ethnobotanical survey of the takamanda forest reserve - Impact ...

Dioscorea dumentorum (Dioscoreaceae)
An indigenous, widely grown climber species with trifoliate leaves. The inflorescence is
pendulous and bear small white greenish flowers. The tuber is eaten boiled. It is often sold in the
local markets.
Dioscorea alata (Dioscoreaceae)
It is an exotic climber species with opposite leaves. The stem presents four well-developed wings
that help to identified the species. The tubers are large and relatively short, often irregular in
shape. It is cultivate throughout the project area. Tubers are sold locally.
Dioscorea rotundata (Dioscoreaceae)
This species was probably introduced to TFR from the neighbouring Nigeria. It is the best of
yams varieties. The large long tubers are eaten with soup when boiled.
4.17.8 Spices
Spices are ground and added to soups, vegetables and porridge. The cultivated species are not as
many as those harvested from the forest. Only two species were recorded.
Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae)
It is a neotripical herb of about 1 m of hight. This species was found all over the project area. The
seeds are used most local meals. The ground dried seeds are offered to visitors combined with
Cola acuminata as a sign of hospitality especially among the Bokis and Anyangs tribes
Ocimum gratissimum (Labiatae)
It is the most widely cultivated aromatic spice within the project area. In most sites visited, it is
cultivated close by dwellings making its harvesting independent of the time of the day. The
young leaves are also use in many local medicines.
4.17.9 Fruits and Tree Crops
Anana comosus (Bromeliaceae)
This is a cultivated herb of about 40 cm of hight. The margin of the leaves is spiny.
The inflorescence is terminal. The fruit is edible and sometimes sold in the local maket although
it is mostly cultivate for consumption.
Dacryodes edulis (Burseraceae)
See also the wild fruit section
Carica papaya (Caricaceae)
This cultivated species, introduced from the neotropic, is a three of 3-7m of hight. It is found both
in farms and fallow. The ripe fruits are eaten in the project area. The leaves and latex are used
medicinally. The fruit is hardly sold in the market.
Elaeis guineensis (Palmae)
See wild fruits section.
Citrus sinensis, Citrus Pamplemousse, Citrus limon (Rutaceae)
These species are exotics, planted in the project area. The most eaten fruit is orange while lime,
grapefruit and lemon are occasionally used for medicine or sucked. Lime is particularly important
and is used to treat stomache ache, worms etc.
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