Abstract

Listing and describing plant diversity in terms of the status of flowering vascular plants in Al-Balqa Governorate (North West Amman/Jordan) has been evaluated. Collections of plant specimens have been made during the field trips that have been conducted, in order to study and evaluate the composition and the diversity of the flowering wild plants in Al-Balqa Governorate. A total number of 527 species belonging to 296 genera and 61 families have been recorded. A number of 91 medicinal plants are recorded; some examples are known as medicinal plants like: Arum palaestinum, Achillea santolina, Carduus australis, and others. Poisonous plants such as Retama raetam, Solanum luteum, Ferula communis etc. were also recorded. A number of 30 recorded species are considered as endemic such as Daucus carota and Apium nodiflorum, and some others are known as edible plant species like: Salvia hierosolymitana, Gundelia tournefortii, Eruca sativa etc. a number of 25   species are endangered such as:  Gundelia tournefortii, Sinapis alba, Sternbergia clusiana and Cistus creticus. Some reported species are rare like: Lactuca serriola, Varthemia iphionoides, Echium judaeum, Lupinus varius, Iris atrophosca and others. Deciduous Oak (Quercus ithaburensis) forest is occurring in the study area mixed with remnants of wild olive (Olea europaea), and with shrubs such as Crataegus azarolus, and a wild almond tree  (Amygdalus communis), also with herbaceous bushes such as Dactylis glomeratus, Urginea maritima, Colchicum hierosolymitanum, Sarcopoterium spinosum, Euphorbia hierosolymitana, Salvia indica, Alcea setosa, and Tulipa stylosa. However the study area is considered as one of the richest geographical area in Jordan in terms of its plant diversity, but unfortunately the area is negatively affected by different factors that are contributing in the habitat loss and degradation.

Key words: Plant diversity, Flora, Al-Balqa, Jordan.