Wild edible fruit plants are essential standing in all parts of the world as a subsidiary food basket on daily basis. They are means of survival for rural communities with food and feed consumption, especially during times of drought, famine, shocks, and risks. This study intended to identify, and document scientific data, to get the constraint and opportunity potential of Wild edible fruit plants. Implementation through assessed species, partly used, habitat, mode of uses, flowering months, fruiting months, and factors of threats of wild edible fruits plants. Structured and semi-structured questionnaire interviews, key informant guided, and species quantification along 18 transact lines on 60 sampled quadrants were used to collect data in the west Hararghe zone at Daro-Lebu, Chiro, and Gumbi Bordode Weredas on six PAs. A total of 120 randomly selected sample households were interviewed for data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were made. Descriptive analyses were made to analyze the data using SPSS version 16.0. The study embraced a total of 55 Wild edible fruit plants In addition to food values, these plants provide diverse benefits to the existing community including income, fuel wood, fencing, construction, medicine, and fodder. The top five highly impersonated wild edible fruit plant species by respondents were Psidium guajava, Mimusops kummel, Carissa spinarum L., Rosa abyssinica, Ficus sycomorus, and Oncoba spinosa forssk. However, most of them were threatened by anthropogenic factors through misconception utilities. The threat factors such as land degradation and grazing, clearing of forests for agriculture, fire, timber and charcoal, Stem, leaves, root, and bark harvest. To alleviate, the entire threat of wild edible fruit plant species; a community-based forest management system, awareness creation, and growing of wild edible fruit plant species at farms and homesteads level, is mandatory for any forest resource users. The other point is the absence of seedlings and saplings under wild edible fruit plant species in its habitat is an indicator of a regeneration problem. Therefore; the most threatened and unregenerated wild edible fruit plant species of the study areas priority should be given to the critical collection, domestication, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, and promotion of on-farm cultivation in the form of agroforestry systems. Further investigation should be considered on the collection, nutrient content analyses, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, wise utilization, and popularization of Wild edible fruit plants through forest management. These are vital points to be deliberated forward.
Published in | International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 13, Issue 3) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12 |
Page(s) | 97-118 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Threat Factors, Forest, Anthropogenic Effect, Wild Edible Fruit Plants
Sex | Frequency | Percent | Average land holding in hectares | Frequency | Percent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Men | 91 | 76 | 0.025 ha | 28 | 23 |
Women | 29 | 24 | 0.125 ha | 11 | 9 |
Total | 120 | 100 | 0.13 ha | 44 | 37 |
Age | 0.25 ha | 11 | 9 | ||
18-30 | 22 | 18 | 0.5 ha | 13 | 11 |
31-45 | 64 | 53 | 1 ha | 8 | 7 |
46-65 | 28 | 23 | 2.5 ha | 5 | 4 |
66-70 | 6 | 5 | Total | 120 | 100 |
Total | 120 | 100 | Agroecology zone | ||
marital status | midland | 80 | 67 | ||
Married | 112 | 93 | lowland | 40 | 33 |
Widowed | 6 | 5 | Total | 120 | 100 |
devour | 2 | 2 | household size | ||
Total | 120 | 100 | 10-12 | 14 | 12 |
Educational status | 2-6 | 71 | 59 | ||
Non-educated | 62 | 52 | 7-9 | 35 | 29 |
primary school | 56 | 46 | Total | 120 | 100 |
secondary school | 2 | 2 | |||
Total 120 | 100 |
1 | Source of Wild edible fruit plants | Frequency | Percent |
Natural forests | 50 | 34.2 | |
Around river area | 33 | 27.5 | |
Around farm boundary | 26 | 21.7 | |
On pasture land | 11 | 9.2 | |
Total | 120 | 100 | |
2 | Influencing factors to use Wild edible fruit plants | ||
It is sweaty, Medicinal, and has no side effect | 13 | 11.7 | |
Supplementary food, feed& income | 26 | 23.4 | |
Supplementary food, feed& income during hanger | 25 | 22.5 | |
Tradition and hunger of children during keeping livestock | 12 | 10.8 | |
Total | 76 | 100 | |
3 | Role of Wild edible fruit plants in ecological and environmental values | ||
Attract rainfall and make a green environment | 19 | 16.6 | |
Improve soil and water conservation | 34 | 28.3 | |
Maintain climate change | 24 | 20.0 | |
Maintain weather conditions and sustain ecological balance | 32 | 35.1 | |
Total | 120 | 100 | |
4 | Opportunities in utilizing Wild edible fruit plants | ||
Ability to grow naturally | 65 | 67.7 | |
Income opportunity | 2 | 2.0 | |
Self-distribution | 29 | 30.2 | |
Total | 96 | 100 | |
5 | Constraints in utilizing Wild edible fruit plants | ||
Climate change | 13 | 11 | |
Deforestation and overgrazing | 44 | 37 | |
Some of them have an invasiveness manner | 9 | 8 | |
Lack of enough information | 14 | 12 | |
Agricultural expansion | 40 | 33 | |
Total | 120 | 100 | |
6 | The trend of Wild edible fruit plants production over the last 10 years | ||
Increasing | 9 | 7.5 | |
Decreasing | 109 | 90.8 | |
No change | 2 | 1.7 | |
Total | 120 | 100 | |
7 | Perception of respondents in utilizing Wild edible fruit plants | ||
All people should conserve those trees/shrubs | 36 | 30.0 | |
Have to be protected and sustained for future | 34 | 28.3 | |
Seedlings have to be planted on farms and reduce deforestation | 50 | 41.7 | |
Total | 120 | 100 |
No. | Scientific name | Family name | Gumbi-Bordode Wereda | Chiro Wereda | Daro-Lebu Wereda | total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burqabarkele PA | Legarba PA | Halewagora PA | Nejabas PA | Jilbo PA | Metagudesa PA | ||||||||||
F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | F | % | ||||
1 | Puntia ficus-indica | Cactaceae | 4 | 1.8 | 4 | ||||||||||
2 | Carissa spinarum L. | Apocynaceae | 11 | 5.6 | 15 | 6.6 | 16 | 11.3 | 16 | 11.4 | 6 | 3.9 | 7 | 5.6 | 71 |
3 | Hypoestes aristata | Acanthaceae | 9 | 4.6 | 9 | ||||||||||
4 | flavescens | Tiliaceae | 1 | 0.8 | 1 | ||||||||||
5 | Piper nigrum | Piperaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.7 | 2 | ||||||||
6 | Balanites aegyptiaca | Balantiaceae | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | ||||||||||
7 | Toddalia asiatica | Rutaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
8 | Portulaca quadrifida. | Portulacaceae | 3 | 2.0 | 3 | 2.4 | 6 | ||||||||
9 | Myrica salicifolia. Rich | Loganiaceae | 3 | 1.5 | 7 | 3.1 | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.8 | 14 |
10 | Physalis micrantha | Solanaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
11 | Vangueiria arisepala | Rubiaceae | 10 | 7.0 | 7 | 5.0 | 12 | 7.8 | 6 | 4.8 | 35 | ||||
12 | Celosia anthelminthica. | Amaranthaceae | 1 | 0.5 | 14 | 6.1 | 1 | 0.7 | 2 | 1.3 | 18 | ||||
13 | Rhus natalensis Krauss | Anacardiacea | 5 | 2.6 | 17 | 7.5 | 2 | 1.4 | 1 | 0.7 | 25 | ||||
14 | Rhoicissus tridentate | Vitaceae. | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.7 | 2 | ||||||||
15 | Grewia tenax (Forssk.) | Tiliaceae | 12 | 6.2 | 14 | 6.1 | 26 | ||||||||
16 | Salvadora persica | Salvadoraceae | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.4 | 2 | ||||||||
17 | Annona reticulata L. | Annonaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
18 | Syzygium guineense | Myrtaceae | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0.4 | 17 | 11.1 | 16 | 12.7 | 36 | ||||
19 | Capparis decidua | Capparidaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
20 | Rosa abyssincia | Rosaceae | 4 | 2.1 | 5 | 2.2 | 11 | 7.7 | 9 | 6.4 | 13 | 8.5 | 17 | 13.5 | 59 |
21 | Rubus apetalus Poir. | Rosaceae | 1 | 0.4 | 3 | 2.1 | 10 | 7.1 | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.8 | 16 | ||
22 | Momordica foetida | Cucurbitaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
23 | Albizia grandibracteata | Leguminosae- | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
24 | Phoenix reclinata Jacq | Arecaceae | 4 | 2.1 | 4 | ||||||||||
25 | Capsicum chinense | Solanaceae | 3 | 2.1 | 3 | ||||||||||
26 | Ficus sur (F. Capensis) | Moraceae | 4 | 2.9 | 4 | ||||||||||
27 | Grewia bicolour | Tiliacea | 6 | 3.1 | 1 | 0.4 | 7 | ||||||||
28 | Ficus sycomorus | Anacardiacea | 18 | 9.2 | 16 | 7.0 | 10 | 6.5 | 3 | 2.4 | 47 | ||||
29 | Boscia salicifolia | Capparidaceae | 3 | 1.5 | 3 | ||||||||||
30 | Berchemia discolor | Rhamnaceae | 5 | 2.6 | 5 | ||||||||||
31 | Oncoba spinosa Forssk | Flacourtiaceae | 4 | 1.8 | 3 | 2.11 | 0.7 | 5 | 3.3 | 3 | 2.4 | 16 | |||
32 | Dovyalis abyssinica | Flacourtiacea | 2 | 1.6 | 2 | ||||||||||
33 | Cordia sinensis Lam | Boraginaceae | 8 | 4.1 | 17 | 7.5 | 25 | ||||||||
34 | Meriandra benegalensis | Verbenaceae | 4 | 1.8 | 4 | ||||||||||
35 | Lex mitis | Ebenaceae | 1 | 0.5 | 5 | 2.2 | 6 | 4.2 | 2 | 1.4 | 2 | 1.3 | 2 | 1.6 | 18 |
36 | Rytigynia neglecta | Rubiaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
37 | Grewia schweinfurthii | Tiliaceae | 4 | 2.1 | 1 | 0.7 | 5 | ||||||||
38 | Grewia ferruginea | Tiliaceae | 7 | 3.6 | 3 | 1.3 | 1 | 0.7 | 11 | ||||||
39 | Mimusops kummel | Sapotaceae | 13 | 6.7 | 20 | 8.8 | 1 | 0.7 | 6 | 4.3 | 18 | 11.8 | 20 | 15.9 | 78 |
40 | Myrsine africana L. | Myrsinaceae | 1 | 0.4 | 1 | ||||||||||
41 | Embelia schimperi | Myrsinaceae | 14 | 9.9 | 9 | 6.4 | 3 | 2.0 | 26 | ||||||
42 | Acokanthera schimperi | Sterculiaceae | 2 | 1.0 | 3 | 2.1 | 1 | 0.7 | 6 | ||||||
43 | Euclea racemosa | Ebenaceae | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.7 | 8 | 6.3 | 12 | ||
44 | Ziziphus spina‑ | Rhamnaceae. | 16 | 8.2 | 15 | 6.6 | 31 | ||||||||
45 | Tamarindus indica | Fabaceae | 3 | 1.5 | 5 | 2.2 | 2 | 1.4 | 3 | 2.0 | 1 | 0.8 | 14 | ||
46 | Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | Flacourtiaceae | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.4 | 18 | 12.7 | 11 | 7.9 | 6 | 3.9 | 9 | 7.1 | 46 |
47 | Acacia senegal (L.) | Fabaceae | 3 | 1.5 | 3 | ||||||||||
48 | Rhus glutinosa | Anacardiaceae | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | ||||||||||
49 | Combretum molle | Combretaceae | 19 | 9.7 | 13 | 5.7 | 13 | 9.2 | 6 | 4.3 | 9 | 5.9 | 4 | 3.2 | 64 |
50 | Osyris quadripartita | Santalaceae | 2 | 1.4 | 2 | ||||||||||
51 | Cordia Africana | Boraginaceae | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0.4 | 17 | 12.0 | 16 | 11.4 | 36 | ||||
52 | Acacia seyal Del. | Fabaceae | 3 | 1.5 | 7 | 3.1 | 1 | 0.7 | 4 | 2.9 | 3 | 2.0 | 18 | ||
53 | Allophylus abyssinicus | Anacardiacea | 1 | 0.5 | 2 | 0.9 | 3 | 2.1 | 7 | 5.0 | 11 | 7.2 | 3 | 2.4 | 27 |
54 | Acacaia seyal del.** | Fabaceae | 10 | 5.1 | 10 | ||||||||||
55 | Psidium guajava | Myrtaceae) | 12 | 6.2 | 20 | 8.8 | 14 | 9.9 | 18 | 12.9 | 18 | 11.8 | 17 | 13.5 | 99 |
Total | 195 | 100 | 228 | 100 | 142 | 100 | 140 | 100 | 153 | 100 | 126 | 100 | 984 | ||
*F= frequency,%=percent, PA=Peasant Association* |
Adaptation of the species | Frequency | Percent | Flowering Months | Frequency | Percent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild | 46 | 72.0 | April and July | 20 | 35.7 |
wild /domestic | 9 | 16.1 | April and May | 7 | 12.5 |
Total | 55 | 100.0 | February | 1 | 1.8 |
Part of the species used | February and April | 2 | 3.6 | ||
Fruit | 55 | 98.2 | January | 3 | 5.4 |
Fruit/leaf/bark/root | 1 | 1.8 | January and February | 2 | 3.6 |
Total | 56 | 100.0 | June | 4 | 7.1 |
Habitat of the species | March | 2 | 3.6 | ||
Herb | 2 | 3.6 | May | 15 | 26.8 |
Shrubs | 41 | 73.2 | Total | 56 | 100.0 |
Tree | 13 | 23.2 | Fruiting month | ||
Total | 56 | 100.0 | October & November | 8 | 21.2 |
Mode of uses | June | 6 | 15.8 | ||
as it is | 54 | 96.4 | April | 4 | 10.5 |
as it is/cooked | 2 | 3.6 | February | 4 | 10.5 |
Total | 56 | 100.0 | January | 4 | 10.5 |
July | 4 | 10.5 | |||
March | 4 | 10.5 | |||
May | 4 | 10.5 | |||
38 | 100 |
Observation of species | Sapling trends of a given tees/shrubs in Metagudisa PA | |||||
Scientific name | Frequency | Percent | Scientific name | Number of sampled trees/shrubs | Total | percent% |
Psidium guajava | 12 | 30.8 | Psidium guajava | 59 | 95 | 62.1 |
Carissa spinarum L. | 6 | 15.4 | Rosa abyssincia | 47 | 84 | 56.0 |
Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | 6 | 15.4 | Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | 49 | 89 | 55.1 |
Allophylus abyssinicus | 5 | 12.8 | Allophylus abyssinicus | 32 | 63 | 50.8 |
Mimusops kummel | 4 | 10.3 | Carissa spinarum L. | 8 | 19 | 42.1 |
Syzygium guineense | 3 | 7.7 | Mimusops kummel | 1 | 12 | 8.3 |
Vangueiria arisepala | 2 | 5.1 | Number of transacts=3 | |||
Total | 39 | 100. | Number of quadrants=12 | |||
Observation of species | Sapling trends of a given tees/shrubs Jilbo PA, from 3 transect lines and 11 quadrants | |||||
Scientific name | Frequency | Percent | Scientific name | Number sampled trees | Total | Percent |
Rosa abyssinica | 11 | 26.2 | Psidium guajava | 59 | 95 | 62.1 |
Psidium guajava | 8 | 19.0 | Carissa spinarum L. | 9 | 15 | 60.0 |
Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | 7 | 16.7 | Rosa abyssincia | 47 | 84 | 56.0 |
Allophylus abyssinicus | 7 | 16.7 | Oncoba spinosa | 49 | 89 | 55.1 |
Mimusops kummel | 6 | 14.3 | Allophylus abyssinicus | 32 | 63 | 50.8 |
Carissa spinarum L. | 2 | 4.8 | Mimusops kummel | 1 | 12 | 8.3 |
Total | 42 | 100 | Number of transacts=3 | |||
Number of quadrants=11 |
Observation of species | Sapling trends of a given tees/shrubs in Nejabas PA, from 3 transect lines and 9 quadrants | |||||
Scientific name | Frequency | Percent | Scientific name | Number sampled trees | Total | Percent |
Carissa spinarum L. | 9 | 24.3 | Carissa spinarum L | 16 | 58 | 27.6 |
Lex mitis | 7 | 18.9 | Cactaceae | 0 | 8 | 0.0 |
Cactaceae | 5 | 13.5 | Embelia schimperi | 14 | 32 | 43.8 |
Acacia seyal Del. | 4 | 10.8 | Acacia seyal Del. | 2 | 12 | 16.7 |
Euphorbia abyssinica/cuctus | 3 | 8.1 | Lex mitis | 19 | 54 | 35.2 |
Allophylus abyssinicus | 2 | 5.4 | Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | 1 | 4 | 25.0 |
Myrica salicifolia | 1 | 2.7 | Allophylus abyssinicus | 0 | 3 | 0.0 |
Myrsine africana L. | 1 | 2.7 | Myrsine africana L. | 4 | 10 | 40.0 |
Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | 1 | 2.7 | Myrica salicifolia | 0 | 2 | 0.0 |
Total | 37 | 100.0 | Number of transacts=3 | |||
Number of quadrants=9 | ||||||
observation of species | Sapling trends of a given tees/shrubs in shrubs in, Halewagora PA, from 3 transect lines and 9 quadrants | |||||
Scientific name | Frequency | Percent | Scientific name | Number sampled trees | Total | Percent |
Carissa spinarum L. | 9 | 18.8 | Carissa spinarum L. | 66 | 114 | 57.9 |
Rhus natalensis Krauss | 7 | 14.6 | Embelia schimperi | 83 | 147 | 56.5 |
Rosa abyssincia | 2 | 4.2 | Lex mitis | 51 | 101 | 50.5 |
Lex mitis | 6 | 12.5 | Acokanthera schimperi | 8 | 16 | 50.0 |
Embelia schimperi | 6 | 12.5 | Rosa abyssincia | 7 | 15 | 46.7 |
Acokanthera schimperi | 4 | 8.3 | Allophylus abyssinicus | 5 | 12 | 41.7 |
Oncoba spinosa Forssk | 2 | 4.2 | Acacia seyal Del. | 11 | 29 | 37.9 |
Cactaceae | 3 | 6.3 | Rhus natalensis Krauss | 9 | 24 | 37.5 |
Acacia seyal Del. | 5 | 10.4 | Cactaceae | 0 | 14 | 0.0 |
Allophylus abyssinicus | 3 | 6.3 | Number of transacts=3 | |||
Total | 48 | 100 | Number of quadrants=9 |
Observation of species | Sapling trends of a given tees/shrubs in, Legarba PA | |||||
Scientific name | Frequency | Percent | Scientific name | Number sampled trees | Total | Percent |
Rhus natalensis Krauss | 6 | 14.6 | Acokanthera schimperi | 4 | 7 | 57.1 |
Lex mitis | 6 | 14.6 | Celosia anthelminthica. | 9 | 17 | 52.9 |
Carissa spinarum L. | 4 | 9.8 | Rhus natalensis Krauss | 25 | 49 | 51.0 |
Mimusops kummel | 4 | 9.8 | Grewia tenax (Forssk.) | 14 | 28 | 50.0 |
Acokanthera schimperi | 4 | 9.8 | Lex mitis | 18 | 36 | 50.0 |
Grewia tenax (Forssk.) | 3 | 7.3 | Myrica salicifolia. Rich | 17 | 41 | 41.5 |
Grewia bicolour | 3 | 7.3 | Rhus natalensis Krauss | 2 | 5 | 40.0 |
Myrica salicifolia. Rich | 2 | 4.9 | Vangueiria arisepala | 2 | 5 | 40.0 |
Vangueiria arisepala | 2 | 4.9 | Grewia bicolour | 8 | 20 | 40.0 |
Celosia anthelminthica. | 2 | 4.9 | Acokanthera schimperi | 7 | 18 | 38.9 |
Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | 2 | 4.9 | Carissa spinarum L. | 11 | 29 | 37.9 |
Toddalia asiatica | 1 | 2.4 | Syzygium guineense | 1 | 4 | 25.0 |
Syzygium guineense | 1 | 2.4 | Mimusops kummel | 1 | 12 | 8.3 |
Euclea racemosa | 1 | 2.4 | ||||
Total | 41 | 100 | Number of transacts=3 | |||
Number of quadrants=9 | ||||||
observation of species | Sapling trends of a given tees/shrubs Burqaberkele PA | |||||
Scientific name | Frequency | Percent | Scientific name | Number sampled trees | Total | Percent |
Grewia tenax (Forssk.) | 8 | 18 | Grewia tenax (Forssk.) | 28 | 55 | 50.9 |
Cactaceae | 6 | 14 | Celosia anthelminthica. | 10 | 22 | 45.5 |
Grewia ferruginea | 5 | 11 | Grewia ferruginea | 11 | 26 | 42.3 |
Grewia schweinfurthii | 4 | 9 | Grewia schweinfurthii | 8 | 19 | 42.1 |
Euclea racemosa | 4 | 9 | Boscia salicifolia | 5 | 12 | 41.7 |
Celosia anthelminthica. | 3 | 7 | Grewia bicolour | 7 | 17 | 41.2 |
Grewia bicolour | 3 | 7 | Mimusops kummel | 3 | 13 | 23.1 |
Ficus sycomorus | 3 | 7 | Balanites aegyptiaca | 1 | 5 | 20.0 |
Boscia salicifolia | 3 | 7 | Euclea racemosa | 3 | 23 | 13.0 |
Mimusops kummel | 3 | 7 | Ficus sycomorus | 0 | 4 | 0.0 |
Balanites aegyptiaca | 2 | 5 | Cactaceae | 0 | 33 | 0.0 |
Total | 44 | 100 | Number of transacts=3 | |||
Number of quadrants=10 |
Threat factors | Frequency | Percent | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Land degradation and grazing | 414 | 42.3 |
2 | Clearing of forest for Agriculture | 440 | 45.0 |
3 | Fire, timber, and charcoal | 68 | 6.9 |
4 | Stem, leaves, and bark harvest | 56 | 5.7 |
Total | 978 | 100. |
Correlation with: | Sex | Age | Household size | Land hold size | Education status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | -0.006 0.949 | 1 | |||
Household size | -0.031 0.740 | 0.251 0.006 | 1 | ||
Land hold size | -0.054 0.56 | -0.319 0.004 | -0.06 0.514 | 1 | |
Education status | -0.083 0.370 | 0.079 0.392 | -0.198 0.031 | -0.02359 0.8033 | 1 |
Variables | Part used | Habitat | use mode | Purpose of utilization | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
fruit | tree | shrubs | Direct | food | feed | medicine | income | ||
Habitat | Tree | 0.477** | |||||||
Shrubs | 0.681*** | -0.176NS | |||||||
Use mode | Direct | 0.992*** | 0.450** | 0.716*** | |||||
Purpose of utilization | Food | 0.951*** | 0.455** | 0.728*** | 0.952*** | ||||
Feed | 0.515*** | -0.022NS | 0.399** | 0.501*** | 0.322* | ||||
Medicine | 0.112NS | 0.087NS | -0.033NS | 0.111NS | -0.119NS | 0.284** | |||
Income | 0.706*** | 0.464** | 0.361** | 0.680*** | 0.575*** | 0.487** | 0.150NS | ||
More inspired by | Pastures | 0.971*** | 0.515*** | 0.645*** | 0.955*** | 0.952*** | 0.472** | 0.014NS | 0.696*** |
Farmers | 0.949*** | 0.493** | 0.616*** | 0.920*** | 0.941*** | 0.421** | 0.014NS | 0.574*** | |
Collected by | Young | 0.911*** | 0.546*** | 0.576*** | 0.904*** | 0.944*** | 0.303** | -0.081NS | 0.594*** |
Men | 0.794*** | 0.478** | 0.428** | 0.801*** | 0.680*** | 0.380** | 0.475** | 0.488** | |
Women | 0.879*** | 0.422** | 0.708*** | 0.923*** | 0.872*** | 0.396** | 0.079NS | 0.559*** | |
Elder | 0.488** | 0.122NS | 0.234NS | 0.463*** | 0.318* | 0.524*** | 0.316** | 0.377** | |
Factor of threat | Land Degrading | 0.493** | 0.162NS | 0.409** | 0.468** | 0.450** | 0.313** | 0.147NS | 0.104NS |
F. Cr. Agricultur | 0.757*** | 0.625*** | 0.428** | 0.736*** | 0.750*** | 0.322* | -0.116NS | 0.774*** | |
Fire & Charcoal | 0.235NS | 0.019NS | 0.424** | 0.356** | 0.293* | -0.007NS | 0.017NS | 0.027NS | |
Correlation is significant at the 0.001 level; **. significant at the 0.01 level. *. significant at the 0.05 level; NS, not significant |
Variables | More inspired by | Collected by | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
pasture | farmers | young | men | women | elder | ||
Habitat | Tree | ||||||
Shrubs | |||||||
Use mode | Direct | ||||||
Purpose of utilization | Food | ||||||
Feed | |||||||
Medicine | |||||||
Income | |||||||
More inspired by | Pastures | ||||||
Farmers | 0.937*** | ||||||
Collected by | Young | 0.950*** | 0.893*** | ||||
Men | 0.690*** | 0.720*** | 0.626*** | ||||
Women | 0.849*** | 0.764*** | 0.815*** | 0.719*** | |||
Elder | 0.388** | 0.462*** | 0.223NS | 0.441** | 0.308** | ||
Factor of threat | Land Degrading | 0.468** | 0.515*** | 0.482** | 0.425** | 0.339** | 0.260NS |
F. Cr. Agricultur | 0.778*** | 0.736*** | 0.690*** | 0.472** | 0.625*** | 0.391** | |
Fire & Charcoal | 0.183NS | 0.059NS | 0.250NS | 0.281* | 0.610*** | -0.082NS | |
, Correlation is significant at the 0.001 level; **. significant at the 0.01 level. *. significant at the 0.05 level; NS, not significant |
A | Land Degradation And Grazing |
B | Clearing Of Forest |
C | Fire, Timber and Charcoal |
D | Stem, Leave and Bark Harvest |
*. | Significant at the 0.05 Level |
**. | Significant at the 0.01 Level |
NS | Not Significant |
m.a.s.l. | Meter Above Sea-level |
No. | Number |
PA | Pesant Asocciation |
Scientific name | Family name | Local name (Oromic) | Habituate | part of species used | Habitat | Mode of uses | flowering Months | Fruiting month | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carissa spinarum L. | Apocynaceae | Agamsa | wild | Fruit/leaf/bark/root | Shrubs | fresh/cooked | June | September & October |
2 | Hypoestes aristata | Acanthaceae | Ambashok | wild /domestic | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | October &December |
3 | flavescens | Tiliaceae | Amurjii | domestic | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | march |
4 | Piper nigrum | Piperaceae | Asgube/qundo | Wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | June | December |
5 | Balanites aegyptiaca | Balantiaceae | Badano | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | March | June |
6 | Toddalia asiatica | Rutaceae | Barbarisha | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | June | September |
7 | Portulaca quadrifida. | Portulacaceae | Gishxa | wild | fruit/leave | herb | fresh | January &February | October |
8 | Myrica salicifolia. Rich | Loganiaceae | Biqqaa | wild /domestic | fruit | tree | fresh | April | December |
9 | Physalis micrantha | Solanaceae | Bissi | wild | fruit | herb | fresh | April | January |
10 | Vangueiria arisepala | Rubiaceae | Bururi | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | February |
11 | Celosia anthelminthica | Amaranthaceae | Cicibaco | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | April |
12 | Rhus natalensis Krauss | Anacardiacea | Dabobessa | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April & may | may |
13 | Rhoicissus tridentata | Vitaceae. | Dhangago | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | January | June |
14 | Grewia tenax (Forssk.) | Tiliaceae | Eka fila | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April & may | July |
15 | Salvadora persica | Salvadoraceae | Fesob/riga ilke | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | august |
16 | Annona reticulata L. | Annonaceae | Gishxa | wild /domestic | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | September |
17 | Syzygium guineense | Myrtaceae | Bedesa/goha | wild | fruit | tree | fresh | February | June |
18 | Capparis decidua | Capparidaceae | Gomar | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | January | November |
19 | Rosa abyssincia | Rosaceae | Gora | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | December |
20 | Rubus apetalus | Rosaceae | Gora galo | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | January |
21 | Momordica foetida | Cucurbitaceae | Gura jarsa | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | February |
22 | Albizia grandibracteae | Leguminosae- | Halawagora | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | march |
23 | Phoenix reclinata wa | Arecaceae | Haxi | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | February &April | April |
24 | Capsicum chinense | Solanaceae | Habarbari | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | June | May |
25 | Ficus sur (F. capensis) | Moraceae | Habru | wild | fruit | tree | fresh | January | June |
26 | Grewia bicolour | Tiliacea | Haroresa | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | July |
27 | Ficus sycomorus | Anacardiacea | Hudha | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April &May | August |
28 | Boscia salicifolia Oliv. | Capparidaceae | Huduqable | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | September |
29 | Berchemia discolor | Rhamnaceae | Jajjabaa | wild | fruit | tree | fresh | April &May | October |
30 | Oncoba spinosa Forssk | Flacourtiaceae | Jilbo | wild | fruit | tree | fresh | April & May | November |
31 | Dovyalis abyssinica | Flacourtiacea | Koshami | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | December |
32 | Cordia sinensis Lam | Boraginaceae | Mandherro | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | January |
33 | Meriandra benegalensis | Verbenaceae | Midhaan bera | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | February |
34 | lex mitis | Ebenaceae | Miesa | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | March |
35 | Rytigynia neglecta | Rubiaceae | Mijilo | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | April |
36 | Grewia schweinfurthii | Tiliaceae | Mudhugure | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | May |
37 | Grewia ferruginea | Tiliaceae | Ogomdii | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | March | June |
38 | Mimusops kummel | Sapotaceae | Oladi | wild | fruit | tree | fresh | January &February | July |
39 | Myrsine africana L. | Myrsinaceae | Qacamo | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | August |
40 | Embelia schimperi | Myrsinaceae | Qacu | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | September |
41 | Acokanthera schimperi | Sterculiaceae | Qaraaru | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | October |
42 | Euclea racemosa | Ebenaceae | Qurqura | wild /domestic | fruit | tree | fresh | February &April | November |
43 | Ziziphus spina‑christi | Rhamnaceae. | Qurqura janato | wild /domestic | fruit | tree | fresh/cooked | April | December |
44 | Tamarindus indica | Fabaceae | Roqa | wild /domestic | fruit | tree | fresh | April | January |
45 | Oncoba spinosa Forssk. | Flacourtiaceae | Shibirqoli | wild | fruit | tree | fresh | May | February |
46 | Acacia senegal (L.) | Fabaceae | Sophensa | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | March |
47 | Rhus glutinosa | Anacardiaceae | Tilam | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | April |
48 | Cactaceae | Cactaceae | Tinii | wild /domestic | fruit | herb | fresh | April & May | May |
49 | Combretum molle | Combretaceae | Tuqaa/birecha | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | June |
50 | Osyris quadripartita | Santalaceae | Wato | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | Nay | December |
51 | Cordia africana | Boraginaceae | Wadesa | wild /domestic | fruit | tree | fresh | April &May | August&Septembr |
52 | Acacia seyal Del. | Fabaceae | Wantafulas | wild | fruit | tree | fresh | May | December |
53 | Allophylus abyssinicus | Anacardiacea | Xaxesa | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | April | December |
54 | Acacaia seyal del | Fabaceae | Xunxuna/wacu | wild | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | October& Decembr |
55 | Psidium guajava | Myrtaceae) | Zayitunaa | wild /domestic | fruit | shrubs | fresh | May | Septembr& Octobr |
factors of treat | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
species name | Family name | A=42.3% | B =45% | C=6.9% | D=5.7% | Total |
Puntia ficus-indica (L.) | Cactaceae | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Carissa spinarum L. | Apocynaceae | 1 | 11 | 0 | 59 | 71 |
Hypoestes aristata | Acanthaceae | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
flavescens | Tiliaceae | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Piper nigrum | Piperaceae | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Balanites aegyptiaca | Balantiaceae | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Toddalia asiatica (L.) | Rutaceae | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Portulaca quadrifida. | Portulacaceae | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Combretum molle | Loganiaceae | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Physalis micrantha | Solanaceae | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Vangueiria arisepala | Rubiaceae | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 46 |
Celosia anthelminthica | Amaranthaceae | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
Rhus natalensis Krauss | Anacardiacea | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
Rhoicissus tridentate | Vitaceae. | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Grewia tenax | Tiliaceae | 11 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
Salvadora persica | Salvadoraceae | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Annona reticulata L | Annonaceae | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Syzygium guineense | Myrtaceae | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
Capparis decidua | Capparidaceae | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Rosa abyssinica | Rosaceae | 56 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 59 |
Rubus apetalus Poir. | Rosaceae | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Momordica foetida | Cucurbitaceae | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Albizia grandibracteata | Leguminosae- | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Phoenix reclinata Jacq | Arecaceae | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Capsicum chinense | Solanaceae | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Ficus sur (F. capensis) | Moraceae | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Grewia bicolour | Tiliacea | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Ficus sycomorus | Anacardiacea | 29 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 47 |
Boscia salicifolia Oliv. | Capparidaceae | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Berchemia discolor | Rhamnaceae | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Oncoba spinosa Forssk | Flacourtiaceae | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Dovyalis abyssinica | Flacourtiacea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Cordia sinensis Lam | Boraginaceae | 5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
Lantana camara L. | Verbenaceae | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
lex mitis | Ebenaceae | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
Rytigynia neglecta | Rubiaceae | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Ximenia americana | Tiliaceae | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Grewia ferruginea | Tiliaceae | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Mimusops kummel | Sapotaceae | 1 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 79 |
Myrsine africana L. | Myrsinaceae | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Embelia schimperi | Myrsinaceae | 25 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26 |
Acokanthera | Sterculiaceae | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Euclea racemosa | Ebenaceae | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 12 |
Ziziphus spina | Rhamnaceae. | 1 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 31 |
Tamarindus indica | Fabaceae | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Oncoba spinosa | Flacourtiaceae | 4 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 46 |
Acacia senegal (L.) | Acacia senegal (L.) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Rhus glutinosa | Rhus glutinosa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Combretum molle | Combretum molle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Osyris quadripartita | Osyris quadripartita Decn | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Cordia Africana | Cordia africana | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
Acacia seyal Del. | Acacia seyal Del. | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
Allophylus abyssinicus | Allophylus abyssinicus | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
Acacaia seyal Del.** | Acacaia seyal del. | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Psidium guajava | Psidium guajava | 5 | 94 | 0 | 0 | 99 |
Total | 354 | 439 | 68 | 56 | 914 | |
* A=land degradation and grazing, B=clearing of forest, C=fire, timber and charcoal, D= stem, leave and bark harvest* |
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APA Style
Diriba, A., Gizaw, W., Dekeba, S. (2025). Assessment of Wild Edible Fruit Plants in East Oromia Region, Ethiopia. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 13(3), 97-118. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12
ACS Style
Diriba, A.; Gizaw, W.; Dekeba, S. Assessment of Wild Edible Fruit Plants in East Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2025, 13(3), 97-118. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12
@article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12, author = {Alemayehu Diriba and Wasihun Gizaw and Shimelis Dekeba}, title = {Assessment of Wild Edible Fruit Plants in East Oromia Region, Ethiopia }, journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {97-118}, doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20251303.12}, abstract = {Wild edible fruit plants are essential standing in all parts of the world as a subsidiary food basket on daily basis. They are means of survival for rural communities with food and feed consumption, especially during times of drought, famine, shocks, and risks. This study intended to identify, and document scientific data, to get the constraint and opportunity potential of Wild edible fruit plants. Implementation through assessed species, partly used, habitat, mode of uses, flowering months, fruiting months, and factors of threats of wild edible fruits plants. Structured and semi-structured questionnaire interviews, key informant guided, and species quantification along 18 transact lines on 60 sampled quadrants were used to collect data in the west Hararghe zone at Daro-Lebu, Chiro, and Gumbi Bordode Weredas on six PAs. A total of 120 randomly selected sample households were interviewed for data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were made. Descriptive analyses were made to analyze the data using SPSS version 16.0. The study embraced a total of 55 Wild edible fruit plants In addition to food values, these plants provide diverse benefits to the existing community including income, fuel wood, fencing, construction, medicine, and fodder. The top five highly impersonated wild edible fruit plant species by respondents were Psidium guajava, Mimusops kummel, Carissa spinarum L., Rosa abyssinica, Ficus sycomorus, and Oncoba spinosa forssk. However, most of them were threatened by anthropogenic factors through misconception utilities. The threat factors such as land degradation and grazing, clearing of forests for agriculture, fire, timber and charcoal, Stem, leaves, root, and bark harvest. To alleviate, the entire threat of wild edible fruit plant species; a community-based forest management system, awareness creation, and growing of wild edible fruit plant species at farms and homesteads level, is mandatory for any forest resource users. The other point is the absence of seedlings and saplings under wild edible fruit plant species in its habitat is an indicator of a regeneration problem. Therefore; the most threatened and unregenerated wild edible fruit plant species of the study areas priority should be given to the critical collection, domestication, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, and promotion of on-farm cultivation in the form of agroforestry systems. Further investigation should be considered on the collection, nutrient content analyses, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, wise utilization, and popularization of Wild edible fruit plants through forest management. These are vital points to be deliberated forward. }, year = {2025} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Assessment of Wild Edible Fruit Plants in East Oromia Region, Ethiopia AU - Alemayehu Diriba AU - Wasihun Gizaw AU - Shimelis Dekeba Y1 - 2025/06/30 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12 DO - 10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12 T2 - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society JF - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society JO - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society SP - 97 EP - 118 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2330-7420 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20251303.12 AB - Wild edible fruit plants are essential standing in all parts of the world as a subsidiary food basket on daily basis. They are means of survival for rural communities with food and feed consumption, especially during times of drought, famine, shocks, and risks. This study intended to identify, and document scientific data, to get the constraint and opportunity potential of Wild edible fruit plants. Implementation through assessed species, partly used, habitat, mode of uses, flowering months, fruiting months, and factors of threats of wild edible fruits plants. Structured and semi-structured questionnaire interviews, key informant guided, and species quantification along 18 transact lines on 60 sampled quadrants were used to collect data in the west Hararghe zone at Daro-Lebu, Chiro, and Gumbi Bordode Weredas on six PAs. A total of 120 randomly selected sample households were interviewed for data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were made. Descriptive analyses were made to analyze the data using SPSS version 16.0. The study embraced a total of 55 Wild edible fruit plants In addition to food values, these plants provide diverse benefits to the existing community including income, fuel wood, fencing, construction, medicine, and fodder. The top five highly impersonated wild edible fruit plant species by respondents were Psidium guajava, Mimusops kummel, Carissa spinarum L., Rosa abyssinica, Ficus sycomorus, and Oncoba spinosa forssk. However, most of them were threatened by anthropogenic factors through misconception utilities. The threat factors such as land degradation and grazing, clearing of forests for agriculture, fire, timber and charcoal, Stem, leaves, root, and bark harvest. To alleviate, the entire threat of wild edible fruit plant species; a community-based forest management system, awareness creation, and growing of wild edible fruit plant species at farms and homesteads level, is mandatory for any forest resource users. The other point is the absence of seedlings and saplings under wild edible fruit plant species in its habitat is an indicator of a regeneration problem. Therefore; the most threatened and unregenerated wild edible fruit plant species of the study areas priority should be given to the critical collection, domestication, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, and promotion of on-farm cultivation in the form of agroforestry systems. Further investigation should be considered on the collection, nutrient content analyses, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, wise utilization, and popularization of Wild edible fruit plants through forest management. These are vital points to be deliberated forward. VL - 13 IS - 3 ER -