Studies of the Indigenous Edible Wild Fruits of Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

In the past, Indigenous Edible Wild Fruits (IEWFs) were vital source of food and nutrition in Etche Local Government Area. These plant species were highly nutritious and assisted in poverty alleviation and enhanced food security in Etche. Presently, due to the teeming population and the anthropogenic activities in the area especially the farming practice of the local people, the availability and rate of consumption of the IEWFs have been negatively impacted. Information about these economic plant species that are domiciled in Etche has not been properly documented. This investigation seeks to fill the gap. IEWFs were identified in ten (10) study area communities. Scientific names, common names, local names, families, habits, habitat and locality of the plants were documented. It was observed that 36 plant species drawn from 29 genera, representing 23 families were Indigenous Edible Wild Fruits consumed regularly by Etche people. The study revealed that the fruit plants were 39% trees, 42% shrubs, 8% herbs and 11% climbers. In addition, most of the edible plant species in the area were exclusively found in the wild while a few were domesticated and some of them served as a source of income for some households. The study observed a decline in the diversity of species due to depletion of forest resources through bush burning, deforestation and exploitation of flora by the rural dwellers for other purposes.