Checklist and status of plant species used as spices in Kaduna State of Nigeria

Abstract

A combination of social surveys and direct field observations were carried out to determine the plant species that are used in Kaduna Sate, Nigeria, as spices. A total of 25 plant species are used as spices in the study area. The most widely utilized parts, in terms of the diversity of the botanicals, are the fruits, seeds and flowers while the least utilized part is the rhizome. The methods of extraction in over 50 % of spices were predatory and annihilative. Most of the species whose barks were extracted were not cultivated though some were perennials. The relative regrowth capabilities of debarked trees and shrubs in the study area were unknown indicating that these methods might results in increasing scarcity of these species. Though considerable proportion of the botanicals were extracted by non-predatory and gathering methods yet collection of fruits and seeds were observed to be by pulling or cutting of the branches thus making such collection to be destructive. At present most of the spices species are becoming rare. Thus the increasing conversion of valuable natural environment to monoculture plantation of exotic timber and agriculture, might likely lead to the continue erosion of botanical diversity in the study area. Consequently strategies for the conservation of these species were proposed. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.