EXTRACTS FROM MELZIAN&#39;S BINI DICTIONARY II: CATALOGUE OF NARRATIVES AND ANNOTATIONS ON BINI ETHNOBOTANY USING AFRICA- WIDE (PROTA) CRITERIA

Emmanuel I Aigbokhan

The forests of Benin kingdom, southern Nigeria are rich in biodiversity and the natives, referred to as the Binis (or Edos) are renowned for their vast and intimate folk knowledge of plants. This study on Bini ethnobotany is the second series of extracts from Hans Melzian"s 1937 book "A Concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria"; following the first compilation of Edo Plant names checklist. Narratives and annotations on Bini ethnobotany in the dictionary were selected and organized according to their placements among 16 primary plant use categories on the template developed by Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA). For each plant entry, the most customary usage by the Binis was obtained from commentaries in the dictionary with additional inputs from literature and oral interviews of selected individuals knowledgeable in Bini language, culture and traditions including herbalist. The entire plant entries was designated as Comprehensive sample (COMPS) and used as a template from which selected plants with attributes on Bini ethnobotany were derived and constituted as the Abridge sample (ABRS), while another category designated as Congruent sample (CONGS) was constituted with entries whose use status in Bini ethnobotany corresponded with PROTA"s. Twenty-two (22) Edo plant names comprising 17 new and five revised plant names were added to the previously published checklist. COMPS comprised 302 plants of which 122 (40.39%) were included in ABRS. Only 136 (45.03%) entries in COMPS and 63 (20.86%) ABRS were determined as congruent (CONGS). The most prevalent plant use categories in COMPS were: timbers 87 (28.81%), medicinal plants 51 (16.89%), carbohydrates 32 (10.60%) and fruits 26 (8.61%), while the least represented groups were: forage plants 2 (0.06%), fuel plants 4 (1.32%) and dyes & tannins 5 (1.65%). Similar trends were observed in ABRS: timbers 45 (36.89%), medicinal plants 21 (17.21%), vegetables 11 (9.01%) and fruits 11 (9.01%), and least prevalent were forages 0 (0.00%), vegetable oils 1 (0.08%) and stimulants 1 (0.08%). The more prevalence status attributed to the timbers class debunks historical accounts which depicted timber usage in Benin Kingdom as peripheral, thus suggesting a marked disparity between PROTA criteria and Bini ethnobotany. These findings probably suggests that the economic interests on timber plants of either the author (Melzian) or the British colonists may have influenced their inclusion in the dictionary.

Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) EXTRACTS FROM MELZIAN’S BINI DICTIONARY II: CATALOGUE OF NARRATIVES AND ANNOTATIONS ON BINI ETHNOBOTANY USING AFRICAWIDE (PROTA) CRITERIA Aigbokhan, E.I. and Igho-Osagie, U.P. Department of Plant Biology & Biotechnology University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Edo State 300001 Telephone: +234 (0) 805-662-7914 Email: eaigbokhan@uniben.edu, eaigb001@yahoo.com ABSTRACT The forests of Benin kingdom, southern Nigeria are rich in biodiversity and the natives, referred to as the Binis (or Edos) are renowned for their vast and intimate folk knowledge of plants. This study on Bini ethnobotany is the second series of extracts from Hans Melzian‟s 1937 book “A Concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria”; following the first compilation of Edo Plant names checklist. Narratives and annotations on Bini ethnobotany in the dictionary were selected and organized according to their placements among 16 primary plant use categories on the template developed by Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA). For each plant entry, the most customary usage by the Binis was obtained from commentaries in the dictionary with additional inputs from literature and oral interviews of selected individuals knowledgeable in Bini language, culture and traditions including herbalist. The entire plant entries was designated as Comprehensive sample (COMPS) and used as a template from which selected plants with attributes on Bini ethnobotany were derived and constituted as the Abridge sample (ABRS), while another category designated as Congruent sample (CONGS) was constituted with entries whose use status in Bini ethnobotany corresponded with PROTA‟s. Twenty-two (22) Edo plant names comprising 17 new and five revised plant names were added to the previously published checklist. COMPS comprised 302 plants of which 122 (40.39%) were included in ABRS. Only 136 (45.03%) entries in COMPS and 63 (20.86%) ABRS were determined as congruent (CONGS). The most prevalent plant use categories in COMPS were: timbers 87 (28.81%), medicinal plants 51 (16.89%), carbohydrates 32 (10.60%) and fruits 26 (8.61%), while the least represented groups were: forage plants 2 (0.06%), fuel plants 4 (1.32%) and dyes & tannins 5 (1.65%). Similar trends were observed in ABRS: timbers 45 (36.89%), medicinal plants 21 (17.21%), vegetables 11 (9.01%) and fruits 11 (9.01%), and least prevalent were forages 0 (0.00%), vegetable oils 1 (0.08%) and stimulants 1 (0.08%). The more prevalence status attributed to the timbers class debunks historical accounts which depicted timber usage in Benin Kingdom as peripheral, thus suggesting a marked disparity between PROTA criteria and Bini ethnobotany. These findings probably suggests that the economic interests on timber plants of either the author (Melzian) or the British colonists may have influenced their inclusion in the dictionary. INTRODUCTION Aspects of plant domestication are often concerned with ethnobotany which has been defined as the science of people's interaction with plants (Bennett 2010). Ethnobotany involves the study of the botanical knowledge of a social group and its use of locally available plants (Ogunkunle and Oladele, 2004). According to Ford (1978), the study of plant-people relationship involves three main objectives namely, to identify what plants are significant; to discover how the people of a culture classify, identify, and relate to the plant; and to examine how their perception of the plant world actually guides their actions and concomitantly structures the floral environment. Ethnobiological knowledge is a complex phenomenon based fundamentally on human recognition of the perceptual and functional attributes that characterize living things. Research indicates that the differences in how people perceive biological domains are related to levels of respondent expertise, whereby experts have access to more kinds of information 1 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) about a domain than do novices, resulting in different patterns of domain organization (Nolan, 2001). Ethnobotanical research offers the possibility to collect information on use and utility of wild plant species from traditional people often living in or close to a challenging natural environment. This type of information then allows us to find new candidates for domestication and subsequent crop development for income generation and increased food security (Van Damme, and Termote, 2008). Bennett (2010) opined that the ethnobotanical circumscription makes no distinction between people in traditional or modern societies and that the first humans were practicing ethnobotanists. To survive they had to classify plants (as well as animals) into categories, distinguishing those species that were beneficial from those that caused harm. Classical ethnobotany simply makes a list of plants by local names, scientific names and their uses (Alam, 1989) Plants have a long history of use on the African continent for the treatment of different diseases and complaints. Of the 40,000 or so flowering plants found on the African continent, an estimated 15–25 percent is used in traditional medicine (Maundu et al, 2005). African plants have long been the source of important products with nutritional and therapeutical value. In certain African countries, up to 90% of the population still relies exclusively on plants as a source of medicines, many of which have been documented (Hostettmann et al., 2000). However, in some regions, the knowledge of useful plants is disappearing more rapidly than the plants themselves if no efforts are made to conserve and study both the biological and cultural diversity including the indigenous forest management systems (Bongers et al. 2002). The Bini (Edo) culture is considered one of highest cultures of the forest zone in West Africa, others in the same league are: Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Ife and Igbo Ukwu (Ayensu and Coursey, 1972). The culture traces its origins to the 10th Century A.D. and reached its zenith in the 15th Century about the time of the arrival of the Portuguese in West Africa. At its peak, its influence spread throughout southern Nigeria west of the river Niger, and into Dahomey (Johnson and Johnson, 1976). The kingdom is administered by a god-king (the Oba of Benin) who at present, no longer holds political power, but is recognized as the cultural leader and the preserver of ancient traditions (Johnson and Johnson, 1976). Gallwey (1893), described the forest region of Benin country as one impenetrable forest, with small clearings here and there where the towns and villages are built. He observed that the trees were magnificent and the most noticeable being the cotton and mahogany. The Bini people have long had contact with the forest and have a reputation for intimate knowledge of its products (Redhead, 1992) and their acquaintance with trees probably excels that of any other people in Nigeria (Hide, 1943).. There have been several published reports on Bini folk plant taxonomy (Unwin, 1920; Dalziel 1936; Kennedy, 1936; Melzian, 1937, Hide, 1943; Ugbogu et al., 2012; Aigbokhan et al., 2013; Ehigiamusoe 2013), but very little is known of Bini ethnobotany and most of the reported studies have limited scope, covering mostly reports on market surveys (Johnson and Johnson, 1976) and medicinal uses of plants (Gill, 1992; Idu and Onyibe, 2007; Idu, 2010). Redhead (1992) provided an extensive overview on timber usage before the advent of colonial subjugation of the Kingdom in the late 19 century. Excerpts from Melzian‟s Bini 2 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) dictionary provided in this study represent the first classical Bini ethnobotany and include a complete catalogue and a summary analysis of narratives and annotations on Bini ethnobotany. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Edo plant names checklist (Aigbokhan et. al., 2013), in which are contained extracts from the 233-page book titled: A Concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria (Melzian, 1937) were evaluated for ethnobotanical profiling based on Bini culture. Some Edo plant names previously undetermined or unclassified in the published checklist were researched and their taxonomic names and use designations outlined as a supplement to the original published list. Each plant in the updated comprehensive checklist were organized and segregated into any of the 16 primary plant use categories according to PROTA‟s criteria (Bosch et al., 2002) (Table 1). For each plant entry, commentaries pertaining to Bini ethnobotany listed in Melzian‟s dictionary were identified. Annotations and narratives about plant usage among the Bini was compared with PROTA‟s primary use status and where similarity between Bini use and PROTA (Africa-wide) was established, the plant was designated as congruent and labeled with a plus sign (+) and a minus sign (–) was applied where usage between the two were found to be dissimilar. Three sampling approaches were used to evaluate the catalog entries: 1) Comprehensive sample (COMPS) – included all the taxonomically verified plants listed in the dictionary were grouped according to their respective PROTA categories (Table 1). 2) Abridged sample (ABRS)–included plants from the comprehensive list with annotations on Bini ethnobotanical uses. The Abridge sample (ABRS), henceforth referred to as Bini (Melzian) were marked with an asterisk (*) in the comprehensive list. For plants listed in ABRS whose Bini use status was undefined or with conflicting designations or unclear narratives with respect to their primary (paramount) use status, further verification were obtained from literature (Kennedy, 1936; Ehigiamusoe, 2013) and other sources such as oral interviews of local tree finders and individuals with vast knowledge of Bini ethnobotany. 3) Congruent sample (CONGS)–included all plants in the comprehensive sample labeled with a plus sign (+) whose Bini use designation positively correlated with PROTA use classification (i.e. where both matched or were congruent). Table 1. An outline showing the 16 main 'Use groups' or 'Commodity groups' classification criteria of PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) PROTA 1: Cereals and pulses including nongraminaceous cereals („pseudocereals‟) PROTA 10: Fuel plants including plants used for the production of charcoal and as tinder. PROTA 2: Vegetables PROTA 3: Dyes and tannins PROTA 11: Medicinal plants including poisonous plants used as pesticide, fish poison or dart poison, and narcotic plants. PROTA 4: Ornamentals including hedge and wayside plants PROTA 12: Spices and condiments PROTA 5: Forages including fish feeds and PROTA 13: Essential oils and exudates including aromatic woods, and plants 3 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) silkworm PROTA 6: Fruits including nuts PROTA 7: Timbers including bamboos used for construction. PROTA 8: Carbohydrates including bee plants. PROTA 9: Auxiliary plants including shade and nurse trees, cover crops, mulches, green manures, fallow crops, live fences, windbreaks, erosion controlling plants, land reclamation species, live supports and water cleaning plants producing camphor, latex, resins, balsam, gum, wax and aromatic resin. PROTA 14: Vegetable oils PROTA 15: Stimulants including plants used for beverages, chewing and smoking; excluding narcotic plants. PROTA 16: Fibres including rattans, and plants used for packing and thatching, as tying material, and for making paper, baskets, mats, wickerwork and toothbrushes RESULTS Supplementary checklist update A collection of 22 Edo plant names was generated as a supplement to the previously published checklist (Table 2). It comprises 17 plants whose taxonomic identities were previously unknown and five revised names which were misrepresented in the published Checklist of Edo plant names (Aigbokhan et al., 2013). Comprehensive sample (COMPS) and Abridge sample (ABRS) Appendix 1 shows the comprehensive catalog of plants with Edo plant names and taxonomically certified scientific names, with annotations and narratives found in the Melzian Bini dictionary organized according to PROTA primary plant use classification representing the Comprehensive sample (COMP). The summary analysis (Table 3) shows that COMPS comprise of 302 plants, ABRS 122 or 40.39%. The most prevalent plant use types in COMPS were timbers 87 (28.81%), medicinal plants 51 (16.89%), carbohydrates 32 (10.60%) and Fruits 26 (8.61%), while the least represented use groups were: forage plants 2 (0.06%), fuel plants 4 (1.32%) and dyes & tannins 5 (1.65%). Similar trends were observed in ABRS with timbers 45 (36.89%), medicinal plants 21 (17.21%), vegetables 11 (9.01%) and fruits 11 (9.01%), while the least prevalent were forages 0 (0.00%), vegetable oils 1 (0.08%) and stimulants 1 (0.08%). Forages were not represented in ABRS. Congruent samples (CONGS) Only 136 (45.03%) plants from COMPS had congruent use designations between annotations Bini (Melzian) and PROTA while for ABRS, only 63 of 122 (56.1%) were congruent. In COMP the most congruent use categories were cereals and pulses (85.7%), stimulants (83.3%) and spices & condiments (81.8%) while least congruent use categories were ornamentals (8.3%), Fuel plants (25.0%) and timbers (27.6%). In ABRS the most congruent use categories Spices & condiments (100%), Vegetable oils (100%), Stimulants (100%) while the least congruent use categories were Ornamentals (0%), Forages (0%) and Fruits (27.3%). 4 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Table 2. A supplementary catalogue of plants cited in Melzian's Bini dictionary showing revised taxonomic names and adjustments or replacements to the previously published Edo plant names checklist (Aigbokhan et al., 2013). Edo plant name Page No. in Melzian Dictionary Species name Family name Akhuebo [?Akhuro (seed), Kakoba, (vine)] 15 Entada rheedei (syn. Entada gigas (replaces Klainedoxia grandifolia, syn. Irvingia grandifolia - Irvingiaceae) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Aleke 8 ?Motandra guineensis Apocynaceae Alele = ?Allele 8 Oncinotis glabrata Apocynaceae Ebahen 26 Nephrolepsis bisserata Nephrolepidacea e Ebahenegieghe 26 Selaginella myosurus Selaginellaceae Ebahenoginoba 26 Pteridium aquilinum Dennstaedtiacea e Ebhokhize 44, 108 Treculia Africana Moraceae Eb-itete 27, 208 Amaranthus viridis (not Amaranthus caudatus) Amaranthaceae Erherhe 40 Cucumeropsis manii Cucurbitaceae Iguewe 83 Palisota hirsute Commeinaceae Ihemwe 87 Vigna unguiculata Fabaceaess Ihunhun 88 Typha domingensis Typhaceae Iri-erimwin 96 Ancistroclaudus abbreviates/ ?Hugonia platysepala Ancistrocladiace ae/ Linaceae Itehie 102 Solanum annomalum Solanaceae Itoto 102 Trachyphynium braunianum Marantaceae Oho 140 Ficus mucuso (replaces Entandrophragma cylindricum - Meliaceae) Moraceae Olikaniri 143 Ritchiea capparoides Capparaceae Oruruebo 148 Jatropha gossypifolia (replaces Dracaena sp - Asparagaceae) Euphorbiaceae Ugbore 198 Parkia biglobosa – Fabaceae (incorrectly designated as the source of Shea butter instead of Vitellaria paradoxa (syn. Butyrospermum paradoxum) Sapotaceae Ugbugbe (=?Ugboghan, Okha) 198 Bombax buonopozense, Ceiba pentandra Malvaceae Ukpereghogin 204 Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii Menispermaceae Urhuaro, Orho 169, 209 Anthostemma aubryanum (replaces Hugonia platysepala, Linaceae) Euphorbiaceae 5 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Table 3. An outlay showing number of sample entries and congruency estimates of PROTA‟s primary plant use groups among different sampling procedures for plants listed in Melzian‟s Bini dictionary. Plant use group PROTA 1: Cereals and pulses PROTA 2: Vegetables PROTA 3: Dyes and tannins PROTA 4: Ornamentals PROTA 5: Forages PROTA 6: Fruits PROTA 7: Timbers PROTA 8: Carbohydrates PROTA 9: Auxiliary plants PROTA 10: Fuel plants PROTA 11: Medicinal plants PROTA 12: Spices & condiments PROTA 13: Essential oils and exudates PROTA 14: Vegetable oils PROTA 15: Stimulants PROTA 16: Fibres Total Comprehensive sample (COMPS) (%) 7 (2.31) 23 (7.61) 5 (1.65) 12 (3.97) 2 (0.06) 26 (8.61) 87 (28.81) 32 (10.60) 8 (2.64) 4 (1.32) 51 (16.89) 11 (3.64) 8 (2.64) 6 (1,98) 6 (1.98) 13 (4.30) Abridged sample (ABRS) (%) 2 (1.64) 11 (9.01) 3 (2.46) 4 (3.28) 0 (0.00) 11 (9.01) 45 (36.89) 7 (5.74) 3 (2.46) 3 (2.46) 21 (17.21) 2 (1.64) 3 (2.46) 1 (0.08) 1 (0.08) 6 (4.92) 302 122 (40.39)† Congruency CONGS) (ABRS) (%†) (%*) 6 1 (85.7) (50) 11 7 (47.2) (63.6) 2 2 (40.0) (66.7) 1 0 (8.3) (0) 1 0 (50.0) (0) 18 3 (69.2) (27.3) 24 21 (27.6) (46.7) 25 6 (78.1) (85.7) 6 2 (75.0) (66.6) 1 1 (25.0) (33.3) 16 11 (31.4) (52.4) 9 2 (81.8) (100) 3 1 (37.5) (33.3) 3 1 (50.0) (100) 5 1 (83.3) (100) 5 4 (38.5) (66.7) 63 136 (20.86)† (45.03)† [51.6]* Percentage ratio against total number of species in †Comprehensive sample (COMPS) and *Abridged sample (ABRS) DISCUSSION This study is a postscript to the previously published Melzian‟s Checklist of Edo plant names (Aigbokhan et al., 2013) and complements and resolves some the deficiencies inherent in the checklist. The status of Aleke, which is referred to as Motandra guineensis remains controversial. This choice is however supported by narratives in the Melzian‟s dictionary where Aleke is described as a creeper with a tendency to coil and elsewhere, it was described as sacred to the Ovia god and that “…the members [of the Ovia cult] perform masquerade dances imitating the twisting of the creeper Aleke ...”. A clarification was made on the correct status of Ugbore which in Bini represents Parkia biglobosa, but shown in the dictionary to be 6 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Vitellaria paradoxa (syn. Butyrospermum paradoxum) the source of Shea butter. No Bini name was found for V. paradoxa and it is plausible that the name Ugbore may be applied to both species which incidentally are mostly encountered in the savanna region. The differences in the number of plant entries used in this study (302) against 309, the total number of plants reported in the checklist (Aigbokhan et al., 2013) was due to multiple entries of Edo plant names representing the same plant (synonyms). For example, Anyo, Ayon and Araba-nekhw all refer to Funtumia elastica and Grewia coriaceae is called Unwarhiontengbo, Uweriotegbo, Asuen while Likiba or nikiba is used for Pausinystalia johimbe, P. talbotii, P. brachthyrus and P. macroceras all primarily used as timbers. Oro, Orho, Urhuagho all represent Anthostemma aubryanum (Euphorbiaceae) while Ogikhimwi, Osuonbon, Ugbongbon is used for Kigelia Africana and Tetrapleura tetraptera is known as Ighimiakhia or Eseghasaghe. Talinum triangulare is refered to as Ebedondon or Ebeunwomwe. The alignment of repeated entiries was also responsible for the differences observed between the summaries obtained from the comprehensive (COMPS) and the abriged sample (ABRS) list. These observations support the assertion that native plant names cannot in all cases be definitely applied to distinct botanical species (Unwin, 1920). The organization of the Bini ethnobotanical narratives in Melzian‟s Bini dictionary according to PROTA‟s criteria clearly suggests the allocation of more plants in the timber category which by far had the highest prevalence of 87 entries accounting for 28.81% of the listed plants. Considering the pre-colonial pattern of timber usage in Benin Kingdom (Redhead, 1992), timber as a plant use commodity was described as peripheral and as such, not as important among the Bini people as depicted in the checklist. The only explanation to justify interest in timber yielding plants in the 1930‟s when the dictionary was published could probably be for economic interest of either the writer (Melzian) or the activities the British colonialist who assumed administrative authority in the kingdom in 1897 after the British Punitive Expedition to Benin Kingdom. In both COMPs and ABRS, higher congruency levels appear to represent plant use categories which are unique to Benin Kingdom (endemic) and with similar primary uses across tropical Africa. The catalogue of information on Bini ethnobotany presented in this study has potential in spotlighting Bini indigenous knowledge of plants which could be harnessed for ethnobiological studies in phytomedicine, herbal sciences, environmental conservation and the preservation of cultural practices.Further commentaries and assessments of the structural distributions of plant use categories for both COMP and ABRS and their respective congruency ratio are treated and discussed in detail in the accompanying article on Comparative assessment of Bini ethnobotany using Africa-wide (PROTA) criteria. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to thank Prof. Victor E. Omozuwa of University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria for his personal copy of Melzian‟s Bini dictionary which instigated the initial impetus to embark on the botanical scrutiny of its contents and to the anonymous reviewer(s) for a thorough appraisal of the draft manuscripts. 7 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) REFERENCES Aigbokhan, E.I., Omozuwa, V.E. and Osemwegie, B. (2013). Extracts from Melzian‟s Bini Dictionary: Plant names in Edo language. Nigerian Journal of Botany 26 (1): 85 – 113. Alam, M. K. (1989). Documentation of ethnobiological information. In: Methods and approaches in ethnobotany. S. K. Jain (ed.). Proceedings of the 2nd training course in ethnobotany, Lucknow, Surya Publications, Dehradun. pp28-29. Ayensu, E. S. and Coursey, D. G. (1972). Guinea Yams: The botany, ethnobotany, use and possible future of yams in West Africa. Economic Botany 26 (4): 301˗318. Bennett, B.C. 2010. Chapter 1. Ethnobotany and Economic Botany: Subjects in Search of a Definition. Pages xxx-xxx In: B.C. Bennett, editor. UNESCO Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems. http://eolss.net. Bongers, F. Schnitzer, S. A., Traore, D. (2002). The importance of lianas and consequences for forest management in West Africa. BIOTERRE, Rev. Inter. Sci. de la Vie et de la Terre, N° spécial, 2002. Actes du Colloque International, Centre Suisse du 27-29 Août 2001. Bosch, C. H., Siemonsma, J. S., Lemmens, R. H. M. J and Oyen, L. P. A. (Eds.) (2002). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Basic list of species and commodity groupings. PROTA Programme, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 341p. Dalziel J. M. (1937). The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Being an Appendix to The Flora of West Tropical Africa, by Hutchinson and Dalziel. The Crown Agents for the Colonies, London. 612p. Ehigiamusoe, R. E. (2013). A Herbarium of Nigerian Medicinal Plants. University of Calabar Press, Calabar. 573p. Ford, R. 1978. The nature and status of ethnobotany, Anthro. Papers No. 67, Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Habor, Michigan. Gallwey, H. L. (1893). Journeys in the Benin country, West Africa. The Geographical Journal 1 (2):122-130. Gill, L.S. (1992). Ethnomedical Uses of Plants in Nigeria. Uniben Press, Benin City. 276p. Hide, R. H. (1943). The Bini as a botanist. Nigerian Field 11: 169˗179 Hostettmann, K., Marston, A., Ndjoko, K. and Wolfender, J. (2000). The potential of African plants as a source of drugs. Current Organic Chemistry 4: 973-1010. Idu, M. (2010). The Plant Called Medicine. 104th Inaugural Lecture Series, University of Benin, Nigeria. University of Benin (Uniben) Press, Benin City. 90p. Idu, M. and Onyibe, H. I. (2007). Medicinal plants of Edo State, Nigeria. Research Journal of Medicinal Plants 1 (2): 32 ˗ 41. Johnson, E. J. and Johnson, T. J. (1976). Economic plants in a rural Nigerian market. Economic Botany 30 (4):375 ˗ 381. 8 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Kennedy, J. D. (1936). Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria. Government printers, Lagos. 242p. Maundu, P., Kariuki, P. and Eyog-Matig, O. (2005). Threats to medicinal plant species – an African perspective, In: Proceedings of Biodiversity Loss and Species Extinctions: Managing Risk in a Changing World, a Global Synthesis Workshop convened at the IUCN World Conservation Forum, 18–20 November, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand. Melzian, 1937. A Concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria. Kegan Paul, London. 233p. Nolan, J. M. (2001). Pursuing the fruits of knowledge: cognitive ethnobotany in Missouri's Little Dixie. Journal of Ethnobiology 21 (2): 29 ˗ 51. Ogunkunle, A. T. J. and Oladele, F. A. 2004. Ethnobotanical study of fuelwood and timber wood consumption and replenishment in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 91: 223 ˗ 236. Redhead, J. F. (1992). The forest kingdom of Benin, Nigeria. The Nigerian Field 57: 113 ˗ 118. Ugbogu, O. A., Soladoye, M. O., Baiyewu, R. A. and Ibhanesebhor, G. A. (2012). Vernacular Names of Some Nigerian Plants: Edo/Delta Version. Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan. 90p. Unwin, A. H. (1920). West African Forests and Forestry. T. Fisher Unwin Limited, Adelphi Terrace, London. 610p. Van Damme, P. and Termote, C. 2008. African botanical heritage for new crop development. Africa Focus 21(1):45-64. 9 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Appendix 1. A catalogue of plants listed in Melzian‟s Bini Dictionary (Comprehensive sample, COMPS) ordered alphabetically according to Edo plant names and grouped using PROTA‟s primary plant use criteria of 16 plant use groups. Taxa marked with an asterisk (*) had narratives and annotations relating to Bini ethnobotany and included as entries used to constitute the Abridged sample (ABRS). AUXILIARY PLANTS Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Species (Family) Habit 31 Trichilia prieuriana (Meliaceae) tree Used as firewood only. *Ehun-ogo 52 Trema guineense (Ulmaceae) tree Mostly found on old farms. It has very soft wood which is perhaps why it is called "Ehun". Has no known use. *Ikhimwi 105 Newbouldia laevis (Bignoniaceae) tree The leafy branches are used to fan corpse to help its spirit on its way. Used in the composition of the shrines of all the gods. Used for making fences.3 + Iramwinran 42, 89, 98 Lemna equinoctalis (Araceae) herb A kind of water plant drifting on the surfaces of creeks and ponds; together with a reed (Ihunhun) forms the "sudd" of the creek region + Ivi-oromila 159 Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae) tree A special sort of oil palm. + Okhwenkhwen 172 Acacia ataxacantha (FabaceaeMimosoideae) shrub A thorny creeper + *Oviogiekue, Oviogierhakhoto 153 Maesopsis eminnii (Rhamnaceae) tree "The son of a ruler does not set fire" because its use as firewood is taboo to descendants of Ogies. Its wood burns very badly and in a concealed way; a purgative is obtained from the bark + shrub The name means "squirrel‟s whip". Uwerhinonta is kept in all Ihen and Ebo shrines (except the ancestral shrines, "Erha" and "Iye") as the juju's whip. When the oracle has found out that a man is a witch, or has sworn Ebo to kill somebody, the priest of the shrine whips him three times with the Unwerhinonta in telling him so, and the man will confess. (Women keep it at the Olokun shrine. The Urhonisen use Glyphae brevis to weep onlookers away, e.g. when fetching palm wine for the royal household, as nobody must see the contents of their loads, or when fetching water for the Oba. The Oba never drinks water from Ogba). It is (was) also used by the Ovia and Ekpo societies. + Edo name Page No. Eghogho Unwerhiontan 66, 207 Glyphaea laterifolia (Glyphaea brevis) (Malvaceae -Tilioideae) 10 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) CARBOHYDRATES Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Edo name Page No. Arebun 11, 36 Dioscorea sp (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of white yam + Asakpen 12 Dioscorea alata (Dioscoreaceae) vine white yam + Edia-nukpakon 28 Dioscorea alata (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of white yam with a faint smell. + Emile 37 Dioscorea dumetorum (Dioscoreaceae) vine A special kind of red yam (Ikpen) of which hangs from a rope. + Emowe, Edia nupakon 36 Dioscorea rotundata (syn. Dioscorea cayenensis) (Dioscoreaceae) vine A variety of white yam + *Erherhe 40 Cucumeropsis mannii? (Cucurbitaceae) vine A plant similar to Ikpogi with small fruit containing seeds. It is said to taste pleasant when fried and can cause indigestion when eaten in excess. + Erhuru 36, 40 Dioscorea sp (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of yam (red or white), fruit a little bitter, eaten mainly by the Yorubas. A medicine obtained from it is used for quick conception. + *Esalebo, Ebesalebo 41 Canna indica (Cannaceae) herb A plant whose seeds are strung up and put round calabash, serving as a rattle (Ukuse). *Igahri 82 Manihot esculenta (Euphorbiaceae) shrub *Igbi 84 Dioscorea sp (Dioscoreaceae) vine Second yam grown when the first fruit has been cut off. It is mostly small and uneven, and is used for seed yam only (gbi in Yoruba) + Igiorua, Ukpu 82, 205 Dioscorea alata (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of white yam or water-yam. + Ihiehie 88 Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Fabaceae Faboideae) vine A black bean. It grows very slowly until the creeper has side branches after which it grows quickly. It is one of the Ezomos taboos. Ikpekhie 40, 92 Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Fabaceae Faboideae) vine white bean, similar to ere + Ikpen 36, 92 Dioscorea cayensis (Dioscoreaceae) vine Red yam, subspecies of olimehi; Uhoboriabe) + Iyokho 107 Colocasia esculenta, Xanthosoma sagitifolium (Araceae) herb Iyokho-oto 107 ?Stylochiton lancifolius, ?Stylochiton warneckei (Araceae) herb + + "cocoyam of the ground", (a lily) planted in pots at shrines of Osun" 11 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) CARBOHYDRATES Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Edo name Page No. Oghedebo 163 Musa paradisiaca (Musaceae) herb European plantain Ogigba 136 Dioscorea praehensilis (Dioscoreaceae) vine "Wild yam" in the bush, not eaten. *Olimehi, Emile, Uhoboriale 36, 143 Dioscorea dumetorum (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of red yam swells considerable when cooked 4. + Olusea 36 Dioscorea sp (Dioscoreaceae) vine A variety of yam + Ometo 166 Dioscorea odoratissima Pax (Dioscoreaceae) vine A yam, the rope of which coils considerably. + Omi 144 Dioscorea rotundata (Dioscoreaceae) vine white yam + Onankhen 156 ?Melothria sphaerocarpa (syn. Cucumeropsis mannii) (Cucurbitaceae) vine A climbing plant with white fruit; a kind of ogi (Ikpogi) + *Onusee 145 Dioscorea sp (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of white yam + + Osan 168 ?Icacina trachantha (Icacinaceae) liana A kind of creeper, the root is about as big as a yam. The leaf is called "ebosan" Udin 195 Dioscorea alata (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of white water-yam which is very long (hence the appellation) + Ufua 196 Dioscorea dumetorum (Dioscoreaceae) vine A kind of red yam (Ikpen), but white. + Ugo 36 Diocorea praehensilis (Dioscoreaceae) vine A sort of red yam (Ikpen) which has gone wild. + The name literally means "the Sobos (Urhobos) are guilty". It is a kind of red yam that is said to have come from the Sobo (Urhobo) country comparatively recently. Its surface is hairy and it ripens within 5 months. + Uhoboriabe 200 ?Dioscorea mangenotana (Dioscoreaceae) vine Ukhwerhe 163, 214 Saccharum officinarum (Poaceae) shrub Ukpereghodin 204 ?Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii (Menispermaceae) vine A leaf used in composing charms; very sweet, used as cough medicine for children *Urua 50, 210 Borassus flabellifera (Arecaceae) tree Used to make Egwen rattle, which is twisted into a chain of small receptacles containing a few grains of Canna indica (Osalebo). Worn around the ankle of Ovia dancers. + 12 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) CEREALS & PULSES Edo name Species (Family) Habit Page No. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Ere (Ikpakpa) 40 Phaseolus lunatus (Fabaceae - Faboideae) vine White bean (not Vigna). + Ihemwe 87 Vigna unguiculata (Fabaceae - Faboideae) vine A bean (Kidney) probably because of their shape. + *Ikpakpalo 92 Phaseolus lunatus (Fabaceae - Faboideae) vine A wild edible bean. + Isawewe 99 Arachis hypogea (Fabaceae - Faboideae) herb *Iyokheze 107 Rinorea elliottii, Rinorea welwitschii (Violaceae) tree Iz-ebo 108 Oryza sativa (Poaceae) grass + Oka 164 Zea mays (Poaceae) grass + + "Cocoyam of the river" wood is flexible (and tough) used for constructing traps; it is also put in the mouths of crocodiles to prevent them from biting, so that they could be tied up. Used for making chewing stick, rafters and yamsticks.3 It is used spiritually for Progress.2 Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany DYES & TANNINS Species (Family) Habit 15 Mucuna flagellipes (Fabaceae Faboideae) vine A creeper with black fruits *Asun, Asun nekhwi, Asun-nokwa, Uri-nokwa 13 Randia coriacea (Rubiaceae) shrub Its leaves when ground, gives a very durable black dye which is used by boys and girls to imitate the tribal marks. *Elu 54 Indigofera arrecta/ Lonchocarpus cyanescens Edo name Page No. Akhuekpu tree (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) The leaves and root of which contain a dark-blue dye. The dye is used by boys to imitate the tribal body marks; the dye is obtained from burnt Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA + + 13 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany DYES & TANNINS Species (Family) Edo name Habit Page No. (Fabaceae - Faboideae) (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) roots and used to dye the real tribal marks. Ositua 149 Baphia pubenscens (Fabaceae Faboideae) tree *Otua 151 Baphia nitida (Fabaceae Faboideae) tree Used in purification ceremonies. Seven leaves of it pinned together are also used as substitute of ones Osu shrine on travels. Twigs are used for chew sticks.3 ESSENTIAL OIL & EXUDATES Species (Family) Edo name Alrhaba-nofua Araba-nekhwi, Anyo Habit Page No. 11 10, 11 Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Hevea brasiliensis (Euphorbiaceae) tree Funtumia elastica (Apocynaceae) tree Same as "Araba-nekhwi" (black rubber). + Latex is similar to rubber and added to rubber to increase quantity. Reported to be used for making combs and culinary utensils.3 + *Basabasa, Bassa-bassa 18 Funtumia africana (Apocynaceae) tree Ekpakpogho 35 Canarium schweinfurthii (Burseraceae) tree *Eteziza, Ehoh-eziza 58 Cymbopogon citratus (Poaceae) grass Oporhipo, Oporipo 167 Sterculia tragacantha (Malvaceae – Sterculioideae)) tree + A plant used by "doctors" in every kind of medicine in order to ensure quick action, Used as a tonic, the roots stimulate the nervous system when chewed.1 14 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) ESSENTIAL OIL & EXUDATES Edo name Species (Family) Habit Page No. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) *Ubo 194 Landolphia owariensis (Apocynaceae) liana A creeper with a very thick stem; fruit is eaten by monkeys. Uduohogho, Udeghogho 195 Sterculia tragacantha (Malvaceae) tree A tree, with light wood FIBRES Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Species (Family) Habit 15 Entada rheedei Spreng (syn. Entada gigas) (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae) liana A creeper? with brown fruits1. Alele = ?Allele 8 Oncinotis glabrata, ?Oncinotis gracilis (Apocynaceae) liana A creeper that can grow long, mostly used to tie yam. + *Ebe-eni 27 Thalia geniculata (Marantaceae) herb A kind of leaf (not elephant grass) used as thatch. Last five years and seven years if heated constantly. + Pandanus candelabrum (Pandanaceae) shrub a kind of sedge growing on river banks, leaves have saw-like edges; used by women to make a kind of mat (Aterhu) and bags. + Manniophyton africanum (Manniophyton fulvum) (Euphorbiaceae) liana A creeper, it causes itching when touched, hence the name. Eremospatha macrocarpa (Arecaceae) liana A creeper. A cane used for bow-strings and for tying things. Used for tying yams in barns.2 Edo name Page No. Akhuebo *Ebo Ebumwe, Ebume 47, 142 27 *Ikan 66, 90, 186 Itoto 102 Trachyphrynium braunianum, Hybophrynium braunianum (Marantaceae) Ogo 161 Raphia vinifera (Arecaceae) tree The tree is not felled. *Okha 171 Ceiba pentandra (MalvaceaeBombacoideae) tree Seeds used in stuffing pillows4; used as a cure for gonorrhea and syphilis1 ; also reported to be used for house doors.3 Out 150 Cleistopholis patens (Annonaceae) tree + A kind of cane, root is used as medicinal plants, and also as a magic preparation for making "one‟s body smooth and fleshy" + 15 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) FIBRES Species (Family) Edo name Habit Page No. *Oyo 156 Raphia vinifera (Arecaceae) Ugangan, Ogangan 196 Cuviera nigrescens (Rubiaceae) *Ugbugbe (= ?Ugbokha, Obokha/?Okha) 198 Bombax buonopozense/ Ceiba pentandra (MalvaceaeBombacaceae) shrub Edo name Aya, Ihomwegbe, Ihomwebho Oghodogbo 163 Habit ?Panicum maximum (Poaceae) grass A kind of grass or shrub. Leaf used to prepare afo soup (for purification purposes.) Pennisetum purpureum (Poaceae) grass A cane found in the bush; it is similar to sugarcane, but not edible. FRUITS Edo name A tree with scaffold on which victims of certain Bini sacrifices (to the sun and rain) were made. Species (Family) Page No. 15, 85 Listed as Ogangan on Forestry Department list. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) FORAGES Species (Family) Habit shrub Page No. Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA A kind of Raffia "bamboo" not common; produces a very intoxicating wine. tree tree Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA + Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Akoso 7 Uvaria macrotricha (Uvaria afzelii) (Annonaceae) Alimoi-negieghe 8 Citrus limon, Citrus aurantifolia (Rutaceae) tree + Alimoi-nekhua 8 Citrus sinensis (Rutaceae) tree + A thorny creeper, a little thicker than a man's thumb. _ 16 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) FRUITS Species (Family) Edo name *Atan Ebhokhoize, Ize, Ovokho Habit Page No. 13 44, 108 Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA tree From it, medicine for "Eda" (Leucorrhoea) is prepared. Eda is a tying charm used to ward off death, in cases of fainting, unconsciousness, or approaching death. Treculia africana (Moraceae) tree The fruit is big and round, and contains big seeds ("rice"). Evokho (means "rice-cake"), but also used as name of "native rice"; the word is mostly used by sellers when praising their merchandise + Canthium glabriflorum (Rubiaceae) Edin-ebo 49 Ananas comosus (Bromiliaceae) herb European palm nuts + *Ekpiro 53 Chrysophyllum africanum (Sapotaceae) tree A kind of Otien (star apple). Timber is used for making gun stock.3 Fruit is edible.2 + *Evboha 56 Cola heterophylla (MalvaceaeSterculiaceae) tree Children suck the juice out of the husk. _ *Evbohobitan 56 Cola caricifolia (Malvaceae-Sterculiaceae) tree "Kola of the ordeal doctor's bush", Used in an ordeal, and as medicine for the bladder. _ Oghede-egbo 163 Anonidium manii (Annonaceae) tree Called "bush plantain" because of its soft wood and fast growth. + Oghede negieghe 163 Musa sapientum (Musaceae) herb small plantain + Fruit of the Okhikhan tree; bears fruit "Ogheghe" same as Spondias monbin. Used for” Utoyoto” (hedges) (serving as poles for eru). Fruit is edible.3 It is used to treat fever, cough, gonnorhea, cold and diarrhoea.1 + *Ogheghe, Okhikhan 139, 155 Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) tree Ogwi-ebo 138 Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae) tree *Okhwe, Okhue 155 Plukenetia conophorum (syn. Tetracarpidium conophorum) (Euphorbiaceae) vine Fruit is a kind of nut which is eaten with corn (maize)4; Seeds are edible.3 + Omu (mu) 145 Chrysophyllum africanum, Chrysophyllum perpulchrum (Sapotacea) tree Similar to Ekpiro (Chrysophyllum albidium) + Orumwu, Orumu 148 Pachylobus edulis, Dacrodes edulis (Burseraceae) tree native pear + Orunwun-eze, Orumwun-egbo 148 Pachylobus barteri (Burseraceae) tree River pear + Orunwun-unkhiokhio 148 Dacryodes sp (Burseraceae) tree Another sort of pear. + + 17 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) FRUITS Species (Family) Edo name Habit Page No. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Otien 150 Chrysophyllum albidum (Sapotaceae) tree *Oviakhe 153 Sarcocephalus esculentus (Rubiaceae) tree A timber tree. Though a deciduous tree, it is never quite leafless. + _ Uhoro, Uhoro-ebo 200 Carica papaya (Caricaceae) tree European pawpaw + *Ukpe nekhwi 204 Phialodiscus unijugatus (Blighia unijugata) (Sapindaceae) tree "Black ukpe", used as firewood only. _ *Ukpe nofua 204 Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) tree "White ukpe", used as firewood only. _ _ _ *Ukputu 205 Bosquiea angolensis (Moraceae) tree Its latex looks like blood; "doctors" rub their ekhwae charm with it in order to make it unbreakable, because the latex gums it together; the leaf is greatly liked by goats, but it intoxicates them and kills them if eaten in large quantities. It is used to treat diarrhea and menorrhagia.1 *Utantan 211 Lecaniodiscus cupanioides (Sapindaceae) tree Used for firewood only. FUEL PLANTS Species (Family) Habit 99 Maba chrysantha, Diospyros atropurpurea (Ebenaceae) tree *Odonowae 134 Rhizophora racemosa (Rhizophoraceae) tree *Ohaha *Unwarhiontengbo, Uweriotegbo, Asuen 140 Macaranga barteri (Euphorbiaceae) Grewia coriaceae (MalvaceaeTilioideae) Edo name Page No. Isan-ahiamwe, Isahiame 208 Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA "faeces of bird" tree "The male mangrove". The wood is strong. A sort of potash (stronger than Ikaun) is obtained from the wood of mangrove by cooking it and leaving the water to evaporate on the fire; used to thicken soups like Owo; also used in the preparation of medicines. Used for firewood only. It is used for fire wood.3 + tree "Bush Glyphaea" same as Asuen. Used to flog witches before confession. _ _ 18 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) MEDICINAL PLANTS Species (Family) Edo name Page No. Aghakoeze 4 Isolona campanulata (Annonaceae) *Akata 6 Rauvolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) *Akhwae 15 Akhwekhwe 15, 137 Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Similar to Aghako (Xylopia villosa), its hard wood is also used for cross planks in ceiling4 _ tree Provides firewood4. The root is an aphrodisiac, Leave juice used for treating skin diseases. It is also used as a purgative1 + ?Caesalpina bonduc (Caesalpina crista) (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) vine A creeper, the fruit is used in playing marbles4. Irvingia grandifolia (Klainedoxa grandifolia) (Irvingiaceae) tree A tree, the fruits of which are used in the Oronmila divination or Omonigbon (Akpekpe in Yoruba). A substitute for Ogwega (Detarium senegalensis) 4 Akosa 7 Tetrastemma diocium (Uvariopsis dioca) (Annonaceae) tree Akuobisi 7 Okoubaka aubrevillei (Santalaceae) tree A big and highly feared juju tree, reputed for killing all the trees surrounding it; just as Barteria spp4. ?Motandra guineensis (Apocynaceae) liane A creeper that has a tendency to coil. Sacred to the Ovia god. Members perform masquerade dances imitating the twisting of the creeper Aleke4 Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) tree Leaves used as sandpaper4. Used for cleaning new calabashes/ native pots.3 It is used to treat stomach ulcers.2 Fern allies "the small fern" used for closing both ends of present parcels to the Oba. It is also tied (in bunches) to Ome, the palm leaf fringes at every juju shrine; it is an auspicious plant, and without it as a sign of friendship, the juju will not accept any sacrifice; its seeds is difficult to be seen, and therefore it bring prosperity in life to the man who sees it; it is as much worth as Osumare, the fruits of Uruhe (Pterocarpus mildbraedii) and the placenta of cow4. Aleke *Amama, Ameme, Amienmien 8, 170 9 Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Ebahenegieghe 26 ?Selaginella myosurus (Selaginellaceae) *Ebahanhi 26 Piper umbellatum (Pothomorphe umbellata) (Piperaceae) *Ebegogo, Ebogogo 27 *Ebi-gho edore, Ebegho 27 shrub Fruit used as medicine against dysentery; leaf used as substitute for toilet paper4. Used for preparing pepper soup.2 Carapa procera (Meliaceae) tree Leaves used to cover the ridge of thatched roofs, tied to Ekwe (palm branches) that are woven together4. Used as a purgative and also to treat numerous skin diseases.1 Used for roofing purposes.3 Ageratum conyzoides herb A small herb, name literally means "leaf of the money the Binis are + + 19 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) MEDICINAL PLANTS Edo name Page No. edore Species (Family) Habit (Asteraceae) Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA eating". It has white "cotton"-tuft at its top. It is used in the following symbolic way: if somebody comes with a request to an influential clerk or a man in an important position, he will show this leaf as a veild question for a bribe or a present, hence the name4. The leaf is applied to cuts and bruises.3 Ehienedo 52, 138 Aframomum melegueta (Zingiberaceae) herb Native or Benin pepper4 *Ehien-egbo, Ekinegbo 52 Lonchocarpus griffonianus (Millettia griffoniana) (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) tree "Pepper of forest". A tree, used for building Okhogbo (farm hut made with sticks and thatched with palm leaves) 4. 33 Omphalocarpum procerum (Sapotaceae) tree Husks of its seeds, put on a string are wrapped in bamboo (raffia) leaves are worn around the feet as rattle. A dance performed after the Oba‟s coronation at which the ekasa rattles are worn. Used as ankle rattles by women when dancing.3 *Ekpekukpeku 35 Pierreodendron africanum (Simaroubaceae) shrub The fruit is used as poison for rats; it is reputed to drive them mad; but if the onlooker laughs, the "power of the medicine" weakens such that the rat will not die; also called "Ekpekukpeku-nogbofen" i.e. ekpekukpeku which kills rats4. It is used to poison rat.2 + *Enwamwi-erimwi 38 Dracaena lassima (Asparagaceae) tree The name means "palm-branch of Erinmwi" Leaves are like palmleaves; when cooked, they are used as medicine against gonorrhoea4. + Erhenrhan, Erhannigbonyakehi 39 Erythrina senegalensis (Fabaceae-Papilionaceae) tree Tree of fire; practice of felling a tree by putting fire to it 4. *Erhunrhumwekita, Erhurhumwesi 55 Amphimas pterocarpioides (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) tree The name means "dog's tail", "tail of pig" Its wood is durable, used for poles supporting the ceiling in native houses4. Esikpogho 102 ?Byrsocarpus coccineus (Connaraceae) Ewai 56 Cola verticilata (Malvaceae-Sterculioideae) *Ibu, Ibunowae, Ibunamwe 80 Conopharyngia pachysiphon, C. penduliflora (Tabernaemontana pachysiphon) *Ekasa shrub + A shrub, only a few centimeters high and yields much fruits4. tree Bark and fruit used for medical purposes. Ibunowae = "male ibu", (the fruit is a little smaller than a tennis ball; has watery latex); Ibunamwe = "female ibu" (fruit is a little smaller than a football; has milky latex) + 20 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) MEDICINAL PLANTS Edo name Page No. Species (Family) Habit 4 (Apocynaceae) *Idanwesin 80 Bryophyllum pinnatum (Crassulaceae) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA herb A kind of "grass", used by women as a medicine for securing easy delivery4. Used medicinally.3 It is used to treat cough.2 + + *Ighimiakhia, Eseghasagh 41, 85 Tetrapleura tetraptera (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree A gum tree4. The name tree name Ighimiakhia means "I shall not see mourning". It bears three-cornered pods which are used as medicine against cough. A widow or widower must hold a pod of this tree to which a miniature bow and arrow as well as the grass "Aya" are tied. Where ever she goes whether in the house or backyard (toilet), because these things are taboo for dead people and would prevent the spirit of the dead from approaching her (in dreams or visions) and thus possible causing her illness. The "not" in the name is perhaps a euphemism due to the fear of pronouncing a sentence with sinister meaning4. *Igiedudu 82 Diospyros piscatorius (Ebenaceae) tree The ashes of the wood are used as ingredients in "Evarie" or native butter4. 96 Erythrophleum micranthum (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) tree Bark used in the (sasswood) ordeal for witches, as medicine for healing wounds and tied over house doors in order to prevent witches from entering. Inyi is taboo for witches. Occurs in Igboland as well 4. General protection from witches and wizards.2 + *Iri-erimwin 96 ?Ancistrocladus abbreviates/ ?Hugonia platysepala liane Creeper of the underworld. Any creeper in the bush that has made a natural knot (which is rather rare). It is used as medicinal plants for "tying people" e.g. for making women stay with their husbands. Used for tying husbands and wives together.2 + Likiba, nikiba 120 Coryantha pachyceras (Rubiaceae) tree Obanabe 156 Sphenocentrum jollyanum (Menispermaceae) shrub Its straight roots go so deep into the earth that nobody is believed to be able to find its end4. Ogbigbo (Yoruba?) 211` ?Hypoestes forskaolii (syn. Hypoëstes verticillaris) (Acanthaceae) herb leaf used in making a black coloured border (Usie) on lower part of walls in Bini houses Ogikhimwi, Ogikhimi 136 Kigelia africana (Bignoniaceae) tree Ogwi, Ogui 138 Irvingia gabonensis tree *Inyi, Iyin mango tree and fruit4 21 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) MEDICINAL PLANTS Edo name Page No. Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA (Irvingiaceae) Okhwaba, Okhuaba 155 Homalium macroptera (Homalium longistylum) (Flacourtiaceae) tree bark used for soup for women after delivery4; Used for roofing.2 + *Olika-nerhan 143 Euadenia trifoliata (Capparaceae) tree Its bark and roots when ground and applied to the skin cures era (ganglion)4 + *Olika-niri 143 Ritchiea capparoides (Capparaceae) vine A creeper, its roots are used in curing a disease called "black tongue" + Orimwighughu 148 Anthocleista vogelii (Loganiaceae) tree A tree with very big leaves4. *Oriwoeni 147 Gymnanthemum conferta (Vernonia conferta) (Asteraceae) tree bark used in the preparation of soup4; used to treat fever, extract ring worms and also as a vermifuge.1 *Oruruebo 148 Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) 150, 198 Kigelia africana (Bignoniaceae) tree Ovin-edun 170 Garcina polyantha (Garcina smeathmannii) (Clusiaceae) tree Ovin-inyi, Oviyin 170 Erythrophleum guineense, E. micrantha (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree Ububan 194 Vitex rivularies (Lamiaceae) tree *Ugbodokosa 198 Randia cladantha (Aoranthe cladantha) (Rubiaceae) tree The name literally means "bone of chimpanzee", probably so-called because it is strong and durable4. Sometimes used for wrapping kola nuts.3 Stem bark is cooked with antelope‟s bones and meat for 14 days and given to a pregnant woman to strengthen the body and bones of the unborn baby.1 Ugbongbon 198 Kigelia africana (Bignoniaceae) tree Its bark falls off in patches4. *Ugu 197 Sacoglottis gabonensis tree Its bark is pounded and mixed with palm wine in order to make it red 4. *Osuonbon, Ugbongbon shrub A shrub used to demarcate boundaries Farmers obtain from it, a charm which promotes the growth of yams4. "slave of Inyi"4 22 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) MEDICINAL PLANTS Page No. Edo name Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA The Binis are reported to use the bark for making palm wine bitter.3 (Humiriaceae) Uguomaifian 197 Discoglypremna coloneura (Euphorbiaceae) tree Ukpakenka Ukpakon 204 Lonchocarpus griffonianus (Fabaceae-Faboideae) tree Unwonwe 208 Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) shrub Its leaves are used by Yoruba people as a wild purgative for children. + Urhuaro, Orho, Oro 168, 209 Hugonia platysepala (Linaceae) shrub Eye blinder; its latex can cause blindness if it toughes a man's eye. The name means "eye blinder" because its latex blinds a man, if it touches the eye. A cactus same as Oro. + 211 Tetrorchidium didynostemon (Euphorbiaceae) tree 212 Albizzia sassa, Albizzia adianthifolia (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree Uwowe-nolagbabo Page No. "to spread", "waving or spreading branches". Used for fire-wood only Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) ORNAMENTALS Edo name A tree with very soft wood; the name literally means "you do not help an old man to cut it down". Alele (=Allele) 8 Oncinotis gracilis (Apocynaceae) liana A creeper that can grow very long mostly used to tie yam. *Aza 16 Mussaenda elegans (Rubiaceae) vine A creeper; chewed by "doctor" to enable them tell the future. Ebahen 26 ?Nephrolepis biserrata (Nephrolepidaceae) fern *Ebakpa 27 Milletia thonningii (Fabaceae-Fabioideae) shrub The leaf is used against dysentery. *Egwa, Egua 49 Hippocratea africana (Hippocratea kennedyi) (Celastraceae) liana A creeper, used for tying yams in barns and rafters. Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA _ 23 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) ORNAMENTALS Edo name Page No. Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Ekiawa, Ekhiawa 34 Callichilia stenosepala (Hedranthera sp; Angylocalyx sp) (Apocynaceae) shrub Shrub with short fruits _ Ekiawa, Ekhiawa 34 Erythrina senegalensis (Fabaceae - Faboideae) shrub Shrubs with long fruits and dark stem. _ *Igwewe 83 Palisota hirsuta, P. ambigua (Commelinaceae) herb "Goat‟s knee"; its leaves are used to smoothen newly made clay pots. + *Obadan 156 Ficus vogellii (Moraceae) tree Often occurs [parasitically] on other trees. The fruit is fed on by birds. _ Oho 140 Ficus mucoso (Moraceae) tree Ukpakenka 28 Hymenostygia afzelia (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree Urighon 209 Cordia aurantiaca (Boraginaceae) tree SPICES & CONDIMENTS Edo name Species (Family) Habit Page No. _ Its fruits contain gum. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) _ Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Ako 6 Dennettia tripetala (Annonaceae) tree Its fruit is hot like pepper. + Akpoko 8 Capsicum frutescens (Solanaceae) herb Smallest size of pepper; hottest sort; supposed to spring up from excrement of Asese bird. + Ebenoyoba, Oruebebe, Ebenagbengbe 27 Monodora myristica (Annonaceae) tree Same as Ikposa. The name means "leaf that pleases the Oba"; it is said that somebody once showed its leaf to the Oba and that the Oba was pleased with it and gave the man a wife and a servant. The flower is called Iyoha. Thaumatococcus daniellii (Marantaceae) herb An inferior sort of Eb-eni used for parceling foodstuff. The fruits called Asoso are found at the base of the plant and very sweet. Ebi-eba, Asoso 12, 27 _ 24 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) SPICES & CONDIMENTS Edo name Species (Family) Habit Page No. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Ehien 52 Capsicum sp (Solanaceae) herb Ehien nekhwa, Ikpobhoukho 52 Capsicum annum (Solanaceae) herb Big pepper + 52, 93 Capsicum annum (Solanaceae) herb The name refers to "seed or faeces of he-goat". A kind of pepper, the grains (fruits) are said to reach the size of tomatoes, not as hot as Akpoko and Ehienekha. + tree It is believed to be the oldest tree in the world; planted as Inyaton at every newly founded village or camp (agor); used in the composition of the shrines of the gods (but not the Erha and Iye shrines); the flower at bloom is called Iyoha. The seed is used as an ingredient of pepper soup, to "open the appetite" during the new yam season (new yam is likely to upset the digestion and cause "Emwirara") + + + Ikpo-bhukho + 27, 94 Monodora brevipes (Annonaceae) *Unien, Ovinunie, Aghako 207 Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) shrub The fruit is an ingredient in pepper soup; it is also called Unie which is drunk by women after delivery and also by sick people; the soup is not cooked with oil. Binis use the timber to make axe handles and the crushed fruits for anointing their body.3 It can be used to treat cough, fever and rheumatism1 Unyeghen, Uyeghen 208 Monodora cornifolia (Monodora tenufolia) (Annonaceae) tree A tree *Ikposa, Ukposa STIMULANTS Edo name Species (Family) Habit Tricalysia africana (Tricalysia biafrana?) (Rubiaceae) shrub Nicotina tabacum (Solanaceae) herb Page No. Akpano 8 Ebi-taba 102 Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA A tree; Its branch are linked to the stem by joint. + 25 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) STIMULANTS Species (Family) Edo name Habit Page No. *Edu, Edun 49 Garcinia kola (Clusiaceae) Egbogho 31 Nicotina rustica (Solanaceae) Evbe 56 Cola acuminata, C. verticillata (Malvaceae-Sterculioideae) tree Cola nitida (Malvaceae-Sterculioideae) tree Evbegabari, Igbanja, EveIgabari 56, 84 tree shrub TIMBERS Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Edible with round, not oval pods. It is sacrificed to Sango (the Yoruba god of thunder). + Native tobacco, much planted on farms. + + A kind of cola with broad leaves; introduced by the Hausa people (the letter "j" in Igbanja is indicative of foreign origin. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) + Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Edo name Page No. *Abokpo 2 Diospyros crassiflora (Ebenaceae) tree Used in building houses (Timbers), Timber of the young poles is used for crossbows.3 + *Agba 3 Grossweilerodendron balsamiferum (Fabacea-Mimosoideae) tree Used in building doors. + *Aghako 4 Xylopia villosa (Annonaceae) tree Its hard wood is used for cross planks in ceiling (Timbers) + Aghanokpe 4 Mamusops djave (Tieghienella heckelii) (Sapotaceae) tree *Akehien 7 Albizzia sp (Fabacea-Mimosoideae) tree "Tooth of pepper" used for roofing Okhogbo (farm house). + *Akensi 7 Hylodendron gabunense (FabaceaeCaesalpinioideae) tree The name "Akensi" means "pigs tooth", because it is a strong wood; it is used as beams for supporting ceiling and as verandah-posts. Used for building houses. Used for building houses.3 The roots are used for fertility, also as an ashe (medicine) for protection.2 + *Akume 7 Pterocarpus soyauxii (Fabaceae-Fabioideae) tree Used in bulding door-frames (Egbaha); the tree contains camwood, but not a very good one; it is used for dyeing purposes. A dye is gotten from chips of heart wood.3 A dye is gotten from chips of heart wood.3 + 26 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) ?Motandra guineensis (Apocynaceae) liane A “creeper”? has a tendency to coil. Sacred to the Ovia god. Members of the Ovia cult perform masquerade dances imitating the twisting of the creeper Aleke [this vine probably grows on or near the tree Guibourtia ehie] TIMBERS Edo name Aleke Page No. 8, 170 Species (Family) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Anyaerhan, Anyan 9 Distemonanthus benthamianus (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) tree literally means "owner of trees or wood" the reason for this name is not clear. (see "Erhannobayakpotihiedore") + Apopo 10 Lovoa trichilioides (Lovoa klaineana) (Meliaceae) tree Used for timber. + Arinya 12 Afzelia africana, A. bella and A. bipidensis (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree 12 Phyllanthus discoideus (Margaritaria discoidea) (Phyllantaceae) It takes its name meas "the one with nuts" from the nut-like, round knolls in its wood which makes it difficult to cut. It is similar to Akensi (Hylodendron gabunense), though not as durable; the wood is used to make poles supporting the ceiling in native houses. Used for making mortars.3 + 13 Carpolobia lutea (Polygalaceae) Its wood is used to make "akpata", the native harp. Stem reported to be used as chewing stick and twigs eaten for stomach pains1. Root is used as an aphrodisiac and also used for making chewing sticks. 2Branches are used for brooms, the root is said to be aphrodisiac.3 + Its wood is strong and durable, used as poles for supporting ceilings of native houses, and for making mortars, pestles, and hoe-handles. Its charcoal is likewise very durable and useful to smiths. Because of these many uses, the tree has the praise name "Erhan-nomigho" (the tree that engenders money). Best quality charcoal is obtained from it.3 + A timber tree; leaves are red at first, and become green later on. + *Asivin *Asuen, Aswen tree shrub 16 Pachystela micrantha (Synsepalum afzelii) (Sapotaceae) tree Dabadogan, Dabadogun 23 Parinari robusta (Maranthes robusta) (Chrysobalanaceae) tree Eba 26 Lophira procera (Ochnaceae) Ebe aghadeha 26 Allophyllus africanus (Sapindaceae) *Eben 47 Mitragyna macrophylla (Mitragyna stipulosa) (Rubiaceae) tree Found near water, planks are used to build ceilings. Ede 28 Aviciennia germinans (Acanthaceae) tree A strong creeper consisting of many threads *Azimomo tree shrub A shrub with three pointed leaf. + 27 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) TIMBERS Edo name *Eghoen, Egoyn Page No. Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) 51 Terminalia superba (Combretaceae) tree Used for firewood only. Eghogho okpeghede 31 Duboscia viridiflora (Meliaceae) tree Used as firewood only. Eghonebi, Egoyn nebi 51 Terminalia ivorensis (Combretaceae) tree Dark Eghoen *Ekhimwi 57 Piptadenia africana (Piptadeniastrum africana) (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree The fruit is belt-shaped, used by boys in play. Used medicinally for "Oviyabe". Roots can be used as an aphrodisiac and the tree is used for roofing.2 *Ekpaghudo 35 Albizzia zygia (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree The leaves are used for soup, the wood as firewood. Used for doorpost.3 For making pepper soup.2 53 Berlinia heudelotiana, Berlina auriculata (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) tree The bark is for medicinal purposes, but if not well prepared, it is a deadly poison. It was used in the Oba‟s ordeal, mixed with sasswood (inyi = Erythrophloem macranthum). The name corresponds to Berlina auriculata on the Forestry Department list. Berlinia bracteosa (Fabaceae-Caesalpiniodeae) tree tree *Ekpoghoe Ekpoghoei Ekpogho-eze 53 Macrolobium limba (Gilbertiodendron limba) (Fabaceae-Caesalpiniodeae) Ekuzo, Ekuso 34 Ongokea klaineana (Ongokea gore) (Olacaceae) Erhannobayakpotihi edore, Eranbapotienedo 39 Distemonanthus benthamianus (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) *Erhenbavbogo 40 Enantia affinis, E. chlorantha (Annonaceae) Erhukoko, Okoko 39 Sterculia oblonga (Malvaceae-Sterculiaceae) *Ewai 57 Polyalthia suaveoleus (Annonaceae) shrub "Antelop or duiker's bean cake" Eka (bean cake), Antelop (Uzo) is said to eat the fruit (Dalziel, 1937) tree "the tree which the Oba took to take away leprosy away fron Benin" same as Anyaerhan (Distemonanthus benthamianus) tree The name literally means "fire is flaming on an old farm"; the wood is yellow inside, a feature which probably explains the tree being called "fire"(but it is not clear why "on an old farm, probably for regrowth forest"). It's used for building purposes. Used for door and window frames and canoe seats.3 shrub tree Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA + A shrub (Pipe shrub) from which the tubes of long pipes are obtained. Used as firewood and for roofing houses. Used for house posts.3 28 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) TIMBERS Edo name Page No. Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA *Igedu 82 Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) tree Any timber tree. Wood is used for building.2 + *Igedu-noho 82 Entandrophragma septentrionale, E. macrophylum, E. rederii (Meliaceae) tree A big timber tree. + Itue 103 Harungana madagascariensis (Clusiaceae) tree This tree is said to be common on old farms (i.e. spots where there was once a farm: Ogo); contains red latex. *Izeni, Izokhaen 108 Allanblackia floribunda (Clusiaceae) tree "Elephant rice" The fruit is long and similar to a cucumber; eaten by porcumpines ("Izokhaene or porcupine ize") which therefore can be killed near these trees at night. The wood is used as firewood only. Roots, stems and leaves are effective for the treatment of headache and malaria.1 *Likiba, Nikiba 120 Pausinystalia johimbe, Pausinystalia talbotii, Pausinystalia brachthyrus, Pausinystalia macroceras (Rubiaceae) tree Woods used for planks and house building. Used for paddles.3 + *Oberhekoko 157 Parkia bicolor (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree A timber tree. + Obhiakhe, Obiache 104 Nauclea diderrchiii (Rubiaceae) tree Evergreen tree *Obobo nekhwi 133 Guarea thompsonii (Meliaceae) tree For making doors.2 *Obobo nofua 133 Guarea kennedyi (Meliaceae) tree Odo, Odo ninia 134 Afzelia bipindensis (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree “root of the mangrove” from its many long roots Ogemwe, Ogeime 161 Barteria nigritiana, B. fistulosa (Passifloraceae) tree grows very high, killing all the surrounding trees, like Akuobisi. *Oghaba, Ogaba 139 Macrolobium macrophyllum (Anthonatha macrophylla) (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree The bark (or the juice) is used as "medicine" to throw intended evil back on the originator. Oghohan, Ogohen 139 Musanga smithii (Urticaceae-Cecropiaceae) tree Oghoye Oghoyeneguaebo 139 Parinarium glabrum (Parinari glabra = Maranthes glabra) (Chrysobalanaceae) tree Crooked tree, put in front of shrines of gods. It is considered to be a porter (cripple, Uke) to the shrine. It is called Oghoye negua-ebo "cripple wood of the gods eguae" since it has the power to obstruct prayers, it is given a slice 29 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) TIMBERS Edo name Page No. Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA of kola before a prayer and a share of a sacrifice. Ogi-ekpoghoe 135 Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) tree A tree bigger than Akpoghoe (Ekpogho, Berlinia sp) perhaps identical with Uvi n-esan (Entandrophragma cylindricum) *Ogiovu 136 Antiaris africana (Antiaris toxicora) (Moraceae) tree The bark is used in making a kind of leather bag (Ekpoki). It is taken as a purgative and can cure rheumatism.1 Kennedy reported that a coarse cloth is woven from the bark and used by hunters.3 *Oguangho, Ogwango 137 Khaya ivorensis (Meliaceae) tree A timber tree. It (infusion of bark) is used to cleanse the body system.2 *Ogwaga, Erhogwega 137 Detarium senegalense (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree The seed is broken into two parts and put on strings (four halves on each string) as an instrument for divining. The shell of the nut is used for making prayerbeads and strung on a wire (Unwin, 1920) *Ogweg-odin, Oguegodin 137 Klainedoxia gabonensis (Irvingiaceae) Ohia 140 Celtis soyauxii, (Celtis zenkeri) (Ulmaceae) + The name means "deaf Ogwega". Its fruit is used as a substitute for Ogwega proper, though it is not believed to be as useful for the oracle. The Binis have no use for it.3 tree *Ohiomwe 140 Dialium guineense (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree Used for firewood only4; it is a good fuel plant and sometimes used for house posts.3 The twigs serves as a good chewing stick and extracts from the leaves and stembark is said to be an antibiotic.1 Ohun 140 Hexalobus monopetalus (Annonaceae) tree Very straight and smooth; wood used in roofing, as rafter and poles. + 4 *Okan 141 Cylicodiscus gabunensis (FabaceaeMimosoideae) tree Okhuen 155 Ricinodendron africanum (Euphorbiaceae) tree Okhwen, Okuen 172 Brachystegia eurycoma (FabaceaeCaesalpinoideae) tree Oko, Okor 142 Fagara kennedyi (Fagara melanorhachis) (Rutaceae) tree *Okpagha 143 Pentaclethra macrophylla (FabaceaeMimosoideae) tree Bark use as medicine against abscess. ; also used for general construction works.3 and used spiritually for protection.2 _ A very hardy wood like Okhikhan (Spondias mombin); listed as Okwen in the Forestry Department list. Mortars are made out of the wood4; a native soap is prepared from the ashes of the burnt wood.3; a strong wood used for protection.2 + 30 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) TIMBERS Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Edo name Page No. Okpagha-eze 143 Calpocalyx brevibractcatus (FabaceaeMimosoideae) tree Okwekwe 142 Markhamia lutea (Bignoniaceae) tree *Oma, Omah 144 Cordia millenii (Boraginaceae) tree Wood used for planks4; used for making drums and household utensils such as stool and bowls.3 Onye 167 Uapaca heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae) tree Its root stand out of the ground "like a gripping hand" Orinrin, Oriri 148 Vitex cienkowskii (Vitex doniana) (Vitex grandifolia) (Lamiaceae) tree A creeper similar to Talinium triangulare (Ebedondon) probably Vitex cienkowskii Ovalo, Ogi-ovalo 152 Trichilia heudelotti (Meliaceae) tree *Ovekhe, Obeche 152 Triplochiton scleroxylon (Malvaceae) tree Ovinoka 170 Fillaeopsis discophora (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree Ovinunnie, Ovunion, Aghako 170 Xylopia quintasii (Annonaceae) tree "slave Unie" Owegbe 171 Lophira alata (Ochnaceae) tree A tree found in grassy plains (ato). It has leathery leaves. Owewe 154 Combretodendron africanum (Lecythidaceae) tree *Owi 154 Buchholzia coriacea (Capparaceae) tree Its fruit is eatable (edible) looks like cooked liver. Seeds are edible.3 *Oziya 156 Daniellia thurifera (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree Exudes a gum that is used as candel mainly by hunters on their travel; when heated, it is adhesive. Ubanenze 194 Ochrocarpus africanus (Clusiaceae) tree Ubelu 194 Strombosia pustulata (Olacaceae) tree *Udegwogho 195 Swartzia fistuloides (Bobgunnia fistuloides) (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree Ugangan, Ogangan 196 Bridelia micrantha (Euphorbiaceae) tree *Ugbezaro 198 Antrocaryon micraster (Anacardiaceae) tree The fruit, called "gbeezaro" has a shell covered with many cavities. The shells are put over objects in order to keep thieves away from them. Ugwekpokin 197 Hannoa klaineana (Simaroubaceae) tree "cover of leather box" Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA "river Okphagha" grows quickly; its light wood is used for (as) packing case and ceiling board "obeke" "White wood" + + Produces a seed which is used as soap by poor people. 31 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) TIMBERS Species (Family) Habit Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Edo name Page No. *Ukhankhan, Okankan 213 Fagara macrophylla, Fagara xantholoides, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Rutaceae) tree The juice from its stem is put on loose teeth to fix them. Used for door frames.3 *Ukhu 213 Alstonia congensis (Apocynaceae) tree Its bitter bark is prepared with cold water as medicine against certain fever. It is a remedy for rheumatism and malaria also applied spiritually to wardoff evil spirits.1 Used for making household utensils and drums.3 *Ukhurhoho 213 Detarium senegalense (Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae) tree A kind of tree, its branches has joints and fall off when old; its leaves resemble those of the gum tree. The branches form the most essential part of an ancestral shrine because those branches are believed to ensure communication with the spirits of the dead ("to speak to and to hear them"). The branch of Ukhurhoho is found on the shrine of the Ihen who were believed to be once humans (i.e. not that of Olokun) It is also found under some Inyaton (i.e. trees where Otoe, the ground god is worshipped. *Uloko 206 Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) tree Gives good timber. It is said to produce the tsetse fly. Used for construction works of all kinds.3 Umaza 206 Staudtia stipitata (Staudtia kamerunensis) (Myristicaceae) tree *Ume 206 Pterocarpus osun (Fabaceae-Faboideae)) tree A red dye is obtained from it which is used for dyeing mats and by women to paint their faces (as a sign for the gods Okhwahe and Ake) *Ubvinesan, Ubilesan 212 Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) tree The name means "the girl of Esan or Ishan" - a timber tree, very tall, straight and smooth; otherwise the word is rarely used in that sense, and when standing above it, mostly means daughter of the royal house of Benin and the Ezomo family. *Uwowanugu, Uwewe lugu 212 Albizzia ferruginea (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree Used as fire-wood only. Used for treating constipation and dysentery1. It can be cut into planks and sometimes used for canoes3. *Uwowe-nabafan 212 Albizzia sassa (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree Used as fire-wood only, glows faintly. *Uwowe-nolagbabo 212 Albizzia adianthifolia (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree Used as fire wood only. *Uwowe-nolemare 212 Albizzia zygia (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) tree "that cooks fufu and eats" used for fire-wood only Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA + + 32 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) VEGETABLE OILS Species (Family) Edo name Habit Page No. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Edueni 49 Pentadesma butyracea (Clusiaceae) tree Otien ogi-orion, Otienware 150 Ochrocarpus africanus (Clusiaceae) tree Was not known as a special tree Otienma 150 Panda oleosa (Pandaceae) tree "monkey otien" *Udin 195 Elaesis guineensis (Arecaceae) tree Palm tree. A drink is obtained from the oil palm. + Ugbore 198 Vitellaria paradoxa (syn. Butyrospermum paradoxum) (Sapotaceae) tree Source of shea butter, obtained from Hausa people. + Umonkhan, Umoghan 207 Pycnanthus kombo (Myristicaceae) tree Referred to as Umoghan on Forestry Department list. + VEGETABLES Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA Species (Family) Habit 8 Allium cepa (Amaryllidaceae) herb Ebahenoginonba 26 ?Pteridium aquilinum (Dennstaedtiaceae) fern A "useless" large fern said to be of no known use. *Ebe-afo 27 Dissotis rotundifolia (Heterotis rotundifolia) (Melastomataceae) Herb An afo (leaf) used for making soup (unwomwe) and for purposes of purification. Used for purification and also to treat epilepsy.2 + *Ebubule 28 Crassocephalum crepidoides (Asteraceae) Herb An herb used as an ingredient for soup by the Akure people; it is said to be able to cure Elapurhu (fugitive swellings). + *Ebedondon, Ebe-unwomwe 27, 148 Talinum triangulare (Portulacaceae) Herb A small plant used in preparing soup with taste similar to that of ocro-soup. A substitute for lettuce.3 It is used as a purgative when taken in large quantities.1 + *Eb-isungu 27 Mormodica charantia (Curcubitaceae) Herb Leaf of vulture's faeces", mixed with charcoal and used for rubbing (painting) on house walls; gives wall a black colour. Its name probably comes from some similarity of its quickly Edo name Page No. Alubarha 33 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) VEGETABLES Species (Family) Edo name Habit Page No. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA growing patches (similar) with the splashed faeces of vultures. Used to treat stomach pain.2 *Eb-itete 27, 208 Amaranthus viridis (Amarantaceae) herb An afo (leaf) used for making soup (unwomwe). Eaten as spinach.3 + Emotan 37 Pterocarpus mildbraedii (FabaceaeFaboideae) tree An Uruhe tree (Pterocarpus mildbraedii), it used to stand at Ekioba, in Benin City which is the seat of a god (?) that is worshipped. The Oba makes sacrifices to it, and any burial must pass under it. Cowries and chalk are then thrown to it as a sign of notice to the tree or the power manifested by it. A statue of Emotan currently occupies that spot today. Emunomuerhan 54 Begonia manii (Begoniaceae) shrub A creeper found on trees; its name literally means "catcher who catches trees". Enwinwa 54 Lannea welwitschii (Anacardiaceae) tree *Ihieghe 88 Myrianthus arboreus (Urticaceae) tree The tips of the leaves are used as ingredients of a soup. It is used for cooking soup and the bark is used for spiritual protection.2 *Ihion 88 Luffa aegyptiaca (Cucurbitaceae) herb Loofah, used as a sponge. *Ihunhun 88 Typha domingensis (Typhaceae) grass A reed which together with Lemna (Iramwinran) form the "sudd" in the creek areas. Ikhiabho, Ikhiabho-ebhu, Ebe-dondon 27, 105 Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae) shrub the best species is Ikhiabho-ebhu or "mist ocro" i.e. ocro (Okra) planted during the time mist falls (from September February), probably of foreign origin + Ikpogi 92 Citrullus vulgaris (Citrullus lanatus) (Curcubitaceae) herb Fruit of a certain creeper; it is shaped like a ball and contains grains that are used in making Ebhorie "native butter" or Unwomwe (soup). There are two sorts of Ikpogi: Onakhuen and Iseghegwe. + Iseghegwe 100 Citrullus vulgaris (Cucurbitaceae) Herb A kind of Ikpogi (Citrullus?). The fruit is dark green, not a climbing plant. Itehie 102 Solanum anomalum (Solanaceae) shrub A very small kind of tomato, said to taste bitter and believed to originate from the faeces of the bird Asese + Kokomeme 113 Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae) herb *Ogi 135 Citrullus lanatus (Cucurbitaceae) Herb A creeper; the seeds are used as ingredients for native butter + + 34 Nigerian Field 84: xx-xxx (2018) VEGETABLES Species (Family) Edo name Habit Page No. Melzian‟s Narratives on Edo Ethnobotany (with supplementary remarks from: 1Ehigiamusoe (2013), 2 Oral interviews from Herbalists, 3Kennedy (1936) Congruency in Plant Use Bini (Melzian) vs. PROTA (Ewarie). Omwe, Ovben 153 Combretum platypterum (Combretaceae) liana small tree Orherhe 168 Amaranthus viridis (Amarantaceae) herb A kind of bean. + 147 Gymnanthemum amygdalina (Vernonia amygdalina) (Asteraceae) shrub Leaf used in making Unwonmwe soup. + tree An example of it is found near Ekioba (central market of Benin City), where it is given sacrifices under the name of Emotan. It used to stand in front of the C.M.S bookshop, opposite the entrance of the market. An Emotan statue now stands on this spot, which continues to be revered and worshipped. *Oriwo Uruhe 210 Pterocarpus mildbraedii (FabaceaeFaboideae) 35

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EXTRACTS FROM MELZIAN'S BINI DICTIONARY II: CATALOGUE OF NARRATIVES AND ANNOTATIONS ON BINI ETHNOBOTANY USING AFRICA- WIDE (PROTA) CRITERIA

EXTRACTS FROM MELZIAN'S BINI DICTIONARY II: CATALOGUE OF NARRATIVES AND ANNOTATIONS ON BINI ETHNOBOTANY USING AFRICA- WIDE (PROTA) CRITERIA

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