CHARACTERISTICS AND HANDLING OF DATA IN ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES

The problems of incompleteness and inconsistency of the data in ethnob otanical research are considered. Some inconsistency, such as that see n in the identification of plants, is unavoidable, but if care is take n, it can be reduced step by step. Some inconsistency, however, like v ariation in the ways plants are used, is intrinsic to ethnobotanical d ata, and must be recognized as such. Inconsistency does not mean usele ssness so long as we recognize the characteristics of ethnobotanical d ata and use, suitable methods for handling them.