Exploration of pteridophytic flora of rajshahi district, Bangladesh with special References to their medicinal potential and distribution

Abstract

In Bangladesh the Pteridophytes are common member of flora of the country. Their presence has been recorded in almost all climatic zones and habitats. The present study was carried out from January 2011 to June 2011 in a small area of Bangladesh and a total of 20 species under 17 genera of the 14 families were collected and identified. All plant specimens were deposited in the Herbarium, Department of Botany, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. According to their habitat, the pteridophytes of Rajshahi have been categorized as aquatic, terrestrial, epiphytic and lithophytes. It was found that the pteridophytes of Rajshahi are not only medicinally important, but also they are good bioaccumulator of heavy metals and can be used as beautification and decorative purposes. Out of twenty pteridophytic species, twelve species are well established medicinally important pteridophyte and another one is a well known green manure. Among the medicinally important pteridophytes found in Rajshahi, six species have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities; five species have anti oxidant activities; four species have anticancer activities and one species is diuretic, antidiabetic and used against snake bite. Four pteridophytes found in this area are good bioaccumulator of heavy metals and another six species of pteridophytes are used as ornamental plant. Most of them are common in eastern and north eastern India.