Ethnobotanical utilization and conservation of chewing sticks plants species in Ekiti state, Nigeria

Abstract

Surveys and direct field observation were carried out to determine the endangered chewing stick species in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The survey involved the use of semi-structured interviews which were conducted with a fairly open framework that allowed for focused, conversational and two-way conununication. Also group interviews were conducted in order to determine group consensus on the chewing sticks plant species. The relative abundance of the identified species was determined by the time it would take to physically corne across the plant specimen in the study area. Results obtained revealed that a total of 49 plant species belonging to 28 different families were observed to be in use as chewing sticks. Most of these species were indigenous species; previous studies had revealed that these species were essentially rich in various natural products. The relative abundance test revealed that, 33, 51 and 16%, respectively, of the chewing sticks species were presently common, frequent and occasional on the abundance scale used in this study. Most of the species were uncultivated species whose wildlings were usually preserved in the study area and were in high demand in the study area. Other products widely derived from these species in the study area were identified. Thus the endangered species required urgent conservation efforts. Features that could enhance their conservation in the study area were defined. © 2009 Academic Journals Inc.