Fraxinus nigra -Marshall-
black ash, swamp ash


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Fraxinus nigra -Marshall-

Common Name: black ash, swamp ash

Myaamia Name: peepahkwilaakiiki

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Spring

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Deciduous Swamp no coniferous domts.

Uses: Material

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Climate Change Program Staff 2020

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission initiated a seed bank project to gather and store seeds of baapaagimaak (Ojibway) black ash, as a proactive response to the ongoing negative impacts of climate change and the emerald ash borer on the black ash population.Seeds are being stored at the National Center for Resource Preservation in Colorado. 

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Use - Material

Archival Data:

 "papkwilakiki, swamp ash, bark used for baskets".

Comments: N/A

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

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in wet woods, frequently flooded areas, and swamps mostly in northern areas of eastern Myaamia lands.

Comments: The black ash was likely more abundant in southern portions of eastern Myaamia lands prior to agricultural drainage of wetlands and bottomlands. – Michael Gonella

Coulter, S. 1932

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Dried exudation sap of Fraxinus ornus can be used as a mild laxative in doses of 15 gm.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"swamp ash, pap'-kwe-lah-kik"

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"peepihkwilakiki" is also known as swamp ash.

Comments: N/A

Kohn, R.W, Lynwood, M.R, Edmunds, D. Mannering, M. 1997

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Philip Alexis (Potawatomi Pokagon) started making black ash baskets in 1975. He co-oped with Mike Daugherty, since traditionally it is the job of the men to get the wood for basketmaking. Some basketmakers in the Pokagon band became famous, incuding Julia Wesaw and Agnes Rapp. Frank Bush (Potawatomi Pokagon) also made/makes baskets, gathering wood every 2-3 months and runs a basket making class.

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.