Abstract
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Plant use in Odo-Bulu and Demaro, Bale region, Ethiopia
Abstract
This paper reports on the plant use of laypeople of the Oromo in Southern Ethiopia. The Oromo in Bale had names/uses for 294 species in comparison to 230 species documented in the lower reaches of the Bale area. Only 13 species was used for veterinary purposes, or as human medicine (46). Plant medicine served mostly to treat common everyday ailments such as stomach problems and diarrhea, for wound treatment and as toothbrush-sticks, as anthelmintic, for skin infections and to treat sore muscles and. Interestingly, 9 species were used to treat spiritual ailments and to expel demons. In most cases of medicinal applications the leaves or roots were employed.
Traditional plant knowledge has clearly declined in a large part of the research area. Western style health care services as provided by governments and NGOs, in particular in rural areas, seem to have contributed to a decline in traditional knowledge, in part because the local population simply regards western medicine as more effective and safer.
Introduction
Plants have been an integral part of life in many indigenous communities, and Africa is no exception [1,2]. Apart from providing building materials, fodder, weapons and other commodities, plants are especially important as traditional medicines. Many tribes and cultures in Africa have an elaborated plant knowledge-base [3]. Most of this knowledge is still entirely transferred orally within the family unit or community [4]. Western influences have, however, led to an accelerating decline of this tradition. For example, Western style healthcare supplied by some governments has been expanded in the last decades, but it is still often not readily available and many regions remain completely underserved. Subsequently, most rural communities still use herbal remedies as readily and cheaply available alternatives. This knowledge is however, rapidly dwindling due to desired changes towards a more Western lifestyle, and the influence of modern tourism and other agents of globalization.
During the last decades, a vast array of ethnobotanical studies from Ethiopia has been published. Most of these focused however on the northern regions [5-12], as well central and southern Ethiopia [13-26].
Various studies report on the toxicity and efficacy of Ethiopian traditional medicine [8,27-34].
The study area
Our study was conducted in the eastern reaches of the Bale Mountains in the southern highlands of Ethiopia (approximately 6° 9'N, 40° 22'W) [35]. The study area covers an area approximately 380 km2 with elevations ranging from 1,500 m to 3,300 m (Figure (Figure1).1). Mean minimum and maximum temperatures are 10.2 C° and 21.3 C°, respectively; while mean annual precipitation ranges from 68 to 93 mm largely occurring during two rainy seasons. The majority of the study area is mountainous with intact forest ecosystems [36,37]. Most anthropogenic activities are centered on honey gathering and the collection of wood and bamboo (Sinarundinaria alpina). Some livestock grazing occurs, but generally at small scales. The study area has remained relatively preserved for two primary reasons: the topography is largely prohibitive to cultivation and there are two controlled hunting concessions (called Odu Bulu and Demaro) that provide legal protection to the forest. Trophy hunting within the hunting concessions generally occurs within a three-month period; however, both concessions maintain permanent camps and guards to protect the wildlife and habitat. Just beyond the northern edges of the study area, the landscape is heavily populated with people and livestock. The forests here have long been cleared, and barley cultivation is extensive. The southern edge of the study area drops sharply in elevation before transforming into semi-arid plains that stretch into Somalia. The steep slopes act as a barrier to human and livestock encroachment providing further protection to the study area [38]. Although the study area has significantly less anthropogenic impact than nearby Bale Mountains National Park, increasing human and livestock pressure within the study area is becoming evident.
The Oromo
The Oromo are the main ethnic group in southern Ethiopia, including the Bale region, although members of many other peoples have settled in the area. Smaller populations are found in Somalia and northern Kenya. Barley and wheat cultivation provide most sustenance and income in Bale, with some areas receiving enough rainfall to support two harvests a year. Livestock keeping is also important to Oromo people, but occurs to a lesser extent than most areas in Ethiopia. During the time when crops are cultivated, livestock are grazed in the forest and Afro-alpine of higher elevations. Because some areas can support two harvests annually, livestock may spend as long as ten months in natural areas. During the last decades, Bale has seen profound changes, from increased access and governmental health care entering during the communist era of the 1970s and 80s, to an increase in tourism in the 1990s and a large influx of Chinese development aid in the last few years. These years have also marked a dramatic increase in human and livestock populations, and consequently land-use and conversion of the landscape. Throughout the 1980s and early 90s, Ethiopia's communist government regularly relocated people from northern regions to Bale as a means to disrupt civil opposition [39]. Since then, the current government has continued the practice on a voluntary basis as an effort to provide people access to natural resources, which have been depleted in other parts of the country. Collectively, these events have put an enormous strain on forests in the Bale Mountains, and are changing the local economy and traditional customs profoundly.
The ethnobotany of various subgroups of the Oromo has been focal point of a few recent studies [40-42].
Materials and Methods
Ethnobotanical data and plant collections
Fieldwork was carried out between 2009 by Bussmann and collaborators. To obtain information on plants used traditionally, interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires [43]. Random sampling technique was applied in distributing the questionnaires. Before carrying out the interviews, an oral prior informed consent was sought from every respondent. All communities involved showed the same acceptance of the researchers, and similar in-field times were involved in the study in order to avoid possible errors in data depth.
A total of 12 lay respondents were interviewed. Access to female informants was not possible. In order to get a more detailed inventory of plant use, ethnobotanical data were collected by conducting interviews directly in the field during collection trips, and by discussing the freshly collected specimens with informants, after seeking oral consent from each respondent. This method was preferred over pure questionnaires to also get an indication for species that are not used by the community, and which are normally not mentioned during traditional interviews. All interviews were carried out in local language by native speakers, and then translated into English. Voucher specimens were collected and are preserved at the National Herbarium of Ethiopia (ADD). The identification of plant material followed the Flora of Ethiopia and Erithrea [44-50], as well as [51-53]. Plant nomenclature follows TROPICOS http://www.tropicos.org.
Results and Discussion
The Oromo in Bale had names/uses for 294 species encountered (Table (Table1.),1.), in comparison to 230 species documented in the lower reaches of the Bale area [23], and 101 species in the highlands [41]. The latter study did however interview health experts, while the present work focused on the knowledge of laypeople. One hundred and sixty two species encountered in this study were classified as having no uses whatsoever, although many of them were named. Many of the identified species had multiple uses or were known provide important direct or indirect services to the community (Figure (Figure2).2). Most species named (172 species) were used for livestock grazing (mostly cattle). The vernacular name "Marga" for many Poaceae simply translates to "grass", and underlines the importance of this resource. It is important to note however that 42 of these were also indicated to be important for the endemic and endangered mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), illustrating a potential conflict between pastoralist use and wildlife conservation. A further 27 species were used as fodder for both domestic animals and eaten by wildlife. Again the vernacular names often pointed to that specific use. Argemone mexicana and similar spiny species were all called "Korehare" which translates to "spiny donkey", and all serve as fodder for donkeys. Nine species were used as poisons against carnivores. Fifty-one tree species were used as firewood, while only two served to produce charcoal. Traditional houses are to a large extent built using material from the forest, and it is not astonishing that 15 tree species were used for timber, 17 species provided material to make ropes, mostly used to tie the house posts and roof beams, and 10 species were used as thatch. A wide variety of plants was found to be employed for the fabrication of tools and household implements (3 for brooms, 4 to make beehives, 3 for tanning, 11 to make ploughs, 2 served as detergent to wash clothes). In addition forest species were an important source of nutrients, with 28 species collected as food, and 23 explicitly used for honey production.
Table 1
Voucher | Oromifa | Family | Scientific name | Uses and notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
16191 | Sokoro | Acanthaceae | Acanthus sp. | No use. |
16011 | Sokoro | Acanthaceae | Acanthus eminens C.B. Clarke | Flowers for honey. |
16011 | Sokoro | Acanthaceae | Acanthus eminens C.B. Clarke | NOT eaten by animals. |
16011 | Sokoro | Acanthaceae | Acanthus sennii Chiov. | Medicine; leaves are dried, ground, mixed with butter and applied to wounds. |
16236 | Sokoru | Acanthaceae | Acanthus sennii Chiov. | Flowers for honey. |
16223 | Dergu | Acanthaceae | Dicliptera laxata C.B. Clarke | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. NOTE: "Flower is different from place to place". |
16210 | Dergu | Acanthaceae | Dicliptera sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16210 | Dergu | Acanthaceae | Dicliptera sp. | Flowers for honey. |
15999 | Dergu | Acanthaceae | Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl.) R. Br. | Eaten by animals. |
16293 | Gurbi | Acanthaceae | Hypoestes sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16220 | Dergu | Acanthaceae | Hypoestes triflora (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16046 | Dergu | Acanthaceae | Justicia diclipteroides Lindau | Eaten by cattle, bushbuck and mountain nyala. |
16263 | Gurbi | Acanthaceae | Justicia diclipteroides Lindau | Eaten by cattle. |
16336 | Umuga | Acanthaceae | Justicia schimperiana (Hochst. Ex Nees) T. Anderson | Rope; bark peeled and used as rope for construction to attach the wall fragments. |
16288 | Gurbi | Acanthaceae | Justicia sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16040 | Herraye | Acanthaceae | Minulopsis solmsii Schweinf. | Flowers for honey. NOTE: "This flowers only once in seven years. I have seen it twice in my lifetime (the speaker was about 55 years old). The last flowering was about 10 years ago when the great rain stopped. (El Niño 1998). It also flowered before the king was replaced (around 1973). |
16237 | Anano | Acanthaceae | Thunbergia alata Bojer ex Sims | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16294 | Gurbi | Acanthaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16313 | Gurbi | Acanthaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16397 | No name | Acanthaceae | No use. | |
16408 | No name | Acanthaceae | No use. | |
16228 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Achyranthes aspera L. | Eaten by cattle. |
16228 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Achyranthes aspera L. | Veterinary; crush the root, boil it in water and give the animals to drink against rabies. |
16144 | Rafu | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16144 | Rafu | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus sp. | Food; cooked like cabbage in time of drought. |
16153 | Ch'okene | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus sp. | Medicine; as remedy for spiritual pain. Inhaling the smell brings out the evil. NOTE: Name translates to "tall". |
16153 | Ch'okene | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus sp. | NOT eaten by livestock. |
16153 | Ch'okene | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus sp. | Veterinary; crushed and smeared on cattle for spiritual protection and "highsight". |
16355 | Rafu | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16379 | Rafu | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus sp. | No use. |
16303 | Gurbi | Amaranthaceae | Celosia anthelminthica Aschers. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16007 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Cyathula cylindrica Moq. | Eaten by cattle. |
16007 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Cyathula cylindrica Moq. | Veterinary; crush the root, boil it in water and give the animals to drink against rabies. |
16247 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Cyathula polycephala Baker | Eaten by cattle. |
16127 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz | Eaten by cattle. |
16127 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz | Veterinary; crush the root, boil it in water and give the animals to drink against rabies. |
16216 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz | Eaten by cattle. |
16216 | Hacho | Amaranthaceae | Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz | Veterinary; crush the root, boil it in water and give the animals to drink against rabies. |
16297 | No name | Amaranthaceae | No use. | |
16376 | Komudu | Amaranthaceae | No use. | |
16289 | Tadesa | Anacardiaceae | Rhus sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16289 | Tadesa | Anacardiaceae | Rhus sp. | Food; children eat the sweet fruits. |
16213 | No name | Apiaceae | Agrocharis incognita (C. Norman) Heyw. & Jury | Eaten by cattle. |
16213 | No name | Apiaceae | Agrocharis incognita (C. Norman) Heyw. & Jury | Medicine; root is crushed and eaten for stomach problems. |
16213 | No name | Apiaceae | Agrocharis incognita (C. Norman) Heyw. & Jury | Veterinary; root is crushed and given to livestock for stomach problems. |
15986 | No name | Apiaceae | Carum sp. | No use. |
16182 | No name | Apiaceae | Hydrocotyle mannii Hook.f. | Eaten by baboons. |
16010 | Informant does not remember name | Apiaceae | Pimpinella oreophila Hook. f. | Eaten by livestock and wildlife. |
16010 | Informant does not remember name | Apiaceae | Pimpinella oreophila Hook. f. | Medicine; roots are ground and prepared as tea for stomach problems. |
15987 | No name | Apiaceae | Sanicula elata Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don. | No use. |
15993 | Informant does not remember name | Apiaceae | Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link | Eaten by animals. |
16088 | No name | Apiaceae | No use. | |
16115 | No name | Apiaceae | No use. | |
16171 | No name | Apiaceae | Eaten by baboons. | |
16326 | Hagamsa | Apocynaceae | Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl | Eaten by goats. |
16326 | Hagamsa | Apocynaceae | Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl | Food; fruit eaten by humans. |
16027 | Homba | Apocynaceae | Oncinotis tenuiloba Stapf. | Eaten by livestock and mountain nyala. NOTE: The latex is very sticky but not poisonous. |
16027 | Homba | Apocynaceae | Oncinotis tenuiloba Stapf. | Rope. NOTE: The latex is very sticky but not poisonous. |
16423 | Bulala | Apocynaceae | Oncinotis tenuiloba Stapf. | Rope for construction. |
16330 | Diki | Apocynaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala (leaves). | |
16330 | Diki | Apocynaceae | Rope; bark peeled and used as rope for construction. | |
16333 | Gidila | Apocynaceae | Poison; used to kill carnivores (mainly hyenas and lions); dry plant, crush and put on meat. | |
16400 | Anano | Apocynaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16422 | Anano | Apocynaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16031 | Abeye | Aquifoliaceae | Ilex mitis (L.) Radkl. | Food; women use the leaves to roll the dough in before putting it in the oven so that it does not burn. The seeds are crused and the oil is used to grease the baking plate before baking. |
16414 | Arfatu | Araliaceae | Cussonia holstii Harms ex Engl. | Beehives (wood). |
16214 | Gatami | Araliaceae | Schefflera abyssinica (Hochst. ex Rich.) Harms | Firewood. |
16214 | Gatami | Araliaceae | Schefflera abyssinica (Hochst. ex Rich.) Harms | Flowers for honey. |
16214 | Gatami | Araliaceae | Schefflera abyssinica (Hochst. ex Rich.) Harms | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16025 | Ansha | Araliaceae | Schefflera volkensii (Harms) Harms | Eaten by cattle and colobus monkeys. |
16025 | Ansha | Araliaceae | Schefflera volkensii (Harms) Harms | Firewood. |
16041 | Ansha | Araliaceae | Schefflera volkensii (Harms) Harms | Firewood. |
16043 | Meti | Arecaceae | Phoenix reclinata Jacq. | Weave wedding baskets and floor mats. |
16134 | Seriti | Asparagaceae | Asparagus africanus Lam. | Eaten by cattle and wildlife. |
16134 | Seriti | Asparagaceae | Asparagus africanus Lam. | Medicine; crush the plant, extract the juice and put on pimples. |
16337 | Sariti | Asparagaceae | Asparagus africanus Lam. | Making brooms. |
16135 | Seriti | Asparagaceae | Asparagus falcatus L. | Eaten by cattle and wildlife. |
16135 | Seriti | Asparagaceae | Asparagus falcatus L. | Medicine; crush the plant, extract the juice and put on pimples. |
16202 | No name | Asparagaceae | Chlorophytum ducis-aprutii Chiov. | No use. |
15990 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium friesiorum C. Chr. | No use. |
16017 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium monanthes L. | Sometimes eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16013 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | Sometimes eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16014 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | Sometimes eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16099 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | No use. |
16120 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | No use. |
16196 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | No use. |
16197 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | No use. |
16198 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | No use. |
16206 | No name | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | No use. |
16207 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium sp. | No use. |
16012 | Kokosa | Aspleniaceae | Asplenium theciferum (Kunth.) Mett. | Sometimes eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16244 | Gurbi | Asteraceae | Ageratum conyzoides L. | No use. |
16382 | Kore'apata | Asteraceae | Arctium lappa L. | No use. |
16147 | Ch'okone | Asteraceae | Artemisia absinthium (Mill.) DC. | Medicine; as remedy for spiritual pain. Inhaling the smell brings out the evil. NOTE: Name translates to "tall". |
16147 | Ch'okone | Asteraceae | Artemisia absinthium (Mill.) DC. | NOT eaten by livestock. NOTE: Name translates to "tall". |
16147 | Ch'okone | Asteraceae | Artemisia absinthium (Mill.) DC. | Veterinary; crushed and smeared on cattle for spiritual protection and "highsight". NOTE: Name translates to "tall". |
16354 | Informant does not remember name | Asteraceae | Artemisia absinthium (Mill.) DC. | No use. |
16113 | Hada | Asteraceae | Bidens sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16190 | Korehare | Asteraceae | Carduus nyassanus (S. Moore) R.E. Fr. | Eaten by donkeys. NOTE: Name translates to "spiny donkey". |
16125 | No name | Asteraceae | Centaurea sp. | No use. |
16039 | No name | Asteraceae | Cineraria deltoidea Sond. | Eaten by cattle. |
16122 | Korehare | Asteraceae | Cirsium dender Friis | Eaten by donkeys. NOTE: Name translates to "spiny donkey". |
16368 | Korehare | Asteraceae | Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. | Eaten by donkeys. They prefer the heads. NOTE: Name translates to "spiny donkey". |
15998 | Informant does not remember name | Asteraceae | Crassocephalum sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16038 | No name | Asteraceae | Crassocephalum sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16409 | No name | Asteraceae | Crepis cf. rueppellii Sch. Bip. | No use. |
16052 | Korehare | Asteraceae | Echinops hoehnelii Schweinf. | Eaten by donkeys. |
16204 | No name | Asteraceae | Galinsoga parviflora Cav. | No use. |
16108 | No name | Asteraceae | Gnaphalium sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16145 | Informant does not remember name | Asteraceae | Haplocarpha rueppellii (Sch. Bip.) K. Lewin | Eaten by cattle. |
16176 | No name | Asteraceae | Helichrysum formosissimum Sch. Bip. | No use. |
16093 | No name | Asteraceae | Helichrysum sp. | No use. |
16094 | No name | Asteraceae | Helichrysum sp. | No use. |
16142 | No name | Asteraceae | Helichrysum sp. | No use. |
16357 | Hariti | Asteraceae | Helichrysum sp. | No use. |
16055 | Hatawi | Asteraceae | Inula confertiflora A. Rich. | Poison; this is NOT eaten by animals. The leaves look like nice toilet paper but should not be used because they will cause swellings. |
15988 | No name | Asteraceae | Mikania sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16002 | Karkora | Asteraceae | Mikaniopsis clematoides Milne-Redh. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16205 | No name | Asteraceae | Mikaniopsis sp. | Medicine;. "eye medicine" for better spiritual view (chewed root). The root is also chewed to protect against Evil Eye. |
16161 | Anono | Asteraceae | Prenanthes subpeltata Stebbins | Medicine; leaves are boiled and then put on swellings and bruises. |
16165 | Anono | Asteraceae | Prenanthes subpeltata Stebbins | Medicine; leaves are boiled and then put on swellings and bruises. |
16037 | Hagedena | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | Flowers for honey. |
16089 | No name | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16095 | Adado | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | Rope; to tie the main pole of the house. Very durable. |
16095 | Adado | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | Firewood. |
16114 | No name | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | No use. |
16174 | No name | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | No use. |
16175 | No name | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | No use. |
16430 | Buritaro | Asteraceae | Senecio sp. | No use. |
16131 | Rafu | Asteraceae | Solanecio angulatus (Vahl) C. Jeffrey | Medicine; the leaves are boild and the steam inhaled for spiritual cleansing and to expel spirits in crazy people. |
16131 | Rafu | Asteraceae | Solanecio angulatus (Vahl) C. Jeffrey | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16132 | Galesimbira | Asteraceae | Sonchus bipontini Asch. | Eaten by cattle (given to calves to strengthen them). NOTE: Name translates to "birdvine". |
16132 | Galesimbira | Asteraceae | Sonchus bipontini Asch. | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: Name translates to "birdvine". |
16132 | Galesimbira | Asteraceae | Sonchus bipontini Asch. | Medicine; used for swellings. NOTE: Name translates to "birdvine". |
16132 | Galesimbira | Asteraceae | Sonchus bipontini Asch. | Veterinary; used for swellings. NOTE: Name translates to "birdvine". |
16166 | No name | Asteraceae | Sonchus oleraceus L. | No use. |
16243 | Hada | Asteraceae | Tagetes erecta L. | Poison; kills cattle when they eat it. |
16243 | Hada | Asteraceae | Tagetes erecta L. | Poison; very bad for humans. If it gets in a wound it will expand. |
16243 | Hada | Asteraceae | Tagetes erecta L. | Veterinary; used to treat cattle. Crush the leaves and put in the hole a worm made to kill the worms (botfly remedy). |
16320 | Sojom | Asteraceae | Vernonia amygdalina Delile | No use. |
16338 | Ebicha | Asteraceae | Vernonia amygdalina Delile | Construction (timber). |
16338 | Ebicha | Asteraceae | Vernonia amygdalina Delile | Eaten by cattle. |
16338 | Ebicha | Asteraceae | Vernonia amygdalina Delile | Firewood. |
16338 | Ebicha | Asteraceae | Vernonia amygdalina Delile | Veterinary; smash leaves and feed to cattle for stomach problems. |
16021 | Regi | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | Flowers for honey. |
16021 | Regi | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | Veterinary; the leaves are fed to cattle who have stomach problems to fatten them. |
16032 | Gadarra | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16053 | Kadara | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16053 | Kadara | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | Poison; the hairs can cause eye problems. |
16212 | No name | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | No use. |
16230 | Hevicha | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16230 | Hevicha | Asteraceae | Vernonia sp. | Veterinary; crush the leaves and make an extract. Give cattle to drink when they are bloated. |
16065 | Hadda | Asteraceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16091 | No name | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16133 | No name | Asteraceae | Flowers for honey. | |
16133 | No name | Asteraceae | NOT eaten by animals. | |
16168 | No name | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16229 | Informant does not remember name | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16296 | No name | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16328 | Sojoma | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16358 | No name | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16361 | Hada | Asteraceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16361 | Hada | Asteraceae | Flowers for honey. | |
16377 | Anamale | Asteraceae | No use. NOTE: Name translates to "only me" and classifies this as invasive species. | |
16383 | Kore'apata | Asteraceae | Weed. | |
16384 | No name | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16440 | Hada | Asteraceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16440 | Hada | Asteraceae | Flowers for honey. | |
16442 | No name | Asteraceae | No use. | |
16104 | Ch'afara | Balsamiaceae | Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich. | No use. |
16000 | Tschafara | Balsamiaceae | Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich. ssp. abyssinica (Hook. f. ex Oliv.) Grey-Wilson | Eaten by porcupine (roots, look like potatos). |
16105 | Ch'afara | Balsamiaceae | Impatiens walleriana Hook. f. | Eaten by pigs, especially the root. |
16105 | Ch'afara | Balsamiaceae | Impatiens walleriana Hook. f. | Medicine; women use the potato like root to strengthen their hair. |
16222 | No name | Basellaceae | Basella alba L. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16322 | W'odes | Boraginaceae | Cordia africana Lam. | Beehives. |
16322 | W'odes | Boraginaceae | Cordia africana Lam. | Construction (timber). |
16322 | W'odes | Boraginaceae | Cordia africana Lam. | Firewood. |
16322 | W'odes | Boraginaceae | Cordia africana Lam. | Food; fruits eaten by baboons and humans. |
16162 | Korsamichi | Boraginaceae | Cynoglossum amplifolium Hochst. ex A. DC. | Medicine; leaves are crushed, mixed with a little water to make an extract, which is drunk or put in the nose to treat colds. |
16054 | Korichi Michi | Boraginaceae | Cynoglossum coeruleum A. DC. ssp. geometricum (Baker & C.H. Wright) S. Edwards | Medicine; leaves are crushed and put in water to make an extract. That is applied to cold sores and can also be drunk for stomach problems. NOTE: Name translates to "spiny donkey". |
16139 | Korichi Michi | Boraginaceae | Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. | Medicine; the plant is crushed and applied to cold sores and afts, and also crushed and inhaled for headache. |
16139 | Korichi Michi | Boraginaceae | Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. | NOT eaten by animals. |
16143 | Informant does not remember name | Boraginaceae | Lithospermum officinale L. | Eaten by cattle when flowering. NOTE: "This came with the wheat given for aid during the Derg government". |
16150 | Carchapa | Boraginaceae | Myosotis abyssinica Boiss. & Reut. | Eaten by cattle. |
16136 | Saro | Brassicaceae | Brassica sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16136 | Saro | Brassicaceae | Brassica sp. | Veterinary; seeds are roasted and crushed and then fed to bloated cattle. |
16141 | Saro | Brassicaceae | Brassica sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16141 | Saro | Brassicaceae | Brassica sp. | Veterinary; seeds are roasted and crushed and then fed to bloated cattle. |
16186 | No name | Brassicaceae | Cardamine hirsuta L. | No use. |
16152 | Saro | Brassicaceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16152 | Saro | Brassicaceae | Veterinary; seeds are roasted and crushed and then fed to bloated cattle. | |
16241 | No name | Brassicaceae | No use. | |
16398 | No name | Burseraceae | Boswellia rivae Engl. | No use. |
16308 | Matakoma | Cabnnabaceae | Celtis africana Burm. f. | Firewood. |
16308 | Matakoma | Cabnnabaceae | Celtis africana Burm. f. | Tools; wood used to make ploughs. |
16388 | Bireliko | Cabnnabaceae | Celtis gomphophylla Baker | Firewood. |
16419 | Matacoma | Cabnnabaceae | Celtis sp. | Firewood. |
16061 | No name | Campanulaceae | Lobelia cf erlangeriana Engl. | Eaten by baboons. |
16073 | No name | Campanulaceae | Wahlenbergia silenoides Hochst. ex A. Rich | Eaten by cattle. |
16441 | No name | Campanulaceae | Wahlenbergia sp. | No use. |
16155 | Informant does not remember name | Caryophyllaceae | Arenaria serpyllifolia L. | Eaten by cattle. |
16155 | Informant does not remember name | Caryophyllaceae | Arenaria serpyllifolia L. | Medicine; for spiritual things. |
16350 | Ch'oge | Caryophyllaceae | Cerastium hirsutum Crantz | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: Informants specifically mention small flower and fruit. |
16110 | No name | Caryophyllaceae | Cerastium indicum Wight & Arn. | No use. |
16238 | No name | Caryophyllaceae | Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. | Eaten by cattle. |
16111 | Dukusha | Caryophyllaceae | Stellaria sennii Chiov. | To soften leather. Crush the plant and apply to leather to make leather ropes soft. |
16077 | No name | Caryophyllaceae | Eaten by baboons. | |
16026 | Kombocha | Celastraceae | Maytenus arbutifolia R. Wilczek | Eaten by livestock and mountain nyala. |
16235 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus arbutifolia R. Wilczek | Eaten by cattle. |
16235 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus arbutifolia R. Wilczek | Firewood. |
16344 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell | Eaten by goats and mountain nyala |
16344 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell | Firewood. |
16344 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16195 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16195 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus sp. | Firewood. |
16266 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus sp. | Eaten by goats. |
16266 | Kombolcha | Celastraceae | Maytenus sp. | Flowers for honey. |
16407 | Jima | Celastraceae | Firewood. | |
16146 | Bucha | Chenopodiaceae | Chenopodium sp. | Eaten by cattle, but if they eat it in the morning they get bloated. |
16148 | Bucha | Chenopodiaceae | Chenopodium sp. | Eaten by cattle, but if they eat it in the morning they get bloated. |
16353 | No name | Chenopodiaceae | Chenopodium sp. | NOT eaten by animals. |
16033 | Garramba | Clusiaceae | Hypericum revolutum Vahl | Construction; timber used for house posts. |
16033 | Garramba | Clusiaceae | Hypericum revolutum Vahl | Medicine; leaves boiled and given to babies with stomach problems and to make babies stop crying. |
16076 | Sedisa | Clusiaceae | Hypericum sp. | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: Informants were not completely sure about the name. |
16404 | Tantefensa | Combretaceae | Combretum sp. | Charcoal. |
16404 | Tantefensa | Combretaceae | Combretum sp. | Firewood. |
16209 | No name | Commelinaceae | Commelina imberbis Ehrenb. ex. Hassk. | No use. |
16366 | K'aio | Commelinaceae | Commelina sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16393 | K'aio | Commelinaceae | Commelina sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16078 | No name | Commelinaceae | Cyanotis polyrrhiza Hochst. ex Hassk. | Eaten by baboons. |
16048 | Hananu | Convolvulaceae | Convolvulus kilimandschari Engl. | Eaten by cattle and especially fed to calves. |
16239 | Anano | Convolvulaceae | Convolvulus sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16349 | No name | Convolvulaceae | Dichondra repens J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. | Construction; used to build fences because of the spines. |
16311 | Anamo | Convolvulaceae | Ipomoea sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16410 | No name | Convolvulaceae | Ipomoea sp. | No use. |
16173 | No name | Crassulaceae | Crassula alba Forssk. | Eaten by baboons (root). |
16081 | No name | Crassulaceae | Crassula cf schimperi Fisch. & A. Mey. | Eaten by baboons. NOTE: "This grows on rocks." |
16086 | An'chura | Crassulaceae | Kalanchoe petitiana A. Rich. | Medicine; heat the leaves over the fire and apply to relax sore muscles. |
16086 | An'chura | Crassulaceae | Kalanchoe petitiana A. Rich. | Veterinary; if cattle break their legs, warm the plant or leaves over the fire and rub on the broken bone. |
16068 | No name | Crassulaceae | Sedum baleensis M. Gilbert | No use. |
16090 | Angudula | Crassulaceae | Sedum cf churchillianum Robyns & Boutique | Poison; in former times used to poison Hyenas. The plant material is crushed and out in meat. This makes the Hyena weak and intoxicated so that it can be killed. |
15996 | No name | Crassulaceae | Umbilicus botryoides A. Rich. | No use. NOTE: "It grows on trees." |
16444 | No name | Crassulaceae | No use. | |
16359 | Han'chote | Cucurbitaceae | Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich. | Medicine; fruits are warmed in the fire and then smeared on infected wound etc. This will extract the pus. |
16359 | Han'chote | Cucurbitaceae | Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich. | Medicine; the roots are crushed and drunk with coffee for sudden illness, e.g. when someone colapses or has sudden stomach problems. |
16117 | Alola | Cucurbitaceae | Zehneria scabra (L.f.) Sond. | Eaten (fed especially to calves). |
16117 | Alola | Cucurbitaceae | Zehneria scabra (L.f.) Sond. | To make ink. In former times crushed and mixed with charcoal. |
16335 | Haloa | Cucurbitaceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16424 | Hindesa | Cupressaceae | Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. | Construction. |
16424 | Hindesa | Cupressaceae | Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. | Firewood. |
16250 | No name | Cuscutaceae | Cuscuta kilimanjari Oliv. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. NOTE: Recognized as parasite. |
16250 | No name | Cuscutaceae | Cuscuta kilimanjari Oliv. | Flowers for honey. NOTE: Recognized as parasite. |
16219 | D'jafa | Cyperaceae | Carex cf simensis Hochst. ex A. Rich. | Eaten by cattle. |
16219 | D'jafa | Cyperaceae | Carex cf simensis Hochst. ex A. Rich. | Thatch. |
16006 | Mata | Cyperaceae | Carex johnstonii Boeck. | Eaten by animals. |
16006 | Mata | Cyperaceae | Carex johnstonii Boeck. | Thatch. |
16084 | Ch'afa | Cyperaceae | Cyperus cf bracheilema (Steud.) Mattf. & Kük. | Eaten by cattle. |
16218 | Arbagadda | Cyperaceae | Cyperus dichroostachyus Hochst. ex A. Rich. | Eaten by cattle. |
16218 | Arbagadda | Cyperaceae | Cyperus dichroostachyus Hochst. ex A. Rich. | Weave floor mats. |
16345 | Bidara | Cyperaceae | Cyperus sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16085 | No name | Cyperaceae | Isolepis cf omissa J. raynal | Eaten by baboons. |
16023 | Gwemagni/Talandu | Cyperaceae | Isolepis setacea (L.) R. Br. | Eaten by cattle. |
16023 | Gwemagni/Talandu | Cyperaceae | Isolepis setacea (L.) R. Br. | Thatch. |
16292 | Aneno | Dioscoreaceae | Dioscorea sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. Cattle really like this. |
16179 | No name | Dipsacaceae | Dipsacus pinnatifidus Steud. ex A. Rich. | No use. |
16123 | No name | Dipsacaceae | Scabiosa columbaria L. | No use. |
16024 | No name | Dracaenaceae | Dracaena afromontana Mildbr. | No use. |
16412 | Kokosa | Dryopteridaceae | Doryopteris concolor (Langsd. & Fisch.) Kuhn | No use. |
16016 | Kokosa | Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris sp. | Sometimes eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16100 | Kokosa | Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris sp. | No use. |
16199 | Kokosa | Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris sp. | No use. |
16269 | Kokosa | Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris sp. | No use. |
16019 | Kokosa | Dryopteridaceae | Polystichum fuscopaleaceum Alston | No use. NOTE: "At high altitude it is red, at low altitude white." |
16270 | Kokosa | Dryopteridaceae | No use. | |
16096 | Sato | Ericaceae | Erica arborea L. | Eaten by cattle. |
16096 | Sato | Ericaceae | Erica arborea L. | Firewood. |
16096 | Sato | Ericaceae | Erica arborea L. | Flowers for honey. |
16194 | Tula | Ericaceae | Myrsine melanophloeos (L.) R. Br. | Construction (Timber). |
16194 | Tula | Ericaceae | Myrsine melanophloeos (L.) R. Br. | Firewood. |
16221 | No name | Euphorbiaceae | Acalypha volkensii Pax | No use. |
16138 | F'eo | Euphorbiaceae | Clutia abyssinica Jaub. & Spach. | No use. |
16251 | Makanisa | Euphorbiaceae | Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile | Medicine; sometimes the bark is mixed with Hanku to produce better stomach medicine. |
16188 | Guri | Euphorbiaceae | Euphorbia dumalis S. Carter | Medicine; crush a little of the root, mix with coffee and honey and drink against Syphilis. |
16188 | Guri | Euphorbiaceae | Euphorbia dumalis S. Carter | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16116 | Guri | Euphorbiaceae | Euphorbia schimperiana Scheele | Medicine; crush a little of the root, mix with coffee and honey and drink against Syphilis. |
16378 | No name | Euphorbiaceae | Euphorbia sp. | No use. |
15992 | No name | Euphorbiaceae | Phyllanthus cf ovalifolius Forssk. | No use. |
16312 | No name | Euphorbiaceae | Phyllanthus cf ovalifolius Forssk. | No use. |
16416 | Kobo | Euphorbiaceae | Ricinus communis L. | Eaten by cattle. |
16416 | Kobo | Euphorbiaceae | Ricinus communis L. | Food; seeds are crushed and the oil extracted to grease the pans for baking bread. |
16416 | Kobo | Euphorbiaceae | Ricinus communis L. | To soften leather. Fruits crushed and applied to leather to soften. |
16369 | Dadetsha | Fabaceae | Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth. | Charcoal (preferred species). |
16369 | Dadetsha | Fabaceae | Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth. | Eaten by camels and goats. |
16369 | Dadetsha | Fabaceae | Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth. | Firewood. |
16347 | Tshe'kata | Fabaceae | Caesalpinia sp. | Tools; wood used to make ploughs. |
16413 | Chekata | Fabaceae | Caesalpinia sp. | Firewood. |
16035 | Shashamane | Fabaceae | Crotalaria rosenii (Pax) Milne-Redh. ex Polhill | Eaten by goats and sheep. They really like this. |
15989 | No name | Fabaceae | Desmodium repandum (Vahl) DC. | No use. |
16232 | Walena | Fabaceae | Erythrina brucei Schweinf. | Food; leaves used to wrap dough when making bread. |
16232 | Walena | Fabaceae | Erythrina brucei Schweinf. | Tools; wood used to make the pestle for large mortars. |
15991 | Sedisa | Fabaceae | Medicago sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16149 | Kumudo | Fabaceae | Medicago sp. | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: This name applied to samples without fruits. |
16343 | Dadatu | Fabaceae | Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Baker | Construction (timber). |
16343 | Dadatu | Fabaceae | Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Baker | Firewood. |
16034 | Sedisa | Fabaceae | Parochetus communis Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don. | Eaten by cattle. |
16387 | Shiko | Fabaceae | Senna sp. | No use. |
15994 | Sedisa | Fabaceae | Trifolium semipilosum Fresen. | Eaten by cattle. |
16060 | No name | Fabaceae | Trifolium simense Fresen. | Eaten by baboons. |
16157 | No name | Fabaceae | Trifolium sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16242 | Anano | Fabaceae | Eaten by livestock and wildlife. | |
16284 | No name | Fabaceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16285 | Anjakere | Fabaceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16348 | Gorsana | Fabaceae | Construction; used to build fences because of the spines. | |
16364 | No name | Fabaceae | No use. | |
16385 | Sidika | Fabaceae | No use. | |
16411 | No name | Fabaceae | No use. | |
16439 | Anjakere | Fabaceae | Making brooms. | |
16406 | Dembi | Flacourtiaceae | Casearia sp. | Firewood. |
16208 | Koshimo/Koshima | Flacourtiaceae | Dovyalis abyssinica (A. Rich.) Warb. | Eaten by cattle. |
16208 | Koshimo/Koshima | Flacourtiaceae | Dovyalis abyssinica (A. Rich.) Warb. | Firewood. |
16208 | Koshimo/Koshima | Flacourtiaceae | Dovyalis abyssinica (A. Rich.) Warb. | Food; fruits eaten, but they are very sour. |
16321 | Riga | Flacourtiaceae | Toothbrush. | |
16346 | Diki | Flacourtiaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16346 | Diki | Flacourtiaceae | Rope; used to hang beehives. | |
16399 | No name | Flacourtiaceae | No use. | |
16074 | No name | Gentianaceae | Sebaea brachyphylla Griseb. | No use. |
16062 | No name | Gentianaceae | Swertia sp. | Eaten by baboons. |
16126 | No name | Gentianaceae | Swertia sp. | No use. |
16170 | No name | Gentianaceae | Swertia sp. | No use. |
16109 | No name | Geraniaceae | Geranium aculeolatum Oliv. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16080 | No name | Geraniaceae | Geranium arabicum Forssk. | Eaten by cattle. |
16373 | No name | Geraniaceae | Geranium arabicum Forssk. | No use. |
16438 | No name | Iridaceae | No use. | |
16102 | Ch'afa | Juncaceae | Luzula johnstonii Buchenau | Eaten by cattle when the plant is very young. |
16102 | Ch'afa | Juncaceae | Luzula johnstonii Buchenau | Thatch. |
16295 | Sukaiahareti | Lamiaceae | Achyrospermum schimperi (Briq.) Perkins | No use. |
16160 | Tosin | Lamiaceae | Becium cf obovatum (E. Mey. ex Benth.) N.E. Br. | Food; used to make tea, as spice for butter, and as spice for baso (roasted and ground barley). |
16310 | Burasisa | Lamiaceae | Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) R. Br. ex Vatke | Eaten by cattle. |
16137 | Informant does not remember name | Lamiaceae | Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. | Food; children like to suck the nectar from the flowers. |
16137 | Informant does not remember name | Lamiaceae | Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) R. Br. | Medicine; crush the plant and take as tea for stomach ailments. |
16225 | Urgo | Lamiaceae | Leucas martinicensis (Jacq.) R. Br. | Eaten by cattle. |
16316 | Korichi Michi/Damakase | Lamiaceae | Ocimum sp. | Medicine; for intestinal infections like cold or flu. Crush the leaves, add a little water, inhale juice or smear on body or drunk with coffee. |
16332 | Urgohare | Lamiaceae | Ocimum sp. | No use. |
16128 | Tunto | Lamiaceae | Otostegia tomentosa A. Rich. | Birds get nectar. |
16128 | Tunto | Lamiaceae | Otostegia tomentosa A. Rich. | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16079 | Burri | Lamiaceae | Plectranthus sp. | Eaten by cattle and baboons. |
16087 | No name | Lamiaceae | Plectranthus sp. | No use. |
16097 | Burri | Lamiaceae | Plectranthus sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16286 | Damakasi | Lamiaceae | Plectranthus sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16286 | Damakasi | Lamiaceae | Plectranthus sp. | Medicine; leaves are crushed and the extract drunk for colds, or leaves are crushed and stuck in the nose to treat colds. |
16287 | Urgo | Lamiaceae | Plectranthus sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16287 | Urgo | Lamiaceae | Plectranthus sp. | Medicine; leaves crushed and put on wounds. |
16356 | Ocota | Lamiaceae | Salvia merjamie Forssk. | Eaten by cattle. |
16356 | Ocota | Lamiaceae | Salvia merjamie Forssk. | Medicine; leaves crushed and smeared on the body to treat any unknown or undiagnosed illness. |
16001 | Ocota | Lamiaceae | Salvia nilotica Juss. ex Jacq. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16098 | No name | Lamiaceae | Satureja sp. | No use. |
16177 | No name | Lamiaceae | Satureja sp. | No use. |
15997 | Informant does not remember name | Lamiaceae | Stachys aculeolata Hook. f. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16178 | No name | Lamiaceae | Stachys sp. | No use. |
16163 | No name | Lamiaceae | Thymus schimperi Ronniger | Eaten by cattle. |
15995 | Burri | Lamiaceae | Flowers for honey. | |
15995 | Burri | Lamiaceae | NOT eaten by anything. | |
16389 | Abaye | Lauraceae | Ocotea kenyensis (Chiov.) Robyns & R. Wilczek | Firewood. |
16391 | Apeyu | Lauraceae | Construction (house). | |
16391 | Apeyu | Lauraceae | Firewood. | |
16066 | No name | Liliaceae | Eaten by baboons who really like it, especially the roots. Fruit smells like garlic. | |
16215 | No name | Loranthaceae | Englerina woodfordioides (Schweinf.) Balle ex M.G. Gilbert | No use. |
16187 | No name | Lycopodiaceae | Huperzia dacrydioides (Baker) Pic. Serm. | No use. |
16268 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya kirkii Mast. | Eaten by cattle. |
16268 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya kirkii Mast. | Flowers for honey. |
16268 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya kirkii Mast. | Rope. Bark peeled for rope used in construction. |
16323 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16323 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya sp. | Firewood. |
16323 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya sp. | Flowers for honey. |
16058 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya torrida Bamps. | Eaten by cattle. |
16118 | Danisa | Malvaceae | Dombeya torrida Bamps. | Flowers for honey. |
16331 | Matakoma | Malvaceae | Grewia sp. | Firewood. |
16267 | Ishini | Malvaceae | Hibiscus sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16267 | Ishini | Malvaceae | Hibiscus sp. | Rope; bark peeled for rope used in construction. |
16318 | No name | Malvaceae | Hibiscus sp. | No use. |
16003 | Amoja/Amocha | Malvaceae | Kosteletzkya adoensis (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Mast. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16003 | Amoja/Amocha | Malvaceae | Kosteletzkya adoensis (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Mast. | Toothbrush. |
16130 | Lita | Malvaceae | Malva sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16130 | Lita | Malvaceae | Malva sp. | Medicine; in the past used to stimulate hair growth. Plant crushed and applied to the hair. |
16317 | Ishini | Malvaceae | Pavonia sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16317 | Ishini | Malvaceae | Pavonia sp. | Rope. Bark peeled and used as rope for construction. |
16067 | Hamoja | Malvaceae | Sparmannia ricinocarpa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze | Eaten by Giant forest hog. |
16224 | Amoja | Malvaceae | Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. | Eaten by mountain nyala, but NOT eaten by cattle. |
16211 | No name | Malvaceae | No use. | |
16245 | Ishini | Malvaceae | Flowers for honey. | |
16245 | Ishini | Malvaceae | Rope; bark peeled for rope used in construction. | |
16298 | Injin | Malvaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16298 | Injin | Malvaceae | Rope. Bark peeled and used as rope for construction. | |
16324 | Anunu | Meliaceae | Ekebergia capensis Sparm. | Firewood. |
16234 | Harambe | Meliaceae | Lepidotrichilia volkensii (Gürke) J.-F. Leroy | Firewood. |
16234 | Harambe | Meliaceae | Lepidotrichilia volkensii (Gürke) J.-F. Leroy | Tools; wood to make ploughs. |
16259 | Hacho | Meliaceae | Lepidotrichilia volkensii (Gürke) J.-F. Leroy | Firewood. |
16390 | Hacho | Meliaceae | Trichilia dregeana Sond. | Firewood. |
16309 | Bulala | Meliaceae | Turraea holstii Gürke | No use. |
16029 | Arambye | Melianthaceae | Bersama abyssinica Fresen. | Tools; wood to make ploughs. |
16342 | Oroka | Melianthaceae | Bersama abyssinica Fresen. | Firewood. |
16183 | Kalala | Menispermaceae | Stephania abyssinica (Quart.-Dill. & A. Rich.) Walp. | Rope; to tie houseposts. |
16183 | Kalala | Menispermaceae | Stephania abyssinica (Quart.-Dill. & A. Rich.) Walp. | Tools; to make containers for miliking. |
16203 | No name | Moraceae | Dorstenia soerensenii Friis | No use. |
16341 | Dembi | Moraceae | Ficus sp. | Firewood. |
16403 | Lint'o | Moraceae | Ficus sp. | Firewood. |
16340 | Oda | Moraceae | Ficus sur Forssk. | Beehives (wood). |
16340 | Oda | Moraceae | Ficus sur Forssk. | Food; fruits eaten by humans. |
16340 | Oda | Moraceae | Ficus sur Forssk. | NOT eaten by cattle |
16402 | Oda | Moraceae | Ficus sycomorus L. | Beehives (wood). |
16402 | Oda | Moraceae | Ficus sycomorus L. | Food; fruits eaten by monkeys, baboons and humans. |
16306 | No name | Moraceae | No use. | |
16028 | Hanku | Myrsinaceae | Embelia schimperi Vatke | Eaten by goats, sheep, cattle, mountain nyala and baboons. |
16028 | Hanku | Myrsinaceae | Embelia schimperi Vatke | Medicine; the fruits and stems are used as anthelmintic. Eat what fits in the bowl of a hand. |
16260 | Hanku | Myrsinaceae | Embelia schimperi Vatke | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16260 | Hanku | Myrsinaceae | Embelia schimperi Vatke | Medicine; crush fruits and drink liquid to cure tapeworm. |
16022 | Abeye | Myrsinaceae | Myrsine africana L. | Food; women use the leaves to roll the dough in before putting it in the oven so that it does not buirn. The seeds are crused and the oil is used to grease the baking plate before baking. |
16272 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Firewood. |
16272 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Flowers for honey. NOTE: Main honey source. |
16272 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Food; fruits eaten by humans. |
16278 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Firewood. |
16278 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Flowers for honey. NOTE: Main honey source. |
16278 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Food; fruits eaten by humans. |
16405 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Construction (house). |
16405 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Firewood. |
16405 | Badesa | Myrtaceae | Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. | Food; fruit eaten by humans. |
16374 | No name | Nyctaginaceae | Boerhavia sp. | No use. |
16375 | No name | Nyctaginaceae | Boerhavia sp. | No use. |
16112 | T'orso | Oleaceae | Jasminum abyssinicum Hochst. ex. DC. | Eaten (especially fed to calves). |
16112 | T'orso | Oleaceae | Jasminum abyssinicum Hochst. ex. DC. | Eaten by cattle. |
16112 | T'orso | Oleaceae | Jasminum abyssinicum Hochst. ex. DC. | Rope; used in house construction. |
16112 | T'orso | Oleaceae | Jasminum abyssinicum Hochst. ex. DC. | Toothbrush (young stems). |
16329 | Badesa | Oleaceae | Olea hochstetteri Baker | Construction (timber). |
16329 | Badesa | Oleaceae | Olea hochstetteri Baker | Food; fruit eaten by humans. |
16329 | Badesa | Oleaceae | Olea hochstetteri Baker | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16124 | No name | Orobanchaceae | Orobanche minor Sm. | No use. |
16106 | No name | Oxalidaceae | Oxalis sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16386 | Korehare | Papaveraceae | Argemone mexicana L. | Eaten by donkeys. NOTE: Name translates to "spiny donkey". |
16121 | Endode | Phytolaccaceae | Phytolacca dodecandra L.Hér. | Detergent; fruits crushed and used to wash cloths. |
16121 | Endode | Phytolaccaceae | Phytolacca dodecandra L.Hér. | Medicine; roots chewed for stomach problems. The fruits kill water animals and can be used to prevent Bilharzia. |
16121 | Endode | Phytolaccaceae | Phytolacca dodecandra L.Hér. | Toothbrush (twigs). |
16301 | No name | Phytolaccaceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16008 | Kontuyesa | Piperaceae | Peperomia abyssinica Miq. | Medicine; boil the leaves and apply the steam to pimples and abscesses. |
16314 | No name | Piperaceae | Peperomia tetraphylla (G. Forst.) Hook. & Arn. | No use. |
16193 | Ara | Pittosporaceae | Pittosporum abyssinicum Delile | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16193 | Ara | Pittosporaceae | Pittosporum abyssinicum Delile | Firewood. |
16193 | Ara | Pittosporaceae | Pittosporum abyssinicum Delile | Toothbrush (small branches). |
16352 | Name unknown | Plantaginaceae | Plantago lanceolata L. | Eaten by cattle. |
16428 | No name | Plantaginaceae | Plantago palmata Hook. f. | No use. |
16005 | Garaba | Poaceae | Acritochaete volkensii Pilg. | Eaten by livestock and wildlife. |
16434 | Tuta | Poaceae | Avenula sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16050 | Garaba | Poaceae | Bromus leptoclados Nees | Eaten by cattle. |
16050 | Garaba | Poaceae | Bromus leptoclados Nees | Thatch. |
16103 | Mata | Poaceae | Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth. | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16103 | Mata | Poaceae | Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth. | Thatch. |
16249 | Korcha | Poaceae | Digitaria sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16253 | Hat'aua | Poaceae | Elymus sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16253 | Hat'aua | Poaceae | Elymus sp. | Thatch. |
16082 | Marga | Poaceae | Eragrostis cilianensis (Bellardi) Vignolo ex. Janch. | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: Marga simply translates to grass. |
16264 | Garaba | Poaceae | Oplismenus compositus (L.) P. Beauv. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16299 | Marga | Poaceae | Panicum sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16248 | Chokorsa | Poaceae | Paspalum sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16290 | Babala/Babela | Poaceae | Paspalum sp. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16351 | Marga | Poaceae | Poa annua L. | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: This plant had to be examined very closely before consent could be reached. |
16004 | Marga | Poaceae | Poa leptoclada A. Rich. | Eaten by cattle. |
16262 | Babala/Babela | Poaceae | Stipa dregeana Steudl. | Eaten by cattle. |
16049 | Garaba | Poaceae | Streblochaete longiarista (A. Rich.) Pilg. | Eaten by cattle. |
16049 | Garaba | Poaceae | Streblochaete longiarista (A. Rich.) Pilg. | Thatch. |
16265 | Garaba | Poaceae | Streblochaete longiarista (A. Rich.) Pilg. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16083 | Marga | Poaceae | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: Marga simply translates to grass. | |
16252 | Mata | Poaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16252 | Mata | Poaceae | Thatch. | |
16291 | Babala/Babela | Poaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16300 | Marga | Poaceae | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. | |
16433 | Mata | Poaceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16433 | Mata | Poaceae | Thatch. | |
16246 | Bosoka | Polygonaceae | Polygonum afromontanum Greenway | No use. |
16227 | Berberisa | Polygonaceae | Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. | No use. |
16009 | Shabee | Polygonaceae | Rumex nepalensis Spreng. | Eaten by cattle. |
16009 | Shabee | Polygonaceae | Rumex nepalensis Spreng. | Medicine; roots are crushed and eaten for stomach problems. |
16009 | Shabee | Polygonaceae | Rumex nepalensis Spreng. | Veterinary; leaves are crushed and given to livestock for stomach problems. |
16360 | Haberira | Polygonaceae | Rumex sp. | Medicine; root is crushed, and water added and drunk when somebody "feels that something is worng," i.e. has an undiagnosed illness. |
16189 | Kokosa | Polypodiaceae | Drynaria volkensii Hieron. | No use. |
16018 | No name | Polypodiaceae | Loxogramme abyssinica (Baker) M.G. Price | No use. NOTE: "At high altitude it is red, at low altitude white." |
16392 | No name | Portulacaceae | Portulaca oleracea L. | No use. |
16070 | No name | Primulaceae | Ardisiandra wettsteinii R. Wagner | Eaten by mountain nyala. |
16154 | Matane | Primulaceaea | Anagallis arvensis L. | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: "There are two kinds in the area." |
16154 | Matane | Primulaceaea | Anagallis arvensis L. | Medicine. Applied to the eye to improve "fat yellow thing" in the eye. NOTE: "There are two kinds in the area." |
16119 | No name | Pteridaceae | Adiantum capillus-veneris L. | No use. |
16101 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | Cheilanthes farinosa (Forssk.) Kaulf. | No use. |
16200 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | Cheilanthes farinosa (Forssk.) Kaulf. | No use. |
16217 | No name | Pteridaceae | Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn | No use. |
16015 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | Pteris catoptera Kunze | Sometimes eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16271 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | Pteris catoptera Kunze | No use. |
16261 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | Pteris dentata Forssk. | No use. |
16201 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | Pteris flabellata Thunb. | No use. |
16420 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | Pteris sp. | No use. |
16396 | Kokosa | Pteridaceae | No use. | |
16047 | Fidy | Ranunculaceae | Clematis bracteata (Roxb.) Kurz | Medicine; used for "lung cancer" and cancer in general. The plant is crushed and mixed with butter and applied to wounds, haemorrhoids and burns. |
16282 | Hacho | Ranunculaceae | Clematis hirsuta Guill. & Perr. | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16304 | Fidy | Ranunculaceae | Clematis simensis Fresen. | Rope; bark peeled and used as rope for construction. |
16059 | No name | Ranunculaceae | Delphinium wellbyi Hemsl. | No use. |
16427 | No name | Resedaceae | Caylusea abyssinica Fisch. & C.A. Mey. | No use. |
16325 | No name | Rhamnaceae | Helinus integrifolius (Lam.) Kuntze | No use. |
16431 | Gesho | Rhamnaceae | Rhamnus prinoides L'Hér. | Food; leaves used to flavor beer and mead. Only used by Christians. Very bitter. |
16365 | Bitana | Rhamnaceae | Rhamnus staddo A. Rich. | Construction (house). |
16045 | Thelo | Rhizophoraceae | Cassipourea malosana (Baker) Alston | Firewood. |
16045 | Thelo | Rhizophoraceae | Cassipourea malosana (Baker) Alston | Tools; wood used to make ploughs. |
16169 | Sedisa | Rosaceae | Alchemilla fischeri Engl. | Eaten by cattle and baboons. |
16181 | Sedisa | Rosaceae | Alchemilla kiwuensis Engl. | Eaten by cattle. |
16057 | Heto | Rosaceae | Hagenia abyssinica J.F. Gmel. | Eaten by cattle. |
16057 | Heto | Rosaceae | Hagenia abyssinica J.F. Gmel. | Medicine; fruits are dried, ground and eaten before a meal as anthelmintic. Better taken early in the morning with some food. |
16226 | Suke | Rosaceae | Prunus africana (Hook. f.) Kalkman | Rope; used to hang beehives. |
16192 | Gora | Rosaceae | Rubus steudneri Schweinf. | Eaten especially by mountain nyala. |
16192 | Gora | Rosaceae | Rubus steudneri Schweinf. | Food; Fruit eaten by people. |
16030 | Coralla | Rubiaceae | Canthium oligocarpum Hiern | Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. |
16030 | Coralla | Rubiaceae | Canthium oligocarpum Hiern | Food; fruits eaten by children. |
16275 | Coralla | Rubiaceae | Canthium sp. | Firewood. |
16275 | Coralla | Rubiaceae | Canthium sp. | Food; fruits eaten by humans. |
16276 | Gagama | Rubiaceae | Canthium sp. | Tools; wood used to make ploughs. |
16305 | Buna | Rubiaceae | Coffea arabica L. | Food; fallen leaves roasted for tea, seeds coffee. |
16180 | Matane | Rubiaceae | Galium aparinoides Forssk. | Eaten by cattle. |
16164 | No name | Rubiaceae | Oldenlandia monanthos (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Hiern | Eaten by cattle. |
16051 | No name | Rubiaceae | Pentas schimperiana (A. Rich.) Vatke | Eaten by cattle. |
16283 | No name | Rubiaceae | Pentas sp. | Eaten by cattle and other animals. |
16415 | Bulala | Rubiaceae | Psydrax sp. | Firewood. |
16258 | Farangasa | Rubiaceae | Rhytigynia sp. | Firewood. |
16426 | No name | Rubiaceae | Rubia cordifolia L. | Medicine for "snake spit that causes wounds." Root and leaves are chewed and then spit on the affected area. |
16255 | Sugurgura | Rubiaceae | Vangueria sp. | Construction; to link the main poles and the roof beams. |
16307 | Arbo | Rutaceae | Citrus aurantium L. | Food; fruits eaten by baboons and humans. |
16233 | H'adesa | Rutaceae | Teclea nobilis Delile | NOT used for firewood. |
16233 | H'adesa | Rutaceae | Teclea nobilis Delile | Tools; wood to make ploughs. |
16257 | Adesa | Rutaceae | Teclea sp. | Firewood. |
16274 | Adesa | Rutaceae | Teclea sp. | Firewood. |
16315 | Harira | Rutaceae | Teclea sp. | Firewood. |
16417 | Sadiqua | Rutaceae | Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. | No use. |
16273 | Harera | Rutaceae | Vepris dainellii (Pic. Seerm.) Miziray | Firewood. |
16401 | Gagama | Rutaceae | Tools; wood used to make ploughs. | |
16436 | Bitana | Rutaceae | Firewood. | |
16339 | Deerto | Santalaceae | Viscum triflorum DC. | No use. |
16044 | Habarra | Sapindaceae | Allophylus abyssinicus (Hochst.) Radkl. | Food; Fruits eaten by children. |
16044 | Habarra | Sapindaceae | Allophylus abyssinicus (Hochst.) Radkl. | Medicine; Flowers for Honey; This honey has medicinal properties and is good for stomach problems. |
16277 | Aberra | Sapindaceae | Allophylus abyssinicus (Hochst.) Radkl. | Eaten by cattle. |
16277 | Aberra | Sapindaceae | Allophylus abyssinicus (Hochst.) Radkl. | Food; Fruits eaten by humans and baboons. |
16256 | Guduba | Sapotaceae | Aningeria adolfi-friederici (Engl.) Robyns & G.C.C. Gilbert | Firewood. |
16072 | No name | Saxifragaceae | Saxifraga sp. | Eaten by baboons. |
16075 | No name | Saxifragaceae | Saxifraga sp. | No use. |
16167 | No name | Scrophulariaceae | Bartsia petitiana (A. Rich.) Hemsl. | No use. |
16437 | No name | Scrophulariaceae | Bartsia sp. | No use. |
16092 | Bulchana | Scrophulariaceae | Buddleja polystachya Fresen. | Firewood. |
16158 | Kankarasho | Scrophulariaceae | Craterostigma pumilum Hochst. | Eaten by baboons (root). |
16158 | Kankarasho | Scrophulariaceae | Craterostigma pumilum Hochst. | Food; Roots chewed by humans for taste (like a sweet carrot) |
16071 | No name | Scrophulariaceae | Craterostigma sp. | Eaten by baboons. |
16156 | Bilike | Scrophulariaceae | Cycniopsis humilis A. Bacjklund, Asfaw & Långström | Eaten by baboons (root). |
16159 | No name | Scrophulariaceae | Hebenstretia angolensis Rolfe | No use. |
16064 | No name | Scrophulariaceae | Rhabdotosperma sp. | No use. |
16429 | Ashishira | Scrophulariaceae | Verbascum sinaiticum Benth. | Making brooms. |
16069 | No name | Scrophulariaceae | Veronica abyssinica Fresen. | No use. |
16107 | Da'ta | Scrophulariaceae | Veronica glandulosa Hochst. ex Benth. | Eaten by cattle. |
16443 | Hada | Scrophulariaceae | Eaten by cattle. | |
16443 | Hada | Scrophulariaceae | Flowers for honey. | |
16445 | No name | Scrophulariaceae | No use. | |
16140 | Ironto | Simaroubaceae | Brucea antidysenterica J.F. Mill. | NOT eaten by animals, not even by ants. The smoke and the plant smell bad. Can be used as insect repellent. |
16363 | Banji | Solanaceae | Datura stramonium L. | Medicine; Leaves are crushed and applied to abscesses with pus, deep thorns, infected swollen wounds etc. This will extract the thorn/pus. NOTE: The name translates to "plant from the east" in Amharic: Atafaris. It is also used as generic name for "drug". |
16363 | Banji | Solanaceae | Datura stramonium L. | Poison. Seeds might acidentially get mixed with barley. If that is eaten one gets intoxicated, the mouth gets dry, and the mind gets confused. The effect starts as soon as the digestion has happened. |
16042 | Marraro | Solanaceae | Discopodium penninervium Hochst. | Eaten by horses. |
16381 | Benjisaria | Solanaceae | Physalis sp. | Weed. |
16319 | Hiddi | Solanaceae | Solanum incanum L. | Eaten by cattle and goats. |
16319 | Hiddi | Solanaceae | Solanum incanum L. | Medicine; roots chewed for stomach health and sudden pain. |
16319 | Hiddi | Solanaceae | Solanum incanum L. | Poison; fruits are toxic. |
16370 | Hiddi | Solanaceae | Solanum incanum L. | Eaten by cattle (leaves). |
16370 | Hiddi | Solanaceae | Solanum incanum L. | Medicine; root is eaten for stomach problems of sudden onset. Very bitter. |
16231 | Hiddi | Solanaceae | Solanum macracanthum A. Rich. | Medicine; root chewed for stomach problems. |
16231 | Hiddi | Solanaceae | Solanum macracanthum A. Rich. | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16362 | Mijilo | Solanaceae | Solanum nigrum L. | Eaten by cattle. |
16362 | Mijilo | Solanaceae | Solanum nigrum L. | Food; children eat the fruits. |
16371 | Mishilo Huarabesa | Solanaceae | Solanum sp. | No use. NOTE: Name translates as "Hyena tomato". |
16372 | Hiti'arbo | Solanaceae | Solanum sp. | Detergent; fruits were formerly boiled and used as detergent to wash cloths. |
16129 | Unso | Solanaceae | Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal | Medicine; roots are smashed or chewed like a carrot to treat stomach problems. The leaves are burnt as incense as spiritual medicine. |
16129 | Unso | Solanaceae | Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16380 | Hunso | Solanaceae | Veterinary. When the yoke hurts the back of the oxen and produces a swelling, crush the leaves and put on the swelling. | |
16118 | Danisa | Sterculiaceae | Dombeya torrida Bamps. | Rope; bark peeled and used in construction. "They pull the water transport system for rope". |
16367 | Bitana | Stilbaceae | Nuxia congesta R. Br. ex Fresen. | Construction (house). |
16367 | Bitana | Stilbaceae | Nuxia congesta R. Br. ex Fresen. | Firewood. |
16367 | Bitana | Stilbaceae | Nuxia congesta R. Br. ex Fresen. | Flowers for honey. |
16302 | Kokosa | Tectariaceae | Tectaria gemmifera (Fée) Alston | No use. |
16394 | Kokosa | Thelypteridaceae | Thelypteris sp. | No use. |
16395 | Kokosa | Thelypteridaceae | Thelypteris sp. | No use. |
16432 | Didisa | Thymeleaceae | Gnidia glauca (Fresen.) Gilg | Firewood. |
16432 | Didisa | Thymeleaceae | Gnidia glauca (Fresen.) Gilg | Rope; bark used to make rope. |
16184 | No name | Urticaceae | Pilea johnstonii Oliv. | No use. |
16185 | No name | Urticaceae | Pilea rivularis Wedd. | Eaten by baboons. |
16240 | No name | Urticaceae | Pilea sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16056 | Halila | Urticaceae | Urera hypselodendron Wedd. | Eaten by cattle and wildlife. |
16254 | Halila | Urticaceae | Urera hypselodendron Wedd. | No use. |
16334 | Lalesa | Urticaceae | No use. | |
16281 | Sukai | Verbenaceae | Lantana sp. | Eaten by cattle. |
16281 | Sukai | Verbenaceae | Lantana sp. | Food; spice for butter, milk etc. |
16425 | No name | Verbenaceae | Verbena sp. | No use. |
16280 | No name | Verbenaceae | No use. | |
16327 | Ulaga | Verbenaceae | Firewood. | |
16327 | Ulaga | Verbenaceae | Tools; wood used to make ploughs. | |
16435 | Dukunsha | Violaceae | Viola abyssinica Steud. ex Oliv. | To soften leather. Leaves are crushed to extract the juice, which is applied to hard leather. |
16020 | Lelecha | Vitaceae | Cyphostemma sp. | Poison; this burns your bowels when you eat it. NOT eaten by animals. |
16418 | No name | Vitaceae | Rhoicissus sp. | NOT eaten by cattle. |
16063 | No name | Xanthorrhoeaceae | Asphodelus fistulosus L. | Eaten by baboons. |
16172 | Lela | Xanthorrhoeaceae | Kniphofia foliosa Hochst. | No use. |
16151 | Ch'amare | Zygophyllaceae | Tribulus terrestris L. | Eaten by all animals. |
16151 | Ch'amare | Zygophyllaceae | Tribulus terrestris L. | Toothbrush (root). |
16036 | Seriti | Eaten sometimes by goats. | ||
16149 | Sedisa | Eaten by cattle. NOTE: This name applied to samples WITH fruits | ||
16279 | Wayebosa | Eaten by cattle. | ||
16279 | Wayebosa | Flowers for honey. | ||
16421 | Diki | Eaten by cattle. | ||
16421 | Diki | Rope. |
A very limited number of species was used for veterinary purposes (13 species), or as human medicine (46 species). Many species however had multiple uses. Plant medicine served mostly to treat common everyday ailments such as stomach problems and diarrhea (9 species), for wound treatment and as toothbrush-sticks (6 species), as anthelmintic, for skin infections and to treat sore muscles and swellings (4 species each), or to foster hair growth, to treat colds, and syphilis (2 species each). One species was employed for female illnesses, and one to treat cancer. Interestingly, 9 species were used to treat spiritual ailments and to expel demons. In most cases of medicinal applications the leaves (26 species) or roots (15 species) were employed, while fruits (4 species), flowers (1 species) and bark (1 species) did not play a significant role.
Traditional plant knowledge has clearly declined in a large part of the research area. The most traditional groups still retain the highest knowledge of plant use for human purposes, although acculturated societies are shown to retain a much higher plant usage in order to treat common "modern" diseases such as sexually transmitted disease, as well as veterinary problems that are either stigmatized, for which western treatment does not prove effective, or for which cheap treatment cannot be found. Western style health care services as provided by governments and NGOs, in particular in rural areas, seem to have contributed to a decline in traditional knowledge, in part because the local population simply regards western medicine as more effective and safer, or as one of our Oromo informants put it "Sick people go to the clinic or cultural practitioner who prepares medicine from plants. Nowadays people mostly go to the clinic. The head of household knows herbs and they might use these, but nowadays most people prefer to go to the clinic. Traditional herbalists are already very old. The tradition is normally passed from the father to the son. Formerly people came from far like from Addis, and there is still a woman healer who is famous for treatments for example for parasites. Western medicine is more scientific and thus more reliable. Traditional medicine is often very painful, and can cause harm. Sometimes people die of traditional medicine. For their animals people prefer to go to the animal hospital. Traditional remedies are only used for rabies."
The knowledge of the Oromo population in both the highlands of Bale and the lower areas south of the massif were comparable. However, some profound differences were encountered. The Oromo of the Bale highlands did not use preparations for malaria for the simple fact that malaria does not exist in their area. Thirteen species were used as veterinary medicine by the Oromo in the study area. This is rather surprising, because [42] reported 74 veterinary medicinal plant species from the study region. Plants for the cure of venereal diseases such as Gonorrhea, Syphilis and others, were almost negligible in the present study in the Oromo area. Previous records indicate that venereal diseases were amongst the most frequently treated with plants amongst the Oromo [23,41].
These differences might indicate a clear difference in plant knowledge between traditional healers and laypeople. Experts clearly had a much more profound knowledge than the non-experts interviewed. We must also consider disparities in floral composition and availability between the Oromo people inhabiting our study area and those that inhabit different regions and ecosystems. In the worst case scenario, the Oromo in Bale may have already lost much of the plant knowledge that previous generations relied on for centuries.
Authors' contributions
RB and PS collected/identified plant material under the voucher acronym RBU. RB, PS and AW conducted the interview work. RB analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. PE elaborated on the Figures and the site description, and conducted the statistical analysis of the data as well as writing the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all their colleagues in Ethiopia for their tireless support. We would like to thank in particular Sebsebe Demissew and Ensermu Kelbessa at the National Herbarium of Ethiopia for facilities to deposit specimens, help with identification, and literature. The financial support for this work by the Murulle Foundation, and the William L. Brown Center at Missouri Botanical Garden is acknowledged. Most of all, thanks to the population of Bale for sharing their tremendous ethnobotanical knowledge.
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