An inventory of edible wild fruits consumed in edo and delta states of Nigeria

In Edo and Delta States of Nigeria, many edible wild fruits are available in the bushes. Many of them are threatened due to urbanisation hence, this document for unborn generations. Trips were made to Ekpoma, Iruekpen, Otuo, Ewu, Uromi, Ubiaja, Auchi and Benin City markets in Edo State to obtain first-hand information on the wild edible fruits sold and consumed by the natives in those communities. Also, markets in Ogume, Utagba Ogbe, Utagba Uno, Obiaruku, Abbi, Orerokpe, Warri, Sapele, Asaba and Agbor in Delta State were sampled to know the wild edible fruits sold in those markets. In both states, the trips were made in dry and rainy seasons as the fruits were not available throughout the year. Besides sampling the markets in towns and cities, the assistance of three male farmers in the villages, towns and outskirts of the cities were solicited in identifying edible wild fruits in their localities. We paid them for their services. The fruits were consumed in our presence by the natives and the authors equally ate the fruits to confirm they were edible and harmless. In all, twenty nine edible wild fruits belonging to twenty-three families were documented. Time of the year in which the fruits were available, their habits and indigenous names in Bini, Esan and Ukwuani languages were documented for posterity.