SAVOIRS ET USAGES LOCAUX DE SCORODOPHLOEUS ZENKERI HARMS (FABACEAE) ET AFROSTYRAX LEPIDOPHYLLUS MILDBR (HUACEAE) EN ZONE FORESTIERE ET SAVANE HUMIDE AU CAMEROUN

In the forest zone of Central Africa in general and Cameroon in particular, medicinal and food plants constitute the most important category of NTFPs, and many medicinal species contribute to income, cultural identity and improved well-being in rural and peri-urban households. Among these NTFPs, S. zenkeri and A. lepidophyllus, with their multiple uses, remain very useful plants for socio-cultural groups. The aim of this study was to inventory local knowledge and management practices according to ethnic groups and agro-ecological zones in Cameroon. The study was conducted in two agro-ecological zones (Savannah and Forest). Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 138 people involved in the S. zenkeri and A. lepidophyllus value chain. The non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the different variables. Six ethnic groups were surveyed. The organs (S. zenkeri and A. lepidophyllus) used by these ethnic groups were seeds, barks, leaves and roots. Three main categories of use were recorded (food, medicinal, commercial) according to these organs. The seeds were used more for sale and self-consumption, while the barks, leaves and roots of S. zenkeri and A. lepidophyllus were used to treat 17 and 12 illnesses and symptoms respectively, including headaches, stomach ache, toothache, coughs and aches, etc. Despite its many uses by different ethnic groups, the species is subject to various anthropogenic pressures and benefits very little from conservation measures. Previous research should focus on its sylviculture to ensure its domestication.