This is more than a list of useful flora and how to employ it. It offers both physical geography descriptions of the plant, a drawing (there are also a few plates), and its range as well as cultural geography information at to how it was used in the 19th and earlier centuries. Thus Professor Balls also offers a pleasant read, some of the entries such as Indian Tobacco being lengthy. Be sure to start by reading the four page Introduction. Example of a brief entry:
"Saltbush (Atriplex californica)
This plant grows along the coast from Marin County to Lower California. The long fleshy roots were used as soap by Indians, Mexicans, and early settlers alike. The root was used in the same manner as the Soap Plant Chenopodium, and the resulting suds were said to be particularly good for washing woolen fabrics.
The Indians made good use of the seeds of this plant, gathering them in large quantities and using them to make mush or bread. The seed was cleaned and parched by tossing with hot coals in a basket. It was then ground and used in several ways. Sometimes the seed was ground without parching and made into the standard mush. This is one of the pinole seeds (see p. 6)."
Bibliography, index.
"Saltbush (Atriplex californica)
This plant grows along the coast from Marin County to Lower California. The long fleshy roots were used as soap by Indians, Mexicans, and early settlers alike. The root was used in the same manner as the Soap Plant Chenopodium, and the resulting suds were said to be particularly good for washing woolen fabrics.
The Indians made good use of the seeds of this plant, gathering them in large quantities and using them to make mush or bread. The seed was cleaned and parched by tossing with hot coals in a basket. It was then ground and used in several ways. Sometimes the seed was ground without parching and made into the standard mush. This is one of the pinole seeds (see p. 6)."
Bibliography, index.
