Illustrated Manual of Ferns of Assam

Illustrated Manual of Ferns of Assam is a pioneering work on fern flora of Assam in the form of a consolidated account. Detail accounts of general and pteridophytic vegetation have been provided alongwith the physiography, the drainage systems, the geology, the soil and the climate, which have a great impact on floristic diversity and habitat preference of ferns in Assam. Discussions on ecological distribution and seasonal variation of fern flora are two added features of the book. A brief history on early botanical collections in the introductory chapter brings together the early botanical history of the state. The work is based on eight years of field work by the authors during 1990-1998. It deals with 221 species belonging to 87 genera and 43 families. The taxonomic treatment includes explicit keys to families, genera and species alongwith latest nomenclature and detail description of species. Distribution of species in the world and in India, and ecological adaptation and occurrence of species in Assam have also been provided. The vernacular name(s) and usage recorded for some of the species are also form the part of the species account. The book is profusely illustrated with five maps, 221 plates and 33 habital coloured photographs. Critical discussion on phytogeography, rare and endangered elements of fern flora of Assam and the strategies worked out by the authors for conservation of rare and endangered ferns of Assam are added attraction of the book. An exhaustive bibliography is an useful fruit of the book.