Apache Plume Fallugia paradoxa at Wupatki Ruins
Ethnobotany
"Navajo call this shrub 'The Feather-Tipped Plant' as dense plumes of feathery-tailed seeds may coat bushes form April to October. The stems grow as straight as arrowshafts, for which they were often used. Pai use them for cradleboards, Navajo for weaving tools. Some believe the plant can cause insanity through witchcraft." Source: Sign at Wupatki National Monument
Seen at Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, USA
Wupatki National Monument
Sand Sagebrush Artemisia filifolia at Wupatki Ruins
Ethnobotany
"Knowledge and experience permits use of the highly revered Artemesia species, which can be toxic. Grand wormwood or absinthe is a notable species of Artemesia . Navajo, who have plant medicines for every known disease or ailment, consider most types of sagebrush Life Medicine, plants with special healing power." Source: Sign at Wupatki National Monument
Seen at Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, USA
Banana Yucca Yucca baccata, Wupatki Ruins
Ethnobotany
"Today we use synthetics, chemicals, metals, and cultivated fibers to do all that yucca did in the past. Rope, twine, needle, and thread, floor mats, dyes, paintbrushes, baskets, belts, backpacks, sandals, soap, shampoo, and hairbrushes all came from yucca. Furthermore, whenever the banana yucca bloomed, people feasted on the tender flower petals and dried its thick, sweet fruit for lean days of winter."
Source Sign at Wupatki National Monument
Seen at Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, USA
Yucca angustissima Narrowleaf Yucca
Ethnobotany
"This spiky plant made life comfortable. Early peoples trod all over the Southwest in sandals made from yucca leaves and leaf fibers. They slept on yucca mats under roofs lashed together with yucca ropes. Pounded yucca root was their source of soap and shampoo, which Navajo say makes your hair long, black, and shiny." Source Wupatki National Monument Sign
seen at Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, USA
Ah, yes. I found this gorgeous desert patch-nosed snake in the Wupatki National Monument area, near the Wukoki Ruins (dating back to 1120-1210). I was en route from Alaska to Florida on an extended, winding, solo road trip. Can't stress how happy I was to finally find a snake. They were hard to come by in Alaska...
~ janson jones,
http://dusttracks.com
