A Place For Plants: Ethnobotany, Bioregionalism And Folkways In Appalachia

This thesis examines the ways in which ethnobotany continues to serve Appalachia by bringing the literature on Appalachian ethnobotany into conversation with literatures on bioregionalism and folkways to examine mutually-reinforcing strategies for the preservation for local economies, ecosystems, and cultures in southern Appalachia. This thesis reviews the merits of ethnobotanical approaches to environmental and socio-economic sustainability. As well as Appalachian ethnobotany and bioregionalism, including comparisons to other biogeographic regions which provide inspiration for similar ethnobotanical initiatives and programs which have diverse functions from cultural preservation to interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Next, it examines the folkways revival in Appalachia and the ways in which it has been and can still be used for bioregional sustainability and economic opportunity. Synthesizing these insights, this thesis provides a short inventory of key plant,shrub and tree species and their ethnobotanical uses in Appalachia. The thesis concludes by discussing untapped ethnobotanical opportunities in Appalachia from entrepreneurial craft to sustainable botanical product creation utilizing common southern Appalachian flora.