Economic Botany
Economic botanists explore the interface between people and plants to describe the cultural uses of plants, explain the origin of specific useful plants and develop strategies for the sustainable use of plant resources.
Background
Ever since its founding in the late 19th century, The Field Museum and its scientists have studied the great variety of ways that people use plants. In fact the Museum's first Curator of Botany, Charles Frederick Millspaugh, had a special interest in economic botany and tropical plants which resulted in a direction and influence that continues at the Museum today
Policies
Some items in the Field Museum collections are available to loan for exhibition, research, or education in support of our mission: fighting climate change, preserving biodiversity, celebrating cultures, and championing science.
