Sunday, May 9, 2010

USE OF BUCKEYES FOR FOOD

THE POMO CALLED BUCKEYE HORSE CHESTNUTS - DE-SA-KA-LA = FOOD TREE. THE MASHED ROOTS WERE POURED INTO THE RIVER TO STUPIFY THE FISH, THEN COLLECTED IN BASKETS. THEY CUT BARK FROM THE BASE OF BUCKEYE TREE AND MADE A POULTICE FOR CURING SNAKEBITE. THEY CUT THE YOUNG SHOOTS FOR STICKS FOR FIRE MAKING.

THE NUTS ARE POISONOUS IF EATEN RAW JUST LIKE THE ACORNS. THEY ARE LEACHED JUST AS I HAVE DESCRIBED FOR ACORN PROCESSING. THEY HARVEST THESE NUTS AROUND NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER. THE SEEDS WHEN PLANTED CAN GROW UP TO 10 " PER YEAR. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR THEY WILL NOT NEED CONTINUAL CARE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL SIZES OF BUCKYES IN CALIFORNIA. NATIVES SAY THAT THEY TASTE BETTER THAN POTATOES.

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