NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org
ETHNOBOTANICAL UTILIZATION OF PLANTS BY THE PEOPLE OF OMUMA (AMIMO), ORU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IMO STATE, NIGERIA
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.16.071.1 | Article Number: 218D2522 | Vol.14 (1) - July 2016
Author: Erhenhi, A. H.
Keywords: Ethnobotany, Imo State, utility, Omuma
A survey of the ethnobotanical uses of plants by the people of Omuma was carried out in 2014 at Omuma (Amimo), Oru East Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria with a view to documenting the ethno botanical utilization of the vast indigenous plant species of this people. Plant parts (leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits and barks) were collected to ease accurate identification of plants. Some plants were identified on the field, ten locals who have resided in the village with vast indigenous knowledge contributed in no small measure in providing useful ethnobotanical information in Ibo Language through two interpreters as some could not converge their information in English Language. A total of thirty two (32) plant species were collected, photographs of plants were taken as well as plant press. These 32 indigenous plant species collected belong to 29 families. The plant habits varied from tree, shrub and herb. The percentage utilization showed that trees the most were frequently used, contributing 43.88% of the plants surveyed. This was closely followed by Herbs (34.36%) and Shrubs (18.75%). These indigenous plants were employed for diverse uses such as for food, medicine and general utilities. It is assumed that, this information on ethnobotanical uses of these plants will help to re-awaken efforts on the ecological significance of these plants as well as conservation and cultivation for optimum utilization of these nature’s abundance gifts to the people of Omuma.
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