Aceraceae Acer spicatum Lam.

Mountain Maple

Potawatomi - Other, Designs

Use documented by:
Smith, Huron H., 1933, Ethnobotany of the Forest Potawatomi Indians, Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 7:1-230, page 110

View all documented uses for Acer spicatum Lam.

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Scientific name: Acer spicatum Lam.
USDA symbol: ACSP2 (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Mountain Maple
Family: Aceraceae
Family (APG): Sapindaceae
Native American Tribe: Potawatomi
Use category: Other
Use sub-category: Designs
Notes: Leaves used as a pattern for bead and applique work. In making up a design for art work or bead work, a woman would burn deer antlers until they turned to charcoal and use this to rub on the backs of leaves. This surface was placed down upon a piece of white birchbark and rubbed until the shape and venation of the leaves were transferred to the birchbark. Then arranging with other leaves, a design would be formed which would be the pattern for the bead work. Oftentimes, this would be placed directly under the loom so that the form and outline of the finished bead work would be a true representation of the natural object.

RECRD: 326 id: 725

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