The biodiversity of traditional leafy vegetables.

Abstract

During 1997-1998, field surveys were carried out in Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe to collect information on traditional leafy vegetables in various agro-ecological zones, including arid, savanna and humid zones. Priority traditional leafy vegetable species in the 5 African countries were identified: Vigna unguiculata, Cleome gynandra, Solanum nigrum, Corchorus olitorius, Vernonia spp., Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Amaranthus dubius, Launaea cornuta, Moringa oleifera, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Adansonia digitata, Hibiscus esculentus syn. Abelmoschus esculentus, and Brassica juncea. Local systems for managing plant genetic resources of traditional leafy vegetables that are important throughout Africa were described. The value of these leafy vegetables in maximizing the productivity of small parcels and maintaining the stability of ecosystems by using niches in farming systems were documented. Conclusions were drawn with regard to: (1) seed systems and germplasm management; (2) gender-sensitive approaches; (3) taxonomy and ethnobotany; (4) preparation, processing and marketing; and (5) conservation, promotion and use. KEYWORDS: TROPAG | Hibiscus esculentus | Cleome gynandra | Solanum nigrum | Corchorus olitorius | Vernonia | Amaranthus dubius | vegetable crops | leaves | green vegetables | ethnobotany | germplasm conservation | women | marketing | farm surveys | Central Africa | Botswana | Cameroon | Kenya | Sene.