Abstract

African communities traditionally use medicinal plants for their primary healthcare. To ensure the sustainable use of these species one of the crucial issues is to document African communities’ indigenous medicinal knowledge. To achieve this goal, the present study evaluated the use frequency and the knowledge of local Beninese communities on the endangered scrambling shrub (Caesalpinia bonduc). Results revealed that local populations use 20 properties from the leaves, roots and seeds of the species to fight against childbirth, to treat burns and for cultural practices like games, weddings and the Fâ ritual. The global credibility level of these properties equalled to 75%, indicating that C. bonduc is perceived as very important for local populations. Roots are more intensively used than leaves and seed respectively. The study clearly showed ethnic and age differences in use value and patterns of the species. For example, Kotafon ethnic group had a fair knowledge on the species while Fon and Bariba ethnic groups hold the lowest number of users.

Key words: Medicinal plant, Caesalpinia bonduc, endangered species, endogenous knowledge, use frequency, Benin.