Richard Evans Schultes was an American ethnobotanist and a pioneer in the study of the relationship between people and plants. Born on January 12, 1915, he is often referred to as the "father of modern ethnobotany." Schultes conducted extensive fieldwork in the Amazon rainforest, where he documented the uses of various plants by indigenous peoples, particularly in relation to medicinal and psychoactive properties. His research significantly contributed to the understanding of Amazonian flora and the cultural practices of its inhabitants. Schultes also played a crucial role in the study of hallucinogenic plants, including ayahuasca and peyote, influencing both scientific and popular perspectives on these substances.