Mortar Rock

Mortar Rock takes its name from the many holes worn in hard lavas by Native American women pounding and grinding acorns and other seeds into meal, a staple food that could be stored and later cooked into cakes or porridge. Native Americans also used many other plants in this park. California bay trees, relatives of avocados, provided oily, nutritious nuts, and their pungent leaves, like those of mugwort, helped keep insects out of food stores. Big, glossy seeds of California buckeye were mashed and used to stun fish, and in lean times they could be leached of their poisons and eaten. Blue elderberry branches were easily hollowed out to make flutes and clappers, and the soft pith helped kindle fires. The berries were eaten along with many others, including rose hips and berries of toyon. Other plants were used in baskets, clothing, dyes and medicines.

Berkeley, California · United States