Publications by authors named "Kathambi Vivian"
Mt Elgon is an ancient transboundary volcanic mountain found at the Kenya-Uganda boarder possessing high plant diversity. This study documents an updated checklist of the mountain's vascular plants obtained through random-walk field excursions and retrieval of herbarium specimen tracing back to 1900. We compiled 1709 species from 673 genera in 131 families.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRural communities in Kenya largely depend on plant resources for their livelihood. The utilization of these resources depends on the availability of plant resources and the level of knowledge of the residents. We conducted an ethnobotanical study in Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya to determine the knowledge and utilization of various plant species by the local communities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWild food plants are important resources for people living in dry areas of Kenya. A botanical inventory of vascular plants of Kitui county was compiled from specimens collected during field investigations in Kitui county, at the East African (EA) herbarium and from literature reporting on plants of Kitui county. To obtain an inventory of wild edible plants found in Kitui county, literature reporting on wild edible plants of Kenya were searched and combined with the use reports obtained from field surveys in Kitui county.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn Ethnobotanical Survey of a Dryland Botanical Garden and Its Environs in Kenya: The Mutomo Hill Plant Sanctuary.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
March 2020
Article Synopsis
- Mutomo Hill Plant Sanctuary is a 10-hectare botanical garden in Kenya, established in 1964 to conserve native plants and combat environmental degradation.
- An ethnobotanical survey was conducted involving 48 herbalists to document medicinal plants, identifying 68 species from 28 families, with Leguminosae, Lamiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae being the most common.
- The study highlights traditional knowledge about medicinal plants used for treating diseases, particularly infectious and digestive issues, emphasizing the cultural heritage of the Kamba people and potential applications in drug development.
is recorded from Kenya as well as the Northern Hemisphere for the first time. A plate of ink drawing and a distribution map are provided based on the new collection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The Cherangani Hills in Western Kenya consist of 12 forest blocks and showcase significant plant diversity, though previous studies on this diversity have been limited.
- Researchers conducted thorough field investigations and examined herbarium specimens, resulting in a checklist of 1,296 vascular plant species, including 17 endemic species across 130 families and 608 genera.
- This checklist demonstrates that the flora of the Cherangani Hills represents substantial portions of the total plant diversity in Kenya, contributing to 18.50% of the species, 43.83% of the genera, and 54.17% of the families found in the country, making it a crucial area for conservation and study.