6376Trends in Biosciences 8(22), Print : ISSN 0974-8431,Trends 6376-6380, in Biosciences 2015 8 (22), 2015

New Record of Pteridophytes for Delhi Flora, India ANAND KUMAR MISHRA Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi-110062 *email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT species of pteridophytes that occur in the World flora, more than 1,000 species belongs to 70 The Pteridophytes are considered to be one of the families and 191 genera likely to occur in India primitive groups in vascular plants which are scattered all over the world. More than 1000 species (Dixit and Vohra, 1984 ). Out of 1000 species of of fern & fern allies have been reported from India. pteridophytes occurring in India, 170 species have Being a group of lower plants, they were always been found to be used as food, flavour, dye, uncared for and their valuable aspect has been ignored. medicine, bio-fertilizers, oil, fibre and biogas The present study to investigate the survey of wild production (Manickam and Irudayaraj, 1992). plants species of Delhi Flora. The study was Western Ghats and Himalayas are major centre of undertaken during the years 2011-2015. A brief distribution of Pteridophytes in India; these are two description of taxa, vernacular names, classification, important phytogeographical regions of India as family, phenological data, locality, distribution, reported by Chatterjee (1939). medicinal uses and voucher specimen no. are given According to a census, the Pteridophytic flora for this species. Photographs of this species are also of India comprises of 67 families, 191 genera and given in this manuscript. more than 1,000 species (Dixit, 1984) including 47 endemic Indian ferns, less than 10% of those Key words New Record, Pteridophytes, Delhi reported previously and 414 species of Flora, India Pteridophytes (219 At risk, of which 160 critically endangered, 82 Near-threatened and 113 Rare), Pteridophytes are group of seedless and spore constituting 41-43 % of the total number of 950- producing plants, formed by two lineages, 1000 Pteridophytes of India. Chandra, 2000 Lycophyta-fronds with no leaf gap in the stem stele recorded 34 families, 144 genera and more than and monilophytes-fronds with leaf gap in the stem 1100 species of ferns with about 235 endemic stele (Pryer et al., 2001, 2004; Smith et al., 2006). species from Indian region. They occupy unique position in the plant kingdom and are enormously fascinating from the angle of Delhi is located in northern India between the phylogenetic and morphological characters, latitudes of 28°-24'-17" and 28°- 53'-00" North and bridging the gap between non-seed-bearing longitudes of 76°-50'-24" and 77°-20'-37" East bryophytes and seed-bearing vascular plants. They (Figure 2) . Delhi shares borders with the States constituted an important part of earth’s flora for of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Delhi has an area of millions of years (Pryer et al., 2001), and are today 1,483 sq. Kms. Its maximum length is 51.90 kms widely distributed in tropic and temperate regions, and greatest width is 48.48 kms (Economic Survey especially at higher elevations. Report of Delhi-2001-2002). Monsoon arrives in Delhi in the last week of June or first week of July. About 250 millions years ago, they constituted The average annual rainfall in is 66.6 cm. Delhi the dominant vegetation on earth surface. However, contains mean annual maximum temperature is 460 they are now replaced by seed bearing plants in the C as well minimum is 40 C due to which December modern day flora. Pteridophytes grow luxuriantly is coldest and June is hottest month (Fig. 1). in moist tropical and temperate forest and their occurrence in different eco-geographically After the Publication of Flora of Delhi by threatened regions from sea level to the highest Maheshwari, 1963, some sporadic publications are mountain are of much interest (Perumal, 2010). available about new records such as, Dakshini, and India has a rich population of pteridophytes; most Vijayaraghavan, 1970, Viswananathan et al., 1982; of the species appear in either the region or in South 1984; Viswananathan, and Singh, 1986; Sharma, Indian Mountains called the Western and Eastern and Ahmad, 1990; 1991; Sharma, 1994; 1997; Ghats (Gowrisankar et al., 2006). Totally, 12,000 2002; Kumar, and Yadav, 2005; Naithani et al., 2006 MISHRA et al., New Record of Pteridophytes for Delhi Flora, India 6377

Fig. 1. Map of Study Area and Collection site location of Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link and Mishra et al., 2014; 2015a; 2015b. Late Dr. J. critical investigations author found that this taxa is K. Maheshwari, 1963 reported Marsilea minuta not reported from this region. Identification, L. and Azolla pinnata R. Br., while Naithani et al., vernacular names, classification, correct and 2007 Equisetum arvense L. and Christella dentata updated citation, a short description and medicinal (Forsk) Brown & Jermy from this region. During prosperities are depicted for this taxon followed my field survey, many angiospemic taxa along with by a note on ecology and taxonomic identity. The this taxa were collected from Delhi province. After voucher specimens are deposited in Department 6378 Trends in Biosciences 8 (22), 2015 of Botany, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi. dark-brown, unicellular, scales brown. Bicolorous (central region black, margin light-coloured), Indentification margin entire, apex long acuminate. Stipes 4-10(- The plants were indentified with help of the 15) cm long, stramineous to light-brown, thin, help of Pteridophyte Flora of the Western Ghats- sparsely scaly, scales bicolorous to concolorous, South India, 1992; Fern Flora of Western light-brown with a blackish apical part or uniformly Himalayas, 1994; An Illustrated Fern Flora of the brown. Lamina flabellate, divided by a deep notch Kumaon Himalayas, 2003, and Final identification into 2 symmetrical halves, each half consisting of of the collected taxa was done by Prof. M. P. 5-6 further dichotomous branches, resulting in a Sharma, Dept. of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, New total of up to 48 lobes, each lobe about 3.0 x 1.0 Delhi and Dr. H.B. Singh, National Institute of cm, narrow, linear, apex divided into 2-4 acute Science Communication and Information teeth, margin entire; texture subcoriaceous. The Resources (NISCAIR), New Delhi. dried lamina rolls up and bends abruptly in its basal Vernaculars Names: According to review on region and forms a very narrow angle with the stipe medicinal plants of India given by I.C.M.R., New or becomes adherent to it, basal part of lamina with Delhi, 2004 stated that, the term Actiniopteris has a few scales; veins anastromosing, ultimate veins its origin from the Greek aktis (ray) and pteris few, diverging from the midrib at a very narrow (fern); refers to the radiating leaf segments 7. It acute angle, the distal part of each vein runs parallel contains various vernacular names for this taxa to the lamina margin and joins with its apex the such as, Mayursikha (Sanskrit), Mapursika corresponding part of the adjacent veins. Sori (Bombay), Morpach (North-Western Provinces of indusiate, long, continuous, spread along nearly the India), Nanmukhappullu (Kerala), Nemali adugu entire length of both margins of the ultimate lobes; (Andhra Pradesh) and Peacock’s tail (English indusial false formed by the revolute margin. Spores name). yellowish-brown. (Fig. 2: A, B, C, D, E, F, G) Taxonomic Classification Habitat: Grows on beanthe the Rocks of Mehrauli region (South Central Ridge). Superkingdom Eukaryota Specimen examined: Mehrauli Ridge Forest, South Kingdom Viridiplantae Central Ridge, Delhi, 05.09.2013, AKM, 001 (DEL). Phylum Embryophyta Distribution: Patiala (Punjab), Kalesar (Haryana), Class Filicopsida Almora, Jhula Devi Temple, Ranikhet, (Uttarkahand) Order Finicalness and Meerut, Agra, Aligarh and other places of Uttar Pradesh, Pakistan, Africa, East Egypt; Iran; Family Pteridaceae Afghanistan; Sri Lanka: Mascarene islands. Genus Actiniopteris Medicinal uses : Whole plant paste is applied on Species radiata cuts and wounds: past with sugar is given to kill Binomial Name Actiniopteris radiata intestinal worms twice for 3 days: paste with sugar is also given two times a day as an aphrodisiac,

Description of Plant also used as tonic to increase the potency. The plant paste with sugar candy is given as a cooling agent Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link, Fil. Sp. Hort Ref. in case of syphilis. The paste of two fronds is given Bot. Berol. 80(1841); Hook., Syn. Fil. 246, (1874); daily two times a day to children to cure rickets. Nayar and Kaur, Comp. Beddome Handb. 47 The whole plant paste mixed with cow’s milk is (1974): Dixit and Vohra, Dict. Pterid. India, 1(1984); given for the treatment of piles and leucorrhoea. In Dixit, Cens. Ind. Pterid. 68 (1984); Manickam, Fern milk is given twice a day for 2-3 days. In case of Fl. Palni Hills, 27(1986) epilepsy, plant paste with sugar candy is given. The Actiniopteris dichotoma Kuhn. Bot. Zeit, 504, plant paste with honey is given twice a day for the 1871; Clarke, Trans. Linn. Soc., Lond., II, Bot., 1: treatment of leucorrhoea. Plants are soaked 505, 1880; Bedd., Handb. Ferns Brit. India, 197, overnight in a glass of water and taken orally in t.98, 1883; Pande, Indian for., 99:51, 1973. morning for control of blood pressure and tuberculosis. Plants are dried and one teaspoonful Rhizome short-creeping, scaly and hairy, hairs powder is taken orally, once a day for four days in MISHRA et al., New Record of Pteridophytes for Delhi Flora, India 6379

A B C Fig A. Mehrauli Ridge Fig B. Habitat of Fig C. Actiniopteris radiata Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) (Sw.) Link Link

D E F G Fig D. Close view of Fig E. Complete specimen of Fig F & G. Dorsal and Ventral Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) view of Actiniopteris radiata Link in field Link (Sw.) Link

Fig. 2. This plate showing (Fig A-G) various photos of Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link

the case of cough. The paste of 5-6 leaves mixed LITERATURE CITED with fresh cow milk (nearly 200ml) is taken for a Chandra, S. 2008 A Summary of the Status of Threatened week or so, to overcome irregularly in menstrual Pteridophytes of India, Taiwania, 53(2): 170-209. period. The ash (approx. 2-3 g) of the plant mixed Chatterjee, D. 1939 Studies on the endemic flora of India with fresh cow milk (200 ml) is given to a lady for and Burma. J Asiat Soc Bengal (Sci.) 5: 19-68. fortnight after menses for conception. On the other Dakshini, KMM, Vijayaraghavan, MR. 1970. Cotula hand the paste of 8-10 leaves mixed with thin curd australis (Sieb. Ex. Spreng.) Hook. f.- A new record for (nearly 250 ml) is given for birth control. Decoction North india. Indian Forester 96(1) 24-25. of leaves is also used in tuberculosis (Sharma, and Dixit, R. D. 1984. A Census of the Indian Pteridophytes. Vyas, 1985; Khare, 2004; Parihar & Parihar, 2006). Botanical Survey of India, Howrah. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Economic Survey of Delhi. 2001-2002. Delhi Economic Survey, Govt. of India. Author is thankful to the Prof. M. P. Sharma, Gowrisankar, K, Chandrasekaran, R. and Nandakumar, K. Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi and Dr. H. 2011. Survey of ferns and fern allies from Kolli hills, B. Singh, National institute of science Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. J. Sci. Trans. Environ. communication and information resources, New Technov., 5 (1): 52-55. Delhi for plant identification process and also http://www.ubio.org thankful to University Grants Commission (UGC), Khare C.P. 2004 Indian herbal remedies, Springer link New Delhi for providing financial assistance to carry publishers, Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, 21. out the research work. 6380 Trends in Biosciences 8 (22), 2015

Khullar, S. P. 1994 An Illustrated Fern Flora of West Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 161-72, Himalaya. Vol. I. (Botrychiaceae to Aspleniaceae). Pryer, K. M. Schneider, H. Smith, A. R. Cranfill, R. Wolf, P. International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun G. Hunt J. S and Sipes, S. D 2001 Horsetails and ferns Kumar, A. and Yadav, S. R. 2005. Addition to the grasses of are a monophyletic group and the closest living relatives Delhi. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 29(4): to seed plants. Nature 409: 618-622. 815-827. Pryer KM, Schuettpelz E, Wolf PG, Schneider H, Smith Maheshwari J. K. 1963 The Flora of Delhi. C.S.I.R., New AR, Cranfill R. 2004. Phylogeny and evolution of ferns Delhi. monilophytes with a focus on the early Leptosporangiate Maheshwari J. K. 1966 Illustrations of the Flora of Delhi. divergences. Am J Bot 91: 1582-1598. C.S.I.R., New Delhi. Review on Indian Medicinal Plants-I.C.M.R.,New Manickam, V.S. and Irudayaraj, V 1992 Pteridophyte flora Delhi,2004;1:232-233. of Western Ghats of South India. B.I publications, New Sharma, B.D. and Vyas, M.S. 1985 Ethanobotanical studies Delhi. on the fern and fern allies of rajasthan, Bull. Bot. Surv. Mishra, A.K, Mir, S. A. Sharma, M. P and Singh, H. B. India. 27: 90-91 2014 Addition to the Flora of Delhi. Indian Journal of Sharma, M. P. 1994 Alternanthera paronychioides Plant Sciences 4(3) : 64-67. (Amaranthaceae) New Plant Record for Delhi. Journal Mishra, A.K, Mir, S. A. Sharma, M. P and Singh, H. B. of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 18(2): 395. 2015 Addition to the Flora of Delhi: Part II. Indian Sharma, M. P. 2002. Balanophora dioica Royle. Journal of Journal of Plant Sciences 4(2) : 1-6. Economic and Taxonomic Botany 26(1): 103-104. Mishra, AK, Sharma, M. P. and Singh, H. B. 2015. Addition Sharma, M. P. and Ahmad, J. 1990 Capparis zeylanica (L.) to the Flora of Delhi: Part III. Indian Journal of Plant (Capparidaceae): An addition to flora of Delhi. Journal Sciences 4(2) : 1-6. of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 14(3) 740. Naithani, H. B, Chandra, S. and Pal, M. 2006. Additions to Sharma, M. P. and Ahmad, J. 1991 Cocculus pendulus (J.R. the Flora of Delhi. Indian Forester (132) 589-599. & Forst.) Diels (Menispermaceae): New record for Delhi. Naithani, H. B, Negi, S. S, Pal, M. Chandra, S. and Khanduri, Indian Journal of Forestry 14(1):76. V. P. 2007 Vegetational Survey and Inventorisation of Smith, A. R, Pryer, K. M. Schuettpelz, E. Korall, P. species in the ridge forest of Delhi Forest. Research Schneider, H, and Wolf, P. G 2008. Fern classification. Institute (Indian Council of Forestry Research and In: Ranker TA, Haufler CH (eds). Biology and Evolution Education) New Forest, Derhadun-248006 1-624. of Ferns and Lycophytes. UK, Cambridge University Pande, H. C., and Pande, P. C. 2002 An Illustrated Fern Press, Cambridge. Flora of Kumaun Himalaya Vol. I & Vol. II, Bishen Viswanathan, M. V. and Singh, H. B. 1986. A new exotic Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun. Solanaceous weed in old world. Journal of the Bombay Parihar, P. and Parihar, L. 2006 Some of pteridophytes of Natural History Society 83(Suppl.) 226-330. medicinal importance from Rajasthan, Nat. Prod. Rad., Viswanathan, M. V. Singh H. B. and Bhawat PR 1982. 4: 297-301. Additions to the Flora of Delhi. Journal of Economic Perumal, G. 2010) Ethnomedicinal Use of Pteridophyte from and Taxonomic Botany 14(3): 579-580. Kolli Hills, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, India. Received on 05-11-2015 Accepted on 09-11-2015