Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Mount Cameroon area, southwest region of Cameroon to determine the uses of different species of the Acanthaceae. An inventory of identified Acanthaceaes used by different individuals and traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) was established from information gathered through the show-and-tell/semi-structured method and interviews during field expeditions. Sixteen villages were selected for this research: Munyenge, Mundongo, Ekona, Lelu, Bokoso, Bafia. Bakingili, Ekonjo, Mapanja, Batoke, Wututu, Idenau, Njongi, Likoko, Bokwango and Upper farms. The study yielded 18 plant species used for treating twenty five different diseases and 16 species with ornamental potentials out of the Acanthaceaes identified. Results revealed that 76% of species are used medicinally, while 34% are employed or used for food, rituals, forage and hunting. The leaves of these species are the most commonly used plant parts. The species with the highest frequency of use was Eremomastax speciosa (Hotsch.) with 29 respondents followed byAcanthus montanus (Nes.) T. Anders. The study reveals the medicinal and socio-cultural uses of the Acanthaceaes in the Mount Cameroon Region and a need for proper investigation of the medicinal potentials of these plants. The extensive use of these plants by the population warrants their conservation.

Key words: Acanthaceae, Mount Cameroon, TMPs, ethnobotany, inventory, medicinal plants