Native Plants

Native Plants. . , Forests contain a variety of plants that people use to meet their basic needs. Throughout history, communities evolved by sharing specific knowledge of both native and introduced plants. , , Even today, plants continue to provide food, dyes, medicines, fibers, resins and more. The Anishnaabek (Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi tribes) continue to use many species commonly found in northern Michigan in traditional ways. , , Let's look at some of the native plants you may see along the Forest Heritage Trail. , , Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina) , Gibaime' nûna'gwûs , This plant tends to grow in well-drained, sunny areas. It can be found from Nova Scotia to Southern Appalachia. , , The leaves are used for medicine, fragrance and tea. They are also used to line and cover blueberry pails, keeping the picked berries fresh. , , Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) , Gozigwaakomi , A deciduous shrub and member of the rose family, serviceberry quickly regrows after forest fires. The fruits are edible and were an important subsistence food for indigenous people across what is now North America. Other names for serviceberry are juneberry, saskatoon and sugarplum. , , Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) , Ninaatigwaaboo , These trees were first tapped by the Anishnaabek for their valuable sap. After the long winter, sugar camps were, and still are, a place where people come together to process maple sap into syrup and sugar. , , While there is more red maple in this area, keep an eye out for the sugar maple's distinctive leaf shape or its bright fall foliage along the trail. Michigan historically ranks in the top six nationally in maple syrup production. In 2021, the state produced 150,000 gallons of syrup. , , White pine (Pinus strobus) , Zhingwaak , In 1955, the white pine was declared Michigan's state tree, commemorating its importance to the state's history. The tree provides the Anishnaabek with medicine, building material and pine resin, which is used for wound care and sealing canoe seams. White pine drove Michigan's logging era from 1870 to 1900. It is still harvested for lumber today. , , Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) , Okikaandag , The roots of the jack pine make excellent cord for sewing canoes and lashing heavy objects. Its boughs covered floors and softened beds for Anishnaabek and settlers alike. This tree is also critical to the survival of the Kirtland's warbler, a rare little songbird that nests in the jack pines of northern Michigan. , , Plants are listed as follows: , English (scientific name) , Anishinaabemowin , , Top drawing: In 1893, a student at Holy Childhood Indian Boarding School drew this picture about making maple sugar with his family at sugar camp. , , Top right image caption: Making maple sugar in the early 1900s in Crawford County. , , Center images caption: Of Ojibwe and Scotch-Irish descent, Jane Johnston Schoolcraft was born in 1880 at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Her Ojibwe name, Bamewawagezhikaquay, translates as "Woman of the Sound the Stars make Rushing through the Sky." , , Jane married Henry Row Schoolcraft at age 23. Her poems and translations of traditional songs and stories were most often published (with no attribution) by her husband. Schoolcraft is known as one of the first American Indian literary writers.