SQUAW BUSH (Rhus trilobata, Nutt.). Flowers greenish 

 yellow in short, spike-like clusters, appearing from February 

 until April before the leaves. Leaves compound with 3 leaf- 

 lets toothed or divided, and narrowed to the base. A low 

 shrub, 2 to 5 feet high, whose foliage and numerous, long, 

 spreading branches are quite aromatic; common in the foothills 

 and open, sunny spots throughout California, and eastward 

 to Dakota and Texas. 



The appearance of Rhus trilobata remotely suggests its ven- 

 omous cousin the Poison Oak, but it has none of the bad quali- 

 ties of the latter indeed is a very much, esteemed and useful 

 plant among the Indians, as its name Squaw Bush implies. 

 The Indian women of Southern California have long made use 

 of the split stems for wrapping the coils of their basket ma- 

 terial. The fruit also red, sticky berries have the same acid 

 quality as those of Rhus integrifolia, and make a refreshing 

 drink when steeped in water. It was also customary in old 

 times to dry these berries, and grind them for use as food. Mr. 

 Chesnut records that a lotion prepared of the dry, powdered 

 berries was once used by the Indians of Northern California as 

 a smallpox remedy. 



Ill 



