Names
Shoshone:
bee·yah·soe·reenp
English: Giant Wild Rye or “Great Basin”
Scientific: Elymus cinereus
Zone
Upper Foothills
Harvest Time
- harvest between flowering and seeding
Primary Uses
- Specific blades’ edge were used to remove eyelid growths: archeologists use this grass asa confirmation of the SheepEater/Duka-Dika peoples’ campsite location in high elevation.
- From rain/snow melt, due to unique water-shedding of leaf blades when bundled
Secondary Uses
- For grazing animals, in heavy-snow winters, this serves as survival grass
Cautions
- None listed
Active Principle(s)
- None listed
Video Description of Plant
Click play on the video to learn more about this plant.
Notes
General Use:
- Folded leaves used to scrape away dust inflammation inside eyelids for wounds
Process Prep
- Tie in bundles for thatching
- Bend mid leaf to make scraping tool for sand abrasions and pustules