Usman Ali
University of Peshawar
Title: Systematic of fern diversity in swat valley, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Biography
Biography: Usman Ali
Abstract
In the taxonomic study of ferns of Swat, a total of 46 species were recorded. These were distributed among 22 genera and 9 families. Family Dryopteridaceae was the largest one consisting of 5 (28.78%) genera and 16 (34.04%) species. Athyriaceae consisted of 2 (11.12%) genera and 7 (17.02%) species, followed by family Aspliniaceae with 1 (1.56%) genus and 7 (14.89%) species. The Pteridaceae had 4 (22.23%) genera and 5 (10.63%) species. Family Thelypteridaceae was comprised of 2 (11.12%) genera and 4 (8.15%) species, followed by family Adiantaceae having 1 (1.56%) genus and 3 (6.38%) species. The family Equisetaceae was comprised of 1 (1.56%) genus and 2 (14.89%) species. Family Marsiliaceae and Selaginellaceae both were monotypic families. Asplenium was the largest genus and represented by 8 (17.02%) species, followed by Dryopteris having 7 (14.89%) species, Athyrium was comprising of 6 (12.70%) species, Polystichum with 5 (10.63%) species, Adiantum was resented by 3 (6.38%) species, Cystopteris, Equisetum, Gymnocarpium , Pteris and Thelypteris were represented by 2 (4.25%) species each. Chielanthes, Cyrtomium, Diplazium, Gymnocarpium, Onychium, Pteridium and Selagenilla were the genera which consisted of only 1 (2.12%) species each. Out of 46 ferns 10 plants were reported to have ethnobotanical potential. The hair falling, diarrhea, wounds, fever, cough, internal body burning, skin diseases, chest affection, scorpion bite, cold, kidney diseases, eye swelling, menstrual disorders, hypertension, microbial diseases, anemia, bone fractures, hepatitis and stomach problems were treated with Adiantum sps., Asplenium trichomanes, Equisetum spp., Dryopteris odontoloma, Onychium and Pteris species. Dryopteris odontoloma was recorded to use as vegetable