The Cascadia Focal Forest at the south end of the Arboretum is part of the Pacific Connections Garden. This forest showcases plants from the Siskiyous Mountains in southern Oregon and northern California. Many Indigenous groups (including the Shasta, Yurok, Grande Ronde, and Siletz) have roots in this area. Most of these groups were forced from their historical ranges. Despite the injustices and violence these groups endured, they continue to live in the vicinity and carry essential knowledge about the local flora.

1)  Notholithocarpus densiflorus                                                    Tan Oak

The acorns from these evergreen trees are an important traditional food source for many Indigenous groups, including the Yurok and the Shasta. To be eaten safely, the acorns must be leached of their tannins by soaking them in water repeatedly.

Joanna Long

2)  Pinus sabiniana                                                                              Grey Pine

Like most pines, these trees prefer rocky, well-drained soil and are particularly well adapted to hot, dry summers. The pine nuts from the cones of these trees are a traditional food source for the Shasta. One preparation is to mix them with dried, powdered salmon.

Joanna Long

3)  Umbellularia californica                                                      California Laurel

While this species commonly is a large tree, growing up to 100 feet tall in hot and dry environments like the Siskiyous Mountains, it grows as a shrub. The leaves of this species smell similar to bay leaves and are traditionally burned by the Yurok to remove bad luck from the house. The fruit is also traditionally baked and eaten by many Indigenous groups, including the Yurok.

Joanna Long

4)  Asarum caudatum                                                                       Wild Ginger

This mostly evergreen ground cover ranges from British Columbia down to California, along the coast and east to Idaho and Montana. Although it is botanically unrelated, the leaves smell like ginger when crushed. Indigenous groups throughout its range use Wild Ginger medicinally. The Yurok traditionally use the leaves on the belly buttons of newborn babies to ward off infection.

Joanna Long

5)  Ribes roezlii                                                                             Sierran Gooseberry

This thorny shrub boasts red and white flowers reminiscent of fuchsia blooms. The fruits, which look like miniature horse chestnuts, are a traditional food source for the Yurok.

Joanna Long