Ethiopia is one of the tropical countries with diverse flora and fauna. This diversity results from its topography and diverse climatic conditions which led to the emergence of habitats that are suitable for the evolution and survival of various plant and animal species also Ethiopia is one of the few countries in Africa where virtually all major types of natural vegetations are represented, ranging from thorny bushes, tropical forests to mountain grasslands due to its wide variation in climate, topography and soils. The flora of Ethiopia is very heterogeneous and has rich endemism. It is estimated that about 10% of the flora is endemic. The vegetation in Ethiopia can be divided into eight major types:

• Desert and semi-desert scrubland: characterized by highly drought-tolerant woody plants such as Acacia, Commiphora, Boscia, Cadaba, Maerua and Zizyphus spp., succulent species of Euphorbia and Aloe, and grasses including Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Panicum turgidum.
• Small-leaved, deciduous woodland of Acacia–Commiphora: The altitudinal range in which the ecosystem is found is 900-1900 meters above sea level. drought-tolerant tree species and shrubs, with either small deciduous leaves or leathery, persistent ones characterize this vegetation-type and typical species include Acacia tortilis, A. mellifera and Balanites aegyptiaca together with various species of Commiphora, Capparis, Combretum and Terminalia. The ground layer includes the herbs Acalypha and Barleria spp.
• Moist evergreen Montane Rainforest: The montane moist forest ecosystem comprises high forests of the country mainly the southwest forests, which are the wettest, and also the humid forest on the southeastern plateau known as the Harenna forest. The montane moist forest ecosystem is distinguished by supporting luxuriant growing epiphytes Canarina, Orchids, Scadoxus and fern plants such as Platycerium and Drynaria. Mosses also occur in the wettest part of forests associated to major branches and barks of trees.
• Lowland semi-evergreen forest: characterized by a range of mainly semi-deciduous tree and shrub species. Woody species include the emergent trees Celtis toka, Diospyros abyssinica, Malacantha alnifolia and Zanha golugensis, while shrubby species include Alchornea laxiflora, Oncoba spinosa and Whitfieldiaelongata.
• Broadleaved, deciduous woodland of Combretum–Terminalia and Savannah: tree species in these woodlands are small in size with fairly large deciduous leaves and an understorey of herbs and grasses. The dominant trees and shrubs are Combretum and Terminalia spp., Boswellia papyrifera, Lannea schimperi, Anogeissus leiocarpus.
• Dry evergreen montane forest and grassland complex: this type is characterized by trees of various sizes and extensive grasslands that are rich in legumes. Common tree species include Juniperus procera, Olea europaea, Celtis africana, Euphorbia ampliphylla, Mimusops kummel and Ekebergia capensis. Typical shrubs include Dracaena spp., Carissa edulis and Rosa abyssinica, while common grass species belong to the genera Hyparrhenia, Eragrostis, Panicum, Sporobolus, Eleusine and Pennisetum, and the legumes include Trifolium, Eriosema and Crotalaria spp. The forest–grassland ecotone is occupied by Acacia woodland with abyssinica, A. negrii and A. pilispina the commonest trees.
• Afro-alpine and sub-Afro-alpine vegetation: The areas which on the average higher than 3200 meters above sea level. This vegetation-type is characterized by small trees, shrubs and shrubby herbs at lower altitudes and, at higher altitudes, herbs and tuussock-forming grasses. Typical tree and shrub species include Erica arborea, E. trimera and Hypericum revolutum. Among herbs in this zone are the giant lobelia Lobelia rhynchopetalum, Kniphofia foliosa, Bartsia petitiana and various Alchemilla species. Festuca, Poa and Agrostis spp. are typical grasses.
• Riparian and swamp vegetation: typical tree species include Celtis africana, Ficus sycamorus, Mimusops kummel, Tamarindus indica, Maytenus senegalensis, Acacia spp., Kigelia aethiopium and Syzygium guineense. Swamps are dominated by sedges (especially species of Eleocharis and Scirpus), grasses (particularly Echinochloa spp.) and many herbs.