Botany

Botany is the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification. Botany is important in herbalism for many reasons. Botanical names ensure that we are talking about the same plant, botanical traits help us correctly identify the plant, understanding their habit helps us find them or plant them, and understanding their life cycles and reproduction helps ensure their longevity.

The Importance of Understanding Plant Reproduction

Why is it important to understand plant reproduction? Because plant reproduction is the fundamental biological process that ensures the continuation of plant species and impacts the balance of healthy ecosystems. The following reasons highlight the importance of understanding plant reproduction.

Conservation

A full life cycle means all of the different stages of plant reproduction (examples: pollination, fertilization, seed dispersal) that the plant could experience. Understanding plant reproduction is crucial for wildcrafting plants, such as American ginseng or ramps, so they are not overharvested to the point of extinction.

Landscape & Gardening
Understanding plant reproduction helps with the selection of correct species, such as choosing both male and female species of spicebush or spinach, to ensure fruiting and successful propagation of the plants.

Food Security
Plants are the foundation for all food sources. Whether eating plants or eating animals that eat plants, plant reproduction ensures growth of healthy crops.

Basic "gendering" of plants

Most plant don't have genders and have perfect flowers (see below for description). However, there are some plant species that have male and female flowers on separate plants.