Tagging of Endemic and Rare Flora at City Park
Did you know City Park is home to 16 rare plant species, 7 of which are endemic to Kenya and 9 of regional distribution? Among these is the Croton alienus (pictured above) found in all sites of the park. Other known populations across the country are small, highly vulnerable or may have been lost. (Source: City Park Plant Diversity Assessment, National Museums of Kenya, 2018)
Part of the ongoing restoration works by Kenya Forest Service involve opening up paths and sections of the park that have been covered by bushes. Teams working under the recently launched Kazi Mtaani Program are currently carrying out the clearing of bushes under the supervision of the Forest Manager.
To ensure protection of rare plant species, saplings, indigenous shrubs and other important flora, a tagging exercise was necessary. Dr. Paul Kirika, a botanist from National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and one of the researchers behind City Park’s Plant Diversity Survey (2010, 2018), led this exercise. Also present during the July 28th exercise was the Forest Manager and representatives from NMK and FoCP.
Some of the important species identified and tagged included Synadenium compactum, Afrocanthium keniensis and Vitex strickeri. Sansevieria parva and Chaetachme aristata were noted as indigenous species that can be propagated within the Park nurseries and used for landscaping and as hedge-plants.
-by Benard Koros
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