Ethnobotany

What is Ethnobotany?

The term ethnobotany is derived from the terms “ethnology,” the study of culture, and “botany, the study of

plants.”

Ethnobotany is the scientific study of the

relationships that exist between people and plants

What do Ethnobotanists do?Ethnobotanists aim to document,

describe and explain complex relationships between cultures and

(uses of) plants, focusing primarily on how plants are used, managed and perceived across human societies.

This includes use for food, clothing, currency, ritual, medicine, dye,

construction, cosmetics and more.

FoodYum! Yum!

Bird’s-nest fern, a species native to

Taiwan, is a popular food among

indigenous peoples. The plant takes its name from its large

leaves, which radiate outward to give the

appearance of a nest.

Sharifa fruit is a sweet fruit which

can found in Pakistan and India.

ClothingFrom Haute Couture to comfy and

casual…

Non Bai Tho or Non La

(Vietnamese conical hat made of bamboo) used to protect people

from the sun

Cotton is used all over the world in

the manufacturing of clothing. What percentage of your wardrobe is made

from cotton?

CurrencyShow me the money!

Most paper currency around

the world is derived from plants: paper

from trees and may include cotton fibers

shown:US $100 bill (top) and

Mexican pesos (bottom)

RitualThe practices which bring meaning to our

life…

The Huichol Indians will then venture

down into the Catorce Valley to gather a catcus

called peyote, tfor use in rituals. Peyote causes hallucinogenic

visions.

The traditional healers of the

northern Peruvian Andes use blood leaf

(resine herbstii) with the ritual aim to

expel bad spirits from the body.

MedicineTo your health!

The aloe medicine plant is often used by many cultures

to relieve skin irritations

Aspirin, a common pain reliever,

comes from the bark of the willow

tree.

DyeColor your world!

Beets are used to make a burgundy

colored dye.

Henna comes from the henna plant and is used to

create temporary tattoos. It is very commonly used

during celebrations in the Middle East and in

Asia.

ConstructionHome is where the heart is

Log Cabin

Apache grass hut

CosmeticsHow do I look?

The flower which is used to make

Chanel N 5

Nothing like cucumber to soothe those eyes and skin!

OtherWhat? There’s more?

Nothing like flowers to

brighten your day!

Tree stump sidetable

How else do plants influence

your world?