Authors : Ranjeet Singh; Rakesh Kumar

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 9 - September

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep652

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Abstract : The present account documents eight common pteridophytes of the family Dryopteridaceae occurring in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh (India). Field surveys and morpho-taxonomic identification confirmed the presence of six species under the genus Dryopteris - D. lepidopoda, D. panda, D. pulvinulifera, D. ramosa, D. redactopinnata, and D. subimpressa— and two species under the genus Polystichum - P. nepalense and P. thomsonii. These species were predominantly found in moist, shaded forest habitats and along riparian zones, with maximum representation between 1000–3100 m elevation. The study highlights the ecological significance of these taxa as indicators of habitat quality and microclimatic stability in the lower and mid-Himalayan region. The updated checklist contributes to regional floristic records and provides a baseline for future ecological, taxonomic, and conservation studies of Dryopteridaceae in the Western Himalaya.

Keywords : Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), Pteridophytic Flora, Ferns, Habitat, Economic Importance.

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