U.S. Department of Agriculture

Culturally Significant Plants U.S. Department of Agriculture

The historical use of culturally significant plants is of interest to many Tribal peoples and to the general public. Many plants the Native Americans used were also used by pioneers and early settlers. The following document highlights how Native American Indians and early settlers used some of the plants that were available to them. Native American Indians used plants for food, shelter, medicine, ceremonies, and clothing. Many of the plants highlighted had multiple uses. Many chemicals that can be found in these plants were used as medicine but if used in a high or large dose could become toxic or poisonous. Some plants were toxic to people unless prepared correctly. Depending on the plants being used there were different methods of dealing with the poisonous or toxic properties which may have included grinding, boiling, drying, steeping, or mixing with other substances.