Annonated checklist of plant species of Loita Forest (Entim e Naimina Enkiyio Forest or the forest of the lost child), Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken in Loita forest from 2012 to 2015 to document species richness and compile the first comphrensive plant species checklist of the forest. The forest is located in Narok County, Loita Sub County, an area occupied by the Loita Maasai community. Purposive sampling using established plots and transects walks was carried out for complete documentation of all plant species existing in the forest. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were undertaken to confirm the local names of the species. The plants were identified and confirmed at the East Africa Herbarium; National Museusm of Kenya. The checklist outlines the plant species in botanical and Maasai names and their corresponding families. The plant species have been arranged alphabetically using their scientific names. The checklist developed shall be crucial for future ecological studies and management of Loita forest. The checklist can be updated through future botanical surveys.