Background: Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) is an important African medicinal plant species. It is frequently used in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industries for manufacture of drugs against infectious diseases, malaria, diabetes and cancer. Despite its important, the species can be rare, especially in the Dahomey Gap (in contrast to the Guineo-Congolese region). There is also a controversy on its distribution. Without knowing the drivers of plant species rarity it is impossible to address the issue of the controversy of its distribution and unsustainable use as well as safeguarding endogenous knowledge of its uses. Methods: Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Dahomey Gap with 120 informants randomly interviewed. A literature review of scientific papers and books was used to provide information on the uses, distribution and threats of the species in the Guineo-Congolese region. Results: The results revealed that P. nitida products were more expensive in the Dahomey Gap than the Guineo-Congolese region. All parts of the species were collected and used for 34 treatments. The species had low density and distribution in Dahomey Gap compared to the Guineo-Congolese region. Conclusions: P. nitida is used across its distribution areas with important economic values. Adapted management strategies are needed for the sustainable use and conservation of the species..
Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) represents is an important African medicinal plant species. It is frequently used in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industries for drugs manufacturing against infectious diseases, malaria and diabetes and commercially traded as well. Despite its importance, the species is becoming rare, especially in the Dahomey Gap because of it is commercial importance. There is an issue about the controversy of the plant species on its distribution across both regions. Without further forest resources inventory, it is difficult to address efficiently the issue of the controversy of its distribution, the unsustainable use and the endogenous knowledge about of plant species usages. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Dahomey Gap with 120 informants randomly selected and interviewed. A literature review of scientific papers and books was also used to provide information on the sale prices dynamic, amount sold per units, uses, distribution area using the GBIF Platform, and threats of the species in both climatic regions. P. nitida products were more expensive (per sale unit) in the DG than the GC region. All parts of the species were collected and used to treat 34 diseases. The plant species appear to be poorly distributed in the DG than the GC region. The overuse, endogenous knowledge loss in DG and deforestation in GC region appeared the main driver of scarcity of the species. P. nitida has various medicinal uses across both regions. The sale price and amount sold per unit tend all to vary across both regions as well. However, the plant species is becoming scarcer in the DG than CG region. The issue of resource scarcity may drive loss of endogenous knowledge about the plant species uses. A forest inventory and documentation of uses are highly needed to assess the exact density and distribution area of P.nitida across both regions
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