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Koyukon Plant Database


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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 tenuifolia

Alnus tenuifolia
Alnus sinuata
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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."


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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


Artemesia tilesii
Artemisia tillesii
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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
Sambucus racemosa
Sorbus scopulina
Sorbus scopulina
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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
Populus tremuloides


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