BackgroundAn ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in 14 villages adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) in Central Uganda between August 2013 and March 2014.MethodsInformation was obtained through interviews using semi- structured questionnaires. Field excursions with traditional healers and herbal medicine collectors were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Fidelity ratios and Informant consensus agreements were calculated.ResultsA total of 190 plant species in 61 families and 152 genera were reported in the treatment of various health conditions. Family Fabaceae was dominant representing 14 % of the plant species documented. Vernonia amygdalina was the preferred species for treating malaria. Leaves (68 %) were the most frequently used parts in preparing herbal remedies. Decoctions (29 %) and oral route (53 %) of administration were commonly used method of herbal medicine preparation and administration respectively. Fifty-eight health conditions grouped in 25 categories were treated using medicinal plants. Informant consensus agreement was highest for blood system disorders (0.9) that included anaemia, hypertension and blood cleansing indicating homogeneity of informant’s knowledge about remedies used. Vernonia amygdalina and Erythrina abyssinica had 100 % fidelity level for treatment of malaria and vomiting respectively.ConclusionThe diversity of medicinal plant species used and the associated indigenous knowledge are of great value to the local community and their conservation and preservation is paramount. The therapeutic uses of the documented plants provides basic data for further research focused on pharmacological studies and conservation of the most important species.

BackgroundThe consumption of wild plants is an ancient tradition which serves multiple purposes. Cognizant that Teso-Karamoja region is frequently affected by food scarcity and is not adequately surveyed for its flora, this study sought to establish an inventory and use of wild edible plants by the communities living in and around the forest reserves.MethodsData was collected using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 240 respondents living in and around eight forest reserves between November 2017 and May 2018. One focus group discussion (8–12 members) per forest reserve and field excursions to collect the plant voucher specimens were also conducted. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, relative frequency of citation (RFC), and the factor of informants’ consensus (FIC).ResultsA total of 100 plant species in 47 families were reported as edible. Carissa spinarum, Strychnos innocua, Balanites aegyptiaca, Tamarindus indica, and Ximenia americana presented the highest RFC, while the families Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Anacardiaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Moraceae had more than five species each. Grasses (Poaceae) comprised only 1% of the edible species and trees 35%, while shrubs were the most important source of wild food (RFC = 0.47). The fruits contributed 63% while leaves (29%), seeds (9%), tubers (5%), and gum (1%). The fruits were considered as the most important use category (RFC = 0.78). Respondent homogeneity was none for gum but very high for seeds (FIC - 0.93). Only 36% of species are cooked, while 64% are eaten in raw. Harvesting is done rudimentarily by digging (5%), collecting from the ground (fruits that fall down) (13%), and plucking from mother plants (82%). Only 9% of the species were collected throughout the year, 27% in the dry season, and 64% in the rainy season. The consumption of these plants is attributed to food scarcity, spicing staple food, nutri-medicinal value, cultural practice, and delicacy.ConclusionA high diversity of wild edible plant species exists in the forest reserves of Teso-Karamoja region. The shrubs and fruits are the most locally important life forms and use category, respectively. These edible plant species are important throughout the year because their consumption serves multiple purposes.

No abstract

Summary The effects of bruchid beetles on seed germination and seedling establishment of Acacia gerrardii and A. sieberiana were investigated experimentally. Infested and non‐infested seeds from each of the Acacia species were divided into two groups. One group was set for germination trials in petri dishes fixed with moist filter papers at about 25°C in the laboratory. The second group was planted in soil in wooden boxes for monitoring seedling emergence, growth and establishment. Bruchid beetles reduced significantly (P<0·05) the germination and seedling establishment of A. gerrardii, while they promoted early germination and establishment in A. sieberiana. Differences observed are possibly due to the difference in the amount of food reserves by the Acacia spp. Removal of insect predation would possibly result in establishment of many seedlings of A. gerrardii, while A. sieberiana has adapted itself to survive bruchid beetle infestation. Long‐term monitoring of the relationships between bruchid beetles and the dynamics of Acacia seeds and seedlings, and the possibility of a method of biological control of Acacia spp., are recommended. Résumé On analyse expérimentalement les effets des coléoptères bruchidés sur la germination des semences et l'installation des pousses d'Acacia gerrardii et d' A. sieberiana. Les semences infestées ou non de chaque espèce d'Acacia ont été divisées en deux groupes. On a placé un des deux groupes pour germination dans des boîtes de Pétri fixées avec des papiers filtres humides à environs 25°C au laboratoire. On a seme le second groupe dans de la terre dans des caisses en bois pour contrôler l'apparition des pousses, leur croissance et leur installation. Les coléoptères bruchidés ont réduit significativement la germination et l'apparition des pousses d'A. gerrardii, alors qu'ils stimulaient une germination hâtive et l'installation d'A. sieberiana. Les différences observées sont peut‐être dues à la différence dans la quantité des réserves alimentaires chez les espèces d'Acacia. La suppression de la prédation par les insectes pourrait conduire à l'établissement de nombreuses pousses d'A. gerrardii, tandis qu' A. sieberiana s'est adaptéà survivre à une infestation de coléoptères bruchidés. On recommande la surveillance à long terme des relations entre ces derniers et la dynamique des semences et des pousses d'Acacia, ainsi que la possibilité d'une méthode de contrôle biologique des Acacia spp.

The effects of heat treatment and fire on seed germination of Acacia sieberiana D.C. and Acacia gerrardii Benth. were studied. Dry heat and fire were studied separately. Seeds treated with dry heat were set to germinate in petri-dishes under laboratory conditions. Other seeds were planted in plots at the Uganda Institute of Ecology, Mweya, which were then burnt, and subsequent seedling emergence was monitored. The effect of heat treatment on seed germination depended on heat intensity and duration of exposure. Higher intensities reduced the germination capacity of Acacia seeds. Short exposure of seeds stimulated germination but prolonged exposure rapidly reduced seed viability. A. sieberiana had a higher heat resistance than A. gerrardii. The survival and germination of seeds after fire increased with depth of burial and A. sieberiana survived better than A. gerrardii. The germinability of seeds of A. gerrardii was not significantly increased by fire.