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Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Systematic enumeration. 3. Photographs. 4. References. 5. Index to photographs.

The Indian state of Meghalaya is notable for its biodiversity of mammals, birds and plants including the ferns and fern-allies, with a geographical area of 22,429 km2, of which 17,275 km2 is under forest cover. Due to the diverse climatic and topographic conditions, the state harbours a large number of Lycophytes and ferns (Pteridophytes). As far as the study of pteridophytes is concerned, the fern-flora needs updating to comply with modern taxonomic revision.

This pictorial guide on the pteridophytes of Meghalaya has been prepared with the objective of creating awareness among common people, researchers, Pteridophyte-growers, horticulturalists and gardeners, students, foresters and others involved in studying various aspects of the pteridophytic taxa of the state including their conservation.

The book contain 491 taxa of ferns and fern allies, belonging to 93 genera and 33 families, of which, 539 photographs related to 263 taxa have been given. The updated nomenclature, distribution and phenological data provided in this checklist are adopted form recent published literature and are also based our own observation in the field.

The authors feel that further additions would be possible with further botanical exploration of various unexplored and under-explored areas of Meghalaya, which will contribute to the completeness of revisionary work of Indian ferns.