Ulmus americana -L.-
American elm tree


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Ulmus americana -L.-

Common Name: American elm tree

Myaamia Name: pahkohkwaniši

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Undetermined

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Undetermined

Uses: Material, Technology

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Dunn, J.P. 1908

Reference Type: Use - Technology

Archival Data:

Elm bark was used for making canoes. "The Miamis did not use birch-bark canoes, which the Algonquians usually called tci-maun, but they sometimes made canoes of hickory or elm bark. The name for these is la-kik-kwi-mis-so-li or bark canoe".

Comments: N/A

Burns, N.L. 1938

Reference Type: Use - Technology

Archival Data:

Young shoots of hackberry, elm, and poplar were fed to livestock during hard times.

Comments: This record may refer to a different species in the genus Ulmus. – Michael Gonella

Cranbrook Institute of Science 2003

Reference Type: Use - Material

Archival Data:

A miniature sap trough made from elm [slippery or american] bark is housed at the Cranbrook Institute.  This item was obtained by M.G. Chandler, near Kokomo, Indiana around 1920, from a descendant of Meshingomesia.

Comments: N/A

Bush, L. L 1996

Reference Type: Use - Technology

Archival Data:

Human charred elm timbers were recovered in an excavation from an early Myaamia Village site at the forks of the Wabash River (Fort Wayne), 1795-1812 (Ehler Site).

 

Comments: N/A

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

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in moist, rich soils throughout eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Database 2006

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Of the seven or so elms known to occur in IN and OK, the American elm (U. americana) is the largest (well-suited as a construction material) and most common throughout eastern and western Myaamia lands. 

Comments: N/A

Costa, D. 2005

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

 "pakac8eningi", american elm

Comments: N/A

Sabrevois, J. 1718

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

" . . . some of them [native peoples in what is now central and northern Ohio] make canoes of elm bark".

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

The Miami term "pakkokwaniji" refers to the common upland elm [Ulmus americana] and "pakkokwaninji sipiomakwi" to the water elm [Planera aquatica].

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.