Ethnobotany of Weeds: Weed Flora of University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm, Maiduguri Sudan Savanna, Borno State.

Abstract

A survey was conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm (Sudan Savanna region of Nigeria) Maiduguri Borno State, between July and September, 2019. With aim of identifying weed species at the site, frequency of occurrence, morphological characteristics and their uses. The outcome of the survey shows that 51 (fifty-one) different weed species were identified belonging to 23 families (twenty-three). Most of the weeds identified have annual life cycle in nature except for some few weeds from tree seedlings which have perennial life cycle. Twenty (20) weeds species have high occurrence (above 70%). Morphologically, only the Poaceae families are among the grass type, Cyperaceae belonging to sedge type.All other 21 families are from the broad leaved type but further classified as shrubs, semi woody and woody plants. Almost all the weeds identified have medicinal, fodder, soup and mulch cover value to animals and man. Most important among them are Corchorus olitorius L., Panicum maximum Linn, Chloris pilosa Schumach., Faidherbia albida A. Cahev., Crotalaria medicaginea L., Calotropis procera (Aiton) W. T.