Local Uses and Parasitism of Loranthaceae in Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon: Case of Diamare Plain in Far North Region

Abstract

The Loranthaceae, commonly referred to "mistletoe from Africa" are used by communities of Cameroon for their numerous therapeutic virtues. The study examined the local various uses of Loranthaceae species in Diamare plain of Cameroon. Participatory rural appraisal method was used with 130 persons, namely traditional healers, breeders, farmers and foresters in order to identify the local uses of Loranthaceae species. We used itinerary botanical survey method in thirty-two (32) villages for the inventory of Loranthaceae species. In each village, two (02) itineraries (1000 m x 20 m) were realized on account of one itinerary in an agrosystem and one itinerary in a natural site. Results revealed five categories of uses of Loranthaceae: human traditional pharmacopoeia, fodder, magical use, ritual use and veterinary medicine. Knowledge of Loranthaceae uses was broadly influenced by age of respondents, traditional healers and people over 41 years old were the major libraries of knowledge on Loranthaceae. Human traditional pharmacopoeia (96.92%) and magical use (82.30%) were the most important categories of uses. Nine Loranthaceae species were inventoried in natural and agrosystem sites, namely Agelanthus dodoneifolius (DC.) Polh. & Wiens, Tapinanthus globiferus (A. Rich.) Tiegh., T. oleifolius (J.C.Wendl.), T. ophiodes (Sprague) Danser and T. voltensis Van Tiegh. ex Balle, Phragmanthera sp., Tapinanthus sp1., Tapinanthus sp2. and Tapinanthus sp3.. The most parasitized species with high rate of parasitism and vulnerability were Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (58.33%; 6.98%), Acacia albida Del. (45.03%; 13.97%), Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (39.05%; 18.03%), Psidium guajava L. (29.62%; 5.10%) and Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. (26.31%; 6.36%). Rate of parasitism and rate of vulnerability were positively but weakly correlated (Kendall, r = 0.09).

Folk taxonomy and quantitative ethnobotany of Loranthaceae in northern Benin

“…This will reduce a large part of the mistletoe density on V. paradoxa and P. biglobosa given these mistletoes were the most abundant in the study area. The preponderance of medicinal uses of mistletoes revealed in this work is well recognized worldwide [ 20 , 24 , 48 , 49 ] and explained by the active compounds they contained [ 50 , 51 ]. Thus, we recommend the use of mistletoes in the production of improved traditional medicines to significantly reduce their density and then contribute to the improvement of human health [ 30 ].…”

“…Thus, several mistletoe control methods were implemented through mechanical, chemical, and biological approaches [ [14] , [15] , [16] ]. However, mistletoe control is reported to be poorly adopted given its complexity and especially the ecological and socio-economic values of these plants [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] ]. Indeed, Griebel et al [ 22 ] reported mistletoes ecologically promote wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling.…”

Diversité et importance socio-économique des Loranthaceae parasites des plantes ligneuses des Monts Mandara dans la Région de l’Extrême-Nord, Cameroun

“…Aujourd'hui, au-delà de leurs utilisations dans le traitement de différentes affections, l'exploitation durable des Loranthaceae est d'un grand intérêt pour les communautés locales à cause de ses retombées économiques par la commercialisation des bottes des espèces récoltées. Malgré l'importance des Loranthaceae en pharmacopée, à l'état actuel des connaissances, très peu d'études ont été réalisées sur les Loranthaceae et l'influence des collines sur leur distribution dans la Région de l'Extrême-Nord, Cameroun (Souare et al, 2020). Cette étude vise donc à évaluer la diversité spécifique des Loranthaceae parasites des plantes ligneuses des Monts Mandara dans la Région de l'Extrême-Nord du Cameroun, déterminer l'influence des collines sur leur distribution et relever leur importance socio-économique.…”