Plants at the Johnston Wilderness Campus and their Uses

by Regina Wicks & Kyrié Thompson

Throughout history the flora of this area had a variety of uses from food to clothing to medicine. The following list is just a few of the plants with human uses that are common and native to the Johnston Wilderness Campus. In particular, these plants were chosen for their edible, material, or medicinal properties. While this list is intended to introduce the variety of ways in which these plants have been used, it should not be considered a medicinal or edibles guide.

We have organized the uses into general categories and listed specific ailments in parenthesis for those with more medical knowledge. We have also included a species list from the book, Trees and Flowers of the Blue Mountainsby Sarah R. Blattler made for the college cabin, approximately 0.4 miles west of the Johnston Wilderness Campus. For more information, check out the references section at the end of the page.

In the future, more plants and a greater variety of uses could be added to this list. There are many plants that we do not discuss that surely have extensive uses, both historically and currently. Additional information regarding material uses and spiritual significance would also add to the site. In particular, research on the Native American tribes that might have inhabited the region and their connections to these plants would ground it even more in this place. We were interested in creating awareness of what resources the natural flora provides; any further additions that allow people to do this would be beneficial.

American Chestnut (Castanea dentata, Mill)
http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/cdentata.htm

Parts used	leaves, inner bark
Medicines
Native Americans	whooping cough, hiccoughs and other irritable and excitable conditions of respiratory organs, fever
Folk Medicine	arthritis, rheumatism, female bleeding, hemorrhoids, chronic inflammation of intestine

Back to top

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum, Pursh):

Parts used	wood, sap, seeds
Material uses	furniture, paneling, veneer, maple syrup

 

Black Cottonwood (Populus angustifolis, James)

All trees in this genus have the following characteristics:

Parts used	bark, leaves, buds
Medicines
Native American, internal	precursor to aspirin, fever reducing, anti-inflammatory, substitute for quinine, mild urinary tract inflammations, diuretic, diarrhea
Native American, external	ointment for burns and skin irritations, muscle aches, sprains and swollen joints

Back to top

Blackberry (Rubus villosus, A.T.):

Parts used	root, berry, leaves
Medicines
Native American, internal	gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, dysentery)
Native American, external	hemorrhoids, sore mouth, inflamed throat
Food	jelly, jam, jello, brandy, vinegar

 

Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum, L.)
http://www.vetnetwork.com/season/toxicplants1.html

Parts used	young unfolded leaves, roots, tops
Medicines
Native American	root eaten as a worm medicine
Early Pioneers	rickets in children, tapeworm, pumonary and hepatic diseases, spleen disorders
Food	soup (Japanese)
	Do not use extensively: has been shown to have negative effects in recent studies.

Back to top

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, (Mirb.) Franco)
http://cin.butte.cc.ca.us/~rslavich/info/demclass/nr20dem/diagrams/chap_htm/tree_htm/treedf.htm

Parts used	roots, young needles, wood
Material uses	tea rich in Vitamin C, lumber, baskets woven from roots (Native American)

 

Eastern Dogwood (Conus florida, L.)

Parts used	dried bark
Medicines
Native American	weakness of stomach and bowels, used in place of quinine
Homeopathic clinical uses	pneumonia and upset stomach (dyspepsia)

 

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, L.):
(this is noted in Hutchens, species found was S. cerculea, Raf.)

Parts used	roots, inner bark, leaves, berries, flowers
Medicine
Native American, internal	headache due to colds, palsy, rheumatism, organ dysfunction (jaundice, liver derangement, kidney), syphilis, epilepsy, anemia
Native American, external	skin disorders (erysipelas, etc. in children), swelling, tumors, joints, cuts, burns, scalds, cosmetic improvement for complexion, removing spots, allaying irritation, removing freckles, preserving and softening skin

Back to top

Mountain Alder (Alnus incana, L.):

Parts used	bark, leaves, cones
Medicines
Native American, internal	gastrointestinal problems (constipation, jaundice, diarrhea, dyspepsia, children’s worm medicine), gangrene, organ dysfunction (dropsy)
Native American, external	skin problems (gangrene, indolent ulcers, relieve itching, Impetigo Psora, Prurigo) head lice, cleaning teeth, firming gums, Herpes, Syphilis, Rheumatism, gynecological problems (Ammenorrhoea, Leucorrhoea, Gleet, Hemorrhage)

 

Snowberry (Chionanthus virginica, L.)

Parts used	root, bark
Medicines
Native American	stomach and liver disorders, spleen malfunction, jaundice during pregnancy, colic, heartburn, malignant stomach tumors, bowels, or uterus
Homeopathic clinical uses	constipation, emaciation with liver disorder; gall-stones, headache, jaundice, malaria, complaints of nursing women

Back to top

Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus, Dougl.)

Parts used	berries
Food	jelly, tea from leaves and berries, fruit leather (Native American)
Material uses	lining for cooking pits, foot wrap for storage (Native American)

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum, Pursh):

Parts used	root
Medicines
Native American	internal: syphilis, mood problems (anti-mercurial), gastric system and salivary glands, breaks up adhesive inflammation and organized unwanted tissue, blood disorders, gout, rheumatism, stomach problems (dyspepsia)
Homeopathic clinical uses	good for backaches, itching, headache, swelling of the tongue

Back to top

Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata, Donn ex D. Don)

Parts used	bark, wood
Material uses	carved totem poles, split lumber for lodges, fibrous inner bark used for rope, roof thatching blankets, cloaks (all Native American)

 

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense, L.)

Part used	root
Medicines
Native American	painful spasms of bowels and stomach; promotes perspiration in cases of colds, problems with the uterus during birth, whooping cough, and fevers, nauseated stomach
Russian	expectorant, jaundice, dropsy, promotes milk for nursing mother, heart trouble, lung tuberculosis, nerve excitement, migraine headache, laxative, heart palpitation, weakness and stamina in children, poisoning with mushrooms, leaves used for malaria

Back to top

List of plants from Trees and Flowers of the Blue Mountains:
Aceraceae - Maple Family
Mountain Maple – Acer glabrum Torr
Apiaceae - Parsley Family
Queen Ann’s Lace; Wild Carrot – Daucus carota L.
Swale Desert Parsley – Lomatium ambiguum Coult. & Rose.
Common Sweet Cicely – Osmorhiza chilenses H.& A. Bot.
Aristolchiaceae - Birthwort Family
Wild Ginger – Asarum caudatum Lindl.
Berberidaceae - Barberry Family – Berberidaceae
Oregon Grape – Berberis nervosa Pursh.
Betulaceae - Birch Family
Alder – Alnus incana Moench
Brassicaceae - Mustard Family
Little Western Bitter Cress – Cardamine oligosperma Nutt.
Boraginaceae - Borage Family
Common Hound’s Toung – Cynoglossum officinale L.
Wild Forget-Me-Not – Lithospermum avense L.
Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family
Twin Flower – Linneae borealis L.
Orange Honeysuckle – Lonicera ciloiosa Push.
Blue Elderberry – Sambucus cerulea Raf.
Crassulaceae – Stonecrop Family
Stonecrop – Sedum lanceolatum Torr.
Meadow Chickweed – Cerastuim arvense L.
Compositeae – Daisy or Sunflower Family
Yarrow – Achillae millefolium L.
Trail Plant – Adenocaulen bicolor Hook.
Wild Succory; Blue Sailors – Cichorium intybus L.
Canada Thistle – Cirsium arvense Scop.
Bull Thistle – Cirsium vulgare Airy-Shaw
Yellow Salsify – Tangopogon dubius Scop.
Cupressaceae – Cypress Family
Western Red Cedar – Thuja plicata Don
Dipsacaceae – Teasel Family
Common Teasel; Gypsy-combs – Dipsacaceae sylvestris Huds
Fabaceae – Pea Family
Everlasting Pea – Lathyrus latifolius L.
Yellow Lupine - Lupinus subphureus Dougl.
Purple Lupine – Lupinus leucophyllus Dougl.
Sweet Clover – Melilotus officinalis L.
Yellow Pea; False Lupine – Thermopsis montana Nutt.
Red Clover; Purple Clover – Trifolium pratense L.
White Clover – Trifolium repens L.
Fumariaceae – Fumitory Family
Dutchman’s Breeches – Dicentra cucullaria Bernh. Linnaea
Hydrangeaceae – Hydrangea Family
Mock Orange – Philadelphus lewisii Pursh.
Hydrophyllaceae – Waterleaf Family
Dwarf Hesperochiron – Hesperochiron pumilus Griseb.
Ball Head Waterleaf – Hydrophyllum capitatium Dougl.
Silverleaf Phacelia – Phacelia hastata Dougl.
Common Phacelia – Phacelia linearis Pursh.
Hypericaceae – St. John’s Wort Family
St. John’s Wort; Klamathweed – Hypericum perforatum L.
Lamiaceae – Mint Family
Red Dead-nettle – Lamium purpureum L.
Catnip – Nepeta cataria L.
Common Mint – Prunella vulgaris L.
Lilaceae – Lily Family
Wild Onion – Allum couglasii Hook
Brodieae – Brodieae douglasii Wats.
Elegant Cat’s Ears - Calochortus elegans Pursh.
Bride’s Bonnet; Queen’s Cup – Clintonia uniflora Schult.
Fairy Bells – Disporum hookeri Torr.
False Solomon’s Seal - Smilacina racemose L.
Star Salomon’s Seal – Smilacina stellata L.
Paniceled Death Camus – Zigadenus paniculatus Wats.
Onagraceae – Evening Primrose Family
Enchanter’s Nightshade – Circaea alpina L.
Pink Fairies; Deer Horn; Ragged Robin – Clarkia pulchella Pursh.
Fireweed; Blooming Sally – Epilobium angustifolium L.
Orchidaceae – Orchid Family
Venus Slipper; Fairy Slipper – Calypso bulbosa L.
Pinaceae – Pine Family
Douglas Fir – Pseudosuga menziesii Franco.
Grand Fir – Abies grandis Lindl.
Ponderosa Pine – Pinus ponderosa Dougl.
Tamarack – Larix occidentalis Nutt.
Plantaginaceae – Plantain Family
English Plantain – Plantago hirtella H.B.K.
Common Plantain; Nippleseed – Plantago major L.
Polemoniaceae – Phlox Family
Phlox – Collomonia grandiflora Dougl.
Polygonaceae – Buckwheat Family
Indian Tobacco – Rumex conglomeratus Mur. Prod. Stirp. Gott.
Polypodiaceae – Fern Family
Oak Fern – Gymnocarpium dryopteris L.
Sword Fern – Polystichum munitum Presl.
Bracken Fern – Pteridium aguilinum Kuhn.
Portulacadeae – Purslane Family
Broad-leaved Montia – Montia cordifolia Pax & Hoffm.
Indian Lettuce – Montia perforliata Howell
Shooting Star – Dodecatheon jeffreyi van Houtte
Ranunculaceae - Buttercup Family
Monkshood – Aconitum columbianum A. Nels. var. ochroleucum
Columbine – Aguilegia formosa Fisch.
Lyall’s Anemone – Anemone piperi Britt.
Nuttall’s Larkspur – Delpiniom nuttallianum var. fulouom C.L. Hitchc.
Buttercup – Ranunculaceae acris L.
Buttercup – Ranunculareae eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii Benson
Rhamnaceae – Buckhorn Family
Cascara; Chitum – Rhamnus purshiana D.C.
Rosaceae – Rose Family
Western Serviceberry – Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.
Wild Strawberry - Fragaria vesca L.
Avens – Geum macrophyllum Willd.
Oceanspray - Holodiscus discolor Maxim
Cinquefoil – Potentilla norvegica L.
Nootka Rose; Wild Rose - Rosa nutkana Presl.
Evergreen Blackberry – Rubus laciniatus Willd.
Blackcap; Black Raspberry – Rubus leucodermis Dougl.
Thimbleberry – Rubus parviflorus Nutt.
Himalayan Blackberry – Rubus procerus Muell.
Pacific Blackberry – Rubus urisinus Cham. & Shlecht.
White Spiraea - Spiraea betulifolia Dougl.
Rubiaceae – Madder Family
Bed Straw – Glium aparine L.
Salicaceae – Willow Family
Black Cottonwood – Populus angustifolis James
Saxifragaceae – Saxifrage Family
Fringe Cup – Lithophragam glabra Nutt.
Prarie Star – Lithophragma pariflorum Hook. Nutt.
Angle-leaf Mitrewort – Mitella ovalis Green, Pitt.
False Mitrewort – Tiarella trifoliata L.
Scrophulariaceae – Figwort of Snapdragon Family
Indian Paintbrush – Castilleja hispida Benth.
Maided Blue-eyed Mary – Collinsia prviflora Lindl.
Mudwort – Limosella aquatica L.
Monkey Flower – Mimulus glabratus H.B.K. Nov.
Hot Rock Penstemon – Penstemon deustus Dougl.
Moth Mullein – Verbascum blattaria L.
Wooly Mullein – Verbascum thapsus L.
Solanaceae – Nightshade Family
Bittersweet Nightshade; Deadly Nightshade – Solanum dulcamara L.
Taxaceae – Yew Family
Western Yew - Taxis brevifolia Nutt.
Uticaceae – Nettle Family
Stinging Nettle – Utrica diocica L.
Violaceae – Violet Family
Blue Violet – Biola adunca Sm., Baker
Stream Violet – Viola glavellaGlabella

Back to top

References

Benoliel, Doug, 1988, Northwest foraging: a guide to edible plants in the Pacific Northwest: Edmonds, WA, Signpost Publications.

Blattler, Sarah, 1992, Trees and Flowers of the Blue Mountains: Walla Walla, WA, Whitman College.

Carson, Robert, Fall 1999, Personal communication, Professor of Geology and Environmental Studies, Whitman College.

Dobson, Heidi, Fall 1999, Personal communication, Professor of Biology, Whitman College.

Drabek, Charles, Fall 1999, Personal communication, Professor of Biology, Whitman College.

Hutchens, Alma, 1991, Indian herbology of North America: Boston, Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Johnson, Charles G., 1998, Common plants of the inland Pacific Northwest: USDA - Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region.

Moore, Michael, 1979, Medicinal plants of the mountain West: Santa Fe, The Museum of New Mexico Press.

Pojar, Jim and Andy MacKinnon, 1994, Plants of the Pacific Northwest coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska: Vancouver, B.C., Lone Pine Publishing.

Stewart, Hilary, 1981, Wild teas, coffees, and cordials: Vancouver, B.C., Douglas and McIntyre Ltd.

Umatilla National Forest, http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/native/index.htm.

Umatilla National Forest, http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/native/trees.htm.

Whitney, Stephen, 1985, Western forests: New York, Alfred A. Knopf Inc.

Acknowledgements

All pictures were taken from various sites on the World Wide Web to allow the readers an idea of what these plants look like.

Back to top