Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Genetic Resources of Medicinal Plants Used by the Ijaw People of Bayelsa State

The Ijaw people of Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria, possess extensive traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used for treating a variety of ailments. However, the genetic diversity and conservation status of these plant resources remain undocumented, raising concerns about sustainable use and biodiversity loss in the Niger Delta. This ethnobotanical and genetic study documented plant species used medicinally by Ijaw herbalists and assessed chloroplast DNA diversity in the most frequently cited taxa. Structured ethnobotanical interviews were conducted with 40 traditional healers across five Ijaw communities. Voucher specimens were deposited at the University of Port Harcourt herbarium for taxonomic verification. Chloroplast DNA barcoding (rbcL and matK gene regions) was performed on 15 high-priority species to assess genetic diversity and confirm species identity. Analysis revealed that several species were cryptically diverse, with distinct genetic lineages treated as a single medicinal entity by herbalists. Deforestation and Niger Delta oil pollution were identified as major threats to plant genetic resources. This study recommends a participatory conservation genetics programme involving Ijaw communities in Bayelsa State. Keywords: ethnobotany, medicinal plants, genetic diversity, chloroplast DNA barcoding, Bayelsa State