Christine Johnson


Tule is a common name applied to various species of marshland grasses and reeds. Of these, the most common is the Common Tule (Schoenoplectus acutus). The term “tule” applies to species such as the common cattail, bulrushes and other similar grassy plants. As a group, tules were extremely useful to the Indians of Nevada and the Great Basin, specifically the Washoe, Paiute, and Shoshone.

Purple Sage

Found in many of the Western state deserts, the purple sage grows well throughout the Great Basin, particularly in Southern Nevada. There are three primary varieties of purple sage found in Nevada: the carnosa, argentea and dorrii, the primary variation being in leaf size and location. The purple sage is a perennial shrub that was used as both a food source and a medicinal plant by the native peoples of Nevada, the Paiute, Washoe and Western Shoshone Indians.

Golden Currant

One of several species of wild currants, the golden currant (Ribes aureum) is a member of the gooseberry family. It is an attractive, perennial shrub with golden yellow flowers found in many areas of Nevada. Golden currant was considered a tasty and valuable food for the Indians of the region, specifically the Washoe, Paiute, and Western Shoshone.

Coyote Willow

The Coyote Willow (scientific name Salix exigua) is a hearty tree commonly found throughout Nevada and is also known as Sandbar Willow. It has been used for many years by the Great Basin Indians, specifically the Washoe, Paiute, and Shoshone. It was extremely important as a part of their culture for both material goods and medicinal uses.


Cattails were important to Indians in Nevada, most especially the Paiute. Cattails exist in several species. However, the most common species in Nevada seems to be the Typha latifolia, also known as the broadleaf cattail.


Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) is found throughout the Nevada deserts, and has several other common names, including Antelope Bush, Antelope Bitterbrush, Buckbrush, and Quininebrush. It is a hearty plant, but quite flammable. Following wildfires, however, the plant is able to regenerate from the roots, a great benefit in environmental restoration.


The fernleaf biscuitroot, scientific species name Lomatium, is very common to the sagebrush steppe region in Nevada. Most species produce small, yellow flowers in umbrella shaped clusters and are easily recognizable by their leaves. The leafy, fern-like nature of the leaves and the general look of the plant is the source of another of its common names: desert parsley. It is the heartiest of all 81 species of Lomatium, cannot grow in shaded areas, and flourishes in open, dry, and rocky habitats.

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