The epiphytic pteridophyte flora of Cooch Behar District of West Bengal, India, and its ethnomedicinal value

Abstract

The district Cooch Behar, located in the north-eastern part of West Bengal, at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, is very rich in pteridophytic flora. The present field study was undertaken during January 2021 to September 2022 to explore and document the epiphytic pteridophytic flora of the district and their ethnomedicinal uses, which was not previously done. Standard methods for plant specimen collection and herbarium techniques were followed and identification was done with the help of relevant sources. Altogether 14 epiphytic species of pteridophytes comprising 10 genera and six families were recorded. Polypodiaceae was the dominant family represented by eight species (57.14 %) and is dominated by the genus Pyrrosia (five species; 35.71 %). With the help of pretested semi-structured questionnaires, knowledgeable ethnic people and traditional healers of the studied areas were interviewed to record their traditional knowledge on pteridophytes. Out of 14 recorded species, 12 species were used by the ethnic communities and traditional healers to treat 15 different types of diseases ranging from common cough and cold to jaundice, among others. Leaves were found to the dominant plant part (58.82 %) used for the preparation of ethnomedicine. Decoction (52.94 %) of the plant parts were mostly used as herbal medicine and were frequently taken orally (58.82 %). Exploration of epiphytic pteridophytic flora and their utilization as ethnomedicine by the ethnic people has been scientifically documented for the first time from Cooch Behar district and has enriched the existing database our country.