Plant Story Cards
An ongoing research project pairing Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian plant knowledge with community-collected stories — a digital archive of plant-people relationships in Austin.
About the Project
Plant Story Cards is a digital archive of plant-people relationships in Austin. The project gathered 49 responses from 15+ cultural communities about the plants, places, and ancestral foods that hold meaning. Each response is presented as a card; the card set covers 95+ plant species across Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other community knowledge.
The archive does not attempt to standardize or interpret the responses. Each card presents a single voice in their own words, paired with the plant or place they named.
Community Voices
Responses from 49 community members across Austin's cultural landscape
What plants, places, or communities in Austin hold meaning for you?
Community connections to Austin's botanical and cultural landscape
What flora, fauna, or food brings your ancestors to mind?
Plants and foods that carry ancestral memory and cultural connection
What colors feel like home to you?
Color associations with belonging, culture, and place-based identity
What plant or food marks important moments in your family?
Traditional dishes and plants that anchor family celebrations and memories
What did your grandparents, parents, or elders teach you about the natural world?
Intergenerational wisdom about environmental stewardship and sacred relationships with nature
What symbol or pattern holds meaning to you or your culture?
Cultural symbols that represent resilience, spirituality, and community identity
Research Impact
Cultural Preservation
Documenting traditional ecological knowledge across Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and diverse communities
Community Building
Creating connections through shared plant experiences and botanical heritage
Climate Adaptation
Sharing traditional knowledge for environmental resilience and stewardship
Complete Raw Data
Comprehensive documentation of all collected community responses
🌿 Master Plant List (95+ Species)
Trees & Large Plants
Century Agave • Live Oak Trees • Palm Trees • Pecan Trees • Mountain Laurels • Cinnamon Trees • Guava Tree
Flowering Plants
Blue Bonnets • Hibiscus • Orchids • Lotus Flowers • Cherry Blossoms • Sunflowers • Jasmine • Marigolds • Plumeria • Magnolias • Peace Lily • Rain Flowers
Herbs & Medicine Plants
Aloe • Mint • Lemongrass • Kaffir Lime • Goji Berries • Wasabi Fern • Traditional Medicine Plants
Fruits & Vegetables
Dragon Fruit • Ube • Bitter Melon • Collard Greens • Nopales • Sweet Potatoes • Rice • Mung Bean Noodles • Bamboo
🎨 Colors That Feel Like Home (45+ Responses)
Most Frequent Colors
Green (20+) • Blue (12+) • Yellow (8+) • Red (7+) • Orange (6+) • Purple (4+)
Popular Combinations
Green + Blue • Red + Turquoise • Orange + Green • "Rainbow - All colors ♡♡"
🧠 Elder Wisdom & Teachings (20+ Quotes)
Core Philosophy
"Work with nature, love nature" • "Respect & it respect back" • "Nature unites the world and reminds us of our creator"
Intergenerational Responsibility
"Plant trees for generations to come!" • "My grandmother knew all the medicine plants"
🔮 Cultural Symbols & Patterns (30+ Elements)
Asian Cultural Symbols
Lotus flowers • Yin-yang • Korean dragon • Filipino sun • Chang'e moon goddess • Jade circles • Mandala patterns
Indigenous/Native Symbols
Dragonfly cross • Red + turquoise colors • Medicine wheels • Sacred geography markers
Natural Elements
Sunflowers • Moon & stars • Spiral patterns • Water snakes • Cacti + snakes • Butterflies • Hearts • Four-leaf clover
Complete Documentation Summary
This collection represents the most comprehensive documentation of urban multicultural botanical knowledge, revealing Austin as a global convergence point for traditional plant wisdom and cultural preservation.
Access comprehensive listings of all documented species, cultures, countries, and community quotes
Research Methodology
Community-Centered Approach
Data collected through grassroots networks in March 2026:
- 42 physical cards - Handwritten responses at community events
- 7 digital submissions - Online form responses via Instagram outreach
- Self-selected participants - Voluntary community members
- Cultural communities - Filipino, Vietnamese, Mexican/Tejano, African American, Indigenous, and mixed heritage families
Ethical Framework
Respectful collaboration with Indigenous knowledge holders, participant consent for follow-up contact, and community ownership of shared stories.
Join the Project
We're continuing to collect stories and document plant knowledge. Share your story or support this community research project.