Indigenous Crops
People have lived in the Carolinas for more than 12,000 years. Indigenous peoples from a variety of tribes such as the Cherokee, Lumbee, Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Meherrin, Occaneechi, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan grew foods which changed over time as new plants became available from Central and South America. The ‘three sisters’: corn, squash, and beans, were grown together by Native Americans at the time that European colonists first visited, but these foods don’t come from North America. Rather, they were slowly but intentionally moved here through trading amongst North, Central, and South American tribes. Prior to the introduction of these crops, there were numerous others that were grown and used, including nut trees such as pecan and hickory and plants that we might consider weeds today, such as lambsquarter. Certain other plants such as passionfruit and yaupon (a holly that contains caffeine and can be used for tea) are still used today, but to a much lesser extent than they were before European colonization.
Plants in this Section May Include:
American Chestnut
Castanea dentata
Once a dominant tree in the forests of Eastern North America, the American Chestnut population is almost non-existent today because of the advent of Chestnut Blight, a disease which was accidentally introduced from Asia in 1904. This blight decimated the species throughout the United States and led to a rapid decline in the population of these plants. Breeding efforts to make American Chestnut more resistant to Chestnut Blight have been going on since the early 20th century. Most of these efforts have centered around breeding other species of chestnut which have greater resistance to Chestnut Blight with American Chestnut to introduce resistance.
When American Chestnuts were a more common crop in the Carolinas, its nuts were used for roasting, eaten fresh, and sometimes ground into flour. Mashed or pureed chestnuts were used as a dessert. American Chestnuts are currently extremely hard to find, but other types of chestnuts, such as the Chinese Chestnut, are available and can give you some idea of how these amazing nuts tasted.
Aztec Tobacco, Brazilian Tobacco
Nicotiana rustica
Thought to be native to Central and South America and then later moved by various groups of Native Americans to North America, this species of tobacco was once common for a variety of purposes including smoking and as a pesticide because of its high concentration of nicotine. This species of tobacco contains about nine times more nicotine than the domesticated Nicotiana tabacum which is the species typically used for snuff, chewing tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes since the 1600’s. Early English settlers to North America exported this harsher tasting variety of tobacco to Britain until the settlers obtained the milder Nicotiana tabacum seeds from Spanish explorers.,
Aztec Tobacco is an annual plant, but smaller than Nicotiana tabacum with broader, shorter leaves. It thrives in warm climates with well-draining soil.
Nicotiana rustica is no longer grown for the mass production of tobacco products, but it is grown in other parts of the world as a commodity and is often combined with Nicotiana tabacum to increase nicotine levels.
Bottle Gourd, Calabash
Lagenaria siceraria
The Bottle Gourd is a native of Africa and Eurasia which made its way to North America about 10,000 years ago, when its seeds floated across the ocean. Though it is edible, this plant was better known for its thick rind and is one of the first plants known to have been primarily grown as a utensil rather than as a food. African, Native American, Asian, European, and other cultures all used the bottle gourd at some point in history.
Although this gourd was best known as a container for holding food or drink, it can also be fashioned into a pipe for smoking tobacco and it is edible. Its seeds in particular are considered very tasty after they have been roasted.
Little Barley
Hordeum pusillum
Considered an ancient crop, Little Barley grass was domesticated in southwest North America by indigenous people as an important nutrient-rich food source. Like other native grasses such as maygrass, the nutritious seeds of little barley may have been parched, roasted, boiled, or dried and ground into flour.
Habitats include dry dolomite prairies, gravelly areas along railroads, roadsides, pastures, fallow fields, and sterile waste areas.
Marshelder (Sumpweed)
Iva annua var. Macrocarpa
A cultivated variety of Sumpweed, the extinct Marshelder is considered one of North America’s lost crops, though other wild varieties of sumpweed persist across the continent. A member of the Aster family, the seeds were likely used as a nutrient-dense food source for indigineous people prior to the introduction of corn. Prehistoric discoveries of the Marshelder reveal the seeds alongside sunflower and squash.
The lower Mississippi region and lower midwest along the Ohio River were the primary regions Marshelder was domesticated. Wild varieties can still be found across the continent. The small flowers rely on the wind rather than insects for pollination. Related to ragweed, marshelder can be a strong allergen.
Mayhaw
Crataegus aestivalis
Mayhaw trees are a common sight throughout the Southeastern United States, especially in moist areas where they tend to thrive. These fruits were used by Native Americans, but appear not to have been a major part of their diet. The fruit of this plant is not very tasty by itself, making it a useful survival food, but not a preferred choice over other regional fruits. When these fruits are eaten they tend to be made into jellies or syrups.
Mayhaws are self-fertile, and so they do not need another mayhaw nearby to set seed. They are very easy to grow and are a great source of fruit for wildlife. For native plant enthusiasts, a mayhaw is a must.
Pecan
Carya illinoinensis
No matter how you pronounce it, the mighty pecan is a historical staple among our native food crops. The “puh-kaan,” or “pee-kan,” is a member of the Hickory family and mature trees can reach heights of 100 feet and produce nuts for 100 years or more.
Demand for pecans is high. According to the USDA, production levels in 2020 surpassed 300 million pounds of nuts worth more than $400 million. Georgia and New Mexico lead the way with the highest yielding crops. Even though there are more than 1,000 known varieties, only about 20 are used in commercial production. Some popular cultivars include ‘Cape Fear’, Desirable’ and ‘Mahan’.
Pecans pack a wealth of nutritional benefits within their brown oblong shells. They’re a good source of fiber, zinc, and “good” fat. Nutrition facts aside, pecans are wildly popular in countless recipes and are a critical ingredient in salads, quick breads, cookies, cakes, and of course the iconic Southern Pecan Pie.
Squash
Cucurbita pepo
The Acorn squash is one of the first documented varieties of squash, but is not the only useful member of Cucurbita pepo. As a member of the Cucurbit genus, which also includes cucumbers, melons, and gourds, Cucurbita pepo varieties include both summer and winter backyard favorites: yellow crookneck and straightneck, pumpkin, pattypan, zucchini, spaghetti, delicata, and ornamental gourds, among others. First documented by North American explorers in the 1500’s, they are native to Mexico and Texas, but now grow across the continent. Fossilized evidence of the Cucurbit gourd varieties uncovered in Florida reveal that the genus has existed since prehistoric times.
The summer squash varieties, or immature squash, like yellow crookneck, zucchini, and pattypan are harvested within about 50 days of planting. Winter varieties, or mature squash, take more than twice as long—120 days. The plants can have either climbing, creeping, vining, or bushy characteristics and display delicate tendrils. Each plant produces both male and female yellow flowers which attract the bees and other pollinators required for fertilization and fruit production. The fruit itself, seeds, and even the blossoms of the summer varieties are common in dishes around the world.
Long before modern consumption of beloved pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin pies, and pumpkin bread, early uses of this family of squash by indigenous peoples throughout Mexico, Central, and North America were often more functional. The more easily sliceable mature squash like pumpkins, were often cut into strips and hung to either preserve the flesh or to be used to weave into mats. The flesh, fruit, and seeds are documented as having important pharmacological characteristics and were used to treat wounds, inhibit tumor growth, prevent kidney stones, alleviate prostate diseases, and treat skin infections. Today, it is common knowledge that many varieties in the species are high in antioxidants.
No matter how you slice it, the members of Cucurbita pepo are a globally important member of the edible plant family both as a part of the modern diet and also as a cog in the agricultural economic wheel of the U.S. and Mexico.
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
The wild sunflower is native to the North American Southwest, and made its way to the Southeast around 3,000 BCE. As a part of early Native American creation myths, seeds were highly regarded and consumed by warriors. They were pounded into flour for cakes and the meal was often mixed with other native vegetables like beans, corn, and squash. There is evidence that the seeds were also squeezed to extract oil, which was used in bread.
Non-food uses include the production of yellow and purple pigments that were used as dyes for textiles and body paint. The plant was used as a remedy for snake bites, ointments, building materials, as an ingredient in candle making, and symbolically in ceremonies.
Sunflowers were gradually modified and domesticated by ancient farmers over generations. Spanish explorers brought the sunflower to Europe around 1500, where commercial cultivation eventually developed. It is the only native North American plant species to become an important economic crop worldwide.
Sunflowers are annuals, which means that they do not return year after year. Many sunflowers can self-pollinate, but it is most beneficial when pollinator insects move pollen from one flower to another, especially when the plants are stressed. The petals are ornamental and serve to attract insects. The head is where the action is. There are hundreds of tiny flowers located in this dark inner disc, which produce seeds after pollination.
Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
Sometimes botanical names are misleading and we’re sure glad that’s the case with the Yaupon Holly. This native shrub, often used in residential landscapes as hedges and privacy screens, provides delicate contrast with its small, shiny dark evergreen leaves and petite white flowers, which attract multiple species of pollinators. The flowers give way to bright red, orange, or yellow berries, a valuable winter food source for birds and other wildlife.
While its name evokes an immediate recoil reaction, Ilex vomitoria is a species that was important to Native Americans for both sustenance and ritual. Indigenous people incorporated the leaves and stems, which have a high concentration of caffeine, into their daily diets as a brewed tea. They ceremoniously drank the tea in large quantities to intentionally induce vomiting. For that reason, the holly is aptly named, but is completely safe for everyday consumption and a solid addition to a Southern landscape.
It is speculated that when the East India Company (the dominant tea trading company of the 17th and 18th century) discovered the existence of yaupon they arranged for this plant to be banned from being imported into the United Kingdom in large quantities so that it wouldn’t compete with tea in the marketplace. It is also speculated that this company had a hand in naming it to make it seem more repulsive. The truth is that Ilex vomitoria makes a fine tea that you can buy online which has a lovely caffeine kick and a smooth flavor roughly similar to other modern teas.
Next: European Colonization – Revolutionary War
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