Diversity of edible wild Plants used by Local Communities in Kebridehar District, Southeast Ethiopia

Fluctuate seasonal conditions, increasing global warming, and insufficient production of staple foods in developing nations have led to a search for less expensive and alternative source of edible wild plants. In numerous rural regions of developing nations, edible wild plants have been crucial in improving the nutritional and food security of impoverished communities while also improving their general state of health. This study's goal was to conduct an ethnobotanical analysis of wild edibles and their significance to the local community in Kebridehar district, Southeast Ethiopia. Purposive and random sampling was employed to gathering ethnobotanical data. Group talks, field observations, and semi-structured interviews were used to gather ethnobotanical data. The descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel. In the study region, thirty distinct species of edible wild plants have been discovered. Based on parts of edibility, fruits accounted for 17 (56.67%) of the edible components, followed by roots 8 (26.67%) and leaves 4 (13.33%). According to preference ranking data, because of their sweet flavor, the leaves of Ficus sycomorus and Ziziphus mauritina are the most favored plant species. Even though Grewia pennicillata, Dobera glabra, and Moringa stenopetala are among the most well-known species of multi-purpose wild food plants, they are mostly exploited and endangered species as a result of human impacts. Anthropogenic activities like charcoal production, firewood collection, and fencing all played a momentous role in the reduction of these plants. In order to enhance local residents' quality of life and promote sustainable forest management, conservation, value addition, and market linking strategies must be reinforced.