From Cattail to Cottonwood: Common Plants That Shaped Anasazi Culture and Tradition
The Anasazi, also known as the Ancestral Puebloans (AP), thrived in the southwestern region of Turtle Island from around 100 BCE to 1300 CE. This indigenous civilization is renowned for its cliff dwellings, intricate pottery, and advanced irrigation systems. However, beyond these well-known achievements, the Anasazi also excelled in using plants for food, medicine, tools, and ceremonies. Their profound understanding of the natural world allowed them to survive and thrive in the challenging desert environment.
This article explores 16 plants commonly used in Anasazi ethnobotany. These plants provided essential resources for the Anasazi's daily lives and held spiritual and cultural significance. While plants like corn and beans have been widely studied and recognized for their importance in southwestern agriculture, many others have received less attention from modern researchers despite their crucial role in the Anasazi way of life.
This examination aims to shed light on the depth and complexity of Anasazi plant use. From the fibrous bark of the cottonwood tree to the starchy roots of cattails, these plants showcase the ingenuity and adaptability of these ancient people. Understanding their relationship with these plants allows us to better appreciate their deep connection to the land and the natural world.
*Although the term Anasazi has fallen out of favor in academia, replaced by the term "Ancestral Puebloan," the name Anasazi remains widely recognized. This article will interchangeably use Anasazi and Ancestral Puebloan (AP).
Cultivated plants:
Maize (Zea mays): A primary food source used for medicinal purposes and in ceremonies.
Maize, or corn, served as a primary food source for the Ancestral Puebloans. This tall grass produces large ears of kernels, ground into flour, or cooked in various ways. Maize also held medicinal value, treating skin ailments and playing a significant role in ceremonial practices. The Anasazi developed advanced agricultural systems that allowed them to cultivate maize in the arid desert environment, employing techniques such as terracing, waffle gardens, ollas, and irrigation. In ceremonies, maize was often ground into a fine powder and used as a symbolic offering.
Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris): A primary food source and medicinal plant.
Beans were another essential food source for the Ancestral Puebloans, often grown alongside maize. They cultivated several varieties, including Anasazi beans, pinto, kidney beans, lima beans, and tepary beans. Beans were cooked in stews or dried for later use. They also had medicinal purposes, such as treating stomach ailments and headaches. The Ancestral Puebloans understood the importance of nitrogen fixation in soil and often interplanted beans with maize to improve soil fertility. Beans were also used in ceremonies as symbolic gifts.
Squash (Cucurbita pepo): A food source used for containers and medicinal purposes.
Ancestral Puebloans grew several types of squash, including winter and summer varieties. Squash (gourds) also served as containers, such as bowls and jars. The long, straight necks of winter squash were used as handles for ladles and other utensils. Additionally, the seeds and flesh of squash had medicinal uses; for example, the seeds treated kidney problems, while the flesh soothed skin irritation.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): A food source used for oil and medicinal purposes.
Sunflowers, native to Turtle Island, were a staple food crop for the Anasazi, with medicinal and spiritual uses. The seeds were roasted, ground, and mixed with other grains to make bread or mush. The Anasazi also extracted oil from the seeds for cooking and as a hair and body lotion. Medicinally, the plant treated snakebites, fevers, and infections. Sunflowers also played a role in spiritual and ceremonial practices, symbolizing life and renewal.
Non-cultivated plants:
Agave (Agave spp.): A fiber, food, and medicine source.
Agave, the century plant, had multiple uses for the Anasazi. The fibrous leaves provided material for cordage, sandals, and other woven items. The plant's central stem, or "heart," was edible and often roasted or baked in earth ovens. The agave's flower stalk was also edible. The plant's sap and juice served medicinal purposes, and the leaves were sometimes used as a soap substitute. Additionally, agave held cultural significance, with some species used in ceremonial practices.
Cattail (Typha spp.): A source of food, fiber, and medicine.
Cattails, tall reed-like plants, grew in wetland areas. The Anasazi used the young shoots and roots as a starchy food source. The leaves and stems were woven into baskets, mats, and other items, while the downy seed fluff served as tinder for fires or insulation for clothing, footwear, and bedding. Cattails also had medicinal uses, such as treating burns and other wounds.
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana): A source of food and tools.
Chokecherry, a small tree or shrub, produced a small, tart fruit that was a valuable food source for the Anasazi. The fruit was often mixed with dried meat and fat, an important sustenance source during winter. The bark was used to make baskets, and the wood was used for tools. Medicinally, the bark and leaves treat sore throats and other respiratory ailments.
Cottonwood (Populus spp.): A source of fiber, tools, and medicine.
Cottonwood trees, which grow along riverbanks and in other moist environments, provided the Anasazi with a fiber source for cordage and weaving. The wood was also used to make baskets, drums, and other items. The buds and resin treated colds and coughs. The cottonwood tree offered shade in the hot desert and was sometimes used as fuel. The Anasazi also carved cottonwood into effigies, katsinas, and masks for ceremonies.
Juniper (Juniperus spp.): A source of food, fuel, and tools.
Juniper, a common evergreen shrub in arid regions, was used by the Anasazi for fuel, tool-making, and medicine. The tree's small, blue-black berries were a food source, while the wood made various tools, including bows, arrows, and digging sticks. The bark and needles treated ailments like coughs, colds, and arthritis. Juniper also played a role in spiritual and ceremonial practices.
Pinon Pine (Pinus edulis & Pinus monophylla): A source of food, fuel, and tools.
The Colorado pinon or nut pine was an important food source and material for the Ancestral Puebloans. The tree's large edible pine nuts were harvested as a food staple in the fall. The wood was used for fuel and tools like digging sticks, bows, and arrows. The tree's resin acted as a sealant, adhesive, and medicinal salve for cuts and wounds. Pinon pine needles were also used to make tea, which treated colds and other respiratory ailments.
Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.): A plant used for medicine and incense in ceremonies.
Sagebrush, a woody shrub, grew throughout western Turtle Island and was used by the Anasazi for medicine, food, and spiritual purposes. The plant's leaves make medicinal tea to treat ailments like coughs, colds, and digestive issues. The smoke from the sagebrush acted as a natural insect repellent. The Ancestral Puebloans also consumed sagebrush seeds and used the plant in religious ceremonies and incense. Many Native cultures still consider sagebrush a sacred plant, using it to purify the mind, body, and spirit.
Sumac (Rhus spp.): A source of food, medicine, and dye.
Sumac, a shrub or small tree, produces red berries with a tart, citrus-like flavor. The Anasazi used sumac berries, either fresh or dried, as a food source and ground them into a powder to add flavor to other foods. The bark and leaves treated diarrhea and dysentery. Sumac also served as a dye source for textiles, producing red or pink colors.
Utah Serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis): A source of food and tools.
Utah Serviceberry, also known as the Utah shadbush or Saskatoon serviceberry, produced sweet and flavorful berries in late spring and early summer. The berries were an important food source, eaten fresh, dried, or cooked into jams or sauces. The wood of the Utah serviceberry made tool handles, and the bark was used as a dye source for baskets and other woven items. Medicinally, the leaves and berries treat stomach ailments, colds, and fevers.
Yucca (Yucca spp.): A fiber, food, and medicine source.
The yucca plant, native to the arid regions of Turtle Island, was a versatile resource for the Anasazi. Its fibrous leaves made cordage, sandals, and baskets. The yucca's flowers, fruit, and seeds were consumed as food. Medicinally, the plant treats digestive issues, headaches, and rheumatism. Yucca also played a role in religious ceremonies and provided a source of soap.
Wild Onion (Allium spp.): A source of food, medicine, and insect repellent.
Wild onions were a vital food source for the Anasazi. These perennial plants produce edible bulbs with a strong onion flavor. In addition to being a food source, the bulbs and leaves treated insect bites and stings. Wild onions also acted as an insect repellent when the bulbs were rubbed on skin or clothing.
Wild Rose (Rosa spp.): A source of food, medicine, and dye.
Wild roses, a group of perennial shrubs, produced fragrant flowers and bright red fruits (rose hips). The Anasazi used rose hips as a food source, either fresh or dried. The petals and leaves make tea to treat digestive issues and other ailments. Rose hips were also a dye source, producing red or pink colors for textiles.
Yucca (Yucca spp.): A fiber, food, and medicine source.
The yucca plant, native to the arid regions of Turtle Island, was a versatile resource for the ancient ones. Its fibrous leaves made cordage, sandals, and baskets. The yucca's flowers, fruit, and seeds were consumed as food. Medicinally, the plant treats digestive issues, headaches, and rheumatism. Yucca also played a role in religious ceremonies and provided a source of soap.
The 16 plants discussed in this article are just a glimpse into the many species the Anasazi relied on daily. These plants offer a window into the rich and complex world of southwestern Indigenous ethnobotany. For the Anasazi, plants were not just resources but key elements of their spiritual and cultural identity. They had a deep understanding of nature and a strong respect for the interconnectedness of all life, using plants for food, medicine, tools, and ceremonies.
Many of these plants are still valued by Indigenous communities today, but they face threats from habitat loss, over-harvesting, and climate change. As we work to preserve the cultural heritage of the Anasazi and other Indigenous peoples, it's essential to protect the ecosystems that sustain these plants.
Studying ethnobotany teaches us not only about plants but also about the cultural and ecological systems that supported ancient cultures for centuries. In facing the challenges of the 21st century, the wisdom of these ancient relationships with the natural world may offer valuable lessons.
References
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Hevly, R. H. (1992). The archaeology and history of Pueblo San Marcos: Change and stability. University of New Mexico Press.
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Zak Baker founded Bushlore Press, a publishing company rooted in Earth-based wisdom and ancestral skills. With over 25 years of experience as an outdoor skills instructor, author, and naturalist, he has shared his knowledge with diverse groups, including the Sierra Club, USGS, the State of Utah, and countless students. He has received traditional teachings from indigenous elders and is a certified Master Herbalist, Backcountry Guide, Wilderness First Responder, and Wilderness Quest facilitator. Zak's passions include ethnobotany, Earth-based ceremony and cosmology, and ancestral skills. He resides with his family near the Rocky Mountains of Utah, where they live deeply connected to the land.
