Identification and Description of Some Common Ornamental Plant Species at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria

Introduction

Floriculture involves the production, distribution and marketing of ornamental plants, potted foliage, beddings and garden plants. These plants include trees, shrubs, ground covers, turf grass or sod, bulbs and planted stock; environmental horticulture which includes crops usually grown outdoors and used primarily for landscaping purposes [1].

Floriculture plants possess aesthetic properties that enhance quality of life [2]. These sectors have been developed in some African Countries such as Kenya which presently produced cut flowers and foliage for export annually. Other leading countries that produce flowers in the world are United States, Israel, India and the European countries, where floriculture sector contributes greatly to their income through export. Aker and Healy reported that development of floriculture in Nigeria is confronted with various problems which include low awareness of the importance of flowers (aesthetic, social-economic and medicinal uses) by majority of Nigeria populace; lack of coordinated scientific research programme focusing on floriculture growth, poor level of investment both by public and private sectors [3].

According to Jessica (2013) reported that, an ornamental plant is grown for decoration, rather than food or other by-products. Ornamental plants may be grown in a flower bed, shaped into a hedge or placed in a sunny apartment window. They are most often intentionally planned for aesthetic appeal, but a plant that occurs naturally and enhances the landscape could also be considered ornamental. While the most apparent use of ornamental plant is their visual effect, they serve obvious purposes and are used in landscapes throughout the home to beautify the surrounding [4,5].

In fragrance, many ornamental plants are chosen because they appeal to the sense of smell, in addition to their visual appeals. Lavender is widely regarded for it pleasing fragrances although widely harvested for lavender oil, it is commonly planted in home landscapes for its scent and a walk through a rose garden is sure to entice visitors. Some fragment plants prove beneficial at repelling outdoor pests, such as anti-mosquitoes and flies [6].

In view of the fact that there is increasing awareness about the importance of growing ornamental plant species, however, no special care is given to appropriate selection as well as identifying plants species that are used as ornamentals for different purposes, hence this survey was conducted to document and characterize the common ornamental plants in the premises of the University Campus.

Material and methods

A survey was conducted around the Ahmadu Bello University (Main Campus) in April 2014. The work involved the collection, identification and description of various ornamental plant species commonly found in the University Campus. The ornamental plants were identified, captured and snapped using digital camera. A vital part of this work was presented in the form of original coloured photograph which were described through consultation with gardeners, books, encyclopedia, internet etc.

Results and Discussion

General

From the survey conducted, the following ornamental plants were identified, these comprises the hedges plants, shading plants and lawns. The habit of using ornamental plants functionally for environmental improvident is yet to be cultivated meaningfully in developing nations including Nigeria. It was reported by Olayiwola, that most house owners believe in using spaces in their surrounding for building shop and hiring accommodations [7]. There is complete neglect of environmental beautification planning across the nation; however, the presence of some ornamental plants in an environment makes it beautiful and a beautiful environment always cool and inviting. Plant flowering, shrubs around homes often add aesthetic values to our surrounding. Amusa also supported that to control these environmental problems, it was suggested that people should cultivate the habit of having ornamental plants, grasses as cover-mat and fruit trees in their surroundings [8]. Each group of the plant is being described, categorized accordingly and presented as follows:

Hedge plants

Table 1 show the most predominant hedge plant species which are also used as outdoor plants. Hedges plants were identified from Main Campus, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, these are plants grown purposely for demarcation of walkways, unscreen and boundary properties. Calvin reported that outdoor plants are plants grown in conjunction with non-plants element such as sculptures, walkways and fountains to create a view or environment that is aesthetically pleasing and nurturing human spirit [9]. The objectives of outdoor ornamental horticulture are the functional and aesthetic integration of people building and sit, using plants and space as its main tools. The necessity of it in landscape is for positive control of the fast changing landscape for the future. These outdoor ornamental plants can be used as cover mat on eroded areas, they help in eliminating dust and they reduce glare air pollution, heat buildup and noise pollution.

Table 1: Predominant hedge plant species identified at Ahmadu Bello University, main campus, Samaru Zaria Nigeria.

Shading (tree) ornamental plants

Table 2 present the shading ornamental tree plant species in Ahmadu Bello University, main campus, Zaria Nigeria. Most of the shading ornamental plants identified provide shade for resting during hot sun. Anonymous reported that certain trees may be called ornamental trees this term is used on garden or landscape settings [5]. For instance, for their flowers their texture form and shape and other aesthetic characteristics.

The beautiful trees along the road provide unquantifiable shade and comfort for pedestrians, while keeping the road intact from solar radiation and other indecent climate conditions trees are used as part of a garden or landscape settings and play a vital role in our environment, they adorn our streets, parks and garden, make our landscape much more interesting. Baiyewu on their research and training programme was conducted on the role of ornamental plant in environmental plant in environmental protection in two areas viz: the ancient and modern communities in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria which is the largest city in West Africa [10]. The study identified awareness of the inhabitants of these communities to the importance of ornamental plants in their environments from the ancient communities paid no recognition to the importance to ornamental plants. The ancient communities claimed that ornamental plants arrest dust, supplies oxygen and help as wind break.

Trees in the landscape may be classified as narrow leaf or broad leaf, and evergreen or deciduous, long lived trees are large plants in their adult stages. Narrow leaf evergreen are particular in landscape. The trees must be selected and located with care, in selecting tress for the landscape, numerous factors should be considered. Some factors are critical because they determine the success and survival of the plant at the site depending on site and space, adaption, plant size and characteristics at maturity, maintenance, aesthetics, costs, seasonal enjoyment, fruiting, use and rooting characteristics.

Table 2: Predominant shading plant species identified at Ahmadu Bello University main campus, Samaru Zaria Nigeria.

Indoor plants

During the survey the most common indoor plant species found and identified is presented in table 3. Indoor plants (house plants) are plants adapted to indoor conditions, Briggs reported that indoor plants are grown in containers, they are usually slow growing plants and may be flowering or foliage plants, plants can be successfully grown indoors in a controlled environment in which all of the required plant growth factors are supplied in appropriate amounts [11]. Choice of proper growth medium is critical to the success of growing potted plants and choice of plant species is essential in growing indoor plants. Indoor plants are enjoyed by home owners all-round the year.

They are popular houseplant and ornamental plants for offices and shopping malls because they are among the easiest house plant to grow. Numerous cultivars have been selected including plant with variegated leaves. They tolerate a wide range of light, as well as neglect and are relatively resistant to pest. Jack and Jessica suggested that being around plants help people concentrate better in the home and workplace, Jack reported that keeping ornamental plants in the home and workplace increase memory retention and concentration [12,13]. The calming influence of a natural environment is conducive to positive work environments by increasing a person’s ability to concentrate on the task at hand. A recent study of Michigan showed the effect of nature in the home and in the work place serves to stimulate both senses and the mind improving mental cognition and performance. Jack reported that keeping ornamental plants in the home and in the work place increases memory retention and concentration.

Lawns

Lawns were identified in the Main Campus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Table 4) with mostly carpet grass (Axonopus compresus) as the main species. George reported that a lawn is often the least one can provide by way of landscaping at home environment [14]. Several methods are used for establishing new lawns, each with advantages and disadvantages, the most common methods are the use of seed and sods, others are plugging and

Table 3: Predominant indoor plant species identified at Ahmadu Bello University main campus, Samaru Zaria Nigeria.

springing. This might be turf grass are the most durable ground covers, the base of the grasses is critical to its survival and should be well protected from damage in terms of growth habit, grass may be described as bunching or creeping. Bunching grasses grow upright in churns; they spread by means of new growth called tillers which arise from the crown. Grass adapted to cool climates, they spread by means of modified stems which could be stolen or rhizomes.

In this capacity, turf has a decorative value and enhances the homes or sites where it is installed. Turf is found not only in the home landscape but also in public parks and commercial building sites, turf functions in the landscape-ornamental spots and recreational and utility. A healthy lawn is obtained through good installation and effective management practices. It starts with the proper turf grass species and is followed by good management practices including mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing and pest control.

Generally, grass differs in texture, some being fine with narrow blades, as in the blue grass and tall fescue; they are in on golf course. These grasses also make excellent lawns.

Table 4: Predominant turf grass identified at Ahmadu Bello University main campus, Samaru Zaria Nigeria.

Conclusion

The research was conducted at Ahmadu Bello University (Main campus) Zaria, Nigeria. The identification and description of the various ornamental plant species were carried out based on their usage as hedges, indoor, shading plant species and lawns.

During the survey, twenty two (22) species of hedges plants, sixteen (16) species of shading plant, twenty four (27) species of indoor plant and three (3) species of lawns making a total of seventy (70) ornamental plants were identified, described and documented accordingly.

References

1. Kolavalli and Whittaker (2004) Floriculture industry in Nigeria. Potential of National Horticultural Research Institute. Proceedings of stakeholders retreat organized by the National Horticultural Research Institute. 155-126.
2. Akintoye HA (2004) Maximizing the potential of floriculture for sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. Proceedings of stakeholders retreat organized by the National Horticultural Research Institute. 114-126.
3. Aker SM, Healy WE (1988) Factors limiting floriculture growth in Nigeria. Proceedings of stakeholders retreat organized by the National Horticultural Research Institute. 114-126.
4. Anonymous (2014a) Garden and trees ornamental plants for aesthetic values.
5. Anonymous (2014b) Shading (tree) ornamental plants.
6. Anonymous (2014c) Ornamental plants, organic gardening and fragrant flowers.
7. Olayiwo O (2005) Negligence of environmental beautification planning across the nation. Survey on the use of ornamental plants for environmental management in South Western Nigeria. Research Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences 1.
8. Amusa NA (2005) Survey on the use of ornamental plants for environmental management. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Science 1: 237-240.
9. Calvin E (1987) Classification of Ornamental plants based on their uses. Horticultural Principles and Practices 368-369.
10. Baiyewu RA (2005) Use of ornamental plants for environmental management. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Science 1: 237-240.
11. Briggs GB, Lealvin CL (1987) Indoor plants, New York John Wiley & Sons in: Acquaah P 367.
12. Jack G (1993) Benefits of ornamental plants to human environment concentration and memory.
13. Jessica M (2013) Uses of ornamental plants.
14. George Acquaah (2004) The intensive cares of indoor plants. Horticultural Principles and Practices 2nd edition 385.