The Hal Painter Studio

The native Americans used plants in all aspects of their lives -- for food, shelter, grooming, tanning, basketry, medicine, feasts, ceremonies and magic. Botanist Edith Murphey's informative book includes scientific and native names of plants, detailed descriptions and methods of preparation, traditional recipes, and histories of use. Murphey, who spent 25 years studying the plants used by indigenous people in the intermontain regions, Murphey catalogued an enchanting catalog of Indian folkways. While not away in the field studying plants, Edith Murphey lived in Fort Bragg, California.