Neglected aspects of North American ethnobotany

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Abstract
This symposium paper discusses materials and issues which have been infrequently addressed by ethnobotanists. The worth of familiar ethnobotanical research is not being challenged here, but rather possibilities for enlargement are being suggested. Some recent and potential research is described in the paper. The topics and questions covered include (1) available plants not used, or abandoned, by Native Americans; (2) "principles" of Native botany (other than the uses and names of vascular plants for food and medicine); (3) the relationship of ethnobotany to various (sub)disciplines, especially aspects of linguistics and the "anthropology" of knowledge" (perhaps a neologism); (4) Indian-defined plant entities (taxa) related by similarity, as well as by contrast and inclusion; (5) the occurrence of unnamed Indian taxa, especially on the lowest (cf. species) level; (6) medicines made from single plants versus mixtures, and panaceas versus specific cures; (7) ethnobotany as scholarly activity; (8) the possibility that an ethnobotanical perspective might link the interior of British Columbia with most of California in our thinking and in redrawn ecological and culture area maps.

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