Assessment on Wild and Semi Wild Edible Plants in Mengeshi District, Majang Zone Gambella Regional State, South west Ethiopia

Abstract

Assessment on Wild and semi wild edible plants was performed in Majang zone, Mengeshi district, Gambella regional state, Ethiopia. The field study was conducted between January to June 2021. A total of 395 informants were sampled from 3 study kebelesnamelyShone, Gubeti and Yeriby using random sampling method. Data were collected by using semi-structured interviews through checklist, field observations and group discussion. Data were analyzed by using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and paired comparison. A total of 39 vascular plant species were recorded in the study area that is used by the local communities as wild edible food.These were distributed among 28 genera and 23 families. Accordingly, the respondents whose age interval within the ranges of 51-90 years were 42.29%, 36-50 were 30.88%, and 19-35 were 25.82 %.Age groups 51-90 reported more Wild edible plant species, while the age interval 19-34 years olds were the least reported. Out of 39 recorded plant species, about 89% were observed to occur in the forest, 8% on/behind fence and in forest and only 3% found on river side. From the total collected and identified plant species, family Solanaceae contributed 15% species followed by Dioscoraceae with 10% species, Lamiaceae 8% species. Six families contributed 2 species each and constituted 31% and also 14 families were contributed single species each and constituted 36% of the total wild food plant species.From the total 39 species of wild edible plants 51% were herbs,23%were trees,12% were climbers,10%were shrubs and 2% were epiphytes.Most (46%) parts of wildand semi wild edible plants were eaten as cooked, and the others in different ways; such as 33% as raw ripen, 15% by mixing with others, 3% as Raw ripen and mixed with others, 3% Raw, Cooked and mix with other. According to the market survey, wild edible plant species; Solanum nigrum, Capsicum minimum, Dioscorea bulbifera, Manihotesculenta, Lippiaadoensis, Aframomumcorrorima, Psidiumguajva were available in the market. The current situation and distribution of wild edible plants indicated that; 74.35% was sparsely distributed, 21% was widely distributed and 5.12% was found rarely in the study area. Similarly, the result of preference ranking for most risked wild edible plant species also showed; Cordia africana, Opuntiaficusindica, Phoenix reclinata, were riskeed by overgrazing, fuel wood collection, agricultural land expansion, urbanization/ modernization, construction and building. Thus conservation majors must be formulated and applied