Diversified Hydrophytes in Different Aquatic Habitats of Puri District, Odisha, India

Hydrophytes are water loving plants that regulate the aquatic ecosystem. Variety and variability of hydrophytic plants have a great role in balanced aquatic ecosystem. The study revealed that a total 60 species of hydrophytes belonging to 39 genera and 25 families were identified. Among these, Cyperaceae was the dominant family comprising 17 species, out of which, monocots represented by 33 species belonging to 19 genera and 9 families; dicots represented by 24 species belonging to 17 genera and 14 families; pteridophyta represented by 3 species belonging to 3 genera and 2 families. The monocotyledon was found to be the dominant class. In the documented species, 55 herbs, 2 shrubs and 3 ferns were recorded with a variable habitat viz. 35 marshy, 8 amphibious, 6 submerged, 6 free floating and 5 fixed floating species. Documented plants were preserved as herbarium with their botanical names, family, local names and habitat. Two RET (Rare, Endanger and Threatened) category plant species viz. Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Horkel ex Wimm. and Lindernia anagallis (Burm.f.) Pennell belonging to Araceae and Scrophulariaceae family respectively were documented from Gadakharad village during the study which is the unexplored area and no documentation was done previously. Therefore, these species should be conserved by taking proper care of the water body otherwise the day will come and these two plants will be in verge of extinction. The present work exhibited the database of hydrophytes in Puri district of Odisha which will help in future work for its conversation and to maintain the local biodiversity.