Kumeyaay Uses of Native Plants

by Annie Ransom

Wood from oak was used as firewood and as fuel to fire pottery. Aerodynamic sticks, “rabbit sticks”, to hunt rabbits and other small game, were made from oak. The sticks have a curved shape with a flattened bottom and when thrown mimicked the zig zag pattern of a rabbit’s retreat.

Harvested in the fall, acorns were a primary food source. Several types of acorn species were eaten but the preference was for acorns from Black Oak (Neshaaw) found in the mountains. Acorns are extremely nutritious and have a long shelf life, up to 5 years.

The juice from oak galls, growths on oak trees caused by wasp larvae, was squeezed directly onto sores.

ACORN MUSH - SHAWII

After removing the outer shell and husk containing the nut, acorns were pounded into a meal. Acorn nuts contain bitter tannic acid which was removed by pouring cold, then hot, water over the meal (leaching). Shawii is still enjoyed by the Kumeyaay today. it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

ARROYO WILLOW (HALLASII)

Willow had many uses. The frames of the Kumeyaay’s dome-shaped homes (‘ewaas) were made from the branches. Branches were also used to form cradleboards so that the women could carry their infants around with them. Women wore skirts made from pounded willow bark. Willow bark contains salicin, the main ingredient used in the manufacture of aspirin, and was used to treat headaches, toothaches, and other ailments. This chemical also kept insect pests as bay.

Willow was used in the construction of baskets to store acorns (granaries).

CHAMISE (‘EPHII)

Branches were used to make arrow shafts. Leaves and stems were steeped to make a tea to alleviate upset stomachs, and as a ‘soak’ for topical sores and infections.

CEANOTHUS (‘IPEWII)

Commonly known as Wild Lilac. The flowers can be lathered into a soap for washing. Leaves were steeped into a tea to help with inflammaton. It was also used to treat various skin ailments like eczema, rashes, and poison oak.

WHITE SAGE (PELLYTAAY)

It was used both medicinally and spiritually. Sage leaves were bundled, dried and burned (smudging) and used in cleansing and blessing ceremonies, a practice still in use today. Leaves were also brewed into a tea as a remedy for respiratory ailments. Hunters rubbed sage leaves on their bodies to disguise their scent from prey.

BLUE ELDERBERRY (KUPALL)

The bark of the blue elderberry was used to heal open wounds and sores. The leaves, flowers and berries were harvested for a variety of purposes including food, and treating skin conditions. The soft core of the elderberry was hollowed out to turn into flutes.

YUCCA WHIPPLEI (SHAH’AA)

The flowers, stalk and base were all eaten. Hollow sections of the stalk could be used to craft quivers for arrows. The fibrous leaves can be made into twine or cordage for nets and baskets. The needle-like leaves were used for tattooing and sewing rabbit skins together to make blankets.

Endangered and Threatened Species of Blue Sky

Text and most pictures courtesy of Al Torretto.

Among the many reasons natural areas like Blue Sky Ecological Reserve are set aside and protected is to preserve essential habitat for Endangered and Threatened species. Blue Sky has several endangered and threatened species.

What is the difference between an endangered and threatened species? An endangered species is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. A threatened (or vulnerable) species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Orange-throated Whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperythrus): This species of lizard is native to Southern California. Because of its limited range, it is endangered by habitat loss due to urban development. Blue Sky and Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma are some of the few areas in San Diego County where they can be found.

Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica ssp. californica): The Coastal California Gnatcatcher is a small, threatened non-migratory songbird. It has black, gray, and white feathers, and eats mainly insects. It often lives alone but joins with other birds in winter groups. Preserving its Coastal Sage Scrub habitat is essential for its survival and played an important role in acquiring some of Blue Sky’s acreage.

Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber): This beautiful snake is a venomous pit viper found in southwestern California and Baja California. NatureServe rates it as Vulnerable which means it’s considered at moderate risk of extirpation due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations, and recent and widespread declines.

Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii ssp. pusillus): Bell’s Vireos are found along streams or in dry arroyos. Even when large trees, like cottonwoods and willows, are present, they tend to stay in low vegetation. They feed primarily on insects (especially caterpillars) and spiders. The Least Bell’s Vireo is on California’s List of Endangered Species due to a significant range-wide decline related to extensive habitat loss due to urban development, exotic plant invasion, and expansion of agricultural practices into riparian zones. Brood parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird has also been identified as an issue.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): I have studied wildlife in Blue Sky for over 45 years, and had never seen our national bird here. That changed this spring when I saw my first one flying overhead as I walked down the main trail. Bald eagles have been spotted at Lake Poway for several years. They use both Lake Poway and Lake Ramona as fishing grounds.

San Diego Sagewort (Artemesia palmeri): Threatened. This rare species of sagebrush is native to only San Diego and Northern Baja. Most of its habitat has been destroyed by human land development. Blue Sky is one of the few areas that has a “healthy” population of this species. It can be found along the Green Valley Truck trail and the Creekside trail.

Delicate Clarkia (Clarkia delicata): Vulnerable. This beautiful and delicate little flower grows in the oak woodland and chaparral habits in Blue Sky. It is only found in San Diego County and Northern Baja. Look for it in the spring growing along the main trail in April, May and June.

Quino Checkerspot Butterfly San Diego Fairy Shrimp Hermes Copper Butterfly

Although these endangered species have yet to be discovered in Blue Sky, the Reserve does have the habitat requirements that they need, and they have been found a few miles from Blue Sky’s location.