Entry Detail


slippery elm, red elm


Entry Type:  
Species
Scientific Name:  
Common Name:  
slippery elm, red elm
Myaamia Name:  
ašaahšikopa

Media 
Media not available.
Myaamia Archival Sources  
Reference Source Reference Type Archival Data Comments
Rafert, S. 1989 Related Info 

A pigeon trap was made from a wooden frame with [possibly slippery elm] bark nets.

Rafert, S. 1989 Use - Technology 

Fishnet baskets were made for use at weirs in historic times. "Before the commerical nets they made a basket net, which was out of bark, mostly elm bark. It was the inner bark of the elm tree, the slippery elm tree, which was the red elm tree, and it was a type of net, more in the shape of a basket. Thats what they used at the weir", and "Now you could be surprised what a thin net you can make out of elm bark. Elm bark, that was a basket maker, as well as hickory and white oak. But they made a real fine net out of elm bark . . . Ive heard the old people talk about it. It was flexible. The elm bark can be ripped down and pared down until its quite thin, its almost like a cloth, see, when they get through with it. And they wasnt as open as a woven net would be, but it was fairly so, enough that water would pass through it . . . "

Lamb, E.W., Shultz, L.W. 1964 Use - Medicinal 

"Red elm leaves were crushed and used as a poultice  for rattlesnake bites. The medicinal value of this remedy would probably be scoffed at by most present-day doctors. Even they, however, recognize the psychological effect of such things".

Bush, L. L 1996 Use - Material 

Human-charred slippery elm timbers were recovered from an excavation at an early 19th century Myaamia village site at the forks of the Wabash River (Fort Wayne), 1795-1812 (Ehler Site).

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895 Use - Technology 

Slippery elm bark use was used to cover lodges, wigwams, houses. The word for roof is paxkwani,  is very similar.

Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Archives Use - Medicinal 

A slippery elm tree was originally growing in the yard of the Drake House, one of the original Miami allotment houses in Miami, Oklahoma. The tree was described by Teddy Drake as "big, tough (good for sores)".

Cranbrook Institute of Science 2003 Use - Technology 

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.

Botanical Sources  
Reference Source Reference Type Data Comments
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Database 2006 Description 

Leaves of the slippery elm are sandpapery and the inner bark of the twigs are red/rust colored, slightly fragrant and mucilaginous. This tree exists in and out of wetlands in eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Related Sources  
Reference Source Reference Type Data Comments
Rafert, S. 1989  

An ancient fishing weir [weirs made of slippery elm bark] dam still exists on the Wabash River, northeast of Peru, Indiana and was and is known to most Miami fishermen. Lamoine Marks was told about it when he was a boy, by his father Charlie, and last saw it while fishing in winter in 1953. Rafert and Marks rediscovered it in July, 1988. This weir dam is described in Outdoor Indiana, July/August 1989.

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900  

"cacikopa, slippery elm tree, i.e. slimy"

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006  

Slippery elm was used for unspecified purpose.

Burns, N.L. 1938  

The Peoria of Oklahoma cut up the tender shoots of hackberry, elm and poplar for cattle fodder.

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895  

Slippery or white elm, refering to the bark.

Whitford, A. C. 1941  

Fibers of slippery elm used to make woven fabrics by the Hopewell [centered in what is now southern Ohio, with related groups in Indiana and other midwestern states, from 200 bce to 500 ce].