Uses, distribution of traditional knowledge and economic value of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex. Pax in Benin

Ricinodendron heudelotii is an Euphorbiaceae endemic to tropical rainforests in Africa, little studied and underutilized in Benin. This study set out to assess the diversity of uses and traditional knowledge about the species. 336 individual interviews were carried out in 7 Communes of Benin. The relative citation frequency and the Shannon Diversity Index were used to assess the diversity of uses of R. heudelotii. The cultural use value was proposed to assess the degree of knowledge of the respondents. It was subjected to a Kruskal-Wallis test and principal component analyzes to show the variations between the different groups of respondents. The influence of local availability on the level of knowledge was assessed by a generalized linear model and the average annual income was estimated to assess the economic importance of the species. In total, 39 uses were identified and classified into 9 categories of uses. Knowledge of the uses of R. heudelotii varied between socio-cultural groups, age group and locality. Local availability influences use values ??and knowledge, and the sale of masks carved from the wood of the species generates significant income for sculptors.

Keywords: Ricinodendron heudelotii, ethnobotanical survey, diversity indices, cultural use value, West Africa.