Ethnobotany at Los Cerritos Wetlands Complex

By Megan Roy

Before Spanish settlement on the Pacific coastline, Los Cerritos Wetlands was home to the Tongva people. The Tongva respected the resources the watershed provided and used plants in cultural practices and for survival. It is no surprise that the same plants used by the Tongva are commonly planted by our restoration team when we establish upland, coastal sage scrub, and riparian habitats. Lets explore a small sample of these plants!

California sagebrush
Artemisia californica

Use: Relieve toothaches, stomachaches, treat burns and wounds (leaf paste), treatment of respiratory ailments, fever, and pain (tea) 
For Tongva rituals: girl's puberty ritual, men are smudged with CA sagebrush and white sage before hunting

California bush sunflower
Encelia californica

Use: leaves, flowers, and stems are mashed up and used to treat wounds and pain. Tongva chews the leaves for fresher breath!
For rituals: all parts of the plant are dried into a ceremonial incense 

California buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum

Use: leaves and roots help relieve headaches, intestinal and stomach problems
The leaves are brewed into a tea and gargled for bronchial pain. 
The shoots and the seeds are edible.  Leaves are used to line granaries to keep the acorns dry.  Also, the seeds are ground and scattered during ceremonies.  Lastly, the stems are used to pierce ears.

Bladderpod 
Peritoma arborea

Use: To relieve throat and stomach ailments from the crushed seed pods
Bladderpod is also baked and eaten by Tongva
The roots are used for a green dye used to dye baskets

Lemonade berry
Rhus integrifolia

Use: Alleviates cramps, coughs, abdomen, and chest pain (tea). Itching and rashes were treated using the bark
The berries are covered with a sour-sweet, sticky substance, and when stirred in water they provide a refreshing drink.  To alleviate the thirst of a long journey, the Tongva roll leaves into a wad and place it in the mouth while walking. 

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To learn more about plants join us for our monthly 
nature tour and restoration event 
Saturday, September 5th.
The restoration event starts at 10:30am and ends at 12:30pm. 
We meet at 1st and PCH, Seal Beach. Wear close to shoes. See you there!