Abstract:
This study conducted between May and October 2012, was aimed at
investigating the contribution of urban domestic garden flora in the Capricorn District, Limpopo
Province, South Africa to household food supply. Semi-structured interviews, observations and
guided field walks with 62 participants were employed to obtain ethnobotanical data on edible
plants growing in domestic gardens. Based on ethnobotanical information provided by the
participants, botanical specimens were collected, numbered, pressed and dried for identification.
A total of 51 edible plants belonging to 44 genera and 26 families was recorded. Plant parts
identified as important sources of food included: edible fruits (26 species), leaves cooked as leafy
vegetable (12 species), edible bulbs, roots and tubers (six species), culinary herbs or spice (five
species), edible seeds (four species), edible stems (two species) and fruit juice made into local
beer (one species). Food plants in urban domestic gardens contribute to the livelihoods needs of
local people.
