Plants on the Carmacks Boardwalk
Trembling Aspen Populus tremuloides
Grows in low to medium elevations in any moisture level. Most stands are clones. The
Carrier used the plant as cradle lining the pulped roots and bark to stem bleeding. The
wood was used for fuel and an assortment of tools including poles, pegs, and pestles.
The Little Salmon First Nation used to use the boiled inner bark to relieve ‘flu symptoms
and for a cough syrup.
Balsam Poplar
Populus balsamifera
Populates well-hydrated soils along rivers and streams. The characteristic scent of the
sap from the buds is associated with spring by people who dwell by these trees. Used for
fuel, masks, rope, and as a de-worming medicine.
White Spruce
Picea glauca
Typically grows in moist soils at low to medium elevations. The roots were used by
native peoples for baskets and for sewing birch bark together. This is also an important
species for the modern forest industry. Before Europeans moved into the area, people
mixed the pitch with sugar and chewed as gum both for pleasure and for medicinal
purposes. Pitch was also used to knit skin together to stem bleeding. Boiled spruce buds
were used to reduce the effects of the common cold.
Alder
Alnus crispa
Grows in well-drained soils. It is an important contributor soil health as bacteria that live
in alder roots increase the fertility of the soil by depositing nitrogen. The tree was used
by various First Nations for making baskets, for smoking meats, and as a dye. The local
First Nations used the boiled bark as a remedy for bone aches and to discourage drinking
alcohol. The tree is important an important food source for grouse, hares, and beavers.
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos rubra
Eaten by Inuit people further to the north. The flavour is weak, but improves with
cooking. Many plants share the name, ‘bear berry’ due to bears’ often observed
predilection for berries of all kinds. To specify, this plant is referred to as ‘red bear
berry’. Its name comes from Greek Arktos, meaning ‘bear’ and staphylos, meaning
‘grape bunch’.
Bear Root
Hedysarum alpinum
Also called liquorice root or Indian potato. Its roots are a preferred food of grizzly bears
and were formerly eaten raw, boiled, or roasted by local First Nations people who also
used it medicinally to cleanse the blood. Easily confused with the poisonous northern
sweet-vetch.
Bloodwort
Achilea millefolium
Hardy plant native to Europe, but quickly embraced by First Nations healers. Prospers in
dry to wet soils at a wide range of elevations. Traditionally used both in Europe and in
North America as an all-purpose healing plant. It received its other common name,
Yarrow from the Old English gearwe meaning ‘healer’. Used to ease rheumatism, tooth
ache, and as an astringent. Local First Nations people mixed it with rose buds to soothe
sore throats. It received its Latin name from Greek legend in which the hero Achilles
uses bloodwort to heal the wounds of his soldiers. Millefolium means ‘thousand leafed’
and refers to the many divisions of the plant’s leaves.
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
(introduced)
Taraxacum ceratophorum (local)
The common name comes from French, dent de lion, or ‘lion’s teeth’ referring to the
pronounced serrated shape of the leaves. The first American colonists from the
Mayflower unintentionally introduced the European species to North America. It is not
easy to distinguish between the native and introduced varieties. The local dandelion is
smaller (3 – 10 cm) and has horned bracts. The roots and early leaves are nutritious
foodstuffs, albeit a little bitter. The flowers can be made into wine and the plant itself
can be brewed into beer. The local First Nation people used the dandelion to ease skin
irritation.
Fire Weed
Epilobium angustifolium
The Yukon’s territorial flower. Abundant on disturbed sites such as burnt woodland. Its
plentiful nectar provides bees with abundant material for honey. The young stems were
peeled and eaten raw. First Nations groups used the stem peelings to make twine for
fishing nets. Roots and leaves were used as poultices for sores and rheumatism. Little
Salman First Nation people mixed the flowers with cranberries to make jam. They also
used boiled concoctions of the root to cure hangovers.
Horsetail
Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum pratense, Equistum variegatum
Horsetails are segmented, jointed, and usually hollow stemmed plants. There are about
20 species of horsetail throughout the world. Equisetum species have an affinity for gold
in solution and its presence has been used as an indicator of the metal. E. fluviatile was
used for decoration in spruce-root basket weaving. E. pratense was used in lieu of
sandpaper. E. variegatum was used as a diuretic, for bladder difficulties and for cleaning
pots; it is also known as Scouring Rush. Little Salmon First Nationn people used to soak
afflicted joints in a horsetail bath to relieve arthritis symptoms.
Jacob’s Ladder
Polemonium caeruleum
Native to Europe and Asia. The name refers to the ladder-like shape of the leaves and
alludes to the biblical story in which Jacob climbs a ladder to heaven. Also called,
‘Greek valerian’. The scientific name is derived from the Greek word, polemos meaning
‘war’ possibly due to a story that two kings declared war on each other over who
discovered the plant’s mystical powers. Formerly used in Europe as a folk remedy for
syphilis and rabies. It was used in more ancient times against dysentery and toothache
Locoweed
Oxytropis campestris
Found in dry, open areas. The locoweeds are members of the bean family (Fabaceae).
The scientific name is derived from the Greek oxys, "sharp," and tropis, "keel,” from the
pointed shape of the two lower flower petals’ tips. Campestris is Latin for "pertaining to
the plains”.
Rose
Rosa acicularis
Found in open, cleared areas. The buds were occasionally eaten by native peoples for its
high vitamin C content and thought to be especially effective against colds and sore
throats. It can be made into jams and jellies. The Slave made tea from the petals. The
local First Nation people used the petals to clean irritated or infected eyes.
Sage
Artemisia frigida
It occurs on open sites from Mexico to the far north, and into Eurasia. Local first nations
groups used to burn sage to keep away mosquitoes and other insects as well as to
eliminate infections. Strands of it were placed in bedding to discourage bugs and it was
steamed in sweathouses to calm the nerves and mitigate pain.
Sagewort
Artemisia norvegica
A native, perennial found in open grassland and tundra from medium to high elevations.
Lacks the smell characteristic of most sages.
Silverweed
Potentilla anserina
Generally found in open damp areas. Silverweed gets its name from the silvery
appearance of the leaves. Also known as “Indian sweet potato”, its roots were eaten by
many First Nation groups. The runners were used as ties for clothing. It has astringent
and anti-inflammatory effects.
Soapberry
Shepherdia Canadensis
Grows in open woods in areas of low to mid elevation. The berries have a sweet initial
flavour that quickly gives way to an intense soapy taste. Many native groups, including
the Little Salmon First Nation mixed the berries with water and beat them into a lather to
be eaten as a dessert.
White Sweet-clover Melilotus alba
Found along roadsides and cultivated areas, it cannot tolerate heavy shade. Introduced
from Europe as a forage crop, the earliest records of its occurrence in North America date
to 1664. The plant can be used to thin blood and is sometimes dangerous to cattle for this
reason. It is an important nectar crops for honeybees.
Willow
Salix spp.
Important forage for moose. Its wood was used for drying berries, meat, and fish and for
smoking hides. The inner bark could be twisted into a strong twine for fishing nets. The
bark contains salicylic acid (one of the base elements of aspirin) and was used to relieve
headache pains and fever before the advent of modern medicine. Little Salmon First
Nation’s people used the masticated bark as a poultice.
Wild Strawberry Fragaria virginiana
Found in open, cleared areas. This species provided the root stock plant for the majority
of present-day commercially grown strawberry plants. A tea made from the leaves is an
alleged cure for diarrhoea. Its name possibly comes from the fact that the strawberry
vines are “strewn” along the ground.