Aboriginal People And Their Plants

This book provides an overview of indigenous relationships to plants in Aboriginal Australia. The book spans the gap between botany and indigenous studies, treating the study of plants as a window upon which to delve into Aboriginal culture. The topic of Aboriginal use and perception of plants is vast, and this book offers an overview, appreciating the depth of indigenous ecological knowledge about the environment. The book offers insights into Aboriginal culture by looking at the roles of plants in language, ritual, and religion; demonstrates how Aboriginal people were actively involved in managing their environment; focuses upon the importance of particular species of plants to make food, drink, medicine, narcotics, and tools; and it looks at the future of Aboriginal plant use studies, particularly with respect to the changing Australian landscape.