ethnobotany
noun
eth·no·bot·a·ny
ˌeth-nō-ˈbä-tə-nē 
-ˈbät-nē
: the plant lore of indigenous cultures
also
: the systematic study of such lore
Examples of ethnobotany in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After decades of confusion, speculation, and debate among the greatest minds in ethnobotany, the elusive secret admixture plant of the ayahuasca potion had finally been identified.
—
Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
But beyond its environmental mission, the preserve helps students who take part in its upkeep learn hands-on lessons about ethnobotany and sustainability.
—Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
While the focus is agave–there are over 200 types, with 160 endemic to Mexico– experts from remote spots around the globe share expertise about the super plant in the context of fermentation, biodiversity, microbes, conservation, climate change, ethnobotany and sustainability.
—Rona Berg, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Indigenous Peoples Day at Eaton Canyon Take a free ethnobotany walk through Eaton Canyon today from 6 to 7 p.m. as part of the nature center’s slate of events for Indigenous Peoples Day.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
Just as traditional Indigenous ethnobotany is leading to lifesaving drugs today, scientific testing of the ancient and medieval claims could lead to discoveries of new therapeutic plants.
—Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024
The Western garden and most of the ethnobotany areas handled the deluges well, with minimal damage.
—Wes Janssen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2023
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Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
But beyond its environmental mission, the preserve helps students who take part in its upkeep learn hands-on lessons about ethnobotany and sustainability.
—Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
While the focus is agave–there are over 200 types, with 160 endemic to Mexico– experts from remote spots around the globe share expertise about the super plant in the context of fermentation, biodiversity, microbes, conservation, climate change, ethnobotany and sustainability.
—Rona Berg, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Indigenous Peoples Day at Eaton Canyon Take a free ethnobotany walk through Eaton Canyon today from 6 to 7 p.m. as part of the nature center’s slate of events for Indigenous Peoples Day.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
Just as traditional Indigenous ethnobotany is leading to lifesaving drugs today, scientific testing of the ancient and medieval claims could lead to discoveries of new therapeutic plants.
—Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024
The Western garden and most of the ethnobotany areas handled the deluges well, with minimal damage.
—Wes Janssen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Ethnobotany.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnobotany. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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