Knowledge Tree
southern Yemen
Facts (11)
Sources
Assessment of the nutritional value of a wild edible plant Scorzonera ... discovery.researcher.life Dec 1, 2025 10 facts
measurementOf the 58 wild edible plants identified in southern Yemen, 12 are new species eaten only in southern Yemen, while 46 species are also used in other countries, particularly in East Africa and Arab countries.
measurementIn southern Yemen, the Apocynaceae family is the dominant plant family for wild edible plants with 18 species, followed by Asteraceae with 6 species and Malvaceae with 5 species.
measurementHerbs are the most important source of wild edible plants in southern Yemen (31 species), followed by shrubs (16 species) and trees (9 species).
claimThe traditional use of wild edible plants in southern Yemen is attributed to food shortages, nutritional values, and local cultural traditions.
procedureThe ethnobotanical survey in southern Yemen was based on two field surveys conducted between 1988–1992 and 2014–2016, involving oral face-to-face interviews with 250 informants across 23 districts in five governorates.
measurementMost wild edible plants in southern Yemen (48 species) are consumed in raw form, while only 12 species are cooked.
measurementThe most widely used edible parts of wild plants in southern Yemen are the stem, leaf, and fruit, with more than 17 species utilized for each part.
measurementA total of 58 plant species, belonging to 37 genera and 21 families, are consumed as wild edible plants in southern Yemen.
measurementRegarding seasonal availability in southern Yemen, 7 wild edible plant species are collected in the dry season, 16 species are available throughout the year, and 38 species are collected in the rainy season.
claimThe study conducted in southern Yemen is the first ethnobotanical survey on wild edible plants (WEPs) in that region, as previous traditional knowledge was undocumented.
Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Shabelle Zone, Eastern ... link.springer.com Feb 5, 2026 1 fact
referenceAl-Fatimi M. documented wild edible plants traditionally collected and used in Southern Yemen in a 2021 study published in the Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.