Ethnobotany Walk and Discussion

By Samuel Cothran

Organization for Tropical Studies, La Selva Biological Station. Personally, I believe that the most enlightening part of my experience thus far has been learning about the vast diversity of plant life at La Selva. The complicated ability of being able to sort through all of the “green mass” that encapsulates the jungle is one that takes years to master. Orlando, a staff member of over 34 years, is one of the few who have perfected this art as he demonstrated his knowledge on the guided ethnobotany walk. What I found exceedingly interesting was the frequency at which new species of plants are being discovered. For example, within the orchid family (of which more than 80% live in the upper canopy of the jungle), new species are often discovered when massive, old trees crash to the ground carrying with them their soon-to-be uncovered treasures.

Additionally, learning about the manners in which any particular species is categorized was very fascinating. Using a combination of simple visual queues and physical touch one can hone a plant into its specific family, genera, and even species. Diving into the properties of smell and taste of the different plants that were encountered made it possible to quickly distinguish the black pepper family (Piperaceae), for example. Continuing on the note of plant properties, I was afforded a chance to peer further into the realm of medicinal attributes of different plants. A new understanding soon struck me. There is so much we do not know about plant life and their many properties. Nature is not just an existence of beauty, a pleasantry to the eye, but rather I now stand looking into the pharmacy that is the jungle. Being able to actually comprehend that ethnobotany exists, in part, to help us unleash the unlimited source of medicine that is sealed into nature. A prime example of this would be the discovery of the medicinal properties of the rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) flower in recent years. The beautiful, pink flower, which is native to southeastern Madagascar, has astounding anti-cancer properties and is crucial in the derivation of vinblastine (a cancer drug that increases the survival rate of childhood leukemia from 10%-95%).  Finally, one ofthe disciplines of ethnobotany includes the human interaction with plants throughout the course of history. Following the walk a discussion was held which centered on the knowledge of many diverse cultures that will soon be extinct, transporting with them all of the unique knowledge of the plants of their environments. The realization that, with each year, dying languages and cultures remove the possibility of extracting the vast stores of natural medicinal information that has been passed down from generation to generation was quite alarming to me. For all we know, locked up in the mind of an elder who passes away is a potential cure or treatment for diseases that are afflicting mankind today. I feel that it is of the utmost importance for us as co-inhabitants of this world to protect that information and the people/cultures who carry it. 

 

The pictures depict Passiflora vitifolia, the perfumed passionflower, as seen on the ethnobotany walk at La Selva Biological Station.