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T
is for Tule
Tule by Michael Tule Plant The tule is a marsh plant that only grows in brackish water. Brackish water is the water made when fresh river water and the salty ocean water mix together. Tule plants have a round stem, grow quite tall, and have flowers off the top of the stem. The inside of the tule is round and spongy. The Suisun Indians and other tribes used the tule as a provider. The tule was used for making canoes, homes or huts, baskets, and clothing. The canoes were important to the Indians because they kept the Indians dry with their belongings and float easily on the rivers and bays. The huts and lodges were very secure because they kept out the harshest winters and the roof didn't allow the water to get past to the inside of the homes. The clothing was very useful because they kept them warm and covered their bodies. Tule rushes made the frames of the lodges or huts. Reeds were used to cover the outside of the hut or lodge. Some animals that use the tule, as a provider is the salt marsh harvest mouse. It uses the tule as a food provider. The marsh wren is another animal that uses the tule plant for building its nest. And the tule elk used the marsh tule as a food provider. All these animals use the tule plant different ways like for food or a thing to help the animals build their home.
Works Cited: "The Historic ABC's Of Solano County", written by Jackie Albright and Jackie Lillis Illustrated by Tina Akuda. Published by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, 1997 "The Suisun Marsh Resource Book" published by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, 2002. "The Natives of Suisun. Land of Plenty. Chapter 3" published by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, 2002. Image from: Tule plant image copyrighted by "© Br. Alfred Brousseau,
Saint Mary's College". |
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