Native Plants Tyuonyi Overlook Trail Stop 3

Native plants were as important as farming to the Ancestral Pueblo people.

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot

The Ancestral Pueblo people had an agricultural-based society and relied heavily on the crops they could produce, storing as much as possible in times of plenty for the years when a dry season produced scarcer harvests. During those times, knowledge of native plants was essential. Look around. This area is known as the Piñon-Juniper Woodland for the two trees that are indicative of this life zone, the Piñon Pine and the One-seed Juniper. Both provided important sustenance to the Ancestral Pueblo people, one in the form of pine nuts and the other a tart but healthy berry. Three-leaf Sumac, an indigenous bush that has tangy berries, could be made into drink with a sharp taste similar to lemonade. A number of native plants provided either food or other utilitarian needs including farming or hunting implements.