What are the Historic and Contemporary Ethnobotanical
Uses of Native Rhode Island Wetlands Plants?

Courtney Reckord

Wetlands plants have their own niche in the ecosystem. They provide nutrient exchange and erosion prevention, as well as food and shelter for wildlife. In some cases, certain plants have coevolved as the primary food source for a species.

I explored historic and contemporary uses of these 10 native species of wetlands plants hoping to find reason for land conservation based on these uses. I surveyed ethnic markets in South Providence and a sampling of nurseries, herb gardens and landscape architects around Rhode Island.

I did not find many contemporary commercial uses of these plants, however most species are commercially available at local nurseries, herb gardens and for use in landscaping. There are those who are maintaining the traditional uses of plants through practice of home remedies, and folk crafts. The chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is used as a cough medicine, by Henry Niese, and Evelyn Dean uses jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) as a remedy for poison ivy. Helen King uses the bark of the white oak for a dye, and it is also used in preparations for biodynamic argiculture. In the spring, Lisa Gould gathers cattail (Typha latifolia), and eats the shoots and uses the pollen mixed with regular flower to make bread. These type of uses are not traceable from the markets, however, because people using local plants are likely to gather materials themselves.

It appears that except for the important role that these species play in their ecosystem, there is not an overwhelming demand for these species in today’s market. Though they are not being used to their fullest potential today, the future possibilities are promising.