Wild edible plants diversity and indigenous knowledge in Farta District, Ethiopia

Wild edible plants (WEPs) are important components of rural food systems, contributing to dietary diversity, food security, traditional healthcare, and livelihood resilience. Despite their ecological and socio-cultural importance in Ethiopia, many regions remain poorly documented regarding WEPs diversity, indigenous knowledge systems, and patterns of resource utilization. This study provides the first integrated assessment of WEPs diversity, indigenous knowledge distribution, utilization patterns, and market participation in Farta District, Ethiopia. The study aimed to document WEPs diversity, evaluate local knowledge and use patterns, and assess their implications for nutrition, livelihoods, and conservation. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from March to December 2025 across eight kebeles of Farta District. Data were collected from 144 informants through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, and market surveys. Quantitative ethnobotanical approaches, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), were applied to evaluate the cultural importance, utilization patterns, and similarity of WEPs knowledge. Statistical analyses were performed using R software. A total of 50 WEPs species belonging to 41 genera and 33 families were documented. Trees (32%) and herbs (32%) were the dominant growth forms, while fruits (48.0%) and leaves (16.0%) represented the most frequently utilized edible parts. Most species were consumed fresh, emphasizing their importance as readily available seasonal food resources that complement local diets. Among the documented species, Ficus sur Forssk., Rosa abyssinica R.Br. ex Lindl., and Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. were the most culturally important WEPs, exhibiting the highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) values of 0.972, 0.958, and 0.924, respectively. Indigenous knowledge varied significantly among socio-demographic groups ( P < 0.005), with age and literacy level showing the strongest effects; older and less formally educated participants demonstrated greater knowledge of WEPs identification, utilization, preparation, and management practices. Market surveys further indicated that selected WEP species contribute to local livelihood strategies through seasonal marketing and household income generation. The availability and utilization of WEPs peaked during the rainy season, whereas agricultural expansion, overharvesting, and environmental degradation were identified as the major threats affecting the long-term sustainability of these valuable plant resources. This study demonstrates that WEPs represent important socio-ecological resources supporting nutrition, cultural identity, and livelihood resilience in Farta District. The integration of ecological documentation, indigenous knowledge assessment, and market analysis provides new insights into the role of WEPs in rural food systems. However, declining availability of plant resources and erosion of traditional knowledge pose significant conservation challenges. Incorporating WEPs into biodiversity conservation, nutrition interventions, and climate-resilient livelihood strategies is essential for sustaining these valuable resources.