Oceanspray
Hul’q’umi’num: qethulhp
Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣: siwi.pt
Latin: Holodiscus discolour
Description: It is a tall, many-stemmed shrub reaching up to 4 meters in height, with dull green, soft, toothed leaves that turn reddish in the fall. Small flowers bloom in large, creamy-white sprays, forming lilac-like clusters 10 to 17 cm long at the ends of branches. The flowers turn brown and remain on the plant throughout the winter. Its main woody stem is notably strong and hard.
Harvest and Sustainability: This plant grows in meadows, open dry woods, logged areas, ravine edges, and coastal bluffs.
When harvesting for wood, it is best to collect in late spring to early summer, as the bark scrapes off much more easily during this time.
Uses: A remedy brewed from the dried seed heads is used to treat diarrhea, proving effective for children and the elderly.
The strong, hard wood is used to craft digging sticks, arrow and spear shafts, bark scrapers, and large fish hooks. It is also ideal for making central sticks to hold salmon while barbecuing.
