ETHNOBOTANY

WHAT IS ETHNOBOTANY?

Ethnobotany is the study of  how cultures value and use native plants. From the beginning of human history, our communities have adapted to the environment around them by using plants for rituals, food, clothing, and other resources. And even if the plants we value today, are not native, understanding their significance in our lives is ever important as we learn to value the ever changing environment around us.

 THE FOUR TYPES OF PLANTS

• Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms include what could be considered "evergreen trees" characterized by plants such as pine trees and other conifers which do not loose their color in the winter.  They reproduce using seeds and pine cones which are pollinated through insects or the wind. Despite having seeds, they lack true leaves instead having needles for photosynthesis.

• Angiosperms

Angiosperms are the largest group of plants composing about 80% of total species. They evolved after the other three groups about 130 million years ago and are distinguished by having flowers and seeds. Angiosperms have true roots and leaves and can be further categorized between monocots and dicots. 

• Bryophytes

Bryophytes which, include mosses and liverworts, are characterized by a lack of a vascular system, true roots, or leaves. They additionally only produce through spores, lacking more complex reproductive systems. Through this they are considered one of the simplest plant types. 

• Pteridophytes (Ferns)

Pteridophytes, while using spores to reproduce like Bryophytes, have vascular systems making them larger and more complex. As well, they have true roots and leaves.