Uses and Socio-economic Significance of Pentaclethra microphyllium Benth. (Fabaceae) in the lives of the Agrarian Communities of Southern Nigeria.

The agrarian local communities of Southern Nigeria depend on ecosystem services to supplement farming and petty trading. Pentaclethra microphyllium is a wild multipurpose species, valued for its medicinal, socio-economic, cultural and religious values. The major aims were to document the ethnobotanical data on the interactions and impact of products from this plant in the livelihood options of these people. Several ethnobotanicl and sociological methods were employed such as oral interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, participating observation in the field, market survey and visits to local restaurant and fast food joints. Investigation revealed that the boiled and fermented seeds after slicing are used for many highly cherished delicacies, as condiment for soup; stew and as spice in many dishes. Ashes are used as salt substitute and mordant while bark decoction enhances healing and lactogenicity in lactating mothers.  It is a sacred tree and young shoots are used in chieftaincy coronation. Plant is vastly utilized for apiculture farmers. They attract insects whose larvae metamorphosed into special portentous caterpillars (Wewee or Kpeee) highly cherished. Wood is best for construction of kitchen utensils. Income extractable from seeds rang from ₴8for a rapped bundle to ₴75 per kg. About 47% of dishes are found to incorporating sliced seeds as spice or   seasoning. Fully documented and discussed  are the various socio-economic impart and it religious values.