Comparing Apples and Pears: the Hidden Diversity of Central African Bush Mangoes (Irvingiaceae)

Sandrine Gallois,Thomas Heger,Amanda G Henry,Bonaventure Sonké,Tinde Van Andel

doi:10.1007/s12231-020-09497-x

Sandrine Gallois, Thomas Heger + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-020-09497-x

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Abstract

Comparing Apples and Pears: The Hidden Diversity of Central African Bush Mangoes (Irvingiaceae). The fruits of Irvingiaceae trees, commonly known as “bush mangoes” or “mangues sauvages,” are crucial foods for Central African human populations, as well as local wildlife. Irvingiaceae oil-rich kernels play an important role in local diet, well-being, and livelihood. When collected for sale, they enter the international market of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which represents a considerable source of income for central African countries. Despite the importance of bush mangoes, there is a general lack of precision in the literature on the exact species of Irvingiaceae present in local diets and NTFP markets. Few botanical studies include local names and uses of the different Irvingiaceae species, while ethnographical and social studies rarely corroborate their identifications by collecting vouchers. In this study, we combined ethnographic research and botanical collection to verify which Irvingiaceae species were consumed and collected for trade by the Baka, a group of forager-horticulturalists in southeastern Cameroon. We provide evidence of the floristic diversity hidden behind the term “bush mangoes”, as well as the knowledge and uses of Irvingiaceae fruits by the Baka. We discuss the importance of eight Irvingiaceae species for Baka livelihood as well as the potential threats regarding the future of these valuable trees.

Highlights

In the tropical rainforests of the Congo Basin, the fruits and kernels of Irvingiaceae trees, commonly known as “mangues sauvages”, are crucial for the survival of both human and wildlife populations
We collected botanical vouchers of eight different Irvingiaceae species used by the Baka: five species of Irvingia, referred to under the collective term “mangues sauvages,” two species of Klainedoxa, and one species of Desbordesia (Table 1)
Our study demonstrates the hidden diversity of Irvingiaceae species behind the term “bush mango.”

Summary

Introduction

In the tropical rainforests of the Congo Basin, the fruits and kernels of Irvingiaceae trees, commonly known as “mangues sauvages” (bush mangoes), are crucial for the survival of both human and wildlife populations. The fruits of the Irvingiaceae ripen in great quantities in a short period of time (mast fruiting) They have considerable carbohydrate content, 52% of dried matter for I. gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke) Baill. Bahuchet (1978) reported that the Aka, a forest-dwelling group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, used four wild Irvingia species: I.gabonensis, I. robur Mildbr., I. wombulu Vermoesen, and I. grandifolia (Engl.) Engl. These fruits are one of the most important non-timber forest products (NTFP) that Central African foraging groups collect and trade for agricultural products with neighboring sedentary farmers (Ingram et al 2017; Kitanishi 1994)

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