Abstract

Wild flowering plants in Tafila Province (South of Jordan) in terms of floristic features, with regards to its wild vascular plants were studied. A list of wild flowering plants was prepared. Field trips were made to the study area. A total number of 383 species belong to 198 genera and 48 families were recorded. Wild trees like Cupressus sempervirens, Ceratonia siliqua, Quercus sp. (Oak) and Juniperus phoenica were reported. Some recorded species such as Anthemis maris- mortui, or the medicinal rare species such as Iris petrana and Iris nigricans, Salvadora persica, Osyris alba, Datura stramonium, Globularia Arabica and Amygdalus communis are considered as endemic to the area. A number of historical economic trees have been recorded in the study area like Pistacia atlantica; some edible species are reported like Malva sp., Allium sp., Gundelia tournefortii, etc. Some exotic plant species were reported like Iris species and Lupinus varius. Some endemic species were reported, e.g Iris petrana, rare plant species were also recorded, e.g, Globularia arabica, I. nigricans, Iris edomensis and Limonium sp. Plant examples are listed and some selected photos for some plant species from the study area are included.

Key words: Plant diversity, Jordan, Tafila, conservation.