Ethnobotany and Dyeing with Plants

Our theme for Eden By The Bay this year is "Ethnobotany and Dyeing with Plants". According to an AI Overview:

Ethnobotany is the study of how people use plants in different cultures, regions, and time periods. It involves the study of the relationship between people and plants, including how plants are used for food, medicine, shelter, and more.

Since ethnobotany is such a broad topic, I plan to focus on the plants used for dyeing or decorating (part of the and more category cited above). I also plan to further narrow the focus to three specific people groups—Tlingit and Chimmesyan/Tsimshian (Alaska coast and Canada interior), Ohlone/Costanoan (Northern California), and Polynesian/Pacific Islander (Hawaii). That is still a pretty big swath, so my exploration will be at the survey level. I'm really looking forward to learning more about dye sources used by these people groups.

Dye Sources, clockwise: White Alder (photo by Mitch Barrie)
Wolf Lichen (photo by Jason Hollinger)
Blueberries
Hibiscus (photo by Tim1357)

How did I make my choices? I was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, and have an affinity for the culture and art of the Tlingit people. I have been privileged to view their dances, story telling, totems, and art in person, and would like to learn more about their use of plants for dyeing. I'd also like to learn more about the Ohlone people, who have thrived in the Bay Area of Northern California for thousands of years, and about their use of plants for dyeing or embellishing. And finally, since Hawaii is one of our future trip destinations, I'd like to learn more about the beautiful island paradise, how it came to be populated by Polynesian seafarers thousands of years ago, and the plants they used or brought for dyeing. As always, I hope you'll join me on this quest!