Page 4 - puseman_calan857

noted to have been common throughout the southern California coastal regions (Angell 1981:68-
70; Barrows 1900:36, 64; Bean 1978:576-578; Bean and Shipek 1978:552; Hedges and Beresford
1986:15; Kirk 1975:53; Luomala 1978:600; Mead 1972:20-24).

Juniperus (Juniper)

Juniperus (juniper) berries were a commonly exploited resource for both food and medicine.
Juniper berries are an abundant crop and available throughout the year. The berries were eaten
fresh, with piki bread, cooked in stew, boiled, roasted, or used to season meat. Dried berries were
stored for winter use, when they might have been ground into meal and used to make mush, cakes,
or a beverage. Fresh berries also were pounded to make a liquid drink. Juniper seeds were strung
together as beads. Juniper was used medicinally by many groups to cure various ills. The leaves
or twigs are high in vitamins E and C and were used to make an "all purpose" medicinal tea,
commonly used to treat coughs and colds. Juniper trees had utilitarian uses as well. Ashes from
green needles were added to water and used as a mordant when dying. The bark, berries, and
needles were used to obtain a brown, orange-tan, or yellow-tan dye. Juniper bark was used for a
variety of purposes. It was used as a tinder, to line babies' cradleboards, and to line pits where
dried fruits were stored. Juniper bark also was used to weave clothes and sandals. Juniper wood
often was used as fuel and construction material. Bows and arrows can be made from juniper
wood, and juniper pitch was used to fasten feathers to the arrow shafts (Angell 1981:96; Bryan and
Young 1978:17, 39; Elmore 1944:18; Mead 1972:111-113; Moerman 1998; Westrich 1989:71-72).

Platanus racemosa (California sycamore)

Platanus racemosa (California sycamore, western sycamore) is a tree that generally
grows about 40-50 feet high but can attain a height of 80 feet. Native groups used the inner
bark for food, while a plant infusion served as a general medicinal remedy. The leaves of the
plant were used as a cooking tool to wrap bread as it baked. Platanus racemosa is found along
stream sides and in canyons (Hickman 1993:822; Moerman 1998:419; Peattie 1953:491-496;
Petrides and Petrides 1992:165-166).

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

Woody members of the Rhamnaceae (buckthorn family) noted in Los Angeles County
include Ceanothus (ceanothus, California-lilac, buckbrush), species of Frangula (buckthorn)
formerly included with Rhamnus, and Rhamnus (buckthorn).

Ceanothus (Buck Brush, Deer Brush)

Ceanothus (buck brush) are shrubs or small trees, growing between 2 feet and 20 feet in
height, that yield white through blue to lavender blossoms and edible seeds. The blossoms
create a fine lather when rubbed briskly on the skin. Leaves can be used as a tobacco. Rods
can be used to make load baskets and fish dams, as well as being used to make fire drill and
needles. The wood burns hot and long and can be used as fuel and for lighting. A drinkable tea
can be made from the leaves and flowers. An astringent and tonic are made from bark and
roots. A red dye is also made from the red roots. Medicinal properties of this plant are
recognized today, as Ceanothus contains chemicals used as a blood coagulant, as a remedy
for coughing and tonsilitis, and as a stimulant for mucous membranes. It is also noted for use

3