A preliminary floristic survey of vascular plants of the urban area of Merida, Venezuela, is here presented. Individuals with DBH>1cm, climbers and epiphytes occurring below 5 m in height were considered. A comprehensive survey of vascular plants were made on the main parks and squares of the city. This resulted on 291 genera with 391 species from 110 families. Major families are Asteraceae (21 spp.), Melastomataceae and Bromeliaceae (16 spp. each), Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae (14 spp. each), Orchidaceae (13 spp.) and Acanthaceae (12 spp.). A few endemic species were found; orchids, aroids and ferns are restricted to relict forests north of the city. Morella cerifera (L.) Small is reported in Venezuela for the first time.