Ethnobotanical Assessment of Wild and Semi-Wild Edible Plants in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia

Wild and semi-wild edible plants play a vital role in food security by supplementing dietary needs. This study explored the types of wild and semi-wild edible plants consumed, their management practices, consumption modes, marketability, and major threats in the lowland and midland agroecological zones of Northwestern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. A total of 234 informants were involved through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, household surveys, and field observations. In total, 27 wild and semi-wild edible plant species were identified: 8 in the lowland zone, 11 in the midland zone and 8 common to both. Trees were the dominant life form (65.62%), followed by tree-shrub combinations (18.75%) and shrubs (15.65%). The Malvaceae and Moraceae families were the most represented, with four species each. Fruits were the most commonly consumed part (96.6%), while leaves (3.1%) and seeds were rarely used. Consumption was primarily raw, with 74.53% of fruits in the lowland areas and 96.75% in the midland areas consumed outdoors. Overconsumption of certain fruits can lead to side effects such as abdominal bloating, nausea, heart disease, constipation, and urinary discomfort. Children were the primary collectors and sellers of these plants, using methods like plucking or long sticks for harvesting. Market analysis revealed that only 25% of these edible plants were sold locally, with Tamarindus indica, Balanites aegyptica (L.) Del., Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf., and Syzygium guineense (Willd.)DC. being the most preferred. These plants provide multiple benefits, including enhancing food security, serving as energy sources, construction materials, medicines, and household utensils, as well as offering ecological services and aesthetic value. However, agricultural expansion, fuel wood collection, and overgrazing are major threats to their sustainability. Therefore, it is crucial that appropriate utilization and conservation measures are implemented by all stakeholders to ensure their long-term availability.