Page 397 - e-Book

Floristic Diversity And Distribution Of Pteridophytes In

Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India

Kavya. K. Nair* and A. R Viji

P G Department of Botany
Iqbal College, Peringammala, Thiruvananthapuram - 695563

Email of Corresponding author: kavyaknair1609@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Pteridophytes constitute a significant part of the earth’s plant diversity and have high

economic, ecological and conservation importance. The study has been taken up to document
the wealth of ferns in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala because the district is known for

its rich biodiversity and varied habitats harbours a sizable number of endemic and
endangered species having special relevance to conservation. The main objectives of the

study were to document a detailed inventory of Pteridophytes of the area with special
emphasis on rare, endemic, endangered and medicinally important species. Plant exploration

trips were conducted to the different ecological niches and vegetation types in the study area

till ample data on each target species gathered. The ferns are collected for both herbarium and
their germplasm for establishing a field genebank and the voucher specimens are processed

for herbarium.The present investigation confirmed the existence of 77 species of
pteridophytes under 38 genera and 25 families including 6 new records for the study area and

found out additional information on existence of 10 pteridophytes in the region. The study

identified 8 endemic species of India found naturally grown in the study area and also
resulted in the collection of some Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) species. Out of 77

species recorded from the study area 14 species (18%) have medicinal value and enlisted 13
species of fast growing pteridopytes that becomes weed by interfering agricultural operations.

Key words

Pteridopytes, Thiruvananthapuram, Endemism, conservation

INTRODUCTION

Pteridopytes constitute a significant part of earth's plant diversity and are mainly distributed
to the tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions of the world. A wide spectrum of

ecological types being represented from small filmy ferns to arborescent types and

xerophytes to hydrophytes. They are regarded as' Vascular Cryptogams' with reference to an

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