FAGACEAE (BEECH FAMILY)
White Oak (Quercus alba L.), “mîtîˈgomîc”. The wood is of much value to all the Ojibwe, especially for making awls to punch holes in birch bark as they are sewing it with Jack Pine roots. They use it in making wigwams and for several other things. In fact, all the oaks are used and appreciated.
GRAMINEAE (GRASS FAMILY)
Sweet Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum L.), “wîckoˈbimûckoˈsi” [sweet grass]. While Sweet Grass is scarce around the Flambeau and Pillager reservations, they secure it elsewhere for making baskets, and say that in olden times it was used ceremonially because of its persistent sweet scent.
HYDROPHYLLACEAE (WATERLEAF FAMILY)
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum L.), “nebîneˈnanikweˈîag.” [having hair on only one side]. According to White Cloud, Pillager Ojibwe, this root was chopped up and put into pony feed to make them grow fat and have glossy hair.
JUGLANDACEAE (WALNUT FAMILY)
Shell-bark Hickory (Carya ovata [Mill.] K. Koch.), “mîtîgwabaˈk” [wooden?]. The Flambeau Ojibwe use the wood for making bows. Some are quite particular about the piece of wood they select, choosing a billet from the tree that includes heart wood on one side and sap wood on the other. The heart wood is the front of the bow in use, while the sap wood is nearest the user. It is likewise a wood of general utility.
JUNCACEAE (RUSH FAMILY)
Dudley’s Rush (Juncus dudleyi Wiegand), “jîgomiˈûskûn”. The Pillager Ojibwe use this tiny rush in their finest mat work, for small pieces.