J. Biol. Chem. Chron. 2020, 6(2), 22-26 ISSN (Print): 2454 – 7468 ISSN (Online): 2454 – 7476 www.eresearchco.com/jbcc/ Floristic Studies on Cryptogams of Sarkaghat region in Himachal Pradesh, India Poonam1 and Hem Chander2* 1 & 2 Department of Biosciences, Career Point University Hamirpur-176041, HP, INDIA * Correspondence: E-mail: [email protected] DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33980/jbcc.2020.v06i02.004 (Received 09 Aug, 2020; Accepted 26 Oct, 2020; Published 01 Dec, 2020) ABSTRACT: Floristic studies were conducted in the Sarkaghat region of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh (India) during July 2019 to August 2020 to explore the diversity of cryptogams including algae, bryophytes, lichens and pteridophytes. Specimens of cryptogams were collected from various localities (Gadyahra, Gadohal, Bidi, Parchu, Balh, Ratkel, Tasli nala, Sarkaghat, Barchwar, Longani and Dhagwani) of Sarkaghat region with the help of equipments like knife, spatula, trowel, forceps and also by hands. The specimens were initially stored in containers, plastic bags and paper packets. Field data was recorded in field note book including locality name, collection date and substratum. The specimens were pressed, dried and identified with the help of identification keys and latest literature. During the present investigations, a total of 63 species of cryptogams of families Zygnemataceae, Ulothri- aceae, Hydrodictyaceae, Cladophoraceae, Tabellariaceae, Marchantiaceae, Aytoniaceae, Bryaceae, Anthocerota- ceae, Funariaceae, Hypnaceae, Polytrichaceae, Fissidentaceae, Candelariaceae, Verrucariaceae, Cladoniaceae, Par- meliaceae, Physciaceae, Calicariaceae, Graphidaceae, Lecanoraceae, Pteridaceae, Aspleniaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Equisetaceae, Athyriaceae, Marseliaceae, Selaginellaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Cheilanthaceae, Lygodiaceae and Poly- podiaceae had been identified. Keywords: Cryptogams; Sarkaghat; algae; bryophytes; lichens and pteridophytes. INTRODUCTION: Cryptogams are the spore pro- are non flowering plants having gametophytic plant ducing plants which grows on moist and shady areas.1 body with haploid and diploid structures.9 Lichens are Cryptogams are non vascular plants divided into four thallophytes characterized by the symbiotic associa- groups such as algae, bryophytes, lichens and tion between the fungus and algal group.10 The algal pteridophytes which are able to fix atmospheric nitro- component is termed as phycobiont while the fungal gen and carbon dioxide.2 However, it also includes component is known as mycobiont. Lichens show non – photosynthetic organisms traditionally classified great distribution from arctic to tropical and plains to as plants such as Fungi, Slime mould and Bacteria.3 mountains. India has rich pteridophytic flora because Algae are thallophytes that lack roots, stems, leaves of variant micro-climatic conditions.11 Pteridophytes and contain Chl ‘a’ as primary photosynthetic pig- are spore producing lower vascular plants which are ment. They are found in fresh and marine habitats and intermediate between bryophytes and spermatophytes show a great diversity in morphology, pigments and (Gymnosperm and Angiosperm). Beside food values, metabolic products. The ninety percent of the atmos- these also have medicinal (Homeopathic and pheric oxygen is evolved by the algae mainly found in Ayuevedic medicines) and aesthetic values.12-13 Cryp- lakes, rivers and oceans.4 Bryophytes are the distinct togams are the lower plants which are used for the group of primitive plants found in moist and shady treatment of various diseases by the people of tribal places and are considered as the second largest group areas. For present and past generation, a greater effort of the land plants.5 These are the first colonized green should be given to conserve and cultivate the crypto- plants which show a great advancement in morpholo- gams. The detailed review of published record of dis- gy and reproduction.6-7 Bryophytes are divided into tribution and diversity of cryptogams revealed that four classes, the two classes of liverworts Sarkaghat region remained unexplored for the floristic (Marchantiopsida and Jungermanniales), hornworts diversity of cryptogams.14-44 Therefore, studies were (Antheropsida) and the mosses (Bryopsida).8 These initiated for floristic enumeration of cryptogams in- J. Biol. Chem. Chron. 2020, 6(2), 22-26 22 [Floristic Studies on Cryptogams of Sarkaghat region in Himachal Pradesh, India] cluding algae, lichens, bryophytes and pteridophytes Table 1: List of cryptogams of Sarkaghat region in from Sarkaghat region in Mandi district of Himachal Himachal Pradesh. Pradesh. Cryptogram Sr. No. Species Group MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sarkaghat is a 1. Algae Cladophora glomerata town, a nagar panchayat and a tehsil in Mandi district Hydrodictyon 2. Algae in the Indian state of H.P. The state of Himachal Pra- reticulatum desh is divided into twelve districts and Mandi is one 3. Algae Spirogyra porticalis of the district with its headquarter at mandi. Sarkaghat 4. Algae Spirogyra varians town is located at 60km away from the district head- 5. Algae Tabellaria flocculosa quarter. The town has sub tropical climate. The tem- 6. Algae Ulothrix zonata perature varies from 10℃ to 45℃ with June as the 7. Bryophyte Anthoceros erectus hottest and the January as the coldest month. Speci- 8. Bryophyte Asterella californica mens of cryptogams including algae, bryophytes, 9. Bryophyte Atrichum undulatum pteridophytes & lichens were collected from different 10. Bryophyte Bryum argenatum region in and around sarkaghat region from various 11. Bryophyte Fissidens adianthoides localities. 12. Bryophyte Funaria hygrometrica 13. Bryophyte Hypnum cupressiforme During specimen collection, hammer, knife, spatula, 14. Bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha polythene bag, bottles were used. These specimens Plagiochasma 15. Bryophyte were preserved as herbarium. The specimens were appendiculatum recorded, photographed and identified on the basis of 16. Bryophyte Polytrichum commune morphological, anatomical and micro-chemical char- 17. Bryophyte Polytrichum juniperinum acteristics after consulting latest literature.45-50 A total 18. Bryophyte Polytrichum juniperinum of 192 specimens were collected from twelve locali- 19. Bryophyte Ptilium crista-castrensis ties (Gadyahra, Gadohal, Bharari, Bidi, Longani, 20. Lichen Buellia disciformis Parchu, Sarkaghat, Barchwar, Pipli, Ratkel, Tasli nala 21. Lichen Candelaria concolor and Dhagwani) of the Sarkaghat region, All these 22. Lichen Chrysothrix candelaris 23. Lichen Chrysothrix chlorina specimens have been identified and deposited in 24. Lichen Cladonia coniocraea CPUH (The Herbarium, Department of Biosciences, Dermatocarpon 25. Lichen CPU Hamirpur). vellereum 26. Lichen Graphis scripta RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the present in- 27. Lichen Lecanora chlarotera vestigation, an attempt has been made for the collec- 28. Lichen Parmotrema andinum tion, identification and preservation of cryptogams Parmotrema 29. Lichen from the different sites of Sarkaghat region. Out of austrosinense total 182 specimens, sixty three species of cryptogams Parmotrema 30. Lichen have been identified (Table 1). Bryophytes play im- mesotropum Parmotrema portant role in ecosystem functioning such as soil 31. Lichen development, water retention and nitrogen fixation. praesorediosum Lichens are used as a source of dye, fragrances, medi- 32. Lichen Phaeophyscia hispidula Phaeophyscia orbicu- cines whereas some provide nutrients to the diet due 33. Lichen to high concentration of calcium and iron. Ferns are laris used by local people in the form of vegetable, powder, 34. Lichen Physcia crispa decoction, extracts and ornamental purposes. 35. Lichen Physcia dubia 36. Lichen Physcia integrata The cryptogams of Sarkaghat region still remain un- Adiantum capillus- 37. Pteridophyte explored and therefore, there is a need to explore the veneris status and indigenous uses of cryptogams. The docu- 38. Pteridophyte Adiantum incisum mentation and preservation of medicinally important 39. Pteridophyte Adiantum phillipense cryptogams of the Sarkaghat region should be neces- 40. Pteridophyte Adiantum poireti sary step for future research. 41. Pteridophyte Ampelopteris prolifera 42. Pteridophyte Asplenium dalhousiae 43. Pteridophyte Athyrium schimperi J. Biol. Chem. Chron. 2020, 6(2), 22-26 23 [Floristic Studies on Cryptogams of Sarkaghat region in Himachal Pradesh, India] Cheilanthes 3. Isichei A. O. (1990) The role of algae and cyano- 44. 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