Genus Athyrium Roth (Athyriaceae: Pteridophyta) from Gujarat State

Abstract

Present study deals with the diversity, distribution and conservation status of the genus Athyrium Roth in different climatic regimes of Gujarat state. Five species of Athyrium viz., A. hohenackerianum T. Moore, A. falcatum Bedd., A. micropterum Fraser-Jenk., A. parasnathense (C.B.Clarke) Ching ex Mehra & Bir and A. schimperi subsp. biserrulatum (Christ) Fraser-Jenk., were collected form the Gujarat state, of which A. hohenackerianum T. Moore is documented earlier. Therefore, occurrence of A. falcatum, A. micropterum, A. parasnathense, and A. schimperi subsp. biserrulatum, stands as a new distribution records and reported for the first time from Gujarat state. A detailed taxonomic description, photo plates, morphological characters, distribution and comparison of species is provided here for their identification.