Market trends and ethnobotany of orchids of Mount Cameroon

The Mount Cameroon Region as shown in Fig. 1 is situated in the South West Region of Cameroon in Central Africa. The area extends from the Atlantic coast to Mount Cameroon, with an altitude of 4100 m [14]. Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain in West and Central Africa and an active volcano [15, 16]. Due to the volcanic origin, the surrounding soil is rich in nutrients and provides high fertility for both natural vegetation and farmland [17]. The area has a humid tropical climate modified by the topography from sea level to the top of the mountain. The annual rainfall in most of the region ranges from 2500 to 3500 mm, except at Debunscha, which is the wettest place in Africa with a mean annual rainfall of 10,000 mm. The climate of the Mount Cameroon Region is predominantly tropical, with a dry season from November to February and a rainy season from March to October. Rainfall and temperatures diminish and are moderated up the slopes and further inland.

The mean annual temperature is about 25 °C (Fraser PJ, Hall JB, and Healey JR: Climate of the Mount Cameroon Region: long and medium term rainfall, temperature and sunshine data, unpublished). The relative humidity remains at 75 to 80% throughout the year in the south-western side of the mountain, due to marine influence and the incidence of mist and orographic cloud formation.

This survey was conducted to determine and record the ornamental uses of orchids. It was carried in various locations as follows:

For both surveys, three groups of persons were sampled; these include orchid cultivators, orchid vendors, and buyers. Mixed methods sampling was used in which respondents were identified through snowball sampling methods and data collected through semi-structured questionnaires, combining the rapid rural appraisal (RRA) and the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approached. A total of 20 questionnaires were administered to each of the following groups: orchid vendors, cultivators, and buyers after obtaining oral Prior Informed Consent, giving a total of 60 interviews. Prior Informed Consent is sought from respondents to a study by explaining the purpose for the study and the personal liabilities of both the researcher and the respondent, and that the respondents can only participate willingly, retaining the right to withdraw from the study at any point is they so choose. This is done prior to each interview. The overall study was approved by the University of Buea Ethics Committee.

For the flower gardens, 107 flower gardens located at Mile 14 Dibanda, Mutengene, Bokwango, Likoko, Bwassa, and Sasse in the MCR were surveyed. The purpose of this survey was to record the type of orchid cultivated and sold as ornamentals.

The main flower market in Cameroon, known by its French appellation as “Le Marché des Fleurs” situated in Douala in the Littoral Region of the country, about 75 km from the study area was also surveyed to record the types of orchids sold and the cost price of respective species.

This study was carried out to discover the possible traditional medicinal values of orchids within the MCR. Herbalists and members of the population who had knowledge about the orchids were surveyed. A snowball sampling technique in tandem with a “show and tell” approach was used, whereby fresh plants and/or good photographs of plants were shown to respondents, followed by the questions about the plants. A total of 50 questionnaires were administered to these two groups of persons after obtaining oral Prior Informed Consent. Voucher specimens of all orchids collected were prepared and taken to the National Herbarium in Yaounde (YA) for identification and preservation.

The socio-economic values of orchids that determine their floristic or horticultural uses were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 (Microsoft Inc., USA). Ethnobotanical data were categorized into 10 medicinal use categories namely: bone condition, skin conditions, epilepsy, stomach problems, psychological problems, reproductive, pulmonary conditions, clairvoyance, blood-related, and pains. Plants which are believed to be useful as charms with psychic powers were categorized under clairvoyance. These categories were modified from those of [18, 19]. The basic variables like frequency of citation (FC), use reports (UR), number of uses (NU), and ethnobotanical indices such as the relative frequency of citations (RFC), relative importance index (RI), and cultural importance index (CI) were determined using standard procedures as described in [18, 19].

The rich horticultural values attributed to orchids in the international markets cannot be compared with those of the national flower market in Cameroon, as the “flower culture” is still developing in the country. Many people often prefer synthetic to natural flowers. Although natural flowers are beautiful with a pleasant fragrance, they do have a limited lifespan and cannot last up to a year, unlike synthetic flowers which can last for more than a year. Secondly, natural flowers are comparatively expensive.

Orchids earn a reduced price in Cameroon compared to values obtained in the international markets. A single pot of Vanda Miss Joaquim, Bletilla striata, and Bletilla sp. in flower gardens of the MCR was sold at 3.000 to 3.500 FCFA (6 to7 $). According to information from Toh Garden [23], Vanda Miss Joaquim was sold at $25 US (approximately 15.000 FCFA) in international trade; Bletilla striata at $17US (9.000 FCFA) [24], while the Arachnis species were sold on average at $28.95 US [25]. However, orchid traded as ornamentals do have a large local economic impact, and the income is used to buy land, build houses, cover education expenses, and provide for other needs of the orchid-trading families.

The use of wild species of medicinal orchids seems to be of great economic importance across the developing world. Bulpit [26] reported the use of Cyrtorchis arcuate in China; with a similar method of preparation (pounded into a powder) employed in promoting friendship, consistent with its use as a charm in the MCR. It is also reportedly used for treating diabetes and skin infections which is consistent with findings of the current study. Also, Tridactyle tricuspis was reported to be used in curing madness [26]; in the MCR, species that were used for the same purpose were Tridactyle tridactylites and Ansiella africana. Our results are consistent with other studies that found medicinal uses for orchids, for instance, Linthoingambi et al. [27], Subedi et al. [28], and Pant [1] reported the use of the tubers of Habenaria for blood purification and the cure for leprosy, unconsciousness, and youthfulness and to increase vigor and Liparis sp. for treatment of burns, cancerous ulcers, and gangrene.

Dash et al. [29] and Teoh [28] reported the use of Polystachya concreta for the cure of arthritis. Similar results were obtained in the present study. Many authors [29‐34] found Ansiella africana used as charms and antidotes for nightmares, similar to our own results. For such species, the traditional doctors and herbalists interviewed typically do not provide methods of preparation. Love charms have been used extensively in African traditional culture. Some species encountered in this study have similar uses elsewhere, for example, the roots of A. africana are prepared as an infusion and administered as an emetic [35], while the leaves of the same species are used by men as a courting charm [36]. This species was reported by Hulmes [37] as a key ingredient in an emetic that is administered by a man to a young lady to make her love him. Species of Liparis are used as love or good luck charms though the parts used were not specified [36]. On a specific note, charms are prepared to either prevent or promote fertility. Ansiella africana is reportedly used by young men to prevent women from having children if their love is not returned [38]. Protective charms may be used for bad dreams, to ward off evil, to protect one from lightning strikes, and to protect the home. Ansiella africana leaves are prepared as an infusion to treat persons experiencing bad dreams [36]. Alternatively, one can inhale the smoke of its burning roots for the same purpose [36]. The tubers of certain orchids are used as an infusion that is sprinkled around the home to ward off evil. Whole plant decoctions of unspecified Habenaria species are ingested by couples to ensure the birth of a son [37].