The use of a species by each tribal group for one of these purposes is noted along with the source of information.DISCUSSIONThe list shows a widespread knowledge and use of plants by all tribal groups. Vernacular names are given for the three linguistic groups-Pokot, Turkana and Marakwet.Uses of plants are divided into four categories-medicinal (including spiritual), human food, domestic (house construction, household utensils, personal ornaments, etc. Within each family species are listed alphabetically, and synonyms noted. for his list), and no attempt has been made to correct orthographic differences or separate plural from singulars.Plants are arranged firstly by division (pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms, the latter subdivided into monocotyledons and dicotyledons), then by family in alphabetical order. The present list includes all names recorded (with the exceptions given by Timberlake op. Different authors have different approaches to overcoming these, and brief discussions on these points can be found in Morgan (1980) and Timberlake (1987). Specimens were later identified at the East African Herbarium, Nairobi, or the Kew Herbarium, London.⟨sup⟩1⟨/sup⟩Present address: 3, Rue des Fleurs, Fortune Gate, Bulawayo, ZimbabweThere are various problems associated with collecting ethnobotanical information, not least of which are the knowledge and reliability of the informant, the use, of singular and plural names, names associated with aspects of the plant rather than its 'true' name, and the use of names from other areas which, because they are recorded in a certain area, are thought to be indigenous to it. In most cases voucher specimens were collected and their vernacular names and uses obtained from reliable local informants. Plants described by Lindsay (1978) were restricted to those of medicinal interest only. The collections described by Timberlake (1987) and Morgan (1980, 1981) are probably the most comprehensive, covering both wet and dry seasons and full range of uses. The plant species and uses are recorded for differing purposes, so do not necessarily provide comprehensive coverage. Soils are mostly volcanicMETHODAll plant species mentioned in the above publications are listed, whether or not a name or use was noted. Various seasonal rivers run through the area, some are fringed by Acacia woodland, while the hills, occasionally rising to 2,500 m, often have a different and richer flora. Tiati, and the Kerio Valley runs through part, but generally the landscape is a dry plain with Acacia savanna or bushland. Most of the area falls within the ecoclimatic zones 5 and 6 of Pratt & Gwynne (1977), and ranges in altitude from 2,700 m on the slopes of the Cherangani Hills to below 600 m close to Lake Turkana. The data from these six publications are here presented in a more readily utilizable format.The area covered includes parts of Baringo Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo-Marakwet Districts, all in Rift Valley Province. The book on medicinal plants by Kokwaro (1976) also includes some names from these areas. Pokot of East Pokot (Timberlake, 1987), the agricultural Pokot of the Kerio Valley (Tanaka, 1980 Timberlake, 1987), the Turkana west and south of Lake Turkana (Morgan, 1980, 1981), and the Marakwet of Elgeyo, Marakwet district (Lindsay, 1978). About 46% of plants are used medicinally by at least one group of peoples, about 24% can be eaten by humans, about 23% are used for domestic purposes and 43% are eaten by domestic livestock.INTRODUCTIONVarious publications in recent years have included indigenous pant names and uses from tribal groups of northern Kenya, e.g. The knowledge and utilization of the flora is seen to be extensive, with 92% of the 888 species recorded having a vernacular name. Uses are classified under medicinal, human food, human domestic use and livestock fodder. VERNACULAR NAMES AND USES OF PLANTS IN NORTHERN KENYAJonathan Timberlake⟨sup⟩1⟨/sup⟩National Herbarium Box 8100, Causeway, Harare ZimbabweABSTRACTA list is presented, derived from published and unpublished accounts, of plant vernacular names and uses from the Pokot, Turkana and Marakwet peoples of north western Kenya.
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