ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS INADILO ZURIA WOREDA, KEMBATA TEMBARO ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia has rich flora with different plant species having use in health care system based on local indigenous knowledge. However, documented ethnobotanical information was lacking in Adilo Zuria Woreda. Hence, the aim of this study was to recordand document ethnobotanical information on medicinal plant use in Adilo Zuria Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. A total of 100 respondents were selected to collect ethnobotanical data. Out of these, 18 key informants (Female 9 and Male 9) were selected purposively while 82 of non-key informants were selected randomly. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, group discussion and guided field walks with key informants for field observations. Preference ranking, direct matrix, informant consensus factor and fidelity level were computed to analyze ethnobotanical data. The results of the study showed that 62 plant species belonging to 56 genera and 35 families were commonly used to treat various human and livestock ailments. In terms of species richness, familyAsteraceaeandLamiaceae were number one with 5 species each followedby Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae each represented with 4 species. The majority of medicinal plant species were obtained from homegardens31 (50%) followed by forest 15(24.2%), agricultural filed 10(16.1%), roadside 4(6.4%), and around river 2(3.2%).In terms of habit, the majority 31(50 %) of the medicinal plants were herbaceous followed by tree 22(35.5%).The most frequently used plant part was leaves41(50%) followed by seeds 12 (14.6%) and the most widely used method of preparations were crushing24(29.2%),squeezing 16(19.5%),grinding10(12.2%),chewing8(9.75),powdering and pounding together 7(8.5%). In the study, both anthropogenic and natural factors affect the medicinal plants. Agricultural expansion is the leading factor that threatens medicinal plants followed by deforestation and climate change. Overall, local people of the study area used medicine from plant origin and they should conserve them