South Indian Journal of Biological Sciences

E. B. Biji ¹, Joshy K. Simon ², P. Tessy Paul ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur ‐ 680 125, Kerala, IN
2 Department of Botany, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur ‐ 680 125, Kerala, IN

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at ten sites in Aloor grama panchayath, Thrissur district, Kerala. The assessment of the flora was done for four months during the pre‐monsoon period from February to May 2015. 80 plant species under 34 families were identified from the study area, during the period of investigation. Of these 45 medicinal plants belonging to 27 families were observed of which 10 were shrubs, 4 are climbers and 31 are herbs. Seven species namely Ageratum conyzoides L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Chromolaena odorata (L.) King&Robins, Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., Lantana camara L., Mimosa pudica L. and Physalis minima L. are the invasive species found in the area. Sixteen species of these medicinal plants namely Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC., Amaranthus viridis L., Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, Cleome viscosa L., Clerodendrum infortunatum Wight, Commelina benghalensis L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Cyperus rotundus L., Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC., Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk., Euphorbia thymifolia L., Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum.) Heine, Leucas aspera L. (Willd) Spreng., Mollugo pentaphylla L., Phyllanthus Amaras Schumach&Thonn. and Scoparia dulcis L. are the weeds recorded during the period of study. Ageratum conyzoides L. and Chromolaena odorata (L.) King&Robins are the more frequent medicinal plants, Commelina benghalensis L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Chromolaena odorata (L.) King&Robins and Ageratum conyzoides L. are the more dense medicinal plant species and Killinga monocephala Nees. and Cleome viscosa L. are the most abundant species in the study area.

Keywords

Medicinal Plants, Flora, Aloor Grama Panchayath, Thrissur, Kerala.

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Balamuralikrishna ¹, P. Tessy Paul ², Joshy K. Simon ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala ‐ 680 125, IN
2 Department of Botany, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala‐680 125, IN

Abstract

The present investigation is regarding the diversity of medicinal plants in the campus of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Ernakulam district, Kerala. The studies of biodiversity have greater significance as ecologists try desperately to document global biodiversity. Biodiversity studies are intrinsically valuable as a means of improving our understanding of the structure and functioning of ecological communities. The campus flora of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, is not yet documented and the present paper is a document of the medicinal plants. The present investigation explored and identified 109 species of medicinal plants. Of these six threatened plant species are present in the campus namely, Petrocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae), Borassus flabellifer L. (Arecaceae), Vateria indica L. (Dipterocarpaceae), Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. (Meliaceae), Gloriosa superba L. (Lilliaceae) and Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde (Caesalpiniaceae).

Keywords

Medicinal Plants, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Flora, Diversity.

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