African Journal of
Plant Science

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Plant Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0824
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPS
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 807

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnobotanical survey of the uses Annonaceae around mount Cameroon

Mekou Y. Bele1*, Derek A. Focho2, Enow A. Egbe3 and Bindeh G. Chuyong3
1Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). P. O. Box 2008, Messa, Yaounde-Cameroon. 2Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon. 3Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, SW Cameroon.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 05 March 2011
  •  Published: 30 April 2011

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in eight villages around Mount Cameroon in the South West Region of Cameroon. It was focused on determining the uses of the members of the family Annonaceae in this region. Show and Tell Semi-structured Interviews employing a checklist of questions and direct observations were used. The results obtained enable the presentation of the rate of utilization of the members of that family in the study area. At least 70% of the 41 species recorded during field trips from the research area were found to be widely used in traditional medicine by local populations. Some 29 diseases were cured using 24 species. The bark and the wood of these species were the most commonly used plant parts. The check list and ethnomedicinal inventory was developed alphabetically by botanical name, followed by local name, part used, ethnomedicinal uses, mode of usage and information on species availability. Plant specimens were collected, identified, preserved, mounted and voucher was deposited in the Limbe Botanic Garden (SCA) for future references.

 

Key words: Annonaceae, checklist, uses, Mount Cameroon.