Ethnobotanical specimens

Ethnobotany is a branch of ethnobiology, human science that studies the relationship between human societies and the plant world. The idea of ethnobotany was first proposed by the early 20th century American botanist John William Harshberger (January 1, 1869 – April 27, 1929). Another American biologist Richard Evans Schultes (January 12, 1915 – April 10, 2001) is considered to be the father of modern ethnobotany.

Ethnobotany Degree can be studied in many universities worldwide including the leading universities of the UK such as universities of Kent, Cambridge and Oxford. Self-studies in ethnobotany suit for everyone who is interested in plants since every know and named plant of the world from the scientific point of view being at first hand ethnobotanical specimen suits for ethnobotanical studies and research.

This interdisciplinary field combines studies and researches within various fields like botany, ecology, anthropology and many other sub-fields thus giving deeper understanding of plant biodiversity, ecological systems and the cultural significance of plants in different societies. Ethnobotany focuses on plants which are known and named by humans. Ethnobotanical specimens, plant material in their various forms from all over the world, are collected locally and used for ethnobotanical studies and research e.g. microscopic or physical characteristics research and herbaria collections being a concrete valuable addition to the theoretical and numeric data. Gathered among specific communities, they wear cultural information and represent evidence of local knowledge. 

Live plants from various parts of the world are available for studies and research in botanical gardens. Comprehesive collections of ethnobotanical specimens are found in Museums of Natural History and Natural Sciences.