Ethnobotanical Study of Wild Edible Plants in Mulo District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Central Ethiopia.

Abstract

An ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants was conducted in Mulo District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Central Ethiopia, from October 2024 to February 2025. This study aimed to assess and document indigenous knowledge concerning wild edible plants and their uses within the study area. Data were collected from 123 informants across 3 villages using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, and direct observation. A total of 22 wild edible plant species from 18 genera and 17 families were identified in the study area. The results revealed that these plant species serve multiple purposes, including food, medicine, fodder, and construction. The majority of WEPs were eaten raw, while the remainders were eaten after being cooked. 45.5% are trees, followed by shrubs (36.3%) and herbs (18.2%). The most consumed parts of the wild edible plants in the study area were fruits (68.2%), followed by tuber/root (18.2%), leaf and stem (4.55%), gum and bark (4.55%), and nectar (4.55%). The fruits of Syzgium guineense sub sp afromontanum were the most preferred wild food fruit among the other documented wild edible plants, according to preference ranking analysis. Syzgium guineenses sub sp macrocarpa, Psidum guajava, Opuntia ficus-indica, and Rubus apetalus were following in order. However, Wild Edible plants are threatened due to various human activities and natural causes. Therefore, the conservation of these plant species and assessing as well as preserving indigenous knowledge were the fundamental urgent issues.