DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BIOLOGYANDBIOTECHNOLOGY

Ornamental plants are plants selected for cultivation in a garden primarily because of their aesthetic values. Operators of such gardens may depend on its success for subsistence and income security. This study examined ornamental plants in four areas of the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. The areas include Main gate, Life science, Physical science and Engineering. A total of 35 ornamental plant species were surveyed across the study area. A total of about 25higher plant families were encountered in all the areas. Ornamentals are of great importance to man and the environment. They may be used for beautification, food, shade, aesthetic potentials among others and as wind-breakers. In this study, the diversity and abundance of ornamental species at the University of Benin main campus, Benin City, Nigeria was determined. Most common ornamental species include; Cocos nucifera, Axonopus compressus, Durantaerecta, Eugenia unifolia and Magnifera indica. The dominant families include; Arecaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Combretaceae, Myrtaceae. The most common type of ornamentals encountered were trees and shrubs having a percentage of about 82.8%and the least been the bulb with a percentage of about 15%