Laishram Mema Devi, Ajit Kumar Das and Ashesh Kumar Das
Abstract
Extensive surveys undertaken for the study of Pteridophytic Flora & its ecological status in Imphal West District during 2017-2021. A total of 43 species have been reported, among these, some are found to be terrestrial (epiphytic, lithophytes and climber) and few are hydrophytes. These 43 species belonging to 29 genera and 25 families, out of which Pteridaceae and Polypodiaceae both share the highest consisting of 5 species each followed by Thelypteridaceae having 4 species and next is occupied by Adiantaceae (3 species). Other families were represented with 2 and 1 species only. The study revealed that 39 ferns and only 4 fern allies and all the species of family Polypodiaceae are found to be epiphytes. Study also revealed that few species are found to be as rare â Angiopteris evecta (Forst.) Hoffm., Araiostegia membranulosa (Wall ex. Hook.) Holtt., Cyathea gigantea (Wall. ex. Hook.) Holtt., Selaginella wallichi (Hook. & Grev.) Spring, Asplenium nidus L., Dryopteris cochleata (Buch. Ham. ex D. Don) C. Chr., D. sparsa (Buch. Ham. ex D. Don) O. Kuntze, Platycerium wallichii Hook. and Nephrolepis cordifolia L. Presl. etc and required proper conservation.