Open Access

ARTICLE

Population dynamics of Millettia stuhlmannii Taub. in Ha-Makhuvha, Vhembe district of Limpopo Province, South Africa

by Tshisikhawe MP¹, NM Siaga¹, RB Bhat¹

1 Department of Botany, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Address Correspondence to: Prof. R.B. Bhat, Department of Botany, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa.Tel. +27-15-962-8144. Fax +27-15-516-1619, e-mail: bhatrb@yahoo.com, bhat.ramakrishna@univen.ac.za

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2011, 80(all), 127-132. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2011.80.127

Abstract

The population dynamics of Millettia stuhlmannii Taub. was investigated to determine its current structure in Ha- Makhuvha. Plant populations are being utilized only for medicinal purposes under the close supervision of a local headman. It is used in treating stomach aches, as well as protecting homesteads and properties. Given the dependence of many rural communities on plants for medicine, timber, and various other non-timber resources, plant populations experience human pressures. These pressures demand great effort for in situ conservation and associated management needs of medicinal plants. Efforts also apply to sustainable usage and ex situ cultivation practices. The size-class distribution coupled with crown health and bark removal were used to determine the structure of the population as influenced by the medicinal use of M. stuhlmannii. Twenty four 5 m x 50 m transects were used to sample the area. Plant stem circumferences were measured at the basal area, and bark removal and crown health were estimated using the sliding scale. The number of plants with 0-50 cm stem circumference was lower than those with 51-100 cm, 101-150 cm and 151-200 cm. The majority of plants had their barks removed, and among them there were ring barked individuals. Some individuals had 100% crown mortality.

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