Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Orchidaceae are noted for their floral diversity. In the Mount Cameroon Region (MCR), the genus Bulbophyllum is the most represented genus of the entire flora of this region. Despite the large number of different species in Orchidaceae, very little is known and documented about the orchids in Cameroon at large, in the MCR in particular. Orchids are widely used in flower gardens and trade. The aim of this study was to assess the floristic value of the orchids compared with those of other parts of the world and equally assess species which are used in herbal medicines. METHODS: This research was carried out in the MCR and the main flower market in Cameroon. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to vendors, buyers, and cultivators at a ratio of 1:1:1, as well as to herbalists and cultural use indices computed. A total of 107 flower gardens in all gardening localities (07) of the region were sampled. RESULTS: A total of 66 out of 107 gardens had at least one orchid species. Five orchids which are hybrids cultivated by vegetative propagation are traded as ornamental plants in the MCR. A total of 23 species were used for herbal treatment of certain ailments. The ethnobotanical richness of orchids was scored at 6.86. Ansellia africana had the highest cultural importance index (CI), relative importance index (RI), and the relative use index (RNU) while tradactyle tridactylites had the lowest. It was also found that most orchids were used for clairvoyance that is highly associated with myths or folklore and also for external application. CONCLUSION: The level of awareness on uses of orchids in the MCR is low. Many people consume orchids mixed with different species of plants for herbal treatment. Orchid trade is used as a part of subsistence by orchid cultivators and vendors.
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Claims 10
Claim · model-written summary
Orchids occurred in 66 of 107 sampled gardens.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“A total of 66 out of 107 gardens had at least one orchid species.”
Claim · model-written summary
Five hybrid orchids propagated vegetatively are traded as ornamentals in the MCR.
Verbatim
e0“Five orchids which are hybrids cultivated by vegetative propagation are traded as ornamental plants in the MCR.”
Claim · model-written summary
Twenty-three orchid species were used for herbal treatments.
Verbatim
e0“A total of 23 species were used for herbal treatment of certain ailments.”
t0“orchids”
Claim · model-written summary
Orchid ethnobotanical richness scored 6.86.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“The ethnobotanical richness of orchids was scored at 6.86.”
Claim · model-written summary
Ansellia africana had the highest cultural importance, relative importance and relative use indices.
- Taxon
- Ansellia africana
Ansellia africanae0 - Outcome
- cultural importance index (CI), relative importance index (RI), and the relative use index (RNU)e0
- Direction
- higheste0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Ansellia africana had the highest cultural importance index (CI), relative importance index (RI), and the relative use index (RNU) while tradactyle tridactylites had the lowest.”
Claim · model-written summary
tradactyle tridactylites had the lowest cultural importance, relative importance and relative use indices.
Verbatim
e0“Ansellia africana had the highest cultural importance index (CI), relative importance index (RI), and the relative use index (RNU) while tradactyle tridactylites had the lowest.”
Claim · model-written summary
Most orchids were used for clairvoyance associated with folklore and for external application.
Verbatim
e0“It was also found that most orchids were used for clairvoyance that is highly associated with myths or folklore and also for external application.”
Claim · model-written summary
Awareness of orchid uses in the MCR is low.
Verbatim
e0“The level of awareness on uses of orchids in the MCR is low.”
Claim · model-written summary
Many people consume orchids mixed with other plant species for herbal treatment.
Verbatim
e0“Many people consume orchids mixed with different species of plants for herbal treatment.”
Claim · model-written summary
Orchid trade provides part of cultivators' and vendors' subsistence.
Verbatim
e0“Orchid trade is used as a part of subsistence by orchid cultivators and vendors.”