Polymeric materials obtained from plant sources have become very versatile excipients for the formulation of pharmaceutical dosage form especially tablet dosage form. This study was aimed at the preliminary characterization of Myrianthus arboreus gum as pharmaceutical excipient. Myrianthus arboreus gum was extracted from the dried powdered leaves of Myrianthus arboreus plant and characterized based on parameters such as micromeritic properties, phytochemical evaluation, viscosity, loss on drying, solubility, ash value and swelling index. The results obtained from this study showed a yield of gum after extraction of 11.34 % and swelling index of 97.63 % after 48 hours. A 1 % w/v dispersion of gum gave pH and viscosity values of 6.73 and 4,333 mPa·s respectively. Myrianthus arboreus gum exhibited fairly good flow properties with angle of repose of 31.65 º, bulk and tapped densities of 0.46 and 0.62 g/ml respectively and Carr’s index value of 25.33 %. The gum was found to swell in cold water, soluble in hot water and insoluble in organic solvents. It can be concluded therefore that Myrianthus arboreus gum could possibly be used as pharmaceutical excipient for the formulation of liquid and solid dosage forms