Takondwa Kadaluka
"Mwanamphepo” plants refer to a group of species from the Vitaceae, Orchidaceae, and Fabaceae families. Although they belong to different families and only a few have undergone phytochemical screening, they are exploited for inducing labour in pregnant women as an overlapping function. The use of “Mwanamphepo” has been linked to Malawi’s high maternal mortality rate of six deaths per 1,000 live births. The focal species Cissus aristolochiifolia and the variety Ampelocissus africana var. migeodii are listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable (VU) and Critically Endangered (CR, EN), respectively.
Following several ethnobotanical studies, Cissus aristolochiifolia and Ampelocissus africana have been identified as the “Mwanamphepo” species most frequently used in Mulanje District, which relies on the Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve (MMFR). Like all “Mwanamphepo” species, these focal species are harvested by the roots.
The project involves conducting forest inventories in MMFR to assess the population of the focal species. Additionally, it includes market assessments and surveys in villages around the reserve to collect baseline information on harvesting procedures and frequency, and to corroborate whether the Critically Endangered variety is present in the reserve or among the “Mwanamphepo” species traded in this location. These activities enhance understanding of the socio-cultural drivers and further inform approaches designated for community engagement and impact.
Propagation protocols will be trialled in plots, and successful seedlings will be planted in the reserve and shared with institutions such as the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust and the National Herbarium as a form of ex-situ conservation and banking. The project engages community leaders, including Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), Village Natural Resource Committees (VNRCs), and Traditional Healers (THs), in training on plant identification (distinguishing species that have or have not undergone phytochemical screening), sustainable harvesting procedures, and propagation. This will be relayed to community members via a Training-of-Trainers model.
This approach follows the COM-B model for behaviour change, addressing the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation of individuals. It aims to contribute to updating and including the focal species in the National Plant Red Data List. This will improve knowledge of the value of these plants both within communities and nationally, essentially placing these species in the spotlight for further conservation efforts. These activities, combined, are expected to improve the population numbers of these species in the reserve while reducing the adverse impacts associated with the use of plants that have not undergone phytochemical screening.