Abstract

A survey of  home gardens in the University of Benin Junior and Senior Staff quarters was conducted. The study was conducted to assess the plants grown and maintained by members of different households. The diversity of plant species and their uses were assessed. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct an interviews to collect useful information. From the data, Euphorbiaceae, Solanaceae, Rutaceae, Malvaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Poaceae and Apocynaceae (in order of decreasing number of species) were the most frequent families. Taxa such as Musa species, Vernonia amygdalina, Citrus species, Psidium guajava and Terminalia catapa were found to be the common food/medicinal plants as evidenced by their densities in the study sites. A total of 39 plants were encountered in the survey. The demographic data of the study area showed that more women are engaged in home garden activities compared to the men. Most of the household members stated that plants were used as food; others as medicinal and ornamentals. Species composition, shapes/structures as well as plant uses are documented. Home garden products serve alimentary purposes and represent promising basic materials for poverty alleviation and may also help to augment “fresh” food nutrient intake. The value of the home gardens may be related to the rural origin and to the culture of the owners who still keep a cultivation tradition. Some plant species are frequent. It is suggested that more awareness should be created to enhance the sustainability of home garden activity, which would contribute and enhance the domestication of most of the endangered species.