Khathutshelo Magwede
University of Venda
South Africa
Title: The ethno botanical review of plant used in sustenance of livelihood by Vhavenda people of Limpopo province, South Africa
Biography
Biography: Khathutshelo Magwede
Abstract
The Vhavenda people had a rich social culture intrinsically embedded to the natural environment with their livelihood dependent on its sustainable utilization. The Vhavenda plant uses had been well documented through several studies that had reported on different use categories ranging from medicinal, vegetables, fruits, beverages, firewood, art and craft and building construction. Some of the plants species had been recorded to be utilized in more than one category. To access the information on Vhavenda plant uses several literature were consulted followed by an ethno botanical rapid appraisal survey within the Vhembe District Municipality. Data collected was used to analyse the family and category trends of plant species usage. The overwhelming majority of plants are used as medicine for humans and animals healthcare, more than 40 plant species are used as vegetables with hard wood plants mainly used for construction as well as art and craft. Six categorical uses were recorded for families; Anacardiaceae and Euphorbiaceae with Capparaceae, Celastraceae, Rhamnaceae, Papilionoideae as well as Rubiaceae used in five categories. The ethno botanical rapid appraisal survey revealed an informative data trend on plant uses from earlier times to present. It also gave indication on plant use dynamics through time.
