The introduced and naturalized flora of Côte d’Ivoire: Diversity, origins and introduction history

Limited research has been conducted on the introduced flora of Côte d'Ivoire. The primary aim of this study is to enhance the understanding of the introduced flora in the country. The methodology used to compile the list of exotic plants in Côte d'Ivoire involved a thorough literature review, consulting published works, articles, and national, regional, and international online databases. A total of 1,003 introduced plant species from 609 genera and 154 families were catalogued. The most dominant genera include Euphorbia, Solanum, Heliconia, Ipomoea, Gossypium, and Senna, while the leading botanical families are Fabaceae, Compositae, and Poaceae. Herbaceous plants make up 55% of the introduced species, with woody plants comprising 45%. Additionally, 139 introduced plants of conservation value were identified from their regions of origin, including 39 species listed on the IUCN Red List (2024). A total of 114 species are endemic, primarily from Australia, Brazil, China, India, Madagascar, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea. The majority of introduced plants in Côte d'Ivoire are from two continents: the Americas and Asia. This study revealed that plant introductions into Côte d'Ivoire began in 1896, with a peak in 1958 when 61 species were introduced. Regarding the locations of introduction, the introduced plants are found throughout Côte d'Ivoire. However, the majority were introduced in the Abidjan district, particularly in the commune of Cocody and at the National Floristic Center.