Survey of Flora of Coastal Karnataka Mangroves3
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Survey & documentation of Mangroves in Coastal Karnataka CHAPTER- 3 MANGROVE ASSOCIATES 3.1 Mangroves Species: The names of plant species that live in association with mangroves, or growing towards the drier outer edges of the swamps are mangrove associates. Many of these mangrove associates are present even in inland areas. Though numerous species of plants may be found close to the mangroves some of the mangrove associates have close fidelity to the mangrove habitat. Species in Karnataka includes Barringtonia spp. Caesalpinia bonducella, C. crista, Cerbera manghas, Clerodendrum inerme, Cyperus malaccensis, Derris trifoliata, Erythrina variegata, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Pongamia pinnata, Thespesia populnea etc. More details of the mangrove associates, under their respective families, are furnished in this chapter. 3.2 Associate species of Mangroves Sl. Family Species No. 1 Acanthaceae Hygrophila schulli: A rigid, erect herb with a whorl of 6 sharp thorns at each node, simple leaves and blue zygomorphic flowers (Figure 3.1). Widespread along the edges of coastal marshes. 2 Anacardiaceae Odina wodier (Kan: Gojjalu): A deciduous soft-wooded tree; pinnate compound leaves and panicle of small flowers when the tree is leafless in summer. More common near estuaries in Uttara Kannada and southern parts of Udupi district. 3 Apocynaceae . Cerbera manghas (Kan: Chende): Shrub or small tree with white latex and white flowers; green fruits appear like mangoes; older fruits fibrous (Figure 3.2 & 3.3) Found on coastal moist soils and on banks of tidal inlets all over Karnataka. Often planted along hedges in estuarine areas . Rauwolfia tetraphylla. Small shrub, growing gregariously; latex present; leaves of normally four in a whorl at the node. Fruits pea sized red berries. At Devbagh island in Kali estuary. 4 Arecaceae Borassus flabellifer (Kan: Talemara; Eng: Palmyra). This large, black- stemmed palm has terminal crown of large simple leaves; male and female palms separate; The female produces large fruit with 2-3 seeds (Figure 3.4). Somewhat widespread, but in small numbers, in the coastal plains of Udupi district. 5 Asteraceae Eclipta prostrata (Kan: Bhringaraj): Herb with white head of flowers. Moderately present on estuarine bunds and in adjoining fields. 6 Barringtoniaceae . Barringtonia acutangula (Kan: Holekavu, Samudraphal): Medium sized evergreen tree with pendant racemes of pink flowers; fruit bluntly 4 angled. Rare: At Hankon and Halaga Kali river bank. Barringtonia racemosa (Kan: Holekavu, Samudraphal): Small to medium tree with 15-30 cm long leaves and cream coloured flowers with pink stamens in long hanging inflorescences. Rare: Alongside backwaters with low salinity; Mulkod island and Kulkod in Sharavati river. At Karkimakki, on the bank of Aghanashini; Kali river bank at Siddar. 7 Bignoniaceae Dolichondron spathacea: Tree close to coastal swamps and rivers; white fragrant flowers, and long bean like compressed pods; flat seeds with Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute 22 Survey & documentation of Mangroves in Coastal Karnataka Sl. Family Species No. corky wings (Figures 3.5 & 3.6). Widely distributed alongside coastal swamps. 8 Capparidaceae Crateva magna: Small trees with alternate, trifoliate leaves, yellow flowers in terminal clusters, long free stamens and hard fruits (Figure 3.7). Rare: Towards upstream of Aghanashini, under more fresh water influx; at Mankon; Karkimakki. 9 Clusiaceae Calophyllum inophyllum (Kan: Honne): Large evergreen tree, with dark green leathery ovate leaves showing parallel veins, white, fragrant flowers with numerous stamens and greenish round, single seeded fruits (Figure 3.8). Widespread along the coast but numbers greatly diminished in recent years. 10 Convolvulaceae . Argeryia sp. Climber with large cordate leaves, funnel-shaped flowers and berry fruits. Found at Hangalur and Anagalli in Kundapur taluk . Ipomoea fistulosa: An introduced shrub running wild; many places of the coast. 11 Cyperaceae . Cyperus malaccensis: Tall sedge, more under fresh water influence (Figures 3.9 & 3.10). Fimbristylis ferruginea: A sedge that gregariously in coastal water- logged fields and edges of mangroves (Figure 3.11). Mariscus javanicus: A sedge that grows in large clumps along the margins of backwaters, leaves sharp edged and with rough surface (Figure 3.12). 12 Ebenaceae Diospyros embryopteris: Small, evergreen tree, with leathery leaves and guava sized, gummy fruits (Figure 3.13). Rare: On the bank of Aghanashini river, under greater fresh water influence, at Mankon. 13 Euphorbiaceae . Phyllanthus reticulata (Kirganalia reticulata): Gregarious shrub with small leaves, along the bank of coastal rivers. Trewia nudiflora (Kan: Kat-kumbla): Medium sized, soft wooded, deciduous tree with simple opposite leaves and greenish small flowers. Rare: Kali riverbank, at Sadhashivgad and Jugar. 14 Fabaceae . Acacia farnesiana (Kan: Kasturijali): Thorny bush or small tree; leaves with minute leaflets; flowers yellow, fragrant; pod dull, brown and inflated (Figure 3.14). On dry soils on the banks of estuaries in Kumta; Honmav, Moraba . Caesalpinia bonducella (Kan: Gajlekai): Woody climber; curved sharp prickles and bipinnate leaves; yellow, fragrant flowers; dark brown pod, 1-2 seeded (Figure 3.15). Rare: At Honmav, Kumta and Gangavali, Kali riverbank at Sadhashivgad. Caesalpinia crista: A woody climber with bipinnate compound leaves and sharp prickles. Flowers yellow; pod one seeded; common along the edges of estuaries, more prolifically growing in places where mangroves are degraded (Figure 3.16). Canavalia rosea: A climbing leguminous plant, common along the coast. Crotalaria retusa (Kan: Gejjegida, Sanapushpi): A herb with simple leaves with a notch at the tip and racemes of yellow flowers and inflated pods. On the bank of Kali river at Kadwad. Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute 23 Survey & documentation of Mangroves in Coastal Karnataka Sl. Family Species No. Crotalaria verrucosa: A herb with angular stem, simple leaves and racemes of blue flowers; pods inflated. Sparingly present along the coastal tract. Dalbergia spinosa: A woody, spinous climber; rare. Derris trifoliata (Kan: Handiballi): A woody climber with three to five leaflets and pinkish flowers (Figure 3.17). Most common associate of mangroves. Erythrina variegata (Kan: Haalivana, Hangaramara; Eng: Coral tree): Deciduous soft wooded tree; the bark surface covered with small dark prickles. Leaves 3-foliate; flowers bright red when the tree is leafless; pollinated by birds. Throughout the coast . Mucuna pruriens: A leguminous climber with trifoliate leaves and pods covered with stinging hairs (Figure 3.18). Kodi, Kundapur taluk. Pongamia pinnata (Kan: Hongay): A tree with pinnate leaves and single seeded flat, indehiscent pod (Figure 3.19). Throughout the coast in small numbers. 15 Lamiaceae Hyptis suaveolens: Strongly aromatic under shrub with opposite leaves and small blue flowers; common along the coast. 16 Lauraceae Cassytha filiformis: Yellowish to yellowish-green, wiry, leafless, parasitic, herb, present in masses over the host plants which range from ground level plants to shrubs and trees. 17 Malvaceae . Hibiscus tiliaceus (Eng: Changing rose): Shrub or small tree with simple, large, cordate leaves and yellow large flowers, changing to pink in the evening (Figure 3.20). Rare: Along the bank of Gangavali in Ankola taluk; at Mudnur; Mogta; Kali riverbank, at Hankon, Sadhashivgad and Siddar. Thespesia populnea (Kan: Hoovarase; Eng: Portia tree): A medium sized coastal tree with simple, heart shaped leaves on long stalks and yellow flowers (Figure 3.21). Observed sparingly at Haleyangidi and Chitrapu in Mulki taluk; Kalshanmotte island in Sharavati; Kali riverbank at Sadhashivgad and Makkeri. 18 Moraceae Ficus racemosa (Kan: Atti; Eng: Fig): Trees with milky latex and hollow, edible, fleshy false fruits. Found all along the coast in small numbers 19 Pandanaceae Pandanus fascicularis (Kan: Ketaki; Eng: Screwpine): Gregarious bushy plant that appears lie a palm; mostly shrub, sometimes a tree. Produces stilt roots; long, narrow leaves are strong and fibrous and their edges spinous. Male inflorescence with very fragrant bracts. Fruit large, multiple type, water-dispersed (Figure 3.22). Widely distributed along the coast. 20 Passifloraceae Passiflora foetida (Eng: Wild passion fruit): Tendril climber with lobed simple leaves and round fruits. Rare: Found at Hangallur in Kundapur taluk, Kali riverbank, at Makkeri. 21 Poaceae . Cynodon dactylon (Karki grass): Common in estuaries. Sporobolus virginicus: Perennial grass with very narrow leaves (Figure 3.23). Aghanashini estuary: Hubbankeri and Keppekurve 22 Rhamnaceae Zizyphus mauritiana (Kan: Bugarimara): A small spinous tree with simple leaves and orange-red edible fruits. Common. Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute 24 Survey & documentation of Mangroves in Coastal Karnataka Sl. Family Species No. 23 Rubiaceae . Anthocephalus kadamba (Kan: Kadamba): Large tree with big opposite leaves and round head of flowers the size of a badminton ball. Rare along the coast, Aghanashini estuary at Mankon. Morinda citrifolia (Kan: Ainshe, Tagase): Small tree with large, opposite, simple leaves, dense heads of white flowers and the inferior ovaries of which merge to form lemon sized multiple fruit; each fruit let is visible as a protrusion (Figure 3.24). Once common along the coast today it has become rare as it is a much sought after medicinal plant. Observed at Haleyangidi