Abstract

Studies on aquatic angiosperms of Rajshahi district, Bangladesh was carried out during January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 42 species belonging to 36 genera and 23 families were collected and identified. Among the aquatic angiosperms, Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledones) is represented by 30 species; whereas Liliopsida (Monocotyledones) is represented by 12 species. The family Pologonaceae contained the highest number of plants followed by Nymphaeaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Onagraceae, Araceae, Hydrocharitaceae, Pontederiaceae, Commelinaceae was dominant families in the study area. In the research area, 26 species were common and 16 species were rare. Twenty four (24) medicinal plants have been documented with their uses for the cure of more than 17 diseases, and some of these are dysentery, fever, constipation, asthma, arthritis, diarrhea and skin disorders, snake bite, asthma, diabetes, inflammation, malaria, stomach disorders, anticancer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, skin whitening, insecticidal activities, infertility, heart diseases, dysentery, and indigestion, epilepsy and others. The present study will help in identifying the aquatic angiosperms for further investigation and also beneficial to develop the herbal drug development.

Key words: Aquatic angiosperms, medicinal plants, Rajshahi, Bangladesh