The Diversity Of Medicinal Plants At The Botanical Garden In University Of Nairobi (upper Kabete Campus)

Abstract

A botanical garden comprising different species of medicinal plants was established at the University of Nairobi’s College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences in April 2009. Prior to the establishment of the garden, an inventory of species and genus of plants on the site was recorded using the line transect method. Photographs and voucher specimens were also taken. The area was then cleared and different species of medicinal plants were planted. Before it was cleared, the site had a total of 87 plant species belonging to 74 genera and 36 families, which comprised of 41.4% herbs, 18.4% trees, 25.3% shrubs and 13.8% grasses. The most abundant families were Papilionaceae (9.2%), Compositae (8.1%), Acanthaceae (5.8%), Malvaceae

(4.6%), Rubiaceae (4.6%); and Verbenaceae, Caesalpiniaceae and Labiatae (3.5% each). The garden has 497 medicinal plants consisting of 47 species and 26 families. Most of species and genera of plants in the garden, are in Rutaceae (15%), Euphorbiaceae (8.7%), Apocynaceae, Caesalpinaceae, Mimosaceae, and Papilionaceae, 6.5% each, respectively. This botanical garden is currently used as a demonstration site for best practices in exsitu propagation of rare medicinal plant species. The resultant species, genera and families and their medicinal potential are presented.