Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook., Gen. Fil. , pl. 47, B 1840. (Syn: Botrychium zeylanicum (L.) Sw.; Botryopteris crenata Presl; Botryopteris mexicana Presl; Helminthostachys crenata Presl; Helminthostachys dulcis Kaulf.; Helminthostachys integrifolia Presl; Helminthostachys laciniata J. Voigt; Helminthostachys mexicana (Presl) Spreng.; Helminthostachys zeylanica var. brachyspicae Nampy & Madhus.; Ophiala zeylanica (L.) Desv.; Osmunda laciniata Noronha; Osmunda zeylanica L.);
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Tropical & Subtropical Asia to W. Pacific: Assam, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Hainan, India, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Northern Territory, Philippines, Queensland, Santa Cruz Is., Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Western Australia as per POWO;
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This interesting plant was seen growing in dense forest undershade near Guwahati, Assam…
According to Prof. SP Khullar, this is a Helminthostachys sp., my opinion is H. zeylanica, no image so far represented on eFI..
Please give your opinion…

Thank You … for ID. It is  Helminthostachys zeylanica found in Assam. It is endangered terrestrial fern as mentioned in Assam’s Flora (present status of vascular plants) by Dr. S. Chowdhury


Yes, it’s Helminthostachys zeylanica, which occurs in the lowlands from Uttarakhand eastwards through lowland Nepal to N.E. India, also S. India,  Lanka, China and SE Asia. Unfortunately it has earned a reputation as a traditional medicinal plant and is now being depleted from many of its former habitats. There is only the one species in the genus.


 

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