Abstract

A study was conducted on the ethnobotany of the Acanthceaes in the Mount Cameroon region in the South West Region of Cameroon. An inventory of identified Acanthaceaes used by different individuals and traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) was established from information gathered through interviews, well semi structured questionnaires and data analyzed based on the focus data collection strategy. The research yielded 18 plant species used for treating different diseases and 16 species with ornamental potentials and qualities out of the over seventy species of Acanthaceaes identified. Three age groups; 20 to 29, 30 to 49 and ≥50 years were identified, with the highest number of respondents being above 50 years (68%) and the least 20-years old (10%) indicating that the older individuals believe and are more involved in using plants in the treatment of different ailments. The survey revealed that 32% of species were being used medicinally, while 76% were employed or being used for food, rituals, forage and hunting. The most used plant part was the leaf. Most of the plants were being used to treat more than one disease and some were also used in combination with others to which the TMPs alluded that, there was increased efficacy. The species with the highest frequency of use was Eremomastrax speciosa Hotsch. with 29 respondents followed by Acanthus montanus (Nes.) T. Anders. The study reveals the medicinal, socio-cultural and other important 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: Ethnobotany, Acanthaceae, traditional medical practitioners (TMPs), inventory, medicinal plants.