Taxonomic study of ferns and fern allies at Huaiyang Waterfall National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

Abstract

Taxonomic survey of ferns and fern allies at Huaiyang Waterfall National Park, Prachaup Khiri Khan Province, was carried out from March 1998 to October 2000. Two hundreds and four specimens were collected. A total of 126 species in 57 genera from 26 families were identified. Among these 11 species in 4 genera from 3 families are fern allies. Three families of true fern namely polypodiaceae, aspleniaceae and thelypteridaceae are among the common families. Polypodiaceae included 26 species in 14 genera. Whilst aspleniaceae and thelypteridaceae included 11 and 10 species, respectively; but from each single genus. Among 126 species, there are 53 species of terrestrial plants, 17 species of epiphytes, 19 species of lithophytes and 1 species of aquatic plant. However, 36 species thrive in more than two habitats. It can be concluded that 22 species are found in mixed deciduous forest. While 14 species occur in dry evergreen forest. Whilst 20 species are found in tropical evergreen forest, and 34 species grow naturally in hill evergreen forest. Moreover 32 species may be found in more than two vegetations. Additionally, two endemic species to Thailand occur in this study area, i.e. Crepidomanes megistostomum (Copel.) Copel. and Polystichum attenuatum Tagawa & K. Iwats. It was also found that 100 species are new records for Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Full description of all species were given, key to genera and key to species were constructed, together with ecological data, their distribution, vernacular name and utilization. In addition photographs of collected species were also provided. The voucher specimens are deposited at the professor Kasin Suvatabhandhu Herbarium, Depatment of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University.