Ethnobotany of Western Washington

Ethnobotany of Western Washington

1945 • 74 pages

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Average rating3

15

This is a very useful book. It is, of course, of its era/discipline; at one point, Gunther observes that none of her “informants” had distinct names for the 3 different varieties of blackberries out here, but then reminds herself and the readers that only the most horticulturally-focused people in any culture tend to have language that specific. I agree with Kelda's review that a known response to settler-colonialism on the Olympic Peninsula was for Indigenous people to give ridiculous answers with a completely deadpan delivery to nosy White question-askers, but I have to say I'm glad that such answers might also be documented in this book! My major complaints about its ease of use is that I really hate how the drawings of the plants are in an index at the back, and I wish the pronunciation guide was embedded, instead of also appearing as an index. BUT, if you're into ethnobotany, all the flipping is worth it.

August 6, 2022Report this review