Ethnobotany and cultural significance of wild tea plants in Mountain Province, Philippines

Abstract

This study uniquely focuses on assessing the diversity and documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge of wild tea plants in Mountain Province, a distinct category of culturally important flora often overlooked in regional research. A Rapid Ethnobotanical Appraisal employed semi-structured interviews with 220 key informants. The Cultural Importance (CI) index was calculated for each species using frequency counts. The study successfully identified eighteen (18) distinct wild tea plant species, representing 13 taxonomic families. A thorough analysis of their conservation status using the IUCN Red List revealed a diverse profile: twelve (12) species are categorized as Least Concern, three (3) are classified as Vulnerable, and three (3) are Not Assessed. The documented uses of these plants are remarkably varied, including human food, medicine, food processing, condiments, and domestic applications. They are typically prepared by decoction or steeping from various plant parts. Notably, Cinnamomum mercadoi S. Vidal ranked first with the highest CI index (0.57), underscoring its exceptional cultural significance and widespread use within the communities. The findings of this research offer a critical baseline for crafting effective conservation policies and promoting the preservation of wild tea habitats through the active involvement of indigenous communities. The documented knowledge can be integrated into regional development strategies to support sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, this study strongly encourages future scientific validation of the potential medical uses of these plants, particularly those with a high cultural importance index and those identified as vulnerable, to ensure their sustainable use and conservation.