Consumption of Wild-Growing Vegetables in the Honde Valley, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study evaluates the relevance of wild-growing vegetables in two villages of the Honde Valley, Zimbabwe, by documenting the use, knowledge of, and attitudes toward these plants. Information on plant use was gathered through 20 food diaries, 8 focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews with 76 individuals (32 male) from the villages. Forty-two ethnospecies of wild vegetables were recorded and 26 identified to species. Wild leafy vegetables were consumed about twice a week by participating families; Cleome gynandra and Bidens pilosa were eaten most frequently. Preferred vegetables were dried and conserved for off-season use. Knowledge of wild food plants was transmitted orally within families, acquired in early childhood, and gradually increased with age. Gender differences were found in the quantity and type of knowledge. According to the villagers, the advantages of wild vegetables were their nutritional and economic value, as well as their accessibility. The perceived drawbacks were mainly related to quality issues, strong tastes, and lack of year-round availability. Despite preference for cultivated alternatives among younger people, there was renewed interest in wild plants due to recent health concerns such as diabetes and HIV.