MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT PTERIDOPHYTIC FLORA OF HAMIRPUR DISTRICT, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIABabita Suman and Sheesh Pal SinghAbstract Pteridophytes are the first land vascular plants. They include true ferns and fern allies. This group of plants constitutes second major component of forest wealth after angiosperms. They occupy intermediate position between bryophytes and phanerogams. Medicinal uses of pteridophytes are known to man for more than 2000 years. The pteridophytes are used in homeopathic, ayurvedic, tribal and unani system of medicines. There is dearth of documentation of pteridophytes and their medicinal potential in reference to Hamirpur district. Hence, the present study was undertaken. During the present study 21 species of pteridophytes have been identified and documented as medicinally important for different ailments. This study was carried out between January 2019 to October 2023 in Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, India. This study may be utilized for bioprospecting by pharmaceutical industry in future. |