Richard Evans Schultes

Richard Evans Schultes was a pioneering American botanist and one of the foremost experts on medicinal plants and ethnobotany—the study of how different cultures use plants. Often referred to as the “father of modern ethnobotany,” he conducted extensive research in the Amazon rainforest, documenting the uses of plants by indigenous peoples. His work highlighted the importance of plant biodiversity and conservation, as many of the plants he studied have significant medicinal properties. Schultes’ contributions not only advanced botanical science but also raised awareness about the cultural and ecological value of the world’s plant life.