USES OF PTERIDOPHTE FLORA IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Pteridophyte flora (ferns and fern allies) plays a significant role inunderstorey of the rain forest. Even though Pteridophytes are not widely usein Sri Lanka, it has been reported that they have ability to provide food,medicines, fiber, craft and building materials. Adrasive and decorations, inSri Lanka, 360 Pteridopyte species have been recorded, although informationPteridiphytes and their uses in scanty. Consequently, this study was carriedout to identify the food, medicinal and ornamental uses of Pteridophyte florain Sri Lanka. Studies were carried out at Kanneliya Man and BiosphereReserve (MAB) in Southern Province, Maliboda area in Sri Pada range andHunnasgiriya area in the Knuckles range. Observation of Pteridophyte floraand their identification and sample collection were done using scientificallyfrom discussion with adjacent communities, Hanthana, Dolosbage andLoolkandura (Kandy), Kalupahana (Matale), Namunukula (Badulla) andWatawala, Thalawakele and Hortain planes areas (Nuwara eliya) were alsovisited to observe and collect information on Pteridophytes, particularly withrespect to uses. Relevant literatures on Pteridophytes were also reviewed tofind out traditional and current uses of this plant category.

Results of the study revealed that out of he 360 Pteridophytes species in SriLanka, only 4% (16 species) were used for medicinal purposes, while another4% (15 species) and 1% (5 species) were used as ornamental and plants,respectively. Eight species, namely Acrosticum aureum, Blechnum orientale,Drynaria quercifolia, Huperzia phlegmaria, H. squarrosa, Lycopodiellacernua, Nephrolepis falcate, and Ophioglossum pendulum were used for theboth medicinal and ornamental purpose. Two species, namely Acrostichumaureum and Blechnum oreientale were used for ornamental, medicinal aswell as foods. Cyathea walkera is the only endemic fern used for ornamentalplant and it was unable to find uses of the endemic Pteridophytes asmedicinal or food uses. Six species used for medicinal purposes and 4 speciesused for ornamental purposes have been identifies as threatened species.During the study, it was noted that the adjacent communities collectedspecies from the wild and none of the species under cultivation, suggestingthat for some species immediate conservation and utilization measures arerequired.