Floristic diversity of Bortir Beel, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

The present study aims to document and assess the diverse flora found in and around the Bortir Beel wetland, situated in Barberia village, Amdanga block, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India. The wetland supports a rich variety of aquatic plants, both submerged and floating, which in turn sustain a wide range of organisms, including numerous local and migratory bird species. This study documents the floristic diversity of the Bortir Beel wetland for the first time, recording a total of 134 species which includes 129 species of angiosperms and 5 species of pteridophytes. The 129 angiosperms are distributed under 106 genera and 50 families. Dicotyledons comprises of 89 species belonging to 73 genera and 39 families. Monocotyledons comprise of 40 species belonging to 33 genera under 11 families. Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons occupy 69% and 31% of the total angiospermic flora respectively. The total 5 species of Pteridophytes are distributed among 4 genera and 3 families. It is also noted that the highly invasive species like Mikania micrantha Kunth, Xanthium strumarium L., Lantana camara L., Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P.Wilson, Pontederia crassipes Mart. and Pontederia hastata L. are found to be major threats to this wetland.