Less known ferns and fern-allies of Manipur with ethnobotanic uses

Abstract

The ferns and fern – allies (FFAs) are the neglected group of plants as valuable resources in folk utilization by ethic groups of Manipur. A total of 20 plants belonging to 15 families were documented and categorized into food (4), medicine (5), abrasives (2), manure (3), decoration (7) and ritual ceremonies (2) based on their mode of uses. Plant information on various ethnobotanic uses was collected directly from villages, local herbal practitioners <i style="">maibas</i> and various anthropological literatures. The communication serves to bridge the gap that existed among the people, and also to catapult FFAs as a sustainable plant resource, and for more effective strategies for the conservation.