Buttonbush (Cephalantus occidentalis)
Scrubby shrub found in moist wetlands. Was a favorite among American Indian tribes, practically all parts had medicinal applications. The inner bark was said to have dental, ophthalmic, and liver functions. The leaves were often made into a tea for "woman's" medicine and treatment of blood disorders and fevers. WARNING: contains glucosides cephalanthan and cephalin, which may cause poisoning when eaten.
How much do you know about the plants that occur in your neighborhood? Knowing that buttonbush (above) is poisonous might be useful even in today's world. Prior to this generation humans passed down this type of information. The study of how humans use(d) plants is Ethnobotany.
Ethnobotany was probably first coined as a term in 1894 by one of America's early botanists, John Harshberger, and describes the study of the interaction between people, plants, and culture. There are many components to ethnobotany, including food, fibre, medicine, shelter, fishing and hunting, religion, mythology, magic, and others.
Here we detail 15 (of 29; 14 more to follow) common native plants that have played an important role in Florida's ethnobotanical history, all are considered native or naturalized, are easy to locate and identify, and have interesting histories that lend themselves to teaching about practical implications for Florida's plant communities. WARNING: None of these plants should be used as a food source without consulting a medical professional.
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The ubiquitous Sabal Palmetto, the heart of which is edible and was a staple of early Floridians. You should note, however, that by removing the heart you kill the tree.
Ethnobotany in Florida
Plants create their own chemical components that may be used to attract or repel insects and animals, attack other plants, or defend against fungi and other plant pathogens. For humans, these chemical components may be nutritious, poisonous, hallucinogenic, or therapeutic. Humans have been accumulating knowledge of plants and their uses for thousands of years. The first recorded culturally significant plant remains were found in Iraq at a human burial site estimated to be 60,000 years old.
Food
Many plants provided important sources of food for Native Americans and early settlers in Florida. Important food plants included fruits, nuts, roots (starch), grains, and greens that varied by habitat, region, and time of year.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
gets its common name because of its brutal thorns
A few examples of important food plants included fruits from cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco), pond apple (Annona glabra) and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens); and starch from coontie (Zamia pumila) roots. The "heart" of the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), commonly referred to as swamp cabbage, was and still is commonly eaten in many rural areas. Generally speaking, ethnobotanical uses of plants can be ground in to six main applications: food, fiber (including dyes), medicinal, housing/construction materials, transportation, and miscellaneous uses (tools, toys, weapons, ceremonial objects, etc.).
The following is a list of the first 15 (of 29) plants important to Florida natives for food (and other uses). The subsequent 14 plants will follow in a later post.
The following is a list of the first 15 (of 29) plants important to Florida natives for food (and other uses). The subsequent 14 plants will follow in a later post.
1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) - medium sized tree, with young branches appearing red, generally found southward through south Florida. Mostly in lowland woods, coastal plains, in and along swamps, floodplain forests, river and stream banks. Although A. saccharum is the best source for producing maple syrup, all maple trees produce sugary sap. In the 1800s native American tribes introduced settlers to red maple. The wood of the tree has been employed for making tools, such as cookware, arrowheads, and ox yokes. Medical accounts of various acer species relate to its use by Indians and settlers for liver and skin disorders, as well as in ophthalmic treatments.
2. Pond-apple (Annona glabra) - common tree throughout the tropics and west Africa. This plant is no longer abundantly found and is currently restricted to south Florida swamps and bogs. Fruit are yellow with pinkish orange inside. CAUTION: powder from seeds, used as fish poison, can cause irritation and blindness. Fruits can be eaten raw, boiled, or made into jellies. Early Indians and settlers used fruit as a food.
American Groundnut flowers
Photo: ©Adam Peterson
3. American Groundnut; Potato-bean (Apios americana) - twining vine found throughout Florida. Preferring rich fertile soil, it is found at the borders of swamps, stream banks, shoreline thicket,s, meadows, wet clearings, and open woodlands. Commonly was used as a food due to the nutty-like flavor and availability in all seasons.
Photo: ©Sage Ross
4. Butterflyweed, Pleurisy root (Asclepius tuberosa) - perennial herb growing throughout Florida usually in dry habitats, but also in moist pinelands. Lacking milky sap, it is used as an ornamental to attract butterflies. Used medicinally by Indians and settlers for bronchial conditions (pleurisy) also topically for bruises and sore muscles. Southeast tribal accounts state the entire plant was boiled and eaten as a vegetable. CAUTION: large quantities may be harmful.
5. Cocoplum (Chysobalnus icaco) - shrub or small tree occurring in coastal regions southern part of Florida. Occurs in cypress hammocks, coastal dunes, and wetland areas. The fruit was used by Glades and Seminole Indians for food. Preserves currently made from fruit for export industry.
6. Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) - principal plant of the Everglades, common in marshes. Tolerant of saline, alkaline or acidic, poorly drained to sandy soils. Leaves with saw-tooth margin. Plant was used to make small baskets and blowing tubes from the stems. The heart at the base of the stalk is edible, and may have been a survival food.
7. Seminole Pumpkin; Winter Crookneck Squash; Butternut Squash (Cucurbita moschata) - creeping vine common in south Florida. Grows in moist or dry soils, in swamp hammocks, near historical Indian campsites. Fruits have many shapes, with orange or yellow flesh. This plant was a staple food for early Indian tribes, especially the Seminoles. The fruits and flowers have been, and still are, employed in soups, bread making, or eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are infrequently used as a vegetable or meat stuffing. Now found around the world, it is especially regarded in Greece and Italy.
8. Strangler fig (Ficus aurea) - usually a tree, with aerial roots that can become epiphytic to other plants sometimes "strangling" them. Scattered throughout south Florida, limited northern distribution in north central Florida. Found growing on mostly wet to slow drained soils of drainage canals, swamps, tropical hammocks, mangrove edges, and cypress domes. Fruits; spheres yellow (unripe), dark red (ripe).
Not the same figus you buy in a grocery store, but the fruits are edible (raw) and have been eaten by indigenous peoples of Florida and settlers. The latex of this plant has been processed into chewing gum by many of the southern Florida Indian tribes. It is also said that Native tribes made a poultice from the inner bark for treating sores and cuts. Reports imply usage of the aerial roots for making lashings, arrows, bowstrings, and fishing lines.
Not the same figus you buy in a grocery store, but the fruits are edible (raw) and have been eaten by indigenous peoples of Florida and settlers. The latex of this plant has been processed into chewing gum by many of the southern Florida Indian tribes. It is also said that Native tribes made a poultice from the inner bark for treating sores and cuts. Reports imply usage of the aerial roots for making lashings, arrows, bowstrings, and fishing lines.
9. Sweet Gum, Red Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) - tree found throughout Florida and most of the eastern U.S. inhabits mesic woodlands, wet swamps, and will grow in standing water. Aromatic star-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Storax is a balsam obtained from the plant and sold commercially in many pharmaceutical products used as stimulants, antiseptics, and expectorants. The use of the Asia minor Specie L. orientalis dates to 12th century. The American variety was documented as early as the 16th century, with indigenous citations throughout the 19th century. During the Civil War, Confederate doctors used the leaves as an astringent and to treat diarrhea and dysentery. European settlers did not use the plant until the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, most pharmaceutical storax comes from Turkey and Honduras, with American storax being used in cigarettes, candy, soda pop, and chewing gum as a flavoring agent.
10. White Water-Lily, Pond Lily (Nymphea odorata) - aquatic plant found from throughout Florida. Common in ponds, lakes, marshes, sluggish streams, ditches, canals, and swamps. Leaves heart shaped in outline, usually green above and purplish below. Flowers fragrant, white (sometimes pink or yellow), and floating.
The young leaves, seeds and tubers (N. tuberosa), are edible delicacies. Both indigenous tribes and European settlers (taught by the Native tribes) found food and medicinal value for this plant throughout its range. North Carolina listed the plant as a remedy against bronchial problems, sore throats, and dermatological ailments. The chemistry is yet undefined, however, alkaloids, and many tannins (dermatological interests) are present.
The young leaves, seeds and tubers (N. tuberosa), are edible delicacies. Both indigenous tribes and European settlers (taught by the Native tribes) found food and medicinal value for this plant throughout its range. North Carolina listed the plant as a remedy against bronchial problems, sore throats, and dermatological ailments. The chemistry is yet undefined, however, alkaloids, and many tannins (dermatological interests) are present.
11. Prickly Pear Cactus, Indian fig (Opuntia spp.) - at least 3 species found in Florida (O. humifusa, O. austrina, O. dillenii). Erect species (O. dillenii) is only found in Florida and the tropics. Cacti prefer well-drained, sandy, or rocky soils of sand dunes, pastures, woodlands, coastal hammocks, and mangrove swamps. Leaves in pads, spined, flowers red, salmon or yellow, fruits red or purple, pear shaped. Rich in beta-carotene, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin C, all parts are edible (after preparation) or used as thickening agents. Used by native peoples and settlers throughout plant range. Folklore (Indian and pioneer) medical applications were for treatments of lung, kidney, and urinary disorders. CAUTION: has many tiny spines with barbs. Gloves are a must when preparing the plant and fruit.
12. Purple Passion flower, Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) - climbing vine with a range throughout Florida in shaded thickets, fence lines, and wooded areas with well drained sandy, fertile soils.
The name maypop thought to originate from the popping sound made when the fruits (yellow or orange berries) are crused. A favorite game of pioneer children of the Southern USA was to jump on the fruits. Passion flowers have been adn still are used in many cultures as food and medicine. The fruits, with skin, can be eaten cooked or raw after removing seeds. The pulp can be prepared iinto jam, syrups, and beverages. Leaves are used to make drinking or tonic teas. Medicinally, most species of this genus have been used as a sedative, or cdalming agent. An estimated 50 European sedation drugs and US natural products contain passionflower extracts. CAUTION: possible presence of cyanogenic glycosides in Passiflora.
The name maypop thought to originate from the popping sound made when the fruits (yellow or orange berries) are crused. A favorite game of pioneer children of the Southern USA was to jump on the fruits. Passion flowers have been adn still are used in many cultures as food and medicine. The fruits, with skin, can be eaten cooked or raw after removing seeds. The pulp can be prepared iinto jam, syrups, and beverages. Leaves are used to make drinking or tonic teas. Medicinally, most species of this genus have been used as a sedative, or cdalming agent. An estimated 50 European sedation drugs and US natural products contain passionflower extracts. CAUTION: possible presence of cyanogenic glycosides in Passiflora.
13. Red-bay, Swamp-bay (Persea borbonia) - shrub or small tree found throughout the coastal plain. Common in mesic to xeric habitats; woodlands, hammocks, pinewoods, swamps, and marsh/stream edges. Flowers whitish. Fruit a dark drupe. Preferring wetter places is the species P. palustris.
This was always one of my favorite species before I knew of its importance or of the threats it faces (see below). On the hottest days of summer a grove of Red-bays in our backyard would spritz water from its crown cooling the tree below. Fascinating stuff.
Culinary bay leaves are used as a flavoring agent. Bay leaves in Florida are not the same. However, they were and still are employed in the same manner by Native Americans and settlers alike. Used medically as an analgesic, in rituals such as funerals, and also as a love potion by some southeast American Indian Tribes.
NOTE: FLORIDA REDBAY ARE FACING RAPID EXTINCTION DUE TO INTRODUCTION OF LAUREL WILT DISEASE TO THE SOUTHERN USA. FOR MORE READ THIS LINK: FLORIDA LAUREL WILT DISEASE
This was always one of my favorite species before I knew of its importance or of the threats it faces (see below). On the hottest days of summer a grove of Red-bays in our backyard would spritz water from its crown cooling the tree below. Fascinating stuff.
Culinary bay leaves are used as a flavoring agent. Bay leaves in Florida are not the same. However, they were and still are employed in the same manner by Native Americans and settlers alike. Used medically as an analgesic, in rituals such as funerals, and also as a love potion by some southeast American Indian Tribes.
NOTE: FLORIDA REDBAY ARE FACING RAPID EXTINCTION DUE TO INTRODUCTION OF LAUREL WILT DISEASE TO THE SOUTHERN USA. FOR MORE READ THIS LINK: FLORIDA LAUREL WILT DISEASE
14. Pokeweed, Pokeberry (Phytolacca americana) - perennial herb, distributed throughout Florida. Prefers well drained to wet habitats such as moist woodlands and fields (sometimes flooded), and riverbanks. Purplish stems, white to pinkish flowers on stalks, fruit is a dark purple - black berry. Southern poke salad is a local delicacy that contains many vitamins. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, but if processed correctly (several water changes) the young leaves are tender and eaten as a vegetable, or put in salads. Festivals and parades honor the plant in southern USA. Canned commercial goods are exported to African and Europe.
Highly regarded as a medicine first by Native American tribes, later by settlers. Usage includes; emetic, cathartic, dyspepsia treatment, chronic rheumatism, and ringworm. Because pokeweed is highly toxic, it was used by the best-trained medicine people, and physicians of the time, not by the casual practitioner. EXTREME CAUTION: every part of the part is HIGHLY TOXIC. Many people have become fatally ill after consumption. Symptoms are extreme stomach upset and depressed breathing. Gloves should be worn when handling.
Highly regarded as a medicine first by Native American tribes, later by settlers. Usage includes; emetic, cathartic, dyspepsia treatment, chronic rheumatism, and ringworm. Because pokeweed is highly toxic, it was used by the best-trained medicine people, and physicians of the time, not by the casual practitioner. EXTREME CAUTION: every part of the part is HIGHLY TOXIC. Many people have become fatally ill after consumption. Symptoms are extreme stomach upset and depressed breathing. Gloves should be worn when handling.
15. Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) - medium to large unbranched tree endemic to Florida. Usually in low, wet flatwoods of poorly drained, acidic soils, and coastal sands. National Champion tree reached 55 feet tall, 11.5 feet in circumference, with a 63 foot spread in Sarasota.
The hard heartwood has always been a favorite in southern folk and indigenous architecture, resulting in large-scale logging with harvesting continuing into the 21st century. Commercial processes include use in the paper industry and chemical industry (turpentine and gum resins). Resins are obtained by slashing the pine bark like a cat face and harvesting the compound. The USA is the world's largest producer of turpentine, with much of it coming from Florida. There are also medical applications as a counter-irritant applied topically. Limited references imply the eating of inner bark for food during famine times.
The hard heartwood has always been a favorite in southern folk and indigenous architecture, resulting in large-scale logging with harvesting continuing into the 21st century. Commercial processes include use in the paper industry and chemical industry (turpentine and gum resins). Resins are obtained by slashing the pine bark like a cat face and harvesting the compound. The USA is the world's largest producer of turpentine, with much of it coming from Florida. There are also medical applications as a counter-irritant applied topically. Limited references imply the eating of inner bark for food during famine times.
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