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ABSTRACT The Ebira (Ebira-Tao) people occupy the western part of the confluence, Kogi state. Folk plant taxonomy, etymology of Ebira plant names are non-existent and few ethnobotanical studies in Ebira have been reported in literature. This study attempts to document local plant names in Ebira, showing their etymological origins and the ethnobotanical use of plants by the Ebiras. Using reconnaissance survey methods, common plants in Adavi and Okene LGA were collected and named while ethnobotanical and etymological information were obtained by oral interviews with selected individuals previously identified to have rich background knowledge in oral tradition, culture and herbalism of Ebira people. Observed plants were identified by their Ebira names and pressed and subsequently prepared as herbarium ready specimens for taxonomic identification. To determine affinity with nearby Igala tribe, a comparative analysis between Ebira and Igala plant name was conducted using available literature. A total of 148 plants species with Ebira names comprising 51 plant families each composed of species ranging from 1 to 23. The three most prevalent families were; Fabaceae 23 (15.54%), Malvaceae 11 (7. 43 %) and Poaceae 11 (7.43%). Some 38 (25.68% of the total) plants were identified as suitable for etymological profiling. Majority 15 (41.67%) names were based on morphological traits while 9 (25%) based on utilities and 3 (8.33%) on culinary. Ethnobotanical plant use among the Ebira showed that most 42 (28.39%) were used for medicinal purposes followed by vegetable 17 (11.47%) and fruits 13 (8.78%). This study provides a preliminary template for a more comprehensive study on plant names and their uses in Ebiraland
