Huckleberries near Freezeout Ridge

Snowberries

Among some of the other plants that were relied upon for food and health were, "black moss" (Alectoria jubata and A. fremontii), "black root" (perhaps Frasera montana or Valeriana edulis), "Indian celery" (Heracleum lanatum), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), "sunflower" (Balsamorhiza sigittata), "wild carrots" (Perideridia gairdneri), "wild onions" (Allium cernuum or A. geyeri), lovage (Ligusticum cambyi), "cub ears" (likely wintergreen; Pyrola asarifolia), mint (Mentha arvensis), wild rosebush (Rosa acicularis), and "yellow root" (Indian hellebore; Veratrum viride).

Strawberries

In addition to the huckleberries and deer, the mountains were inhabited by a host of other "Land Mysteries." Among them were the "Dwarfs," who lived in the trees and along the cliffs and rocky places in the mountains. They looked like humans, though much smaller, and were either colored red or are dressed in squirrel skins. They carried their babies upside down in cradle boards. These Dwarfs loved to play tricks on travelers, taking their foods and hiding them or calling out and confusing a hunter. There were also the "Giants," who lived in mountain caves. As tall as a lodge, the Giants are said to be able to come up to a tule-mat lodge and look down its smoke hole. They had a strong odor, that of burning horn, were painted black, and had a great appetite for fish. The Giants often stole the catch from weirs and traps. And like the Dwarfs, the Giants were not a serious menace to the Schitsu’umsh. But there were some other "Land Mysteries" that were feared. They were half-human and half-animal, and lived in high trees or atop mountain peaks. If one of these beings were seen, death to the beholder typically followed a short time later. Also see "Water Mysteries."

Elderberries

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