XVI International Botanical Congess

The pattern of ethnobotanical knowledge distribution and the process of its acquisition among different age and gender groups are examined among Hoti Indians of the Venezuelan Amazon. Knowledge variation among the Hoti was documented by means of individual interviews conducted among a representative sample of persons (in terms of age and gender) in four one-hectare forest plots. Some of the most salient results of the study are: 1) a great amount of variation of knowledge of plant names and uses was observed at the individual level, 2) although individual knowledge levels do vary, males display higher levels of consensus knowledge, 3) by the age of 14 years old the bulk of plant naming and use knowledge is acquired by the individual, 4) knowledge of additional uses that are related to gender roles or specific individual interests are acquired during early adulthood, 5) there is a time lag between generic name recognition and specific name recognition. The implications of the observed pattern of variation for ethnobotanical knowledge continuity and change are discussed.