Ms. Palo's Class Study Native Plants at School

Marquez School 4th graders are learning about social studies by way of native plants. Recently Ms. Palo's 4th graders met at the native garden at the north end of the school patio. There we discussed some of the plants that have been planted there-manzanita, deer grass, toyon, California sagebrush and monkey flower.  All of these plants were and are used by local Native Americans. The students also looked at white sage and Cleveland sage plants that we'll plant another day.

These plants can be found in the Santa Monica Mountains just a couple of miles away.

The Native Americans used the native plants for food, medicine and other daily uses. Here are just a few of there uses. Manzanita and toyon branches were used to make arrow shafts. Deer grass is woven into baskets. The leaves of California sagebrush and the monkey flower were used as medicine. Toyon was also used as medicine and food. White sage leaves are dried and then used in ceremonies. Cleveland sage leaves are used for medicine and food.

These plants are also drought tolerant and many of them attract our local pollinators.

California Sagebrush

Smudge stick made from white sage