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Clubmosses (Huperzia Bernh.) of North East India: Genetic Resources, Utilization and Sustainability
Abstract
The Club mosses, sometimes called as Tassel ferns of the genus Huperzia Bernh. (Lycopodiaceae) are hanging ferns best known throughout the world for their graceful foliage and used extensively as ornamental epiphytes. They are characterized by dichotomously branched vegetative stems with isomorphous sporophylls bearing kidney-shaped sporangia. They are also known as wonder moss due to their highly medicinal and pharmacological significance, thereby playing a domain role in treatment of multiple ailments like schizophrenia, neuromuscular disorders, impairments in motor functioning, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, myasthenia gravis, dementia, organophosphate poisoning, treatment of contusions, strains, swellings etc. Many of the club mosses are rich source of lycopod alkaloids like huperzine A, lycopodines, lycodines, phlegmarines, carina–tumine etc. which are used in treatments of the various disorders of brain. In the North Eastern states of India which is comprised of eight (8) states, altogether thirteen (13) species of club mosses are recorded, out of which three (3) club mosses, viz. Huperzia phlegmaria (L.) Rothm., Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Rothm. and Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. are extensively used for their medicinal, ornamental and cultural significances. In Manipur, these ferns are considered highly sacred and used in many important religious and cultural ceremonies by the Meitei community. Huperzia serrata is used as an ingredient of herbal drink in states of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. As the club mosses has high economical prospect both medicinally as well as ornamentally, they are exploited on large scale from their natural habitat. Active trading on large scale is carried out between local plant collectors and buyers in most of the North Eastern states. This very area is the point where the question of species sustainability of club mosses becomes very crucial. For the time being, there are no scientific researches on species diversity database, propagation protocols, guidelines for harvesting, value addition, and marketing strategies for commercial activities. There are no special monitoring cells for formulating out the conservation status of the club mosses of North East India, and no legislatures to check the illegal harvesting of the club mosses. In the present paper, the species diversity of Huperzia in North East India is discussed with special reference to their utilization and sustainability, and special guidelines on harvesting and recommendations on conservative measures are also studied.KeywordsClub MossesSpecies DiversityMedicinalOrnamentalSustainabilityNorth East India
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Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae), locally known as leishang in Manipur, India, serves as a potential subsistence for livelihood to many people. It is extensively used by three main communities: Meiteis for cultural purposes and Nagas and Kukis for beautification, handicraft, and medicinal purposes. A critical analysis on the trading system showed that womenfolk dominated the entire workflow of activities like harvesting, transportation of plant materials from forests, and even regulating seasonal market prices. Detailed morphological parameters along with the biological life cycle are briefly highlighted. Introduction of conservation plans, training local communities on harvesting methodologies, and formulation of systematic marketing strategies are highly recommended
To understand the extinction risk of lycophytes and ferns in China, we conducted an evaluation of the two groups according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (version 3.1) at the national level. During a period of 16 months, a group of three researchers evaluated each taxon by means of reading literature, checking herbarium specimens, and consulting colleagues working on lycophytes and ferns in China. A total of 30 colleagues share their knowledge, mainly regarding living status and distribution, on Chinese lycophytes and ferns. Here we present a preliminary red list of Chinese lycophytes and ferns which includes 2,244 taxa of the following categories: 43 Critically Endangered (CR, among which six have probably been already extinct), 68 Endangered (EN), 71 Vulnerable (VU), 66 Near Threatened (NT), 1,124 Least Concern (LC), and 872 Data Deficient (DD). The taxa which have been taken into account include species, subspecies, and varieties only, with forms and hybrids excluded. Of the 182 threatened species (VU, EN, and CR), 79 are endemic (or nearly) to China. Conservation priorities are suggested for the 79 threatened and endemic species, especially the 24 critically endangered species which include Adiantum meishanianum, A. nelumboides, Angiopteris chingii, Asplenium cornutissimum, Bolbitis hainanensis, Huperzia quasipolytrichoides var. rectifolia, Isoëtes orientalis, I. taiwanensis, I. yunguiensis, Paesia taiwanensis, Parathelypteris subimmersa, Polystichum basipinnatum, P. cavernicola, P. minutissimum, P. oblanceolatum, P. speluncicola, Pronephrium longipetiolatum, Pseudocyclosorus caudipinnus, Pteridrys lofouensis, Pteris angustipinna, Selliguea cruciformis, Tectaria ebenina, T. hekouensis, and Woodsia okamotoi. This red list is of a preliminary nature as a rather high proportion of taxa belong to DD (up to 872, ca. 39 % of total taxa in China). To gain a complete and precise red list, further evaluation work, especially taxonomic revisions based on field observations, is needed for the lycophytes and ferns in China. These include Angiopteris, Asplenium, Athyrium, Deparia, Dryopteris, Huperzia, Polystichum, Pteris, Selaginella, Polypodiaceae, and Thelypteridaceae which are still relatively poorly understood in terms of taxonomy and conservation.
A taxonomic inventorization of pteridophytes occurring in a human inhabited buffer zone of Murlen National Park, India, was conducted in 2012 and 2013. This survey revealed 35 species belonging to 27 genera and 15 families. Polypodiaceae was recorded as dominant family, represented by six genera and eight species, followed by Pteridaceae (three genera and six species) and Lycopodiaceae (three genera and four species). Of the recorded species, 23 species were terrestrial, 11 (epiphytic) and two (lithophytic) in their habit forms. The species richness was highest in Tualpui village, with 11 species, followed by Rabung (7) and Ngur (6). The site preference of species among the villages is discussed. These data will provide baseline for future research and monitoring of pteridophytic vegetation in this protected area, as well as in similar habitats in the adjacent areas.
The North East India houses around 130 ethnic tribal communities which exhibits unique tradition, dialect and culture. These communities collect edible plants from wild forming a common practice for livelihood and subsistence even today. Of the varieties of plant consumed, ferns and fern–allies also constitute an important food supplement. An inventory survey was conducted in order to assess the wild edible ferns and fern–allies which are used as vegetables by various ethnic communities of North East India. Altogether, twenty-three (23) ferns and fern–allies are found to be edible, and used in preparing various cuisines. Four species viz. Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw., Huperzia phlegmaria (L.) Rothm., Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl were cultivated in small scale for consumption and horticultural purposes, while the rest of the species were directly harvested from wild habitat. Role of these ferns in local cuisines, other reported uses and bioactive components were discussed. The study also emphasises on future development of ferns and its allies as potential vegetables in North East India.
One of the 17 mega biodiversity country, India possess only 2% land mass of world and
Oharbors more than 7% vascular plants species of the world. Certain territories of India fall under different biodiversity hot spots of the world. Sikkim Himalaya with only 0.2% land
surface of India is a small part of the 'Himalaya Biodiversity hot spot' and one of the richest
biodiversity areas of the country. The unique position, mountainous terrain and diverse climatic
variation within a small distance are the main factors for rich and diverse vegetation of the state.
The lower vascular plants, Pteridophytes are also one of the richest plant groups in Sikkim
Himalaya. On the basis of recent collection tours by author, scrutiny of various published work and
after studying Herbaria of Botanical Survey of India (CAL & BSHC), it.............................................
Aim: To investigate the efficacy of huperzine A in treating child language delay and its side effects. Methods: 37 children with language delay and other developmental diseases from pediatric neurology out-patient department, who did not undergo any language rehabilitation, were treated with huperzine A 50 μg bi-daily for more 3 months and then the efficacy and side effects observed. The follow-up was arranged to record the afficacy monthly. Results: 37 cases of 40 had undergone the whole course and the total efficiency was 68% (25/37). Language developments of other 12 cases were not improved significantly. Other 3 children were not included in because epilepsy were observed among them. Conclusion: This pilot trial result suggests that huperzine A has efficacy on child language delay but should be investigated further. Huperzine A may trigger seizure of language delay patients with epilepsy.