Studies on characteristics of pteridophyte flora of the Enshi region in Hubei Province, China

Pteridophytes are an important herb layer in forest vegetation and have great impact on the growth and development of forests. Based on specimen collection and field investigation, the floristic composition and characteristics of pteridophytes were studied in the Enshi area, Hubei Province, China. Results showed that: (1) There are 380 species belonging to 39 families and 96 genera of ferns in the Enshi region, including 106 endemic species to China. The fern plants in this area have ancient origins, high species differentiation and diversity, obvious dominant families and genera, and high species richness. Thus, this is a typical area of pteridophyte diversity. (2) The genera Monachosorum, Matteuccia, Phanerophlebiopsis, and Lepidogrammitis are widely distributed, with the Enshi area being the center of differentiation and distribution of these genera. (3) The pteridophyte life forms in the area are mainly soil growing type, which accounting for 81.36%. (4) The Enshi area plays an important role in the geographical flora of Chinese ferns. The pteridophytes in the area are predominantly tropical flora with pantropic distribution of families and genera. The dominant species are temperate Asia, East Asia, and China distribution type, with 60.79% exhibiting obvious subtropical characteristics. (5) The pteridophyte flora in Enshi is widely linked and transitional in nature and is especially close to the flora of Sichuan.