Ethnobotanical study of homegarden plants in Woliso District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the uses, distribution, diversity and management of homegarden plants in Woliso District. For Ethnobotanical data collection,40 homegardens were systematically selected from five kebeles. The ethnobotanical data were collected by using observation of homegardens and semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed by using percentage and ranking the frequently observed plant species in the sampled area. Overall, 123 plant species, belong to 106 genera and 56 families were collected. Functionally they used as food, medicine, live fence, spice, timber production, construction, forage for livestock’s, stimulant, ecological benefits and protection as well as a shade for human and other animals. Among 123 plant species identified from homegardens of the study area,58 (47.15%) species were herbs, 37 (30.08%) were shrubs, 24 (19.51%) were trees and 4 (3.25%) were climbers. Additionally from total identified homegarden plant species in the study area, food plant species account for 30.08% where as non-food plant species account for 69.92%. Ensete ventricosum and Catha edulis were the most popular and abundant plant species widely used for food and stimulant respectively. Medicinal plants ranked second next to food plant species of the homegardens of the study area. The result of the study indicated homegardens are important for improving food security, agricultural support, size of gardens, application of scientific with indigenous knowledge of management of homegarden plants. The result also indicated as the study is important to improve ecological and environmental benefits of homegarden plants in relation to enhance biodiversity of the homegarden in the study area.