Diversity complex of plant species spread in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This research was carried out to assess the plant species diversity in Nasarawa State, Nigeria with a view to obtain an accurate database and inventory of the naturally occurring plant species in the state for reference and research purposes. This preliminary report covers a total of nine local government areas in the state. The work involved intensive survey and visits to the sample sites for this exercise. The diversity status of each plant and the distribution across the state were also determined using standard method. A total of number of 244 plant species belonging to 57 plant families were identified out of which the families, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae and Papilionaceae were the most highly distributed across the entire study area. There was great extent of diversity in the distribution of plants across all the areas sampled with the highest in Wamba LGA. The most predominant food crop across the state was Sorgum spp. followed by Sesame indica and then Zea mays. The total percentage occurrence of herbs, shrubs and trees in the study area are 31.19, 16.29 and 47.91%, respectively. This preliminary work has provided a baseline data and reference point for future taxonomical stratagem in Nasarawa State.   Key words: Herbarium, conservation, Nasarawa, plant diversity.