Prices and sold amount dynamics, endogenous knowledge and distribution of Picralima nitida (Stapf) T. Durand and H. Durand across in the Dahomey Gap and Guinea-Congolese regions

Abstract

Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) represents is an important African medicinal plant species. It is frequently used in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industries for drugs manufacturing against infectious diseases, malaria and diabetes and commercially traded as well. Despite its importance, the species is becoming rare, especially in the Dahomey Gap because of it is commercial importance. There is an issue about the controversy of the plant species on its distribution across both regions. Without further forest resources inventory, it is difficult to address efficiently the issue of the controversy of its distribution, the unsustainable use and the endogenous knowledge about of plant species usages. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Dahomey Gap with 120 informants randomly selected and interviewed. A literature review of scientific papers and books was also used to provide information on the sale prices dynamic, amount sold per units, uses, distribution area using the GBIF Platform, and threats of the species in both climatic regions.     P. nitida products were more expensive (per sale unit) in the DG than the GC region. All parts of the species were collected and used to treat 34 diseases. The plant species appear to be poorly distributed in the DG than the GC region. The overuse, endogenous knowledge loss in DG and deforestation in GC region appeared the main driver of scarcity of the species.    P. nitida has various medicinal uses across both regions. The sale price and amount sold per unit tend all to vary across both regions as well. However, the plant species is becoming scarcer in the DG than CG region. The issue of resource scarcity may drive loss of endogenous knowledge about the plant species uses. A forest inventory and documentation of uses are highly needed to assess the exact density and distribution area of P.nitida across both regions