Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the local people in Tulu Korma and its Surrounding Areas of Ejere District, Western Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was conducted between October 2013 and September 2014 in Tulu Korma and its surrounding areas of Ejere District, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to document medicinal plant species of the area and associated ethnobotanical knowledge.Methods: Common ethnobotanical methodologies and techniques were applied. About 156 informants were interviewed. The informants were selected from five visually established sites for sampling.Results: About 138 medicinal plant species belonging to 107 genera and 56 families were recorded. About 76(55.07%) of the medicinal plants were used to treat human aliments, 9(6.52%) animal aliments and 53(38.44%) for both.Conclusion: The study area is very rich in medicinal plant species and indigenous traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. There are also potential threats that need priority for conservation. Potentially significant plant species need screening, verifying and approval for setting conservation priorities.