BEST KNOWN CORDAGE PLANTS
by Tim Swanson
LEAVES
Yucca*
Day Lily**
Cattail
Iris
Corn (Husk)
STEM
Milkweed*
Dogbane**
Stinging Nettle*
Hemp
Velvet Leaf
Burdock
Fireweed
Flax
Evening Primrose
Dandelion
BARK (usually inner bark)
Basswood**
Hickory
Cedar
Willow
Juniper
Cottonwood
Chestnut*
ROOTS
Spruce (or most evergreens, use “as is”)**
Juniper
VINE (dried but unprocessed, used to make baskets or “static” bindings)
Bittersweet**
Grape
Blackberries
*Plants that I have worked with that I particularly enjoy
**My favorite plant from each category
