Ethnotaxonomy and ethnomedicine of Ensete Ventricosum in Gedebano-Gutazer-Welene district, Gurage zone, Southern nations, nationalities and peoples’ (snnp) Regional state, Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to document local knowledge on classification and medicinal uses of Ensete ventricosum (enset) in Gedebano-Gutazer-Welene district. Seven study sites (kebeles) were selected on the basis of well managed enset gardens. A total of 150 informants were involved, among which 30 were key informants. Ethnobotanical data collection was conducted by using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques. Degree of dissimilarities among the enset varieties was done by using Principal Coordinate Analyses (PCoA). A total of 33 farmers’ varieties were reported, which were clustered in two defined groups within which six subgroups were included. This indicates the high intra-specific variation of the species, which might be the result of rapid adaptive radiation. The result may have taxonomic implication adding to the existing knowledge on farmers’ variety as well as posing query to molecular systematics. In addition to its importance as staple food, different parts of enset are very crucial in the local health care system. Broken bone, wound, compromised immunity and other maternity related problems are treated with enset. Different varieties of this plant are utilized to induce milk production during breast feeding and as inhibitor when it is needed. The wide range of medicinal uses might indicate a high intra-specific diversification mainly in the biochemical characters of the species. Having tremendous uses and being an indigenous plant species, the plant should be given conservation attention. The usefulness of the plant also calls for better processing and production technologies for its sustainable and widespread use.

Keywords/phrases: Enset, Farmers’ variety, Principal Coordinate Analyses

Ethiop. J. Biol. Sci. 16(2): 143–170, 2017