Ethnobotanical knowledge and threat factors for Aloe species in Tanzania

Authors

  • Siri Aby-mike Abihudi Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
  • Hugo J de Boer Natural History Museum, University of Oslo
  • Rogasian L. A Mahunnah Department of Agronomy, Medical Botany and Plant Breeding, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
  • Anna C Treydte Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Nelson Mandela African Institution for Science and Technology

Keywords:

Distribution, Ethnobotany, Folk taxonomy, Perception, Sustainable harvesting.

Abstract

Background: The genus Aloe has long been known for its use in healthcare and cosmetics. In Tanzania, overexploitation is threatening some Aloe species with extinction and yet, little has been documented on the abundance and biocultural uses.

Material and Methods: Semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain ethnobotanical information from 236 respondents across 22 villages in four regions of Tanzania (Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Mara, Katavi-Rukwa).

Results: A total of 23 Aloe species were identified, 20 of which were being used locally and were mostly being collected from the wild. We report the uses of A. mzimbana, A. volkensii subsp. volkensii, A. leptosiphon, A. parvidens and A. bicomitum for the first time in East Africa. The most preferred species were A. lateritia, A. duckeri and A. secundiflora which are three common, widely distributed species. Diseases frequently treated with Aloe species include malaria and general stomachache in humans, and Newcastle disease in chickens. Some Aloe species were found to have gone extinct locally due to over-harvesting. Rare Aloe species were perceived to be less preferred as they mostly occurred far away from settlements.

Conclusions: We conclude that the genus Aloe is widely used across Tanzania and needs strong conservation measures to prevent individual species from becoming extinct in the wild.

 

Keywords: Distribution; Ethnobotany; Folk taxonomy; Perception; Sustainable harvesting.

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Published

2019-12-30

How to Cite

Abihudi, S. A.- mike, de Boer, H. J., Mahunnah, R. L. A., & Treydte, A. C. (2019). Ethnobotanical knowledge and threat factors for Aloe species in Tanzania. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 18, 1–28. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/1643

Issue

Vol. 18 (2019)

Section

Research

License

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