Compilation and Checklist of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants on Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Mambilla Plateau, located in Taraba State, Nigeria, is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a vast array of medicinal and  aromatic plants that are crucial for both the local ecosystem and the indigenous communities' healthcare practices. Medicinal and  Aromatic plants on Mambilla Plateau provide many ecosystem services including provisional, supporting and regulation service as well as maintaining ecosystem properties. On Mambilla Plateau some plants serve both medicinal and aromatic including Clausena anisata and  Zanthoxylum leprieurii. This study aims to compile a comprehensive checklist of medicinal and aromatic plant species on the Mambilla  Plateau, emphasizing their botanical names, families, and traditional uses. Seventeen medicinal and aromatic plants belonging twelve  families were recorded. nine families are represented by one species from each family while two families are represented by two species  from each family and one family was represented by fourspecies. Notably family Lamiaceae contains medicinal and aromatic species. By  documenting these species, this paper seeks to contribute to the conservation efforts, sustainable development goals, sustainable use of  medicinal and aromatic plants resources and other ecosystem services of medicinal and aromatic plants in the region.