DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF VASCULAR PLANTS IN CHARANCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA AND THEIR MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Abstract

This study was conducted in Charanchi local Government area (LGA), Katsina State, to evaluate the floristic composition and diversity of vascular plants in the study area and to document their ethnomedicinal uses. Five sites were randomly selected and five quadrants were established in each site. Plant species in each of the site were identified and assessed. ethnobotanical information for the identified plants was obtained through administration of semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 71 plant species belonging to 31 families were recorded from the study area, with Fabaceae, Moraceae, and Combretaceae having the highest frequency. Shannon-Wiener diversity index was used to assess species richness and evenness. The highest species richness and maximum diversity was observed in site E, while site D was with the least species richness and diversity. The evenness is relatively the same in all the sites with ­­­­­­­­­­site B and D having the maximum. Azadichrata indica, Anarcadium occidentale, Mangifera indica, Diospyrus mespiliforms, Ceiba  pentandra and Moringa oleifera are among the most common and abundant medicinal plants in the study area. The results of the Ethnobotanical study revealed that most of the vascular plant in Charanchi are being utilized in traditional medicine practice.

Key Words:Conservation, Deforestation, Ethnobotany, Floristic composition, Charanchi

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