Diversity of Orchids from Continental Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Africa is a vast continent containing many types of ecological environments. It harbors the second largest forest reserve in the world but its flora is not well known for lack of financial means to carry out botanical prospecting studies. While many families have been well studied, others like the Orchidaceae are little known. This study is intended to contribute to the knowledge of this family through its use and distribution in continental sub-Saharan Africa. The overall analysis of the orchid flora was done based on the four major regions except North Africa and South Africa (West Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, and East Africa). This study is based on the investigation of the literature. We have consulted previous published studies on orchids, floras, and distribution maps of the targeted areas. We were able to draw up a list of 1373 species belonging to 88 genera. The results show that of the four phytogeographic zones, Central Africa is the richest with 708 species, followed by Southern Africa and East Africa with 637 and 583 species, respectively. West Africa, with 413 species, is the least rich area. Several uses have been listed. Mostly, orchids are using in pharmacopoeia, in feeding and as ornamental plants. We were also able to establish endemism in several countries (e.g., Tanzania, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Gabon, Central African Republic, Uganda, and Burundi).