Narrow-leaved milkweed

Scientific: Asclepias fascicularis 

Common: Narrow-leaved milkweed 

Español: Jumete

Chumash ('alapkaswa'): ʼoxponuš  

Milkweed is one of the most important fiber plants for the Chumash. It is used to make cordage by cutting and drying the green stems, rubbing them to extract the fiber, and then twisting them into string. The Chumash fashioned carrying nets and tumplines out of the fiber for carrying lighter loads. Other items made of this fiber included cradle bands, men’s belts, and dance aprons. Milkweed was reported to be made into a bad-tasting chewing gum (some milkweeds are toxic). 

Source: Chumash Ethnobotany: Plant Knowledge Among the Chumash People of Southern California by Jan Timbrook

'alapkaswa' refers to the local Chumash dialect spoken at the kaswa’ village near modern Hope Ranch.