Vegetation

Mayumba's botanical realm remains to be inventoried. However, local wisdom about the healing and nutritional properties of indigenous plants have been known for centuries. Traditional healers called Ngangas harbor a vast knowledge of botanical treatments for many different maladies, and plants are used by native people for everything from packaging to homebuilding to clothing. In the forest, a leaf can be turned into a drinking cup for a sip from a stream, a compress or medicine, or a hat for protection from the midday sun.

Cola flavovelutina		Tephrosia sp.
		Some species of the genus cola (above left) are chewed for energy. Tephrosia (above right) is used in traditional fishing practices. Iboga (left) grows abundantly near the beaches in Mayumba and is used by local people as a medicine and to induce visions as part of Bwiti ceremonies.
Tabernanthe iboga

Mayumba's Banio Lagoon and surrounding wetlands are a rich botanical habitat, with species ranging from water lilies, to palms, to mangroves.


Padanus sp.		Rhizophora sp.

Crinome natans		Nymphea sp.

Mayumba's beach-forest-savannah mosaic is also home to diverse flora. Vivid flowers and strangely shaped plants stand out from the craggy beach scrub, windblown savannah grasses, and muted green shadows of the forest understories.

Orchid

Ipomoea pes caprae