Ethno-botanical survey of edible wild fruits in Benguet, Cordillera administrative region, the Philippines

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To conduct a survey on the common name/s, traditional uses and cultural importance of the edible wild fruits in different municipalities of Benguet, Cordillera administrative region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Interviews using questionnaires with barangay leaders and indigenous people were conducted with 176 key informants from June 2011 to July 2013.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 36 fruit species were found in different municipalities of Benguet. These fruit species belong to 27 genera and 20 families. Among the 13 municipalities of Benguet, Kibungan has the highest number of species. There are many uses of wild fruits which ranged from food (snack/dessert/table food), forage (especially for birds, monkeys and wild animals such as cloud rat and grass eaters), offertory, processed/preserved (as jam, jellies, candies, juice and wine), condiment or ingredient (for cooking), source of dye or ink, decoration (to garnish food) and as medicine to common ailments or health problems. Based on the inventory and calculated cultural importance index, Garcinia binucao (balokok) belonging to Clusiaceae is the most abundant fruit, hence it is the commonly used fruit for various purposes such as food, forage, processing/preservation and condiment/ingredient; Vaccinium myrtoides (ayusip) for offerings and as source of dye/ink; Saurauia elegans (uyok) for decoration, and, Antidesma bunius (bugnay) for medicine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Benguet province in the Cordillera region provides a diversity of edible wild fruits. The data gathered from the study signifies that collection, processing and utilization of edible wild fruits are still part of the daily activities of the people in Benguet.</p>

Ethno-botanical survey of edible wild fruits in Benguet, Cordillera administrative region, the Philippines

Objective: To conduct a survey on the common name/s, traditional uses and cultural importance of the edible wild fruits in different municipalities of Benguet, Cordillera administrative region. Methods: Interviews using questionnaires with barangay leaders and indigenous people were conducted with 176 key informants from June 2011 to July 2013. Results: A total of 36 fruit species were found in different municipalities of Benguet. These fruit species belong to 27 genera and 20 families. Among the 13 municipalities of Benguet, Kibungan has the highest number of species. There are many uses of wild fruits which ranged from food (snack/dessert/table food), forage (especially for birds, monkeys and wild animals such as cloud rat and grass eaters), offertory, processed/preserved (as jam, jellies, candies, juice and wine), condiment or ingredient (for cooking), source of dye or ink, decoration (to garnish food) and as medicine to common ailments or health problems. Based on the inventory and calculated cultural importance index, Garcinia binucao (balokok) belonging to Clusiaceae is the most abundant fruit, hence it is the commonly used fruit for various purposes such as food, forage, processing/preservation and condiment/ingredient; Vaccinium myrtoides (ayusip) for offerings and as source of dye/ink; Saurauia elegans (uyok) for decoration, and, Antidesma bunius (bugnay) for medicine. Conclusions: Benguet province in the Cordillera region provides a diversity of edible wild fruits. The data gathered from the study signifies that collection, processing and utilization of edible wild fruits are still part of the daily activities of the people in Benguet.

Diversity of wild fruits in Nilgiri Hills of the Southern Western Ghats- Ethnobotanical Aspects.

Nilgiri Hills are situated in the Western Ghats of India, one of the eight hottest hotspot of the world is known for its rich biodiversity. In view of the rich plant diversity in areas with a predominantly tribal population. Ethnobotany is an important tool to assess the wild edible species in plant genetic resources. The present survey resulted in the collection of 70- species belonging to 48 genera comes under 27- families. The present ethnobotanical aspects on wild and less- known plants of the Nilgiri region can be used to determine collection priorities and conservation strategies.

Inventory and biodiversity of species edible wild ruits sold in the markets of Douala, Cameroon.

In total 24 species of wild fruits listed in 18 genera and 15 families were identified and inventoried in four markets in Douala (Cameroon). The Sterculiaceae and Zingiberaceae are best represented. The dominant fruit are berries and drupes with 16 species (66.67%). The frequency of these fruits in the markets is related to dietary habits of ethnic consumers and varies with the seasons. The strategies proposed in the use of these fruits, concern methods of sustainable use and conservation of forest ecosystems.