Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Kakamega Forest, Western Province, Kenya

Abstract

An annotated checklist of the Kakamega Forest in Kakamega District is presented. The checklist includes the plants found mainly in Buyangu National Reserve, and the Nature Reserves of Isecheno and Yala. It also includes the adjacent forest fragments of Malava, Kisere and Kaimosi. Nine hundred and eighty six (986) plant taxa (including 36 introduced or cultivated, 12 probably misidentified, 111 photo recorded taxa, and 83 undocumented plant taxa) in 129 families and 527 genera are recorded. This represents about 15.2% of the total number of 6506 Kenyan vascular plant species. For each taxon documented, a short description of its habit and distribution is given. Also 181 synonyms are listed.

Keywords: Kakamega Forest, vascular plants, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, angiosperms, biodiversity