Brian Altonen, MPH, MS

For the sake of completion I am posting the following about a project I engaged in back February 2nd to June 30, 1996.  My university position then was then as a researcher, lecturer and adjunct at Portland State University, Department of Chemistry (the years of my taxol, BIQ, phytochemotaxonomy and ethnobotany work), occasionally guest lecturing at Clackamas CC, and assisting the local private school in their Pacific NW Ethnobotany, Anthropology, Natural resources projects (Reed, UNP, L&C, Maryhill, Beaverton OGI).

The task at hand was determining which plants were historically most important to the history of the State of Oregon.

My concern was that determining the importance of plants to a region is always a matter of interpretation.  So, I proposed that we consider the following main questions regarding this type of research:

1. what types of plant of plants do we want to include in the list of possibilities — native or domestic?
2. do we want plants that are truly native or allow for those possibly introduced?
3. do we want plants that are highly important because the they served primarily as an important source of revenue with a high volume of use and sales, and represented mostly a particular culture or set of people for the region, such as the investors and their companies?
4. or  do we want to just look at plants that are locally native and serve a local importance for the local survival of local traditions, involving as many cultures and traditions as possible?

.

That was the premise of this work, which took place from February  to June of 199.  The plans to produce a lightrail line heading into the west hills were approved.  The goal of this overall light rail project was to involve local businesses and use local cottage industries to accomplish projects, serving as a form of symbolic pride of this part of the Pacific Northwest.

I received a call from a small development firm asking me if I would like to participate in this project, of course I said ‘yes’  and so this project began.  In the next season, we had the most important plants figured out according to several criteria.  I cannot recall exactly what these criteria were, but they were pretty much as follows:

• Plants native to the region
• Plants with close ties specifically to Oregon history, with significant amounts of importance of Oregon in the history of the plant
• Plants with a broad knowledge based with documentation confirming that use
• Plants that demonstrated usefulness and importance across three periods of history in the Pacific Northwest: indigenous, pioneers (19th C) and contemporary medicine.

The latter objective was one of the hardest to meet.

The following are the Notes for this work and copies of items I handed in to the task force engaged in this process.

In the Spring, after making the decisions as to what plants to use, we went out into the woods and such looking for examples of these, taking photographs of them, and discussing how they were going to be etched into glass by the artist who accompanied us in this project and took the pictures she needed of the plants.

I have three sets of notes here:

The Draft in which all or most possible plants are reviewed.  This is followed by a unique article I uncovered at the time about plants in the Pacific Northwest.

The First Submission of a list of potential plants for consideration

The Second Submission, which is closest to the final selection made.  This one includes mostly the notes needed by the developers of this work to produce short, succinct statements about the importance of these plants, words that could be etched on three of the four sides of each etching.   These etchings were then mounted into some framing and the entire artwork meant to resemble a quilt.

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PART 1

Brian L. Altonen     AN ETHNOBOTANY OF SELECT NORTHWEST FLORA

Page –

1.  Ponderosa/Western Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.)

• Native Americans
• Added boughs of young needle-bearing branches to their steam baths to help allay various winter ailments.
• Native Americans chewed the resin.
• Euro-Americans
• Discovered the value of the pine tar in making plaster formulas for chest ailments and rheumatism.
• At the Lewis and Clark Exposition various local companies promoted use of its excelsior–the aromatic coarse pulp made from its wood–as mattress and pillow stuffing.
• Recent Past
• Gathered by Oregonians for regular pharmacy companies about the turn of the century, with hopes of making anti-tuberculosis formulas, such as pine-scented aerosols and scent for pillows and mattresses.
• A few years earlier, regular doctors also began promoting the excelsior from this wood for use as an a pesticide (for bed bugs), a germicide (for pneumonia, tuberculosis, colds and flus) and a sleep inducer/aid.
• Contemporary
• Still noted in recent hospital formularies for use as an
• The Terpin hydrate from this and other pines has use for menthol-based sore back and muscle liniments.

2.  Balsam Fir (Abies concolor Lindl. and Gord.)

• Native Americans
• A tea made from the tips of young branches was used as a diuretic and a malaria treatment.
• Euro-Americans
• The balsam contained within blisters in the bark was used to treat coughs and colds.
• Contemporary
• Today the resin is considered an important aromatic for use by perfume, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

3.  Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga taxifolia (Lamb.) Britt.

• Native Americans
• Initially an adulterant for Canadian Balsam, more recently it has served as a reputable substitute for various Balsams.
• Euro-Americans
• An adulterant for Canadian Balsam until it came to be accepted for use as a less-expensive substitute for the various Balsams.
• Contemporary

4.  Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens (Torrey) Florin)

• Native Americans
• Native Americans used this to treat stomach pains and as an ingredient for sweating baths.
• Euro-Americans
• Contemporary
• The National Cancer Institute sponsored studies in the late 1960s which showed the deoxypodophyllotoxin contained in its bark to be a potential anti-cancer drug similar to etoposide, used today for treating testicular carcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma.

5.  Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.)

• Native Americans
• Berries and boughs were added to steam bath formulas by Native Americans
• Euro-Americans
• Teas made from berries were used as a diuretic by Euro-Americans
• Contemporary
• Until the mid-twentieth century, Juniper berries were considered an official medicine by pharmaceutical industries.  A flavorant for gin.

6.  Pacific Yew (Taxus baccata L.)

• Native Americans
• Used as a tonifier for in baths and infusions and an emmenagogue to help promote menstruation.  From Gunther, 1945/70: A diaphoretic is made from the needles [Chehalis], as well as a poultice for the wounds [Cowlitz and Quinault].
• Euro-Americans
• An infusion of the leaves was strongly recommended for epilepsy.
• Contemporary
• Contains the cancer drug Taxol, recently accepted for use in treating ovarian and breast cancer.

7. Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana DC)

• Native Americans
• Native Americans traditionally used the bark to make a dye and a medicine.  Its laxative effect made it a popular treatment for many ailments and diseases.
• Euro-Americans
• Its most common use for Euro-Americans was as a laxative and an ingredient for tonics.
• Historically, a crucial part of most weekly blood tonic and internal cleansing recipes along with Oregon Grape.
• Contemporary
• The modern day laxative casanthranol is derived from Cascara bark following a year of aging after harvest.
• Additional info
• Named in honor for the German, Fred Pursh, it was introduced by Parke, Davis and Company to the world market in 1878.  One of the first notes on it was written by explorer Menzies at Dabob Bay on May 12, 1792. (see p. 12 of his manuscript or text…)

8. Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium (Lindl.) Don.)

• Native Americans
• Contained in the recipe “Indian cure for all sorts of diseases” quoted in an 1845 trail pioneers’ journal by “Dr. Wm. Dain”
• Euro-Americans
• Introduced to the national market by Dr. Joseph Horatio Bundy of California for use as a bitter tonic in 1877/8, Parke-Davis and Company soonafter added it to their products.
• Contemporary
• The Berberine is part of a class of alkaloids considered useful as a food, drug and cosmetic dye.  For several decades it has served as an enzyme-inhitor of Alcohol Dehydrogenase for use in cell physiology studies.

9.  Mountain Barberry (Berberis repens Lindl.)

• Native Americans
• Cough and stomach disorders [Quinault] for Berberis spp.; B. repens not covered [Gunther, 1945].  It close relative is often seen as its medicinal equivalent: B. nervosa Pursh. of Oregon. Considered a valuable bitter tonic and alternative, uses attributed to it in the allopathic Materia Medica by Gathercoal and Wirth. Youngken suggests it was used as an appetite stimulant, inferring this as its general use by Native Americans.
• Euro-Americans
• Dr. James Den[n]ison of Klamath Agency identified this as the local equivalent for the California species. Introduced as a new medicine by the American Pharmaceutical Association in their June 1876 Proceedings.
• This made it a valuable addition or substitute to Oregon Grape medical recipes.
• Contemporary
• [See previous item.]

10.  Gum Plant/Tar Weed (Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal)       Also G. glutinosa; G. robusta; G. cuneifolia.

• Native Americans
• Considered a cure for rattlesnake bites by Native Americans.
• Euro-Americans
• Euro-Americans later accepted it for use as a treatment for burns, poison ivy and asthma, leading to its manufacture for the latter use by American drug companies by around 1880.
• Contemporary
• For a brief time, it remained an official medicine for asthma, and was grown and harvested for such.  Currently, grown mostly as a Native American decorative in herb gardens.

11.  Bedstraw (Galium aparine L.)

• Native Americans
• Infusions of the entire herb were made for use as a tonic for fevers and inflammation.  Rubbed over the entire body after a bath to stimulate the senses.
• Euro-Americans
• A diuretic, alterative, refrigerant and aperient.  The juice expressed from this plant was used for various skin conditions, such as psoriasis and cancer.
• Contemporary
• Coumarins produced by these plants impart a vanilla odor, thereby leading to its use as an aromatic for perfumes and some medicines.
• The dicumarol formed by this plant is equivalent to the platelet inhibitors cuurently in use.

12.  Canada Snakeroot/Wild Ginger (A. caudatum Lindl.)

• Native Americans
• A plant honored by Native Americans for use as a snakebite remedy and thus carried it with them in a small leather herb sachet.
• Euro-Americans
• Euro-Americans promoted it use as a treatment for “female complaints.”
• Contemporary
• Currently in used by some food and drug industries as a Ginger flavor substitute.
• More recently, research money has been spent analyzing its potential use as a substitute Ginger flavor in foods, medicines, and beverages.

13.  Kinnikinick  (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.)

• Native Americans
• A popular diuretic for Native Americans. A tobacoo substitute.
• Euro-Americans
• Euro-Americans commonly used this as a tonic, diuretic, astringent, and parturifacient (facilitates child delivery).
• Contemporary
• The acidic steroid, Ursolic acid, found also in cranberry juice, is suspected to make this a useful adjunct against urinary tract infection.

14.  Balm of Gilead/Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera L.)

• Native Americans
• The gum of leaf buds was used to treat wounds and prepare an eye wash.  The bark boiled into a tea was drunk for sore throats.
• Euro-Americans
• When seen growing along stream banks by pioneers, the buds bore a resinous coating claimed to have aromatic, expectorant qualities, making it reminiscect of balm of Gilead.
• Contemporary
• Later studies suggested the buds contained aspirin-like qualities.
• The salicylic acid in its resin-coated buds has been marketed for use in removing corns and calluses and removing parasites. Currently use is in perfume production and as an aromatic drug additive.

15. Tanbark Oak  (Quercus densiflora Hook. and Arn.)

• Native Americans
• An astringent for dysentery and sore eyes.
• Euro-Americans
• Once prized and theref subsequently overharvested, this tree served as the chief tannin source for the west coast.  Its tannins served Oriental and Regular pharmacies with tannins, for use as an astringent.
• By the late 1800s, the tannins from this was one of the first local medicines to become a part of the offerings by Oriental Medicine stores.
• Contemporary
• Hospital Formulary Guides still recommend it for use as an astringent to control internal and external bleeding, and for administration in certain cases of poisoning.

16. Sphagnum Moss

• (Sphagnum cymbifolium Ehrh.; S. imbricatum)
• Native Americans
• Used by Makah to dress wounds, and by Chinook to make sanitary napkins.
• Euro-Americans
• Contemporary
• During WW I and WW II the American Red Cross made heavy use of Oregon’s Moss Bogs, encouraging local residents to collect and deliver Sphagnum to their agents, who then shipped it to factories where it was sterilized and then used as filler for surgical dressings.

17. Wild Sage  (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.)

• Native Americans
• Used by Native Americans for incense and for spiritual healing.
• The local Artemisia was used to produce a stick which they burnt very much like incense or the Orinetal equivalent–moxi.
• Euro-Americans
• It has served Native and Euro-Americans as a valuable worm remedy.
• During the Oregon Trail years, to some it represented the cure for the most deadly Trail epidemic–Asiatic Cholera.
• Contemporary
• The santonin from this herb was once a popular worm remedy.

18. Black Snakeroot

• (Sanicula spp., esp. S. marilandica L.)
• Native Americans
• As the common name implies, the root was used by Native Americans as a snakebite remedy.
• Euro-Americans
• Common to the trail, Euro-Americans came to accept it for its astringent, anti-fever and antispasmodic properties.
• Contemporary

19. Prairie Coneflower

• (Ratibada columnifera (Nutt.) Wooton & Standley)
• Native Americans
• Euro-Americans
• Discovered along the westward trails soon after the gold rush, it came to be a popular
• Contemporary
• Its use has continued to this day, with recent studies focussed on its effects on the immune system due to a polysaccharide in the root.

20. False Hellebore (Veratrum eschscholtzii Gray)

• Native Americans
• A highly diluted drink made this plant was used to treat rheumatism.
• Euro-Americans
• Quite toxic, the few who used it felt it served as a valuable lice cure externally and a strong sedative.
• Contemporary
• The steroidal alkaloids produced from this plant have been used to make other steroid drugs such as cryptenamine [Wallace brand name-UnitensenR], a valuable hypotensive agent.

21. Great Willow-herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.)

• Native Americans
• Bathed in to treat invalid states, and infused for productionn of a sore throat remedy.
• Euro-Americans
• Its emmolient, astringent nature made it a popular internal and external medicine and one of the most valuable medicines for Trail pioneers.  Thick, oil-like concoctions made from it, known as Oil of Fireweed was one of the most popular herbal medicines of the nineteenth century.
• Contemporary
• One of the first plants to re-seed itself after a forest fire, it serves as an indicator of enviromental recovery.

22. Wild Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth.)

• Native Americans
• Leaves were used to treat colic and headaches; flowers to make an eyewash.
• Euro-Americans
• Immediately came to be favored for use in treating pulmonary and bronchial disease by about 1875.
• Heavy use led to its rapid dispersions along the Oregon Trail where it now has become a permanent resident due to its own passage as a “hitchhiker” of use to many trail pioneers.
• Contemporary

23. Blood-root (Eriogonum nudum Dougl.)

• Native Americans
• Euro-Americans
• Considered a blood purifier and treatment for lung disorders.
• A lung remedy for bronchial problems like asthma and hayfever, once common throughout the Willamette Valley, whcih has since become over-harvested by early Euro-American settlers.
• Contemporary

24. Yerba Buena (Mentha arvensis L.)

• Native Americans
• Emplease como tonica, y como condimento y para obtener una esencia de menta inferior. [D. Blas Lazaro e Ibiza. Plantas Medicinales, ca. 1920.]
• Euro-Americans
• Re-discovered by California doctor J. Bundy, ca. 1873, for use as as a tonic and peppermint flavor substitute.
• Contemporary
• Cultivated

25.  Chapparal/Creosote Bush (Larrea divaricata subsp.      tridentata (DC) Felger & Lowe)

• Native Americans
• A solution for bathing in or treating wounds was produced by boiling the twigs in water.
• Euro-Americans
• Served as another popular remedy for rheumatism.
• Contemporary
• The antiseptic phenolic compounds from this plant have are also used to perform immune system behavior studies.

26. Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.; A. incarnata L.)

• Native American
• A vegetable, chewing gum and cordage source.
• Euro-American
• A bitter tonic and pain reliever.
• Contemporary
• Its steroidal set of compounds–lazaroids–are currently being tested by a major drug company for use in treating aging, stroke and heart attack-related tissue damage.

27. Male Fern (Dryopteris Filix-mas L.)

• Native Americans
• The foung fronds, serving as a spring vegetable, also served as an intestinal cleanser due to a natural worm remedy.
• Euro-Americans
• A continuing worm remedy sold in pill form throughout the 19th century for use as a worm remedy in farm animals and in children.
• Contemporary
• The oleoresin from this plant still serves as a tapeworm remedy.

28. Trillium (Trillium ovatum Pursh.)

• Native Americans
• Used as an eye wash and “love medicine”
• Euro-Americans
• Considered an astringent by some, and a valuable remedy for uterine afflictions by other, especially for treating problems associated with menses.
• Contemporary
• Steroids extracted from this plant have been used at times in the production of steroid medicines.

29. Clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum L.)

• Native Americans
• Its fibery nature made it a interesting addition to bandage- or poultice-packing recipes.
• Euro-Americans
• Limited its use to that of a diuretic for treating kidney problems and lumbago (lower back pain)
• Contemporary
• The spores are oil-rich and were collected in large amounts to be used as absorbants: to prevent sticking between tablets and capsules, and until quite recently, to prevent the Diaphragm birth control devices from sticking to one another during the packaging and shipment processes.

30.  Mariposa Lily (Calochortus macrocarpus Dougl.)

• Native Americans
• The starch-rich rootstock served as a valuable nutrient during periods of low fruit and vegetable production, and thus prevented starvation by providing important nutriment and vitamins.
• Euro-Americans
• Considered less palatable by early Euro-Americans, and perhaps gas-forming.
• Contemporary

31.  Black Willow (Salix nigra Marsh)

• Native Americans
• A drink made from the bark was taken to treat sore throat and fevers.
• Euro-Americans
• Teas were boiled down to produce a resin called Salicin, which was applied to warts and rolled into pills with a little flour for use as a remedy for intestinal worms, dyspepsia and fevers.
• Contemporary
• The salicin continues to be used as a dissolvant for warts, and led to the discovery of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] such as aspirin, and more recently ibuprofen.

32.  Camas (Quamassia quamash (Pursh.) Coville)

• Native Americans
• A primary nutrient for Northwest Native American diets, harvested throughout much of the year.
• Euro-Americans
• A starch-rich survival food for members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, who at times developed dyspepsia from it.
• Contemporary

33.  Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq.)

• Native Americans
• Treats rheumatism, tubersulosis and post-labor menstrual absence or irregularity.
• Euro-Americans
• On occasion used as an emetic or tonic.
• Contemporary
• Repeatedly studies for its steroidal compounds which have been shown to improve stamina and endurance in animal studies and possibly in human athlete studies at recent olympic events.

34.  Roundheart. (Thapsium atropurpureum Nutt.)

• Native Americans
• Used by Native Americans as a cure for rattlesnake bites.
• Euro-Americans
• Considered most valuable as an antisyphilitic and diaphoretic.
• Contemporary
• Decorative due to its heart-shaped leaves.

35.  Madrone/Madrono (Arbutus menziesii Pursh)

• Native Americans
• Los frutos son comestibles y astringentes y la raiz usada contra las hemorragias.
• Euro-Americans
• The fruit was used as an astringent to stop bleeding
• Contemporary
• A source for unedo dye.
• ADDITIONAL: INCOMPLETE (Probably not useful due to lack of “Contemporary” notes.
• Let me know if I should cover any of these:

36.  Chantrelle Mushroom (Cantherellus sp.)

• Native Americans
• Served as a dye source.
• Euro-Americans
• Contemporary
• Source of canthaxanthins, used to treat erythropoietic protoporphyria [EPP].

37.  Camas (Quamassia quamash (Pursh.) Coville)

• Native Americans
• A primary nutrient for Northwest Native American diets, harvested throughout much of the year.
• Euro-Americans
• A starch-rich survival food for members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, who at times developed dyspepsia from it.
• Contemporary

38.  Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum (Hook. and Arn.)       Torrey)

• Native Americans
• Euro-Americans
• Important to Oregon Trail and Santa Fe Trail pioneers for use as an expectorant, blood purifier and tonic.
• Contemporary
• Extracts of this plant have been in use as a flavorant to disguise the flavor of more bitter medicines.

39.  Lomatium (Lomatium cous (Wats.) Coult. & Rose)

• Native Americans
• A valuable food source with a flavor much like that of a ginseng according to Meriwether Lewis.
• Euro-Americans
• One of several medicines pruchased by Lewis and Clark from Native Americans during their exploration of the Northwest.  Used to make a poultice for John Potts after cutting his leg.
• Contemporary
• Undergoing research for potential use in (glandular activities?/immune system?)

40.  Wood Fern (Dryopteris dilata (Hoffm.) Gray)

• Native Americans
• Used to produce a poultice for wounds and sores.
• Euro-Americans
• Contemporary

41.  Bracken Fern/Brake (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, var.      lanuginosum (Bong.) Fern)

• Native Americans
• An important source for food and nutrient drawing the attraction of explorers like Lewis and Clark.
• Euro-Americans
• Contemporary

42. Salal (Gautheria shallon Pursh)

• Native Americans
• Used by Native Americans as a treatment for chest and stomach afflictions such as heartburn, diarrhea, cough, and tuberculosis.
• Euro-Americans
• Contemporary

43.  Wild Onion (Allium spp.)

• Native Americans
• Euro-Americans
• Lewis and Clark purchased this from Native Americans.
• Contemporary

44. Alkali Grass (Zygadenus elegans Pursh.)

• Native Americans
• Euro-Americans
• A relative of the Death Camas (Z. venenosus Wats.), this was potential cattle and oxen poison across the Rocky Mountains, especially in the Olympic Mountains area and near or along riverways.
• Contemporary

45.  Death Camas (Zygadenus venenosus Wats.)

• Native Americans
• Euro-Americans
• Contemporary
• Other name: Hog Potato.  A poisonous plant resembling the edible starch-root producing Camas, causes nervous disorders like convulsions prior to death.  Used externally to treat rheumatism, boils, sprains and bruises.

46.  Yerba Mansa

47.  Wapato

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Part 2

Brian L. Altonen     AN ETHNOBOTANY OF SELECT NORTHWEST FLORA

Nineteen plants identified as very important to local history as of 6/3/95

Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana DC)                6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans traditionally used the bark to make a dye and a medicine.
  • Euro-americans its most common use as a laxative, a use which persists till this day.
  • Historically Cascara and Oregon Grape were considered a crucial part of most weekly blood tonic and internal cleansing recipes.
  • It was introduced by Parke, Davis and Company to the world market in 1878.
  • Planting notes: Shade tree.  Grows well, though droops due to heavy foliage and untrimming.  Not toxic.  Would take quite a bit of fruit to cause a laxative effect.  The leaf is not much of a problem either.  As for chewing sticks???

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium (Lindl.) Don.)                   6/3/95

• Text:
  • Introduced with Cascara to the national market by Dr. Joseph Horatio Bundy of California, this plant was later found to contain colorful alkaloids which were bitter.
  • By 1880 this made it another of Oregon’s nationally advertised herbal medicines.  It is contained in the recipe for “Indian cure for all sorts of diseases” provided to 1845 trail pioneers by “Dr. Wm. Dain.”  Parke-Davis and Company added it to their products by about 1878.
  • Planting notes:  Mahonia grows erect to 5 to 8 feet height, does require trimming.  The leaves are holly like and can scratch the skin.  Still the shrub grows well, is evergreen, and heat and drought tolerant.  Periodically (ca, every 4 to 8 years) produces achlorophyllic shoots near base of untrimmed specimens, possibly due to a virus or nutrient stress (last seen ca. 1992/3).

Mountain Barberry (Berberis repens Lindl.)            6/3/95

• Text:
  • Dr. James Den[n]ison of Klamath Indian Agency identified this as the local equivalent for the California species noted by the American Pharmaceutical Association in their June 1876 Proceedings.
  • This made it a valuable addition or substitute to Oregon Grape medical recipes.
  • Planting Notes:  Very easy to attend to.  Contrasts well with Mahonia as a decorative; plant alongside one another for a comparison.  Another species, B. nervosa Pursh., is the common short, shrub-like Berberis found throught PortlandPark woodlands.  Its use is the same although without the same sort of unusual history as B. repens.  There is a ground-cover Berberis (of California?) as well.

Gum Plant/Tar Weed (Grindelia glutinosa; G. robusta; G. cuneifolia)

6/3/95

• Text:
  • Considered a cure for rattlesnake bites by Native Americans and early settlers,
  • this later became accepted as a poison ivy and asthma remedy by Euro-Americans.
  • For a brief time, it became an official medicine for asthma, and was grown and harvested by pharmaceutical firms, many still in existence today.  Recent uses are few, except by herbalists and naturopaths.
  • Planting notes:  Ability to spread uncertain, does require dry range-like conditions to be hearty and willing to spread.  Also, resin content of leaf surface unknown–may be sticky and stain passer-bys and animals (companion pets).

Yew Tree (Taxus baccata L.)                             6/3/95

• Text:
  • Used by Native Americans as an emmenagogue–to promote menstruation–Euro-American felt its medicinal use to quite limited.
  • In 19[81?] it was found to contain the cancer drug Taxol, recently accepted for use in treating ovarian and breast cancer.
  • Special Note:  I would not be surprised if a lay-herbalist or unfamiliar hospital worker feared the effects of this plant, labelling it “a toxic, cancer-drug producer.”  Realize that the common opinion in textbooks is that the berries are toxic, often noted even in discussion with PoisonControlCenter [PCC] (who use the same texts). The true toxin in the fruit is in the black seed, and not in the bright red aril surrounding the naked seed.  This black seed is not ingestible unless cracked (it is stone-hard) or powdered.  Therefore, Taxine (an alkaloid) toxicity is not a problem.   And Taxol requires excessive amounts to be consumed to produce a near-intoxication.  Thus poisoning is most likely not a problem due to limitations of amounts needed to ingest before showing  a likelihood of dangerous human consumption.  Some concern exists though regarding aril-color and curiosity it might result in, and capable of leading to its consumption by toddlers.  Also, concerns by parents might be good reason to grow Taxus with caution, if at all.
  • For more, see:  1)  PCC’s Poisindex microfiche/ computer database;  2)  American Medical Association’s AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, (American Medical Association, Chicago, 1985); 3)  Anthony Tu’s (Editor) Handbook of Toxicology: Poisonous Plants and Fungi.

Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)                     6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans used this to treat stomach pains.
  • The National Cancer Institute sponsored studies in the late 1960s which showed the deoxypodophyllotoxin contained in its bark to be a potential anti-cancer drug similar to one used in today’s treatment for testicular carcinoma, and small cell lung carcinoma.
  • [the yang for the yin for local cancer treatments? i.e the Calocedrus for men and the Taxus for women.]
  • Planting Notes:  very manageable, though can grow quite tall.  Some needle fall-time foliage (?).  Examples seen in 1993 hike through Hoyt Arboretum,  Redwood Trail: Stop # 16.

Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.)  6/3/95

• Text:
  • Until the mid-twentieth century, Juniper berries were considered an official medicine by pharmaceutical industries.
  • Use as an addition to steam bath therapies by Native Americans, and a diuretic by Euro-Americans, its current use is as a flavorant for gin.
  • Planting Notes: Cover plant.  Full-bodied shrub, needs trim due to irritation in summertimes from pointed needles.  Pleasurably Aromatic.  Berries non-toxic.  Some dwarf specimens available.

Ponderosa/Western Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.)                                                               6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans chewed the resin.  At the Lewis and Clark Exposition various local companies promoted use of its excelsior–the aromatic coarse pulp made from its wood–as mattress and pillow stuffing.
  • A few years earlier, doctors began promoting excelsior as an a pesticide (for bed bugs), a germicide (for pneumonia, tuberculosis, colds and flus) and a sleep inducer/aid.
  • Planting Notes:  decorative; resinous and potentially staining/dripping.

Balsam Fir (Abies concolor Lindl. and Gord.)             6/3/95

• Text:
  • A tea made from the tips of young branches was used as a diuretic and a malaria treatment.  The balsam, which forms blisters the bark, was used to treat coughs and colds, and is still used as an important natural resource for perfume, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Planting Notes:  decorative; slightly resinous; typically this is not a problem to passer-bys and curious onlookers.

Canada Snakeroot/Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)     6/3/95

• Text:
  • Honored by Native Americans who used it as a remedy for poisonous snake bites. Euro-Americans promoted it for treating “female complaints.”  Currently it is used by herbalists and some food industries as a Ginger flavor substitute.
  • Planting notes:  capable of handling sunlight, and dry soils once the colony is well established.  It prefers shade and moderate watering.  Likely to be harvested for a tasting, due to its palatability–will then be quite bitter until rhizome is dried and therefore, at first, not credible by readers.

Kinnikinick  (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.)   6/3/95

• Text:
  • For both Native Americans and Euro-Americans the leaves were commonly used as a diuretic and a remedy for urinary tract infections.  Most other alternative medical practitioners focused on same, attributing their effect to the mild acidic nature of their leaf.
  • Planting Notes:  Excellent low-lying to groundcover plant. Long-lasting; needs little trimming.  Forms solid mats up to several yards across.  Needs trimming occasionally to keep from overgrowing concrete portions.

Balm of Gilead/Balsam Poplar (Populus balsaminifera)  6/3/95

• Text:
  • When seen growing along stream banks by pioneers, the buds bore a resinous coating they claimed possessed aromatic, expectorant qualities.  Later studies suggested the buds also contained aspirin-like qualities.  Currently use is in perfume production and as an aromatic drug additive.
  • Planting notes:  my first impressions: a fast-growing shade tree, although it probably should not be planted .  May be too adventitious, pioneering, and capable of depositing too many seeds capable of germinating.  Since wood is relatively weak, it tends to loose many branches in the winter and during storms.

Tanbark Oak  (Quercus densiflora Hook. and Arn.)         6/3/95

• Text:
  • Once prized and subsequently overharvested, this tree served as the chief tannin source for the west coast.  Its tannins served Oriental and Regular pharmacies with tannins, for use as an astringent.
  • Planting notes:  can be grown, with fair need of annual pruning, though not necessarily each year.

Sphagnum Moss (various Sphagnum species: esp. S. imbricatum)   6/3/95

• Text:
  • During WW I and WW II the American Red Cross made heavy use of Oregon’s Moss Bogs.  They encouraged local residents to deliver Sphagnum to agents on the West Coast, who then shipped it to factories where it was sterilized by boiling and then made into surgical dressings.
  • Not plantable.
  • SPECIAL NOTE:
  • The plants on these next three pages are perhaps the most important herbal medicnes in Oregon Trail history (some are primarily mid-western, but Oregon-grown as well):

Wild Sage  (Artemisia spp.); i.e. A. tridentata, A. frigida, A. californica.                  6/3/95

• Text:
  • Used by Native Americans for incense and for spiritual healing.  It has served Native and Euro-Americans as a valuable worm remedy.  During the Oregon Trail years, to some it represented the cure for the most deadly Trail epidemic–Asiatic Cholera.
  • [ADD?: Asian Americans considered it an equivalent to the Oriental Moxi (a medicinal burning stick applied to acupuncture sites).]
  • Planting Notes:  Aromatic, like in the range lands. Non-toxic.  Shrubby.  Needs limited trimming.  Several different species might be of some interest to passer-bys, i.e see Freemont’s Sage (A. freemontti), of Capt. Freemont and Western Exploration history.

Black Snakeroot (Sanicula spp., esp. S. marilandica L.)

6/3/95

• Text:
  • As the common name implies, the root was used by Native Americans as yet another snakebite remedy.  Being common to the trail, Euro-Americans later accepted it for its astringency, anti-fever and antispasmodic properties, follow trials of its use.
  • Planting notes: unknown.  Can propbably tolerate sun.

Prairie Coneflower        (Echinacea sp.; ca. 1885 discovery).  or (Ratibada sp.; ca. 1860 discovery)

6/3/95

• Text:
  • A considerably late entry into herbal medicine, introduced to professionals during the late 1800s by John Uri Lloyd.  Its use has continued to this day, with recent studies focussed on its effects on the immune system due to a polysaccharide in the root.
  • Planting notes:  Non-toxic.  Very decorative, memorable, and I believe a poorly-spreading perennial, therefore non-invasive.

Willow-herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.)                 6/3/95

• Text:
  • This is one of the first plants to re-seed itself after a forest fire.  Its astringent nature made it a popular internal and external medicine and one of the most popular medications following its discovery by pioneers.  Thick, oil-like concoctions made from it, known as Oil of Fireweed, became on of the most popular herbal medicines of the nineteenth century.
  • Planting notes:
  • ***invasive and adventitious; capable of spreading along tracks, but not unusual or problematic to this area (see Trimet track sections between LloydPlaza and 42nd Street, along dirt roadway by storage facility.

Wild Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum, and others)

6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans used it as a colic and headache remedy.  This led to its continued sightings along the Oregon Trail and use as a remedy for many trail disorders by pioneers.

Blood-root (Eriogonum nudum)                             6/3/95

• Text:
  • A lung remedy for bronchial problems like asthma and hayfever, and once common throughout the WillametteValley leading to heavy harvesting by early Euro-Americans.
  • ***Combine with the above?  More info?
  • Planting Notes:  If viney, then invasive; needs tending to to keep in control within growing vessel.  Probably pioneer sepcies, will grow along the barren lands and in freshly turned soils along or between Tri-Met tracks.
  • Like many Legumes, this will most likely spread all along the rails; recall Scotch Broom and several Locust, Lotus and Clover legumes along rails in Northeast Tri-Met track section near N.E. 45th to 82nd, and escapees from Vietnamese/Korean herb-vegetable gardens in this section of twon.

SUM:  19 covered as of 6/3/95

HISTORICAL PLANTS TO AVOID PLANTING:

• Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum, Apocymun spp..)
• Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis) [Avoid???]
• Mints are popular amongst herbalists and way too adventitious.
• Other mints: Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) (though more tolerable to display)
• Mints perhaps pertinent to this history and more fit for display:
• American Bugleweed      (Lycopus americana),
• Dead Nettle             (Lamium purpureum).
• Cow Parsnip  (Heracleum lanatum)
• Possibly too adventitious.
• Obnoxious, nauseating maple-syrup-like aroma (not     good for those prone to motion sickness).
• Gum-weeds/Tar-weeds (Madia spp.)
• possibly too adventitious
• obnoxious, due to tar-like, staining resin coating the            entire plant.

ADDENDA to consider planting/covering for display:

Others to research for inclusion:

• Rattlesnake Weed (Daucus pusillus Michx.) a relative of Wild Carrot/Queen Ann’s Lace (D. carota L.).
• FERNS:
  • Sword Fern?
  • Licorice Fern
  • Pasture Brake
  • Male Fern
  • Female Fern
  • Maiden Hair Fern?
• Lomatium          (Lomatium cous)
• Manzanita  (Arctostaphylos manzanita)  Use by Native Americans for its edible fruit, and therapeutic plant juice applied to infectious skin lesions and irritated eyes.
• Madrone                 (Arbutus menziesii)
• Milkweed                (Asclepius spp.)
• Oregon/Bay Myrtle       (Umbellularia californica)
• Oregon/Red Alder (Alnus rubra/um)
• Red Huckleberry   (Vaccinium sp.)
• Salal                   (Gaultheria shallon)
• Of a mild astringent nature.
• Service Berry     (Amelanchier sp.)
• Yerba Buena
• Yerba Mansa
• Greek Valerian    (Polemonium reptans)
• Bears Foot        (Polymnia uvedalis)
• Valerian                (Valeriana sp.)  or relative of Valerian.

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Part 3

Brian L. Altonen     AN ETHNOBOTANY OF SELECT NORTHWEST FLORA

Nineteen plants covered as of 6/3/95

Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana DC)                6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans traditonally used the bark to make a dye and a medicine.
  • Euro-americans its most common use as a laxative, a use which persists till this day.
  • Historically Cascara and Oregon Grape were considered a crucial part of most weekly blood tonic and internal cleansing recipes.
  • It was introduced by Parke, Davis and Company to the world market in 1878.
  • Planting notes: Shade tree.  Grows well, though droops due to heavy foliage and untrimming.  Not toxic.  Would take quite a bit of fruit to cause a laxative effect.  The leaf is not much of a problem either.  As for chewing sticks???

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium (Lindl.) Don.)                   6/3/95

• Text:
  • Introduced with Cascara to the national market by Dr. Joseph Horatio Bundy of California, this plant was later found to contain colorful alkaloids which were bitter.
  • By 1880 this made it another of Oregon’s nationally advertised herbal medicines.  It is contained in the recipe for “Indian cure for all sorts of diseases” provided to 1845 trail pioneers by “Dr. Wm. Dain.”  Parke-Davis and Company added it to their products by about 1878.
  • Planting notes:  Mahonia grows erect to 5 to 8 feet height, does require trimming.  The leaves are holly like and can scratch the skin.  Still the shrub grows well, is evergreen, and heat and drought tolerant.  Periodically (ca, every 4 to 8 years) produces achlorophyllic shoots near base of untrimmed specimens, possibly due to a virus or nutrient stress (last seen ca. 1992/3).

Mountain Barberry (Berberis repens Lindl.)            6/3/95

• Text:
  • Dr. James Den[n]ison of Klamath Indian Agency identified this as the local equivalent for the California species noted by the American Pharmaceutical Association in their June 1876 Proceedings.
  • This made it a valuable addition or substitute to Oregon Grape medical recipes.
  • Planting Notes:  Very easy to attend to.  Contrasts well with Mahonia as a decorative; plant alongside one another for a comparison.  Another species, B. nervosa Pursh., is the common short, shrub-like Berberis found throught Portland Park woodlands.  Its use is the same although without the same sort of unusual history as B. repens.  There is a ground-cover Berberis (of California?) as well.

Gum Plant/Tar Weed (Grindelia glutinosa; G. robusta; G. cuneifolia)

6/3/95

• Text:
  • Considered a cure for rattlesnake bites by Native Americans and early settlers,
  • this later became accepted as a poison ivy and asthma remedy by Euro-Americans.
  • For a brief time, it became an official medicine for asthma, and was grown and harvested by pharmaceutical firms, many still in existence today.  Recent uses are few, except by herbalists and naturopaths.
  • Planting notes:  Ability to spread uncertain, does require dry range-like conditions to be hearty and willing to spread.  Also, resin content of leaf surface unknown–may be sticky and stain passer-bys and animals (companion pets).

Yew Tree (Taxus baccata L.)                             6/3/95

• Text:
  • Used by Native Americans as an emmenagogue–to promote menstruation–Euro-American felt its medicinal use to quite limited.
  • In 19[81?]  it was found to contain the cancer drug Taxol, recently accepted for use in treating ovarian and breast cancer.
  • Special Note:  I would not be surprised if a lay-herbalist or unfamiliar hospital worker feared the effects of this plant, labelling it “a toxic, cancer-drug producer.”  Realize that the common opinion in textbooks is that the berries are toxic, often noted even in discussion with Poison Control Center [PCC] (who use the same texts). The true toxin in the fruit is in the black seed, and not in the bright red aril surrounding the naked seed.  This black seed is not ingestible unless cracked (it is stone-hard) or powdered.  Therefore, Taxine (an alkaloid) toxicity is not a problem.   And Taxol requires excessive amounts to be consumed to produce a near-intoxication.  Thus poisoning is most likely not a problem due to limitations of amounts needed to ingest before showing  a likelihood of dangerous human consumption.  Some concern exists though regarding aril-color and curiosity it might result in, and capable of leading to its consumption by toddlers.  Also, concerns by parents might be good reason to grow Taxus with caution, if at all.
  • For more, see:  1)  PCC’s Poisindex microfiche/ computer database;  2)  American Medical Association’s AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, (American Medical Association, Chicago, 1985); 3)  Anthony Tu’s (Editor) Handbook of Toxicology: Poisonous Plants and Fungi.

Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)                     6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans used this to treat stomach pains.
  • The National Cancer Institute sponsored studies in the late 1960s which showed the deoxypodophyllotoxin contained in its bark to be a potential anti-cancer drug similar to one used in today’s treatment for testicular carcinoma, and small cell lung carcinoma.  [recall the yang for the yin for local cancer treatments? i.e the Calocedrus for men and the Taxus for women.]
  • Planting Notes:  very manageable, though can grow quite tall.  Some needle fall-time foliage (?).  Examples seen in 1993 hike through Hoyt Arboretum,  Redwood Trail: Stop # 16.

Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.)

6/3/95

• Text:
  • Until the mid-twentieth century, Juniper berries were considered an official medicine by pharmaceutical industries.
  • Use as an addition to steam bath therapies by Native Americans, and a diuretic by Euro-Americans, its current use is as a flavorant for gin.
  • Planting Notes: Cover plant.  Full-bodied shrub, needs trim due to irritation in summertimes from pointed needles.  Pleasurably Aromatic.  Berries non-toxic.  Some dwarf specimens available.

Ponderosa/Western Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.)                                                               6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans chewed the resin.  At the Lewis and Clark Exposition various local companies promoted use of its excelsior–the aromatic coarse pulp made from its wood–as mattress and pillow stuffing.
  • A few years earlier, doctors began promoting excelsior as an a pesticide (for bed bugs), a germicide (for pneumonia, tuberculosis, colds and flus) and a sleep inducer/aid.
  • Planting Notes:  decorative; resinous and potentially staining/dripping.

Balsam Fir (Abies concolor Lindl. and Gord.)             6/3/95

• Text:
  • A tea made from the tips of young branches was used as a diuretic and a malaria treatment.  The balsam, which forms blisters the bark, was used to treat coughs and colds, and is still used as an important natural resource for perfume, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Planting Notes:  decorative; slightly resinous; typically this is not a problem to passer-bys and curious onlookers.
  • Canada Snakeroot/Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)     6/3/95
  • Text:  Honored by Native Americans who used it as a remedy for poisonous snake bites. Euro-Americans promoted it for treating “female complaints.”  Currently it is used by herbalists and some food industries as a Ginger flavor substitute.
  • Planting notes:  capable of handling sunlight, and dry soils once the colony is well established.  It prefers shade and moderate watering.  Likely to be harvested for a tasting, due to its palatability–will then be quite bitter until rhizome is dried and therefore, at first, not credible by readers.

Kinnikinick  (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.)   6/3/95

• Text:
  • For both Native Americans and Euro-Americans the leaves were commonly used as a diuretic and a remedy for urinary tract infections.  Most other alternative medical practitioners focused on same, attributing their effect to the mild acidic nature of their leaf.
  • Planting Notes:  Excellent low-lying to groundcover plant. Long-lasting; needs little trimming.  Forms solid mats up to several yards across.  Needs trimming occasionally to keep from overgrowing concrete portions.

Balm of Gilead/Balsam Poplar (Populus balsaminifera)  6/3/95

• Text:
  • When seen growing along stream banks by pioneers, the buds bore a resinous coating they claimed possessed aromatic, expectorant qualities.  Later studies suggested the buds also contained aspirin-like qualities.  Currently use is in perfume production and as an aromatic drug additive.
  • Planting notes:  my first impressions: a fast-growing shade tree, although it probably should not be planted .  May be too adventitious, pioneering, and capable of depositing too many seeds capable of germinating.  Since wood is relatively weak, it tends to loose many branches in the winter and during storms.

Tanbark Oak  (Quercus densiflora Hook. and Arn.)         6/3/95

• Text:
  • Once prized and susequently overharvested, this tree served as the chief tannin source for the west coast.  Its tannins served Oriental and Regular pharmacies with tannins, for use as an astringent.
  • Planting notes:  can be grown, with fair need of annual pruning, though not necessarily each year.

Sphagnum Moss  (various Sphagnum species: esp. S. imbricatum)   6/3/95

• Text:
  • During WW I and WW II the American Red Cross made heavy use of Oregon’s Moss Bogs.  They encouraged local residents to deliver Sphagnum to agents on the West Coast, who then shipped it to factories where it was sterilized by boiling and then made into surgical dressings.
  • Not plantable.

SPECIAL NOTE:

The plants on these next three pages are perhaps the most important herbal medicnes in Oregon Trail history (some are primarily mid-western, but Oregon-grown as well):

Wild Sage  (Artemisia spp.); i.e. A. tridentata, A. frigida, A. californica.                  6/3/95

• Text:
  • Used by Native Americans for incense and for spiritual healing.  It has served Native and Euro-Americans as a valuable worm remedy.  During the Oregon Trail years, to some it represented the cure for the most deadly Trail epidemic–Asiatic Cholera.
  • [ADD?: Asian Americans considered it an equivalent to the Oriental Moxi (a medicinal burning stick applied to acupuncture sites).]
  • Planting Notes:  Aromatic, like in the range lands. Non-toxic.  Shrubby.  Needs limited trimming.  Several different species might be of some interest to passer-bys, i.e see Freemont’s Sage (A. freemontti), of Capt. Freemont and Western Exploration history.

Black Snakeroot (Sanicula spp., esp. S. marilandica L.)

6/3/95

• Text:
  • As the common name implies, the root was used by Native Americans as yet another snakebite remedy.  Being common to the trail, Euro-Americans later accepted it for its astringency, anti-fever and antispasmodic properties, follow trials of its use.
  • Planting notes: unknown.  Can propbably tolerate sun.

Prairie Coneflower        (Echinacea sp.; ca. 1885 discovery).  or (Ratibada sp.; ca. 1860 discovery)                                  6/3/95

• Text:
  • A considerably late entry into herbal medicine, introduced to professionals during the late 1800s by John Uri Lloyd.  Its use has continued to this day, with recent studies focussed on its effects on the immune system due to a polysaccharide in the root.
  • Planting notes:  Non-toxic.  Very decorative, memorable, and I believe a poorly-spreading perennial, therefore non-invasive.

Willow-herb (Epilobium angustifolium L.)                 6/3/95

• Text:
  • This is one of the first plants to re-seed itself after a forest fire.  Its astringent nature made it a popular internal and external medicine and one of the most popular medications following its discovery by pioneers.  Thick, oil-like concoctions made from it, known as Oil of Fireweed, became on of the most popular herbal medicines of the nineteenth century.
  • Planting notes:
  • ***invasive and adventitious; capable of spreading along tracks, but not unusual or problematic to this area (see Trimet track sections between Lloyd Plaza and 42nd Street, along dirt roadway by storage facility.

Wild Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum, and others)  6/3/95

• Text:
  • Native Americans used it as a colic and headache remedy.  This led to its continued sightings along the Oregon Trail and use as a remedy for many trail disorders by pioneers.

Blood-root (Eriogonum nudum)                             6/3/95

• Text:
  • A lung remedy for bronchial problems like asthma and hayfever, and once common throughout the Willamette Valley leading to heavy harvesting by early Euro-Americans.
  • ***Combine with the above?  More info?
  • Planting Notes:  If viney, then invasive; needs tending to to keep in control within growing vessel.  Probably pioneer sepcies, will grow along the barren lands and in freshly turned soils along or between Tri-Met tracks.
  • Like many Legumes, this will most likely spread all along the rails; recall Scotch Broom and several Locust, Lotus and Clover legumes along rails in Northeast Tri-Met track section near N.E. 45th to 82nd, and escapees from Vietnamese/Korean herb-vegetable gardens in this section of twon.

SUM:  19 covered as of 6/3/95

ADDED NOTES:

The following important species are noted in the late 19th century article, “Medicinal Plants Indigenous to the Northwest.”  (From a paper read by Mr. Peter Jensen of Fern Hill, Wash., before the W.S.P.A.) Pharmacal Digest August 1896, vol. 2, no. 2. p. 23.

1. Uva-Ursi–Uva-Ursi      (very abundant)
2. Oregon Grape Root–Berberris (sic) Aquifolia (very abundant)
3. Wild Cherry–Prunus Virginiana
4. Hops–Humulus
5. Dogwood–Cornus
6. Skunk Cabbage–Symplocarpus Foetidus
7. Wor[m]wood–Absinthium (grows very rampant)
8. Sage–Salvia Officinalis
9. Male Fern–Aspidium Filis-mas  (not very plentiful)
10. Digitalis–Digitalis Purpurea
11. Lady Slipper–Cypripedium
12. Catnip–Nepeta Cataria
13. Tansy–Tanacetum Vulgare
14. Pennyroyal–Hedeoma
15. Thyme–Thymus Vulgare
16. Boneset–Eupatorium
17. Plantain–Plantago Major
18. Dandelion–Taraxacum Officinale
19. Hydrastis–Hydrastis Canadensis
20. Sweet Bay–Laurus Nobilis
21. Balm Gilead–Abies Balsamifera (sic)
22. Sumach–Rhus glabra
23. Indian-Lettuce–Calumba Americana
24. American Saffron–Carthanus Tinctorius
25. Fireweed–Erechtnis (sic) Hieracifolia
26. Caraway–Carum Carvi
27. Poison Oak–Rhus Radicans
28. Anise–Pimpinenewia (sic) Anisum
29. Soapwort–Saponaris
30. Elder–Sambucus
31. Peppermint–Mentha piperita

31 total

Notes:  For the above, only 1, 2, 20, 21, 23, 25 and perhaps 29 are credible.  27 although native is not of any use.  The remaining are introduced, escaped or domestic.

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REFERENCES

Brian L. Altonen        BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY

Page – [1]

BIBLIOGRAPHY [6/23/95]

TEXTBOOKS

SECONDARY INFORMATION SOURCES

Deloria, Vine, Jr.  Indians of the Pacific Northwest.  Garden City,: Doubleday & Co., 1977.

Forlines, David. R, Terri Tavenner, Johannes C.S. Malan, and Joseph J. Karchesy.  “Plants of the Olympic Coastal Forests: Ancient Knowledge of Materials and Medicines and Future Heritage.”  In Plant Polyphenols, (R.W. Hemingway and P.E. Laks, Editors)  (New York: Plenum Press, 1992.) pp. 767-782.

Caution is advised regarding use of this data, other than as starting points for related research topics.  Although this data is told first hand by Native American Forlines, his untimely death before the article was started has resulted in a re-telling of the information, much of which appears to have been modified during this process.  Several plants, like Red Clover (Trifolium spp. (T. pratense/repens/ hybridum?)), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Chamomile (Matricaria matricarioides), for example were were introduced.  Trifolium in particular is a late comer in Northwest ethnobotanical history, being introduced by settlers about 1847-1855, but not widespread for another two or three decades thereafter.  More distressing is that the interdisciplinary approach taken comparing the Native American methodology with European and Chinese phytotherapy is fortuitous, but appears either extraneous or incomplete.  This material thus detracts from the meaning of the article as was  inferred in its title.  It does concentrate on phytopolyphenols.

Goldenweiser, Alexander.  “Culture of the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest.”  Oregon Historical Society Quarterly 41 (1949): 137-146.

See first precaution noted in END NOTE section.

Gordon, Maurice Bear.  Aesculepius Comes to The Colonies.

An important and extensive review of Colonial medicine in North America.  Only the “Introduction” has Amerind notes, which covers some of the effects native ethnobotany had on colonial medicine and compares Native American and Euro-American techniques.  Available at PSU Library, Medicine section, Floor 2.

Gunther, Erna.  Ethnobotany of Western Washington.  Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1970.  Originally printed 1945 as Ethnobotany of Western Washington, University of Washington Publications in Anthropology, Vol. X, no. 1, 1945.

51 pp., covers ca. 150 plants, and gives Native American names.  Available at Powells, usually at $5 (used); $10 new.  Details particular uses for plants and provides many specific tribal names.

_______. Klallam Ethnography.  University of Washington Publications in Anthropology, Vol. X, no. 5, January 1927.  pp. 171-314.

Reprinted as textbook, available at Multnomah Library. More detailed analyses than those found in Ethnobotany of Western Washington.

_______.  Plant Knowledge of the Makah Indians.  Little Gardens, Vol. 6, no. 1 (Spring 1935), pp. 1-2.

Found in Oregon Historical Society. Cover general ethnobotany.  For medicinal plants notes, the use of sphagnum moss for wrapping wounds [credible?].

Some plant name-plant use association has several naming errors.

Moore, Michael.  Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West.  Santa Fe: The Museum of New Mexico Press, 1979.

Ruby, Robert H., and Brown, John A.  Indians of the Pacific Northwest: A History.  Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1981.

Schultze, Carole Adele.  Resource Utilization Strategies and Settlement Patterning of the Klamath Indians: A Look at Gathering.  (Thesis: Department of History and Social Science, Reed College, April 1988.)

Underhill, Ruth.  Indians of the Pacific Northwest.  U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch of Education, Washington, D.C. 1944.

See pages 65-66 for “[Table] E. Full Names of Food Plants Commonly use in Western Washington and Oregon.” with lists of plant names and tribes that used them.  Related tables on basketry and cordage on p. 109.

Vogel, Virgil.  American Indian Medicine.  Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1970.

Several versions available at any time in Powell’s Bookstore in Native American, alternative medicine and ethnobotany sections.  Same text, but reprinted using different colors.  Available as new paperbacks-$20, and used hardcovers-$20.

AMERIND ETHNOBOTANY JOURNAL ARTICLES

“Medicine Men among the American Indians.”  Clio Medica.    Paul B. Heuber, Inc. 1932. [see p. 83.]

Available at OHSU Old Library [McKenzie Hall], on left following entrance into main stacks which is on Library Floor 2.  Time of writing and early nature of study causes mild concern for interpretation and conclusions drawn.

Moerman, D.E.  “The medicinal flora of native North America: an analysis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol. 31 (1991), pp. 1-42.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology articles are available at National College of Naturopathic Medicine Library in Portland, OR.  [NCNM Phone No. 255-4860.

Farnsworth, Norman R.  Ethnopharmacology and Future drug development: the North American Experience.  Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol. 38 (1993), pp. 145-152.

POISONOUS PLANTS

Muenscher, Walter Conrad. Poisonous Plants of the United States.  New York: Collier Books, 1939.

MANUSCRIPTS

Miller, John F. (Indian Agent.)  “Circular, Department of Interior.” [Letter dated August 20th 1859 to Office Grand Ronde Agency, from Department of Interior.”  Letter to Hon. A.B. Greenwood, Commissioner, from John F. Miller.  In collection at Oregon Historical Society Manuscript Room entitled Miller, John F. Papers. 1853-86. MSS 2297.

Viewed as a Negative Photo Image of the actual letter.  Original in possession of midwestern library.  Covers “York” (Narcotic. Oregon Grape?; “Penn” (a lily, possibly Mariposa Lily; and “Es-quck,” Wild Ginger/Asarum?

END NOTES

1)  Many articles published in Oregon Historical Society Quarterly during its early years of publication are questionable as to context, phraseology, judgements made, and conclusions drawn. Use them as leads for ethnobotany information possible valid refernces, but with caution regarding plant name-ethnobotanical practice associations. (Several imported plants or adventitious European plants are referred to out of context regarding time frame in which the writer claims they were used.)

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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:

LISTINGS

Possible Consultation Services to offer:

1.  Resource packet consisting of bibliography of     information sources regarding horticultural,    ethnobotanical, historical, and gardening       information.

2.  Listings of botanicals with potential       applicabilities to landscape/horticultural       projects.

3.  Proposals for possible lay-out of medicinal;      botanicals, presented and/or divided into the following categories (use of term “sources” refers    to botanicals):

a. By historical periods

i.e. Native American period (pre-1850)

Early Explorers-Trapper period

(ca. 1800-1837)

Plants related to Lewis and Clark                     Expedition.

Pioneer period (ca. 1837-1852)

Early Settler period (ca. 1852-1890)

Early Industrial period (ca. 1870-1920)

Plants related to Lewis and Clark                     Exposition.

Mid-Industrial period (ca. 1920-1960)

Contemporary medicines (1960-present)

b. By natural products chemistry/pharmacal          information

i.e. sources for cancer drugs

sources for heart drugs

potential sources for future drugs

sources for drugs currently undergoing                      Stages I, II and III medico-                              pharmacal   testing.

4.  Essays pertaining to the above materia medica.    [Important notes about these essays]:

a. Many of these plants have historical   significance due to their impact upon

modern day pharmaceutical manufactories, i.e.   Parke-Davis, Eli Lilly, Miles Laboratories,     Bristol-Meyer, Abbott Laboratories, etc.

b. Examples (those listed were discussed during       our phone conversation)

• Cascara sagrada
• Oregon Grape
• Foxglove
• Magnolia
• Oregon Yew
• Juniper
• Willow
• Dogwood

c. Proof-readings of any related writing projects/signs/pamphlets, less than 30 pages       in length.

SPECIAL NOTES:

NUMBER OF POSSIBLE PLANTS TO USE; INFORMATION UNCOVERED     AS OF 2/2/95:

For the Planters                          4 plus

Shade trees                                     9

Plus 2 others to be avoided.

Hedge row or ground cover shrubs          6

Plus 3 others to be avoided.

Moderate height shrubs/herbaceous

perennials                          2

Plus 2 others to be avoided.

Decorative perennials, biannuals

and possible annuals                8

Possible additions                        6

Plus 4 other broad categories

of pioneer plants to be avoided.

Groundcover herbs                         3

Possible additions                        1

Unmentioned class(es) of decor            none

Other Plants to Avoid                     6

As of 2/2/95:  SUM  45

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

INITIAL CONTRACT/PROSPECTIVE

Brian L. Altonen        Page-[1]              2/1/95

Provisions for Design Team proposal regarding Tuality Hospital Tri-Met Light Rail station.

TITLE:                  None.

Date (current):  February 2, 1995

Date of Project: To be determined

Consultant:  Brian L. Altonen/The Medical Garden

[SPECIAL NOTE: Items noted as “ADDENDUM” are contained only in the company’s project description, and are to be considered proprietary information until completion of contract and receipt of any payment due for consultation services.]

[SPECIAL NOTE: Items pertaining to consultation fees/research costs which are noted in italics are given as ESTIMATES.]

Provisions for Design Team proposal regarding Tuality Hospital Tri-Met Light Rail station.

Consultant:  Brian L. Altonen/The Medical Garden

ADDENDUM:

Possible added service provider: Linda J. Mahoney

See attached description of responsibilities.

ADDENDUM:

Possible company name change beginning Summer         1995:  Terra Resources, Inc.

*******************************************************

General Description of Consultation Services to be provided:

 Research on and writings of:

       A Research bibliography

       Plant lists.

       Brief essays and descriptive writings on natural      history, ethnobotany and natural products chemistry as these pertain to the display       specimens. [ca. 2/3 to 1 page each] 

 

 

General Description of Project:

1.  Light Rail station with two sections related to   this project design: 

 a.  3  Planters  measuring ca. ten feet in      length, and undetermined depth/width       (estimate in use for this description is ca. 2.5-3.0 feet each).

 b.  Walkway to Tri-met Tuality Hospital   Station, measuring “one city block” in       length (estimate in use for this    description is ca. 150 to 200 feet.)

 

2.  General Plant List

             (listing of plant species to be provided              following acceptance of contract.)

 

a.  Approximately six to twelve plants are      expected to be placed in each of the        planters; select primarily decorative     herbs of local historical significance       in medicine and pharmacy.

     

      ADDENDUM: 

•  Foxglove
•  Mints (mentha spp.)–major cultivar for money in Oregon.
•  Clarkia (recall windowsills of      Hammerfest, Norway.)

Avoid??? (due to inaccuracy of        presentation?)

•         Mints (cultivated for money)

 

      CHECK: Listing of plants/seeds shipped    to Philadelphia Botanist after soon         Lewis and   Clark Expedition.

 

b.  Approximately 25 to 40 medicinal plants   can be placed along the walkway,  including those capable of serving as:

       i.   Shade trees which require little           tending to: one deciduous evergreen         and one conifer evergreen.

 ADDENDUM: 

 

• Thuja sp.
• Magnolia
• Juniper
• Dogwood
• Willow (Salix spp.)
•       Note:  does require           attending to do to                  falling branches.
• Myrtle
•    (Umbellularia californica)
• Tanbark Oak (Quercus sp.)
• Madrona (Arbutus menziesii)
• Pinus/Tsuga sp.        (recall Excelsior)

     Avoid:

•  Black Locust (invasive)

 

      ii.  Hedge row or ground cover shrubs of  historical medical signficance:             can provide inforamtion on at least  one sun-loving deciduous evergreen currently found in many city garden plots.

 

ADDENDUM:  

• Oregon Grape        (Mahonia aquifolium)
• Currants (Ribes spp.)
• Manzanita        (Arctostaophylos sp.)
• Arrowwood (Philadelphus sp.)        [manageable?]
• Salal (Gautheria shallon)

 

Possible:

• Cascara (Rhamnus sp.)

 Avoid:

• Raspberry and other Rubus spp.
• Elder (active pioneer plant,        and quite toxic)
• Rosa spp.

        iii. Moderate height shrubs and    herbaceous perennials which serve    as coarse ground cover, shade             providers for undergrowth, and   decoratives.

 ADDENDUM: 

•  Potentilla spp.
• Viburnum spp.

 Avoid:

•  Indian Hemp (Apocynum spp.)        toxicity
• Milkweed (pioneer species)

iv.  Decorative perennials, biannuals  and perhaps annuals     capable of re-seeding.

 ADDENDUM: 

•  Grindelia spp.
• Xerophyllum tenax
•  Indian Flax (Linum perenne) 
• Artemisia spp.
•  Wyethia sp.
•  Helonias tenax
•  Lupinus littoralis, etc.???
•  Foxglove
•  Possible:
•        Valerian relative??
•        Vanilla Leaf??? (groundcover)
•  Ferns???
•        i.e. Sword Fern
•  Cyperus, Carex and/or relative
•  Cammasia???
• Erigeron (likely to spread???) 

•             Fireweed (ditto)
•             Trillium (is likely to be                 harvested.)

 

Avoid:

•  most Umbelliferae       (except perhaps Lomatium            sp.?)
• most Labiatae      (Except groundcover)
• most Thistle-relatives             (Carduus; Cirsium; etc.)
• many Asteraceae

 

 

      v.   Groundcover herbaceous plants.

 ADDENDUM:

•        Wild Ginger/Canadian Snakeroot            (Asarum sp.)
•       Indian Strawberry              (Frasera sp.)
•       Kinnikinick          (Arctostaphylos uva-urs

 Possible:

       Claytonia sp.

       vi.  Unmentioned class(es) of decor

 

ADDENDUM:

 Plants to Avoid due to growth habits: 

• Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)  
• Holly [not native] 
• Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus sp.)  [outlawed] 
• Scotch and Spanish Broom [not native; obnoxious weed] 
• Hedera helix [although medicinal, not native, and an obnoxious introduced decorative.]

  Other notes:

       See Price Listing from Pharmacal Digest.

       Ferns will probably not survive the local climates.

      Consider the plant’s ability to tolerate city and air       pollution, soil acidity, changes in soil chemsitry,       etc.

Consultation Services Requested: 

1.  Resource packet consisting of bibliography of     information sources regarding horticultural,    ethnobotanical, historical, and gardening       information. 

2.  Listings of botanicals with potential  applicabilities to landscape/horticultural projects. 

3.  Proposals for possible lay-out of medicinal;  botanicals, presented and/or divided into the following categories (use of term “sources” refers    to botanicals):

         a. By historical periods 

•             i.e. Native American period (pre-1850) 
•                   Early Explorers-Trapper period  (ca. 1800-1837) 
•                      Plants related to Lewis and Clark  Expedition. 
•                   Pioneer period (ca. 1837-1852) 
•                   Early Settler period (ca. 1852-1890) 
•                   Early Industrial period (ca. 1870-1920) 
•                      Plants related to Lewis and Clark   Exposition. 
•                   Mid-Industrial period (ca. 1920-1960) 
•                   Contemporary medicines (1960-present)  

                 

        b. By natural products chemistry/pharmacal information 

•             i.e. sources for cancer drugs 
•                   sources for heart drugs
•                   potential sources for future drugs 
•                   sources for drugs currently undergoing Stages I, II and III medico-pharmacal   testing.

 4.  Essays pertaining to the above materia medica.    [Important notes about these essays]: 

• a. Many of these plants have historical   significance due to their impact upon modern day pharmaceutical manufactories, i.e.   Parke-Davis, Eli Lilly, Miles Laboratories, Bristol-Meyer, Abbott Laboratories, etc.
•  b. Examples (those listed were discussed duringour phone conversation) 

•       Cascara sagrada
•       Oregon Grape
•       Foxglove
•       Magnolia
•       Oregon Yew
•       Juniper
• Dogwood
• Willow

 c. Proof-readings of any related writing projects/signs/pamphlets, less than 30 pages in length.

 

 SPECIAL NOTES:

 

     

      NUMBER OF POSSIBLE PLANTS TO USE; INFORMATION UNCOVERED     AS OF 2/2/95:

 

            For the Planters                          4 plus

             Shade trees                                     9          

                   Plus 2 others to be avoided.

             Hedge row or ground cover shrubs          6

                  Plus 3 others to be avoided.

            Moderate height shrubs/herbaceous

                  perennials                          2

                  Plus 2 others to be avoided.

            Decorative perennials, biannuals        and possible annuals                8

                   Possible additions                        6

             Plus 4 other broad categories

                        of pioneer plants to be avoided.

Groundcover herbs                         3

       Possible additions                        1

 Unmentioned class(es) of decor            none

             Other Plants to Avoid                     6

                                     As of 2/2/95:  SUM  45

SPECIAL NOTES:

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, FALSE MEDICAL CLAIMS, COMPANY PROPRIETARY INFORMATION INFRINGEMENTS, WRONGFUL PLANT USE SPECULATIONS, MISLABELLING OF PLANTS/PROPRIETARY AGENTS/PLANT USES, ETC.

Nearly all items to be used for these presentations, and which make note of drug company histories, have been cleared by the above mentioned pharmaceutical companies for use in public presentations.  Company approvals have been submitted either by letters or stated in telephone conversations between the pharmaceutical company and The Medical Garden/myself (Brian L. Altonen); all company approvals date between 1983 and present and are periodically re-evaluated.

SPECIAL NOTES:

PLANTS TO AVOID due to any of the following reasons:

• toxic specimens with danger of ingestion by children 15 years of age and under
• those with occasionally published notes in literature pertaining to reputed mood alterative/hallucinogenic folk lore or history.
• those with a likelihood of overpicking or harvesting by hobbyists, herbalists, lay-botanists, etc.
• those with a likelihood or history of inducing:

•       asthma
•       anaphylactic shock
•       Type IV allergies (resembling poison ivy        rashes)
•       hives and other skin rashes
•       significant photohypersensitivity
•       allergic reactions in situ
•       abrasions following contact
•       leg cuts and sores
•       obnoxious aromas at certain times of the        year
•       heavy pollen formation
•       droppage of questionably toxic seeds
•       toxic berries or flowers
•       toxic chewing stick reactions
•       animal or human intoxication
•       seeing eye dog allergies, mood change-                inducers in pets, etc.
•       curiosities on behalf of smokers
•       etc.

Obvious avoidances:

10 specific varieties

4  groups of obnoxious or adventitious weeds

Possible avoidances:

3  decoratives

Lilium spp?

Iris spp.?

Lupinus sp.?  decorative

Partnership-related Work:

(Requirements of added service provider: Linda J. Mahoney)

1.  Information pertaining to Amerind Ethnobotany

2.  Any, most or all services provided to contractee        beginning August 15/25, 1995.

(assuming of course that I get accepted to graduate school)

3.  Relevant photography of outdoor work site.

4.  Any relevant writings pertaining to project.

5.  …

Company/Work-related Provisions:

1.  Copy of Northwest Natural Products History notes.

Anticipated Expenditures:

1. Definitions

Absorbed (def.): miscellaneous costs no more than $25.00               sum, to be recuperated or absorbed by payments       received for contracted consultation services.

Maximum photocopy costs allowed as part of this $25.00     limit, without expecting any reimbursement: $10.00.

2. Expenditures Lists

a. Material-related expenditures

1)  Office

Computer/paper/ink/etc. Absorbed

2)  Research

a) travel                     Absorbed

i.e. for research performed at Oregon Health                Sciences Center/Oregon Historical                        Society

b) photocopying         Absorbed

i.e. for research performed at Oregon Health                Sciences Center/Oregon Historical                        Society

NOTE: Absorbed photocopying expenses are not    meant to include an extensive number of       photocopies, i.e. greater than 100 pp.    or amounting to more than 6.00.        Examples of cases for this would be:

–copies of self-published and later

photocopied materials

–copies of extensive textbook or

journal notes/plant lists/etc.

NOTE:  bibliography, essays, and other    directly relevant writings are assumed    TO NOT BE INCLUDED under this heading.

(continued)

2. Expenditures Lists

a. Material-related expenditures

2)  Research

b) photocopying

NOTE:  company papers provided to self by

Parke-Davis, Eli Lilly, Miles Laboratories, Abbott Laboratories, etc. are not to be photocopied out of respect for pharmaceutical company copyrights.

NOTE:  photocopies of textbook and journal

items potential applicable to this project will be photocopied in accordance with U.S. copyright laws, which include adherence to international law posed at the Berne Copyright Convention of March 1, 1989, and the (U.S.) Copyright Reform Act of 1993 (pending acceptance as law by Congress),  i.e. typically, a maximum of ten to twenty pages in sequence is allowed by the publisher (as noted on the title or copyright page).

b. Work-related expenditures/time committment

1)  Research time–undeterminable for the moment

Estimate: ca. 5 to 10 plants per hour

Therefore, assuming 7.5 plants/hour [average]

30 plants=ca. 4 hours

45 plants=ca. 6 hours

2)  Writing time—undeterminable for the moment

Estimate: ca. 5 to 10 plants per hour for draft writing; ca. 5 to 10 plants per hour for final version.

Therefore, assuming 7.5 plants/hour [average]

30 plants=ca. 4 hours

45 plants=ca. 6 hours

c. Miscellaneous research/writing/travel/telephone items

1) Examples.

a)  contact with drug companies for permission to        note products or company name.

b)  contact with hospital pharmacists/other              researchers for relevant information.

c)

2) Costs: undeterminable for the moment.

Estimation: ca. 3 to 5 additional hours to complete this work; this is to be 3 to 5 hours above the above mentioned time commitments.

Therefore, assuming 30 plants

3-4 additional hours

assuming 45 plants

5-6 additional hours

3.  Total Time and Costs to be accrued

a.  Time (final numbers yet to be determined)

Initial Estimate:

Assuming 30 plants — ca. 11-12 hours

Assuming 45 plants — ca. 15-16 hours

b.  Cost (final numbers yet to be determined)

1)  Payment to be provided by private contractor                  in the form of a sub-contract.

2)  Consultation Fee to be charged for each hour      of work, with time expenditures calculated in     full- or half-hour increments (decision of      which of these two to used will be made       during later discussions).

3)  $50.00 per hour (calcuated as research-travel

time, public and private library research time, drug company discussion time, and writing time.

c.  Estimated costs relating to consultation services

1) Initial Estimate:

a)  Assuming 30 plants — ca. 11-12 hours

Assuming 45 plants — ca. 15-16 hours

b) Not included in the above estimates are:

travel/discussion/library research times

Therefore, estimate this expenditure by   assuming an additional 8 or 12 hours,       for 30 or 45 plants, respectively.

3.  Total Time and Costs to be accrued

c.  Estimated costs relating to consultation services

(continued)

1) Initial Estimate:

c) Therefore, use as final estimate:

Assuming 30 plants–19-20 hours total     time spent.

Assuming 45 plants–27-28 hours total     time spent.

d) Limits to be placed of these time frames:

Assuming 30 plants–24 hours total time spent.

Assuming 45 plants–32 hours total time spent.

3.  Total Time and Costs to be accrued

c.  Estimated costs relating to consultation services

(continued)

2) Final Cost Estimates:

a)    Final

Assuming 30 plants/19-20 hours as total         time spent.

$950.00 – 1000.00

Assuming 45 plants/27-28 hours as total   time spent.

$1350.00 – 1400.00

b)  Possible limits to place on these time             frames:

Assuming 30 plants/24 hours total time    spent

$1200.00 total consultation fee,

plus reimbursements for costs                   over 25.00.

Assuming 45 plants/32 hours total time    spent.

$1600.00 total consultation fee,

plus reimbursements for costs                   over 25.00.

15/25, 1995.

(assuming of course that I get accepted to                  graduate school)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Project Completion Letter

Brian L. Altonen

6/23/95

Nanda D’Agostino

5711 S.W. Boundary

Portland OR  97221

Nanda D’Agostino:

Enclosed are some more items for your to peruse.

I wrote up the information completely for about 35 plants; the last dozen are incomplete, and one or two in the middle are lacking “Contemporary” usage.

If for some reason you want others to be researched, let me know.

Bye for now.

Sincerely,

Brian L. Altonen

Medical Botanist and Historian

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BILLING

Brian L. Altonen                                      Page [1]           2/2/95

Provisions for Design Team proposal regarding Tuality Hospital Tri-Met Light Rail station.

TITLE:                  None.

Date (current):  February 2, 1995

Date of Project: To be determined

General Description of Consultation Services to be provided:

Research on and writings of:

A research bibliography

Plant lists.

Brief essays and descriptive writings on natural      history, ethnobotany and natural products chemistry as these pertain to the display       specimens.

Consultant:  Brian L. Altonen/The Medical Garden

General Description of Project:

1.  Light Rail station with two sections related to   this project design:

a.  3  Planters measuring ca. ten feet in       length, and undetermined depth/width       (estimate in use for this description is ca. 2.5-3.0 feet each).

b.  Walkway to Tri-met Tuality Hospital   Station, measuring “one city block” in       length (estimate in use for this    description is ca. 150 to 200 feet.)

2.  General Plant List

(listing of plant species to be provided              following acceptance of contract.)

a.  Approximately six to twelve plants are      expected to be placed in each of the        planters; select primarily decorative     herbs of local historical significance       in medicine and pharmacy.

b.  Approximately 25 to 40 medicinal plants     can be placed along the walkway,       including those capable of serving as:

i.   Shade trees which require little           tending to: one deciduous evergreen         and one conifer evergreen.

ii.  Hedge row or ground cover shrubs of        historical medical signficance:             can provide inforamtion on at least             one sun-loving deciduous evergreen         currently found in many city garden             plots.

iii. Moderate height shrubs and                 herbaceous perennials which serve             as coarse ground cover, shade             providers for undergrowth, and             decoratives.

iv.  Decorative perennials, biannuals           and perhaps annuals     capable of re-         seeding.

v.   Groundcover herbaceous plants.

vi.  Unmentioned class(es) of decor

Possible Consultation Services to offer:

1.  Resource packet consisting of bibliography of     information sources regarding horticultural,    ethnobotanical, historical, and gardening       information.

2.  Listings of botanicals with potential       applicabilities to landscape/horticultural       projects.

3.  Proposals for possible lay-out of medicinal;      botanicals, presented and/or divided into the following categories (use of term “sources” refers    to botanicals):

a. By historical periods

i.e. Native American period (pre-1850)

Early Explorers-Trapper period

(ca. 1800-1837)

Plants related to Lewis and Clark                     Expedition.

Pioneer period (ca. 1837-1852)

Early Settler period (ca. 1852-1890)

Early Industrial period (ca. 1870-1920)

Plants related to Lewis and Clark                     Exposition.

Mid-Industrial period (ca. 1920-1960)

Contemporary medicines (1960-present)

b. By natural products chemistry/pharmacal          information

i.e. sources for cancer drugs

sources for heart drugs

potential sources for future drugs

sources for drugs currently undergoing                      Stages I, II and III medico-                              pharmacal   testing.

4.  Essays pertaining to the above materia medica.    [Important notes about these essays]:

a. Many of these plants have historical   significance due to their impact upon

modern day pharmaceutical manufactories, i.e.   Parke-Davis, Eli Lilly, Miles Laboratories,     Bristol-Meyer, Abbott Laboratories, etc.

b. Examples (those listed were discussed during       our phone conversation)

Cascara sagrada

Oregon Grape

Foxglove

Magnolia

Oregon Yew

Juniper

Willow

Dogwood

c. Proof-readings of any related writing projects/signs/pamphlets, less than 30 pages       in length.

SPECIAL NOTES:

NUMBER OF POSSIBLE PLANTS TO USE; INFORMATION UNCOVERED     AS OF 2/2/95:

For the Planters                          4 plus

Shade trees                                     9

Plus 2 others to be avoided.

Hedge row or ground cover shrubs          6

Plus 3 others to be avoided.

Moderate height shrubs/herbaceous

perennials                          2

Plus 2 others to be avoided.

Decorative perennials, biannuals

and possible annuals                8

Possible additions                        6

Plus 4 other broad categories

of pioneer plants to be avoided.

Groundcover herbs                         3

Possible additions                        1

Unmentioned class(es) of decor            none

Other Plants to Avoid                     6

As of 2/2/95:  SUM  45

SPECIAL NOTES:

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, FALSE MEDICAL CLAIMS, COMPANY PROPRIETARY INFORMATION INFRINGEMENTS, WRONGFUL PLANT USE SPECULATIONS, MISLABELLING OF PLANTS/PROPRIETARY AGENTS/PLANT USES, ETC.

Nearly all items to be used for these presentations, and which make note of drug company histories, have been cleared by the above mentioned pharmaceutical companies for use in public presentations.  Company approvals have been submitted either by letters or stated in telephone conversations between the pharmaceutical company and The Medical Garden/myself (Brian L. Altonen); all company approvals date between 1983 and present and are periodically re-evaluated.

SPECIAL NOTES:

PLANTS TO AVOID due to any of the following reasons:

toxic specimens with danger of ingestion by children 15 years of age and under

those with occasionally published notes in literature pertaining to reputed mood alterative/hallucinogenic folk lore or history.

those with a likelihood of overpicking or harvesting by hobbyists, herbalists, lay-botanists, etc.

those with a likelihood or history of inducing:

asthma

anaphylactic shock

Type IV allergies (resembling poison ivy        rashes)

hives and other skin rashes

significant photohypersensitivity

allergic reactions in situ

abrasions following contact

leg cuts and sores

obnoxious aromas at certain times of the        year

heavy pollen formation

droppage of questionably toxic seeds

toxic berries or flowers

toxic chewing stick reactions

animal or human intoxication

seeing eye dog allergies, mood changes, etc.

curiosities on behalf of smokers

etc.

Obvious avoidances:

10 specific varieties

4  groups of obnoxious or adventitious weeds

Possible avoidances:

3  decoratives