Medicinal plants play an important role in the well-being of population in tropical countries. The objective of the study was to investigate the ethno botanical uses of custard apple (Annona senegalensis) in Benin. A survey carried out in Dassa-Zoumé township showed that population uses Annona senegalenis to treat many diseases including injury, wound, sting of bee or wasp, snake bite, sting of scorpion, malaria etc. Various organs of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, flowers and fruits) were involved in the preparation of many medical recipes. These recipes require different formulations (decoction, infusion, grinding, calcination, chewing, toothpick and trituration). A total of 65 uses of A. senegalensis were recorded in the township. Bathing of body, drinking, dressing in hot water, local application, scarification, instillation, washing of mouth were various modes of administering the medicines. Given the numerous therapeutic and nutritional values of this plant, it is important that the scientific world gives more attention to this shrub by domesticating it and characterizing the active principles present in various organs of this plant.

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This study concerns characteristics of forest gallery of Kossi River in municipalities of Dassa-Zoumé and Glazoué in the Department of Hills. The study of structure and floristic diversity of gallery forest of Kossi River was done by phytoecological method in 41 plots of 2,500 m² (50 m × 50 m) for study of plants groups and plots of 25 m² (5 m × 5 m) for régénération. In total, 82 species left in 68 genders and 28 families were identified. The analysis of the 41 plots by the Detrended Canonical Analysis (DCA) shown 03 plant groups such as Anogeissus leiocarpa and Daniellia oliveri group plant, Anogeissus leiocarpa and Isoberlinia doka group, and Cynometra megalophylla and Ceiba pentandra group. Specie richness of these plant groups varies from 31 to 41 species (dbh ≥ 10 cm). Families diversity is between 21 and 22 with predominance of Moraceae, LeguminosaeCaesalpinoideae and Leguminosae-Mimosoideae. Shannon diversity index varies from 2.4 to 3.1 bits and Pielou equitability from 0.5 to 0.6. Density varies from 129 to 233 stems / ha, basal area from 7.9 to 17.2 m² / ha and regeneration rate by group plants varies from 21.60 % to 42.96 %.