I am Ph.D. candidate in Latin American history and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. My dissertation tells the stories of four plants—the vegetable ivory, the eucalyptus, the cundurango, and the toquilla straw palm—to depict Ecuador's scientific history from 1850 to 1925. Specifically, it examines how Ecuador's governments have promoted and engaged with British and U.S. scientific expeditions focused on bioprospecting, medical botany, and the creation of patents. This exploration sheds light on how these interactions influenced Ecuador's state formation and national scientific projects. Additionally, my research addresses the marginalization and exploitation of indigenous and local communities' knowledge(s)—particularly that of women, who possess deep expertise in local flora, fauna, and medicinal practices. By focusing on recovering how these women have historically utilized plants in horticulture and domestic medicine, my work highlights their significant yet often overlooked contributions to both science and society.