Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE RESEARCH Open Access Plant use in Odo-Bulu and Demaro, Bale region, Ethiopia Rainer W Bussmann1*, Paul Swartzinsky2, Aserat Worede3 and Paul Evangelista4 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 toothbrushsticks, 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. Keywords: Oromo, Ethiopia, Ethnobotany, Plant use, traditional knowledge, utilization 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. * Correspondence: rainer.bussmann@mobot.org 1 William L. Brown Center, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299, USA Full list of author information is available at the end of the article 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 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 © 2011 BUSSMANN, RW et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 2 of 21 Figure 1 Study area. 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 Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 3 of 21 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]. 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 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. 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 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 semistructured 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 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 Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 4 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia 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 16263 Dergu Gurbi Acanthaceae Acanthaceae Justicia diclipteroides Lindau Justicia diclipteroides Lindau Eaten by cattle, bushbuck and mountain nyala. 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 16228 No name Hacho Acanthaceae Amaranthaceae Achyranthes aspera L. 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. No use. Eaten by cattle. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 5 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16376 Komudu Amaranthaceae 16289 Tadesa Anacardiaceae Rhus sp. Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. 16289 16213 Tadesa No name Anacardiaceae Apiaceae Rhus sp. Agrocharis incognita (C. Norman) Heyw. & Jury Food; children eat the sweet fruits. 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 16182 No name No name Apiaceae Apiaceae Carum sp. Hydrocotyle mannii Hook.f. No use. 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 16326 16326 Hagamsa Hagamsa Apocynaceae Apocynaceae Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl Eaten by goats. 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. 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 16031 Abeye Aquifoliaceae Ilex mitis (L.) Radkl. 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 16041 Ansha Ansha Araliaceae Araliaceae Schefflera volkensii (Harms) Harms Schefflera volkensii (Harms) Harms Firewood. Firewood. 16043 Meti Arecaceae Phoenix reclinata Jacq. Weave wedding baskets and floor mats. 16134 Seriti Asparagaceae Asparagus africanus Lam. Eaten by cattle and wildlife. No use. No use. Eaten by baboons. Rope for construction. Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. 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. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 6 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16202 Seriti No name Asparagaceae Asparagaceae Asparagus falcatus L. Chlorophytum ducis-aprutii Chiov. Medicine; crush the plant, extract the juice and put on pimples. 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 16197 Kokosa Kokosa Aspleniaceae Aspleniaceae Asplenium sp. Asplenium sp. No use. 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 16125 No name Asteraceae Carduus nyassanus (S. Moore) R.E. Fr. Centaurea sp. Eaten by donkeys. NOTE: Name translates to “spiny donkey”. 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 16145 No name Informant does not remember name Asteraceae Asteraceae Gnaphalium sp. Eaten by cattle. Haplocarpha rueppellii (Sch. Bip.) K. Eaten by cattle. Lewin 16176 No name Asteraceae Helichrysum formosissimum Sch. Bip. No use. 16093 No name Asteraceae Helichrysum sp. No use. 16094 16142 No name No name Asteraceae Asteraceae Helichrysum sp. Helichrysum sp. No use. No use. 16357 Hariti Asteraceae Helichrysum sp. No use. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 7 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 MilneRedh. 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 16175 No name No name Asteraceae Asteraceae Senecio sp. Senecio sp. No use. 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 16243 Hada Hada Asteraceae Asteraceae Tagetes erecta L. Tagetes erecta L. Poison; kills cattle when they eat it. 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 16053 Gadarra Kadara Asteraceae Asteraceae Vernonia sp. Vernonia sp. Eaten by cattle. 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. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 8 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16361 No name Hada Asteraceae Asteraceae No use. 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 16104 Ch’afara Balsamiaceae Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich. No use. 16000 Tschafara Balsamiaceae Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich. ssp. abyssinica (Hook. f. ex Oliv.) GreyWilson 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 16322 W’odes W’odes Boraginaceae Boraginaceae Cordia africana Lam. Cordia africana Lam. Beehives. Construction (timber). No use. 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 16139 Korichi Michi Boraginaceae 16139 Korichi Michi Boraginaceae Cynoglossum coeruleum A. DC. ssp. Medicine; leaves are crushed and put in water to make an geometricum (Baker & C.H. Wright) extract. That is applied to cold sores and can also be drunk for S. Edwards stomach problems. NOTE: Name translates to “spiny donkey”. Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. Medicine; the plant is crushed and applied to cold sores and afts, and also crushed and inhaled for headache. Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. NOT eaten by animals. 16143 Boraginaceae Lithospermum officinale L. 16150 16136 Informant does not remember name Carchapa Saro Boraginaceae Brassicaceae Myosotis abyssinica Boiss. & Reut. Brassica sp. 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 16398 No name Burseraceae Eaten by cattle when flowering. NOTE: “This came with the wheat given for aid during the Derg government”. Eaten by cattle. Eaten by cattle. No use. Boswellia rivae Engl. No use. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 9 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16061 Matacoma No name Cabnnabaceae Campanulaceae Celtis sp. Lobelia cf erlangeriana Engl. Firewood. 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 Informant does not remember name Caryophyllaceae Arenaria serpyllifolia L. Eaten by cattle. Caryophyllaceae Arenaria serpyllifolia L. Medicine; for spiritual things. Caryophyllaceae Cerastium hirsutum Crantz Eaten by cattle. NOTE: Informants specifically mention small flower and fruit. 16155 16350 Ch’oge 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 16026 No name Kombocha Caryophyllaceae Celastraceae Maytenus arbutifolia R. Wilczek Eaten by baboons. 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 16266 Kombolcha Kombolcha Celastraceae Celastraceae Maytenus sp. Maytenus sp. Firewood. Eaten by goats. Maytenus sp. Flowers for honey. 16266 Kombolcha Celastraceae 16407 Jima Celastraceae 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 16033 Garramba Clusiaceae Hypericum revolutum Vahl Hypericum revolutum Vahl Construction; timber used for house posts. 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 16078 K’aio No name Commelinaceae Commelinaceae Commelina sp. Cyanotis polyrrhiza Hochst. ex Hassk. Eaten by cattle. Eaten by baboons. 16048 16239 Hananu Anano Convolvulaceae Convolvulaceae Convolvulus kilimandschari Engl. Convolvulus sp. Eaten by cattle and especially fed to calves. 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. Firewood. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 10 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 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 16424 16424 Hindesa Hindesa Cupressaceae Cupressaceae Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. Construction. Firewood. 16250 No name Cuscutaceae Cuscuta kilimanjari Oliv. 16250 No name Cuscutaceae Cuscuta kilimanjari Oliv. 16219 D’jafa Cyperaceae cf simensis Hochst. ex A. 16219 D’jafa Cyperaceae Carex Rich. Carex Rich. Carex Carex Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. NOTE: Recognized as parasite. Flowers for honey. NOTE: Recognized as parasite. Eaten by cattle. cf simensis Hochst. ex A. Thatch. johnstonii Boeck. johnstonii Boeck. Eaten by animals. Thatch. No use. Eaten by cattle. 16006 Mata Cyperaceae 16006 16084 Mata Ch’afa Cyperaceae Cyperaceae 16218 Arbagadda Cyperaceae Cyperus dichroostachyus Hochst. ex Eaten by cattle. A. Rich. 16218 Arbagadda Cyperaceae Cyperus dichroostachyus Hochst. ex Weave floor mats. A. Rich. 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. Cyperus cf bracheilema (Steud.) Mattf. & Kük. Eaten by cattle. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 11 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 16269 Kokosa Dryopteridaceae Dryopteris sp. 16019 Kokosa Dryopteridaceae Polystichum fuscopaleaceum Alston No use. NOTE: “At high altitude it is red, at low altitude white.” No use. 16270 Kokosa Dryopteridaceae 16096 Sato Ericaceae Erica arborea L. Eaten by cattle. 16096 16096 Sato Sato Ericaceae Ericaceae Erica arborea L. Erica arborea L. Firewood. 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. No use. 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 16416 No name Kobo Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus cf ovalifolius Forssk. Ricinus communis L. No use. 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. 16369 Dadetsha Fabaceae To soften leather. Fruits crushed and applied to leather to soften. 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 16232 16232 15991 Walena Walena Sedisa Fabaceae Fabaceae Fabaceae Desmodium repandum (Vahl) DC. Erythrina brucei Schweinf. No use. Food; leaves used to wrap dough when making bread. Erythrina brucei Schweinf. Medicago sp. Tools; wood used to make the pestle for large mortars. 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 16284 Anano No name Fabaceae Fabaceae Eaten by livestock and wildlife. 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. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 12 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 16439 Anjakere Fabaceae 16406 Dembi Flacourtiaceae Casearia sp. Firewood. Making brooms. 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 16399 Diki No name Flacourtiaceae Flacourtiaceae Rope; used to hang beehives. 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 16438 No name No name Geraniaceae Iridaceae Geranium arabicum Forssk. No use. 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 16316 Urgo Korichi Michi/ Damakase Lamiaceae Lamiaceae Leucas martinicensis (Jacq.) R. Br. Ocimum sp. Eaten by cattle. 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 16128 Urgohare Tunto Lamiaceae Lamiaceae Ocimum sp. Otostegia tomentosa A. Rich. No use. 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 16356 Urgo Ocota Lamiaceae Lamiaceae Plectranthus sp. Salvia merjamie Forssk. Medicine; leaves crushed and put on wounds. Eaten by cattle. 16356 Ocota Lamiaceae Salvia merjamie Forssk. 16001 Ocota Lamiaceae Salvia nilotica Juss. ex Jacq. Medicine; leaves crushed and smeared on the body to treat any unknown or undiagnosed illness. Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. 16098 No name Lamiaceae Satureja sp. No use. 16177 No name Lamiaceae Satureja sp. No use. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 13 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 15995 Burri Lamiaceae 16389 Abaye Lauraceae 16391 Apeyu Lauraceae Construction (house). 16391 16066 Apeyu No name Lauraceae Liliaceae 16215 No name Loranthaceae Firewood. Eaten by baboons who really like it, especially the roots. Fruit smells like garlic. No use. 16187 No name Lycopodiaceae 16268 16268 Danisa Danisa Malvaceae Malvaceae Dombeya kirkii Mast. Dombeya kirkii Mast. Eaten by cattle. 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 16267 Matakoma Ishini Malvaceae Malvaceae Grewia sp. Hibiscus sp. Firewood. 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 16245 Ishini Ishini Malvaceae Malvaceae Flowers for honey. Rope; bark peeled for rope used in construction. 16298 Injin Malvaceae Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. 16298 Injin Malvaceae 16324 Anunu Meliaceae Ekebergia capensis Sparm. 16234 Harambe Meliaceae Lepidotrichilia volkensii (Gürke) J.-F. Leroy 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. Flowers for honey. NOT eaten by anything. Ocotea kenyensis (Chiov.) Robyns & Firewood. R. Wilczek Englerina woodfordioides (Schweinf.) Balle ex M.G. Gilbert Huperzia dacrydioides (Baker) Pic. Serm. No use. Rope. Bark peeled and used as rope for construction. Firewood. Firewood. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 14 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 16029 Arambye Melianthaceae Bersama abyssinica Fresen. 16342 Oroka Melianthaceae Bersama abyssinica Fresen. Tools; wood to make ploughs. 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 16340 Lint’o Oda Moraceae Moraceae Ficus sp. Ficus sur Forssk. Firewood. 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 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 16260 Hanku Hanku Myrsinaceae Myrsinaceae Embelia schimperi Vatke Embelia schimperi Vatke Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. 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 16278 Badesa Badesa Myrtaceae Myrtaceae Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. Food; fruits eaten by humans. 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 Eaten (especially fed to calves). 16112 T’orso Oleaceae Jasminum abyssinicum Hochst. ex. DC. Jasminum abyssinicum Hochst. ex. DC. 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 16329 Badesa Badesa Oleaceae Oleaceae Olea hochstetteri Baker Olea hochstetteri Baker Food; fruit eaten by humans. 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). No use. Eaten by cattle. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 15 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 16301 No name Phytolaccaceae 16008 Kontuyesa Piperaceae Peperomia abyssinica Miq. Medicine; boil the leaves and apply the steam to pimples and abscesses. Eaten by cattle. 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 16005 No name Garaba Plantaginaceae Poaceae Plantago palmata Hook. f. Acritochaete volkensii Pilg. No use. 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 16253 Hat’aua Hat’aua Poaceae Poaceae Elymus sp. Elymus sp. Eaten by cattle. 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 16433 Mata Mata Poaceae Poaceae Eaten by cattle. Thatch. 16246 Bosoka Polygonaceae Polygonum afromontanum Greenway 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. No use. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 16 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16217 Kokosa No name Pteridaceae Pteridaceae Cheilanthes farinosa (Forssk.) Kaulf. Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn No use. 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 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 16427 No name No name Ranunculaceae Resedaceae No use. No use. 16325 No name Rhamnaceae Delphinium wellbyi Hemsl. Caylusea abyssinica Fisch. & C.A. Mey. Helinus integrifolius (Lam.) Kuntze 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. 16045 Thelo Rhizophoraceae Construction (house). Firewood. 16045 Thelo Rhizophoraceae Cassipourea malosana (Baker) Alston Cassipourea malosana (Baker) Alston 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 16030 Coralla Coralla Rubiaceae Rubiaceae Canthium oligocarpum Hiern Canthium oligocarpum Hiern Eaten by cattle and mountain nyala. 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. No use. No use. Tools; wood used to make ploughs. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 17 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16307 Sugurgura Arbo Rubiaceae Rutaceae Vangueria sp. Citrus aurantium L. Construction; to link the main poles and the roof beams. 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 16401 Harera Gagama Rutaceae Rutaceae Vepris dainellii (Pic. Seerm.) Miziray Firewood. Tools; wood used to make ploughs. 16436 Bitana Rutaceae 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 16071 Kankarasho No name Scrophulariaceae Scrophulariaceae Craterostigma pumilum Hochst. Craterostigma sp. Food; Roots chewed by humans for taste (like a sweet carrot) 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 16140 No name Ironto Scrophulariaceae Simaroubaceae Brucea antidysenterica J.F. Mill. 16363 Banji Solanaceae Datura stramonium L. Firewood. No use. NOT eaten by animals, not even by ants. The smoke and the plant smell bad. Can be used as insect repellent. 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”. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 18 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16231 Hiddi Hiddi Solanaceae Solanaceae Solanum macracanthum A. Rich. Solanum macracanthum A. Rich. Medicine; root chewed for stomach problems. 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 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 16432 Didisa Didisa Thymeleaceae Thymeleaceae Gnidia glauca (Fresen.) Gilg Gnidia glauca (Fresen.) Gilg Firewood. Rope; bark used to make rope. 16184 No name Urticaceae Pilea johnstonii Oliv. No use. 16185 16240 No name No name Urticaceae Urticaceae Pilea rivularis Wedd. Pilea sp. Eaten by baboons. Eaten by cattle. Veterinary. When the yoke hurts the back of the oxen and produces a swelling, crush the leaves and put on the swelling. 16056 Halila Urticaceae Urera hypselodendron Wedd. Eaten by cattle and wildlife. 16254 Halila Urticaceae Urera hypselodendron Wedd. No use. 16334 Lalesa Urticaceae 16281 16281 Sukai Sukai Verbenaceae Verbenaceae Lantana sp. Lantana sp. Eaten by cattle. Food; spice for butter, milk etc. Verbena sp. No use. No use. 16425 No name Verbenaceae 16280 No name Verbenaceae No use. 16327 Ulaga Verbenaceae Firewood. 16327 Ulaga Verbenaceae 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. 16063 No name Xanthorrhoeaceae Asphodelus fistulosus L. Eaten by baboons. 16172 Lela Xanthorrhoeaceae Kniphofia foliosa Hochst. No use. Tools; wood used to make ploughs. NOT eaten by cattle. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Page 19 of 21 Table 1 Plants encountered in Odo Bulu and Demaro, Bale, Ethiopia (Continued) 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 16279 Wayebosa Wayebosa Eaten by cattle. Flowers for honey. 16421 Diki Eaten by cattle. 16421 Diki Rope. 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. 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. Author details 1 William L. Brown Center, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299, USA. 2The Murulle Foundaion, PO Box 1442, Fort Collins, CO 80522, USA. 3Rift Valley Safaris, PO Box 3658 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 4Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499, USA. Figure 2 Number of plant species used in each use category. 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. Bussmann et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011, 7:28 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/28 Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 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