Ethnobotany Questions Flashcards
What family is stinging nettle from?
Urticaceae
What is one medical use of stinging nettle?
Treat hay fever, joint pain, etc
What are the stinging hairs on stinging nettle called?
Trichomes
What family does bearberry belong to?
Ericaceae
Is a bearberry a berry?
No, it is a drupe with 5 nutlets
What is the name of the smoking mixture Indigenous populations use?
Kinnikinnick
What family is barley from?
Poaceae
What forms can barley be?
Pearled, husked, or flaked
Is barley native to Canada?
No
When was barley first domesticated?
10,000 years ago
What was another name for Roman gladiators?
Barley Men
What is the compound that became known as aspirin?
Salicylic Acid
How far back does Salix go in the fossil record?
Eocene
What are the two main types of chamomile?
German and Roman
What is Chamomile easy to confuse with? How can you tell the difference?
Stinging Chamomile/mayweed.
Stinging chamomile has a filled receptacle.
What is the name Chamomile derived from?
“chamai” which means “low” & “mellon” which means “apple”
What is the floral formula? Is it the same for either kind of Chamomile?
*, ∞, 10-25, ∞, ∞, yellowish-brown achene
Which of the two species are most commonly used in North America: Cassia or True Cinnamon?
Cassia
Cinnamon was used in Medieval Europe for preserving bodies. True or False?
False: It was Egypt that used Cinnamon in embalming
What language was the word Cinnamon derived from?
Arabic, from the word ‘Amomon’
At what age does a cinnamon tree reach maturity?
15-20 years
Name an application for paper birch.
Production of syrup
Name one unique characteristic of paper birch.
Ovate and coarsely and doubly serrate leaves
Why has paper birch been used as a medicine?
Because it is high in Methyl salicylate
What is the best method for brewing birch tea?
Cold brew
What family is the Saskatoon from?
Rosaceae
What are two health benefits of saskatoon shrubs?
Anti inflammatory, antioxidant, vitamins and minerals…
What type of fruit does a saskatoon shrub have?
Pome
What are different ways that the indigenous used saskatoon bushes?
Arrows, baskets, rope, pemmican, medicine
What are some ways that the tea from this plant can provide physical relief?
Coughs and colds, headaches, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, diarrhea, bleeding, chest and kidney problems, fighting cancer, killing bacteria/viruses, hair loss prevention, relieving pain, helps with asthma, counteracts insomnia, and may also help with treating Type II diabetes and fighting Hepatitis A and B
What are some warnings associated with ingesting this plant?
Indigestion, headache, vomiting, death, ingestion of toxins, etc.
What other products other than tea can lab tea produce?
Essential oils, lotions, soaps, candles, liqueurs, food products, seasonings, herbal supplements, Tobacoo substitute and bug repellant
How can it be incorporated into gardening practices?
Leaves can used for mulch, companion planting for other acidic-soil loving plants and can also attract pollinators.
What family is the elderberry from?
Caprifoliaceae
What are three symptoms of illness that elderberries can help treat?
flu symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, cough, and body aches
What is one of the primary nutritional benefits of elderberries?
Elderberry’s phytonutrients and fiber content helps to lower the amount of cholesterol circulating [in your blood] by binding to [the cholesterol] and expelling it from the body
High in Vitamin C
What parts of the plant are NOT safe to eat?
UNRIPE seeds, stems, leaves and rootsare considered toxic (CONTAIN CYANOGENIC GLYCOCIDES)
bark and leaves (anything but the fruit)
What family does the potato belong to?
Nightshade (Solanaceae)
What family is cloudberry from?
Rosaceae
Name one historical use of cloudberry
Scurvy prevention, Treat colds
What type of venation do cloudberry leaves have?
Palmate
What habitat/soil type do cloudberries grow in? What other species have we looked at from this habitat type?
Peatland, acidic soil.
- Bog cranberry
What is the fruit type of Rosehips?
Achene
Name one traditional use of the Wild Rose Plant
immune support, digestive health, skin care
What year did the wild rose become Alberta’s official flower?
1930
