Ethnobotanist

/ˌɛθnoʊˈbɑːtənɪst/ noun

Definition

A scientist who studies how different cultures and ethnic groups use plants in their daily lives, medicine, and rituals.

Etymology

Combination of ethno- (people/culture) and botanist (plant scientist). The profession emerged in the 1960s-70s as anthropologists and botanists began collaborating to document disappearing plant knowledge from indigenous communities.

Kelly Says

Ethnobotanists are like scientific detectives racing against time—many are working to record plant wisdom from indigenous elders before it disappears forever.

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