A Survey of the Pteridophyte Herbs of Hainan Island

There are almost 400 species(containing 8 varieties)of pteridophytes on Hainan Island,belonging to 43 families and 114 genera,one third of which are officinal.To understand the distribution of pteridophytes resources of Hainan Island,we conducted this survey mainly by photographing the habitat,plant morphology,sorus and specific traits of some pteridophytes.The results showed that nearly 32 families and 94 species were recorded.These pteridophyte herb resources play important roles in medical treatment of native Li nationality people.

Classification of Partial Pteridophytes in Jinyun Mountain of Chongqing City Based on SRAP Molecular Marker

[Objective] The aim was to classify pteridophytes by using SRAP molecular marker.[Method] 27 species of pteridophytes collected from Jinyun Mountain in Chongqing were classified based on SRAP molecular marker.The tender leaves of the 27 species of city pteridophytes were use for extracting genonic DNA of pteridophytes by using improved CPAB method,and then the quality of total DNA was tested by using gel-lectro phoresis method and obsorbance method.[Result] The results of clustering analysis showed that there was close genetic relationship between Selaginellaceae and Gleicheniaceae,Equisaceae and Dryopteridaceae,Blechnaceae and Dryopteridaceae,Lindsaeaceae and Dryopteridaceae,Aspleniaceae and Athyriaceae.Close genetic relationship between Cyrtomium fortunei and Dryopteridaceae differed from traditional taxonomy that classified Cyrtomium fortunei in Dryopteridaceae,indicating that classification of pteridophytes by SRAP molecular marker technology had some differences from traditional taxonomy.[Conclusion] The results can be referred to rebuild phylogenetic relationships of pteridophytes.

UTILIZATION AND FRESH PRESERVATION OF CUT LEAVES OF FIVE WILD PTERIDOPHYTE SPECIES ON MAOER MOUNTAINS

The cut leaves of five pteridophyte species were evaluated on their usage in cut flowers. Two species, Lunathy rium coreanum and Dryopteris crassirhizoma, were selected. The ef fects of vase-holding and fresh preservation of the cut leaves under different conditions was studied. By measuring the contents of soluble protein and chlorophyll of leaves, the best methods of fresh preservation was determined with the use of fresh preservation and wet storage. L. rium coreanum (christ) Ching may last 14 days. The best liquid used to arrange flowers in a vase is 5 g/L sucrose.With the use of fresh preservation liquid and wet storage. D. crassirhizoma may last 34 days.

Pteridophyte Flora of Manaslu Conservation Area, Central Nepal

The pteridophytes comprising ferns and fern allies constitute an important part in Nepalese flora. Pteridophyte flora of the Himalayan region is considered to be the basic requirements for the knowledge of pteridology. This paper aims to provide the overview of fern and fern allies present in the Nubri valley and its adjoining areas of Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA), Central Nepal. A total of 105 species belonging to 45 genera were recorded, with Dryopteris as the largest genera including twelve species followed by Athyrium, Pteris and Polystichum. With regard to habitats, most of the species were terrestrials followed by lithophytes and epiphytes.

A review of the use of pteridophytes for treating human ailments

The aim of this review was to explore the pharmacological activity of early tracheophytes （pteridophytes） as an alternative medicine for treating human ailments. As the first vascular plants, pteridophytes （aka, ferns and fern allies） are an ancient lineage, and human beings have been exploring and using taxa from this lineage for over 2000 years because of their beneficial properties. We have documented the medicinal uses of pteddophytes belonging to thirty different families. The lycophyte Selaginella sp. was shown in earlier studies to have multiple pharmacological activity, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-Alzheimer properties. Among all the pteridophytes examined, taxa from the Pteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Adiantaceae ex- hibited significant medicinal activity. Based on our review, many pteridophytes have properties that could be used in alternative medicine for treatment of various human illnesses. Biotechnological tools can be used to preserve and even improve their bioactive molecules for the preparation of medicines against illness. Even though several studies have reported medicinal uses of ferns, the possible bioacUve compounds of several pteridophytes have not been identified. Furthermore, their optimal dosage level and treatment strategies still need to be determined. Finally, the future direc- tion of pteridophyte research is discussed.

A Biosystematic Study on Asplenium sarelii Complex

The series Variantia Ching et S. H. Wu mainly occur in China and its members are highly variable in morphology. The denomination on this group of Asplenium is very confused in the herbaria. We hop e by means of a biosystematic study to find out their genetic relationships in the reticulate evolution, and to raise a suggestion on their taxonomic treatment. Evidence from cytology, allozyme, morphology, and palynology shows that three ancestor diploids have formed Asplenium sarelii complex comprising 13 members. A. sarelii Hook. should be typified as a diploid. The so-called tetraploid 'A. sarelii' before is an allotetraploid that comes from the doubled hybrid between diploid A. sarelii and A. tenuicaule Hayata, which should be treated as a new species A. wudangense Z. R. Wang et X. Hou. A. pekinense Hance is an autotetraploid that comes from the doubled diploid ancestor A. sarelii. A. lushanense C. Chr., a diploid species and the only ancestor of A. yunnariense group, should not been sunk as a synonym of tetraploid A. yunnariense Franch. Most probably, A. varians Wall. ex Hook. et Grev. is an autotetraploid of A. tenuicaule Hayata. Three new natural tetraploid hybrids and their origins have been found out: they are A. x longmenense ( = A. pekinense x varians), A. x jingyunense ( = A. pekinense x yunnanense) and A. x kidoi ( = A. pekinense x wudangense). Three other new natural triploid hybrids have been found and their origins have been inferred: they are A. X huawuense ( = A. sarelii X wudangense), A. x luyunense ( = A. lushanense x yunnanense) and A. x teniuvaians ( = A. tenuicaule x varians). The method of allozyme comparion combined with cytological observation is employed to reveal the complicated relationships among the members of Asplenium sarelii complex in reticulate evolution and proved to be a highly effective tool to investigate the origin of polyploid and hybrid.