Traditional uses of plants in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe: construction material, tools, crafts, fuel wood, religious ceremonies and leafy vegetables

Authors

Abstract

Background: Most people who reside in rural areas have over the years benefited from the utilization of forest products obtained from forests and surrounding woodlands. Both timber and non-timber forest products are important in livelihood maintenance, provision of security, reduction of poverty and malnutrition and help generate income. The aim of the study is to evaluate and document plants that are traditionally used by community in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe and to assess their contribution to the livelihood and sustenance of the community.

Methods: Ethnobotanical data was collected from February 2022 till March 2022 through semi-structured interviews and data analysed through quantitative indices such as use value (UV) and relative frequency of citation (RFC). Field surveys were made to collect voucher specimens, which were identified, authenticated and deposited at the National Herbarium, Zimbabwe.

Results: A total of 89 plant species belonging to 81 genera and 44 families are traditionally used in Gokwe South District. The Fabaceae family is the highest plant species (15 species) followed by Anacardiaceae and Euphorbiaceae (five species each). Seven use categories were identified with the food category recording the highest number of plant species used (48 species) followed by tools and handicraft (29 species).

Conclusions: The study showed that the traditional use of plant is still a common practice in the district. The great diversity of plants gives the need for their conservation and sustainable use to be established and monitored.

Keywords: Plant diversity, use patterns, traditional uses of plants, Gokwe South District

 

Author Biographies

Bridgett Shopo, Student, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

Mrs Bridgett Shopo is a PhD student at the Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology. She is doing Ethnobotanical research of plants in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe under the supervision of Prof. Alfred Maroyi (University of Fort Hare, RSA) and Dr Ruvimbo Jessy Mapay (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe).

Mrs Bridgett Shopo is a Technician under the Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology and is currently on study leave.

Alfred Maroyi, Proffessor, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

Prof. Alfred Maroyi is a NRF rated researcher, Established C category (2015-2020) in plant systematics, ecology, biodiversity conservation and utilization of plant resources with 24 years of experience as a full-time
researcher (1995-2000) and academic/researcher (2000 to present). He is based at the Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED) Research Centre, University of Fort Hare, South Africa. He has co/supervised several Postgraduate students and has been an External Examiner at some Universities and also external moderator to several MSc and PhD theses. Prof. Maroyi is an Associated Editor of one accredited journal and an Editorial Board member of two journals. He has also Reviewed articles for several DoHET accredited Journals with high impact factors.

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Published

2022-11-26

How to Cite

Mapaya, R. J., Shopo, B. ., & Maroyi, A. (2022). Traditional uses of plants in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe: construction material, tools, crafts, fuel wood, religious ceremonies and leafy vegetables. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 24, 1–23. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/3851

Issue

Vol. 24 (2022)

Section

Research

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