An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants (MPs) used by the local community has been carried out from January 5, 2014, to February 15, 2015, in Gozamin Wereda of East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to identify and document the use and conservation of MPs, along with indigenous knowledge of Gozamin community. Data were collected using semistructured interview, field observation, and focus group discussions. The collected data were assessed quantitatively using fidelity level, Jaccard's Coefficient of Similarity, paired comparisons, direct matrix, and preference rankings. In total 93 MPs distributed under 51 families and 87 genera were identified and for each taxon a local name (Amharic) was documented. Asteraceae with 9 (9.68%) species and Solanaceae with 7 (7.53%) species were families represented by more species in the study area. Out of these MPs collected, 80 plant species were used for the treatment of human ailments, 24 species were used against livestock diseases, and 11 common plant species were listed in both cases. The most frequently used plant parts were the leaves followed by the roots. The major threats to MPs in the study area were agricultural expansion, overgrazing, fire wood collection, mining, and cutting down trees for construction and furniture. Therefore, there is a need for appropriate in situ and ex situ conservation measures.

Background: The study was undertaken with the general objective of providing documentation of traditional medicinal plants (MPs), and associated indigenous knowledge of the people inhabiting in and around Aba-Asrat Monastery, East Gojjam Zone, North western Ethiopia. Methods: Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, observation and focus group discussions in the field. A total of 160 (100 males and 60 females) informants were interviewed. The collected data were assessed quantitatively using various measures like fidelity level (FL), paired comparison, preference and direct matrix rankings. Results: Results of ethnobotanical study revealed a total of 81 medicinal plant species belonging to 77 genera and 48 families were recorded which are used to treat human and livestock ailments. Asteraceae with nine (9.68%) species and Solanaceae with seven (7.53%) species were families represented by more species in the study areas. Herbs were found to be the most widely used life forms which account for 42 (45.16%) followed by shrubs 29 (31.18%). The most frequently used plant parts were the leaves followed by the roots. The highest FL values were recorded for Plumbago zeylanica and Prunus africana having highest scores (100%) that treat diseases like wounds, eczema and fibril illness. Nicotiana tabacum was the most preferred plant species against leech for livestock. Conclusions: The major threats to plants in the study area were overgrazing, fire wood collection, agricultural expansion and charcoal. It is therefore, recommended that the declining plants species in the study area call for encouragement of sustainable use, conserve and manage it together with the MPs sheltered in it.