Paleo Foraging

Arundo donax L.

= A. bifaria, A. glauca, A. latifolia, A. sativa, Cynodon donax, Donax arundinaceus, D. Donax, Scolochloa arundinacea, S. donax

Giant reed, cane reed

Cahuilla: pakhal (Bean and Saubel 1972:102)

Navajo: lók’aa’tshoh – “reed, large” (Elmore 1944:24)

Location in Texas: all TX; very common in Travis Co.; introduced.

Material

Stems – used to make arrows and for many purposes by the Tewa (Robbins et al. 1916:66). Used by the Cahuilla as main shafts of arrows, into which were affixed foreshafts of mesquite wood with fire-hardened points measuring about 6 in long (Bean and Saubel 1972:102).

Used to make whistles or flutes by the Navajo (Elmore 1944:25) and Cahuilla (Bean and Saubel 1972:102).

Used for cordage by the Cahuilla (Bean and Saubel 1972:102). They were soaked in water and the outer layer of fibers was separated and twisted into cordage for carrying nets and other uses (Bean and Saubel 1972:102).

Stems were used for splints for broken legs by the Cahuilla (Bean and Saubel 1972:102).

Notes – used for various ceremonial objects by the Navajo (Elmore 1944:25). Stems were used for thatching roofs by Mexicans in southern California in the 1820’s (Bean and Saubel 1972:102). Introduced from Europe.

Experimentation

I have made flutes from the stems many times. Using only a small knife, I can make one in 10 minutes.

The segments separating the nodes can be knocked out with a stick to make a hollow tube. I use these tubes to stoke fires, blowing through them to direct and concentrate the air.