5. Adenostoma fasciculatum “Chamise” Hu'utah

 

Medicinal: A strong tea from the bark was used to cure skin infections. Oils from theleaves and twigs also served this purpose.

Twigs were ground into a powder and mixed with animal grease to use as a salve on sores and also applied to snakebites.

Leaves and branches were boiled and the liquid was used to bathe infected, sore, or swollen parts of the body. Leaves brewed into a tea relieved ulcers; the tea was also used for chest ailments and cramps.

Construction: Branches were used for arrows and the fence around the Yovaar (sacred enclosure), and also for the Orovaveke ch (arbor). A scale insect produced a gum used as an adhesive to bind arrow points to the shaft.

Other: Huutah also made excellent firewood because of the resins in the wood. The coals were favored for roasting.

Evergreen shrub.

Blossoms May to June.

Dry slopes and ridges below 5000 feet.

Chaparral.