Diversity of Macrophytes in Maijan Wetland, Upper Assam, India

Abstract

In the current study, a total of 42 macrophytes have been recorded under 34 genera belonging to 28 families from the Maijan wetland, Assam during February 2013 to March 2014. Out of recorded species, the Asteraceae family was found to be maximum (6 spp.) and followed by the Amaranthaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Cyperaceae, Hydrocharitaceae, Malvaceae, Onagraceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae (2 spp. each). The remaining families were represented by 1 species each. The macrophytes were classified into 5 major categories such as terrestrial (24 spp.), marginal (09 spp.); floating (05 spp.); emergent (2 spp.) and submerged (2 spp.). Most of the recorded macro-phytes have medicinal properties and some of them have been used as vegetable. The habitat and uses of the recorded macrophytes also have been discussed.