34A CONTRIBUTION TO THE FERN FLORA OF HOWRAH DISTRICT IN WEST BENGAL, INDIAFloristic survey has been recorded that there are 20 fern species distributed under 14 genera belonging to 11 families. The collected species are enumerated here along with their updated nomenclature, vernacular names and local uses. The number of climbers and epiphytes are three species each. There are six species which are aquatic or grow in wetland habitat. It is evident from study that six species of fern are used by the inhabitants of the district for various purposes. There are three species which are used for the treatment of human and cattle. On the other hand leaves of another three species are generally collected by the village women for their own consumption. Besides that selling of such wild leafy vegetable in the market is a common practice and thus these species play an important role in rural economy. Therefore, ferns may be the alternative vegetables and source of medicines for the near future considering its nutrition value and medicinal propertiessubhajitb6@gmail.comResearch412014Fern-flora,Howrah district,West BengalS. Bandyopadhyay,Sobhan Kr. MukherjeeDepartment of Botany, K.N.College, Berhampore, Murshidabad -742101, India.,Department of Botany, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia-741235, India.