Abstract
The aim of the study was to record and analyze the patterns of plant use in three villages in Ixopo area under the Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In terms of research methodology, the main research instrument was a flip-file of photo plates, re-created from the one used at Amandawe but with a selection of 143 plants, based on all species with SPI values of 0.87 and above, and this flip-file was used for the interviews in the Ixopo area. However, before use, the plant species were confirmed to be either available or used in the Ixopo area. The interview was conducted with 37 research participants from three villages, and vernacular names and uses were recorded. The matrix method was used to analyze data to determine the pattern of plant use by the Ixopo people and also to understand the knowledge levels of plants from the sample of the population of the Ixopo area. Responses from 36 respondents were included in the analysis, and one respondent excluded because she was not from the Zulu home language group, which was the focus of the study...
M.Sc. (Botany)