What is the study of plant uses by indigenous people called?
Ethnobiology
Ethnobiology includes elements of ecology, zoology, mycology, pharmacology, and medicine.
What historical context is ethnobiology rooted in?
Colonialism
This includes European travel and the spice trade.
What is pharmacognosy?
Study of natural product molecules that are useful for their medicinal, ecological, gustatory, or other functional properties
Typically focuses on secondary metabolites.
What are the active alkaloids found in Catharanthus roseus?
Vinblastine and vincristine
They interfere with cell division and are effective treatments for childhood leukaemia, lymphomas, and Hodgkin’s disease.
What is Taxol and where is it extracted from?
Taxol is a multicyclic alcohol extracted from the bark of Taxus brevifolia
The highest concentrations are found in trees over 100 years old.
What types of cancer does Taxol treat?
Lung, ovarian, and breast cancers
True or False: The Nagoya Protocol is related to the rights of indigenous peoples.
True
What are some crops successfully introduced by Māori?
- Kumara (Ipomoea batatas)
- Yam (Dioscorea alata)
- Taro (Colocasia antiquorum)
- Hue (Lagenaria vulgaris)
- Tī pore (Cordyline fruticosa)
- Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)
Fill in the blank: Harakeke (Phormium tenax) is used to make _______.
clothing, baskets, cordage, nets
What is the medicinal use of Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)?
Used medicinally and fruits used like pepper
Dried leaves burned are used as a natural insecticide.
What is Rarahu (Pteridium esculentum) known for?
Rhizome roasted to produce starchy flour; fiddleheads are edible but carcinogenic
What is the danger of consuming raw fruits of Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus)?
Raw fruits are poisonous
What is the significance of Taewa in Māori culture?
Many varieties cultivated, some prior to European arrival; research into health benefits
What is the main use of the gum extracted from Harakeke leaves?
Used medicinally
True or False: Māori successfully introduced many tropical plants to New Zealand.
False
What is the primary source of tapa cloth?
Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)
