JMPHTR 4 (2016) 1-16 ISSN 2053-1826 Wild useful plants with emphasis on traditional use of medicinal and edible plants by the people of Aba'ala, North-eastern Ethiopia Misganaw Meragiaw Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, College of Natural Sciences, P. O. Box 3434, National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. E-mail: misganme@gmail.com. Tel: +251-912848164. Article History ABSTRACT Received 17 January, 2016 Received in revised form 30 January, 2016 Accepted 03 February, 2016 Key words: Aba'ala, Multipurpose plants, Northern Afar, Nutraceutical plants, Pastroralists. Article Type Full Length Research Article While plants can provide multiple uses, overlapping between food and medicine is quite well known in traditional societies. The aim of this study was to document and assess the conservation status of traditional wild useful plants and the associated knowledge in Aba'ala district. Data were collected from 24 informants in six study sites. Methodology included semi-structured interviews, group discussion, and market survey. The data were analyzed through use values, ranking and comparison. In total, 58 species belonging to 28 families and 46 genera were collected and preserved. Most of these species were used as traditional herbal medicine (24 species), followed by nutraceutical and edible plants (10 species each) and other traditional values (14 species). Shrubs accounted for the highest number (31 species). Thirty-four species were used against 26 human and livestock ailments and leaves took the lead. Fruits were the most frequently used edible parts. The majority of the plants were used for other purposes aside from food and medical practices. Most of the plant knowledge is held by traditional healers and pastoralists. The findings inform that conservation action is needed in the multipurpose plant species since they are found in short supply. ©2016 BluePen Journals Ltd. All rights reserved INTRODUCTION Traditional societies throughout the world hold wealth of indigenous knowledge (IK) which has been built up during prolonged interactions with the natural world, and which remains fundamental to their physical, spiritual and social interests (Agrawal and Agrawal, 2015; Anderson, 2007; Cotton, 1996; Berkes, 1999; Getahun, 1976). This vital dependency of people on plants was primarily started by domestication (Martin, 1995). Traditional medicinal and wild edible plants (WEPs) are among the most important ones for peoples’ lives (Abebe and Ayehu, 1993; Asfaw and Tadesse, 2001). However, in a rapid phase of globalization, many cultural landscapes and untouched wild vegetation are being modified for the purpose of development. The introduction of potassium mining is well known in Ethiopia's Northeastern Danakil Depression since early 1990 (Allana’s Potash Project, unpublished report of 2012). Despite it is being engaged in bringing much needed progress, globalization may undermine the traditional use of wild plants and the associated IK (Giday and Teklehaymanot, 2013; Matthew, 1996; Tesfay and Tafere, 2004; UNESCO, 2011). Pastoral mode of living is the dominant form of economic activity in semi-arid environs. To cope up with drought, the pastoral communities have developed ethnobotanical knowledge in use and management of wild plants (Tesfay and Tafere, 2004). In some remote areas of our country including Afar, the uses of wild plants knowledge have not been well studied and documented (Seifu, 2004). Although IKs are passed to