Species-Based Ethnobotany

Extensive, detailed study of individual species is an important part of our work. Read more about our work on these important medicinal plants.

Close up of a purple flower with green leaves in the background

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)

The most important medicinal plant of the Native Americans from the Great Plains, Echinacea has grown to international importance due to its immune-stimulating properties

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Hands holding the root of a plant.

Oshá (Ligusticum porteri)

An important medicinal plant, Oshá grows at high elevations in the southern Rocky Mountains and Sierra Madre. It is used extensively by Hispanics and Native Americans to treat upper respiratory infections.

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Close up of a yellow flower blooming with greens stems in the background.

Wild Tomatillos (Physalis spp.)

A weedy, wild plant, yet the Wild Tomatillos were historically an important native food. We have found these plants contain interesting novel compounds with strong anti-cancer properties.

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Three milkweed blooms on a long green stem.

Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)

Milkweeds are important pollinator plants that also have edible and medicinal properties.

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Close up of four orange fruits on a wood stem.

Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

An native fruit tree that produces unique-tasting fruits important to Native Americans and enjoyed by a variety of people today.

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