Declining Wild Mushroom Recognition and Usage in Burkina Faso. Ethnomycological investigation was carried out in Burkina Faso, West Africa, using standardized interviews focused on 40 representative mushroom species assembled in a traveling herbarium (photographs plus preserved specimens). A total of 540 informants from 18 localities representing three main ethnic groups-Mòosé, Bobo, and Gouin-were interviewed, though the bulk of those interviewed were Mòosé (or Mossi) from the more populous central region of the country. Among the study species, as many as 24 were considered edible by the different ethnic groups; a few medicinal uses also were noted. The edibility of a common Chlorophyllum species is confirmed for the three ethnic groups. Mushroom nomenclature is not well developed in any of the three groups as evidenced by the fact that many mushrooms, including some common edible species, do not appear to have specific local names, but are instead simply referred to by a general term for "mushroom." Preliminary observations about inter-ethnic variation in recognition, naming, and appreciation of mushrooms are noted. Older people recognized many more mushroom species than did younger people, and women appeared to be slightly more knowledgeable about mushrooms than men. The most important finding is that the gathering and consumption of wild edible mushrooms seems to be dying out in Burkina Faso, especially in the central part of the country, apparently because of declining mushroom populations resulting from disappearing forest habitats.

Ethnobotanical interviews on the use of food plants were conducted with 90 informants from two villages in eastern Burkina Faso. A total of 25 plant species and one type of stock cube were included in a structured questionnaire regarding use, importance, reasons behind use, changes in use, and preferences, followed by a supplementary semi-structured questionnaire about reasons behind use, changes, and preferences. Most species were highly used and considered important. Adansonia digitata L., Bombax costatum Pellegr. & Vuillet, Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don, and Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn. were particularly important and useful species. Tradition, taste, health, and the lack of other possibilities were main reasons for people using the plants. A decline in traditional food products and an emergence of new products were observed. Answers were strongly related to informants' home-village and project-contact. There seems to be an extensive interest in health aspects and, consequently, a potential for an increased use of healthy traditional products if people are better informed about their nutritive qualities.

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Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential risks of intoxication following the ingestion of wild mushrooms. Methodology and results: This study was carried out on four different species of wild mushrooms including two edible species Chlorophyllum cf. molybdites and Phlebopus sudanicus and two medicinal ones, Ganoderma lucidum and Phellinus pachyphloeus. These species were analyzed on their acute toxicity and their LD50 were calculated based on dry material. The fresh mushroom weights equivalent to the threshold of the LD50 was also evaluated. The fungal species LD50 were 695.62 mg/kg; 679.09 mg/kg; 395.19 mg/kg and 1070.79 mg/kg for P. sudanicus, C. cf. molybdites, G. lucidum and P. pachyphloeus respectively. By comparing these values to the scale of toxicity from Hodge and Sterner, the extracts of P. sudanicus, C. cf. molybdites and P. pachyphloeus are classified among the substances slightly toxic while G lucidum is classified like toxic substance. The fresh mushrooms values equivalent to the lyophilized used for the species were 2.47 kg; 3.67 kg; 1.22 kg and 7.96 kg respectively for P. sudanicus, C. cf. molybdites, G. lucidum and P. Pachyphloeus. Conclusion and application of results: By taking a minimum of precautions, these species could be developed on the nutritional and therapeutic level.However, it is necessary to undertake toxicity study on the fresh material and by oral way, form of administration generally recommended by the tradi-therapeutists.

Ethnobotanical interviews on the use of food plants were conducted with 90 informants from two villages in eastern Burkina Faso. A total of 25 plant species and one type of stock cube were included in a structured questionnaire regarding use, importance, reasons behind use, changes in use, and preferences, followed by a supplementary semi-structured questionnaire about reasons behind use, changes, and preferences. Most species were highly used and considered important. Adansonia digitata L., Bombax costatum Pellegr. & Vuillet, Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don, and Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn. were particularly important and useful species. Tradition, taste, health, and the lack of other possibilities were main reasons for people using the plants. A decline in traditional food products and an emergence of new products were observed. Answers were strongly related to informants' home-village and project-contact. There seems to be an extensive interest in health aspects and, consequently, a potential for an increased use of healthy traditional products if people are better informed about their nutritive qualities.