Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Edited by
The contents of this handbook may be reproduced without special permission. However, acknowledgement
of the source is requested. The photographers and artists concerned must be contacted for reproduction of
illustrations. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the views of World Agroforestry Centre.
This publication was funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) as part
of the RELMA in ICRAF Project.
PART I Introduction
Introduction...........................................................................................................2
International efforts to document the This book is intended for use by staff involved
rich flora of Ethiopia began in earnest in in agricultural extension at all levels and in
1986 with the Ethiopian Flora Project of the educational system, both in specialist
the Ethiopian Government through the training of foresters and agriculturalists as
Addis Ababa University and the Swedish well as in high schools and teacher training
Government through the Swedish Agency colleges.
for Research Cooperation with Developing
Countries (SAREC). It is our hope that the book will be widely
used — both in the extension services and
This book is the second edition of an earlier education — in Ethiopia to encourage
book (1993), also led by Dr. Azene Bekele- present and future generation to appreciate
Tesemma and his team. The main aim of this and keep alive the great botanical heritage
extensively revised book is to benefit the rural of Ethiopia.
people of Ethiopia by encouraging them
to grow more trees and shrubs for various
reasons, including income generation,
timber, medicines, soil fertility, honey
Professor Chin Ong
production, biodiversity and watershed
RELMA manager, ICRAF
protection.
Introduction |
State University, Department of Agricultural provided some of the photographs and to
Communications (indicated by ‘O’ in the Dr. Tadesse Wolde Mariam Gole for the
credits for illustrations) for allowing us to use photograph of Aloe vera.
illustrations of Discopodium penninervum,
Erica arborea, Hypericum quartinianum, H. Dr. Mike Gilbert, Dr. J. B. Gillett and
revolutum, H. roeperianum, Maesa lanceolata, Dr. Mesfin Tadesse, the Ethiopia Liaison
Pittosporum viridiflorum, Rhoicissus Botanist of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
tridentata, Salix mucronata (S. subserrata), Kew, and Dr. Inga Hedberg of Uppsala gave
Schefflera abyssinica, Steganotaenia araliacea, invaluable help in resolving some taxonomic
Tamarix aphylla, and Woodfordia uniflora. problems in the first edition.
These drawings first appeared in Families of
I also would like to thank Professor Sebsibe
Flowering Plants in Ethiopia by W. C. Burger
Demisew and Dr. Ensermu Kelbesa of
(Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
the Addis Ababa University, who are the
Bulletin No. 45, O. S. U. Press, Stillwater,
technical editors of this revised edition,
Oklahoma 1967).
and to Mr. Bo Tengnäs, advisor in the first
Some of the drawings from Plants of Zanzibar edition and co-editor of the second version.
and Pemba by R. O. Williams (Z), and from Mr. Maundu also made significant editorial
Kenya Trees and Shrubs by I. R. Dale and P. contributions.
J. Greenway (D G) used in the first edition
The technical content of this book was
of also appear in this revised version. The
developed through numerous discussions
copyright for these illustrations still rests
with farmers, pastoralists and many
with the original publishers.
professionals in the field of multipurpose
Several original illustrations have been trees and shrubs in eastern Africa. Without
prepared for this version, many based on the contribution of local knowledge and
specimen from East African Herbarium in experience gained over the many years from
Nairobi. We acknowledge the assistance of rural communities, the content of this book
the head of the herbarium, Dr. Siro Masinde, would not be as extensive as it is.
and other staff, particularly Mr. Geoffrey
Finally, I would like to acknowledge that
Mwachala, Mr. Geoffrey Mungai, Mr. A.
no publication of this nature can be correct
F. Odhiambo and Ms. Brenda Nyaboke.
in every detail. The responsibility for any
We thank the herbarium for permission to
remaining errors or weaknesses rests entirely
photograph many of the dried specimens
with me. I request readers to make use of
that are used in this book. A few more were
the feedback form at the end of the book
photographed by Dr. Ensermu Kelbesa of
to correct any errors or to provide me with
Addis Ababa University Herbarium. We are
information on the content of this book.
grateful for the assistance.
Azene Bekele-Tesemma, PhD
Many thanks also go to Mr. Patrick Maundu Capacity Building Advisor, Eastern
of Bioversity International, Nairobi, who Africa Region, ICRAF
Weak extension services have also contributed. Farmers and pastoralists have accumulated
Many of the approaches and technical knowledge on the uses and characteristics of
solutions promoted by the extension workers different tree species over many generations,
have not attracted farmers’ interest. but forestry policies and extension workers
have given such local knowledge little
Regrettably, forestry is not considered as a
attention. In some cases, extension workers
means by which Ethiopians can fight food
know less about the propagation and
insecurity. Yet forestry is the source of
management of locally preferred species than
diversified high-value industrial commodities
the local people themselves. Consequently,
that can guarantee economic access to food
farmers have little respect for the extension
and improve people’s lives.
agents and their advice when it comes to
tree or shrub identification, propagation and
Due to the wide variety of agroclimatic and
management.
socio‑economic conditions in Ethiopia,
Introduction |
The large woody Euphorbia species are illustrated glossary of botanical terms (page
unusual in their family but are also included 48) should help.
here because they are useful and well known
in Africa. On other occasions, local communities may
simply indicate the various uses that they
We hope that subsequent editions of the book want to get from the tree or shrub they
will cover more species as our knowledge and would like to plant. Then, they may require
contacts with the rural communities grow. that the extension agent gives them various
options of species they can grow. In this
How to use this book case, the extension agent can select suitable
species from the table summarising uses in
General usage instructions
part IV.
This book can be used in a number of ways
and it is largely up to the user to find out In other situations, users may simply want
how best to use it in his or her particular to find out more information on a known
situation. A few hints will be given here. species. In this case, they should search in the
alphabetical species list in Part III.
In extension, the book can be used to identify
trees and for information on different species. Another situation may be when an extension
In the field, local people may often indicate worker wants to know which species could
that a certain species is useful and know do well in an area. In this case, the first step is
its name. Using the local name as an entry to identify the agroclimatic zone. If data on
point, the extension worker can identify rainfall and altitude are available, it is easy to
the corresponding species name indicated identify the zone from the table on page 9. If
in the section on Vernacular Names. After the altitude and rainfall figures are not known,
finding the corresponding scientific name, observations on the natural vegetation, crops
he or she can then compare the criteria of and soil type can be matched with those
the species in the field with the identification in the table. Once the agroclimatic zone is
criteria indicated in Part III of this book. identified, the list of suitable species for each
If the criteria match, the extension agent agroclimatic zone (page 38) can be identified
now informs farmers on the possible uses by referring to the section on that lists species
of the species, methods of propagation and by agroclimatic zone in Part II.
management requirements.
It is also good for the extension agents to
If the vernacular name does not appear in look around and try to see which species are
the list, another option is to search directly actually growing and how well they are doing.
for the species in Part III. In this case, the If the countryside is bare, it is recommended
extension agent should try to identify the that they study protected forests near
species from the description, drawings and churches and preserved areas in towns and
photographs. If the text in the description villages as they are normally rich in species.
is difficult to understand, a study of the Once a relevant list of potential species has
Introduction |
Ecology table in Part IV. It should be noted that
the information reflects “reported” uses
Under the ecology heading, information is
— mainly what the rural people claim to
given on the occurrence of each species in
use these plants for as cited in first-hand
the various agroclimatic zones, the altitude
information or in literature.
range, niches in the landscape, soil preference,
drought resistance and other important It was not possible to verify all such reports
ecological factors. and statements. Sometimes uses vary from
one community to another and from one
Ethiopia is extremely heterogeneous
area to the next. Thus, it is always a good
ecologically. This diversity has been classified
idea to verify uses when discussing any of
in a number of different ways by various
the listed plants with the local people. In
authorities. However, we have used the
some instances, the reports originated from
agroclimatic zone classification indicated by
outside Ethiopia. Although it was not always
Azene Bekele-Tesemma and Hakan Sjhölm
possible to verify the usage in Ethiopia, we
(2005) and reproduced on page 9.
still included the potential uses.
Unlike the previous version of this book,
It should also be noted that a single tree or
this revised edition indicates trees and
shrub cannot be grown for all the potential
shrubs useful for all the currently known
uses at the same time. On the contrary,
17 agroclimatic zones of Ethiopia. The
management of a particular tree often aims
distribution map of these agroclimatic zones
at optimising a specific product or service.
is included for ease of reference.
On medicinal uses, it is worth mentioning
The list of species under “Species by
that herbal medicine requires skilled
Agroclimatic Zones” is useful to extension
practitioners. Therefore, although medicinal
workers who would like to identify the plants
uses have been indicated, this does not
that are suitable for their specific areas.
mean that anyone should start using them
However, a species being listed under a given without first consulting experienced and
agroclimatic zone does not necessarily mean knowledgeable people.
that it will grow well throughout that zone.
Neither does it mean that it is limited to that Description
agroclimatic zone either. Therefore, one must When a farmer requires a tree for a particular
refer to the more detailed information given use, proper identification of that tree is of the
under each species in Part III. greatest importance. The descriptions in this
manual focus first on the general appearance
Uses of the tree and then the bark, leaves,
Uses, both as products and services, have flowers and fruit. On the page opposite
been listed for each species in the summary each description are line drawings that
It must be noted that there can be great Most trees and shrubs are propagated using
variation in tree size and shape as well as in seed. Information is given on the number of
many other plant characteristics depending seeds per kilogram, seed storage and simple
on the site where it is found. Therefore, treatment before sowing (if required).
the text sometimes indicates the range of
Storage of seeds should generally be avoided
variation that can be expected. However,
for most species. In this manual, the storage
certain features define that plant species
periods indicated are not precise. This is
alone. Size and scale are also indicated in
deliberate because loss of seed viability is
the text, but in many illustrations of typical
a gradual process, the speed depending
mature trees, an adult person is drawn beside
on many factors, but mainly the storage
the tree to indicate the scale.
conditions. Hence, only approximate
indications of acceptable storage periods can
Propagation be given. If seeds are to be stored for some
Whenever information on suitable time, it is always best to keep them in a cool,
propagation methods is available it has been dry and insect-free place. Properly dried
included. “Seedlings” indicates that a relevant seeds can be stored in air-tight containers,
propagation method is raising seedlings such as sealed bottles or tins.
in some sort of nursery, either on‑farm or
in a central or group nursery. “Wildings” Information on seeds for many of the species
indicates that it is known that farmers preferred by farmers is unavailable. In these
propagate a certain species by collecting and cases, the user should find out the details
transplanting wildings to a desired place locally.
on their farms, or that this is one means of
propagating the plant. Management
Different management techniques allow tree
“Direct sowing at site” means that a species
growers to optimise tree and shrub products
can be propagated by direct sowing of seed
or services. Management techniques may
at the desired site, and “cuttings” means
also be applied to reduce negative effects of
propagation by cuttings is recommended.
the presence of trees and shrubs, such as the
Cuttings is a more common vegetative
shading effect on adjacent crops.
multiplication technique, while budding
Introduction |
The most common management practices 14. WET WURCH = Wet Frost Zones
are pruning of roots and branches, coppicing,
15. DRY ALPINE WURCH = Dry Alpina-frost
lopping and pollarding. Whenever a certain Zones
management technique is known to be
feasible for a certain species, it is indicated. 16. MOIST ALPINE WURCH = Moist Alpina-
frost zones
Information on the growth rate is also
provided under this heading. 17. WET ALPINE WURCH = Wet Alpina-frost
zone
All young trees grow fast and are more
likely to survive if properly weeded and,
if necessary, thinned. Since such general
management requirements apply to all
species, they have not been indicated in the
detailed information on each species.
Remarks
Any other useful or interesting information
that does not fall into the above categories is
included under “remarks”.
A: Sorghum rarely, tef, A: Sorghum, rarely tef, Nug, A: Mango, taro, sugar cane, maize,
Dagussa, coffee, citrus.
C: Water retention terraces
C: Widespread terracing C: Ditches frequent
S: Yellow sandy soils
S: Yellow silty soils S: red clay soils. Highly oxidized.
T: Acacia bushes and trees
level
possible
C: Wind erosion frequent
C: Burning grasses common, No
S: Aridsol, rigosols, silty and wind erosion due to cover of tall
sandy. grasses
T: Acacia senegal, Acacia bussei, S: Silty and clayey, mainly black,
Tamarix aphyla
T: Ziziphus pubescens, Antiaris
toxicaria
Rainfall in millimetres
A : Main crop C : Traditional soil conservation S : Soil on slopes T : Natural trees and other vegetation
Introduction |
Agroclimatic zones of Ethiopia.