Diversity and Utilization of Wild Edible Plant Species from the Uvinza Miombo Woodlands, Tanzania

Abstract

n assessment of the diversity of wild edible plants utilized by people in Uvinza Miombo Forests, Tanzania was undertaken in 2014-2015. Structured interviews, descriptive statistics and informant consensus were used to collect, compile and analyze data. One hundred and forty-three informants aged over 18 years from four study villages: Uvinza, Basanza, Mwamila and Chakulu were interviewed on the use of wild edible plants.  A majority of respondents (86.7%) said they have been using wild plants for foods. Sixty-three wild food plant species were recorded. Highest informant consensus value was for Anisophyllea bohemii Engl  reported by 104 (72.2%) followed by Vitex doniana Sweet, Vitex mombassae Vatke, and Vitex ferruginea Schum Thonn reported by 95 (66.4%), 91 (63.6%) and 91 (63.6%) respondents respectively. Euphorbiaceae, Verbenaceae,  Anacardiaceae and Apocynaceae were the major families recorded. Fruit species (82.5%) constituted the largest plant parts collected for food. Seventy-one  respondents (68.9%) collected wild food from farmlands. Seventy-seven respondents (76.7%) of the wild food collectors were youths. The local community in the study area possesses indigenous knowledge on uses of wild plants for food. Efforts are needed to create awareness and sensitizing the communities on sound utilization of the particular miombo ecosystem which are important for safeguarding biodiversity.