Botanical characteristics and assessment of the diversity of ornamental plants in Man city, Côte d’Ivoire

Introduction: This study focuses on the characteristics and diversity of ornamental plants in the city of Man, Côte d'Ivoire, an area where these plants are poorly documented. Its main objective is to promote these plants by assessing their diversity and highlighting their botanical characteristics. Methodology: The method consisted of a traveling inventory conducted in 17 randomly selected neighborhoods of the city. This survey resulted in the identification of 99 species of ornamental plants. These plants were identified at the National Floristic Center of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, where they were characterized. Results: The study identified 99 plant species divided into 18 genera and 46 botanical families. The Euphorbiaceae family is the majority (26.1%), followed by the Arecaceae family with 23.9% of the plant species listed. Regarding the diversity assessment, the calculated Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou indices showed a good diversity of ornamental plants in the city of Man, but not evenly distributed throughout the city. Conclusion: This study contributes to filling the scientific gap concerning ornamental plants in Man and paves the way for their use in sustainable development and conservation programs.