Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't Paleoforaging - The Ethnobotany of Some Central Texas Plants w/ Cyrus Harp
Oct 30, 2025
Cyrus Harp, an ethnobiologist and author from Central Texas, dives into the world of Indigenous plant uses. He discusses the medicinal and dye-making properties of Agarita and the ceremonial history of Mescal Beans. Cyrus shares his expertise in primitive skills like flintknapping and explains the edible potential of plants like Yucca and Agave. He also reveals traditional techniques for harvesting prickly pears and making sumacade. This conversation is a fascinating blend of nature, culture, and useful skills for foragers.
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Early Ethnographies Built Ethnobotany
- Ethnobotany preserves detailed plant knowledge recorded by early 20th-century ethnographers.
- These records reveal how indigenous peoples used local plants for food, medicine, and materials.
Learn A Trade, Study Ethnobotany On The Side
- If you want a practical career, learn a trade (e.g., electrician) and study ethnobotany on the side.
- Avoid heavy student debt and maintain time to pursue independent natural-history research.
From PhD To Field Research Funded By Flips
- Cyrus left a Berkeley PhD and funded himself flipping houses and remodeling in Austin while researching ethnobotany.
- He used that income to build a life focused on fieldwork, plant ID, and replicating historical practices.
