PTERIDOPHYTE FLORA OF DR. SALIM ALI BIRDS SANCTUARY, THATTEKAD, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad is one of the biodiversity rich areas of flora and fauna with many endemic and RET species. This study revealed that in this sanctuary there is the presence of 30 species belonging to 23 genus and 18 pterodophytes families. Pteridophytes are spore bearing and non flowering plants. Asplenium polydon G. Forst.,Blechnum orientale Linn., Lindsaea ensifolia Sw. , Microlepia speluncae (Linn) Moore (Hook) Sledge, Microsorum nigrescens (BI) Cospel., Microsorum pteropus (BI.) Nayar, and Selaginella delicatula (Desv. ex Poir. ) Alston.are seven endemic species of pteridophytes in Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. The family wise taxonomic occurrence ratio is 14: 11: 7: 4. The pteridophytes form a vital component of the ecosystem and most of them being forest dwellers in Bird Sanctuary. More studies are essential for developing in situ or ex situ conservation strategies for this prime and magnificent group of plants