98 PLANTS USED BY THE KLAMATH INDIANS. 



Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. 



YdU'-mii-liim. — The well-known mountain mahogany of the region, 

 often er culled simply mahogany, a small tree commonly 3 to 5 meters 

 {10 to 10 feet) in height, common in openings of the yellow-pine forests, 

 particularly at their lower elevations. The exceedingly hard wood of 

 the tree was formerly used for root diggers or eainas sticks, and for the 

 heads of fish spears. 



The coast species, G. betulaefolius Nutt., crosses the Cascade Range 

 through the valley of Klamath River, and may have been used also among 

 these Indians. It has large toothed leaves similar to those of a birch 

 or alder, while C. ledifolius has small, narrow, entire leaves with revolute 

 margins. 



Fragaria virginiaiia Duchesne. 



Jft'-i-jiks. — The native strawberry. This fruit is eaten fresh only. 

 The Klamaths do not dry it as they do most of their other fruits. The 

 strawberry is not abundant in this region, but occurs here and there in 

 patches in the yellow-pine woods. 



Kunzia tridentata (1'ursh) Spreng. 



Chiik'-lo. — A shrub commonly 1 to 1.5 meters (about 3 to 14 feet) in 

 height, of a much darker green color than sagebrush (Artemisia triden- 

 tata), with .i toothed leaves, and yellow five-petaled (lowers nearly an 

 inch in diameter. It is a characteristic plant of the yellow pine forest 

 ami extends to somewhat lower altitudes in the upper parts of the sage 

 brush belt proper. From the fact that it is a reputed favorite food of 

 the antelope, it often passes under the name "buck brush/' The roots 

 after steeping in water are drunk as a remedy for coughs and other 

 lung and bronchial troubles. 1 was informed by an Indian that this is 

 the best medicine they have for tins class of complaints. They "use 

 it all the time.' 1 



The dry ripe fruits, which are intensely bitter, mashed in cold water 

 and drunk are sometimes used as an emetic. The purple stain derived 

 from the outer seed coat is also sometimes used to produce a tempo- 

 rary color on arrows, bows, and other objects. 



Frunus demissa (Nutt.) Walp. 



De-wioh'-Jcash.— The common chokecherry of the West, abundant in 

 openings of the yellow-pine forests, particularly along streams. The 

 wood is known as de-wich' ksiim. The ripe fruit is an important article 

 of food, being gathered in large quantities in September, and dried. 



Prumis emarginata (Dougl.) VValp. 



Wo-ddghot'-sam, — The wild bitter cherry of the region, occurring 

 abundantly throughout the yellow pine forest and sometimes forming 

 dense thickets as high as a man. Its bright red. juicy fruit, about the 



