Pteridophyte Flora of Thong Pha Phum National Park, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

A total of 26 families, 70 genera, and 175 species of pteridophytes were recorded from Thong Pha Phum National Park, Kanchanaburi Province. Among these, 23 families, 66 genera, and 159 species were ferns, while 3 families, 4 genera and 16 species were fern allies. Among the fern allies, Selaginellaceae had the highest number of species, i.e. 12. Three families of ferns, namely Polypodiaceae, Thelypteridaceae, and Dryopteridaceae were the commonest. There were 37 species of Polypodiaceae; 24 of Thelypteridaceae and 16 of Dryopteridaceae. In according to habitat, there were 97 species of terrestrial plants, 53 epiphytes, 17 lithophytes and one aquatic plants. Seven species of ferns and fern allies were found in more than one habitat. Five species and one variety are new records for Thailand: Adiantum philippense L. var. subjunonicum H. Christ, Arachniodes coniifolia (Moore) Ching, Belvisia spicata (L.f.) Mirbel ex Copel., Loxogramme centicola M.G. Price, Polystichum pseudotsus-simense Ching and Polystichum scariosum (Roxb.) C. Morton. Three new records, Arachniodes coniifolia, Polystichum pseudotsus-simense and Polystichum scariosum were found only once and in small numbers. These species may be extirpated from the country soon if their present habitats continue to be disturbed. Among the 175 taxa, nine species could not be determined due to the lack of fertile structures. Three out of these nine unidentified species are new taxa for Thailand. We consider that one species of Cyathea and two species of Pteris are worth investigating further.