Anacardiaceae

fragrant sumac

Rhus aromatica Aiton

Indigenous Names: Bee'ei'i No:wube’ei’i Co:x-u:wuno’ (Meaning: bee'-ei-'I = red-inanimate-plural, 'They are red' “They are southern red berries” “Enemy, Comanche Berries”), Maw-kho-la Dtie-ai-pa-yee-‘go

Habitat: Upland prairies, borders and openings in woods, country roads, and railroads; Upland prairies, borders and openings in woods, country roads, and railroads Plants Parts Harvested: Berries

Seasonality: Not given

Status: Native

Traditional Food Use

Arapaho

These berries were added to dishes for flavor or made into a sauce that was poured over other dishes

Kiowa

Boiled into a tea

Medicinal Documentation

Arapaho

Used as insect medicine

Ceremonial & Cultural Notes

Arapaho

Commentary: Kroeber refers to the reference to “Comanche berries” as the leaves were used in insect medicine. The uses of skunkbush are similar to those of the Cheyenne.224 | Commentary: Kroeber refers to them as “Comanche berries” as the leaves were used in insect medicine. The uses of skunkbush are similar to those of the Cheyenne.226

Botanical Reference

Parts Documented: Berries, Leaves 204

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