Critical Review on Wild Edible Plant Species Diversity, Its Edible Plant Parts and Mineral Contents of the Species in Ethiopia
Abstract
Ethiopia’s diverse agroecological zones support a wide range of wild edible plants (WEPs) that grow naturally without cultivation. As part of the Eastern Afromontane and Horn of Africa biodiversity hotspots, the country hosts rich plant diversity with significant nutritional and ecological value. These important resources are poorly documented, and limited efforts exist to domesticate them or raise awareness about their mineral composition and edible plant parts among local communities. This review synthesises findings from ethnobotanical studies to examine WEP diversity, commonly consumed plant parts and their mineral composition, based on extensive literature from journal articles, manuals and reports. A total of 179 WEP species belonging to 49 families were identified. Moraceae was the most abundant family (16 species), followed by Fabaceae and Asteraceae (10 species each). Solanaceae, Rhamnaceae and Amaranthaceae contributed eight species each, while Anacardiaceae and Tiliaceae had seven species. These plants are consumed in multiple forms, including raw ripe fruits (48.6%), medicinal preparations (26.3%), fodder (17.3%), cooked leaves (3.4%), dried fruits, chewing gums, raw leaves and nectar. Growth habit analysis showed that trees accounted for the highest proportion (40.8%), followed by shrubs (27.4%) and herbs (23.5%). Mineral analysis of ten species revealed notable nutrient levels: Ziziphus spina-christi contained the highest calcium (1304.6 mg/kg), Cordia monoica had the highest phosphorus (76,461.7 mg/kg), and Urtica simensis had the highest iron (316 mg/g). Macronutrient assessments of five species showed that Dioscorea praehensilis had the highest carbohydrate content (83.8%), whereas Talinum madagascariense had the highest energy value. Solanum nigrum and Cleome gynandra exhibited superior protein and fibre levels. Despite their nutritional and economic importance, WEPs face increasing threats from agricultural expansion, deforestation, overgrazing, charcoal production and recurrent drought. Enhancing conservation efforts, raising community awareness and promoting sustainable use and domestication of priority species are crucial for improving food security, nutrition and biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia.
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