Healing Gardens

Welcome to Riparian Hillside

This site is representative of an open riparian hillside. The word “riparian” pertains to living or being situated on the banks of a river or stream. Such habitats serve a variety of purposes. For example, trees and shrubs provide nesting materials, food and shelter for wildlife. They provide shade that helps control water temperature and prevent erosion. They also provide a source of organic matter and woody debris that filter into the water course and provide beneficial nutrients.

 The riparian hillside is at the entrance to the Longhouse Garden and holds many diverse plants. The hillside slopes to the south and also to the west where it meets the open seasonal creek. 

From a cultural aspect, the plants of the riparian hillside are very valuable and multifunctional.

            The Douglas fir bark can be used to make dye, while the pitch from the bark works well as fuel because it has high heating qualities and omitting very little smoke. Also a resin obtained from the trunk can be used to caulk boats. Douglas fir also holds many medicinal properties. It has insecticidal and antiseptic qualities and the resin can be used as treatment for coughs while chewing the resin is noted to treat sore throats.

            Red osier dogwood is also prized for its many useful qualities. It has edible fruits that can be dried and stored for winter. These berries have been noted though to be somewhat bitter and may cause nausea in some people. The bark is used to treat diarrhea, fevers and skin problems. Cordage can be obtained from the bark for rope making and the branches can be used in basket making.  Also the seed from the Red osier dogwood burn very well and can be used for lighting.

The medicinal and cultural information on this page was found on the website Plants For a Future or PFAF.org