Vegetation Inventory of Some Communities in Obudu Lga, Cross River State

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to study
Plant inventory is the fulcrum on which all conservation research
and activities are based. Regrettably, biodiversity studies in tropical
African countries tend to focus on animals. However, one cannot escape
the fact that by their very nature it is the plants that define the forest
environment. Tropical rain forests are home to a great diversity of plant
species representing many forms and life-styles. However, inadequate
funding, paucity of research oriented personnel, scarcity of taxonomic
experts and high level of speciation had over the years militated against
effective and efficient plant inventory. More worrisome is the herculean
task of identifying these inventoried species. The traditional methods of
identification have been the usual practice. Although these methods
(expert determination, recognition, comparison and use of keys) are
functional and helpful, their use is usually time-consuming and
cumbersome. For instance, several man hours may be lost in checking
for voucher specimens in cabinets and herbaria which may not hold the
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species of interest at last. Hence, there is need to modernize the process
of identification, so as to make it fast and simple to use.
Information retrieval (IR) is the science of searching for
documents, for information within documents and for metadata about
documents, as well as that of searching relational databases and the
World Wide Web (Doyle and Becker, 1975; Singhal, 2001). Information
retrieval is fast becoming the dominant form of information access,
overtaking traditional database style of searching. Automated
information retrieval systems (IR system) are used to reduce what has
been called "information overload". Many universities and public
libraries use IR systems to provide access to books, journals and other
documents. Web search engines are the most visible IR applications
(Korfhage, 1997).
There are thousands of plant species, which have been classified
into 150 – 500 plant families. The task is all the more tedious in the
tropics where speciation and insufficient number of trained experts is
common. As a result of this and the diversity of plants on earth,
identifying them may at times be tasking and difficult for one to do. It
usually takes a long process of checking cabinets in herbarium looking

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for like species that will serve as template for the identifying plants. Due
to this reason, there is therefore need for an efficient and convenient
means or system by which this identification process can be executed
with ease. In this research, an attempt was made to develop a computer-
based information retrieval system which would go a long way in
reducing the problems associated with conventional plant identification
processes. The system is meant to serve as information retrieval model
for use in herbaria and public institutions.
1.2 Justification of study
There are two broad justifications for this study. First is the
inventory need of the plants in the southern guinea savanna region of the
state and secondly, the need for species identification even by lay men.
First, plants are integral part of land resources that needs careful
management and sustainability for utilization of future generation
(Davey et al., 2003; Rabi’u et al., 2013). Cross River State (CRS) has
been acknowledged by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) as one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world.
Extremely rich in fauna and flora many of which are endemic, it has
over 1545 species of plants, from 523 genera in 98 families, 6 of these

4
plants are new records in Nigeria and four (4) are new to science and
132 tree species listed by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre as
globally threatened (Fasola, 2006; Lameed and Ayodele, 2008; Ogogo
et al., 2013). Regrettably, most of the conservation research works
conducted in Cross River State tends to focus on animals, particularly
large mammals and birds (Ite U. E., 1996; Obot, 1996 a; Mbelli, 1999;
White 2001; Agbor, 2003; Eniang, 2003 a and b; Melletti et al. 2007;
Mamza, 2008). However, one cannot escape the fact that by their very
nature it is the plants that define the forest environment (White and
Edwards, 2010). The few reports on plant inventory are either held as
propriety rights (CORDEC 1996; WABECO 2007-2008;
NDPHC")/NIPP; 2001; ESSAR 2012 and CRSCSDA, 2014) or not
detailed enough for various reasons (Iwara et al., 2012; Offiong et al.,
2012; Ebigwai et al., 2014; Enuoh and Francis, 2015).
Worst still, most of these studies were conducted in either oil
producing mangrove communities (CORDEC 1996; Sieghard and
Francis, 2000; Sieghard and Francis 2000; Esin, 2014) or around
limestone and granite producing areas of the state (Lameed and
Ayodele, 2008; Offiong et al., 2012). Few other vegetation inventories

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conducted in the state were centered in areas of known conservation
concerns (Obot 1996 b; Ite 1996, 1997, and 1998; Ite and Adams, 1998;
Agbor, 2003; NNPS, 2006; Daniel et al., 2012; Edet et al., 2012; Aigbe
et al., 2014). Literatures on the forest resources of non – oil, non - solid
mineral and non-conservation areas of the state is scanty at best and
non-existent (Okpiliya et al., 2013). A cursory analysis of these latter
reports shows a bias towards non-timber forest products (NTFP)
(Alexandar and Effa, 1994; Egot, 2003, Ticktin, 2004; Adewole and
Onilude, 2011; Oluyemi, 2013).
Second, is the problem of species identification. Over the years,
species identification has been a serious problem of plant inventory and
conservation. The set-backs often encountered include the problem of
identifying an expert to assist in the identification of the censured
species, the valuable time input of the expert, the delays in the
identification process, the reliability of the expert recognition becomes
doubtful in some taxa which he has limited experience on and lastly, the
several man hours lost in checking for voucher specimens in cabinets
and herbaria which may not hold the species of interest at last is another
drawback of the traditional methods. It is based on the inherent

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difficulties of inventory and plant identification that this research study
aimed at not only producing an atlas of regional flora but by also
constructing a computerized key for easy, less time consuming and
accessible plant identification retrieval system.
1.3 Aims and objectives of the study
There are several aims of this research project. They include
1 To conduct an inventory of the plant species in some ethnic
communities in Obudu local government area.
2 To construct a computerized key for the plant species
3 To provide the name of the species in the native Bette language
4 To determine the indigenous uses of the censored plant species
5 To provide the IUCN status (2014) of the species

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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Vegetation inventory of Cross River State
The vegetation of cross river state varies considerably and
markedly along ecological zones. There are five broad based eco zones
in the state (Oyebo et al. 2010). The zones are mangrove, fresh water
swamp, low land tropical forest, montane, Wetlands and savanna
(guinea and derived savanna). Figure 1 shows the major vegetation
types and land use in Cross River State.

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Derive savanna zone

Montane forest
Fig 1: Vegetation Types / Land use in Cross River state.

Source: Oyebo et al. (2010)
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The review of existing literatures on vegetation of the state
shall be discussed based on these ecotypes.
2.1.1 Mangrove ecobelt of Cross River State

The mangrove ecotype of the state is found along the Atlantic
shores as shown in Fig 2. Mangroves ecotype of the state form a narrow
band, 10 to 15 km wide, along the coast and in the estuary of Cross
River as shown in Fig 2. The mangrove communities are spread along
three local government areas of the state – Calabar south, Odukpani, and
Bakassi. Typical mangroves develop best on the muddy banks of rivers
and creeks in places where the water is brackish.
Available literatures on these local government areas and
communities are far from impressive. The reviewed literatures of this
ecobelts are Enyenihi, et al., (1987), Ukpong (1995), Adebegbiu and
Nwaigo (1990), Okpiliya et al. (2013), Okpiliya et al. (2014) and Esin,
2014. The plant species reviewed in these works include Rhizophora
racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, Avicinnia
africana, Acroticum aureum, Podocarpus barteri and Eleocarpus
erectus. There are other coastal vegetations associated with the
mangrove forests of the state. These are strand vegetations which grow
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at the edge of swamps near the seaboard. Common species reported
include Chrysobalanus orbicularis, Conocarpus erectus, Hibiscus
tiliaceus and herbs such as Ipomoea aquatica, Eulophia horsefalli and
Paspalum virginatum.
2.1. Fresh water swamp ecobelt of Cross River State
Freshwater swamp forest forms a 10-25 km wide belt
immediately north of the mangrove zone of the state as shown in Fig 2.
This belt is the characteristic vegetation of some communities in
Calabar south, Odukpani, Akpabuyo and Bakassi. Much of this
vegetation type has been converted for agricultural and urban use, and
the original swamp forest remains mostly on alluvial sites along the
major rivers – Cross, Calabar and Great Kwa River. The vegetation
consists of a mosaic of forest, thickets, mangrove and strand Vegetation.
The few available literatures on the floral composition of this ecobelt in
CRS is that given by Out and Wong (1994), Beak-FRS (1999), and
Ebigwai et al. (2014). Species reported include Symphonia gabonensis,
Alstonia congensis, Spondianthus preussii, Ficus spp., Cleistopholis
patens, Sarcocephalus nervosus, Mitragyna ciliate, Anthocleista vogelii,

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Carapa procera, Chrysobalanus orbicularis, and Raphia spp. Other
common species include Albizia adianthifolia, Sacoglottis gabonensis,
Hallea ledermannii, Klainedoxa gabonensis, Pycnanthus angolensis,
Uapaca spp, Allanblackia spp, Eulophia horsefalli, Eulophia dilecta,
Eulophia caricifolia and Elaeis guineensis.
2.1.3 Low land tropical rain forest ecobelt of Cross River State
The tropical rain forest is the largest ecological zone in Cross
River State and covers extensive areas in the centre, north and east of
the state, and is contiguous with the forests of south west Cameroon as
could be seen in Fig 2. It is the main vegetation type found in Akamkpa,
Ikom, Akpabuyo and Boki and some communities of Odukpani. This
ecobelt is the host of all the protected forests in the state. Review have
shown that much of the inventory works done in the region centered on
fauna wildlife to the detriment of fflora composition (Ite,1996, Obot
1996a, Mbelli, 1999, White , 2001, Agbor, 2003, Melletti et al.
2007,Mamza 2008, Lameed and Ayodele, 2008). This reveals a lagg in
terms of floral inventory of the region in the CRS compare to other parts
of the world. The available literature on the floral composition of

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thisecobelt is that given by Out and Wong (1994), Beak-FRS (1999),
other reports include; Obot and Anwana (1997), Agbor (2003), Bisong
(2007), Offiong et al. (2012), Edet et al. (2012), Laura (2013), Aigbe et
al. (2014) and Ebigwai et al. (2014). The plant species reported include
Afzelia bipidensis, Ceiba pentandra, Khaya spp, Entandrophragma spp,
Milicia excelsa, Triplochiton sclaroxylon, Lovoa trichiloides and
Guarea cadrata. Other frequent trees include Ricinodendron heudelotii,
Lophira alata, Irvingia gabonensis Treculiaafricana, Ficus ottoniifolia,
Anthostema aubreyanum, Macaranga staudtii, Xylopiarubescens,
Alstonia boonei and Klaineanthus gaboniae, Strophanthus gratus,
Diospyros conocarpa,Alchornea cordifolia, Erythrococca chevalieri,
Sphenocentrum jollyanum,Myrianthus serratus, Ochna membranacea,
Ouratea mannii, Massularia acuminata,Oxyanthus racemosus,
Rothmannia talbotii, Glyphaea brevis, and Coffeaeketensis.
2.1.4 Montane ecobelt of Cross River State
Montane vegetation is found in a small area in the northeastern
corner of the state on the Oshie Ridge of the Obudu Plateau right on the
border with Cameroon and Benue State as could be seen in Fig 2. The
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highest peak rises to 1,819 m above sea level. The vegetation is broadly
of two types; lowland rain forest in the low lying areas progressively
enriched with montane elements on high ground giving way to
grasslands on the higher peaks of Obudu Plateau, Sankwala Mountains
and Ikwete hills.Although this region is important in the economy of the
state due mainly to tourist attraction, review have shown that there is
dearth in researches aiming at assessing the floral composition of the
region.
Hall (1981), Beak-FRS (1999) and Ambe et al. (2015) are the few
available literatures on the floral diversity of this ecobelt. The species
reviewed from these articles includeXylopia africana Rauvolfia
vomitoria, Tabernaemontana ventricosa, Voacanga trouarsii, Kigelia
africana, Anthonotha macrophylla, Zenkerella citrina, Lindackeria
dentata, and Polyscias fulva. Although tree speciesdiversity in montane
forests is relatively low, overall floristic richness is enhanced by
abundant shrubs, epiphytes and herbs, as well as by numerous non-
vascular plants, such as lichens, mosses and fungi. Hall (1981) regards
the Obudu plateau forest flora as a severely attenuated variant of the
lowland forest of Oban enriched with species of Afromontane affinity.

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2.1.5 Riparian and Wetlands ecobeltof Cross River State
Extensive wetlands occur at the Cross River Estuary, the Cross
River Flood Plains at Obubra, Abi, and Yakur as well as scattered back
swamps or flood plains, made up of an assortment of seasonally flooded
riparian lowland forests and tall grass swamps in the catchments of
Cross River and its Enyong creek tributary. These ecobelts are also
poorly reported. The available reports include those by Beak-FRS
(1999), Iwara et al. (2012) and Anthony (2014). The reported species
are Nymphaea lotus, Vossia cuspidata, Echinochloa pyramidalis, E.
stagnina, ragmitessp, Leersia hexandra, Ipomoea asarifolia and
Mimosa pigra often characterize the flora of these wetlands with
Pterocarpus santalinoides being the dominant woody plant
2.1.6 Savanna ecobelt of Cross River State
Savanna like vegetation, probably attenuated variants of degraded
rain forest occurs, in the central (Yakurr) and northern (Ogoja, Bekwara,
Obudu and Ubanliku) areas of the state as could be seen in Fig 2. These
formations are characterized by relic rain forest species.Little is known

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about the floral composition of this region. The few available literatures
on the floral diversity of this ecobelt include Beak-FRS (1999) and
Ambe et al. (2015). The reported species include Celtiszarkari, Cola
gigantea, Anthonotha macrophylla, Treculia africana, Andropogon and
LoudetiaArundinacea.
2.2 Biological identification using Keys
Identification is the basic process of classification (Sharma 2009).
It enables us to retrieve the appropriate facts from the system to be
associated with some specimen at hand (Blackwelder 1967). One of the
tools often employ for easy identification of biological entity is the
identification key (Kuster, 1972). Identification key is a printed or a
computer-aided device that aids the identification of biological entities,
such as plants, animals, fossils, microorganisms, and pollen grains
(Kuster 1972; Adeyemi et al., 2013).
Modern matrix-based computer interactive keys allow the user to
freely choose the identification steps and their order. At each step, the
user must answer a question about one or more features of the entity to
be identified (David and Shaun, 2007; Adeyemi et al., 2013). The

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advantage of these keys is that, they allow the user to enter the key at
any point and the user can chose the most obvious/important characters
of the specimen to identify. These keys are a relatively new alternative
to manual keys and are becoming increasingly popular, especially
because of the ease of computerizing them (Lobanov, 1999).
However, ignoring the vitality of these tools in biological
identification, researches into their development and uses in Nigeria is
dearth (Adeyemi et al., 2013). A review of literatures had showed that
only two of such devices on plants are available in Nigeria, they include
Computerized system for identification of some savanna tree species in
Nigeria (Abdulrahaman et al., 2010), and Computerized system for the
identification of some one-hundred and seventy-four (174) herbal
species in the university of Calabar (Ebigwai et al. in press). In addition,
a computer Bacteriovier expert system for identification of gram
negative bacteria has also been developed to act as a consultant to
identifiers in the field of Bacteriology (Gueguim-kana et al., 2012;
Adeyemi et al., 2013)
Although review of literatures had showed that these tools existed
in other parts of the globe, they tend to focus more on identification of

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animal, protesta, and monera. For instance, BIKEY; a system of
identification for animals which is considered one of the oldest
computer diagnostic systems was reported in Dianov and Lobanov
(1999), a Computer identification system for 74 species of Bivalvia
(Heterodonta, Protobranchia, Arcoida, Anysomiaria, and Desmodonta)
by Chuhchin in 1997 (Adeyemi et al., 2013).
Also, few literatures on computerized identification key for flora
resources exist for other places outside Nigeria; a reviewed article by
Adeyemi et al. (2013) showed that they are few compare fauna. For
example, a Computer Database and Information-diagnostic System for
Identification of syntaxon addresses of forest vegetation communities in
the European Russia was reported by Zaugol'nova et al. (1999) to
contained information about more than 70 vegetation associations.
Lastly, Data Base (DB) of quantitative characteristics of leaf

mesophyll structure in more than 1000 plant species from different
climatic zones inhabiting the territory of the Former Soviet Union have
been developed by Pyankov et al., (1999).
The converging point between flora inventory and plant species
identification using keys is that inspite of the brave efforts in species
inventory in the state, the ease for identifying even the already censored
species is altogether lacking.
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CHAPTER THREE
MATERIAL AND METHOD
3.1 Description of study area
The study was conducted in Obudu Local Government Area
(LGA) of Cross River State, Nigeria. It is one of the 18 LGAs that make
up Cross River State. Obudu is located between lat. N 06°32.734’–N
06°40.072’, Long. E 009°02.370’ – E 009°10.316’, about 204Km north-
east of Calabar. The map showing the study site and locations is as
shown in Fig 2.
19
Sample community
Fig 1: Map showing study site and sample locations
Fig 2: Map of the study area

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It covers a total area of 379,164 square kilometers, boundedto the
west with Bekwarra/Ogoja local Government Areas, to the east with
Obanliku Local Government Area, to the South with Boki Local
Government Area (all in Cross River State) and to the North with Benue
State.
The climate is characterized by two seasons - the dry season
which last from November to March and the rainy season which last
from April to October. It enjoys the influence of the North east (NE)
wind during the dry season and south west (SW) wind during the wet
season with annual mean rainfall of about 1300 - 2000 millimeters,. The
soil is loamy sand mixed with volcanic ash. These climatic and soil
conditions are conducive for the growth of a wide variety of flora
(Francis et al., 2013). The main characteristic vegetation is that of the
Southern guinea savannah -with numerous farm lands scattered here and
there. The topography is typical of that many African nations; it is
characterized by undulated highlands with numerous mountains,
rounded hills and rift valleys. Obudu L.G.A. is made up of five
indigenous ethnic communities, which include Bette, Alege, Ukpe,
Ubang and Utugwang. The land ownership is chiefly by inheritance.

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Obudu dwellers are mostly farmers and they exploit their vegetation to
various degrees; for food, shelter, herbal medicines, and income
generation.
3.2 Materials Used

Several materials were used in this study. They include those
described in section 3.1.1 to 3.1.11
3.2.1 Plant Press

A plant press measured 45.5×45.5cm length and breadths
respectively were used to press the plant samples that could not be
identified in-situ. It consist of a pairs of frames made of four strong,
equal piece of wood (precisely 4.5×0.4×45.5cm wide, thick, and long
respectively) laid at right angle to each other so as to form a lattice
(Plate 1).
22
Plate 1: A plant press with the drying plants in old newspaper.

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Folders, blotters or newspapers containing the sample are arranged in-

between the frames.
3.2.2 Old Newspapers

These were used as folders in each of which a sample were placed
for pressing. They absorb the moisture contained by the specimen and
preserve it morphological features that are necessary for identification
(Plate 1).
3.2.3 A Shape Pulling Knife

This was used for the collection and cutting of branches of trees,
herbs, and shrubs as well as to slash some stems suspected to ooze latex
or saps that were used in the identification processes.
3.2.4 Field Notebook

This was used for in-situ documentation of the plants
characteristics, especially those that may be lost in the preservation
processes. The information regarding date and time of collection,
collection number, habit, local name, indigenous uses were recorded in
the field notebook. Other information recorded in the field notebook
were the morphological features observable on the plants, these include
present or absent of flowers; lateral outgrowth and exudates, flower
colours, leave characteristics and the names of the local people
interviewed.
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3.2.5 A Digital Camera

This was used to take photographs of the plant specimen
collected for easy identification.
3.2.6 Press Traps or Rope

These were used for holding firm the two press frames containing
the plant samples for drying and preservation of leaves from curling or
rolling.
3.2.7 Collection Bags

Plants samples not press in the field immediately were stored in
garbage polyethylene bags and moisten to avoid exposure to sun.
3.2.8 Masking Tap/Tag

This was used to label the samples with appropriate tag to avoid
confusion while pressing or identifying.
3.2.9 Geographical Positioning System (GPS)

This was used to measure the coordinates of the study areas and
for direction of path to the access point during the field sampling.
3.2.10 String and Ruler

These were used to measure the size of leaves, stipules, stalks
etc.
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3.2.11 Picture Books

Plants taxonomy textbooks with pictures prepared by experts were
used in the field identification of the sampled plants.
3.3 Method of Collection:
Different measures were employed in data collection at different
stages of the work. They were as described in section 3.3.1 to 3.3.5
3.3.1 Sampling
There exist several techniques of plant communities’ census.
Some of which include transects, plot sampling, plot-less sampling etc.
Each technique employ, depends on the objective of the research, and
vegetation structure of the study area and have their strengths as well as
weaknesses. Plot-less sampling technique (where vegetation is not
uniform) was adopted in this study.Species presences were mainly taken
from field observation, while the presence of some rare or localized
species was confirmed by the local people –hunters, herbalist, farmers,
and market women in the community.
Field sampling was done in two seasons –wet and dry season.The
wet season samples were collected between 15th and 28th October, 2014
26
while the dry season sampling was between 17th and 25th February,
2015. The study was conducted in 13 (thirteen) communities spread
across three ethnic groupings (Bette, Alege, Utugwang). Table1 shows
the various communities and their sampling coordinates.

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Table 1: Sampling Communities and their co ordinates

SN Sample community Latitude Longitude
1 Utugwang N 060 36.884’ E 0090 02.370’
2 Bebuabie N 060 35.611’ E 0090 09.165’
3 Bebuatsuan N 060 36.343’ E 0090 08.432’
4 Okorshie N 060 32.734’ E 0090 07.287’
5 Alege N 060 34.933’ E 0090 04.606’
6 Begiaba N 060 35.081’ E 0090 10.316’
7 Kakum N 060 37.684’ E 0090 08.370’
8 Bebuabong N 060 40.072’ E 0090 09.873’
9 Ohong N 060 35.682’ E 0090 07.972’
10 Bedia N 060 34.740’ E 0090 07.657’
11 Okorotong N 060 65.960’ E 0090 03.770’
12 Bebuawhan N 060 39.420’ E 0090 10.981’
During collection, fresh plants were collected. They were bagged
in black polyethene bags to avoid desiccation and loss of important
taxonomy markers. Samples were also snapped for proper identification.
Damaged and infected plants partswere avoided in the collection process
while no attempts were made to evaluate the abundance of the
inventoried species.
28
General habit, stem and leaf morphology were used. The habit used was
broadly divided into three; tree, shrub or liana while the stem
morphology could either be smooth (absence of spines, thorns or
prickles) or (presence of any or all of spines, thorns or prickles). Leaf
morphology were subdivided either into Compound or simple;
opposite/whorl or alternate; leaf margin toothed or entire, leaf/leaflet
apex acuminate or rounded; leaf surface glabrous or pubescent; presence
or absence of stipules, petioles, latex; transluscent dots, transluscent line
and in some cases, leaf/leaflet shape, bases and nerves.
3.3.2 Local names and indigenous uses
All the local names of the sampled species where possible, were
given in Bette (the central language in Obudu). Information on the
indigenous uses and local naming of the sampled species were collected
by direct interview with herbalist, farmers, hunters, and some local
women. Some of these persons interviewed include Mr. Udie Akpo
(Farmer and herbalist), Mr Akinushieye Akwuyia (hunter and farmer),
Mr. Akomaye Akwuyia (farmers, herbalist and hunter), Mr. Akomaye
Adie (farmers, hunter andpalmwine taper), Mr. Imbue Adie (retired
farmerand palm wine taper) Mr. UshieAkinushieye (farmer, herbalist
and hunter), Mr. Ikwen A. (Farmer) and Mr. Agba (farmer). Others with
29
good knowledge of indigenous plants include Mrs. Christiana
Akinushieye, Ugie-UgoddyUdama, Mrs. Helen Akomaye, Mrs. Bridget
Akomaye, Mrs. Alo Akwuyia and Mrs. Ikwen. Information was also
sourced from personal communications. Plate 2 is a picture showing
some of the interview sessions with the natives on different plant
species.
Information on indigenous uses of the censored plant species was
also obtained.
30
Plate 2: Personal Researcher interview with the natives

31
3.3.3 Sample identification

Field botanical characters used for identification include habits,
stems, and leaves (HASTLE). Trees of Nigeria by Keay (2011), West
African weeds by Akobundu and Agyakwa (1998), trees and shrubs of
West Africa dry zones by Arbonnier (2006), Savanna Trees of Nigeria:
a Field Key by Hopkins and Stanfield (1966) and Trees of Niger delta
by Nyannanyo (2006) were indispensable for identification. The staffs
of Forestry commission, Obudu also help in identifying some species in
their corridor.
Herbarium specimens were collected for species not completely
identified in the field. Plants collected were taken to Dr. J. K. Ebigwai (a
taxonomist and Lecturer) and Pastor Frank, I. A. (the chief curator),
department of Botany, university of Calabar for drying and further
identification.The 2014 IUCN status of the plant species were
determined using www.iucnredlist.org. All the samples have been
documented as voucher specimens with reference numbers in the
herbarium for reference purposes.
3.3.4 Quality assurance

32
To deal with errors that might have interfered with the result of
this study, appropriate measures were employed at each stage of this
inventory work to ensure the sanctity and accuracy of its result. Some of
these measures include
Ensuring that each sample species collected were labeled/or given
identification number and its photograph taken in-situ. Information on
stems morphology and other fragile/vulnerable organs were also
recorded in-situ with the aid of a field notebook. This was to avoid loss
of vital information and wrong classification of the censured plant
samples while identifying.
Ensuring that plants parts collected were bagged in polyethene
bags and later arranged and appropriately dries in a press. This was to
avoid desiccation, wilting and loss of important taxonomy markers.
Ensuring that damaged and infected plants partswere avoided in
the collection process. This was to avoid ascribing wrong characteristics
to plant species while describing them for identification.
Ensuring that plot-less sampling techniquewere used throughout
in this study and only species observed in the field were considered and
recorded. This was to avoid the missing out localized plant species since
33
the vegetation was not uniform (patches of farmlands, and other
plantations) and to avoid including extinct species of the study area.
Ensuring that information on the local names and indigenous uses
of the censured plant species were sourced from only experienced and
native people note under the age of 30 years. This was to ensure the
reliability of the information hoping that experiences vary with age.
Ensuring that each identified character of a particular taxon was
followed by other feature/character particular to the species while
constructing the HASTLE key for the identification of the censured
plant species. This was to ensure that the system can be expanded to
cater for identification of other sampled plant species in the future and
for identification of plants species from other locations without
complications or misleading.
Finally, ensuring that each identified species were reported with
the botanical name, family, common name, local name (Bette name),
and habit, taxonomic description using morphological features,
indigenous uses, the IUCN and photograph. Each species was presented
in a standalone page and are arranged in alphabetical order. This was to

34
ease referencing and to prove beyond dought, the existence of such
species in the study.
3.3.5 Presentation of result

The result of this study is presented in two formats –the hard copy
and the soft copy.
3.3.5.1 Hard copy
The hard copy shows the coloured pictures of the inventoried
species with the botanical name, family, common name, local name
(Bette name), habit, taxonomic description using morphological
features, indigenous uses and the IUCN status. Each species is presented
in a standalone page and are arranged in alphabetical order.
3.3.5.2 The soft copy
Computerized software called HASTLE was designed to serve as
a template for plant identification. HASTLE is a program aimed at the
automation of leaf identification with respect to time and effort saving.
It was designed using a precise tabulation of vegetative morphology
which categorizes habit, stem and leaf according to their visible traits. It
35
was built upon the wamp server. The redistributable is found in the
application CD and can be install on the system by the following short
procedures
1. Install the sever (wamp server)
2. Open phpmyadmin and import the database file
3. Copy the folder containing all the files to the root directory (www
folder)
36
Plate 3: Window interface displaying the HASTLE key

37
The deduction mechanism was based on the principle of binary
selection proposed by Hopkins and Stanfield (1966). Hence, there can
only be one choice out of two independent selections; utilizing a drop-
down menu. Therefore, the selection was based on the simultaneous
narrowing of both classification and supplying them with an appropriate
Boolean operator (the AND and OR operator). Following the selection
of a feature prompts the appearance of two sub characters with their
uploaded images as a means to narrow choices and collate the deduction
from individually defined Boolean variables. Also a Help file (system
glossary) was provided to acquaint a beginner with terminologies used.
The user can return to homepage at any point by clicking the “home”
( ) icon on the task bar. Clicking on the “START” button or “back”on
the desktop will return you to access point of the programme.
The whole process of identification starts by clicking on “identify
a plant”. The plant is said to be identified when all the other suspected
taxa have been eliminated. Then, the identifier (the user) can now click
on the identified plant to match the picture and other taxonomic
descriptions with that of the species at hand.

38
System requirements
The minimum system hardware requirements of HASTLE are as

follows:
Hardware requirement are;
A Pentium 2 system with the following conFigurations
• 1.0GHz of processor speed and above
• 512 megabyte of hard disk
• 512 megabyte of Ram and above
• 1024 * 768 screen resolution
Software requirement
 Local server (wamp server or xampp sever)
 Web browser (eg. Mozila firefox, explorer, or google crome)
The software and hardware requirements must be met during the

installation of the program itself for effective performance of HASTLE
computer system programme.
39
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT
4.1 Diversity Enumeration
The floral resource of Obudu local government area, Cross River
State, Nigeria was studied for the purpose of establishing the floristic
diversity and composition of the area and to construct a computerized
key for the identification of the species. Samples were taken at random
from thirteen (13) villages across three (3) ethnic groupings of Obudu.
A total of 140 species of trees, shrubs and lianas belonging to 44 (forty
four) families were censored and the results are given in section 4.1
(plate 4 to 143). All of the plant species encountered were identified and
grouped into three plant forms based on their physiognomy as trees
(82%), shrubs (9%), and liana/climbers (9%).
The censored species were also grouped into their respective
families as shown also in appendix 1. A total of forty four (44) plant
families were censored. Result shows that the predominant plant
families in terms of species composition is the caesalpinoideae (13
species) followed by the Euphobiceae (12), Moraceae (11), Rubiaceae
(10), Papililionoideae (8), Apocyanaceae (7), Combretaceae (6),

40
Sterculaceae, Bignonaceae and Miliaceae (5 each), Sapindaceae and
Mimosoideae (4 each), Annonaceae, Verbenaceae, Bombacaceae (3
each), Agavaceae, Anacardiaceae, Arecaceae, Tiliaceae, Sapotaceae,
Potaliaceae, Pacifloraceae, Ochnaceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Burseraceae
(2 each) and Alangiaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Ulmaceae, Vitaceae,
Smilacaceae, Samydaceae, Pandaceae, Olacaceae, Myrtaceae,
Myristicaceae, Moringaceae, Lecythidaceae, Irvingiaceae,
Hymenocardiaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Convolvulaceae,
Connaraceae, Clusiaceae and Asteraceae (1species each).
Result also showed that 119 species representing about 85% of
the censored plant species are used for various purposes within the study
area as shown in appendix 2.
1.2 The IUCN status of the censored plant species
The global IUCN Red List (2014) were also shown for the censored
species as also showed in Appendix 1; the results indicated that 7
(seven) species representing 5% have been assessed by the IUCN as of
2014. Of the assessed species, 4 (four) are of conservation concern i.e
Threatened species of the Obudu floral species with all the 4 (four)
41
species categorized as Vulnerable (VL), 1 (one) as Near Threatened
(NT) and 2 (two) as Least Concerned while Other species which
represent 95% of the total species censored are yet to be evaluated by
the IUCN.
1.3 Indigenous uses of the censored plant species
Obudu dwellers are mostly farmers and depend on plants for food,
shelter, staking, timber, fuelwood, herbal medicines, and incomes. Due
to enormous uses of plant resources in the study area; the indigenous use
of the censored plant species were evaluated, the result is presented in
appendix 2. From this study, it was shown that about 85% of the
censored plant species are used for various purposes within the study
area. The result has shown that a greater proportion of their plants are
used for medicinal, fuelwood and timber. For instance, about 57% of the
censored species medicinal and are used as such, 49% are explored for
fuelwood, and 24% for timber. Other indigenous uses of plant resources
of the study area included as poles and life fence (10%), fruits and nuts
(10%), chewing sticks (10%), shade from sun (7.8%), Charcoal (6.5%),
wrapping leaves (5.7%), rope (5.7), fetish/superstitious use (5%), dyes

42
(4.3%), ashes/potash (3.5), vegetables (2.9%), spice and sweeteners
(2.8%), gums and adhesives (2.8%), Bioinsectcide (3%), poison (1.8%),
Fodders or browsing plant (1.4%), fats and oils (1.4%), fibers (1.4),
carving (1.4%), Stirrer (0.7%), toilet paper (1.4%), Polishing (0.7%),
beverages and drinks (0.7%), containers (0.7%) and dishes washing
(0.7%). Furthermore, resul has shown that Elaeis guineensis is the most
frequently used plant in the study area with nine different indigenous uses follow
immediately by Irvingia gabonensis with 8 indigenous uses, Gmelina arborea;
Canarium schweinfurthii and Dacryodes edulis (6 uses each), Parkia spp; Milicia
excels; Dombeya burgessiae; Virtex doniana; Raphia sudanical and Harungana
madagascariensis (five uses each). Some species however has no esterblished
indigenous use ion the study area, such species includes Cussonia arborea, Saba
senegalensis, Combretum tomentosum, Combretum zenkeri, Santaloides afzilii,
Ricinodendron heudeloti, and Tephrosia vogelii.

43
CALL NO: 001

FAMILY: Agavaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Dracaena arborea (Willd.) Link
COMMON NAME: Dracaena
LOCAL NAME: Kitilakham
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Nill
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Alternate and spiral
PETIOLE: Sessile
LEAF SHAPE: Strap-shaped to elongated oblanceolate
LEAF SIZE: 60 – 120cm long 3 – 5cm broad
LEAF APEX: Sharply acuminate
LEAF BASE: Sheathing the stem
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, dark green, thickly leathery
VENATION: Parallel
NO OF NERVES: Scarcely visible
FLOWERING: November – January, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Shade for deities, and life fence
44
Plate 4: Dracaena arborea (Willd.) Link

45
CALL NO: 002

FAMILY: Agavaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Dracaena minni Bak
COMMON NAME: Dracaena
LOCAL NAME: Kitilakham
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE:Simple
PETIOLE: Sessile
LEAF SHAPE: Strap-like or narrowly oblanceolate
LEAF SIZE: 20 – 45m long and 2 – 3cm broad
LEAF APEX: Sharply acuminate
LEAF BASE: Tapering gradually and sheathing the stem
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, dark green, and thinly leathery
VENATION: Parallel
NO OF NERVES: Scarcely visible
FLOWERING: January - April, white colour and fragrant
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Shade for deities, and life fence
46
Plate 5: Dracaena minni Bak

47
CALL NO: 003

FAMILY: Alangiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Cussonia arborea Hochst. Ex. A. Rich.
COMMON NAME: Octopus cabbage tree
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Caducous stipules
LEAF TYPE: Digitate compound
PHYLOTAXY: Alternate
PETIOLE: 40 – 60cm long, swollen at the apex
LEAFLETS: 7 - 10 leaflets radiating from swollen apex of the
petiole
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic
LEAFLET SIZE: 8 – 25cm long and 2.5 – 7.5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Abruptly acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Cuneate
LEAFLET MARGIN: Entire
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy above and grayish white beneath
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 – 12 pairs
FLOWERING: February - May
INDIGENOUS USES: No known uses identified in Obudu
48
Plate 6: Cussonia arborea Hochst. Ex. A. Rich.

49
CALL NO: 004

FAMILY: Anacardiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl.
COMMON NAME: African Grape
LOCAL NAME: Kughem
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Unipinnate compound
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, 20-30cm long
LEAFLETS: 4 - 7 pairs of alternate leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Asymmetrical elliptic
LEAFLET SIZE: 10 – 20 cm long and 3.5 – 10cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Asymmetrical rounded
LEAFLET SURFACE: Glabrous, papery
PETIOLULE: 10 – 20mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5 – 8 pairs of irregular lateral nerves
FLOWERING: December – April and August, white or greenish
white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood, and Timber
50
Plate 7: Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl.

51
CALL NO: 005

FAMILY: Anacardiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Spondia mombin Linn.
COMMON NAME: Hig plum
LOCAL NAME: Udingar
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, 30 – 60cm long, flapped
LEAFLETS: 5 - 8 pairs +1 opposite leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 7 – 13 cm long 3.5 – 5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Acuminate with long tip
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous
PETIOLULE: 5 - 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 10 - 15 pair of prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: March – April and July - August, greenish-white
colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, poles and life fence, Timber
52
Plate 8: Spondia mombin Linn.

53
CALL NO: 006

FAMILY: Annonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Annona senegalensis Pers.
COMMON NAME: wild custard apple
LOCAL NAME: Kiuin
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, 6 -12 mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Broadly elliptic
LEAF SIZE: 5 – 15 cm long and 3.5 – 9cm broad
LEAF APEX: Rounded or tapering
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy-green above and pale beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 - 10 pairs of prominent upcurving lateral nerves
FLOWERING: January – April, yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and Fruits
54
Plate 9: Annona senegalensis Pers.

55
CALL NO: 007

FAMILY: Annonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Cleistopholis patens (Benth) Engl. and Diels
COMMON NAME: Salt-and-oil tree
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Alternate and in 2 rows
PETIOLE: Stout, up to 12mm long
LEAF SHAPE: variable in shapes -Elongated elliptic,
Oblanceolate to lanceolate
LEAF SIZE: 10 – 25 m long and 3 – 6cm broad
LEAF APEX: Acuminate
LEAF BASE: Rounded or cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, leathery glossy and dark green above
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 10 – 15 pairs of lateral nerves, more prominent
beneath
FLOWERING: November - April, greenish-yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber
56
Plate 10: Cleistopholis patens (Benth) Engl. and Diels

57
CALL NO: 008

FAMILY: Annonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Uvaria chamae P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: Finger root
LOCAL NAME: Kigile’shii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Small tree or shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: 3 – 26mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Oblong-elliptic
LEAF SIZE: 4.5 – 15 cm long and 3 – 7cm broad
LEAF APEX: Acuminate-obtuse
LEAF BASE: Obtuse-cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous and glossy
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 – 14 pairs of lateral nerves, prominent beneath
FLOWERING: June – October, Greenish-yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Chewstick, and Fruits
58
Plate 11: Uvaria chamae P. Beauv.

59
CALL NO: 009

FAMILY: Apocyanaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Alstonia boonei De Wild.
COMMON NAME: Stool wood
LOCAL NAME: Kako’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree, exuding white latex
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Whorled of 5 – 8 leaves
PETIOLE: Stout, to 1.8cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Oblanceolate
LEAF SIZE: 10 – 20 cm long and 6 – 9cm broad
LEAF APEX: Rounded with short blunt tip
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: Up to 50 pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October - May, Yellowish-white
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, and Shade
60
Plate 12: Alstonia boonei De Wild.

61
CALL NO: 010

BOTANICAL NAME: Ancylobotrys amoena Hua.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME: Uta’m
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Liana, exuding white latex
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Slightly pubescent especially on midrib beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5 - 8 pairs of more or less prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: November - January, White or yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Rope
62
Plate 13: Ancylobotrys amoena Hua.

63
CALL NO: 011

BOTANICAL NAME: Holarrhena floribunda (G. Don.) Dur.and Schinz.
COMMON NAME: False rubber tree
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Up to 6mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic-lanceolate
LEAF SIZE: 7 – 20 cm broad and 5– 12cm broad
LEAF APEX: Slightly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 – 12 pairs of upcurving lateral nerves
FLOWERING: February - July, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: life fence, and poles
64
Plate 14: Holarrhena floribunda (G. Don.) Dur. and Schinz.

65
CALL NO: 012

BOTANICAL NAME: Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel.
COMMON NAME: Swizzle- stick
LOCAL NAME: Kabo’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Whorled of 4 leaves
PETIOLE: Up to 2.5cm long
LEAF SIZE: 7 – 20 cm long and 3.5– 5cm broad
LEAF APEX: Shortly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Narrowly cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: Thin and irregular
FLOWERING: January – May and July, creamy-white
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and Fuelwood
66
Plate 15: Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel

67
CALL NO: 013

BOTANICAL NAME: Saba senegalensis (A. Dc.) Pichon.
COMMON NAME: French liane saba
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Liana, exuding white latex
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Tendrilled
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Stout, 1 – 1.8cm long
LEAF APEX: Acuminate-obtuse
LEAF MARGIN: Entire or dentate
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 -14 pairs of transluscent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: February - March, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: No known uses identified
68
Plate 16: Saba senegalensis (A. Dc.) Pichon.

69
CALL NO: 014

FAMILY: Apocyanacea
BOTANICAL NAME: Tabernaemontana ventricosa Hochst. Ex. Dc.
COMMON NAME: Forest toad tree
LOCAL NAME: Kako-ugkieb
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Small tree, exuding white latex
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy above
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 9 – 11 pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: January - March
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and Stimulan
70
Plate 17: Tabernaemontana ventricosa Hochst. Ex. Dc.

71
CALL NO: 015

BOTANICAL NAME: Voacanga africana Stapt.
COMMON NAME: Small-fruited voacanga
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Channeled above, 1 – 1.5cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to oblanceolate
LEAF APEX: Acuminate to obtuse
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 10 - 15 pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: January – May, white colour
72
Plate 18: Voacanga africana Stapt.

73
CALL NO: 016

FAMILY: Arecaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Elaeis guineensis Jacq.
COMMON NAME: African palm tree
LOCAL NAME: Kiwuor
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree with a single trunk
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Spines at the base of the fronds

LEAF TYPE: Unipinnate compound, a frond
PHYLOTAXY: Alternate, spiral
PETIOLE: up to 5m long, Paripinnate, flat and widen at base
LEAFLETS: up to 50 pairs of subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Linear
LEAFLET SIZE: 50 – 150 cm long 1 – 3cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Acuminate with a thorn at the tip
LEAFLET BASE: inserted in the petiole
LEAFLET MARGIN: Entire with transluscent line
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous and glossy
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: Indistinct parallel nerves
FLOWERING: throughout the year
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fruits, Nuts, Weaving, Roofing
houses, Ashes, Broom, Ropes, Beverages/drinks,
Oils, and fetish uses
74
Plate 19: Elaeis guineensis Jacq.

75
CALL NO: 017

FAMILY: Arecaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Raphia sudanical A Chev.
COMMON NAME: Raffia palm
LOCAL NAME: Kukheh
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree with a single trunk
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Spines at the base of the fronds

LEAF TYPE: Unipinnate compound, a frond
PHYLOTAXY: Alternate, spiral
PETIOLE: up to 8m long, cylendrical
LEAFLETS: up to 50 pairs of subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Linear
LEAFLET SIZE: 50 – 150 cm long and 1 – 3cm broad
LEAFLET BASE: inserted in the petiole
LEAFLET MARGIN: Entire with brownish spines
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: parallel, with prominent and spiny midrib
NO OF NERVES: Indistinct
FLOWERING: Throughout the year
INDIGENOUS USES: Weaving, Roofing houses, Ashes, and fetish uses
76
Plate: 20: Raphia sudanical A Chev

77
CALL NO: 018

FAMILY: Asteraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Vernonia amygdalina Del.
COMMON NAME: Bitter leaf tree
LOCAL NAME: Kutte
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Pubescent, 1 – 2.5cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic-Obovate
LEAF APEX: Acute-acuminate
LEAF BASE: Attenuated
LEAF MARGIN: Dentate
LEAF SURFACES: more or less pubescent
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: November – June, White colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and Vegetable
78
Plate 21: Vernonia amygdalina Del.

79
CALL NO: 019

FAMILY: Bignonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Crescentia cujete L.
COMMON NAME: Calabash tree
LOCAL NAME: Kikpa
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Sub-sessile, 0 – 5mm long
LEAF APEX: Acutely cuneate or notched
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire or waved
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: April – July, orange-yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fuelwood, Gourd or Calabash
80
Plate: 22: Crescentia cujete L.

81
CALL NO: 020

FAMILY: Bignonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Kigelia africana (Lam) Benth
COMMON NAME: Sausage tree
LOCAL NAME: kitete
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, 20 – 50 cm long
LEAFLETS: 3 – 6 pairs +1 opposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic to elongated lanceolate
LEAFLET APEX: Rounded or slightly acuminate
LEAFLET MARGIN: Entire or dentate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, Scabrid beneath
PETIOLULE: 2 – 10 mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 7 - 12 pairs, fairly prominent
FLOWERING: December – April, Purplish-red to greenish yellow
colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Soup thickener, Shade, and Medicinal
82
Plate 23: Kigelia africana (Lam) Benth

83
CALL NO: 021

FAMILY: Bignonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Newbouldia leavis (P. Beauv) Seeman Ex. Burea
COMMON NAME: Newbouldia
LOCAL NAME: katsitsang
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite or subopposite
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic to broadly elliptic
LEAFLET MARGIN: Coarsely toothed
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, dark green above
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 - 9 pairs, lopped away from the margin
FLOWERING: December – February, Purplish-pink colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, live fence and poles and Medicinal
84
Plate 24: Newbouldia leavis (P. Beauv) Seeman Ex. Burea

85
CALL NO: 022

FAMILY: Bignonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: African tuliptree
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Stipulate
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, 30 – 45cm long
LEAFLETS: 4 - 8 pairs of opposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Asymmetrical-elliptic
LEAFLET SIZE: 10 – 15 cm lon and 4 – 6cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Shortly acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Asymmetrical with 2 or 3 fleshy glands
LEAFLET SURFACE: finely hairy
PETIOLULE: 0.3 – 0.8cm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5-6 pairs
FLOWERING: July – December, scarlet or orangered colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, and Fuelwood
86
Plate 25: Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv.

87
CALL NO: 023

FAMILY: Bignonaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Stereospermum kunthianum Cham.
COMMON NAME: Pink jacaranda
LOCAL NAME: Utsi-ukor
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAFLET MARGIN: slightly serrated
LEAFLET SURFACES: Scabrid-glabrous
PETIOLULE: 1 – 1.2cm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5-7 pairs
FLOWERING: December - April, pink or purple colour
INDIGENOUS USES: medicinal, and Fuelwood
88
Plate 26: Stereospermum kunthianum Cham.

89
CALL NO: 024

FAMILY: Bombacaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: Cotton tree
LOCAL NAME: kukem
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Thorns in pairs
PETIOLE: 7 – 24 cm long
LEAFLETS: 5 – 8 leaflets at the tip of the petiole
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic-obovate
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 15 - 25 pairs on central leaflets
FLOWERING: December – February, pink red petal
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, carving, and Medicinal
90
Plate 27: Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv.

91
CALL NO: 025

FAMILY: Bombacaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Bombax costadum Pellegr. and Vuillet
COMMON NAME: Red kapok tree
LOCAL NAME: kukem
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Thorns in pairs
LEAFLET SHAPE: Obovate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Pubescent becoming glabrous
PETIOLULE: Sub-sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 - 10 pairs on central leaflets
FLOWERING: November – February, orange red petal
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, carving, and Medicinal
92
Plate 28: Bombax costadum Pellegr. and Vuillet

93
CALL NO: 026

FAMILY: Bombacaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ceiba pentandra (Linn) Gaertn
COMMON NAME: Silk cotton tree or kapok tree
LOCAL NAME: Kukem-uwhoeh
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: With or without thorns in pairs
LEAFLET SHAPE: Oblanceolate
LEAFLET SIZE: 5 – 18 cm long and 2 – 4.5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Gradually acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Rounded or cuneate
PETIOLULE: Distinctly stalked, 5 – 10mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 15 - 20 pairs on central leaflets, fairly prominent
FLOWERING: December – January, White colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, Soup thickener, and Medicinal
94
Plate 29: Ceiba pentandra (Linn) Gaertn

95
CALL NO: 027

FAMILY: Burseraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.
COMMON NAME: African Elemi
LOCAL NAME: Kuffeh
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elongated-elliptic
LEAFLET BASE: Asymmetrical cordate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous above, pubescent beneath
PETIOLULE: Stout, 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 12 - 24 pairs
FLOWERING: July - August, creamy-white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, Fruits, Nuts, Gum, and
Fuelwood
96
Plate 30: Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.

97
CALL NO: 028

FAMILY: Burseraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Dacryodes edulis (G. Don.) H. J. Lam
COMMON NAME: African pear
LOCAL NAME: Kushu
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAFLETS: 6 - 8 pairs of opposite or sub-opposit leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elongated-elliptic
LEAFLET APEX: Long acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Asymmetrical rounded on one side, cuneate on the
other
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous above, pubescent beneath
PETIOLULE: Channelled, 1- 2.5cm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: February - April, Brown colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, Fruits, Gum, and Fuelwood
98
Plate 31: Dacryodes edulis (G. Don.) H. J. Lam

99
CALL NO: 029

FAMILY: Caesalpinioideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Afzelia africana Sm.
COMMON NAME: African oak
LOCAL NAME: Kukpe
IUCN: Vu
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, 15-30cm long
LEAFLETS: 3-4 pairs of opposite leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 5-15 cm long and 3.5-8cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Cuneate
LEAFLET BASE: Asymmetrical
LEAFLET SURFACE: Glabrous, dark green above
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: February – April, Green in colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, Fuelwood, and Poles
100
Plate 32: Afzelia africana Sm

101
CALL NO: 030

BOTANICAL NAME: Anthonotha macrophylla P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: African rosewood
LOCAL NAME: Kiborkpor
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, 7 – 20cm long
LEAFLETS: 3 – 4 pairs of opposite or subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Broadly elliptic
LEAFLET SIZE: 10 – 18 cm long and 3.5 – 7.5cm broad
LEAFLET BASE: Cuneate or rounded
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous above, shortly hairy beneath
PETIOLULE: Swollen at the base
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: October – December, and April – July, white
colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood, and chewstick
102
Plate 33: Anthonotha macrophylla P. Beauv.

103
CALL NO: 031

BOTANICAL NAME: Berlinia grandiflora (Vahl.) Hutch.
COMMON NAME: Berlinia or Ekpogoi
LOCAL NAME: Kuffann
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAFLETS: 3 – 4 pairs of alternate leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 10 – 18 cm long and 3.5 – 7.5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Bluntly acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Rounded
PETIOLULE: Swollen at base
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: October – December, and June
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood, and gums
104
Plate 34: Berlinia grandiflora (Vahl.) Hutch.

105
CALL NO: 032

BOTANICAL NAME: Burkea africana Benth.
COMMON NAME: wild seringa
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Bipinnate compound
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, 20 – 45cm long; 2-5 pairs of 2nd
pinnae
LEAFLETS: 10 – 15 pairs of alternate leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Ovate to elliptic
LEAFLET SIZE: 2.5 – 5 cm long and 1 – 3cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Rounded and notched
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous above, sparsely hairy beneath
PETIOLULE: Swollen at the base
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – February, and April – June, white to
cream colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Shade, Timber
106
Plate 35: Burkea africana Benth.

107
CALL NO: 033

BOTANICAL NAME: Dailum guineense Wild.
COMMON NAME: Black/Velvet tamarine
LOCAL NAME: Ukpel
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAFLETS: 2 – 3 pairs +1 opposite or subopposite leaflet
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic to broadly elliptic
LEAFLET APEX: Abruptly and shortly acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Slightly cuneate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, leathery above
PETIOLULE: Hairy, stout, 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 - 12 pair of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October – December, white-brown in colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Fruits and drinks, Fuelwood, and chewstick
108
Plate 36: Dailum guineense Wild.

109
CALL NO: 034

BOTANICAL NAME: Daniellia olivery (Rolfe) Hutch and Dalz.
COMMON NAME: African copaiba balsam
LOCAL NAME: Kujion’shii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAFLETS: 4 – 9 pairs of opposite or subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Ovate
LEAFLET SIZE: 6 – 15 cm long and 3.5 – 7.5 cm broad
LEAFLET BASE: Asymmetrically rounded
LEAFLET MARGIN: Entire, covered with transluscent dots
PETIOLULE: Swollen at the base, stout
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – February, white colour and fragrant
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, Fuelwood, and Medicinal
110
Plate 37: Daniellia olivery (Rolfe) Hutch and Dalz.

111
CALL NO: 035

BOTANICAL NAME: Datarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr.
COMMON NAME: Tallow tree
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAFLETS: 5 - 12 pairs of alternate leaflets
LEAFLET APEX: Rounded
LEAFLET SURFACE: Glabrous, with translucent dots
PETIOLULE: Swollen, 0.5 – 1cm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: numerous, barely prominent
FLOWERING: June - October
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, fruits, and Fuelwood
112
Plate 38: Datarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr.

113
CALL NO: 036

BOTANICAL NAME: Isoberlinia doka Craib. and Stapf.
COMMON NAME: Doka tree
LOCAL NAME: Kuffann
IUCN: LC
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAFLETS: 3 pairs opposite or subopposite leaflet
LEAFLET SHAPE: Ovate-elliptic
LEAFLET BASE: Markedly asymmetrical
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy green but bright red in juvenile
leaves
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: November – March, fragrant and white colour
114
Plate 39: Isoberlinia doka Craib.and Stapf.

115
CALL NO: 037

BOTANICAL NAME: Isoberlinia tomentosa (Harms) Craib. and Stapf.
COMMON NAME: White duka
LOCAL NAME: Kuffann
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAFLETS: 4 pairs opposite leaflet
LEAFLET APEX: Asymmetrical rounded
LEAFLET BASE: Slightly cuneate
LEAFLET SURFACES: shortly hairy
PETIOLULE: Hairy, stout, 5 – 12mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 - 8 pair of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: November – January, fragrant and white colour
116
Pltae 40: Isoberlinia tomentosa (Harms) Craib. and Stapf

117
CALL NO: 038

BOTANICAL NAME: Piliostigma reticulatum (Dc.) Hochst.
COMMON NAME: Camel’s foot
LOCAL NAME: Kidakpam
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Glabrous, swollen at both ends, 1 – 3cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Bi-lobed
LEAF SIZE: 5 – 7.5 cm long and 5 – 10cm broad
LEAF APEX: Rounded
LEAF BASE: Widely cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 9 – 11 basal nerves
FLOWERING: December – March, white colour
118
Plate 41: Piliostigma reticulatum (Dc.) Hochst.

119
CALL NO: 039

BOTANICAL NAME: Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne Redhead.
COMMON NAME: Camel’s foot
LOCAL NAME: Kidakpam
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Densely hairy, swollen at both ends, 2.5 – 5cm
long
LEAF SHAPE: Bi-lobed
LEAF APEX: Rounded
LEAF BASE: Widely cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous above, hairy on nerves beneath
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 11 – 15 basal nerves
FLOWERING: December – April and July - October, creamy
white colour
120
PLate 42: Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne Redhead.

121
CALL NO: 040

FAMILY: Caesalpinoideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Senna alata (Linn) Roxb
COMMON NAME: Ringworm bush
LOCAL NAME: Udeh’de, or utsi bitete
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, 40 – 70 cm long
LEAFLETS: 8 – 12 pairs of opposite leaflet
LEAFLET SHAPE: Obovate
LEAFLET APEX: Rounded or mucronate
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 10 - 12 pairs of prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: June – November, golden yellow
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal
122
Plate 43: Senna alata (Linn) Roxb

123
CALL NO: 041

FAMILY: Caesalpinoideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Senna hirsuta (Linn) Irwin and Barneby
COMMON NAME: Stinking cassia
LOCAL NAME: Udeh’de ufung
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, 10 – 25 cm long
LEAFLETS: 4 – 5 pairs of opposite leaflet
LEAFLET SHAPE: Ovate or ovate-lanceolate
LEAFLET APEX: Acute
LEAFLET SURFACES: Pubescent
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: June – November, Yellow
124
Plate 44: Senna hirsuta (Linn) Irwin and Barneby

125
CALL NO: 042

FAMILY: Chrysobalanaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Neocarya macrophyla (Sabine) Prance.
COMMON NAME: mobola-plum, cork tree, hissing tree
LOCAL NAME: Kigbel-agashi
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Pubescent, 3 – 7mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate or elliptic
LEAF APEX: Rounded or acuminate
LEAF BASE: Cordate or rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, brown and downy on midrib
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – April, white in colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Fruits, Medicinal, and Fuelwood
126
Plate 45: Neocarya macrophyla (Sabine) Prance.

127
CALL NO: 043

FAMILY: Chrysobalanaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Parinari curatellifolia Planch. Ex Benth.
COMMON NAME: mobola-plum, cork tree, hissing tree
LOCAL NAME: Kigbel-agashi
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Pubescent, 6 – 10mm long with 2 circular glands
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic-oblong
LEAF APEX: Rounded
LEAF BASE: Cuneate or rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, grey-green above and whitish beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 17 - 20 pairs of parallel lateral nerves
FLOWERING: December - April
INDIGENOUS USES: Fruits, Medicinal, and Fuelwood
128
Plate 46: Parinari curatellifolia Planch. Ex Benth.

129
CALL NO: 044

FAMILY: Clusiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Harungana madagascariensis Lam. Ex. Poir.
COMMON NAME: Dragon’s blood tree
LOCAL NAME: Uti’lii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree, exuding orange gum
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Pubescent, 1 – 2cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate or Oblong
LEAF SIZE: 10 – 20 cm long abd 4 – 10cm broad
LEAF APEX: Acute to Acuminate
LEAF BASE: Variable –Cuneate, Rounded, or Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, dark green and glossy above, scurfy
beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 12 – 20 pairs of fussing lateral nerves
FLOWERING: December – February and May – August, white
colour and fragrant
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fuelwood, Timber, Dye, and Stirrer -
Akpoo turner
130
Plate 47: Harungana madagascariensis Lam. Ex. Poir.

131
CALL NO: 045

FAMILY: Combretaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Anogeissus leiocarpa (Dc.) Guil and Peri.
COMMON NAME: African birch
LOCAL NAME: Ubi’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Some spiny on branches and branchlets
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Finely hairy, 4 – 8mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to ovate-lanceolate
LEAF SIZE: 2.5 – 5 cm long and 1.5 – 3.5cm broad
LEAF APEX: Acute
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire or dentate
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 -10 pairs of upcurving lateral nerves
FLOWERING: July - November, greenish yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and Poles
132
Plate 48: Anogeissus leiocarpa (Dc.) Guil and Peri.

133
CALL NO: 046

BOTANICAL NAME: Combretum hispidum Laws
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME: Kiffa’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Climbing Shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Sometimes with thorns on twig
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF SHAPE: Oblong
LEAF APEX: Acuminate or acute
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: October – February, bright pink colour
134
Plate 49: Combretum hispidum Laws

135
CALL NO: 047

BOTANICAL NAME: Combretum racemosum P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: Cristmas rose
LOCAL NAME: Kiffa’litam
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Thorns on twig
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to ovate
LEAF APEX: Acute
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent on nerves
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5 - 8 pairs of barely prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October – December, dark red colour
136
Plate 50: Combretum racemosum P. Beauv.

137
CALL NO: 048

BOTANICAL NAME: Combretum tomentosum G. Don.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME: Kiffa’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Liana or Scandent shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Solitary thorns
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite or Subopposite
LEAF APEX: Abruptly Mucronate or notched
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Tomentose with russet tomentum
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5 - 10 pairs of convergent parallel nerves
FLOWERING: March - May
138
Plate 51: Combretum tomentosum G. Don

139
CALL NO: 049

BOTANICAL NAME: Combretum zenkeri Engl. and Diels.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Thorns on twig
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF APEX: Acute to obtuse
LEAF BASE: Rounded or Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, with brown hairs
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: October – December
140
Plate 52: Combretum zenkeri Engl. and Diels.

141
CALL NO: 050

BOTANICAL NAME: Terminalia brownii Fresen.
COMMON NAME: Red pod terminalia
LOCAL NAME: Kako
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Finely hairy, 1.5 – 2.5cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to obovate
LEAF SIZE: 7 – 11 cm long and 2.5 – 7.5cm broad
LEAF APEX: Acuminate or Acute to obtuse
LEAF BASE: Acutely cuneate to obtuse
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous-green above, finely pubescent and
tomentose beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 7 – 11 basal nerves and 4 – 5 pairs of lateral
nerves, more prominent beneath
FLOWERING: March – May, whitish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fuelwood, poles and pillars and
Charcoal
142
Plate 53: Terminalia brownii Fresen.

143
CALL NO: 051

FAMILY: Connaraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Cnestis ferruginea Dc.
COMMON NAME: Dog’s penis
LOCAL NAME: Uto- apkii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
LEAFLETS: 4 – 6 pairs +1 opposite or subopposite leaflet
LEAFLET SHAPE: Oblong to elliptic
LEAFLET APEX: Acute or obtuse
LEAFLET SURFACES: Pubescent with soft hair
PETIOLULE: Sub-sessile, 0 -8mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 - 9 pairs, fairly prominent
FLOWERING: October – December, white colour and fragrant
144
Plate 54: Cnestis ferruginea Dc.

145
CALL NO: 052

FAMILY: Connaraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Santaloides afzelii (R. Br. Planch) Schellenb
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLETS: 3 - 7 pairs of opposite leaflets +1
LEAFLET BASE: Rounded or obtuse
PETIOLULE: 5 - 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5 - 8 pair of fussing lateral nerves
FLOWERING: December – February
146
Plate 55: Santaloides afzelii (R. Br. Planch) Schellenb

147
CALL NO: 053

FAMILY: Convolvulaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.
COMMON NAME: giant potato
LOCAL NAME: Kukem- itang
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Climber or twiner
LEAF TYPE: Simple, palmate with 7 lobes
PETIOLE: 8 – 15cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate-lanceolate
LEAF BASE: Deeply Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 7 nerves from apex of the leafstalk
FLOWERING: April – June, Rose-red colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Soup thickener
148
Plate 56: Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.

149
CALL NO: 054

FAMILY: Cucurbitaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Luffa cylindricum (Linn) M. J. Roem.
COMMON NAME: Loofah gourd or loofah
LOCAL NAME: Ukwuo-uziwhoeh
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Climber
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Tendrils
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Digitate with 5 - 7 lobes
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Denticulate
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous beneath, slightly hairy beneath
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 5 - 7 nerves from the base
FLOWERING: August– November, yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Spunch for washing dishes
150
Plate 57: Luffa cylindricum (Linn) M. J. Roem

151
CALL NO: 055

FAMILY: Euphobiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Alchornea cordifolia (Scumach and Thonn.) Mull
Arg.
COMMON NAME: Christmas bush
LOCAL NAME: Kushi-shiann
IUCN: ` NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Finely hairy, 5 – 15cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Widely ovate
LEAF APEX: Acuminate, triangular shaped
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous above, finely hairy beneath
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 5 – 7 basal nerves and 4 – 5 pairs of prominent
lateral nerves
FLOWERING: November – February, grey to green colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fuelwood, and wrapping leaves
152
Plate 58: Alchornea cordifolia (Scumach and Thonn.) MullArg

153
CALL NO: 056

BOTANICAL NAME: Alchornea laxiflora (Benth.) Pax. and K.Hoffm.
COMMON NAME: Lowveld bead-string
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate to ovate-elliptic
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Crenate or sub-entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous and smooth
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 nerves from the base, and 4 – 6 pairs of
prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: April– June, brownish colour
154
PLate 59: Alchornea laxiflora (Benth.)Pax.and. K.Hoffm.

155
CALL NO: 057

BOTANICAL NAME: Bridelia ferruginea Benth.
COMMON NAME: Mitzeeri, Coastal Golden-leaf
LOCAL NAME: Ukpen’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree, exuding bloody sap
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Spiny especially on branchlets
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, densely hairy, 5mm long
LEAF SIZE: 3.5 – 10 cm long and 2.5 – 6cm broad
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Slightly waved
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous above, sparsely hairy beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 9-13 pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: February – August, creamy yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Dye, Gum and adhesives, medicinal and
Fuelwood
156
Plate 60: Bridelia ferruginea Benth.

157
CALL NO: 058

BOTANICAL NAME: Bridelia micrantha (Hochst) Baill.
COMMON NAME: Mitzeeri, Coastal Golden-leaf,
LOCAL NAME: Ukpen’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree, exuding bloody sap
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Spiny especially on branchlets
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Almost glabrous, 1 – 2cm long
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 10-12 pairs of lateral nerves, and numerous
parallel veins
FLOWERING: January – April, pale green colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Dye, Gum and adhesives, medicinal and
Fuelwood
158
Plate 61: Bridelia micrantha (Hochst) Baill.

159
CALL NO: 059

BOTANICAL NAME: Jatropha curcas L.
COMMON NAME: Barbados nut or purging nut
LOCAL NAME: Ugbabo’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree, exuding transluscent latex
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Glabrous, 5 – 20cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Pentagonal with 3 or 5 lobes
LEAF BASE: Deeply cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 5 basal nerves and 4 – 5 pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: March – May, greenish white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, life fence, and wrapping leaves
160
PLate 62: Jatropha curcas L.

161
CALL NO: 060

BOTANICAL NAME: Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) Webster.
COMMON NAME: pheasant-berry, egossa red pear, bushveld
peacock-berry
LOCAL NAME: Utang’tel’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to narrowly ovate
LEAF APEX: Obtuse or shortly acuminate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glaucous beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 – 10 pairs of barely prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: March – May, yellowish-green colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fuelwood, Poles and chewstick
162
Plate 63: Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) Webster.

163
CALL NO: 061

BOTANICAL NAME: Phyllanthus muellerianus (O. Ktze) Excel.
COMMON NAME: thorns of a fish
LOCAL NAME: Kashie
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree or Scandent shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Thorns arranged in threes
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate to elliptic
LEAF APEX: Cuneate or rounded
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: May – July, green to pinkish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and chewstick
164
Plate 64: Phyllanthus muellerianus (O. Ktze) Excel.

165
CALL NO: 062

BOTANICAL NAME: Ricinodendron heudelotii (Bail) Heckel.
COMMON NAME: Corwood tree or wood-oil nut tree
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Basal, toothed stipules
PETIOLE: 18 – 30cm long, swollen at the apex
LEAFLETS: 3 - 5 leaflets radiating from the swollen petiole
apex
LEAFLET SHAPE: Pointed elliptic
LEAFLET BASE: Gradually cuneate
LEAFLET MARGIN: Toothed with black doted glands
LEAFLET SURFACES: Scabrid
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 - 18 pairs, prominent
FLOWERING: March – May, Brownish colour
166
Plate 65: Ricinodendron heudelotii (Bail) Heckel.

167
CALL NO: 063

BOTANICAL NAME: Sapium ellipticum (Hochst.) Pax.
COMMON NAME: Jumping-seed tree
LOCAL NAME: Kushien
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree exuding very little white latex
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Channelled above, 4 – 15mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elongated elliptic
LEAF APEX: Acute or shortly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Toothed with shallow rounded teeth
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 12 - 15 pairs of irregular and fussing lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October – December, yellowish-green colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood
168
Plate 66: Sapium ellipticum (Hochst.) Pax.

169
CALL NO: 064

BOTANICAL NAME: Spondianthus preussii Engl.
COMMON NAME: Spondianthus
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree exuding red juice
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Alternate, almost in whorled
PETIOLE: Stout, glabrous, swollen at both ends, up to 11cm
long
LEAF SHAPE: Broadly elliptic or obovate
LEAF APEX: Rounded
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 - 8 pairs, looped close to margins
FLOWERING: July – October, cream colour
170
Plate 67: Spondianthus preussii Engl.

171
CALL NO: 065

BOTANICAL NAME: Uapaca heudelotii Bail.
COMMON NAME: Red cedar
LOCAL NAME: Utor-litam
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree with numerous tilt roots
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Slender, 2 – 4cm long
LEAF APEX: Broadly pointed
LEAF BASE: Narrowly cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy and dark green
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 9 -11 pairs of thin lateral nerves, midrib whitish
beneath
FLOWERING: December – February, creamy white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Charcoal, and Fuelwood
172
Plate 68: Uapaca heudelotii Bail.

173
CALL NO: 066

BOTANICAL NAME: Uapaca togoensis Pax.
COMMON NAME: Red cedar
LOCAL NAME: Utor-ukor
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Markedly stout, 1 – 6cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate to oblanceolate
LEAF APEX: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy and dark green above, pale-white
beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 -12 pairs of thick, prominent lateral nerves,
midrib very prominent
FLOWERING: August – December
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Charcoal, and Fuelwood
174
Plate 69: Uapaca togoensis Pax

175
CALL NO: 067

FAMILY: Flacourtiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Flacourtia flavescens Wild.
COMMON NAME: Governor Plum
LOCAL NAME: Utong’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree or shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Solitary, straight spines
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic or ovate
LEAF APEX: Obtuse or acuminate
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy-green above, pale beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: April - May, green colour
176
Plate 70: Flacourtia flavescens Wild.

177
CALL NO: 068

FAMILY: Hymenocardiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Hymenocardia acida (A. Dc.) Pichon.
COMMON NAME: Large red-heart
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: 12mm long
LEAF APEX: Rounded to obtuse
LEAF BASE: Rounded to subcordate
LEAF MARGIN: Finely serrated
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, yellow or golden scales beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 4 - 6 pairs, lopped away from the margin
FLOWERING: January – March
INDIGENOUS USES: Chewstick, Medicinal, and Fuelwood
178
Plate 71: Hymenocardia acida (A. Dc.) Pichon.

179
CALL NO: 069

FAMILY: Irvingiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Irvingia gabonensis (O’Rork) Baill.
COMMON NAME: Dika nut
LOCAL NAME: Ugib
IUCN: LR/NT
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Basal stipules
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF APEX: Shortly acuminate or acute
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glassy above
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5 -10 pairs of irregular pinnate lateral nerves
FLOWERING: November - January, yellowish to green-white
colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Shade, Soup thickener, Fruit, and
Fetish uses
180
Plate 72: Irvingia gabonensis (O’Rork) Baill.

181
CALL NO: 070

FAMILY: Lecythidaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Napoleonaea imperialis P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: Napoleon's Hat
LOCAL NAME: Kikatia
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, 1 -1.2 cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Obovate
LEAF APEX: Abruptly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Broadly cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Vaguely wavy
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy-green
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 - 8 pairs of bare prominent upcurving lateral
nerves
FLOWERING: November – January, pinkish-white colour
182
Plate 73: Napoleonaea imperialis P. Beauv.

183
CALL NO: 071

FAMILY: Miliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
COMMON NAME: Neem plant
LOCAL NAME: Dogoyaro
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLETS: 5- 8 pairs of opposite or subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Lanceolate
LEAFLET BASE: Very basymetrical
LEAFLET MARGIN: Coarsely toothed
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy above
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: Irregular and indistinct
FLOWERING: December – April, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, Bioinsectcide, and fuelwood
184
Plate 74: Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

185
CALL NO: 072

FAMILY: Miliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Carapa procera DC.
COMMON NAME: Bastard mahogany, Brazilian mahogany,
crabwood
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, up to 1.8m long
LEAFLETS: 5-21 pairs of opposite or subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elongated
LEAFLET BASE: Rounded or slightly cuneate
PETIOLULE: Subsessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 12 pairs of distinct, widely spaced lateral nerves
FLOWERING: January – May, white colour petal
186
Plate 75: Carapa procera DC.

187
CALL NO: 073

FAMILY: Meliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ekebergia senegalensis A. Juss.
COMMON NAME: Cape-ash
LOCAL NAME: Cape ash, Dogplum
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLET SHAPE: Lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate
LEAFLET SIZE: 5 – 12 cm long 2.5– 5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Mucronate or shortly acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Asymmetrical cuneate
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 10 - 18 pairs, barely prominent
FLOWERING: December - May
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber and Fuelwood
188
Plate 76: Ekebergia senegalensis A. Juss.

189
CALL NO: 074

FAMILY: Miliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Khaya grandifoliola C. Dc.
COMMON NAME: Broadleaf mahogany
LOCAL NAME: Katsua
IUCN: VL
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLET SHAPE: Broadly elliptic or ovate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, bright red when young, green when
matured
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – February, cream colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, poles, and Fuelwood
190
Plate 77: Khaya grandifoliola C. Dc

191
CALL NO: 075

FAMILY: Miliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss.
COMMON NAME: Senegal mahogany
LOCAL NAME: kikheb-Katsua
IUCN: VL
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy green above and grayish beneath
PETIOLULE: 3 -4mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: June – April, pale green colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, poles, and fuelwood
192
Plate 79: Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss

193
CALL NO: 076

FAMILY: Mimosoideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Albizia zygia (Dc.) J. F. Macbr.
COMMON NAME: West African albizia
LOCAL NAME: Ukpa’n
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, 6 – 20cm long; 3-4 pairs of opposite
2nd pinnae
LEAFLETS: 3 – 4 pairs of opposite leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 4 – 8cm long and 3 – 5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Blunt
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: February - April, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Shade, Timber, Soup thickener, and Medicinal
194
Plate 80: Albizia zygia (Dc.) J. F. Macbr.

195
CALL NO: 077

FAMILY: Mimosoideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Parkia bicolor A. Chev.
COMMON NAME: African Locust Bean
LOCAL NAME: Kibo-ukekel or Kukim
IUCN: LC
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PETIOLE: Paripinnate; 20 - 26 pairs of subopposite,
paripinnate 2nd pinnae
LEAFLETS: 20- 25 pairs of alternate leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 6 – 12 mm long and 3mm broad
LEAFLET BASE: Flate
LEAFLET SURFACE: minutely hairy, glossy above
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: Indistinct except the midrib
FLOWERING: November – February, Pink or bluish-red colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, fish poison, Timber, ashes, and
Fuelwood
196
Plate 81: Parkia bicolor A. Chev.

197
CALL NO: 078

FAMILY: Mimosoideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br.
COMMON NAME: African locust bean, Dawa-dawa tree, stink bean
LOCAL NAME: Kibo
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PETIOLE: Paripinnate, 5 - 11 pairs of opposite, paripinnate
2nd pinnae
LEAFLETS: 14- 30 pairs of alternate leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 10 – 20 mm long and 5 – 10mm broad
LEAFLET SURFACE: Glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – March, reddish brown colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Sweetner and spice, Timber, ashes,
and Fuelwood
198
Plate 82: Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br.

199
CALL NO: 079

FAMILY: Mimosoideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. and Thonn.)
Taub.
COMMON NAME: Prɛkɛsɛ
LOCAL NAME: Kikpa’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PETIOLE: Paripinnate; 5 - 9 pairs of opposite, paripinnate 2nd
pinnae
LEAFLET SIZE: 12 – 25 mm long and 6 – 12mm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Slightly notched
LEAFLET SURFACE: Glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath
PETIOLULE: Sub-sessile, 0 – 2mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: January – April and June – July, pink or cream
colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Soup spice, and Fuelwood
200
Plate 83: Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. and Thonn.) Taub.

201
CALL NO: 080

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus exasperata Vahl.
COMMON NAME: Sand paper tree
LOCAL NAME: Ukpii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Scabrid, 0.5 – 2.5cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to oblong
LEAF APEX: Sharply or obtusely acuminate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire, or dentate and coriaceous
LEAF SURFACES: Scabrid, pubescent on nerves beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves, 3 – 5 pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING:
INDIGENOUS USES: Leaves for polishing wood and metals
202
Palte 84: Ficus exasperata Vahl.

203
CALL NO: 081

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus glumosa Del.
COMMON NAME: Hairy roc Fig tree
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree exuding white latex
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Pubescent, 1 – 8cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Oblong or Obovate
LEAF BASE: Rounded to cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Tomentose but thinning with age
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves, 5 – 7 pairs of pinnate lateral nerves
FLOWERING:
204
Plate 86: Ficus glumosa Del.

205
CALL NO: 082

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus polita Vahl.
COMMON NAME: Fig trees or Figs
LOCAL NAME: Kidede’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Epiphytic or straggling shrub
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic or widely ovate
LEAF APEX: Long acuminate
LEAF BASE: More or less cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy above
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves, 5 – 9 pairs of fairly prominent
lateral nerves
206
Plate 87: Ficus polita Vahl

207
CALL NO: 083

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus sur Forssk.
COMMON NAME: Fig tree
LOCAL NAME: Kujuon
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, 2.5 – 3.5cm long
LEAF APEX: Acute
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Toothed or entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves and 4 – 6 pairs of lateral nerve
FLOWERING: May - June
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and Soup thickener
208
Plate 88: Ficus sur Forssk.

209
CALL NO: 084

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus thonningiiBlume.
COMMON NAME: Chinese banyan
LOCAL NAME: Kidede
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Caducous stipules and stilt roots
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to Obovate
LEAF APEX: Shortly acuminate with blunt tip
LEAF BASE: Cuneate to rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves and 6 - 12 pairs of lateral nerve
FLOWERING: May - June
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Shade, and Fetish uses
210
Plate 89: Ficus thonningii Blume.

211
CALL NO: 085

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus trichopoda Baker.
COMMON NAME: Swamp Fig, Hippo Fig
LOCAL NAME: Kifeh-kiede’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Glabrous, 2 .5 – 9cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Broadly ovate
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Leathery glabrous above, velvety beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: January – February, and July
212
Plate 90: Ficus trichopoda Baker.

213
CALL NO: 086

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus vallis-choudae Del.
COMMON NAME: False cape Fig, Haroni Fig
LOCAL NAME: Kifeh-kujuon
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Broadly ovate
LEAF APEX: Blunt
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire or wavy
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – February, and May - June
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood, and wrapping leaves
214
Plate 91: Ficus vallis-choudae Del.

215
CALL NO: 087

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Milicia excels (Welw.) C. C. Berg. In Bull.
COMMON NAME: African teak, Iroko tree
LOCAL NAME: Uloko
IUCN: NT
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout and glabrous, 2 .5 – 6cm long
LEAF APEX: very shortly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Asymmetrical cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Coarsely toothed in saplings, wavy in trees
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous above, minutely hairy between the veins
beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – April
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, Fuelwood, Poles, and Soup vegetable
216
Plate 92: Milicia excels (Welw.) C. C. Berg. In Bull.

217
CALL NO: 088

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Musanga cecropioides R. Br. Apud Tedlie
COMMON NAME: African corkwood, Unbrella tree
LOCAL NAME: Kikwom
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PETIOLE: up to 60cm long, swollen at the apex
LEAFLETS: 12 – 15 radiating from the swollen at the apex
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elongated oblanceolate
LEAFLET BASE: Narrowly cuneate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy above, grayish-white beneath
PETIOLULE: Sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Charcoal, and fetish uses
218
Plate 93: Musanga cecropioides R. Br. Apud Tedlie

219
CALL NO: 089

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Treculia africana Decne.
COMMON NAME: African bread fruit, wild jack fruit, African
boxwood
LOCAL NAME: Kistigil
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Very stout and glabrous, to 1.2cm long
LEAF SIZE: 10 – 23cm long and 7– 10cm broad
LEAF BASE: Asymmetrical, one side of the blade lowers
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy dark green
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 9 - 15 pairs of lateral, divergent nerves
FLOWERING: October – February, greenish colour
220
Plate 94: Treculia africana Decne.

221
CALL NO: 090

FAMILY: Moraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Trilepisium madagascariense (Miq.) Miq.
COMMON NAME: UrnFig, False-Fig
LOCAL NAME: Undhor
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Glabrous, pinkish, 6 – 12mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to oblanceolate
LEAF APEX: Abruptly and narrowly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Slightly asymmetrical, cuneate on one side
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy and dark above
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: November - February
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood, Chewstick, and Poles or pillars
222
Plate 95: Trilepisium madagascariense (Miq.) Miq.

223
CALL NO: 091

FAMILY: Moringaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Moringa oleifera Lam.
COMMON NAME: Moringa tree, drumstick tree, ben oil tree, or
benzoil tree
LOCAL NAME: Ugbigi
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Tripinnate compound
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, up to 70cm long, Opposite 2ndand 3rd
pinnae
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic or rounded
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath
PETIOLULE: Stout, 0. 2 – 0.5cm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: Throughout the year, White
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and Soup thickener
224
Plate 96: Moringa oleifera Lam.

225
CALL NO: 092

FAMILY: Myristicaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw) Warsh.

COMMON NAME: Carboard plant, African nutmeg, false nutmeg,
boxboard
LOCAL NAME: Uba
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, Pubescent, 10 – 12mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic or ovate
LEAF SIZE: 15 – 30 cm lond and 5 – 9cm broad
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire and wavy
LEAF SURFACES: Leathery glabrous above, rusty hairy beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: barely prominent
FLOWERING: December – March, brownish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, and Dye
226
Plate 97: Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw) Warsh.

227
CALL NO: 093

FAMILY: Myrtaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Syzygium guineense (Wild.) Dc.
COMMON NAME: Water berry
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to oblong
LEAF APEX: Bluntly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy above pale beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: numerous non-prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: November – April, white colour
228
Plate 98: Syzygium guineense (Wild.) Dc.

229
CALL NO: 094

FAMILY: Ochnaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Lophira lanceolate Van. Tiegh Ex. Keay.
COMMON NAME: Dwarf Red Ironwood, English red oak,
LOCAL NAME: Kukuka’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: 1.2 – 7.5cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Linear
LEAF APEX: Rounded or Notch
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire and wavy
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous and glossy
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: barely prominent, midrib prominent beneath,
midrib sunken above
FLOWERING: October - January, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fuelwood, Charcoal, and Timber
230
Plate 99: Lophira lanceolate Van.Tiegh Ex. Keay.

231
CALL NO: 095

FAMILY: Ochnaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ochna afzeliiR. Br. Ex Olive.
COMMON NAME: Ochnas, Bird's-eye bushes, Mickey-mouse plants
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Slender, 2 – 4cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Variable in shape -Obovate, Oblanceolate, or
Elliptic
LEAF SIZE: 3 – 5.5 cm long and 2 – 4.5cm broad
LEAF APEX: Blunt or slightly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy and pale green
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: February – April, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Chewstick, Medicinal, and Fuelwood
232
Plate 100: Ochna afzelii R. Br. Ex Olive.

233
CALL NO: 096

FAMILY: Olacaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Olax subcorpioidea Oliv.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME: Kakong’shii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Sessile or Sub-sessile
LEAF SHAPE: pointed elliptic
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Waved
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: Fainted
FLOWERING: September – March, greenish white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Chewstick, Fruits, Fish poisoning,
Bioinsecticides, and sweeping
234
Plate 101: Olax subcorpioidea Oliv.

235
CALL NO: 097

FAMILY: Pacifloraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Barteria nigritana Hook F.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLAN: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Fleshy, about 5mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elongated or oblanceolate
LEAF SIZE: 10 – 22cm long and 5 – 8cm broad
LEAF APEX: Rounded and ending in a short sharp point
LEAF BASE: Narrowly cuneate at base
LEAF MARGIN: serrate with black doted teeth
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8 - 12pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: January – March, yellowish or reddish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber and fuelwood
236
CALL NO: 102: Barteria nigritana Hook F.

237
CALL NO: 098

FAMILY: Pacifloraceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Smeathmannia pubescens Soland. Ex. R. Br..
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLAN: Shrub or small tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: very short, 2 – 5mm long
LEAF SIZE: 5 – 12 cmlong and 4 – 8cm broad
LEAF APEX: Rounded with pointed tip
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Sharply toothed
LEAF SURFACES: Scabrid
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: January – May, flower closed with light-reddish
petals
238
Plate 103: Smeathmannia pubescens Soland. Ex. R. Br.

239
CALL NO: 099

FAMILY: Pandaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Pandanus candelabrum P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: Screw spine
LOCAL NAME: Ake’b
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Spines, and Tilt roots
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Sessile
LEAF SHAPE: Linear
LEAF SIZE: 100 – 300cm long and 3– 7.5cm broad
LEAF APEX: Acute
LEAF BASE: Clapping the stem
LEAF MARGIN: Armed with spines
VENATION: Parallel
NO OF NERVES: Only midrib is visible
FLOWERING: February and August, yellow-green colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Waving
240
Plate 104: Pandanus candelabrum P. Beauv.

241
CALL NO: 100

FAMILY: Papilionoideae
BOTANICAL NAME: Baphia nitida Lodd.
COMMON NAME: Camwood
LOCAL NAME: Ulele-be’
IUCN: LC
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree or shrub
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, swollen at both ends
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to ovate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, glossy above, and papery
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: fainted, midrib prominent beneath and sunken
above
FLOWERING: February – May and July, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Chewstick, Fuelwood
242
Plate105: Baphia nitida Lodd.

243
CALL NO: 101

BOTANICAL NAME: Erythrina senegalensis Dc.
COMMON NAME: Coral tree
LOCAL NAME: Katalung
IUCN: LC
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Prickles
LEAF TYPE: Trifoliate compound
PETIOLE: Trifoliate, 65– 15cm long
LEAFLETS: 3 per petiole
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic to broadly ovate
LEAFLET APEX: Blunt or rounded
LEAFLET BASE: Broadly rounded to ovate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous with doted glands
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: September - May, bright red colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, live fence, and poles
244
Plate 106: Erythrina senegalensis Dc.

245
CALL NO: 102

BOTANICAL NAME: Lonchocarpus cyanescens (Schumach. and
Thonn.)Benth.
COMMON NAME: West African indigo vine
LOCAL NAME: Kabel-utia’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub or woody liana
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic or Ovate
PETIOLULE: Thicken, 4 – 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 -8 pairs
FLOWERING: April - June, white, pink or reddish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Dye
246
Plate 107: Lonchocarpus cyanescens (Schumach. and Thonn.) Benth.

247
CALL NO: 103

BOTANICAL NAME: Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir) Kunth.
COMMON NAME: Indigo vine, West African wild indigo, Senegal
lilac;
cube root
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub or small tree
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, pubescent, 10 – 20cm long
LEAFLET SHAPE: Obovate to broadly elliptic
LEAFLET APEX: Shortly and bluntly acuminate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous above, finely pubescent beneath
PETIOLULE: Very stout, 5 – 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December - February, purple or lilac colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Toilet leaves and Medicinal
248
CALL NO: 108: Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir) Kunth.

249
CALL NO: 104

BOTANICAL NAME: Pterocarpus lucens Guilland Perr.
COMMON NAME: Round-leaved bloodwood
LOCAL NAME: Uturukpa
IUCN: LC
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, 10– 20cm long
LEAFLETS: 2 – 7 pairs of alternate or subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Sub-orbicular, Ovate, or elliptic
LEAFLET APEX: Rounded or obtuse, notched
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, pale green and glossy above
PETIOLULE: Sub-sessile, 0 – 0.5mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December - March, yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Soup thickener, shade, and life fence
250
Plate 109: Pterocarpus lucens Guilland Perr.

251
CALL NO: 105

BOTANICAL NAME: Pterocarpus osun Craib.
COMMON NAME: bloodwood
LOCAL NAME: Kakwu
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Prickles and Caducous stipules
PETIOLE: Imparipinnate, 15– 30cm long
LEAFLETS: 5 – 9 pairs of alternate or subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 7 – 12.5cm long and 2.5 – 5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Abruptly and shortly acuminate
LEAFLET BASE: Rounded or slightly cordate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous above, minutely hairy beneath.
PETIOLULE: stout, 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: August - November, richly yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, and fuelwood
252
Plate 110: Pterocarpus osun Craib.

253
CALL NO: 106

BOTANICAL NAME: Swartzia madagascariensis Desv.
COMMON NAME: Snake bean
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLETS: 5 - 15 alternate leaflets
LEAFLET SIZE: 2.5 – 7.5 cm long and 1.5 – 4.5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Rounded and notched
LEAFLET SURFACES: Leathery glabrous above, grey pubescent beneath
PETIOLULE: Pubescent, 4-5mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: March – May, Brownish colour, sweetly scented
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber
254
Plate 111: Swartzia madagascariensis Desv.

255
CALL NO: 107

BOTANICAL NAME: Tephrosia vogelii Hook. F.
COMMON NAME: Fish-poison bean
LOCAL NAME: fish bean, fish- poison bean
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic to oblong
LEAFLET SIZE: 2.5 – 8.5 cmlong and 1 – 2.5cm broad
LEAFLET APEX: Mucronate rounded
LEAFLET BASE: Cuneate-tapering
LEAFLET SURFACES: Pubescent, with silver or golden hair beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 15 - 30 pairs, barely prominent
256
Plate 112: Tephrosia vogelii Hook. F.

257
CALL NO: 108

FAMILY: Potaliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Anthocleista djalonesis A. Chev.
COMMON NAME: Cabbage tree
LOCAL NAME: Kitsim
IUCN: LC
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Paired thorns
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Practically stalked, 5 – 10cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Obovate
LEAF APEX: Broadly rounded
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 -12 pairs of divergent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October - February and March – April, Orange-
brown
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal and Wrapping leaves
258
Plate 113: Anthocleista djalonesis A. Chev.

259
CALL NO: 109

FAMILY: Potaliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Anthocleista vogelii Planch.
COMMON NAME: Cabbage tree
LOCAL NAME: Kitsim
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Paired thorns
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Practically sessile
LEAF SHAPE: Obovate
LEAF SIZE: 20 – 50cm long and 15– 25cm broad
LEAF APEX: Rounded
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6 -12 pairs of divergent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October - February and March – April, Orange-
brown
INDIGENOUS USES: medicinal and wrapping leaves
260
Plate 114: Anthocleista vogelii Planch.

261
CALL NO: 110

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. Ex. G. Don)
Benth.
COMMON NAME: African bark, crown-berry, Crystal-bark
LOCAL NAME: Kiwhal-kanni
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to broadly elliptic
LEAF BASE: Rounded to broadly cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Downy on both surfaces
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: January – March, white creamy colour and
strongly scented
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, chewstick, Fuelwood and charcoal
262
Plate 115: Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel.Ex. G. Don) Benth.

263
CALL NO: 111

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Feretia apodanthera Del.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Small tree or scandent shrub
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF APEX: Mucronate - attenuate
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent especially on the nerves beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 4 – 5pairs of barely prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: March – May, white creamy or pink colour
264
Plate116: Feretia apodanthera Del.

265
CALL NO: 112

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Gardenia sokotensis Hutch.
COMMON NAME: Powder bark gardenia
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Persistent stipules
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Pubescent, thinning with time 1 – 2cm long
LEAF APEX: Rounded or obtuse
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING:
INDIGENOUS USES:
266
Plate117: Gardenia sokotensis Hutch.

267
CALL NO: 113

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Gardenia ternifolia Scumach. and Thonn.
COMMON NAME: Powder bark gardenia, Wild gardenia
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Whorled of 3
LEAF SHAPE: Obovate-oblanceolate
LEAF APEX: Obtuse or rounded
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: wavy or entire
LEAF SURFACES: Sparsely and minutely pubescent
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: October – November, White or creamy-white
colour turning brown on drying
268
Plate 118: Gardenia ternifolia Scumach.and Thonn.

269
CALL NO: 114

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Ixora brachypoda Dc.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Scandent shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Interpetiolar stipules
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF SHAPE: variable in shape -Ovate, Elliptic or oblanceolate
LEAF BASE: Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 9 - 13 pairs of more or less prominent lateral
nerves
FLOWERING: November - February, White or creamy-white
colour
270
Plate 119: Ixora brachypoda Dc.

271
CALL NO: 115

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Keetia venosa (Oliv.) Bridson
COMMON NAME: Raisin-fruit keetia
LOCAL NAME: Utie’tufa’-uto
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Scandent shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Interpetiolar stipules, thorns on old stems
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Glabrous, 6 – 10mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Oblong to elliptic
LEAF BASE: Rounded cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, especially on nerves beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 5 – 8 pairs of prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: February - May, greenish-white colour
272
Plate 120: Keetia venosa (Oliv.) Bridson

273
CALL NO: 116

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Mitragyna ledermannii (K. Krrause) Ridsdale in
Blumea
COMMON NAME: African linden
LOCAL NAME: Kutsu-tsor
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: 2 – 7.5cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Obovate or broadly elliptic
LEAF SIZE: 20 – 45 cm long and 12– 30cm broad
LEAF APEX: Rounded
LEAF BASE: Obtuse or rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 7 – 10 pairs of divergent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: January – March and June - August, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Timber, Poles, and Wrapping
274
PLate 121: Mitragyna ledermannii (K. Krrause) Ridsdale in

Blumea
275
CALL NO: 117

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Morinda lucida Benth.
COMMON NAME: Brimstone tree
LOCAL NAME: Ughe-gieh
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree, exuding orange gum
LATERAL OUTGROWTH:
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Stout, up to 6mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic to broadly elliptic
LEAF BASE: Broadly Cuneate
LEAF MARGIN: Wavy
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, dark green
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: December – March and July – August, white
colour
276
Plate 122: Morinda lucida Benth.

277
CALL NO: 118

FAMILY: Rubiacea
BOTANICAL NAME: Oxyanthus unilocularis Hiern.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLAN: Shrub or a small Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Sessile or sub-sessile
LEAF SHAPE: Obovate
LEAF APEX: Rounded with pointed tip
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: finely hairy, leathery
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 9 – 15pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: November – December, White colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Wrapping leaves
278
Plate 123: Oxyanthus unilocularis Hiern.

279
CALL NO: 119

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Sarcocephaluslatifolius (Smith) Bruce
COMMON NAME: Pin cushion tree, African peach, Guinea peach
LOCAL NAME: Kitia lulo’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree or straggling shrub
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: 2 – 7.5cm long
LEAF BASE: Cordate or sub-cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous above, tomentose beneath on juvenile
leaves
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: May –June, white or pinkish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, and chewstick
280
Plate 124: Sarcocephaluslatifolius (Smith) Bruce

281
CALL NO: 119

FAMILY: Rubiaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Sericanthes devarieri (K. Krause) Robbrecht
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic or oblong
LEAF APEX: Acuminate or mucronate
LEAF BASE: Rounded or cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Densely Pubescent, tomentose beneath (especially
the young leaves)
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 7 – 10 pairs of lateral nerves, prominent beneath
FLOWERING: December – February, whitish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal.
282
Plate 125: Sericanthes devarieri (K. Krause) Robbrecht

283
CALL NO: 120

FAMILY: Samydaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Casearia barteri Mast.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: LC
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, 5 – 12mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elongated-elliptic
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, thinely
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING:
284
Plate 126: Casearia barteri Mast.

285
CALL NO: 121

FAMILY: Sapindaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Allophylus africanus P. Beauv.
COMMON NAME: African false currant
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Trifoliate compound
PETIOLE: Finely pubescent, 2.5 – 7.5cm long
LEAFLETS: 3 leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Elliptic to obovate
LEAFLET SIZE: 5 – 15 cm long and 2.5– 7.5cm broad
LEAFLET MARGIN: With shallow rounded teeth or may be entire
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, hairy on nerves beneath
PETIOLULE: Sub-sessile, 0 – 6mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: May - August, White or greenish-white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Chewstick, and Fuelwood
286
Plate 127: Allophylus africanus P. Beauv.

287
CALL NO: 122

FAMILY: Sapindaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Blighia sapida Konig.
COMMON NAME: Akee aple
LOCAL NAME: Ushieb-ushii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLETS: 3- 5 pairs of opposite leaflets
LEAFLET SHAPE: Obovate to elliptic
LEAFLET APEX: Shortly acuminate or rounded
LEAFLET BASE: Rounded or cuneate
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, dark green above
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8- 12 pair of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October – May, Greenish white colour
288
Plate 129: Blighia sapida Konig.

289
CALL NO: 123

FAMILY: Sapindaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch. Ex. Benth.
COMMON NAME: Mexican fireplant
LOCAL NAME: Ushieb
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAFLETS: 3- 5 pairs of opposite or subopposite leaflets
LEAFLET APEX: Shortly acuminate or rounded
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous above, finely hairy beneath
PETIOLULE: Stout, swollen at base, 2 - 5mm long
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 8- 12 pair of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: February – April, whitish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, poles, and fuelwood
290
Plate 130: Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch. Ex. Benth.

291
CALL NO: 124

FAMILY: Sapindaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Paullinia pinnata L.
COMMON NAME: Bread and Cheese
LOCAL NAME: Ukeb-item kungiokwe
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Liana
LEAFLETS: 2 pairs of opposite leaflets +1
LEAFLET SHAPE: Oblong to obovate
LEAFLET MARGIN: Wavy
PETIOLULE: Sessile or sub-sessile
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 6- 9 pair of prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: April - May, white with yellow sport colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Rope, and fetish uses
292
Plate 131: Paullinia pinnata L.

293
CALL NO: 125

FAMILY: Sapotaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Malacantha alnifolia (Bak.) Pirre
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree exuding small white latex
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic or obovate
LEAF APEX: Rounded or Notched
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, slightly Scabrid above
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 15 – 20 pairs of prominent lateral nerves
FLOWERING: January - March, yellow colour
294
CALL NO: 132: Malacantha alnifolia (Bak.) Pirre

295
CALL NO: 126

FAMILY: Sapotaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Vitellaria paradoxa Gaern. F.
COMMON NAME: Shea butter tree
LOCAL NAME: Mankede
IUCN: VU
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF APEX: Rounded or shortly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Sparsely hairy
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: Up to 30 faint lateral
FLOWERING: February and April, creamy-white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Shade, and fruits
296
Plate 133: Vitellaria paradoxa Gaern. F.

297
CALL NO: 127

FAMILY: Smilacaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Smilax anceps Wild.
COMMON NAME: West African sarsaparilla, catbriers, greenbriers,
prickly-ivys and smilaxes
LOCAL NAME: Ukem-akpe’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Spiny liana
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Glabrous, 8 – 25mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate
LEAF APEX: Rounded or shortly acuminate
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 3-5 basal nerves
FLOWERING: July – September, yellow or greenish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Rope, Security fence, and Fetish uses
298
Plate 135: Smilax anceps Wild.

299
CALL NO: 128

FAMILY: Sterculaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Cola acuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott and Endl.
COMMON NAME: Cola nut tree
LOCAL NAME: Libo
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Swollen at the apex, 1 – 6cm long
LEAF APEX: Long acuminate, the acumen curved downwards
LEAF BASE: Obtuse
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, leathery and dark green above, pale
beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves and 6 - 9 pairs of thin lateral nerves
FLOWERING: December – February and August – September,
cream white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Seeds, and Medicinal
300
Plate 136: Cola acuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott and Endl

301
CALL NO: 129

BOTANICAL NAME: Cola gigantean A. Chiv.
COMMON NAME: giant cola
LOCAL NAME: Kishii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: 2 -18cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Cordate with 3 lobes
LEAF APEX: Rounded or obtuse
LEAF BASE: Deeply cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, hairy beneath on juvenile plants
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 7 basal nerves
FLOWERING: October – January
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood, and Timbers
302
Plate 137: Cola giganteaA.Chiv.

303
CALL NO: 130

BOTANICAL NAME: Cola millenii K. Schum.
COMMON NAME: kola nut, cola, kola, bitter kola
LOCAL NAME: Libo-keke’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Palmate lobed with 5 lobes
LEAF APEX: Shortly acuminate at each lobe
LEAF BASE: Truncate or widely cordate
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent with short stellate hairs at main nerve
beneath
VENATION: Palmate
FLOWERING: July – August, pink or orange red colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Fruits, and Fuelwood
304
Plate138: Cola millenii K. Schum.

305
CALL NO: 131

BOTANICAL NAME: Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott and Endl.
COMMON NAME: Cola nut tree
LOCAL NAME: Ugoro
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Swollen at the apex, 1 -10cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic-oblong
LEAF BASE: Obtuse
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous, leathery and dark green
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves and 6 - 9 pairs of prominent lateral
nerves
FLOWERING: December – February and August – September,
whitish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Seeds, and Medicinal
306
Plate 139: Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott and Endl.

307
CALL NO: 132

BOTANICAL NAME: Dombeya burgessiae Gerr. Ex Harv.
COMMON NAME: Pink dombeya
LOCAL NAME: upatio
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: 2.5 – 16 cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Broadly ovate with 3 or 4 lobes
LEAF APEX: Broadly tapering
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Serrated
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, pale beneath
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 5 or 7 basal nerves
FLOWERING: March – July, pale or pink white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Rope, Basketry, wrapping leaves, toilet
leaves, and Browsing leaves
308
Plate 140: Dombeya burgessiae Gerr.Ex Harv.

309
CALL NO: 133

FAMILY: Staculaceae/ Malvaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Sterculia tragacantha Lind.
COMMON NAME: African tragacanth
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate-elliptic
LEAF SIZE: 10 – 30 cm long and 5 – 15 cm broad
LEAF APEX: Obtuse acuminate
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous above, hairy beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 7 – 9 pairs of lateral nerves, the first pair from
base
FLOWERING: October – June, reddish-pink colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Fuelwood, and Timbers
310
Plate 141: Sterculia tragacantha Lind.

311
CALL NO: 134

FAMILY: Tiliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino.
COMMON NAME:
LOCAL NAME: utilikpe
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Stout, 0.5 – 3cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Oblong or oblong-obovate
LEAF SIZE: Long acuminate
LEAF BASE: Rounded
LEAF MARGIN: Coarsely toothed
LEAF SURFACES: Finely hairy
VENATION: Palmate with 3 basal nerves
FLOWERING: November – June, bright yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, live fence and browsing leaves
312
Plate 142: Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino.

313
CALL NO: 135

FAMILY: Tiliaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Grewia venusta Fresen.
COMMON NAME: Apple ring acacia, winterthorn
LOCAL NAME:
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Small tree
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: paired stipules
LEAF TYPE: Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Elliptic or oblong-oblanceolate
LEAF APEX: Acuminate to obtuse
LEAF BASE: Rounded or subcordate
LEAF SURFACES: Scabrid, pale-white beneath
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves and 4 – 7 pairs of pinnate lateral
nerves
FLOWERING: January – May, white colour
314
Plate 143: Grewia venusta Fresen.

315
CALL NO: 136

FAMILY: Ulmaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Trema orientalis (L.) Blume.
COMMON NAME: charcoal-tree, Indian charcoal-tree,pigeon wood
LOCAL NAME: Uwhuo’whuo’
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PETIOLE: Slender, hairy, 6 – 12mm long
LEAF BASE: Asymmetrical cordate
LEAF SURFACES: Pubescent, rough to touch
VENATION: Palmate
FLOWERING: at most seasons, white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: No known uses iedentified
316
Plate 144: Trema orientalis (L.) Blume

317
CALL NO: 137

FAMILY: Verbenaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Gmelina arborea Roxb.
COMMON NAME: Gmelina, white teak, Beechwood, Goomar teak,
Kashmir tree, Malay beechwood, Vemane
LOCAL NAME: Gmelina
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
PETIOLE: Glabrous or tomentose, 5 – 15cm long
LEAF SHAPE: Widely ovate
LEAF SIZE: 15 – 20 cm long 10 – 18cm broad
LEAF BASE: Cordate, with 2 – 3 glands
LEAF MARGIN: Entire but coarsely toothed in saplings
LEAF SURFACES: Glabrous above, Glaucous and tomentose beneath
VENATION: Palmate
NO OF NERVES: 3 basal nerves and 3 – 5 lateral nerves
FLOWERING: October – January, orange yellow colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Medicinal, Timber, Wrapping leaves, Shade, and
Fuelwood
318
Plate 145: Gmelina arborea Roxb.

319
CALL NO: 138

FAMILY: Verbanaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Lippia chevalieri Moldenke.
COMMON NAME: Gambian tea bush
LOCAL NAME: Utsi- itunshii
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Shrub
LATERAL OUTGROWTH: Linear stipules
LEAF TYPE: Simple
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite or whorled of 3 or 4
PETIOLE: Pubescent to Scabrid, 3 – 15mm long
LEAF SHAPE: Oblong or narrowly elliptic
LEAF BASE: Dentate
LEAF SURFACES: More or less Scabrid
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: Ougust – November, White colour
INDIGENOUS USES: medicinal and leafy spice
320
Plate 146: Lippia chevalieri Moldenke.

321
CALL NO: 139

FAMILY: Verbenaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Vitex doniana Sweet.
COMMON NAME: Black plum
LOCAL NAME: Kuwheel
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Tree
PHYLOTAXY: Opposite
LEAFLETS: 5 radiating from the apex of the leaf stalk
LEAFLET SHAPE: Obovate to broadly elliptic
LEAFLET SIZE: 7 – 15 cm and 5– 9cm broad
LEAFLET SURFACES: Glabrous, leathery
PETIOLULE: 0.5 – 2.5cm long
VENATION: Pinnate
FLOWERING: January - April, pinkish-white colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Dye, Timber, Medicinal, and soup vegetable
322
Plate 147: Vitex donianaSweet.

323
CALL NO: 140

FAMILY: Vitaceae
BOTANICAL NAME: Cissus populnea Guilland Perr.
COMMON NAME: Edible stemmed vine
LOCAL NAME: Uffem
IUCN: NE
PLANT DESCRIPTION
HABIT: Liana
LEAF TYPE Simple
LEAF SHAPE: Ovate to sub-orbicular
LEAF BASE: Cordate
LEAF MARGIN: Entire
VENATION: Pinnate
NO OF NERVES: 3 – 5 basal nerves, and 5 – 7 pairs of lateral nerves
FLOWERING: August – November, Greenish colour
INDIGENOUS USES: Vegetable
324
Plate 148: Cissus populnea Guilland Perr.

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CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Discussion
5.1.1 Plants Inventory
The present study on the floral composition of Obudu local
government area, Cross River State, Nigeria showed the presence of
plant species which are indicators of different ecological zones,
reflecting different phytoecological zones co-existing together. In this
study, a total of 140 species belonging to 44 taxonomic families were
encountered (see appendix 1). All of the plant species encountered were
identified and grouped into three plant forms based on their
physiognomy as trees, shrubs, and liana/climbers (Essien and Nkang
2013). Result shows the dominance of woody tree species over other
two forms. For instance, result has shown that about 116 species
representing 82% of the censored species were trees at various stages of
growth while the rest representing 18% were shrubs and liana/climbers
in equal ratio.
The results show that the floristic composition of the study area is
a mixture of both savanna and forest species. For instance, Parkia
biglobosa, Hymenocardia acida, Khaya senegalensis, Anthonotha

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macrophylla, Berlinia grandiflora, Dailum guineense, Daniellia
olivery”, Isoberlinia doka, Isoberlinia tomentosa, Piliostigma
reticulatum, Anogeissus leiocarpa, Uapaca togoensis, Syzygium
guineensis, and Lophira lanceolate are indicator of savanna ecobelts
whereas, the presence of Alstonia boonei, Paullina pinnata, Bombax
spp, Canarium schweinfurthii, Carapa procera, Khaya grandifoliola,
Parkia bicolor, Cissuss papulnea , Kigelia africana , Musanga
cecropioides, Treculia africana , Spathodea campanulata,and Uapaca
heudelotii is indicative offorest ecobelts (Essien et al., 2014). Also,
some species which could be indicator of human impact on the
vegetation Vernonia amygdalina, Crescentia cujete, Ceiba pentandra,
Dacryodes edulis, Cola acuminata, Cola nitida , Glyphaea brevis,
Newbouldia leavis, Gmelina arborea and Dracaena spp.
The co-existence of these species is a valid evidence of the status
of the vegetation of Obudu area according to Hall (1981) who advocated
that the Obudu plateau forest flora as a severely attenuated variant of the
lowland forest of Oban enriched with species of afromontane affinity.
Usman (2012) also affirmed that Derived Savanna developed from
attenuated or modified tropical rainforest vegetation and is co- inhabited

327
by forest and savanna species with relics of the forest vegetation
disappearing to be succeeded by fire resistant species of the savanna.
The result of the present study strongly agreed with the reports by Hall
(1981) and Usman (2012).
According to Usman (2004), vegetation can be described as
derived savanna when forest and savanna species co-exist side by side
with relics of forest vegetation disappearing to be succeeded by fire-
hardy species of the savanna. Evidence from the species of relatively
fire-tolerant savanna trees seems at first sight to be somewhat less
valuable than that from the forest species. It appears, however, that
certain species of savanna trees e.g. Isoberlinia species are normally
found on site unfavorable for farming whereas other species e.g.
Daniellia oliveri and Hymenocadia acida occur commonly in farmed
areas; in addition certain species especially Parkia biglobosa and
Irvengia gabonensis are deliberately encouraged by farmers. It is
therefore possible to deduce the intensity of farming from the
composition and also the structure of savanna. Areas which on other
grounds are known to be derived savanna usually show by their
composition that farming and other anthropogenic activities has been

328
heavy (Essien and Aniama, 2014). The status of savanna in the lowland
rainforest and Derived Savanna is restricted to types which have been
derived from moist forest by degradation and anthropogenic activities.
Wherever forest and savanna species adjoin today, it is usually to find a
strip of transition woodland containing both fire-tolerant and non-fire
tolerant species. In some places, quite extensive areas of this
intermediate type may be found.
This finding agree with the report of Essien and Aniama (2014)
who opined that anthropogenic activities such as annual bush fire and
the activities of people that engage in hunting expedition with the use of
bush fire have destroyed several flora in the environment. Acuminated
effects of human activities such as bush clearing for cultivation and
settlement, bush burning, over harvesting of trees for timber, fuelwood,
herbal medicine and poor conservation strategies/approach had
culminated to such a drastic flux in vegetation structure of the study
area.
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5.1.2 IUCN statuses of the censored species
The global IUCN Red List (2014) were also shown for the
censored species; the results indicated that 7 (seven) species
representing 5% have been assessed by the IUCN as of 2014. Of the
assessed species, 4 (four) are of conservation concern i.e Threatened
species of the Obudu floral species with all the 4 (four) species
categorized as Vulnerable. The threatened species which are mainly
used as timber products include Khaya grandifoliola and Khaya
senegalensis which are each used by Obudu people for various
furnitures and carpentry works. Others are Dacryodes edulis and
Vitellaria paradoxa which are mainly used as fruit by the people. Result
also showed that 1 (one) of the censored species (Milicia excelsa) was
Near Threatened (NT) while 2 (two species) which were Anthocleista
djalonesis and Casearia barteri are categorized as Least Concerned
(LC) by the IUCN 2014. Other species which represent 95% of the total
species censored were all seen to be present in the IUCN catalogue but
their conservation statuses are yet to be evaluated by the IUCN.
The result that of the 7 species representing just 5% of the total
censored species have been assessed and reported by the IUCN call for a
330
need to intensify research on the floristic study of the area in order to
confirm the present status of the remaining 95% of the censored species
and others that were not covered by this report. Also, result had showed
that 4 species representing 57% of the censored floral species of Obudu,
already assessed by the IUCN are of conservation concern i.e
Threatened, represented here by the vulnerable species is indicative of
the present status of the vegetation of the area.
5.1.3 Indigenous uses of plants
Obudu dwellers are mostly farmers and depend on plants for food,
shelter, staking, timber, fuelwood, herbal medicines, and incomes. From
this study, it was shown that about 85% of the censored plant species are
used for various purposes within the study area. As could be seen in
Appendix-2, eighty species have medicinal values, 69 species are used
as fuel wood and 34 species for timber which represented 80.7% of the
total species recorded. Other indigenous uses with higher species
number include poles and life fence (14.0%), fruits and nuts (14.0%)
and chewing sticks (14.0%). On the other hand, indigenous activities
where only one plant species is used are Polishing, beverages and
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drinks, dishes washing and as containers. Consequently, Elaeis
guineensis with nine indigenous uses, Irvingia gabonensis with 8
indigenous uses, Gmelina arborea; Canarium schweinfurthii and
Dacryodes edulis (6 uses each), Parkia spp; Milicia excels; Dombeya
burgessiae; Virtex doniana; Raphia sudanical and Harungana
madagascariensis (five uses each) are the most used plant species.
Cleistopholis patens, Ancylobotrys amoena, Holarrhena floribunda,
Tabernaemontana ventricosa, Senna alata, Senna hirsute, Combretum
hispidum, Combretum racemosa and Cnestis ferruginea are some
examples of species with one use only. Some species with no
esterblished indigenous use in the study area includes Cussonia arborea,
Saba senegalensis, Combretum tomentosum, Combretum zenkeri,
Santaloides afzilii, Ricinodendron heudeloti, Ficus exasperate, Barteria
nigritana, Smeathmannia pubescens, Tephrosia vogelii, Feretia
apodanthera, Gardenia sokotensis, Ixora brachypod, Keetia venosa,
Grewia venusta and Trema.
The percentage of plant species (85.0%) used by the people is
comparatively in line with that recorded by most studies. For example,
analysis of the studies of Gill (1992), Odugbemi (2006) indicated that

332
82.4% of the inventoried species are used for various medicinal
purposes across Nigeria. On the other hand, analysis of Ogunkunle and
Oladele (2004), Abdulrahaman et al., (2006), Ihenyen et al., (2009),
Kayode and Ogunwole (2011) on timber species in Nigeria showed that
59.5% of the inventoried species are used as timber species in Nigeria as
against 34.0% recorded in this study. Some of the species with timber
value unknown to the people of Obudu include Milicia excels, Khaya
senegalensis, Khaya grandifoliola, Pycanthus angolensis, Canarium
schweinfurthii, Bombax costadum, Bombax buonopozense, Ceiba
pentandra, Alstonia boonei, Canarium schweinfurthii, Daniellia olivery,
Carapa procera, Ekebergia senegalensis, Albizia zigia, Parkia bicolor,
Treculia Africana and Lophira lanceolate.
The limitations by the traditional norms on the exploitation of
some plant species for certain indigenous uses and the land ownership
system as well the extreme tradition values placed on some floral
species are the only tradiditional approaches to the conservation of the
floral resources of the area. Examples of plant species that benefited
from the earlier norm include M. cecropoides, A. senegalensis and
Anthocleister spp. these species are never used for firewood in the study
333
area as it traditionally believeth that burning them induced dezziness or
epillipsy on the person involved. Other timber species such Khaya spp.,
M. excelsa, and P. angulensis are strictly owned bythe owner of the land
who will carefully preserve them for personal income. On the other
hand, P. biglobosa, I. galbonensis and E. guinensis may be owned a
different party from the land owner (as practiced by some communities
in the study area), in wich case the land owner must avoid harming the
plants to avoid comflect between the two parties.
5.1.4 Plant Identification
Identification of plants is a process of determining the identity of

plants. This process is impotant for every inventory work sence failure
to do so would diminish the efforts and time sunk in identifying same
specimen censored in previous inventories. The import of this section is
to construct a user friendly key that would preclude future personnels
who censored these 140 species the agony and laborious task of
undergoing avoidable voyages in search of the identity of the plant
specimens, which in worst instances remain elusive (Zhang et al., 2008).
HASTLE computer system program enhanced plant identification
in an independent manner – Dichotomous. It works by providing a
single pair of contrasting statements resulting in the acceptance of one
and the rejection of the other. The results are unique to each option, so
334
when the option is selected at one point, it cannot match that of another
point (Plate 149). This is due to the fact that each path of decision
assigns a true value to an independent and separate Boolean variable and
assigns a false value to the other variable of the binary path selection.
335
Plate 149: HASTLE key identification interface displayed on desktop

336
The program guides the user at each successive stage For
instance, if the ‘Leaves compound’ option was clicked, and a user
selects ‘leaves digitate’ plant species (botanical names and uploaded
images) that have compound leaves and whose leaflets are digitately
arranged would thump up while eliminating plant species that have
compound leaves but whose leaflets are pinnately arranged (opposite of
digitate). For a plant to be identified there would be a successive
narrowing or reduction in the number of species with each click. For
example, a click on “plant with compound leaves box” then “search”
would prompt two sub characters of “a compound leaf” to appear
namely “leaves opposite” and “leaves alternate”. A click on the “leaves
opposite box” and “search” would prop up five plant species and two
sub characters; “leaves digitate box” and “leaves pinnate box”. A further
click on any of the latter, for example on the “leaves digitate box” and a
click on “search” would prop up a single species whose descriptive
characteristics the choices of the identifier. Similarly, if the chosed the
option “leaves pinnate box” from the former step the “search”, would
prop up four plant species and two sub characters; “leaves surfaces
finely hairy box” and “leaves surfaces without hairs box” A further
337
click on any of the former, for example then “search” would prop up
only one species and only the identified species is now displayed on the
screen. A click on the species name would prompt the program to reveal
the image of the plant and the taxonomy description of the
morphological characteristics of the species (Plate 150).

338
Plate 150: HASTLE key identification interface displaying the

morphological features of identified plant on desktop.
339
There are sets of procedures which guide a user to effectively use
the HASTLE computer system programmed with little or no expert
assistant. Implication of this is that the system is self directive, if the
user follows carefully the steps involved. These procedures were tagged
as “Plant identification” which includes the following steps:
1. From the desktop on a computer system, the user (a prospective
plant identifier) will activate the server (wamp server) by double
clicking on its icon on the desktop or by clicking on the start
button and then on the wamp server.
2 Open the software on the browser (moxila firefox, Google crome,
or explorer) by typing on the address bar “local host”.
3 A click on “identify plants” would initiates a window to open
titled: “A computerized HASTLE key for identification of the
inventoried plant species in some communities of Obudu Local
Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria”.
4 On the HASTLE Central Window (plate iii), four options would
appear, namely; admin, Identify plants; system glossary and back.

340
5 It is advisable to click on the program glossary to get acquainted
with the terms used in the program.
6 If you are certain to have mastered the terms in the program
glossary, then click on “identify a plant”.
7 A plant identification module would appear. A click on any of
the first two opposite options and a click on the “submit” button
would initiate the identification process.
8 The program would always present you with two contrasting
statements of which a choice is to be made. The choice to be
made is based on the availability of the live specimen you are to
identifier. After a choice has been made, click on the box bearing
your decision and click on “submit”.
9 Continue this process, until the program presents you with only
one species.
10 A click on the botanical name of the species would prompt the
system to reveal the plant image.
11 Compare the plant image on the system with the voucher
specimen in your hands. If it matches, you are successful.

341
Using this computerized system; HASTLE will certainly make
identification of plants easier than the conventional method.

342
5.2 Conclusions
The result of the present study revealed a great diversity of plant
species which is characteristic of the regional vegetation of the study
area. The various species identified showed a forest –savanna ecological
zone that is anthropogenically disturbed. The dominance of Musanga
cecropoides and Alchornea cordifolia confimed the study area as a
derived savanna or secondary forest zone. The floristic diversity and
heterogeneity of the vegetation of the study area showed that Obudu
forest can serve as a good repository of medicinal, agricultural,
aesthetic, horticultural, apicultural and economic valuable plant
resources. The result of this study would provide standardized baseline
information which could be used for effective management of the
abundant flora resource of Obudu which covers a total land mass of
379,164 square kilometers.

343
5.3 Recommendation
The rational to construct a - user friendly key for the censored
species would preclude future personnels who censored these 140
species, the agony and laborious task of undergoing avoidable voyages
in search of the identity of the plant specimens, which in worst instances
remain elusive is novel because such information has not been reported
from studies in the region. Therefore, every inventory work should be
accompanied with a reference key to avoid the herculian task of same -
species identification by future researchers.

344
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Appendix 1: Plant Diversity Enumeration of Obudu LGA of Cross River State
FAMILY SN SPECIES HABIT IUCN Common name Local name
Agavaceae 1 Dracaena arborea T NE Dracaena Kitilakham
2 Dracaena minni T NE Dracaena Kitilakham
Alangiaceae 3 Cussonia arborea T NE Octopus

cabbage tree
Anacardiaceae 4 Pseudospondias T NE African Kughem
microcarpa Grape
5 Spondia mombin L NE Hig plum Udingar
Annonaceae 6 Annona senegalensis T NE wild custard Kiuin

apple
7 Cleistopholis patens T NE salt-and-oil
tree
8 Uvaria chamae T NE Finger root Kigile’shii
Apocyanaceae 9 Alstonia boonei T NE Stool wood Kako’
10 Ancylobotrys L NE Uta’m
amoena
11 Holarrhena T NE False rubber
floribunda tree
12 Rauvolfia vomitoria T NE Swizzle- Kabo’
stick
13 Saba senegalensis L NE French liane
saba
14 Tabernaemontana T NE Forest toad Kako-
ventricosa tree ugkieb
15 Voacanga africana T NE Small-
fruited
Arecaceae 16 Elaeis guineensis T NE African
voacanga Kiwuor
palm tree
17 Raphia sudanical T NE Raffia palm Kukheh
Asteraceae 18 Vernonia S NE Bitter leaf Kutte

amygdalina tree
357
FAMILY S/N SPECIES HABIT IUCN Common name Local name
Bignonaceae 19 Crescentia cujete T NE Calabash Kikpa

20 Kigelia africana T NE tree
Sausage tree kitete
21 Newbouldia leavis T NE Newbouldia katsitsang

22 Spathodea T NE African
campanulata tuliptree
23 Stereospermum T NE Pink Utsi-ukor
kunthianum jacaranda
Bombacaceae 24 Bombax T NE Cotton tree Kukem
buonopozense
25 Bombax costadum T NE Red kapok kukem
tree
26 Ceiba pentandra T NE Silk cotton Kukem-
tree or uwhoeh
Burseraceae 27 Canarium T NE African
kapok tree Kuffeh
schweinfurthii Elemi
28 Dacryodes edulis T VU African pear Kushu
Caesalpinioid 29 Afzilia africana T NE African oak Kukpe

eae
30 Athonotha T NE African Kiborkpor
macrophylla rosewood
31 Berlinia grandiflora T NE Berlinia or Kuffann
Ekpogoi
32 Burkea africana T NE
33 Dailum guineense T NE Black/Velve Ukpel

t tamarine
34 Daniellia olivery T NE Kujion’shii African
copaiba
35 Datarium T NE Tallow tree Kigbel-
balsam
microcarpum agashi
36 Isoberlinia doka T NE Doka tree Kuffann
37 Isoberlinia T NE White duka Kuffann

tomentosa
38 Piliostigma T NE Camel’s Kidakpam
reticulatum foot
39 Piliostigma T NE Camel’s Kidakpam
thonningii foot
358
S/N SPECIES HABIT IUCN Common Local name

name
40 Senna alata S NE Ringworm Udeh’de
bush ubua, or
41 Senna hirsuta S NE Stinking Udeh’de
utsi bitete
cassia ufung
Chrysobalana 42 Parinari L NE mobola- Kigbel-
ceae curatellifolia plum, cork agashi
43 Parinari T NE mobola-
tree, hissing Kigbel-
curatellifolia plum,
tree cork agashi
Clusiaceae 44 Harungana T NE Dragon’s
tree, hissing Uti’lii
madagascariensis blood
tree tree
Combretaceae 45 Anogeissus T NE African Ubi’
leiocarpa birch
46 Combretum S NE Kiffa’
hispidum
47 Combretum S NE Cristmas Kiffa’litam
racemosa rose
48 Combretum S NE Kiffa’
tomentosum
49 Combretum zenkeri S NE
50 Terminalia brownie T NE Red pod Kako

terminalia
Connaraceae 51 Cnestis ferruginea T NE dog’s penis Uto- apkii
52 Santaloides afzilii T NE
Convolvulace 53 Ipomoea mauritiana C NE giant potato Kukem-

ae itang
Cucurbitaceae 54 Luffa cylindricum C NE Loofah Ukwuo-
gourd or uziwhoeh
Euphobiaceae 55 Alchornea cordifolia T NE Christmas
loofah Kushi-
bush shiann
56 Alchornea laxiflora S NE Lowveld
bead-string
57 Bridelia ferruginea T NE Mitzeeri, Ukpen’
Coastal
58 Bridelia micranta T NE Mitzeeri,
Golden-leaf Ukpen’
Coastal
59 Jatropha curcas T NE Barbados nut
Golden-leaf Ugbabo’
359
S/N SPECIES HABIT IUCN Common Local name

name
60 Margaritaria T NE pheasant- Utang’tel’
discoidea berry,
61 Phyllanthus T NE thorns
peacock-of a Kashie
muellerianus fish
berry
62 Ricinodendron T NE Corwood
heudeloti tree or
63 Sapium ellipticum T NE Jumping-
wood-oil nut Kushien
seed
tree tree
64 Spondianthus T NE Spondianthu
preussii s
65 Uapaca heudelotii T NE Red cedar Utor-litam
66 Uapaca togoensis T NE Red cedar Utor-ukor
Flacourtiaceae 67 Flacourtia T NE Governor Utong’

flavescens Plum
Hymenocardia 68 Hymenocardia acida T NE Large red-
ceae heart
Irvingiaceae 69 Irvingia gabonensis T NT Dika nut Ugib
Lecythidaceae 70 Napoleonaea T NE Napoleon's Kikatia

imperalis Hat
Miliaceae 71 Azadirachta indica T NE Neem plant Dogoyaro
72 Carapa procera T NE bastard

mahogany,
73 Ekebergia T NE Cape-ash
Brazilian
senegalensis mahogany,
74 Khaya grandifoliola T VU Broadleaf
crabwood Katsua
mahogany
75 Khaya senegalensis T VU Senegal kikheb-
mahogany Katsua
Mimosoideae 76 Albizia zigia T NE West Ukpa’n
African
77 Parkia bicolor T NE albizia Kibo-
ukekel or
78 Parkia biglobosa T NE African Kibo
Kukim
locust bean
79 Tetrapleura T NE Prɛkɛsɛ Kikpa’
tetraptera
360
FAMILY S/N SPECIES HABI IUC Common Local

T N name name
Moraceae 80 Ficus exasperata T NE Sand paper Ukpii
tree
81 Ficus glumosa T NE Hairy rock
Fig tree
82 Ficus polita T NE Kidede’
83 Ficus sur T NE Fig tree Kujuon
84 Ficus thonningi T NE Chinese Kidede

banyan
85 Ficus trichopoda T NE Swamp Fig, Kifeh-
Hippo Fig kiede’
86 Ficus vallis-choudae T NE False cape Kifeh-
Fig, Haroni kujuon
87 Milicia excelsa T NT Iroko
Fig tree Uloko
88 Musanga T NE Unbrella Kikwom

cecropioides tree
89 Treculia africana T NE African Kistigil
bread fruit
90 Trilepisium T NE UrnFig, Undhor
madagascariense False-Fig
Moringaceae 91 Moringa oleifera T NE Moringa Ugbigi
tree, ben oil
Myristicaceae 92 Pycanthus T NE Carboard
tree, or uba
angolensis plant,
benzoil tree
Myrtaceae 93 Syzygium guineensis T NE Water
Africanberry
nutmeg,
Ochnaceae 94 Lophira lanceolate T NE UrnFig,
false Kukuka
False-Fig
nutmeg,
95 Ochna afzelii T NE Ochnas,
boxboard
Bird's-eye
Olacaceae 96 Olax subcorpioidea T NE bushes, Kakong’shi
Mickey- i
Pacifloraceae 97 Barteria nigritana T NE mouse
plants
98 Smeathmannia T NE
pubescens
Pandaceae 99 Pandanus T NE Screw spine Ake’b
candelabrum
361
FAMILY S/N SPECIES HABIT IUCN Common name Local name
Papilionoideae 100 Baphia nitida T NE Camwood Ulele-be’
101 Erythrina T NE Coral tree Katalung

senegalensis
102 Lonchocarpus S/L NE West Kabel-utia
cyanascense African
indigo vine
103 Lonchocarpus S NE Indigo vine,

sericeus West
104 Pterocarpus lucens T NE Round-
African wild Uturukpa
leaved
indigo,
105 Pterocarpus osun T NE Bloodwood
Senegal lilac Kakwu
bloodwood
106 Swartzia T NE snake bean Timber,

madagascariensis fuelwood
107 Tephrosia vogelii S NE Fish-poison and
bean charcoal
Potaliaceae 108 Anthocleista T LC Cabbage Kitsim
djalonesis tree
109 Anthocleister vogelii T NE Cabbage Kitsim
tree
Rubiaceae 110 Crossopteryx T NE African Kiwhal-

febrifuga bark, crown- kanni
111 Feretia apodanthera T NE berry,
Crystal-bark
112 Gardenia sokotensis S NE
113 Gardenia ternifolia T NE Powder bark

gardenia
114 Ixora brachypoda S NE
115 Keetia venosa S NE Raisin-fruit Utie’tufa’-

keetia uto
116 Mitragyna T NE African Kutsu-tsor
ledermannii linden
117 Morinda lucida T NE Brimstone Ughe-gieh

tree
362
118 Sarcocephaluslatifol T NE Pin cushion Kitia lulo’

ius tree, African
119 Sericanthes S NE peach,
devarieri Guinea
Samydaceae 120 Casearia barteri T LC peach
Sapindaceae 121 Allophylus africanus T NE African

false currant
122 Blighia sapida T NE Akee aple Ushieb-

ushii
123 Lecanodiscus T NE Mexican Ushieb
capinoides fireplant
124 Paullinia pinnata L NE Bread and Ukeb-item
Cheese kungiokwe
Sapotaceae 125 Malacantha alnifolia T NE
126 Vitellaria paradoxa T VU Shea butter Mankede

tree
Smilacaceae 127 Smilax ancept L NE West Ukem-
African akpe’
Sterculaceae 128 Cola acuminata T NE Cola nut tree
sarsaparilla, Libo
prickly-ivys
129 Cola gigantean T NE giant cola Kishii
130 Cola milleni T NE kola nut, Libo-keke’

cola, kola,
bitter kola
131 Cola nitida T NE Cola nut tree Ugoro
132 Dombeya burgessiae T NE Pink upatio

dombeya
Malvaceae 133 Sterculia T NE African
tragacantha tragacanth
Tiliaceae 134 Glyphaea brevis T NE utilikpe
134 Grewia venusta T NE apple ring

acacia,
Ulmaceae 135 Trema orientalis T NE charcoal-
winterthorn Uwhuo’wh
tree, Indian uo’
charcoal-
tree,pigeon
wood
363
Verbenaceae 136 Gmelina arborea T NE Gmelina, Gmelina

white teak,
137 Lippia chevalieri S NE Gambian
Beechwood,tea Utsi-
bush
Goomar itunshii
138 Virtex doniana T NE Black
teak, plum Kuwheel
Kashmir
Vitaceae 139 Cissuss papulnea L NE Edible
tree, Uffem
stemmed
vine

Vegetation Inventory of Some Communities in Obudu Lga, Cross River State

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1

1.1 Background to study

Plant inventory is the fulcrum on which all conservation research

and activities are based. Regrettably, biodiversity studies in tropical

African countries tend to focus on animals. However, one cannot escape

environment. Tropical rain forests are home to a great diversity of plant

species representing many forms and life-styles. However, inadequate

funding, paucity of research oriented personnel, scarcity of taxonomic

effective and efficient plant inventory. More worrisome is the herculean

task of identifying these inventoried species. The traditional methods of

identification have been the usual practice. Although these methods

(expert determination, recognition, comparison and use of keys) are

functional and helpful, their use is usually time-consuming and

cumbersome. For instance, several man hours may be lost in checking

species of interest at last. Hence, there is need to modernize the process

of identification, so as to make it fast and simple to use.

Information retrieval (IR) is the science of searching for

documents, for information within documents and for metadata about

documents, as well as that of searching relational databases and the

retrieval is fast becoming the dominant form of information access,

overtaking traditional database style of searching. Automated

been called "information overload". Many universities and public

libraries use IR systems to provide access to books, journals and other

documents. Web search engines are the most visible IR applications

There are thousands of plant species, which have been classified

tropics where speciation and insufficient number of trained experts is

common. As a result of this and the diversity of plants on earth,

usually takes a long process of checking cabinets in herbarium looking

to this reason, there is therefore need for an efficient and convenient

means or system by which this identification process can be executed

with ease. In this research, an attempt was made to develop a computer-

based information retrieval system which would go a long way in

reducing the problems associated with conventional plant identification

processes. The system is meant to serve as information retrieval model

for use in herbaria and public institutions.

1.2 Justification of study

management and sustainability for utilization of future generation

been acknowledged by the International Union for Conservation of

Nature (IUCN) as one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

over 1545 species of plants, from 523 genera in 98 families, 6 of these

132 tree species listed by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre as

globally threatened (Fasola, 2006; Lameed and Ayodele, 2008; Ogogo

et al., 2013). Regrettably, most of the conservation research works

conducted in Cross River State tends to focus on animals, particularly

propriety rights (CORDEC 1996; WABECO 2007-2008;

NDPHC")/NIPP; 2001; ESSAR 2012 and CRSCSDA, 2014) or not

2012; Ebigwai et al., 2014; Enuoh and Francis, 2015).

Worst still, most of these studies were conducted in either oil

producing mangrove communities (CORDEC 1996; Sieghard and

Francis, 2000; Sieghard and Francis 2000; Esin, 2014) or around

limestone and granite producing areas of the state (Lameed and

Ayodele, 2008; Offiong et al., 2012). Few other vegetation inventories

conducted in the state were centered in areas of known conservation

mineral and non-conservation areas of the state is scanty at best and

non-existent (Okpiliya et al., 2013). A cursory analysis of these latter

reports shows a bias towards non-timber forest products (NTFP)

Onilude, 2011; Oluyemi, 2013).

Second, is the problem of species identification. Over the years,

species identification has been a serious problem of plant inventory and

conservation. The set-backs often encountered include the problem of

identifying an expert to assist in the identification of the censured

identification process, the reliability of the expert recognition becomes

several man hours lost in checking for voucher specimens in cabinets