Rhus typhina -L.-
staghorn sumac, red sumac


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Rhus typhina -L.-

Common Name: staghorn sumac, red sumac

Myaamia Name: mahkomiši

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Undetermined

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Undetermined

Uses: Food, Medicinal, Material, Technology

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Berries are eaten, and are sweeter than other sumacs and darker red. "m'kumizhi, m'kumizhakwa (pl)." "bear sumac, grows in the timber, has busher tops or branches, blossoms white and yellow. Higher and taller than the tchitchingwamizhi. The berries sweeter and of a darker red. Bears [m'kwa] have a predilection for the berries in winter time", "kumizhi"-sumac berry.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Description

Archival Data:

"Sumac, larger species usually in timber, mukkomindji"

Comments: N/A

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in dry, open areas in forests and disturbed areas in eastern and parts of western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

Maroney, O. and Anderson G. 2015

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Sumac berries were used by Anishinaabe to make a lemonade flavored drink. Soak berries in cool water for 30 minutes to 2 days, strain, add maple syrup and drink. For a hot beverage, after soaking remove berries and heat the steeped water separately--heating sumac berries can release tannins and make the drink bitter. Sumac berries can also be ground and used as a spice in meats and vegetable dishes. For more sumac recipes, see: Mino Wiisinidaa! (Let's Eat Good!), Traditional Food for Healthy Living cookbook (2014).

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

mahkomiši, a Peoria term

Comments: N/A

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.