Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium Ethnobotanical Collection

Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium Ethnobotanical Collection
Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between plants and people. This collection documents how
plants are used by people, such as for medicine, textiles, cultural, and spiritual purposes.
Our collection is one of the only actively curated ethnobotanical collections in the western United States.
We currently hold over 300 specimens and are actively adding to the collection. Below are examples of
specimens in our ethnobotany materials collection. We included images of the specimens and details
about where and what was collected.
Uses given are from the source of material and supplemented by well-known uses from a number of
literature sources. Information presented is for research purposes and is not intended as a
recommendation. Use of these plants for food or medicine may be hazardous.
Brewing Tea – 2011
Local Market – Mynamar 2010
Botica – Denver, CO – 2011 – Kim Manajek
Local Market – Bangladesh 2007
3/12/2012
Usnea sp. (Usneaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett, 2001 at Mariposa herbs, Las Vegas, NM
Local Name: pulmonaria
Uses: Spanish Doctrine of Signatures: used to treat lung disorders
Notes: mixture of 3 different lichens (Usnea sp. + 2 more)
Packaged by: unknown
Selaginella lepidophylla Spreng. (Selaginellaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at Caridad del Cobre, Lawrence St., Denver, CO
Local Name: doradilla
Uses: liver, gall bladder, dyspepsia, etc. [a resurrection plant, just add water]
Packaged by: La Michoacana
3/12/2012
Equisetum laevigatum A. Br. (Equisetaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2001 at Mariposa herbs, Las Vegas, NM
Local Name: canutillo
Uses: diuretic
Packaged by: Mariposa Herbs
Piper auritum H.B.K. (Piperaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at Asi es mi Tierra, 11th St. Greeley, CO
Local Name: hoja santa, root beer plant
Uses: condiment for cooking - anis-flavored
Packaged by: Órale
3/12/2012
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at Mariposa Herbs, Las Vegas, NM
Local Name: mariola
Uses: undocumented
Packaged by: Natural Foods
Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & Jarvis (Vitaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: tripa de San Judas "St. Judas guts"
Uses: kidney and liver problems
Packaged by: Botica
3/12/2012
Kallstroemia sp. (Zygophyllaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2007 at Mariposa Herbs, Las Vegas, NM
Local Name: contra hierba
Uses: sore throats, ticks, gum disease (Name for the root suggests an antidote.)
Packaged by: Mariposa Herbs
Crescentia alata Kunth (Bignoniaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at Taos Herbal Store, Taos, NM
Local Name: morro o morrito
Uses: Seeds are used to make a drink; a pasture tree (left as food) in Central America.
Packaged by: Sold in bulk in Taos
3/12/2012
Guazuma tomentosa H.B.K. (Sterculiaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at La Michoacana, Caridad del Cobre, Lawrence St., Denver, CO
Local Name: guácimo
Uses: to make a drink; also for diarrhea
Packaged by: La Michoacana
Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. & Hook. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at La Mariposa herbs, Las Vegas, NM
Local Name: añil del muerto (sunflower of the dead)
Uses: fevers and stomach aches
Packaged by: Natural Foods
3/12/2012
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2005 at La Provedencia, 2434 W. 10th St., Greeley, CO
Local Name: Jamaica, agua de jamaica
Uses: Red calyces used to make a popular beverage in Latin America.
Packaged by: La Provedencia
Brickellia sp. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at La Provedencia, 2434 W. 10th St., Greeley, CO
Local Name: prodigiosa
Uses: undocumented
Packaged by: Órale
3/12/2012
Eriogonum sp. (Polygonaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2002 at Shiprock Market, Shiprock, NM [Navajo Reservation]
Local Name: red ant medicine
Uses: rash, itching sore, sores, bumps, pus sores
Packaged by: market vendor
Glandularia sp. (Verbenaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2002 at Shiprock Market, Shiprock, NM [Navajo Reservation]
Local Name: thunder/lightning medicine
Uses: lightning sickness, swelling, bloating, cancer spread
Packaged by: market vendor
3/12/2012
Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2005 at Botica, 10th Ave., Greeley, CO
Local Name: achiote / annato
Uses: Seeds used to color foods.
Packaged by: La Provedencia
Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Coville (Zygophyllaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at La Michoacana, Caridad del Cobre, Lawrence St., Denver, CO
Local Name: gobernadora
Uses: treat kidney, gall stones, rheumatism
Packaged by: La Michoacana
3/12/2012
Chiranthodendron pentadactylon Larreat. (Malvaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya, 3773 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO
Local Name: flor de manita, mano de leon, mecapalxóchitl (náhuatl name)
Uses: treat heart and nerves
Packaged by: La Michoacana
Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene (Cucurbitaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya, 3773 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO
Local Name: wereke, wareque, hureque
Uses: ‘Said to be the best they have for diabetes: to take daily.’
Packaged by: Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya
3/12/2012
Kohleria deppeana (Schldl. & Cham.) Fritsch (Gesneriaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at La Michoacana, Caridad del Cobre, Lawrence St., Denver, CO
Local Name: tlanchichinola (náhuatl name)
Uses: undocumented
Packaged by: La India
Liatris punctata Hook. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at La Michoacana, Caridad del Cobre, Lawrence St., Denver, CO
Local Name: cachana, cachanas
Uses: Luck, as a talisman, and to cast spells.
Packaged by: La India
3/12/2012
Lippia graveolens Kunth (Verbenaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Asi es me Tierra, 11th St. Greeley, CO
Local Name: oregano entero
Uses: culinary herb; most common oregano in Mexico and C. America. Packaged by: Órale
Mentha arvensis L. (Lamiaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2003 at Mariposa herbs, Las Vegas, NM
Local Name: poleo
Uses: stomach aches
Packaged by: Natural Foods
3/12/2012
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) P. Mill. (Cactaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2001 at Rancho Liborio, 6040 64th Ave., Commerce City, CO
Local Name: nopal (leaves), tuna (fruits), indian fig
Uses: Chopped leaves used to treat diabetes.
Sold Fresh
Erythrina sp. [possibly E. berteroana Urb.] (Fabaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2009 at Flowers: El Salvador Mercado, Colfax Ave, Denver, CO
Local Name: pito
Uses: Flower buds cooked with beans - can make you sleepy.
Packaged by Rio Grande Food Product, Inc. Grown indoors from Honduran seed in Pierce, CO
3/12/2012
Tagetes lucida Cav. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2009 at Farmer's Market, New Orleans, LA
Local Name: pericón, mexican tarragon, yauhtli
Uses: mild anise flavor and a sweet taste. Used as a tea to calm stomachs, relax nerves, flavoring for
soups, sauces, and chicken dishes. Used as a strong tea, said to produce similar closed-eye-images as
peyote and/or a very mild state of euphoria.
Ruta graveolens L. (Rutaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2009 in Pierce, CO
Local Name: ruda, rue, "Herb of Grace"
Uses: treat ear aches and for good luck
3/12/2012
Solanum jamesii Torr. (Solanaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2009 at Vermijo Park, Colfax County NM
Local Name: wild potato
Uses: Grown from a tuber in a home garden, Pierce, CO
Chenopodium berlandieri Moq. subsp. nuttalliae (Saff.) H. D. Wilson & Heiser (Amaranthaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett at Bath Nursery, Ft. Collins, CO
Local Name: huaxontle
Uses: edible pot herb
Packaged by: Seeds of Change
3/12/2012
Gnaphalium conoideum H.B.K. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Virginia Till 2009 at Cosmovida 2307 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO
Local Name: gordolobo, mullein flowers (label name)
Uses: improve lungs, bronchial system and circulation
Packaged by: "El Indio" Perez Distributing
Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter (Poaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2009 at Naya Ethiopian Restaurant, Ft. Collins, CO
Local Name: T'ef
Uses: Flour to make traditional flatbread: injera.
Packaged by: Undocumented
3/12/2012
Leucaena esculenta (Sessé & Moc.) Benth. (Fabaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at La Provedencia, 10th Ave., Greeley, CO
Local Name: guaje
Uses: Garlic flavored seeds are edible.
Sold Fresh
Fernaldia pandurata (A. DC.) Woodson (Apocynaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at La Avanza,10th Ave Greeley, CO
Local Name: ioroco
Uses: edible flowers
Sold Fresh.
3/12/2012
Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth (Malpighiaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at La Avanza, 10th Ave Greeley, CO
Local Name: nance
Uses: edible fruits
Sold in syrup in bottles
Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Amaranthaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett, 11/11/08, collected at La Provedencia, 10th Ave., Greeley, CO
Local Name: epasote (in Mexico), apasote (in Central America)
Uses: Leaves used with black beans; internal use to kill parasites. Caution: seeds are toxic.
Sold Fresh.
3/12/2012
Anoda cristata (L.) Schltdl. (Malvaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2004 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: malva
Uses: undocumented
Sold Fresh
Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass. ssp. macrocephalum (DC.) R. R. Johnson (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2004 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: papalo, papalo quilite
Uses: strong-tasting herb, used as a salad or to cleanse palate after too much chili
Sold Fresh
3/12/2012
Porophyllum tagetoide DC. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2004 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: pipicha
Uses: strong-tasting herb, used as a salad or to cleanse palate after too much chili.
Sold Fresh
Porophyllum ruderale D.C. ssp. ruderale (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2004 in Bolivia
Local Name: quilquiña
Uses: strong-scented potherb used with garlic
Sold Fresh
3/12/2012
Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Cusco, Peru.
Local Name: huacatay
Uses: salsas, teas, and medicine
Sold Fresh
Chenopodium berlandieri Moq. subsp.nuttalliae (Saff.) H.D.Wilson & Heiser (Amaranthaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at La Provedencia, 10th Ave., Greeley, CO
Local Name: huaxontle
Uses: A pot herb or used like broccoli: with butter after cooking
Sold Fresh
3/12/2012
Ternstroemia pringlei Standl. (Pentaphylacaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: tila estrella
Uses: relaxant, sedative, and heart tonic.
Packaged by: El Charrito
Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) A. Gray (Nyctaginaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2005 at 510 University, Las Vegas, NM
Local Name: maravilla
Uses: treat stomach problems
Packaged by: Semilla Natural Foods
3/12/2012
Unknown (Not Ionidium as labeled)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2005 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: Yerba San Nicolas
Packaged by: Botica
Gnaphalium conoideum Kunth (Asteraceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2005 at Botica, 10 Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: gordolobo
Uses: improve lungs, bronchial system and circulation
Packaged by: Botica
3/12/2012
Amphipterygium adstringens (Schltdl.) Standl. (Anacardiaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2005 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: cuachalalate
Uses: Treat ulcers, cancer of stomach, gastritis, and cutaneous wounds
Packaged by: Botica
Eriogonum sp. (Polygonaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Asi es me Tierra, 11th St. Greeley, CO
Local Name: oreja de raton, ceniso
Uses: Undocumented
Packaged by: La Michoacana
3/12/2012
Serjania triquetra Radlk. (Sapindaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya, 3773 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO
Local Name: hierba de 3 costillas, Supple Jack
Uses: kidney stones and lungs
Packaged by: Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya
Kallstroemia sp. (Zygophyllaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya, 3773 Federal Blvd. Denver, CO
Local Name: contrahierba
Uses: cleanse the body
Packaged by: Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya
3/12/2012
Eryngium carlinae F. Delaroche (Apiaceae)
Collected by Don Hazlett 2008 at Botica, 10th Ave, Greeley, CO
Local Name: yerba del sapo
Uses: external wounds
Packaged by: Botanica y Yerberia Yemaya
3/12/2012