Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Mount Cameroon area, Southwest region of Cameroon to determine the uses of the different species of the Annonaceae. Ethnobotanical information was collected through the show-and-tell/semi-structured method and personal interviews during field trips. Eight villages were surveyed in the study: Njonji, Bakingili, Bomana, Mapanja, Likombe, Bwassa, Liwenni and Bimbia. Results indicated that 28 (68.3%) of the 41 species of Annonaceae present in the area are widely used by local people. Some 28 diseases are cured using 20 species. The barks and leaves of these species are the most commonly used plant parts. Seven other species provide wood used in the construction of houses and huts. These results show that there is need for protection of the Annonaceae in the region to ensure sustainability.

Key words: Annonaceae, ethnobotany, Mount Cameroon, diversity.