Floristic Diversity of Edible Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Sold on the Markets of Brazzaville

The Congolese flora abounds in an important reserve of edible non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The present study was conducted to assess the floristic diversity of edible non-timber forest products sold in the markets of Brazzaville. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out using an open questionnaire in the markets of Brazzaville. Data on the floristic diversity of edible NTFPs was collected according to a standardised framework inspired by the resulting NTFP survey database. The identification of the plants mentioned was carried out in the field and at the Brazzaville Herbarium. This study recorded 65 species offering edible non-timber forest products divided into 28 families and 45 genera. The most represented family is the Gnetaceae (24.30%). The most consumed species was Gnetum africanum Welw (15.09%). The most consumed organs were fruits (61.24%). The NTFPs inventoried were much more consumed processed (44.79%). The most dominant phytogeographic type was the Guinean-Congolese type (66.54%). Trees (40.69%) were the dominant morphological type. The majority of NTFPs inventoried orinated from forests (90.24%). This work could constitutes a basic study for further scientific investigation.