hiišen

Mugwort

Artemisia Douglasiana

kaanak raakat hiišen

My name is Mugwort

My scent is like licorice and honey; I grow in the oak woodlands, the bay laurel and redwood forests here on Ohlone land.

My leaves end in pointed fingers, and during Springtime I let out white flowers full of nectar that attract bees and hummingbirds.

The Ohlone people gather my leaves too, and I have a reputation for helping people have a good night of sleep, and at nighttime before bed, the Ohlone people sometimes drink a warm tea of my leaves for sweet dreams and to wake up nice and rested.

Also at nighttime, when some Ohlones go fishing, the dark sky is made brighter by the moonlight and illuminated torches made from my stalks and leaves to help provide needed light to bring healthy fish to the village.

I have a special place in the culture of this beautiful land.