Ethnobotany

Catalog description

This course is designed to provide an overview of the traditional and current uses of plants native to the Great Plains The course will help students: (1) Become familiar with standard field keys and to become competent with identification of plants of the region. (2) Learn to find and recognize 40-50 plant species of special significance to the indigenous peoples of the region. (This includes sight identification, knowledge of common plant habitats, preparation of herbarium collections, methods of propagation and modern horticultural practices.) (3) Participate in hands-on demonstrations of traditional and modern methods for the preparation and utilization of native plants (e.g. cooking, dye making) (4) Discover and share with the class in-depth information on one native plant species, not covered in the formal portion of the class.