Ethnobotanical study of medicinal and edible plants used in Nhamacoa area, Manica province–Mozambique

Abstract Ethnobotanical relevance Miombo woodlands are an important source of food and medicine for rural communities in Mozambique. Despite their importance as a source of livelihood and healthcare, logging for charcoal production and conversion of forest relicts to agricultural land threaten their biodiversity along with the traditional knowledge associated with this vegetation type. Aim of the study To document ethnobotanical knowledge and to identify medicinal and economic species that can be used as potential alternative sources of livelihoods for the inhabitants Miombo woodlands in Mozambique. Materials and methods This study was carried out in the Nhamacoa area, Macate district of Manica province, Mozambique. Free listing and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect ethnobotanical data. The informants were heads of families randomly selected from the 329 ha of the area of study. Information about medicinal and edible plants, their uses, harvesting practices, management, preparation and possible commercialisation was recorded and voucher specimens were collected. From October 2019 to January 2020, data collection was carried out and later, plant samples were identified. All the collected data was structured in a database and analysed by using the ethnobotanyR package in R. Results A total of 106 species from 52 families were reported as medicinal or edible: 55.2% used as food and 43.1% as traditional medicine. It was possible to identify 94 of the voucher specimens collected (90.3% of the botanical collection). Out of 32 uses, 29 were as medicine. The quantitative indices showed different culturally important species and the local markets situation showed the potential for commercialisation. The results of this study indicate that ailments or illnesses in the digestive system, alleviation of wounds and sexual-reproductive system problems are commonly treated with medicinal plants within the area of study. Conclusions Botanical knowledge, cultural value, utilisation and management practices of 106 plant species were documented. Promoting the planting and commercialisation of some of these species could offer alternative sources of livelihoods or income to the inhabitants of the region, while ensuring exploitation is sustainable. The important role of non-timber forest products and the need to conserve Miombo woodlands relicts for the communities within and around Nhamacoa have been reaffirmed.