Traditional uses of native legumes of the Caatinga: an integrative review

Abstract

Background: The Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian phytogeographic domain, hosts remarkable biodiversity and provides essential resources for local populations, who have historically depended on its flora to meet diverse needs. Among its plant groups, the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) stands out as the most representative, with high nutritional and pharmacological potential. However, knowledge regarding the ethnobotanical uses of native legumes by traditional communities remained scattered across the literature, highlighting the need for integrative synthesis.

Methods: This study consists of an integrative literature review that systematized the ethnobotanical roles of native legumes in the Caatinga. A total of 13 ethnobotanical studies published between 2000 and 2025 were analyzed. Data was collected through searches in Google Scholar, CAPES Journal Portal, and SciELO databases.

Results: The analysis identified 43 useful species distributed across 24 genera. Among these, Amburana cearensis, Stryphnodendron adstringens, and Erythrina velutina were the most frequently cited. The studies revealed the multifunctionality of these species, with uses categorized into eight purposes. Medicinal use was predominant (63.8% of citations), followed by timber/energy, forage, food, and ritual applications.

Conclusions: Native legumes of the Caatinga represent valuable and strategic resources for rural, indigenous, and quilombola communities, contributing to food security, healthcare, energy supply, and the maintenance of cultural and spiritual practices. This review also highlights underrepresented regions in the reviewed literature ethnobotanical knowledge and underscores the urgency of integrating traditional knowledge with biodiversity conservation strategies to ensure sustainable management in the face of increasing extractive pressures.

Keywords: Fabaceae; Ethnobotany; Brazilian semiarid; Traditional knowledge.