Culturally Significant Plants of the Choctaw Nation Reservation

Culturally Significant Plants of the Choctaw Nation Reservation features native plants found across the reservation. It blends a field guide with cultural knowledge and the Choctaw language, helping community members identify and learn about plants that are important in Choctaw tradition.

When harvesting or foraging in wild areas, take care to leave more plants than you pick. This helps make sure the plants continue to thrive.

Jamie L. Smith, Environmental Coordinator for the Choctaw Nation and author of the guide, spent two years researching, locating, and photographing plants during their growing season while writing during dormant months. “I used a variety of sources including some ethnobotanical publications which date back to the early 1900s as well as herbarium records from the 1850s,” Smith said. “Dr. Ian Thompson’s Choctaw Food books (and Dr. Thompson himself) are referenced quite a bit throughout the book as well. Our language department was also very helpful in ensuring the Choctaw words were correct and accurate.”

Smith said she was surprised by how many uses Chahta ancestors found for local plants, especially in treating ailments or illnesses. “It made me curious to know how those would compare to modern medicine,” she said in her statement.

“I have a biased opinion of this, but I feel the plants are extremely important to our cultural lifeways,” Smith said. “Having this information is, in a way, like holding on to a connection with our ancestors and is something we can pass on to future generations.” Since its release, Smith has spoken with several people who say they are learning to forage for sustenance or medicines using her guide.