European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

VALUATION OF SOCIAL RELEVANCE OF PLANTS AMONGST THE ANNANGS IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA.

*Anwana, E. D, Nyah, G. and Mbong E. O.

ABSTRACT

Survey of economic and social plants in six communities in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area was done between March and April, 2014. Ethnobotanical data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which was administered at the household level within the study area. A total of Twenty-nine (29) plant species from
Twenty (20) families used by the various communities was documented. Plants were categorized into Six(6) different groups Namely: Cosmetics, ropes/construction, farming/fishing, judicial signpost, entertainment and magico-religious categories respectively. Elaeis guineensis. was found relevant in all use categories. Results also revealed that such as Pentaclethra macrophylla, Baphia nitida, Draceanea arborea were symbolic to all the communities. This similarity in the usage of plants is attributed to common ancestry. This study advocates proper environmental education and conservation programmes in the area. Importantly, will be the introduction of afforestation programmes targeted at planting economic and socially relevant plants within these areas.

Keywords: Social-plants, Relevance, Annangs, South-South, Valuation.