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Koyukon Plant Database

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All Categories Not categorised Alder Algae Artemesia Ash Aspen Baneberry Bearberry Birch Bluebells Blueberry Broom-rape Calla Carrot Celery Chives Chokeberry Cloudberry Coltsfoot Commandra Cottonwood Cow Parsely Cranberry Crowberry Currant Dogwood Equisetum Fireweed Forget-Me-Not Grass Hemlock Hudson Bay Tea Indian Potato Iris Juniper Kinnikinnick Larch Lichen Lily Lungwort Marestail Moss Nagoonberry Nettle Potentilla Raspberry Rhubarb Rose Salmonberry Spruce Valerian Willow Wintergreen

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ALDER

Alder : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Alnus sp. kk'es kk'es 357 Nelson ties this to Alnus crispa Jetté - "The sap is used as a red stain for wood, moose skin and laftak." Sullivan - After a child is born, the afterbirth, placenta and membranes are tied in a bundle and hung from this tree to decay. Nelson - The Koyukon origin story for alder tells about a woman who heard a tale that was so sad and terrible that she began to cry and pinch her skin until it bled. She became the alder tree and this is why the alder's bark can be used to make red dye. kk'ʉykk'eze kk'ʉy3 372 Some discussion of term on KAD page 372 alder bark kk'es lot'oodze' kk'es 357 Nelson - Used to make reddish dye to color caribou skins and porcupine quills. Green bark is harvested in spring and allowed to dry, then soaked overnight in water or boiled. The bark and water are applied to stain the skin. alder catkins kk'es delodzoye' kk'es 357 Jetté - "...alder catkins are burnt in offerings to the spirits." alder stem kk’es dokkuł kkuł1 341 edible cone-like seed cases of red alder kk'es deloghe geege kk'es 358 Lit. 'alder branch berry' alder charcoal kk'es t'aaze' kk'es 357 Jetté - "Obtained by charring small branches, is applied to the umbilical cord of newborn infants. It is sprinkled on the stump and frequently renewed during the first days." Alnus tenuifolia Alnus sinuata

ALGAE

Algae : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information any aquatic algae, free floating algae, floating moss dlot dlot1 156 Jetté - "An aquatic plant resembling a lichen without any apparent differentiated organs, floating as a gelatinous mass on lakes and slow streams." reddish-brown algae tokkotluh tluh1 586 Lit. 'mushy substance on water surface' Jetté - "Aquatic plant, probably an algae, moss-like, found floating in rusty brown filament, sometimes collected in lump-like masses, very soft and almost gelatinous." underwater algae taahdlode' dlot1 156 Jetté - "A sort of aquatic plant, of rich green color, moss-like, and of a gelatinous consistency. Found in lakes and slow streams."

ARTEMESIA

Artemesia : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Artemesia sp. sage tl’uh tsen tl’uh 616 Lit. 'fragrant grass'   wormwood         Artemesia tilesii stinkweed tl’enh benee ben5 98 Locally called stinkweed Artemisia tillesii

ASH

Ash : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Sorbus scopulina mountain ash dekenh ts'ot'eeye t'aa01 541 Lit. 'wood that is evil' Jetté - "Evil wood, a species of elder, having a voluminous light pith, and exhaling a rather strong odor of prussic acid. Grows to about six feet, the shoots clustering from one root. It is credited with special virtues to drive away the devils, more particularly those that cause sickness and most of all the denaa gheneede. It exposes however those who come in contact with it to the bane of the tleedotole. An old woman is generally the gatherer, and before cutting the twigs she lays some presents at the root, and makes apologies for the liberty which she is about to take, pleading the urgent necessity and the gheno kk'aat. The branches are brought to the camp and boiled in water, the decoction being used either as a potion or as a lotion. This remedy is used almost exclusively for children, and as a last resort, when all other measures have failed." Sambucus racemosa red elder ł Kwaraceius - "Jetté's descriptions, including the strong smell and the pithy wood, fit elder Sambucus racemosa (Jetté offered the same genus name). However, its northernmost range is around the southern border of Denali Park. Mountain ash, Sorbus scopulina, is a plant that superficially resembles elder. It ranges through much of the Koyukon Athabaskan area. However, it does not match Jetté's descriptions. Though both plants are used for medicinal and food purposes, one must exercise caution using them. The prussic acid in elder is poisonous and is found in almost all parts of the plant. However, the cooked, deseeded berries are edible and are used to make jams and jellies." Sambucus racemosa Sorbus scopulina

ASPEN

Aspen : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Populus tremuloides quaking aspen t'egheł kk'ooge gheł5 244 Lit. 'tiny cottonwood, little cottonwood' Nelson notes that aspen is used much in the same way as balsam poplar. t'egheł yoze small, dry standing aspen t'egheł zooze' soos 747 Lit. 'conical cottonwood' Populus tremuloides

BANEBERRY

Baneberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Actacea rubra nełtene ch'ejege' ten5 513 Lit. 'thunder berry' Actacea rubra

BEARBERRY

Bearberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Arctostaphylos alpina alpine bearberry geeze noghe' geeze 185 Lit. 'camprobber's eyes' Nelson - Stored in moose fat or grease, and mixed with fish, meat or oil before eating kinnikinnick Noted as a common name for geeze noghe' Arctostaphylos rubra red-fruited bearberry deneyh neyh 476 Nelson notes this also applies to Arctostaphylos alpina and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Jetté - "A berry resembling the haw, the fruit of the hawthorne, but round, not oblong and hardly ever over 3/8 inch in diameter. The natives collect it on hillsides, late in the fall, when it is still quite hard, and use it during winter, mostly in nonaałdlode. 'Indian ice cream'" Arctostaphylos alpina Arctostaphylos rubra

BIRCH

Birch : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Betula papyrifera paper birch kk'eeyh kk'eeyh 353 Jetté - "Birchwood is used extensively in the making of sleds, canoe frames, snowshoes, etc., and for such purposes the birch that grows on hillsides, or in dry ground is always selected when available. The native claim that the one from the flood-plains rots easily and does not last over one year. My experience goes to confirm this statement." Sullivan - Beginning on page 2 of the The Ten'a Food Quest, he gives a description of use for fish wheel baskets. On page 3 is a description of birch bark being used as canoe covering and how trees are selected for bark. Sullivan - Inner bark is separated from outer bark and dried and roughened to prevent fish from slipping during processing. Bark is used as a watertight roofing material in combination with earth. Also used in basket making. Sullivan - On page 28 of The Ethnology of the Ten'a Indians of Interior Alaska, he describes the process for making bow and arrows from green birch wood. Nelson - On pages 177-185 of Tracks in the Wildland he gives descriptions and illustrations of how birch bark is gathered and used for a variety of containers. Clark - Big game spears were made from a shaft of birch and a spear head made from moose tibia or bear ulna. Betula nana dwarf birch łeyeł yeł3 692 Means shrub in general, but when applied to a specific plant it most often means Betula nana, but can also refer to Betula glandulosa Betula glandulosa resin birch kk'aan dikina Described from Nelson, not in KAD Betula papyrifera Betula nana

BLUEBELLS

Bluebell : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Mertensia paniculata lungwort ggaał lodelyaaye ggaał 200 Lit. 'those which are put in the king salmon's throat (mouth)' Jetté - "They all seem to allude to a practice of putting the bluebell plant in the king salmon's mouth. No description of the custom could be obtained. The practice, as well as the various names, are entirely unknown to the upper tribe." ggaał laagge zelaaye ggaał laagge nodelyaaye ggaał dzaaye' Mertensia paniculata noolaagh dzaaye' dzaayh2 165 Lit. 'dog salmon's heart' or 'king salmon's heart' ggaał dzaaye' Mertensia paniculata or Valeriana capitata unidentified bluebell or valerian łookk'e lo daaldloye lo2 404 unidentified plant that grows on the edge of lakes, possibly bluebell or valerian Jones - "This is burned under a fishnet so that smoke drifts through the meshes to rid the net of bad luck." Mertensia paniculata

BLUEBERRY

Blueberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Vaccinium ulignosum nełyaaghe yo4 698 Lit. 'that which grows' Nelson - Notes that along with cranberries these are the most important plant food to the Koyukon Athbascans. Marcotte - Average collection in Huslia in 1983 was two gallons per household. Vaccinium ulignosum

BROOM-RAPE

Broom-rape : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Boschniakia rossica poque dotson' ggooneegge' tson' 644 Lit. 'raven pipe' Jones - "A plant with hollow stem used as a tube." dotson' ch'echene' Boschniakia rossica

CALLA

Calla : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Calla palustris wild calla bekenaal baabe' baabe 79 Lit. 'beaver's food'; 'moose's food' Kwaraceius - "Refers to fleshy rhizome of yellow pond lilly (Nuphar polysepalum) as well as wild calla." "Commonly called the root of yellow pond lily, which is edible, whereas that of wild calla is poisonous to humans." taah ggoldzeede' dzeet 168 Lit. 'water ball' Kwaraceius - "Refers to the ball-like spadix (cluster of flowers) in the early summer, and to the berries later." root of wild calla taah ts'edone don2 147 Lit. 'underwater food' Also refers to yellow pond lily rather than wild calla root Calla palustris

CARROT

Carrot : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Hedysarum alpinum wild carrot tsoł tsoł1 642 Jette - "The tsoł is good only during the winter, when the natives gather it, digging for it under the snow. It is then round and full, juicy and tender. After the thaw it loses its qualities, becomes hard, woody, and tasteless. It is also used as a substitute for tea or coffee. For this purpose, the root is sliced transversely in segments 1 to 2 inches long; these are divided longitudinally, by separating the fibers, and these are cut again across in small portions, which are afterwards dried and roasted in a frying pan. They are used as tea, in an infusion, and sometimes as a decoction. The beverage thus prepared is said to taste like chocolate." Indian potato nen' t'oh dalldloyee nen'1 475 Lit. 'those which are underground' nen' yeh geege' Lit. 'underground berry' Hedysarum alpinum

CELERY

Celery : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Angelica sp. wild celery Unidentified in Koyukon language, but use of Angelica lucida as a source of food is noted in the Lower Yukon by Heller Zagoskin - in a journal entry dated June 16, 1843, he describes collecting an edible plant near Nulato that he identifies as Angelica sylvestris. Angelica sylvestris

CHIVES

Chives : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Allium schoenoprasum wild chives Described by Nelson but he did not give a Koyukon name for the plant Nelson - Eaten raw alone or mixed with fish Allium schoenoprasum

CHOKEBERRY

Chokecherry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Prunus sp. dodetl'edzee ch'ejege' tl'ets 604 Neologism for an introduced plant Prunus sp.

CLOUDBERRY

Cloudberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Rubus chamaemorus Rubus chamaemorus

COLTSFOOT

Coltsfoot : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Petasites hyperboreus kkaalbedze bets1 101 Lit. 'spread out foot' Low growing, found on hillsides, and eaten by bears --Jetté Petasites frigidus Petasites hyperboreus Petasites frigidus

COMMANDRA

Commandra : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Geocaulon lividum northern commandra naaggedle geege' geege 184 Lit. 'fox's berry' timberberry dogberry toadflax Geocaulon lividum

COTTONWOOD

Cottonwood : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Populus balsimifera balsam poplar t'egheł t'egheł5 244 Nelson - The Koyukon origin story for balsam poplar tells about a woman who heard a tale that was so sad and terrible that she began to cry and slit her skin. She became the balsam poplar with its deeply cut bark. Good for smoking meat and fish cottonwood bark Nelson - "...used to make fish net floaters and may have been peeled in slabs for smokehouse floors and walls. The bark is also burned as mosquito smudges." buds Nelson- "Pitchy buds are boiled with spruce needles (or with highbush cranberries and rose hips) to make medicine for healing sores." Populus balsimifera

COW PARSELY

Cow Parsely : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Heracleum lanatum wild celery lokk'oge kk'ok2 363 Retranscription uncertain. Jette: "term of the extreme-lower dialect…not identified and found only in Lower Yukon." Jette - "Largest of the three "wild celerys" in Alaska. Although stems have to be peeled to remove the outer layer (that can irritate skin), the portion iside is edible. It has a very strong odor, especially when crushed or peeled." Heracleum lanatum

CRANBERRY

Cranberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Oxycoccus microcarpus bog cranberry ch'enkkutl kkutl 343 Possibly reshaped from kkotl2 (salmonberry). Nelson gives us geeznogha' as another alternative. Nelson - Usually eaten raw daał nodoodle' daał1 115 Lit. 'crane's eyebrow' Also called deldool baabe' Jetté - "A red berry, edible, resembling very much the low-bush cranberry, and growing together with it, on a slender, thread-like stem, which runs generally on top of the green moss. It is quite palatable in the fall, but still sweeter in the spring, after it has wintered under the snow. The cranes are said to be fond of it, as it is the only berry which they find around the lakes when they return in the spring." t'egheł nodoodle' dootl2 151 Lit. 'cottonwood's eyelashes' deldool baabe' baabe 79 Lit. 'sandhill crane's food' Viburnum edule highbush cranberry donaaldloye lo* 407 Lit. 'elevated small round things' Nelson - Berries eaten raw and stems used for basket rims tsonłtlaa tlaa3 562 May refer to the currant bushes which also grow on hillsides --Jones Jones - "These plants are used for medicine. They are sometimes boiled together with tlaa ele' (juniper). People with skin problems use this water to wash or soak the affected area." Vaccunium vitis-idaea lowbush cranberry netl'et tl'et2 602 Nelson gives the Koyukon word dinaałakk'aza as an equivalent Nelson - "The berries were formerly crushed and spread on sled runners to make them slippery..." Nelson- Notes that along with blueberries they are the most important plant food to the Koyukon Athabacans. Marcotte - Records collection rates as high as five gallons per household. Oxycoccus microcarpus Viburnum edule Vaccunium vitis-idaea

CROWBERRY

Crowberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koykon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Empetrum nigrum deenaałt' aas Described from Nelson not in KAD Nelson - "Eaten when it is found in mountain areas, the crowberry is said to be helpful in relieving thirst." Empetrum nigrum

CURRANT

Currant : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Ribes hudsonianum black currant, possibly northern black currant, or bristly black currant dotson' geege' tson' 644 Lit. 'raven's berry' Nelson - "Eaten formerly...is largely avoided due to its traditional association with the raven." Ribes lacustre bristly black currant geege 184 Ribes hudsonianum northern black currant geege meghʉdaa' daa'3 107 Lit. 'blueberry's cousin' Ribes triste red currant nots'ehtl'oone ts'eh1 661 Lit. 'tied hats hanging down' "…implying a comparison of the stem with hanging berries to the tie of a cap or hood with its hanging ball-tassels." --Jetté Nelson - "The American red currant is eaten raw, usually when and where it is found." Ribes hudsonianum Ribes lacustre Ribes triste

DOGWOOD

Dogwood : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Cornus stolonifera red-osier dogwood kk'ʉkk'eze kk'ʉy' 372 May not be derived from kk'ʉy'3 (willow) but rather from kk'ʉy1 (pelvis or spread object) berry of the red-osier (American dogwood) nek'enle'een geege' een1 32 Lit. 'woodman's berry' Not eaten Cornus stolonifera

EQUISETUM

Equisetum : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Equisetum sp. goose grass huh ggoodle' huh 263 Lit. 'goose's rhubarb' nodule of the equisetum, "water berry" deeltsaa' baabe' tsaa'1 617 Lit. 'vole's food' Also a generic term for mushroom Equisetum sp.

FIREWEED

Fireweed : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Epilobium angustifolium ch'entl'ene' ts'eeł'aane tl'en1 601 Lit. 'that which we use for dentalia' k'etssegheye ts'eeł'aane ghey::tseghey 246 Lit. 'that which we use for marten-skin'; 'marten (parka) material' Jetté - "This subsitution of the plant, worthless, for the valuable pelt, is allowed by custom, in the burnt offerings to the spirits, especially to the souls of the deceased shamans." Zagoskin - leaves are used for making tea Epilobium angustifolium

FORGET-ME-NOT

Forget-Me-Not : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Myosotis sp. senoghoolneghe yu neh2 463 Lit. 'do not forget me' Coined word from English Myosotis sp.

GRASS

Grass : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Family Graminae k'etsaan' tsaan' 619 Families Cyperaceae, Graminae, Juncaceae sedge, wide grass, rush tl'uh tl'uh 616 According to Jetté, commonly used for Equisetum, but term is also applied to the various kinds of sedges Eriophorum sp. cotton grass dechedzee kuts 306 Family Graminae dry grass, hay, straw k'etsaan' tsedze tsaan' 620 Nelson - Used a floor covering in winter shelters. Family Graminae fine grass k'etsaan' lusge tsaan' 619 fine grass used as duffel kkaa yee daaldloye kkaa8 323 Lit. 'that which is in footwear' Alopercus aequalis foxtail grass łeechaa' łee3 389 Lit. 'dog tail' Hippuris vulgaris mare's tail, goose grass dets'en baabe' baabe 79 Lit. 'goose's food' grass of the tussocks nokenyaał tlooghe' yaał 679 Family Graminae flower of grasses k'etsaan' delodoge' tsaan' 619 Jetté - "It is collected from the plants, and burnt in sacrifices to the spirits of dead shamans." Jones - "It is food for the spirits of the dead." grass-top delodoge' do* 143 Lit. 'that which stays on limb' Jetté - Beard or awn of the grain of grass. horsetail, jointed grass hodolgheoge' ghon1 254 Lit. 'that which is customarily connected together' k'etsaan' ghoge' ghon1 254 Jetté - "Rush, bulrush, reed; some tall and slender species grow in the marshes and lakes." Urtica gracilus sedge, flat-leaved grass with sharp edges, stinging nettle k'etsaan' kk'oge' kk'ok2 363 In Lower dialect it refers to stinging nettle and speakers use tl'uh when referring to sedge Jetté - "The fibers of the nettle were formerly used to make cords and coarse thread." Carex sp. Refers to sedge in other dialects and stinging nettle becomes hʉłts'eege Attla - "This is a lake grass, and it is the strongest kind of grass." shiny green grass in lakes, meadow, lawns tl'uh tl'eyh kkokk'e tl'eyh 605 unidentified grass in lakes, possibly bulrush denaakkaatl'oh deltudle totl2 532 Lit. 'that which pops beneath our feet' Attla - "It makes a popping noise when we walk on it in the late fall. Goose eat it but only when it is new growth."

HEMLOCK

Hemlock : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Cicuta mackenzieanna (Cicuta virosa) poison water hemlock k'enłnaaye no8 481 Lit. 'that causes death' heldedlee detl2 136 Lit. 'that which trembles' heldełee Cicuta virosa

HUDSON BAY TEA

Hudson Bay Tea : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Ledum palustre Labrador tea k'elaakk'ʉyh kk'ʉy 372 Lit. 'V-shaped branch,' due to the opposing arrangement of leaves In the Central dialect the bush itself is called łeyeł, and its florescence k'elokk'ʉyh. In the other dialects, łeyeł is used as common designator for all brush, or low bushes, and the plant as well as the terminal flower cluster is termed k'elokk'ʉyh Jetté - "Thyrus (cluster) of white flowers of Ledum palustre said to have been used as a substitute for tea by employees of the Hudson Bay Company. The infusion of its leaves is believed to have medicinal properties, and whites occasionally drink it in the spring to 'purify the blood.' Ledum palustre tleehʉloo daaldloye łoo 419 Lit. 'That which is on the crust' Also called k'elokk'ʉyh Ledum palustre łeyeł yeł3::łeyeł 692 Most often refers to dwarf birch Ledum palustre

INDIAN POTATO

Indian Potato : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Hedysarum alpinum wild carrot tsoł tsoł1 642 Especially refers to the edible root of the plant Jetté - "The tsoł is good only during the winter, when the natives gather it, digging for it under the snow. It is then round and full, juicy and tender. After the thaw it loses its qualities, becomes hard, woody, and tasteless. It is also used as a substitute for tea or coffee. For this purpose, the root is sliced transversely in segments 1 to 2 inches long; these are divided longitudinally, by separating the fibers, and these are cut again across in small portions, which are afterwards dried and roasted in a frying pan. They are used as tea, in an infusion, and sometimes as a decoction. The beverage thus prepared is said to taste like chocolate." Hedysarum alpinum nen' t'oh daaldloyee nen'1 475 Lit. 'those which are underground'; 'underground berry' Especially refers to the edible root of the plant Hedysarum alpinum nen' yeh geege' geege 184 Lit. 'berry under the ground' Especially refers to the edible root of the plant Hedysarum alpinum

IRIS

Iris : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Iris setosa rattle weed, wild flag, wild iris beyee k'edeleloye łoyh 418 Lit. 'in it something rattles' Jetté - "A tall reed bearing coriaceous capsules in which loose dry seeds rattle when the plant is shaken." Iris setosa meyee k'edelezooze soos 748 Lit. 'in it something rattles' "So called from the sound made by its dry seeds in winter wind" --Jetté Iris setosa meyee k'edellaal laał 383 Lit. 'in it something rattles' Jetté - "A tall reed bearing coriaceous capsules in which loose dry seeds rattle when the plant is shaken." Iris setosa

JUNIPER

Juniper : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translations Use Information Juniperus communis tlaa ele' eł3 35 Lit. 'rock's spruce bough' Jetté - used in a decoction to be drank in association with puncturing ceremonies. Juniperus communis tlaa kk'uye' kk'ʉy' 373 Lit. 'rock willow' Juniperus communis

KINNIKINNICK

Kinnikinnick : Filed under Bearberry

LARCH

Larch : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Larix laricina tamarack, larch taat'egheł gheł5::t'egheł 245 Lit. 'in-the-water cottonwood' Term unique to western Alaskan Athabascan. "The word is also applied by some speakers, to the t'egheł, or cotton-tree, Populus balsamifera." --Jetté Larix laricina łaat'aale t'aał2 544 Larix laricina

LICHEN

Lichen : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Alectoria sp. hair-like spruce lichen, old man's beard netsey dogho' gho2 250 Lit. 'your grandfather's (Raven's) beard'; 'bird's beard' Jetté - black or dark-gray moss, parasitic on young spruce trees, and hanging from their branches in long filaments. From netsey, the 'grandfather', i.e., Raven of legends, and dogho' 'beard': This growth appears to absorb the sap of the tree, and when there is much of it, even if the leaves are still green, the wood is ready fuel for starting a campfire. Usnea sp. netseedogho' gho2 250 Lit. 'your grandfather's (Raven's) beard'; 'bird's beard' netsey dogho' tsey 637 Lit. 'your grandfather's (Raven's) beard'; 'bird's beard' Cladonia sp. and Cladina sp. reindeer lichen bedzeyh done' don2 147 Lit. 'caribou's food' Cladonia sp. and Cladina sp. k'odooy dooy1 151 Cladonia sp. and Cladina sp. k'odoyoo'u yoo'1 717 Analysis uncertain, uncommon in Koyukon, but widely attested elsewhere Alectoria sp. Usnea sp. Cladonia sp.

LILY

Lily : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Nuphar polysepalum yellow pond lily, water lily rhizome kkaalt'odle' t'otl 555 Nuphar polysepalum kkaahełt'odle' Nuphar polysepalum hʉghaałt'odle' Designates the rhizome which may attain the size of a man's thigh, and is eaten by beavers and muskrats. --Jetté Nuphar polysepalum taah kkʉlot'odle' Designates the rhizome which may attain the size of a man's thigh, and is eaten by beavers and muskrats. --Jetté Nuphar polysepalum fleshy rhizome or root of the yellow pond lily taah ts'edone don2 147 Lit. 'underwater food' Jetté - "Eaten by caribous, and by natives in times of scarcity of other food." Nuphar polysepalum bekenall baabe' baabe 79 Lit. 'beaver's food or moose's food' See also Wild Calla. Kwaraceius - "Commonly called the "root" of the yellow pond lily, which is edible, whereas the that of wild calla is poisonous to humans" Nuphar polysepalum deneege baabe' neek1 456 Lit. 'moose's food' Nuphar polysepalum taałton ton1 526 Lit. 'enclosed object in the water' Pineapple-like rhizome of water lily Nuphar polysepalum

LUNGWORT

Lungwort : See Bluebell

MARESTAIL

Marestail : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Hippuris vulgaris goose grass dets'en baabe' baabe 79 Lit. 'goose's food' Hippuris vulgaris ch'edot'aagge baabe' Hippuris vulgaris marestail tlaałtl'ughe tl'uh 616 May also apply to white-flowered variety of Epilobium angustifolium. Etymology not obtained Equisetum sp. aquatic horsetail Hippuris vulgaris

MOSS

Moss : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information moss nen' naan'1 435 This noun is not present in most of Koyukon outside of the Upper dialect. Tl'otl is more common for moss. moss tl'otl tl'otl1 611 Generic term diaper, toilet material, Pampers, breech cloth for infants k'etl'odle' tl'otl1 611 "Perhaps the term would have applied first to the species of white moss used for this purpose…" Jetté Jones - "In the past, moss was used as diaper material in cradles." any aquatic or floating moss dlot dlot1 156 See entry under algae Sphagnum sp. a red moss nen' tseege' tseek 625 Lit. 'red ground' Nelson - Used for log cabin chinking and insulation in cabin roofs. Sphagnum sp. naan'1 435 Lit. 'red moss' Sphagnum sp. tl'otl kk'es tl'otl1 611 a white moss, used as a wick semtl ggʉyh ggʉyh2 225 Lit. 'gray moss' Sullivan - Explains use as a wick in the "stone dish" lamp called lo'on tlok. metl::semetl 99 Lit. 'gray moss' Jetté - "Formerly used as a wick for the native lamp, which consisted of a small recipient filled with oil: the dried white moss was placed on edge, and when soaked with oil, was lighted. It gave a rather smoky and ill-fummed flame, but sufficient for ordinary purpose, such as cooking, etc." Lycopodium sp. club moss deeltsaa' tlee'ole' tsaa'1 617 Lit. 'mouse's pillow' Jetté - "A creeping cryptogamous plant, resembling a spruce bough, growing on the ground, having a long sarmentose stem, along which small branches shoot upwards, and terminate in a club-like cluster of reproductive organs." Lycopodium sp. ggʉh tlaatleele' ggʉh1 223 Lit. 'rabbit's axe'; 'baby tooth' Club moss, the rabbit's axe, from a fancied resemblance of the spiked stem to an axe. --Jetté Story on pg. 223 referring to baby's first front tooth. cones of a club moss k'ekoodle' tlee'oł oł1 64 Lit. 'feather pillow' dry lake moss taahnaane' naan'1 435 Jones - "Lake moss from dry lakes was used for insulation on roofs and as chinking material for log cabins." lake moss taahtl'odle' tl'otl1 611 Lit. 'underwater moss' Jones - "Lake moss is used for roof insulation. It is collected by cutting patches of it on a dry lake and rolling the patches up." moss hummock naaseneł neł1::seneł 466 a water moss taah nelʉgh lʉgh2 426 Lit. 'underwater' tl'otltseł tl'otl1 611 Lit. 'moist moss' Moss used as diaper material thick growth of reddish-brown moss on lakes dee'aadle aatl1 28 Sphagnum sp. Lycopodium sp.

NAGOONBERRY

Nagoonberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Rubus arcticus nagoonberry noghʉy tl'aakk tl'aakk1 589 Lit. 'frog + Ω' (unclear term) "Its relation to the frog is not apparent, but neither is there any clear connection in the case of dets' en tl'aakk, raspberry." --Jetté Nelson - "Highly esteemed...is eaten raw when found." Rubus arcticus strawberry kkotl kkotl2 340 Riddle on pg. 340 refers to a cache leaning sideways Rubus arcticus

NETTLE

Nettle : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Urtica gracilis (Urtica dioica) stinging nettle hʉłts'eege ts'eek1 654 Lit. 'that which stings us' Jetté - "The Ten'a know how to prepare its fibres and used them to make twine for their nets, before the introduction of machine-made twine." denaa'aandelt'ege Urtica gracilis k'aadelgudgze guts2 196 Lit. 'that which repeatedly bites' k'etsaan' kk'oge' kk'ok2 363 See reference to translation and comparison under Grass. Urtica dioica gracilis

POTENTILLA

Potentilla : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Potentilla sp. cinquefoil nokk ggaadle' nokk 489 Lit. 'Mineral lick root'

RASPBERRY

Raspberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Rubus idaeus dets'en tl'aakk tl'aakk1 589 Lit. 'goose + Ω' (unclear term) Rubus idaeus ts'en3 664 Rubus idaeus neełdeggey dekk1 129 Rubus idaeus

RHUBARB

Rhubarb : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Polygonum alpinum wild rhubarb ggooł ggootl2 217 Nelson identifies this with Rumex arcticus Sullivan - "The leafstalks and stems, when young and tender, are eaten by the natives, either raw, or fried in grease, or boiled as greens." dried stem of wild rhubarb ggooł tsets ggootl2 217 tsets2 636 Polygonum alpinum

ROSE

Rose : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Rosa acicularis wild rose hus dekene', hus hus 265 kooyh kooyh 305 rose blossom kooyh kone' kooyh 305 rose hip kooyh loyde kooyh 305 Nelson - Eaten raw Source of vitamin C hus loyde hus 265 seeds of the rose hip kooyh yee deneege' kooyh 305 Dasiphora floribunda tundra rose, shrubby cinquefoil kk'uy' tloye' tloy 584 Rosa acicularis Dasiphora floribunda

SALMONBERRY

Salmonberry : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Rubus spectabilis cloudberry kkotl kkotl2 340 Rubus spectabilis

SPRUCE

Spruce : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Picea glauca or Picea mariana spruce tree or forest ts'ebaa baa4::ts'ebaa 77 Nelson gives ts'ibaa as the name for Picea glauca and ts'ibaa t'aal as Picea mariana. He also notes specific words used for spruce that is dry, half-dry or green. Sullivan - Spruce is used green as end pieces of canoe frame. In The Ten'a Food Quest there is an extensive description of spruce used along with willow in the construction of basket traps for fishing. Used in making the "hi'o" pole for the traditional stick dance to honor the dead. Nelson - The Koyukon origin story for spruce tells about a woman who heard a tale that was so sad and terrible that she began to cry and pinch her skin. She was transformed into a spruce tree and her bark remained pinched and rough. Nelson - White spruce is the principle source for firewood and building materials for a variety of items such as houses, boats, canoes, caches, tent frames, etc. golden-colored spruce tree udle deneł utl1 70 Picea glauca a variety of white spruce with golden needles eł doyonh eł3 35 dried spruce branch k'etloo' ggunh tloo 584 Nelson - Used as a toggle to attach to traps fresh spruce gum, pitch dzaah tl'eyh dzaakk2 161 Sullivan - Used for boat repair Nelson - Clear sap is used to disinfect sore. Hard yellowish pitch is used as chewing gum. Can be mixed with fat to make a varnish. "..formerly burned in shamanistic curing session, yielding spiritual power from the spruce." tl'eyh 605 hardwood of spruce or birch ggʉyh ggʉyh1 224 Nelson - Used in making woven traps to harvest otter Used for making scow sleds (esp. Bettles area) and "gee poles." On pages 142-144 of Tracks in the Wildland, Nelson gives a description of using spruce wood to make a blackfish trap. red-colored, decayed spruce wood ch'etodeetluh tluh2 587 spongy, rotten spruce nodooye tsone' dooy2 152 Nelson - Combined with rotten "little tree" willow and is used to smoke hides. Combined in a ratio that is slightly more willow than spruce; use about a "medium-sized packsack" full to smoke two hides. spruce bough eł tloo' tloo 584 Sullivan - Used as bedding material for sled dogs and covering tent floors in camp Used as roofing material in summer shelters spruce root hʉyh hʉyh2 277 Sullivan - Used as thread in sewing birch bark canoes and baskets Nelson - Also notes that large, woody roots called k'aggaadla' are carved into spoons and bowls spruce bark Described from Nelson as k'ilot'oodza' Nelson - "The bark is peeled from green trees to make camp floors, roofs, and tops for fish cutting tables." Clark - Describes the construction of a traditional spruce bark house in "Koyukuk River Culture" spruce cone dekeldegheyhtl gheyhtl::degheyhtl 247 Clark - "...if food supplies were low...the 'nuts' from the spruce cones were used as food supplements." delojodzee jots 194 spruce needle eł begge' eł3 35 Jetté - Needles are used to make a tea for use in a blood-letting ceremony. Nelson - "The needles are boiled and the resulting infusion is drunk to cure kidney problems or to obtain spirit power from the spruce. This may also be applied to heal dry skin or sores." eł tlenok'oodle' k'ootl3 318 top of spruce tree ts'ebaa loyet baa4::ts'ebaa 77 Nelson - "The tops are cut from small trees and carried for spiritual protection in certain places." Previously used in shamanistic practices to treat a sick individual. Picea glauca Picea glauca - cones Picea mariana

VALERIAN

Valerian : see Bluebell

WILLOW

Willow : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Salix sp. kk'ʉy kk'ʉy' 372 Sullivan - Many descriptions of willows being cut and used as ground cover during fish and game processing Nelson - Willow poles are used for setting gill nets under the ice. Used to build a variety of items such as fish racks, basket rims, fish traps, etc. Zagoskin - reports a long jumping contest played along the Koyukuk in 1843 that involved ten pieces of willow placed six feet apart and gradually moved farther apart to determine a winner. a large willow, tree size kk'ʉy gede' kk'ʉy' 372 a medium sized willow, a reddish mid-sized willow belaazon kk'ʉye' zon1 741 Lit. 'otter's willow' Jones - Used to make snare fences a rotten willow ts'ell'ʉyh t;'oodle' tl'otl2 611 Salix arbusculoides a tree willow kk'ʉyloo łoo 418 "Littletree willow" - Nelson Nelson - Combined with rotten spruce and used to smoke hides. Description of process on pages 165 - 166 of Tracks in the Wildland. Young leaves are eaten. Small shoots and stems are peeled and scraped to obtain sweet, edible sap. catkin of the willow kk'olodeeto' kk'ʉy' 373 to'2 518 dry willows oghe o2 40 inner bark of willow ch'etlotone' tp2 517 Clark - Made into twine and woven to make nets for fishing. These nets must be kept wet at all times to prevent cracking. k'aalt'oodze' t'oots 557 Sullivan - Mouths of fish are tied with willow bark before being roasted whole. Nelson - In Tracks in the Wildland he describes the use of willow bark in the ceremony held when the first king salmon of the season is caught. "If women wanted to participate in the ceremony, they had to wear cords of twisted willow bark around their necks and wrists." fresh willow sprouts in spring kk'olgeets geets 185 pussy willow catkin kk'ololeege' kk'ʉy' 373 reddish willow in mountains kk'uyh tseek kk'ʉy' 372 small, red-barked willow bet'on' deets'aaggeye ts'aakk 652 species of mid-sized willow bezeye kk'ʉye' kk'ʉy' 372 willow catkin kk'ʉy dleyh deloyule' yul 720 willow with red bark kk'ʉykk'eze kk'ʉy' 372 Salix bebbiana Bebb willow, diamond willow kk'ʉy dliyh Description from Nelson not found in KAD Nelson - Used for decorative woodwork Salix planifolia diamondleaf willow kk'uy dlits'eela Description from Nelson not found in KAD Salix pulchra Salix sp. catkins

WINTERGREEN

Wintergreen : Scientific Name Related Terms Koyukon Name Koyukon Root KAD Page Notes on Translation Use Information Pyrola sp. pyrola tso' dzeghe ts'eeł' aanee tso' 640 Lit. 'that which we use as a beaver's ear' Pyrola grandiflora

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