Ages (Years) |
No of respondents |
Sex |
|
Male |
Female |
||
20 - 30 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
31 - 40 |
32 |
8 |
2 |
41-50 |
10 |
4 |
10 |
51-60 |
8 |
0 |
20 |
61-70 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Total |
60 |
20 |
40 |
Table 1: Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents living in Sokoto North Local Government Area
S/N |
Plant Species |
Common Name |
Part Used |
Uses |
1 |
Cucurbita pepo |
Pumpkin |
Seed |
Recommended for nursing and lactating Mothers |
Leaf |
Source of dietary fibre, maintenance of the digestive system |
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2 |
Cucurbita moschata |
Melon Pumpkin |
Leaf |
serves as vegetable or potherb and is used in soups. |
Pulp |
It is used to treatbladder and prostrate complaint. |
|||
3 |
Cucurbita maxima |
Butter cup Squash |
Fruit |
The fruit is used for snake poison. |
It’s used as a poultice on burns and skin sores for a soothing effect. |
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4 |
Cucumis sativus |
Cucumber |
Fruit |
Source of vitamins and minerals and a neutralizer of stomach acidity. |
5 |
Citrullus colocynthis |
Bitter Apple |
Root |
Root is useful in jaundice,ascites and urinary diseases. |
6 |
Lagenaria siceraria |
Bottle gourd |
Seeds |
The Seeds are used as melon seed for cooking. |
Fruit |
The dry guard is used in water storage for farm and home use. |
|||
It serves as wine funnel and jug and as a horn is uta play. |
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7 |
Citrullus lanatus |
Water melon |
Fruit |
Some watermelons are used for livestock feed and extracted juice is fermented into an alcoholic beverage. |
Important source of water in some desert areas, during drought. |
||||
Watermelons are grown primarily for the sweet juicy fruit pericarp tissue. |
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8 |
Cucumeropsis manni |
Pota |
Seed |
The seeds ground for soup and stews. |
They can also be eaten raw, cooked or fried. |
||||
9 |
Cucurbita argyrosperma Cucumis sativus |
Silver gourd |
Fruit |
The ripe fruit is grilled to make pies or used to feed animals. |
Seed |
The seeds yield an edible oil. |
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The seeds have been used with the aim of promoting lactation in nursing women, and provide pain relief. |
Table 2: Indigenous knowledge of the people on Curcubitaceae in Sokoto North Local Government Area, Sokoto State
Tables at a glance