Now that we've looked at different climates zones in Arizona, let's look at the plants that grow in these regions which basketmakers use in their weaving. Click on the black circle to answer the discussion questions.  

How does drought and rising temperatures affect water ways?

Fremont Cottonwood trees grow in southwest riparian zones and northern to central Mexico. The cottonwood shoots have been used by Ndee (Western Apache), Pai, and Akimel O’odham weavers to make a golden colored weaving material. Cottonwoods are large trees that grow close to water sources like rivers or streams. They are dependent on access to abundant water to survive. Unfortunately, climate change has affected the cottonwoods’ habitat since rising temperatures and droughts have caused lower water levels for rivers and streams they grow near. 

What happens if yucca does not get enought water? Which parts of the plant is used by basketmakers?

Yucca grows between elevations of 1,500 and 6,000 feet in Arizona. There are a lot of different kinds of yucca, but only some are used to make baskets. For example, O’odham, Apache, and Yavapai weavers use banana yucca’s roots to make red weaving materials, while the Tohono O’odham use soaptree yucca’s leaves (pictured below) to make green or white weaving material. Yucca grows in the Sonoran Desert, which includes the southwestern part of Arizona. While yucca plants are drought resistant, they are still affected by climate change. If they don’t get enough water, harvest times for yucca are later or there are fewer yucca to harvest.

), Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Helga Teiwes, photographer, 1959. ASM C-5013. 

Why is it harder for basketmakers to find cattails?

Cattails are used by Akimel O’odham weavers in their baskets to make a light colored weaving material. The weavers split the stalks to use as a foundation for coiled baskets. Cattails grow in and along bodies of water like ponds, rivers, or streams. Unfortunately, due to climate change affecting rainfall and droughts causing water levels to drop, the cattails’ habitat is being reduced, making the plant harder to find.

) growing along the Salt River, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, AZ. Arizona State Museum University of Arizona Jannelle Weakly, photographer, 2016. ASM 2016-325-image163. 

Why do you think some baskermakers are growing gardens of wild devil's claw? What color is devil's claw used for?

Devil’s claw grows at 1,000 to 5,000 feet and below 3,000 feet in California.  Devil's Claw is used by Western Apache, Pai, O’odham, and Chemehuevi weavers. Weavers will split the dried seed pods so that they can use the naturally black plant fiber in their basket designs. Devil’s claw grows well in the heat and is drought resistant, although the pods are more likely to grow larger with more water. Wild devil’s claws can be found along the banks of washes, although because of climate change and spreading urban development, these natural growing areas are being decimated. The plant can also be domesticated. Today, some O'odham weavers are growing devil's claw in their home gardens.

), Arizona State Museum University of Arizona Jannelle Weakly, photographer, 2016, ASM 2016-446-image35. 

Many indigenous weavers use materials from young willow trees for making their baskets. Young willows are harvested in the spring before the twigs have grown leaves. This material when dried, becomes a golden color. Traditionally, O’odham, Ndee (Western Apache), Pee Posh (Maricopa), Havasupai, Hualapai, and Yavapai basketmakers all used willow in their baskets. However, willow is rarely used to make baskets today as it is becoming more scarce. The willow tree grows in areas that have year-long access to water, like wet meadows or along streams and rivers, so droughts or less rain can be a big problem. 

) along the Salt River. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, AZ. Arizona State Museum University of Arizona Jannelle Weakly, photographer, 2016. ASM 2016-325-image048. 

Beargrass grows in Arizona at elevations of 3,500.to 6,000, as well as in Chihuahua, Mexico.

It grows well in rocky, well drained soils in full sun. Beargrass is drought tolerant but susceptible to prolonged periods of cold. It is a clumping perennial, grass-like plant. 

Basketmakers only harvest the leaves once every three years. If harvested more often the plant may stop growing.

Photo: Max Licher, courtesy SEINet, swbiodiversity.org/seinet/

For what color do basketmakers use sumac?

Skunk bush sumac has a fairly small habitat range and is usually only found in northwestern Arizona, southern California, and northern Baja California. Basketweavers from the Diné (Navajo), N∔ngw∔ (Southern Paiute), Hopi, and Apache tribes have all used sumac in their weaving. Natural sumac when dried, as seen in baskets, is usually a light tan or off-white color. Weavers  split the stems into thinner pieces so that it can be used for twining and coiling baskets.

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Standards for Map 3: Plants of Arizona

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework