Oleaceae

green ash

Fraxinus smallii Britton

Indigenous Names: pseȟtíŋ čháŋ, Ho’esci:bi:s (Meaning: Not given), Moto’ eo’ o

Habitat: woodland; Widely distributed from Nova Scotia, Canada to southeastern Alberta, Canada and Montana, and southward to central Texas. Prefers bottomland sites, but grows well when planted on moist upland soils. Most commonly found on alluvial soils along rivers and streams and less frequently in swamps.; Found from Montana to New Mexico

Seasonality: Not given

Status: Native

Traditional Food Use

Lakota

purple spotted fritillaria, spotted čhaŋȟlóǧaŋ Fritillaria missionbells, leopard makȟátȟola pȟežúta, The scaly bulbs are tasty when eaten raw or cooked, but they are small

Ceremonial & Cultural Notes

Cheyenne

Trunks used to construct the medicine lodge for the Sun Dance ceremony. Additional commentary: Ash served a functional purpose in the construction of medicinal tools. Consultants suggested that it was used for the posts of Sun Dance lodges and for pipestems, as well as for whistles worn by Contrary Society members.302

Cheyenne

Artifacts/Material use: Wood used to make tent poles, pegs, and tipi pins

Cheyenne

Artifacts/Material use: Wood used to make racks for drying meat

Cheyenne

Artifacts/Material use: Used to make bows and arrows

Cheyenne

Artifacts/Material use: Wood used to make pipe stems. Additional commentary: The material is collected in February before the first crack of lightning. It is believed that it would keep the pipestem from cracking.307

Botanical Reference

Parts Documented: root, Not specified in the literature, wood

Distribution: Found from Montana to New Mexico

View on USDA Plants Database ↗