Ethnobotanical survey of wild vegetables in Mbashe and Nkonkobe municipalities, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the Nkonkobe and Mbashe local municipalities of the Amathole District Municipality in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa to reveal and document some of the wild vegetables growing in the Province and to examine the state of the communities’ knowledge of wild vegetables. A total of 66 individuals aged between 17 and 59 years were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The study allowed identification of 22 vegetable species belonging to 12 different families. Tulbaghia violacea, Centella coriacea, Cotula heterocarpa, Sonchus oleraceus, Sisymbrium thellungii and Corchorus olitorius were the only wild vegetables native to South Africa. Cucurbita pepo and Ipomoea batatas were under cultivation in gardens and the field. About 45% of the wild vegetables cited possessed medicinal properties. Berries of Physalis peruviana and Solanum nigrum were consumed as fruits in both localities. Sun-drying was the most common method of preservation in both municipalities, although informants preferred consuming the wild vegetables in their fresh state. This survey revealed that men and the younger generation knew less about wild vegetables compared with older women. A lack of interest to learn about wild vegetables and include them in their diet was revealed in favour of conventional vegetables such as spinach and cabbage.