Thesis of Tarun Nigam

Thesis of Tarun Nigam

STUDIES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF PTERIDOPHYTES OF DOON VALLEY AND ADJACENT

AREAS, UTTARANCHAL

SUMMARYOf The

THESIS

SUBMITTED TO

C. S. J. M. UNIVERSITY, KANPURFOR THE DEGREE OF

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

IN BOTANY

By

TARUN NIGAM

Under the supervision of

Dr. Indra Mani Semwal

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY,D.B.S. (P.G.) COLLEGE, KANPUR.

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2008ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It was my great fortune to have been associated and to work

under the supervision of Dr. Indra Mani Semwal, Reader, Post Graduate

Department of Botany, D.B.S. College, Kanpur. I take this opportunity to

express my profound and deepest sense of gratitude to his suggestions,

guidance, and encouragement in transforming the effort into success.

I gratefully acknowledge with thanks to Dr. S.K. Mishra, Ex.

Principal and Dr. S.K. Srivastava, Principal, D.B.S. College, Kanpur for

enrolling me as Ph. D. student and allowing me to use their institutional

facilities.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. A.C. Khare Ex Head and Dr.

J.P. Dubey, Head, Department of Botany for their painstaking help and

fruitful discussions in course of my doctoral work. I am thankful for their

ready help at needy situations.

With great respect and gratitude, I thank Dr. J.B. Singh

Reader (Retired), Department of Botany, D.B.S. College Kanpur for his

constant encouragement, indulgement, teaching, suggestions and co-

operations that he had shown throughout the course of this study. Without

his blessing the work would not have been completed.

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I feel immense pleasure in expressing my thanks to Dr. P. B.

Khare, Senior Scientist, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow,

Dr. H.C. Pande Senior Scientist, Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun and

Dr. G.S. Rajwar, Head, Department of Botany, Govt. (P.G.) College,

Rishikesh, Uttaranchal for their untiring guidance, valuable advice,

encouragement and moral support during the entire course of my study. I

shall ever remain obliged to them.

My special thanks are due to Shri H. M. Bhatt, Ayush Bhatt

and Shri Dinesh Semwal with whom I spared most of my enjoyable

moments during my work at Dehradun and Mussoorie.

My heartfelt thanks go to my friends with whom I have shared

everyday, a drama of laughter, struggle, joys, failures and victories

especially Mukesh Kumar, Sandhya, Kanchan, Seema, and Rashmi

Pandey.

I owe a lot to my mother Smt. Gayatri Devi and father Shri

Thakur Prasad who trusted and allowed me to work at Kanpur and

different places of Uttaranchal, which no words can express.

I will remain indebted to my brother Karan Singh for extending

all possible help whenever needed.

In the last, I thank all those whose names do not figure here

but have helped me directly or indirectly during the course of my study and

in shaping of this thesis.

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TARUN NIGAM

Research Scholar

Certificate

This is to certify that the present thesis, entitled “STUDIES ON

THE DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF PTERIDOPHYTES OF

DOON VALLEY AND ADJACENT AREAS, UTTARANCHAL” submitted by

Mr. TARUN NIGAM, embodies the findings of his original research work

carried out under my supervision and it fulfills all the conditions prescribed

by C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur for the award of Ph.D. Degree in Botany.

He has attended department of botany more than two hundred days to

complete this investigation.

4

Dr. I. M. SemwalPh.D.

Reader

Department of BotanyD. B. S. (P.G.) College, Kanpur.Phones College – 0512-2651730

Res.- 0512-2631776

Dr. I. M. Semwal( Supervisor)

Date 20 April, 2008


INDEX

CHAPTER NO.

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 - 20

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 21 – 31

3. MATERIALS AND METHOD 32 – 33

4. OBSERVATION 34 – 63

5. DISCUSSION- DISTRIBUTION AN ECOLOGY OF PTERIDOPHYTES

64 – 144

6. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING FERN POPULATION IN THE AREA

145 – 167

7.

8.

9.

OBSERVATION ON THE ACCLIMATIZATION OF FERNS

ETHNOBATANICAL IMPORTANCE OF PTERIDOPHYTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

168 – 175

176 – 180

181 - 216

5


STUDIES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF PTERIDOPHYTES OF DOON VALLEY AND ADJACENT AREAS,

UTTARANCHAL.

INTRODUCTION:

The pteridophytes are uniquely charming, graceful and probably the

most beautiful of all the non – flowering plants. It is the delicacy of their finely

divided fronds and flowing growth habit that make them so attractive. The group

holds strange fascination that increases as one knows more and more about them.

Yet, they are plants of enormous antiquity and though outdated by the angio

sperms of the modern age, and still in a state of active evolution.

Pteridophytes of today are diminutive relatives of the gaint forest

constituents of the carboniferous period which laid down the rich seams of coal

upon which not only the industrial revolution but the structures of modern society

were to be founded. Many of them were dominating plants forms in those early

days and evolved their often enormous finely divided leaves only to seek for the

widest possible area of greenery to ‘Catch’ the sunlight for photosynthesis.

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SUMMARY


The ferns constitute a major group of the living pteridophytes and

are almost always and everywhere met under favourable conditions of growth. The

dominance of the fern is over since long. Most part of them are now extinct and

displaced by the newly emergent group of plants. But still then they form a good

part of the cross section of any continental flora. Perhaps the antiquity and their

ability to survive through ages are the most fascinating points of the story of their

life.

Ferns are basically vascular plants, also known as vascular

cryptogams. They occupy a position in between the seed bearing and non seed

bearing plants. Ferns are distributed all over the world but majority of them are

restricted to tropical forests and usually prefer diverse range of habitat. The life

cycle of fern consists of two phases i.e. haploid non – vascular gametophyte and

diploid vascular sporophyte, both phases are autotrophic morphologically very

distinct and physiologically independent to each other. The sporophyte phase is

dominant phase. It exhibits a great variation in form, size and structure. Nearly all

the living ferns are herbaceous except a few woody tree fern. Stem bear

microphyllous or megaphyllous leaves, spores are produced in special structures

called the sporangia that are invariably subtended by leaf like appendage called the

sporophylls.

The two very complex entities of nature, the organism and the

environment are inter dependent, mutually reactive and inter related. The genetic

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make up along with the extrinsic conditions control the distribution of organisms.

The gross environment of the pteridophytes is much the same as that for other

vascular plants growing in the same localities but not the microenvironment

because the majority of pteridophytes are adopted to modify environment such as

the vicinity of water falls, forest floor and streams where they get sufficient shade,

light and moisture.

The continuous trespassing by human, limit the luxuriant growth of

ferns in the area, Garhwal hills are facing multiferous ecological disturbance. The

unplanned and excessive exploitation of nature is causing an accelerated

environmental decay. The damage to the ecological balance is mostly man made

or is caused by human negligence. This is evident from the loss of forest cover and

frequent landslides at hills and floods in the plains. Many of the erstwhile

abundant species have been rare and several of them are on their way to extinction.

All this calls for a sound policy of management and conservation.

The mountains of Indian Himalayas are very rich in the fern flora.

Variety of vascular cryptogams occur in the Himalayan region at the variety of

habitats. These plants are very important for the study of ecological aspects. The

pteridophytes of the areas are found as hydrophytes, Lithophytes and epiphytes

etc. The epiphyte grow at several host ranges. The epiphytic vegetation of the area

is poor on account of the rigorous climate.

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The epiphytes make their appearance during the rainy season when

they thickly clad the tree trunks and branches. Before the advent of winter in the

month of October, the life cycle is completed, the fronds in most of the ferns turn

yellowish and wither while the rhizomes remain in dormant condition.

The awareness of the importance of nature conservation and

necessity to conserve the biodiversity has become very essential. Pteridophytes, a

primitive colonizer on land with broad spectrum of biological types, occure from

small filmy ferns to arborescent tree and from submerged aquatics to epiphytes

and xerophytes.

During the past three decades, ecological investigations of the Indian

pteridophytes have been progressing steadily as evidence by the fact that out of

about 600 species of ferns known from Indian region, over 500 species have been

investigated. Whereas our knowledge of the floristic and ecology of this group of

plants is almost stagnant. Authors enumerating the species of various regions and

mountains do not present adequate ecological data but make only passing mention

of their behaviours and habitats.

GEOGRAPHY OF THE AREA

The area lies between the latitudes 29o58' and 31o 2' 30'' N and

longitudes 77o 34' 45"and 78o 18' 30" E and bounded by the Himalayas in the north

the Shivalic hills in the south the Ganges in the east and Yamuna river in the west.

Dehradun the state capital of Uttaranchal is the gateway to beuteons mussoorie

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and Chakrata. In legend and love, Dehradun formed part of the region of

Kedarkhand abode of Lord Shiva who gave his name to the Shivalic Hills.

The district is named after head quarters town Dehradun – now the

capital of Uttaranchal. Dehradun appears to be a corruption of the Dera signifying

a temporary abode or camps. The term ‘dun’ or ‘doon’ means the low lands at the

foot of a mountain range and as the bulk of the district lies in such a tract, it

justifies the dun part of the name. In front of the town there is a vast expanse of a

canoe – shaped longitudinal valley called ‘Dun’ (Doon) valley. This large valley is

located between the lower Himalaya and the Shivalic hills, bounded by the river

yamuna nad Ganga in the west and east respectively.

Mussoorie derives its name from the mansur shrub (Coriaria

nepalensis wall.) Common in the Himalaya foot hills. It lies in the North – western

Himalaya and administratively place in the Dehradun district of Uttranchal state of

India lying between 78o – 79o E longitude and 30o – 31 N latitude.

The main localities surveyed for the present investigation are

Gumaniwala (500m) Lacchiwala (550m), Rajpur, FRI, Sahashradhara in Dhradun

(600m to900m), Narendra Nagar Kunjapuri (1200m – 3000m), Kampty fall

(1300m) Jabarkhet (2400m), Mossyfall (1500m), Camel’s back (2000m), Oak

grove (1000m) Jharipani (1050m), Lal Tibba – Nag Tibba (2400 – 2700m)

Company Garden (1800 – 2000m) in Mussoorie. Chakrata (1800m), Deoban

(2700m) and Kanatal to Surkanda (2206-2903m). Ghansali (976 m), Khait Parbat

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(1500 – 3000m) Joshimath (3000m), Janki Chatti (3000m) Yamunotri (3235m)

Gangotri (3200m) Sonprayag, Gaurikund, and Trijuginarain (3000m). A detailed

map of the area explored is given.

CLIMATE

Garhwal hills have an exceeding varying climate, ranging from

tropical heat to severe cold. The monsoon starts from middle of june and stay up to

September. The annual rainfall is 20 – 150 cm. which comprises maximum in the

month of July and minimum in February.

From June to September the weather remains extremely wet

maximum and minimum temperature of the year being 35oC and 5.1oC

respectively. January being the coldest month, the minimum temperature falls

below freezing point whereas, November to December remains dry. At higher

altitudes, the peaks remain cloudy and the sun is scarcely visible.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF PTERIDOPHYTES

In this chapter attention is drawn to some of the general

characteristics regarding the distribution of terrestrial and epiphytic ferns and fern

– allies of Doon valley and adjacent areas. All the non-terrestrial species,

irrespective of their occurrence on rocks or tree trunks, are treated here as

epiphytes. A vast majority of ferns grow under temperate and subtropical, climates

in the Himalayas, whereas a few occur in the alpine and dry tropical conditions.

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Some species tend to be locally abundant and almost cover the ground lending a

characteristic, feature to the landscape.

Majority of the members have their luxuriant growth during the

rainy season (July to September). This is particularly true about the growth of

ferns and fern-allies at higher elevations, i.e. above 1500 m. because there is a

period of prolonged dormant growth during the winter months.

It is only with the advent of first showers by about the middle of

June that these plants begin their growth. Towards the beginning of August, there

is a prolific growth of ferns all around and this is particularly, true about epiphytic

species. Some of the hardy ferns as Polystichum squarrosum, P. obliquum , P.

aculeatum, P. setiferum along with Cyrtomium caryotideum, Dryopteris

chrysocoma, Pronephrium nudatum, Diplazium esculentum, D. spectabilis,

Pteridium aquilinum, etc. remain green throughout the year although new fronds

are put forward only after the summer rains. At lower altitudes and in the Doon

valley Diplazium esculenlum, Adiantum incisum, Christella dentata, Tectaria

macrodonta, Woodwardia radicans and Ampelopteris prolifera can be found

throughout the year, but Marsilea minuta, is abundant only during rainy months

and Ceratopteris thalictroides on the rice fields in the season.

On the basis of their growth habit and habitat, the ferns of the

investigating area under consideration may be classified into the following

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ecological categories. Only the more prominent species are referred to in each case

(Scheme).

CLIMBERS

The climbing ferns are met at low altitudes (below 1000 m),

especially common in Bhabar forest and are represented by two species of

Lygodium, L. flexuosum and L. japonicum. The rhizome of these ferns grows

underground and is creeping, while the sensitive rachis of frond is responsible for

climbing. It twines round the neighbouring branches of the host. The lower pinnae

are larger and always sterile, whereas the upper smaller ones are fertile, perhaps

because they receive optimal photoperiod. This climbing fern is restricted to some

localities in the area like Clementown in Dehradun and Gumaniwala and

Neelkanth road near Barrage, Rishikesh.

FERN SPECIES INHABITING FOREST FLOOR AND FOREST BORDERS

The fern flora of mountains is luxuriant due to greater atmospheric

moisture, frequent fog and clouds than in the low lands. Also the streams and

rivulets are numerous affording ideal sites along their banks for growth. Often the

ferns grow in such great abundance that they lend a peculiar charm to the localities

of their occurrence. Majority of the species of such habitats belong to the genera

Pteris, Dryopteris, Polystichum, Athyrium, Diplazium, Thelypteris and

Cyclosorus.

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The forest soil of the outer low hills is poor in humus, non-acidic,

and mainly clayey and thus unsuitable for fern habitation. On favourable sites,

however, like Bhabar forest in Haridwar Kotwara, Diplazium maximum and D.

esculentum, are locally abundant and cover vast areas of forest floor. The well

lighted margins of forest floor are inhabited by Pteris., Vittata, Cyclosorus

dentatus and Pteris biaurita and Equisetum debile is often met on gravelly soil

along the streams.

Amongst paddy fields at about 550 -900m. near water Diplazium

esculentum flourishes very well. By far the largest number of species are terrestrial

growing in fields, along road sides and inside the forests. Christella Subbubesens,

C. dentata, C. parastica and C. papilio grow near water. Ampelopteris prolifera is

exceedingly common along water courses. Selaginella subdiaphana with rooting

apex is abundant around Rajpur and Sahashradhara on road sides.

In the forests around Dehradun Dryopteris cochleata with dimorphic

fronds is concipicious near Rishikesh and Dehradun. Lygodium flexuosum growing

very well in the forest of Gumaniwala and clementown on the forest floor,

Athyrium schimperi, A. pectinatum, Polytichum squarrosum P. aculeatum, P.

setiferum Dryopteris Chrysocoma, D. sparsa, D. pallida, D. ramosum are seen

between 1,500 – 2.400m. Hypolepis punctata, Pteridium aquilinum form colonies

in the open particularly the latter one which is a weedy species. At about 1,200m.

near Uttar Kashi Pseudocylosorus octhodes flourishing in some what marshy

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places in paddy fields. The Pteris quadriaurita P. cretica, P. stenophylla,

Onychium contiguum, Coniogramme intermedia etc commonly growing on the

borders of forests .

Generally within an altitudinal range of 1200 - 1800 m the common

ferns are Dryopteris marginata, D. odontoloma, Athyrium pectinatum, Pteris

cretica, P, stenophylla and P. wallichiana. On the exposed ridges large colonies of

Dryopteris chrysocoma occur frequently replacing D. cochleata which ascends

only upto 1500 m. In grass or amongst small boulders, one can look for

Ophioglossum vulgatum, O. reticulatum, and Botrychium lanuginosum in and

around Dehra Dun and Rishikesh.

In moist temperate highest zone (2400 - 4200 m) forests were

sufficient to provide shade to the ground, Dryopteris wallichiana, a basket

forming fern is luxuriant, especially, near Joshimath, enroute Auli. Its common

associates are Pteris wallichiana, Polystichum prescottianum and Athyrium

flabellulatum. Athyrium dentigerum, forms beautiful baskets along the Alakananda

river in the Garhwal. Polystichum discretum and Athyriurn thelyptroides have also

seen in the same locality. From Kanatal to Dhanolti in Tehri Garhwal, Onychium

contiguum forms large conspicuous patches .

WALKING OR TRAILING FERNS

The ferns that bear proliferous apparatuses like (1) budding on

rachis. (II) budding on pinnae or pinnules are called walking ferns. These budding

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observed in the different part of the different ferns i.e. Adiantum lunulatum

(budding on rachis), Ampelopteris prolifera (indefinite growth of rachis and

axillary buds at the base of pinna – pairs) and species of Asplenium where budding

on pinnules as well as on tip of the rachis has been noticed. Such type of budding

also have been observed in Polystichum spp. Athyrium ppp., woodwardia and

Diplazium esculentum..

BRSKET FORMING FERNS

The species of pteris, Dryopteris and Polystichum form basket or

shuttle – cock like structures Polystichum squarrosum Dryopteris wallichhiana, D.

lepidopoda, D. barbigera, and D. blanfordii are form peculiar baskets on the

marshy slopes at higher altitude Athyrium wallichiana and some Polypodiaceons

genera like Drynaria propinqua and D. mollis also form small basket on exposed

rocks or steep slopes.

RAVINE FERN

The ravine soil is composed of pebbles and stones along with a little

sandy calcareous matter. Many ferns prefer to grow in the ravines along water

channels. The principal species are Polystichum obliquum. Pronephrium nudatum,

Woodwardia radicans, Diplazium polypodiodes, D.latifolium and Conioqramne

indica. All the lithophytic ferns preferring moist shady places grow on the rocks

by the sides of water courses. Jaberkhet Khud, Mossy Falls and Burning Ghat of

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Mussoorie are the natural abodes of Conioqramme intermedia, Woodwardia

radicans, Glaphyropteris, erubescens, Diplazium spectabiles,, Pseudocyclosorus

ochithodes, P. repens, P. xylodes, Equisetum diffusum and E. ramosissimum var.

altissimum.

THICKET FORMING SPECIES

There are some tough ferns which grow on exposed rocky and

gravelly slopes. They are put to a wide variation of atmospheric conditions like

high and low wind velocities, marked temperature fluctuations and varied densities

of moisture.

Pteridium aquilinum the common bracken fern seems to be the sole

true thicket forming species met throughout the Garhwal Himalaya above 1500 m.

It forms huge dark green patches on exposed ridges at Kanatal to Dhanolti and

Chandrabadani in Garhwal. The rhizome is burried deep under the clayey soil and

creeps long distances, branching widely. The new fronds come up at intervals

forming a tangled mass difficult to penetrate, which does not allow anything to

grow through it.

FERNS GROWING ON EXPOSED ROCKS, BOULDERS OR GRAVELLY SOIL ALONG ROADSIDE UNDER EXTREMELY XEROPHYTIC CONDITIONS

The water holding capacity of rocky soils along the roadside is

desperately poor. There is no protection against the direct sun and hence the

moisture content of the plants is very easily brought down during the sunny hours.

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These factors result in xerophytic aspect of the vegetation. Such localities are

frequent in the Siwalic hills, around Dehra Dun.

The dry boulders and rock walls at altitudes are largely inhabited by

Cheilanthes farnosa, C. anceps, C. rufa, C. persica and Pellaea nitidula. Another

associate is Hypodematium crenatum. With its rhizome densely covered with large

golden scales deeply burried into the crevices of rock. The Selaginella sp. which is

rolled up in the unfavourable period and again expand when the rains or

favourable season come are called "resurrection" plants. It is also sold in the hill

stations for the ornamental purpose. The dry plants became green after putting in

water for few minutes.

At higher altitudes (above 1800 m), Cheilanthes albomarginata and

Cheilanthes dalhousiae are met on dry rocks. Gymnopteris vestica is always seen

in very arid conditions. The brownish silky scales on the underside of its fronds

reduce excessive transpiration. Woodsia elongata sometimes colonises exposed

dry rocks at still higher elevations.

LITHOPHYTES

Lithophytes are those ferns that grow on rocks or prefer crevices of

stony walls and embankments of water channels. They seem to need aeration for

their roots which is not available in the forest soils. Their behaviour is, thus, much

like that of epiphytes. All the epithytes of the area occur also as lithophytes. But

true rock ferns like Adiantum venustum, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Asplenium

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rutamuraria and A. septentrionale, are never found as epithytes. Such ferns love to

grow on shaded walls in forests or by streams where the atmosphere is always

humid. They have no contrivances either for storage of water or to prevent

excessive transpiration.

HYDROPHYTIC FERN

Only two species, namely, Marsilea minuta and Ceratopteris

thalictroides found in the area are true aquatic ferns. Marselia minuta is met

throughout the area upto 1800 m. The plants always grow along the banks of still

waters where it is anchored to the substratum with running stem which roots at

intervals. Only the cruciform green leaves are exposed to the surface of water.

Ceratopteris thalictroides, a succulent tufted water fern with dimorphic fronds,

generally found in the paddy fields, as floating in the swamps and ditches in Dehra

Dun and Gumaniwala (Shyampur) area in Rishikesh.

EVERGREEN FERNS

During several visits to the area in the months of December and

early March, a period considered to be the most unfavourable for fern growth.

During the present investigation, several species have been tolerating the severe

winter and perpetuating during the snowy period.When the snow had just melted

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in the month of March, the species showing the last year's persistent fronds in the

Mussoorie, Kunjapuri and Surkanda hills of Garhwal are Cheilanthes

albomarginata, Pteris quadriaurita, P. cretica, P. stenophylla and Adiantum

venustum, Conioqramme fraxinea Var. denticulato- serrata, Polystichum

squarrosum, P. aculeatum, P. obliquum, Cyrtomium caryotideum, Dryopteris

ramosa, D. marginata, D. odontoloma, Diplazium esculentum, D. polypodioides,

Thelypteris erubescens, Cyclosorus dentatus, Pronephrium nadatum,, Asplenium

varians, A. trichomanes, A. exiquum, A. dalhousiae, Woodwardia radicans,

Loxoqramme involuta, Lepisorus nudus and Arthromeris wallichiana. Along with

these, sturdy fern-allies like Equisetum diffusum and E. ramosissimum Var.

altissimum were also collected.

EPIPHYTES

Epiphytic ferns of the area has been classified into altitudinal

zonation, association with the different host trees and their distribution on the

different types of forest and altitudes.

List of epiphytic Ferns of the area

1. Loxogramme involuta (Don) Presl,

2. Arthromeris wallichiana (Spr.) Ching.,

3. A. lehmanni (Mett.) Ching

4. Drynaria mollis Bedd.,

5. D. propinqua (Wall ex Mett) J. Smith.

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6. Lepisorus kashyapii (Mehra)Mehra in Bir.,

7. L. excavatus (Willd) Ching,

8. L. clathratus (Clarke) Ching,

9. L. loriformis (Wall ex Mett) Ching,

10. L. morrisonensis (Hayata) H. I to

11. L. ussuriensis (Regell et Maack) Ching,

12. L. nudus (Hook) Ching,

13. L. tenuipes Ching et khullar,

14. Microsorum. membranaceum (D. Don) Ching,

15. Phymatopteris ebenipes (Hook) Pichi Sermolli,

16. P. malacodon (Hook) Pichi Sermolli,

17. P. oxyloba (Wall ex kunze) Pichi Sermolli,

18. P. stewartii (Bedd) Pichi Sermolli,

19. P. stracheyi (Ching) Pichi Sermolli,

20. Polypodiastrum. argutum (Wall ex. Hook) Ching,

21. Polypodiodes amoena (Wall ex Mett), Ching,

22. P. lachnopus (Wall ex Hook), Ching

23. P. microrhizoma (Clarke) Ching,

24. P. subamoena (Clarke) Ching,

25. Pyrrosia costata (Wall. Ex. Presl),

26. Pyrrosia. flocculosa (D.Don) Ching,

27. P. lanceolata (Linn.) Farwell,

28. P. mollis (Kunze) Ching,

29. P. stictica (Kunze) Holttum,

30. P.stigmosa (Swartz) Ching,

31. Onychium contiguum Wall ex. Hope,

32. V. flexuosa Fee,

33. Asplenium dalhousiae Hook.,

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34. A. ensiforme Wall. ex. Hook.,

35. A. laciniatum D. Don.,

36. A. trichomanes Linn.,

37. A. varians Wall. ex. Hook, et Grev.,

38. A. nidus Linn

39. A. indicum Sledge.,

40. Oleandra wallichii (Hook) Presl.,

41. Araiostegia beddomei (Hope) Ching.,

42. A. pulchera (D.Don) Copel,

43. A. pseudosystopteris (Kunze) Copel.,

Fern,s growing on the acidic and alkaline soil in the area have been

given in the tables along with their distribution on the availably of Potash,

Phosphorus, organic contents and pH of the bark in various localities.

Ethnobotanical importance of pteridophytes and their

acclimatization in the plains along with the different environmental factors

affecting fern growth on the area investigated has been discussed.

A large number of ferns from the area were transplanted in the green

house at D.B.S. College, Kanpur and some are in the homes in order toobserve the

growth habits of these ferns under artificial conditions.

The present investigation revailed that 109 species of ferns of the

area belong to 47 genera and 19 families and seven species of fern – allies. A

comparison of five dominant families in the N. W. Himalaya along with their

number of species and genera is tabulated.

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Thesis of Tarun Nigam

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