Etnobotânica dos campos naturais de mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) Morros, MA

Abstract

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit tree native to Brazil and has great ecological, economic and social importance. It is a plant in the process of domestication and has several potentialities to be explored by the society of Maranhão. In order to expand knowledge about this species in Maranhão, this research aimed to gather information about the traditional and local use of mangaba for medicinal and food purposes, determine the therapeutic use, the disease involved, the part of the plant used and the way of handling these species, seeking to learn more about the population structure and sustainable management strategies. The research was carried out in the Patizal Village, belonging to the Rio Pirangi Settlement Project (P.A.), located in the municipality of Morros- MA. Nine families living in the Patizal village were interviewed and four main species were found from which native fruits are collected and used in food and income generation. Information was also obtained on the quantity of fruits collected per harvest, the products derived from mangaba, their phytotherapeutic use and the methods of preparation. In addition, possible sustainable management strategies were raised, as well as data on the labor involved and the income generation provided by these native species to the community.