Browse trees of North-Cameroon. I. Inventory and phenology

Abstract

Approximately sixty species of Woody plants were identified as fodder sources for domestic ruminants in the Savannah region of North-Cameroon. The phenology of a number of these species was also observed both in their natural milieu and on a trial plot for 4 years. From this study it could be seen that the most used trees and shrubs by order of preference are: Ficus sycomorus, Daniellia oliveri, Afzelia africana, for leaves; and Acacia albida, Dichrostachys cinerea, Prosopis africana for fruits. Flowers from Daniellia oliveri, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Bombax costatum are also highly appreciated. Ficus sycomorus, Pericopsis laxiflora, Daniellia oliveri and Detarium microcarpum present a phenology in nature that is fairly compatible with optimal exploitation of leafage to bridge the gap during the forage tide-over period.