Wild mushrooms and ethnomycological knowledge: exploring Cameroon’s Adamaoua rangelands

Authors

  • Zouberou N Mouanfon Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454 Ngaoundere, Cameroon;Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 47, Cameroon
  • Joseph Tchamgoue Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 812, Cameroon
  • Essossimna Magamana Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Lome, 081 BP 1515, Lome, Togo
  • André-L Njouonkou Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, Bambili P.O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon
  • Rémy B Teponno Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67 Dschang Cameroon
  • Annemieke Verbeken Mycology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Belgium
  • Nourou S Yorou Research Unit Tropical Mycology and Plant-Soil Fungi Interactions, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, BP 123 Parakou, Benin
  • Simeon F Kouam Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 47, Cameroon
  • Pierre M Mapongmetsem Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454 Ngaoundere, Cameroon;Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 47, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: In Cameroon, rangelands of Adamaoua region provide a wide range of goods and ecosystem services valued by society, including fodder for livestock and non-timber forest products. They also host a rich biodiversity including plants and fungi with multiple uses. The study aimed to document indigenous knowledge about mushrooms among local populations living around rangelands of the Adamaoua region.

Methods: Ethnomycological surveys were conducted between August and October 2024 in the divisions of Vina and Mbere, involving 500 participants who were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires. Participants were from diverse ethnic groups, predominantly Peuls, Gbaya, Mbororo.

Results: A total of 16 locally used fungal species were identified, belonging to 8 genera and 6 families. The most dominant families in terms of species richness were Lyophyllaceae, Agaricaceae and Russulaceae respectively. The genus Termitomyces with 7 species was dominant and was also highlighted for their significant nutritional and commercial importance in the region. Chlorophyllum hortense and Chlorophyllum globosum were the only sub-coprophilous fungi, reported to be used as food and in traditional medicine by the Gbaya, Mbororo, and Peul communities.

Conclusions: The population around the rangelands of Adamaoua Region knows and uses many mushroom species as sources of food, medicine and income. Termitomyces species are consumed across all ethnic groups, while C. hortense and C. globosum are reported to be used in traditional medicine. Further studies are needed to assess the nutritional and medicinal potentials of these species.

Keywords: Rangelands, Edible mushrooms, Ethnomycology, Adamaoua Region, Ethnic group

Author Biography

Zouberou N Mouanfon, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454 Ngaoundere, Cameroon;Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 47, Cameroon

Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 47, Cameroon

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Published

2026-09-13

How to Cite

Mouanfon, Z. N., Tchamgoue, J., Magamana, E. ., Njouonkou, A.-L., Teponno, R. B., Verbeken, A., … Mapongmetsem, P. M. (2026). Wild mushrooms and ethnomycological knowledge: exploring Cameroon’s Adamaoua rangelands . Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 35, 1–15. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/8566

Issue

Vol. 35 (2026)

Section

Research

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