Ecofloristic survey of aquatic and marshy land angiosperms of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Plants of lakes, ponds, streams, swamps, and marshy places are called Hydrophytes. The present project aims to assume a thorough survey of the aquatic flora of this district. Out of total 160 angiosperms, 92 plant species are monocot and 68 plant species are dicot. Poaceae long with 28 species within 18 genera and Cyperaceae contain 23 species within 9 genera are most dominant monocot families. Among these 28 dicot families, Asteraceae contains a maximum of 4 genera and 5 species, followed by Lythraceae and Plantaginaceae with 3 genera 5 species, Lentibulariaceae with 1 genus and 5 species. The ratio between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons families is 1: 1.87, genera is 1.38:1 species is 1.35:1. The highest density was measured among monocot in Spirodela polyrrhiza (16.634) and lowest in Alpinia aquatica (0.216); the highest monocot frequency (%) in Leersia hexandra (78.34%) and lowest in Blyxa echinosperma (5%); highest abundance value in Wolffia globosa (93.34) and lowest in Hygroryza aristata (3). In dicot highest density was measured in Grangea maderaspatana (7.5) and lowest in Bergia capensis (0.1); the highest frequency in Nymphaea pubescens and Grangea maderaspatana (60%), lowest in Ammannia auriculata, Bergia capensis, Ipomoea fistulosa, Oldenlandia brachypoda, Ranunculus sceleratus, Sphaeranthus africanus, Trapa natans, Utricularia gibba (5%); highest abundance value in Lindernia antipoda (19.34) and lowest in Ludwigia prostrata (1.5). After the PC analysis of the distribution of Monocotyledons Species with a similar distributional pattern are come into the same coordinate. Phragmites karka, Typha elephantine, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Potamogeton crispus, Blyxa echinosperma, and some other aquatic monocot are present in the same coordinate due to their similar distribution pattern in this district. In dicot Ammannia auriculata, Ipomoea fistulosa, Utricularia bifida, Hygrophila polysperma, Ceratophyllum demersum, and some other aquatic dicot are present in the same coordinate due to their similar distribution pattern. A total of 63 aquatic and marshy plant species, belonging to 49 genera are recorded among those 21 edible plants, 32 medicinal plants, 24 fodder plant and 12 plants those are used for home remedies for local inhabitants. This project will be helpful for further study on aquatic and marshy angiosperms, and also will be beneficial in the accounting nature of several aquatic weeds and their present status, to identify the plant, plant position, their density, frequency, and abundance in this district. GPS Positioning of those plants can study further shortly in that area by using this project.