Unknown Plant
Unknown

Unknown Plant

Stipa contracta (B.L. Johnson) W.A. Weber

Habitat: Dry open sites on the plains and foothills. Found from Alberta to Colorado
Seasonality: Late spring to early summer
Status: Native

Traditional Food Use

Ute

The ricegrass is parched to remove the scales. It is then winnowed. The seeds are ground into a meal for cakes or made into a mush

Ceremonial & Cultural Notes

Ute

Large quantities of ricegrass were gathered for a two-week period in late spring to early summer. The amount that could be gathered was limited by the restricted period (two weeks) of seeding.106

Botanical Reference

Parts Documented: Seed