Comparative ethnobotanical studies were conductecl with the Colorados, the Cayapas and the Coaiqueres of coastal Ecuador. During the field campaigns in 1982-1987, almost 2000 vouchers were collectecl for which 1510 uses were recorded. The material was identified to 113 families and 396 genera. The number of species represented in the collections was 930, roughly estimated. Distinction is made between 73 different usages categories. Annotated plants lists are presented for usage categories.