Book on useful North American plants?

[FortyTwoBlades]

I've been browsing around Amazon for a while, but can only seem to find books on edible plants. Are there any good books out there that detail other plants that may be put to use for purposes other than stuffing our faces or healing? Making fibers, natural cordage, shelter building, basket weaving, etc, and how to turn useful plant A into useful something-or-other B?

 

[Stormstaff]

Sorry I can't help on this one but I'm interested to see what our plant gurus have on this subject.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'm just really quite surprised that I couldn't find any books on the subject! You'd think that with all the eco-living and survivalist stuff that seems to be "in" right now you'd think someone would have stepped up to the plate.

 

[mtwarden]

I'd suggest getting a "local" book- one trying to cover too big a geographic area won't be specific enough (or bigger than a LA phonebook )

for the Rocky Mountains I can recommend this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AHF1Z01MX5QWWFFDK6K

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey 42B,

This should get you started:

Plant Technology of First Peoples in British Columbia: Including Neighbouring Groups in Washington, Alberta, and Alaska (Paperback)


Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada's Northwest Boreal Forest


Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants


A Dictionary of Plants Used By Man


Harvesting Nature's Bounty


Native American Ethnobotany

The information in the last one might be available from a website. I'll see if I can find it. Yup, here you go. Just type in something like 'cordage'.

Doc

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I knew Doc would come through...

Woah - that U of M link (WOLVERINES!) is great!

TF

 

[j williams]

I knew Doc would come through...

Woah - that U of M link (WOLVERINES!) is great!

TF

Hell yeah it is!!! :thumbup:

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Just remembered you mentioned baskets in the OP. One of the absolute best basket making, with natural materials, books is here. In it, is listed about 160 (quick count) native materials that can be used in basketmaking. It names the plant, which part(s) can be used, with what technique, the season, how to prepare and the range/habitat.

It covers the different kinds - wicker, plaited, coiled, etc. and has projects you can make. If you're going to buy one basket making book for use with natural materials, IMHO, this is the one. I looked long and hard for it before I finally found a copy. It looks like you could be a lot luckier.

Doc

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Thanks for the tips, Doc! As per usual with this sort of thing!