The flora of Jordan with regards to the flowering vascular plant represents a high diversity in such a semi-arid country like Jordan which is part of the Eastern Mediterranean region. In this study, a number of 59 wild species with showy, exotic flowers from Jordan are illustrated; the selected species are not introduced or cultivated but rather local wild flowers selected for their showy, colorful flowers and for their medicinal, edible and ornamental values. Most of the recorded species in this study are endangered and exposed to degradation. The selected plant species are ornamental, showy with colorful flowers like Orchids, Irises, Crocuses, Narcissus, Cyclamen, Ixiolirion, Linum, Anemone, Salvias, Sternbergia and Ornithogallum. Some of the illustrated plant species are endemic to Jordan like: Iris nigricans which is the national flower of Jordan, Crocus moabiticus, Iris edomensis and Iris petrana, many plant species are demonstrated for their medicinal values like Achillea fragrantissima, Arum palestinum, Glaucium arabicum, Erodium gruinum, Alcea setosa, Hyoscyamus reticulatus and others. Other species are mentioned for their edible consumption like Capparis spinosa, Cretaegus aronia, Crocus hermoneus, Cyclamen persicum, Gundelia tournefortii, Lupinus varius, Malva setosa and others. Photographs are demonstrated for most of the selected plants.

 

Key words: Exotic flowers, wild flowers, Jordan.