A Taxonomic Survey of Sacred Groves of Eastern Ghats at Pachamalai Hills in Tamil Nadu, India

The present study deals with the floristic richness of the sacred groves of Pachamalai, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India. From the area 72 angiosparmic species from 64 genera and 34 families were enumerated. Of these 80.6 per cent species are used as medicines, 6.12 per cent have timber value and 10.20 per cent are used as minor forest produce by the local inhabitants. Some rare and endangered plants are also confined to this grove. The attendant cultural rites and religious rituals have perpetuated the status of the sacred grove, which has ensured the protection of the grove vegetation.