Check List 10(4): 883–892, 2014 © 2014 Check List and Authors Chec List ISSN 1809-127X (available at www.checklist.org.br) Journal of species lists and distribution pecies S

of Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western ists L Ghats Jayanthi Palanisamy * and Rajendran Arumugam [email protected] Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore – 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India. * Corresponding author. E-mail: Abstract:

Qualitative floristic surveys were carried out to assess the floristic diversity of the Madukkarai Hills in the Southern Western Ghats of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. A total of 300 plant species belonging to 206 genera distributed among 72 families were enumerated. Poaceae were most dominant in surveys, with 24 genera and 35 species, followed by Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae (18 species each), Amaranthaceae (13 species) and Acanthaceae (12 species). Documenting the patterns of species diversity and distribution creates a valuable database; useful for implementing better management and conservation of tropical forests.

DOI: 10.15560/10.4.883

Introduction biodiversity hotspot of Coimbatore), with observation and

India possesses a rich biological diversity and collective of species in flowering and fruiting conditions. incorporates two megadiversity centres. However, large The name “Madukkarai” originated from the colloquial concern exists on the conservation and sustainable use of the Tamil words “Mathil” (means Great Wall) + utilization of these rich bioresources. To achieve “Karai” (means Shore); as it is situated along the hill sides the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) there of the Western Ghats. The habitats in which surveys were is unequivocal need for field studies to collect and conducted included dry deciduous forest, moist deciduous taxonomically document species information, as the first Floristicforest and survey scrub jungle forest. step to improving or launching conservation strategies. Regional floristic studies are thus integral, and can be achieved by intensive exploration of smaller areas. A series of extensive floristic surveys were conducted Preparation of the flora of smaller areas (such as districts, during September 2010 and August 2011. The collected protected areas, unexplored areas, etc.) is a pre-requisite specimens were identified with the help of available for the revision of the flora of a vast country like India. It monographs, taxonomicet literature,al and field keys (Hooker has been estimated that about 48,000 species of plants, 1972–1897; Gambleet al and Fischer 1915–1936; Nair and representing 10% of the world flora, are contained Henry, 1983; Henry . 1987; Chandrabose and Nair within the country — which is also the homeland of 167 1988; Henry . 1989; Matthew 1991; Santapu and important cultivated plant species, and 320 species of wild Henry 1994; Manickam and Irudayaraj 2003; Kabeer relatives of domesticated crops. and Nair 2009). Collected plant specimens were cross- The flora of Southern Western Ghats regions of checked for authentication at the Madras Herbarium (MH) Coimbatore and Nilgiri mountains were botanically of Botanical Survey of India, Southern Circle, Coimbatore, described by Gardener (1845), Lushington (1902), Fischer and Tamil Nadu. The identified voucher specimens were (1906, 1921) and Bladder (1908). The flora in Coimbatore deposited in 2011 at the Herbarium of Department of city and its environs was studied by Chandrabose (1967), ResultsBotany, Bharathiar and Discussion University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. and Chandrabose and Nair (1988) published the Flora of Species diversity Coimbatore. Some additions to the flora of Anamalai hills of Coimbatore district were compiled by Vajravelu and Joseph (1974). Excepting these, there remains no comprehensive In all, 300 plant species belonging to 206 genera and floristic account of the floristic diversity of Coimbatore, 72 families have been recorded from the area under study. particularly on the plants of the Madukkarai hills of The monocots were represented by 59 species belonging Coimbatore and its environs. Hence, the present study is to 35 genera and 7 families, and dicots contributing 241 the first account on a floristic diversity of Madukkarai Hills species belonging to 169 genera and 65 families. Based Materialsof Coimbatore and District Methods of Tamil Nadu. on habit classification of the enumerated plants, the Study site majority of species were herbs (176 species) followed by climbers (53 species), trees (39 species) and shrubs (32 species). The most species rich families included Poaceae, Qualitativeʹ floristic surveysʹ were conducted at regular as the dominant family with 24 genera and 35 species, intervals over an area of 10 km within the Madukkkarai followed by Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae (18 species Hills (10˚54 N, 76˚5 E Southern Western Ghats; a each), Amaranthaceae (13 species), Acanthaceae (12 883 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Bulletin Botanical Survey of India Chandrabose, M. 1967. Floristic studiesFlora in of CoimbatoreCoimbatore city and its species), Asteraceae (11 species) and Asclepiadaceae, environs. 23: 96–99. EndemicConvolvulaceae and Vulnerable and Lamiaceae taxa (10 species each). Chandrabose, M. and N.C. Nair, 1988. . Dehra Dun: Bishen SinghIndian Mahendra Forester Pal Singh. 356 pp. Fischer, C.E.C., 1906. Shrubs and trees of the evergreen sholas of North Acalypha alnifolia, Barleria buxifolia, Coimbatore. 32: 481–488.Records of Botanical survey CanthimIn the rheedei present, studyChlorophytum we report malabaricum 13 rare endemic, Cyanotis and Fischer,of India C. E. C. 1921. A survey of the flora of the Anamalai Hills in the vulnerable species: Coimbatore District, Madras Presidency. Flora of the Presidency Madras. tuberosa, Dolichandrone atrobirens, Sesamum lacianatum, 9(1): 1–218. Argyreia pomacea Caralluma Gamble, J. S. and C.E.C. Fischer. 1915–1936. diffusa, Barleria acuminata Grewia Vols. 1–3. Calcutta: Botanical Survey of India. 2017 pp. (Reprinted (endemic to peninsular India), 1957; London: AdlardLondon & Co. Journal London). of Botany heterotrica Jasminum Gardner, G. 1845. On the botanical visits to Madras,Flora Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu, and malabaricum (endemic to south India), NilgiriIndia: Series Mountains. I: Analysis. 4: 393–551. Chloroxylon (endemicswietenia to the Western Ghats), Henry, A.N., V. Chithra, and N.P. Balakrishnan. 1989. (endemic to the South Western Ghats), and Vol. 3. Coimbatore:Flora Botanical of Tamil Survey Nadu, of India:India. Series171 pp. I Analysis (vulnerable). This classificationGloriosa of Henry, A.N., Kumari, G.R. and V. Chithra. 1987. superbaspecies occurrence status follows the flowering plants of : . Vol.Flora 2. Coimbatore: of British India.Botanical Survey of India. 258 area,Kerala and by Sasidharan (2004). Notable among these, pp. Choloroxylon swietenia Hooker, J.D. 1972–1897. A Handbook of FieldVol. and 1–7.Herbarium Ashford: Methods Reeve L. is a critically endangered species in the study and Co. 5568 pp. DC. a vulnerable endemic. Jain, S.K., and R.R. Rao. 1976. Flora of Tamil Nadu-Grasses . New Delhi: Today and Tomorrows Publishers. 157 pp. Kabeer, K.A.A. and V.J. Nair. 2009. . Coimbatore:Indian Documenting the patterns of species diversity and ForesterBotanical Survey of India. 525 pp. their distribution creates a valuable database, useful for Lushington, A.W. 1902. Hill forests of . thePteridophyte North Coimbatore. Flora of Nilgiris, implementing better management and conservation of South India. 28: 134–150. Manickam, V.S. and V. Irudayaraj,An Excursion 2003 Flora of Central Tamil Nadu tropical forests. This holds particularly true for the patchy Dehra Dun: Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh. hill complexes of southern Western Ghats. Presently, many Matthew, K.M. 1991. Flora of Tamil Nadu: Series I: Analysis. . forest sites of southern Western Ghats are subjected to Thiruchirappalli: Rapinat Herbarium. 682 pp. Nair, N.C., and A.N. Henry. 1983. A Dictionary of the Flowering PlantsVol. in various anthropogenic pressures. Data of plant diversity, 1.India Coimbatore: Botanical Survey of India. 184 pp. such as presented in the current study on trees and shrubs Santapau, H., and A.N. Henry.Flowering 1994. Plants of Kerala will be useful in highlighting the importance of these . New Delhi: CSIR. 198 pp. Sasidharan, N. 2004. . Kerala Forest Reechi, Acknowledgments: forests for species conservation and forest management. Kerala: Research Institute. 597 pp. Bulletin Botanical Survey of India Vajravelu, E. and J. Joseph. 1974. Additions to the flora of Anamalai Hills, The authors are grateful to the Department of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore for providing laboratory 13(3–4): 264–273. facilities, immense help and support, and also extend the sincere thanks Literatureto UGC-RGNF Cited who provide the financial support for this study.

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Science Monograph Submitted: June 2013 Arora, R.K. and E. R. Nayar. 1984. Wild relatives of crop plantsJournal in India. of Accepted: February 2014 the Bombay Natural History Society 7: 90. Published Online: September 2014 Blatter, E. 1908. Contribution to the Flora of North Coimbatore. Editorial Responsibility: Paul A. Egan 8: 390–429. Table 1.

BOTANICAL Biodiversity NAMEof Madukkarai hills of Southern Western Ghats in Coimbatore. T – Tree; S – Shrub; Cl – Climber; H – Herb. Abrus precatorius Common S. No. Family name Habit Status Vernacular name Abutilon hirtum Malvaceae Rare 1 Wall. Fabaceae CL Kundumani Abutilon indicum Malvaceae Common 2 (L.) Sweet. S Vadathutti Acacia ferruginea . Mimosaceae T Rare Velvelam 3 (L.) Sweet. S Thutti Acacia leucophloea Mimosaceae T Rare Velamaram 4 DC Acacia nilotica Mimosaceae T Rare 5 (Roxb) Willd. Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Endemic 6 (L.) Willd. Karu- velamaram Acalypha indica Common 7 Willd. Euphorbiaceae H – Achyranthes aspera Amaranthaceae Common 8 L. Euphorbiaceae H Kuppaimeni Aegle marmelos T Common Vivam 9 L. H Nai-uruvi Aerva lanata Amaranthaceae Common 10 (L.) Corr. Rutaceae Aerva monsoniae Amaranthaceae Rare 11 (L.) A.L.Juss. H Poolapoo Agave augustifolia Common Kathalai 12 (Retz.) Mart. H Perumpoolai Agave cantula Common 13 Haw. Agavaceae S Ageratum conyzoides Asteraceae Common 14 Robx. Agavaceae S Anakathalai Alangium salvifolium T Rare 15 L. H Pumppillu Albizia odoratissima .mollis Mimosaceae T Rare 16 (L.f.) Wang. Alangiaceae Alangi Aloe barbadensis Rare 17 (L.f.) Benth.var Benth. Sowndal Alternanthera pungens Amaranthaceae Common 18 Miller. Liliaceae H Chotthu kathalai Alternanthera sessilis Amaranthaceae Common 19 H. B. K. H Mul-poonanganny Alysicarpus monilifer Common 20 (L.) R.Br. H Poonanganny 21 (L.) DC. Fabaceae H Kaasukkodi 884 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Table 1. Continued. BOTANICAL NAME Alysicarpus rugosus Common S. No. Family name Habit Status Vernacular name Amaranthus caudatus Amaranthaceae Common 22 (Willd.) DC. Fabaceae H Sangupoo Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthaceae Common 23 L. H – Amaranthus tricolor Amaranthaceae Common 24 L. H Mullu- keerai Amaranthus viridis Amaranthaceae Common 25 L. H Sirukkeerai Ampelocissus tomentosa Vitaceae Rare 26 ex L. H Kuppaikeerai 27 Anacardium occidentale Anacardiaceae TCL Rare – (Heyne Roth) Planch. Andrographis echioides Acanthaceae Common 28 L. Mundiri Andrographis paniculata Acanthaceae Rare 29 (L.) Nees. H Koburam thanki Andropogon pumilus Common 30 (Burm. f.) Wall. H Nila-vembu Anisochilus carnosus Rare 31 Roxb. Poaceae H Panni-korai Anisomeles malabarica Rare 32 (L.f.) Wall. Lamiaceae H Saetruppun thazhai Annona squamosa Annonaceae T Rare 33 (L.) R. Br. Lamiaceae H Peyameratti Apluda mutica Common 34 L. Sita pazham Argemone mexicana Common 35 L. Poaceae H Moongil pul Argyreia pomacea Choisy Endemic 36 L. Papaveraceae H Nai-Kadugu Aristida adscencionis Common 37 (Roxb.) Convolvulaceae CL – Aristida setacea Common 38 L. Poaceae H Cheevam pul Aristolochia indica Aristolochiaceae Common 39 Retz. Poaceae H Thudappam pullu Asparagus asiaticus Common 40 L. CL Perumarunthakodi Asparagus fysoni Rare 41 L. Liliaceae CL – Asparagus racemosus Common 42 Macbr. Liliaceae CL – Asystasia gangetica Acanthaceae Common 43 Willd. Liliaceae CL Thanneervittan kizhangu Atalantia monophylla T 44 (L.) T. H Meddaykeerai Azadirachta indica Meliaceae T Common Veepamaram 45 (L.) Correa Rutaceae Sporadic Kattu elumichai Barleria acuminata Acanthaceae Endemic 46 A. Juss. Barleria buxifolia Acanthaceae Endemic 47 Nees. H – Barleria cristata Acanthaceae Common 48 L. H – Barleria cuspidata ex Acanthaceae Common 49 L. H Kattu-kanagambaram Barleria prionitis Acanthaceae Common Kodippachalai 50 Heyne Nees. H Chillimul Begonia malabarica Rare 51 L. H Bidens pilosa Asteraceae Rare 52 Lam. Begoniaceae H Sengurungu Biophytum sensitivum 53 L. H – Blepharis repens Acanthaceae 54 (L.) DC. Oxalidaceae H Sporadic Mukkuthipoodu Boerhavia diffusa Common 55 (Vahl) Roth. H Sporadic – Boerhavia erecta Common 56 L. Nyctaginaceae H Mookkaratti Borassus flabellifer Arecaceae T 57 L. Nyctaginaceae H – Brachiaria distachya Common 58 L. Sporadic Panai Brachiaria ramosa Common 59 (L.) Stapf. Poaceae H Murungal pul Brachiaria remota Common 60 (L.) Stapf. Poaceae H Sanam pul Brachiaria reptans Common 61 (Retz.) Haines. Poaceae H Shanipullu Brassica juncea Brassicaceae Common 62 (L.) C.A.Gardner Poaceae H – Bulbostylis barbata Cyperaceae Common 63 (L.) Czern. H Kadugu Bulbostylis puberula Cyperaceae Common 64 (Rottb.) Clarke. H Mukkuthikorei Caesalpinia pulcherrima Caesalpinaceae 65 (Poir) Clarke H – Calotropis gigantea Asclepiadaceae Common 66 (L.) Sw. S Sporadic Mayilkonnai Calotropis procera Asclepiadaceae Rare 67 (L.) R. Br. S Yerukku Canavalia mollis 68 (Ait.) R.Br. S Vellerukku Canavalia virosa 69 Wallich. Fabaceae CL Sporadic – Canthium parviflorum T Rare Karay cheddi 70 (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. Fabaceae CL Sporadic – Canthium rheedi Endemic 71 Lam. Rubiaceae Capparis sepiaria Capparidaceae Rare 72 DC. Rubiaceae S – Caralluma adscendens Asclepiadaceae Common 73 L. CL Karunjurai Caralluma diffusa Asclepiadaceae Endemic 74 (Roxb.) Haw. H Muyalkombuchedi Cardiospermum canescens Rare 75 (Wight) N. E. Br. H – Cardiospermum halicacabum Rare 76 Wall. Sapindaceae CL Peria- Mudakkathan Cassia auriculata Caesalpinaceae Common Aavaram 77 L. Sapindaceae CL Mudakkathan Cassia fistula Caesalpinaceae T Rare Konnai 78 L. S Cassia occidentalis Caesalpinaceae Common 79 L. 80 L. H Pei- avarai 885 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Table 1. Continued. BOTANICAL NAME Cassia siamea Caesalpinaceae T Malai avarai S. No. Family name Habit Status Vernacular name Catharanthus pusillus Apocynaceae Common 81 Lam. Sporadic Catharanthus roseus Apocynaceae Rare 82 (Murr.) G. Don. H Paalai chetthai Celosia cristata Amaranthaceae Rare 83 (L.) G. Don. H Nithyakalyani Cenchrus ciliaris Rare 84 L. H Kolikondai Cereus pterogonus Cactaceae Rare 85 L. Poaceae H Kolukkattai-pullu Ceropegia juncea Asclepiadaceae 86 Lemaire S Ottha kalli Chloris bournei 87 Roxb. CL Sporadic – Chloris inflata Common 88 Rang. & Tadul. Poaceae H Sporadic Peria kuruttu pul Chloris montana Common 89 Link. Poaceae H Kodai pullu Chlorophytum tuberosum Rare 90 Roxb. Poaceae H – Chloroxylon swietenia T 91 (Roxb.) Baker. Liliaceae H Kalkilangu Chorophytum malabaricum Endemic 92 DC. Flinderaceae Vulnerable Porasu Chromolaena odorata Asteraceae Common 93 Baker. Liliaceae H – Chrysopogon fulvus Common 94 (L.) King & Robinson H – Cipadessa baccifera Meliaceae Rare 95 (Spreng.) Chiov. Poaceae H Cholappullu Cissampelos pareira hisuta ex Menispermaceae Common 96 (Roth.) Miq. S Pulippan chedi 97 Cissus quadrangula L. var. (Buch. - Ham. DC.) Vitaceae CL Common Urikka kodi Forman Cissus setosa Vitaceae 98 L. CL Perandai Cleome gynandra Cleomaceae Common 99 Roxb. CL Sporadic – Cleome viscosa Cleomaceae Common 100 L. H Nallavelai Clitoria ternatea 101 L. H Naivelai Coccinia grandis Kovai 102 L. Fabaceae CL Sporadic – Cocculus hirsutus Menispermaceae 103 (L.) Voigt. Cucurbitaceae CL Sporadic Commelina benghalensis Commelinaceae Common 104 (L.) Diels. CL Sporadic Kattukodi Commiphora berryi 105 L. H Kanavaazhai Commiphora caudata T Rare 106 (Arn.) Engler Burseraceae S Sporadic Mullukiluvai Corallocarpus epigaceus Common 107 (Wight & Arn.) Engler. Burseraceae Kiluvai Corchorus aestuans Tiliaceae Common 108 (Rotti. & Wiild.) Clarke Cucurbitaceae CL Akashagaruden Corchorus capsularis Tiliaceae Common 109 L. H – Corchorus trilocularis Tiliaceae 110 L. H – Cronton bonplandianum 111 L. H Sporadic – Crossandra infundibuliformis Acanthaceae 112 Baill. Euphorbiaceae H Sporadic Reilpoondu Crotalaria calycina Rare 113 (L.) Nees. H Sporadic Kanagambaram Crotalaria laburnifolia 114 Schrank. Fabaceae H Kilikondrai Crotalaria mysorensis 115 L. Fabaceae S Sporadic – Crotalaria verrucosa Common 116 Roth. Fabaceae H Sporadic – Cucumis dipsaceus Rare 117 L. Fabaceae H Gilukiluppai Cucumis trigonus Rare 118 Ehrenb. Cucurbitaceae CL – Curculigo orchiodes Rare 119 Roxb. Cucurbitaceae CL Peya kumutti Cyanotis arachnoidea Commelinaceae 120 Gaertn. Hypoxidaceae H Nilappanaikizhangu Cyanotis cristata Commelinaceae 121 Clarke H Sporadic – Cynotis diffusa Commelinaceae 122 (L.) D. Don. H Sporadic – Cynotis fasiculata ex Commelinaceae 123 Burm.f. H Sporadic – Cyanotis tuberosa Commelinaceae Endemic 124 (Heyne Roth.) Schult. H Sporadic – Cyanotis villosa Commelinaceae 125 (Roxb.) Schult. H – Cymbopogon caesius ex 126 (Spreng.) Schult. H Sporadic – Cymbopogon martinii 127 (Nees Hook. & Arn.) Stapf. Poaceae H Sporadic Kamakshi pullu Cynodon dactylon Common 128 (Roxb.) in At. K. Gaz. Poaceae H Sporadic Kanam pullu Cyperus rotundus Cyperaceae 129 (L.) Pers. Poaceae H Arugam pullu Cyperus triceps Cyperaceae 130 L. H Sporadic Panni-korai Dactylotenium aegyptium Common 131 (Rottb.) Endl. H Sporadic – Datura metal Common 132 (L.) Willd. Poaceae H – Datura quercifolia Rare 133 L. Solanaceae H Velladi-umathi Dendrophthoe falcatas 134 H.B.K. Solanaceae H – Desmodium triflorum 135 (L.f.) Etting. Loranthaceae H Sporadic Pulluruvi Dichrostachys cinerea Mimosaceae T Vedathalaa 136 (L.) DC. Fabaceae H Sporadic Air pullai Didymocarpus tomentosa Rare 137 (L.) Wight & Arn. Sporadic Digera muricata Amaranthaceae 138 Wight Gesneriaceae H – 139 (L.) Mart. H Sporadic Thoyya keerai 886 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Table 1. Continued. BOTANICAL NAME Digitaria ciliaris S. No. Family name Habit Status Vernacular name Dodonaea viscosa Velari 140 (Retz.) Koeler. Poaceae H Sporadic Arisi pullu Dolichadrone atrovirens ex T Endemic 141 (L.) Jacq. Sapindaceae S Sporadic Ecbolium viride Acanthaceae 142 (Heyne Roth.) Spregue. Bignoniaceae Pumbadri Echinochloea colona Common 143 (Forssk.) Alston H Sporadic Nilambari Eclipta prostrata Asteraceae Rare 144 (L.) Link. Poaceae H Karumpullu Elephantopus scaber Asteraceae Rare Anashovadi 145 (L.) Mant. H Karisalanganni Enneapogon schimperanus ex Common 146 L. H Eragrostiella bifaria Common 147 (Hochst. A. Rich.) Renv. Poaceae H - Eragrostis amabilis Common 148 (Vahl) Bor Poaceae H Oothu pul Eriochloa procera Common 149 (L.) W.& A. Poaceae H Poopul Eulophia epidendrea 150 (Retz.) C.E. Poaceae H Karungani pullu Euphorbia antiquorum Common 151 (Koen.) Schltr. Orchidaceae H Sporadic - Euphorbia hirta Common Amanpatchaiarisi 152 L. Euphorbiaceae S Sadura-kalli Euphorbia tirucalli Common 153 L. Euphorbiaceae H Euphorbia tortilis 154 L. Euphorbiaceae CL Thiru- kalli Evolvulus alsinoides 155 Rottl. Euphorbiaceae S Sporadic Thirugukkalli Ficus benghalensis Moraceae T Rare Alamaram 156 L. Convolvulaceae H Sporadic Vishnukarandi Ficus racemosa Moraceae T Rare Atthi 157 L. Ficus religiosa Moraceae T Rare Arasamaram 158 L. Fimbristylis cymosa Cyperaceae Common 159 L. Fimbristylis ovata Cyperaceae Common 160 R.Br. H – Garcinia indica T 161 (Burm.) Kern. H – Givotia rottleriformis T 162 (Thouars) Choisy Clusiaceae Sporadic – Glinus oppositifolius Common 163 Griff. Euphorbiaceae Sporadic – Gloriosa superba Rare 164 (L.) DC. Molluginaceae H – Glossocardia bosvallea Asteraceae 165 L. Liliaceae CL Sengathal Gomphrena celosioides Amaranthaceae Common 166 (L.f.) DC. H Sporadic – Gomphrena globosa Amaranthaceae Vadamalli 167 Mart. H Pacha- Vadamalli Grewia heterotricha Tiliaceae Endemic 168 L. H Sporadic Grewia rhamnifolia Tiliaceae 169 . Mast. CL – Grewia tiliafolia Tiliaceae Rare 170 Heyne S Sporadic – Gymnema sylvestre Asclepiadaceae 171 Willd S – Gyrocarpus americanus Rare 172 (Retz.) R. Br. CL Sporadic Kannuminnayam kodi Heliotropium marifolium 173 Jacq. Hernandiaceae S Tanakku Heteropogon contortus Common 174 Retz. Boranginaceae H Sporadic Thael Kodukkupoodu Hibiscus ovalifolius Malvaceae 175 (L.) P. Beauv. Poaceae H Oosipul Hibiscus panduriformis Malvaceae 176 (Forsk.) Vahl. H Sporadic Aruva- mookukerai Holoptelea integrifolia Ulmaceae T Rare Avimaram 177 Burm. H Sporadic – Hybanthus enneaspermus Violaceae 178 (Roxb.) Planch. Hydrophylax maritima Common 179 (L.) F.V. Muell. H Sporadic Orilai thamarai Hyptis suaveolens 180 L.f. Rubiaceae H – Ichnocarpus frutescens Apocynaceae 181 (L.) Poir. Lamiaceae H Sporadic – Indigofera linnaei Common 182 (L.) R. Br. CL Sporadic – Indigofera nummularifolia Common 183 Ali. Fabaceae H Seppunerinji Ipomea pes-trigridis Common 184 (L.) Livera. Fabaceae H – Ipomoea indica Rare 185 L. Convolvulaceae CL Punnaikkirai Ipomoea obscura Common 186 (Burm.f.) Merr. Convolvulaceae CL – Ipomoea sepiaria ex Rare 187 (L.) Ker-Gawl. Convolvulaceae CL Siruttalai Ipomoea staphylina 188 Koenig Roem. Convolvulaceae CL Talikkirai Ipomoea wightii Rare 189 Roem. & Schult. Convolvulaceae CL Sporadic Oonankodi Jasminum angustifolium Rare 190 (Wall) Choisy Convolvulaceae CL – Jasminum azoricum Rare Ramar banam 191 (L.) Willd. Oleaceae CL Kattumalligai Jasminum malabaricum Endemic 192 L. Oleaceae CL Jatropha curcas Common Kottai chedi 193 Wight. Oleaceae CL – Jatropha gossypifolia Aatalai 194 L. Euphorbiaceae S Jatropha villosa 195 L. Euphorbiaceae S Sporadic Justicia tranquebariensis Acanthaceae 196 Wight Euphorbiaceae S Sporadic Thanakku Kalanchoe pinnata Rare 197 L. f. H Sporadic Sivanarvembu Kedrostis foetidissima Rare 198 (Lam.) Pers. Crassulaceae H Runakalli 199 (Jacq.) Cogn. Cucurbitaceae CL Appakovai 887 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Table 1. Continued. BOTANICAL NAME Lantana camara aculeata Verbenaceae Unichedi S. No. Family name Habit Status Vernacular name Lantana wightiana Verbenaceae 200 L. var. (L.) Moldenke. S Sporadic Leptadenia reticulata Asclepiadaceae 201 Wall. H Sporadic – Leucas aspera 202 (Retz.) Wight & Arn. CL Sporadic Paalaikeerai Martynia annua Martyniaceae Common 203 (Willd.) Link. Lamiaceae H Sporadic Thumbai Melia azedarach Meliaceae T Rare 204 L. H Thelkodukkukai Merremia tridentata Common 205 L. Malai vempu Mimosa pudica Mimosaceae Rare 206 (L.) Hall. Convolvulaceae H – Morinda coreia T 207 L. H Thottal-surungi Moringa concanensis T 208 Buch. Rubiaceae Sporadic Sayamaram Mukia madraspatana Common 209 Nimmo. Moringaceae Sporadic Kattumurungai Nyctanthes arbor-tristis T Rare 210 (L.) M. Roem. Cucurbitaceae CL Musumusukkai Ocimum americanum Common 211 L. Nyctaginaceae Pavalamalli Ocimum basilicum 212 L. Lamiaceae H – Ocimum canum 213 L. Lamiaceae H Sporadic Karunthulasi Ocimum tenuifolium 214 Sims. Lamiaceae H Sporadic Nai-thulasi Oldenlandia corymbosa Rare 215 L. Lamiaceae H Sporadic Thulsi Opunti stricta Cactaceae 216 L. Rubiaceae H Parpadagam Orthosiphon aristatu 217 (Haw.) Haw. S Sporadic Sappathikalli Oxalis corniculata 218 (Blume) Miq. Lamiaceae H Sporadic – Panicum curviflorum 219 L. Oxalidaceae H Sporadic Pulivayilai Panicum maximum Common 220 Hornem. Poaceae H Sporadic Samai-karunai Parthinium hysterophorus Asteraceae Common 221 Jacq. Poaceae H Ginio pullu Passiflora foetida 222 L. H Vesapoodu Pavonica zeylanica Malvaceae 223 L. Passifloraceae CL Sporadic Mupparisavally Pedalium murex 224 (L.) Car. H Sporadic Sithamuthi Pennisetum hohenakeri 225 L. Pedaliaceae H Sporadic Perunerunji Pergularia daemia Asclepiadaceae Common 226 Hochst. Poaceae H Sporadic Manja pullu Perotis indica Common 227 (Forssk.) Chiov. CL Verlipparuthi Phyllanthus amarus Common 228 (L.) Kuntze. Poaceae H Nari vaal pul Phyllanthus maderaspatensis 229 Schum.& Thonn. Euphorbiaceae H Kizhaanelli Phyllanthus reticulatus 230 Poir. Euphorbiaceae H Sporadic Mezhaanelli Phyllanthus virgatus 231 L. Euphorbiaceae S Sporadic – Physalis minima Rare 232 Forst. Euphorbiaceae H Sporadic – Pilea microphylla Urticaceae Rare 233 L. Solanaceae H Sodakkuthakkaali Pithacellobium dulce Mimosaceae T Rare 234 (L.) Liebm. H – Plectranthus barbatus 235 (Rob.) Benth. Kodukkapuli Pleurostylia opposita Celestraceae T 236 Andrews. Lamiaceae H Sporadic Poolankilangu Plumbago zeylanica Common 237 (Wallich) Alston Sporadic Chirupivari Polycarpaea corymbosa Caryophyllaceae Common 238 L. Plumbaginaceae H Chithiramulam Polygala chinensis 239 (L.) Lam. H – Polygala rosmarinifolia 240 L. Polygalaceae H Sporadic – Portulaca pilosa 241 Wight & Arn. Polygalaceae H Sporadic – Pouzolzia zeylanica Urticaceae 242 L. Portulacaceae H Sporadic – Premna corymbosa Verbenaceae Rare 243 (L.) Benn. H Sporadic Kallurki Premna tomentosa Verbenaceae T 244 (Burm.f.) Rottl. S Nalla pinna Prosopis cineraria Mimosaceae T Rare 245 Willd. Sporadic Malai thaekku Prosopis juliflora Mimosaceae T Common 246 (L.) Druce Seemaimul Psilanthus wightianus Vaedan 247 (Sw) DC. Mul Pterolobium hexapetalum Caesalpinaceae 248 (Wight & Arn.) J. Rubiaceae S Sporadic Rhynchosia densiflora 249 (Roth.) Sant. CL Sporadic Karuindu Rhynchosia minima Rare Chittavarai 250 (Roth) DC. Fabaceae CL Sporadic – Ricinus communis Rare 251 (L.) DC. Fabaceae CL Rivea hypocrateriformis Rare 252 L. Euphorbiaceae S Aamanakku Rorippa indica Brassicaceae 253 (Desr.) Choisy Convolvulaceae CL Masuttikodi Sansevieria roxburghiana 254 (L.) Hiern. H Sporadic Kattukadugu Santalum album T Rare 255 Schult. & Schult. Agavaceae H Sporadic Marul Sarcostemma brunonianum Asclepiadaceae 256 L. Santalaceae Sandhanam Sebastiania chamaelea 257 Wight & Arn. CL Sporadic Kodikkalli 258 Sehima nervosum (L.) Euphorbiaceae H Sporadic – Muell. 259 (Rottl.) Stapfin Prain. Poaceae H Sporadic Kuraitti 888 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Table 1. Continued. BOTANICAL NAME Sesamum laciniatum Klein ex Endemic S. No. Family name Habit Status Vernacular name Sesamum orientale Common 260 Willd. Pedaliaceae H Kattu- ellu Setaria intermediata Common 261 L. Pedaliaceae H Ellu Setaria pumila Common 262 Roem. & Schultes. Poaceae H – Setaria verticillata Common 263 (Poir.) Roem. & Schultes. Poaceae H Korai pullu Sida cordata Malvaceae Common 264 (L.) P.Beauv. Poaceae H – Sida cordifolia Malvaceae Common 265 (Burm.f) Borssum H Palampasi Sida rhombifolia Malvaceae 266 L. H Nila –thuthi Solanum pubescens 267 L. H Sporadic Chitramutti Solanum trilobatum Rare 268 Willd. Solanaceae H Sporadic Kattusundai Spermacoce hispida Common 269 L. Solanaceae CL Thooduvalai Sporobolus indicus flaccidus Rare 270 L. Rubiaceae H – 271 Stachytarpheta jamaicensis(L.) R. Br. var. (Roem. & VerbenaceaePoaceae H Rare – Schult.) Veldkamp. Strychnos potatorum T 272 (L.) Vahl. H Seemai-Nayuruvi Tagetes erecta Asteraceae Rare 273 L.f. Loganiaceae Sporadic Tettan- kottai Tamarindus indica Caesalpinaceae T Rare 274 L. H Kuruvichendu Tarenna asiatica Thaerani 275 L. Puli Tecoma stans 276 (L.) Kuntze. Rubiaceae S Sporadic Theprosia purpurea 277 (L.) Kunth. Bignoniaceae S Sporadic Thangarali Thevetia peruviana Apocynaceae Rare 278 (L.) Pers. Fabaceae H Sporadic Kolinji Tinospora cordifolia Menispermaceae Chintil 279 (Pers.) K. S Ponnarali Toddalia asiatica 280 (Willd.) Miers. CL Sporadic Trachys muricata 281 (L.) Lam. Rutaceae CL Sporadic – Tragia involucrata Rare Mapatan 282 (L.) Pers. Poaceae H Sporadic Vennai thiraatti pul Tribulus lanuginosus orientalis Common 283 L. Euphorbiaceae CL Trichodesma indicum Common 284 L. var. (Kerner) Nayar Zygophyllaceae H Nerungi Trichodesma zeylanicum Common 285 (L.) R. Br. Boranginaceae H Kavizh-thumbai Tridax procumbents Asteraceae Common 286 (Burm.f.) R. Br. Boranginaceae H – Tylophora indica Asclepiadaceae 287 L. H Vettukkaayathalai Urena lobata Malvaceae 288 (Burm.f. ) Merr. CL Sporadic Nangilaippirattai Vanda spathulata Rare 289 L. H Sporadic Ottatti Vernonia cinerea Asteraceae Common 290 Spreng. Orchidaceae H – Vicoa indica Asteraceae 291 (L.) Less. H Mukuthipoodu Vigna aconitifolia Common 292 (L.) Less. H Sporadic Jimikipoo Vigna trilobata 293 (Jacq.) Mar. Fabaceae CL Thulukka-payir Viola pilosa Violaceae Rare 294 (L.) Verd. Fabaceae CL Sporadic Nari -payaru Vitex Verbenaceae Rare 295 Blume. H Nilaisedachi Waltheria indica 296 negundo L. S Nochi Wrightia tinctoria Apocynaceae T 297 L. Sterculiaceae H Sporadic Shembudu Ziziphus mauritiana Rhamnaceae T Rare Yellanthai 298 (Roxb.) R. Br. Sporadic Nilapalai Ziziphus oenoplia Rhamnaceae T 299 Lam. Actiniopteris radiata Actiniopteridaceae 300 (L.) Miller. Sporadic Kottai-ilanthai Adiantum incisum Adiantaceae Rare 301 (Sw.) Link H Sporadic – Cheilanthes swartzii Cheilanthaceae Rare 302 Forssk. H – Marsilea minuta Marsileaceae Rare 303 Webb. H – Bryum argenteum Bryaceae Rare 304 L. H – Cyathodium aureonites Rare 305 P. Beauv. H – Riccia crystallina Ricciaceae Rare 306 (Griff.) Mitt. Targioniaceae H – 307 L. H –

889 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Plate 1

Acalypha alnifolia Argyreia pomacea Choisy

A: Klein. B:

Aristolochia indica Begonia malabarica

C: L. D: Lam.

Caralluma diffusa Cardiospermum canescens

E: N. E. Br. F: Wallich.

Crotalaria laburnifolia Dendrophthoe falcatas

G: L. H: Etting

890 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Plate 2

Grewia rhamnifolia Lantana wightiana

A: Heyne B: Wallich

Pterolobium hexapetalum Rivea hypocarteriformis Choisy

C: Sant. D:

Vanda spathulata Wrightia tinctoria

E: Spreng F: R. Br.

Cheilanthes swartzii Cyathodium aureonites

G: Webb. H: Mitt.

891 Palanisamy and Arumugam | Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Plate 3

Diverse views of Madukkarai Hills.

892