Ethnobotany and conservation of indigenous fruit tree species in Akoko Division of Ondo State, Nigeria

A rapid appraisal method involving direct field observation and interviews was used to identify indigenous fruit trees species (IFTs) in Akoko division of Ondo State, Nigeria. 10 respondents were purposively selected from five rural communities in each of the four local government areas of the division. These respondents have maintained domicile in their respective community for at least 10 years. The respondents were interviewed with the aid of semi-structured questionnaire matrix. The interviews were focused, conversional and two-way in communication. The IFTs were identified; the respondents’ indigenous knowledge on the IFTs and their ethnobotanical values were defined. Also, group interviews were conducted, during revisits to two of the selected communities in each of the Local Governments Areas of the study area. Key informants were identified in each local government area and interviewed on the identified IFTs. A total of 14 IFTs, belonging to 12 families were identified. Only one of the IFTs was being cultivated though wildlings of the IFTs are still being preserved in the study area. The constraints to their cultivations were established and benign strategies that could enhance their conservation were proposed.