6-9 pm

 

Texts:             Native Plant Research as SDSU – Internet site http://biomicro.sdstate.edu/nativeplants

 

Field guide to plants of the region: Several different ones are available. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of those commonly in use in South Dakota.

 

Contacts:        For help with the class please contact Neil Reese at:

                        e-mail:  neil_reese@sdstate.edu

                        phone:   605-688-4568

                        fax:       605-688-5624

 

Grading:          Plant Collection 100 pts

                        Midterm exam   100pts

                        Final Project      200pts

 

                        Grades will be assigned on a standard scale of 90+%=A, 80-89%=B,

70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, and <60%=F.

                       

This course is designed to provide an overview of  the traditional and current uses of plants native to the Great Plains. The syllabus will provide an outline of topics, but is not set in stone. All participants are encouraged to contribute to the class discussions and to help ensure that all topics of interest are covered.

 

We will begin with a discussion of methods and tools for plant identification and hands-on field experience with plant collection in the field. Methods for collecting, preserving and preparing traditional foods will follow. Discussions of non-food uses of plants will also be presented. The class will finish with a discussion of the methods and requirements of growing native plants in the garden. The Midterm exam will cover plant identification and the basic methods of collecting, preserving and preparing traditional native plants foods and other products. The Final projects will require students to conduct research on one plant species that is of interest to them and to present this original research to the class and as a web page for future students to use.

 

The Final project is central to the philosophy of this class. It is important that the knowledge of the region’s people, both past present, be archived and made available to future generations. All of the class participants will contribute to this effort, sharing their knowledge and interests and helping to preserve what they know for future generations.

 

Objectives:     The course is designed to help students (1) become familiar with standard field keys and to become competent with identification of  plants of the region. (2) Learn to find and recognize 40-50 plant species of special significance to the indigenous peoples of the region. This includes sight identification, knowledge of common habitats, methods of propagation and horticultural practices, and  knowledge of traditional and modern uses of the plants. (3) Discover and share with the class in-depth information on one plant species, of the students choosing, concerning traditional or modern usage.

 

Topic

Notes

Introduction

Introduction to the Web-based text, overview of the class and discussion of the course syllabus.

Plant Identification and Gardening

Introduce the concepts of gardening /gathering  and traditional approaches to survival on the plains.  We will discuss plant identification and selection of picture keys. Class will include a field trip to practice plant identification and make collections.

Wild Fruits

Gooseberries, currants, raspberries, strawberries, juneberries, wild plums, grapes, chokecherries, rosehips and other fruits in season. Lab will include a demonstration on drying and a discussion of other means of preservation. Field Trip to collect Buffalo Berries using traditional techniques.

Teas

Lead plant, chokecherry bark, rosehip, mint, and other teas used as beverages and tonics for good health. Collection, drying and brewing.

Trees - Box Elder, Oak, Willow, Cottonwood, Pines, etc

Making sugar, mushrooms, acorns and other tree products including lodge poles.

Starches and Greens

Prairie turnips, cattails, wild potatoes, milkweed, biscuit root, parsley, mustard, and wild rice

Snacks

Ground plums, ground cherries, cactus, sego lilies, wild carrot and other delicacies.

Staple Foods

The three sisters – corn, beans and squash. Drying, making hominy and the value of these foods in the diet.

Seeds and nuts

Mouse beans –discuss the methods for finding and collecting these legumes. Sunflowers, hazel nuts etc.

Useful Remedies

Plantain, coneflower, stinging nettle, western dock, beebalm sweetflag, etc.

Odds and Ends

Prairie clovers, licorice root, grasses, basket weaving, dyes, etc.

Growing Native Plants

A discussion of how to collect and prepare seeds for introduction into your garden. Some of the difficulties and rewards of gardening with native plants.