From February 20 to March 17, 2017, Mr. IRAKOZE Eliphaz from the University of Burundi, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology 3rd Baccalaureate completed a training course at the Burundian Office for Environmental Protection (OBPE) under the supervision of Dr. NDAYISHIMIYE Joël, professor at the University of Burundi and Msc. NZIGIDAHERA Benoît from OBPE.

Each year, the University of Burundi organizes internships for finalist students in collaboration with various institutions, both state and private, and it is within this framework that the present internship was organized. This course focused on unknown biological resources in Burundi, in particular edible plants.

The internship began with a contact session with the supervisors during which the objectives of the internship were defined and working techniques were put in place. After this session, the student first identified edible species in Africa, in particular those from countries neighboring Burundi, using books available at OBPE. Then, he verified the existence of these plants in Burundi based on a document entitled “Burundi species, incomplete list”. Finally, the student verified the edibility of these species in Burundi.

This work was carried out thanks to the Herbariums of the OBPE and the University of Burundi, which served as a reference supported by the fascicles and volumes constituting the flora of Central Africa.