Little information is available regarding
the biodiversity and potential use of jute (Corchorus
species) in Ethiopian agriculture. The present study
summarizes species’ occurrence, use, geographical
distribution, ecology, and ethnobotany of Corchorus
species in Ethiopia. An ecogeographical study, conducted
in the Amhara, Oromia and Gambella
Regional States in 2005 and 2008 resulted in the
collection of seven different species with more than
100 accessions. The study revealed low similarity in
species composition between the Regional States,
indicating that each region has its own unique set of
species. Species numbers are higher in the northeastern
and south-western than the central part of the
country. C. aestuans L. and C. tridens L. are
restricted to humid lowlands of south-western part
of Ethiopia, growing at elevations up to 490 m,
whereas, C. urticifolius Wight et Arn., C. trilocularis
L. and C. schimperi Cufod. were collected only in the
north-eastern part of the country with elevation
ranges of 1,380–2,130 m. The only species collected
at a higher elevation ([2,100 m) was C. schimperi
Cufod. Farmers’ perception, indigenous knowledge
and folk taxonomy of jute species are better in
Gambella than the other studied regions. Although
several Corchorus species are reported from Ethiopia,
these species are neither cultivated nor popularly
used as leafy vegetables. This is mainly due to lack of
awareness or knowledge about the species use, and
abundant distribution of the species that allows
gathering of edible leaves with little expenditure of
time, labour and other resources. Our results revealed
that some species are threatened, which necessitates
highest priority for jute germplasm conservation in
the country. In addition, creating public awareness
about the use of jute species as a cheap source of
leafy vegetable will play an important role to
diversify food sources, reduce malnutrition, and
contribute to household income generation of the
farming community.