PTERIDOPHYTES IN NADIA DISTRICT WITH

SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MEDICINEAL

IMPORTANCE.
A MINI PROJECT REPORT (COURSE BOT-MJ-T-01) SUBMITTED TO UNIVERSITY OF
KALYANI FOR THE B.SC MAJOR DEGREE IN BOTANY

BY
SAMRAT SAHA
B.Sc. BOTANY MAJOR COURSE
ROLL NO- SBH/O7
SESSION- 2024-2025

UNIVERISTY OF KALYANI
MARCH 2025
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my professor Sri Partha Lodh sir for mentoring
and supporting me in completing this project and also for giving me valuable idea and
guidance throughout the project.

I would like to share my experience while doing this project. I learnt many new things about
pteridophytes flora. It wonderful learning experience for me while working on this project.

This project increased my research thinking skill and the interest in this subject.

I am grateful to all of my Professors for their encouragement and motivation for completing
this work.

Date:………………… ……….…………………………

( Samrat Saha)

1 st Semester Student

Department of Botany

Govt. General Degree College,

Kaliganj
 Table of Contents

Contents Pages

Introduction Page

Objectives Page

Review Page

Congratulation Page

References Page
 Introduction

Pteridophytes are seedless vascular cryptogamic (non - flowering) plants evolved as land
plants and reproduce by means of spores. Its main plant body differentiated into root, stem
and leaves. The leaves are of different types. All pteridophytes require water for transfer of
sperms to ovum to complete the process of sexual reproduction.

The present day pteridophytes are mostly herbaceous plants distributed mostly to tropical
and subtropical regions. The number of species of pteridophyte is about 12,500 distributed
throughout the world. Most pteridophytes grow in moist and shady places. They are mostly
terrestrial, but some specially grow as floating aquatic plants and some as epiphyte on
arborescent plants.

The majority of pteridophytes are used for medicinal purposes. They are also
economically important. Some of these plants are used as vegetables. Many are used for
ornamental purposes as well. In India, pteridophytes are mostly found in Himalayan
regions, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats some are distributed in plains. In Nadia district,
many types of pteridophytes are found belong to the genera like Marsilea, Pteris,
Selaginella etc. (Hait et. al., 2007)

Objectives

i.Have an understanding of pteridophytes, their distribution, characteristics

in Nadia District.

ii.Be able to identify the common members in the locality.

iii.Be aware of the diverse ecological and economical importance of pteridophytes

occurring in the local region (Nadia District).
 Review
In this review it is found that Eighteen fern taxa are reported from Nadia District. Some
ferns grow luxuriously , while few ferns are rare. The varied topography of Nadia District
including various wetlands, forests and farmlands in these areas provide suitable habitats for
Pteridophyte growth. This review provides an analysis of the pteridophyte flora in Nadia
District. Detailed account of the taxa found in this district is given below.

Family Polypodiaceae
(4 Species)

Pyrrosia lanceolata
It is an epiphytic fern. This fern grows on wet tree trunks. It has long, creeping,
slender rhizomes. The leaves are green foliage. Rhizomes are dark brown, oval shaped with
hairy and pale margins. It has a few bundles. Leaves are thick and small. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Phymatosorus scolopendria
It is an epiphytic fern. This fern can grow in various habitats like trees, rocks and
forest flowers. It grows slowly with attached adventitious hairy roots. The brown spores are
seen on the backs of the leaves. It is a strong rhizomatous fern. The leaves are pinnately
lobed. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Microsorum punctatum
It is an epiphytic fern. These ferns grow on rocky surfaces and mossy brick walls. The
rhizome of this fern is short and creeping, covered with dark brown scales. The leaves are
single, lanceolate shape, green and branched. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Drynaria quercifolia
It is an epiphytic fern. Generally these types of ferns grow on tree trunks and rocky areas.
It has long, creeping rhizomes. The leaves are simple, nest and foliage fronds. The rhizomes
are brown in colour. It has small bundles. (Sen et. al., 2011)
 Family Lygodiaceae
(1 Species)

Lygodium flexuosum
It is a terrestrial fern. It can be found in open area sand dry habitat. The leaves
are long and thin . They are climbing in nature. The roots are underground, long,
creeping. The stem is slender and flexible. It has a single petiolar bundle. (Sen et. al.,
2011)

Family Pteridaceae
(5 Species)

Pteris multifida
It is a terrestrial fern that generally grows in shady damp soil, rock walls, urban
areas and cracks in walls. The rhizomes are suberect and covered with scales and
hairs. The stem is unbranched. The leaves are thin, green, and skeleton-like. The
scales are reddish brown in colour. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Pteris vittata
It is a terrestrial fern that generally grows in brick walls and along road sides.
The rhizomes are suberect, short, unbranched and covered with hairs and scales. The
leaves are dark green and thick. The stem is rhizomatous, branched and perennial.
(Sen et. al., 2011)

Acrostichum aureum
It is a terrestrial fern. It occurs in brackish water, fresh water and tidal forest.
Roots are thick and horizontal. The rhizome is covered with scales that are brown in
colour. The stem is erect and covered with large scales. The leaves are dark green and
erect. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Ceratopteris thalictroides
These ferns grow in damp soil and paddy fields, during monsoon time. It is a
herbaceous bushy fern. The rhizome is soft, erect and brown in colour. The leaves are
large in size. The stem is rhizomatous and unbranched. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Parahemionitis cordata
It is a terrestrial fern that generally grows in xerophytic habitat.The rhizome is
covered with brown scales. The stem is fuzzy black to dark brown. The leaves are
dark green in colour. (Sen et. al., 2011)
 Family Adiantaceae
(3 Species)

Adiantum capillus-veneris
It is a lithophytic fern that generally grows on damp, mossy brick walls and
shaped areas.It also grows luxuriously on the wet soil.It has short creeping rhizomes
and is covered with large brown scales. The leaves are bright green and fan - shaped.
(Sen et. al., 2011)

Adiantum incisum
It is a lithophytic or terrestrial fern. Adiantum incisum generally grows in moist,
shady places.The rhizome is thick, creeping and covered with dark brown scales. The
leaves are grass green and fan shaped. It is an adventitious root. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Adiantum philippense
It is a terrestrial fern. This fern generally grows in moist and shady places.The
stem is an underground creeping rhizome. The leaves are thin, delicate and fan -
shaped. This fern has adventitious roots. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Family Marsileaceae
(1 Species)

Marsilea minuta
This fern is generally hydrophytic in nature. Marsilea minuta grows in ponds,
lakes, paddy fields and shallow water. These fern are small in size. The sporophytic
plant body is differentiated into root, stem and leaves. The stem is long, slender and
branched rhizome. It is differentiated into internodes and nodes. It has adventitious
roots that arise from the rhizome. The leaves have four leaflets. It is dark green in
colour. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Family Thelypteridaceae
(1 Species)

Ampelopteris prolifera
Ampelopteris prolifera is an aquatic fern. It generally grows in wetlands, river banks,
moist and shady areas. The leaves are light green and thin. It has a fibrous root. The rhizome
is creeping and covered with scales. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Family Athyriaceae
(1 Species)

Diplazium esculentum
It is a terrestrial fern. This fern generally grows in moist, shady places. Theleaves
are bright green in colour. The mature leaves help in photosynthesis.The rhizome is
 creeping underground.The stem is short. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Family Nephrolepidaceae
(1 Species)

Nephrolepis cordifolia
It is a terrestrial fern. This fern grows in dry sandy soil. The rhizomes are covered
with scales and hairs.The leaves are pinnate and evergreen. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Family- Azollaceae
(1 Species)

Azolla filiculoides
It is an aquatic fern. It grows in ponds, lakes and slow - moving water. The roots
are simple and unbranched.The stem is thick and delicate. The leaves are small and
arranged alternately along the stem. (Sen et. al., 2011)

Sl. Name of the species Economic Importance Reference

No.
1. Azolla filiculoides It also used in animal feed. It absorbs McConnachie
pollutants and helps in weed control. et. al. 2003.
2. Nephrolepis cordifolia It is used as traditional medicine to treat Santos et al.
cough, fevers, stomach, nasal troubles. Its 2023.
young fronds and tubers are used as food.

3. Diplazium esculentum The young leaves of Diplazium are eaten Hait et. al.,
as vegetable. 2007
4. Marsilea minuta The leaves of Marsilea , commonly called Hait et. al.,
“Shushni” are used as vegetable. 2007
5. Adiantum philippense It is used to treat diarrhoea, ulcers, fevers, Zumu et. al.,
leprosy. It also have antibacterial 2024
properties.

6. Adiantum incisum and It is used to treat skin diseases, hair fall Hassan et. al.,
Adiantum capillus and urinary problems. 2025
veneris
7. Parahemionitis cordata It is used in snake bite and wounds. Sonia et.
al.,2012
8. Pteris vittata It is used as hypotensive tonic, Singh HB,
antibacterial and antiviral. 1999
9. Pteris multifida Its fronds and rhizome is used. It also used Mannan et.
in skin diseases and infections. al., 2008
10. Acrostichum aureum It is used to treat wounds, diarrhoea. It also Nair et. al.,
have antibacterial, antioxidant properties. 2021
11. Ceratopteris thalictroides It is commonly edibal in South east Asia. It Karthik et. al.,
is usedn in skin diseases and wounds. 2011
12. Lygodium flexosum It is used in various treatments like Singh KK et.
jaundice, cold, gonorrhea. al., 1989
13. Drynaria quercifolia It is used in fever, cough, ulcers, Sonia et.
dyspepsia. al.,2012
14. Microsorum punctatum Its leaf juice are used as healing wound, Benjamin et.
diuretic. al., 2007
15. Phymatosorus Its young fronds used in diarrhoea. Mannan et.
scolopendria al., 2008

16. Pyrrosia lanceolata It is used to treat thorat and itching. Karthik et.
al., 2011

Fig.1: A graphical representation of the way plants are used the most.

[Jhan,T. (2022). ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT AQUATIC PLANTS OF NADIA DISTRICT,

WEST BENGAL,INDIA. PlantArchives ,Vol.22]
Pteridophytes are important plant groups to study. It plays a crucial role as non vascular
cryptogams. In Nadia district pteridophyte taxa currently available of which grow as
epiphytes, lithophytes or hydrophytes. In Nadia district, ferns are used as ornamental
purposes. Pteridophytes hold ecological and economical importance with some species have
medicinal properties. (Tabassum et al , 2024)

According to their habitats, pteridophytes have been categorised aquatic(Azolla sp. , Marsilea
sp.) , terrestrial (Pteris sp., Lycopodium sp., Cyathea sp., Diplazium sp.), epiphytic (Drynaria
sp., Microsorum sp.). These pteridophyte grows in wet walls, tree barks, rocky surface,
shady places, urban areas and dry conditions. Many pteridophyte like Azolla, Marsilea are
added to paddy fields. Hence, Azolla helps in nitrogen fixation. It enhances agriculture
productivity. So pteridophyte directly or indirectly used as a source of biofertilizer.
Pteridophyte are known as bioaccumulator of metals. Pteris vittata, Azolla pinnata, Marsilea
minuta are indicator of arsenic, chromium and cadmium.(Singh et al, 2010)
 Conclusion
A total of eighteen species from various families were recorded in Nadia District. Among the
recorded families, the Pteridaceae family contains the highest number of species, while the
remaining families have either three or only one species each. This study highlights the
diversity and significance of pteridophytes in Nadia District, with special emphasis on their
medicinal and economic importance.
 References

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