Observations on the Vascular Wall Flora of Some Temples of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, South India

International Journal of Modern Biology and Medicine, 2013, 4(1): 40-53 International Journal of Modern Biology and Medicine ISSN: 2165-0136 Journal homepage: www.ModernScientificPress.com/Journals/IJBioMed.aspx Florida, USA Communication Observations on the Vascular Wall Flora of Some Temples of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, South India

K. Sankar Ganesh 1, *, M. Nagarajan 1, S. Rajasekaran 1, M. Rajesh 1, P. Sundaramoorthy 2

1 Department of Botany, A.V.C. College, Mannampandal, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]

Article history: Received 21 May 2013, Received in revised form 24 June 2013, Accepted 30 June 2013, Published 8 July 2013.

Abstract: No life can be expected on earth without vegetation, but the growth of plants on historical monuments and temples can cause serious problems. The problem can be quit serious in tropical countries like India where the climatic condition is favorable for plant growth. Therefore, one of the major tasks before the present generation is to rise to the challenge for preserving the vast and varied cultural properties for future generations. So an attempt was made on the survey of floras grown on the walls of some familiar temples in Mayiladuthurai, one of the important towns in Tamil nadu, South India. In this survey a total of 31 plants belonging to 22 families were observed. Among the 31 genus, 40 species were recorded. Out of the 40 species, 35 species were Dicotyledons and remaining 5 species were Monocotyledons.

Keywords: wall flora; monuments; seed dispersal; eradication; chemicals.

1. Introduction

Tamil Nadu has a great tradition of history and culture. In ancient, early medieval and medieval period, a number of dynasties ruled over the Tamil Land. Many of those rulers were very fond of art and architecture and gave generous patronage to men of letter, sculptors, architects and artists. This saw the Tamil land becoming a hub of many beautiful and amazing monuments and temples which

Copyright © 2013 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Modern Biol. Med. 2013, 4(1): 40-53 41 attract tourists from all over the world. As a result of such great culture achievements, the state of Tamil Nadu is referred to as the cradle of Dravidian culture, an ancient culture distinguished by unique languages and customs. Many towns and cities of Tamil Nadu are associated with beautiful monuments and temples. Mayiladuthurai is one of those places in Tamil Nadu. In mayiladuthurai and surrounding places many temples are situated. Among these temples Sri Mayuranathar temple, Sri Kasi Vishwanathar temple, Sri Parimala Ranganathar temple, Sri Vallalar temple and Sri Ramar temple are of the most important temples in mayiladuthurai. Many bilgrimis visit these temples every day. Now, the beautifulness of the temples has been degraded day by day, because the floras are growing on the walls and towers. Wall flora is referred as, the flora grown on buildings, temples, house remains or their surrounding areas (Nedelcheva and Vesileva, 2009; Sankar Ganesh et al., 2009). Walls may be generally categorized into 5 types: (i) brick cement wall, (ii) stone cement wall, (iii) brick mud wall, (iv) stone mud wall, and (v) mud wall. In the brick cement wall and stone cement wall, the cementing material used is cement, while in the brick mud wall and stone mud wall the cementing material used is mud. The mud wall is purely made of mud. Plants of herbaceous habits are the chief representatives of wall flora (Singh, 2011a). Walls represent a specific environment for growing plants, which is partly similar to rocks and rock fissures (Woodell, 1979). The flora of wall habitats has received little attention in the past (Karschon and Weinistein, 1985; Lisci and Paccini, 1993; Kolbek, 1997; Tripathy et al., 1999; Wojcikowska and Galera, 2005; Pavlova and Tonkov, 2005; Iatrou et al., 2007; Ezer et al., 2008; Maxwell 2009; Altay et al., 2010; Singh, 2010, 2011b). Walls are man - made artificial habitats. Generally the walls having cracks and crevices often favor of the growth and development of plant species. The wall plants are the result of spontaneous colonization unassisted by human actions. The birds and animals disperse the seeds through their excreta on the temple walls and old house walls. When the conditions are favorable, the seeds germinate and become a plant on the same place (Nadelcheva, 2011; Singh, 2011c). In India, especially Tamil Nadu the study of wall floras is very meager. The study of the wall flora is of special importance for the maintenance and preservation of archeological monuments. As a result, data on the vascular flora of important tTemples in Mayiladuthurai is completely lacking. So an investigation was made on the survey of wall flora in certain temples of Mayiladuthurai - an important city in Tamil Nadu.

2. Materials and Methods

The present study deals with the floras growing on walls of certain famous temples in

Mayiladuthurai.

2.1. Site description

Mayiladuthurai is one of the famous cities in Tamil Nadu. The town is situated on a flat plain on the banks of the river Cauvery. Mayiladuthurai and surrounding places have many temples.

2.2. Field Observation

An extensive filed study was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012. The walls and towers of the flora included the main boundary wall surrounding the temples, and towers. The collected plants were preserved and maintained in the form of herbarium for future studies. All the plants collected in the study were identified in the collecting place. The identified plant species were conformed by using standard taxonomic floras proposed by Mathew (1991) and Gamble (1936).

3. Results and Discussion

The present study deals with the wall floras of certain temples in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The collected plants were identified by using Gamble Flora (1936) and standard herbarium specimens. The identified plants are tabulated in site wise and the table concluded Scientific name, Common name, Tamil name, Family name, Habit and Nature of wall it grow (Tables 1-5). Almost all the species were present in all the survey periods (November 2011 to April 2012). Walls of buildings and of their constructions made of bricks, stones or concreted belongs to specific, polyhemerobic habitats, which can be a substitute habitats for rock plants. They are common but rarely colonized, because of their vertical and even surface, characterized by unfavorable water and temperature regimes and recurrent concentration of the walls (Francis, 2011). This insufficient inflow of Diasporas can also be a reason for slow colonization of walls, especially in centers of large agglomerations. Vascular plants can normally grow on sites where at least a small amount of humus has accumulated. This kind of substrate is formed in calcium containing mortar or slits and fissures of the walls, previously colonized by lichens and mosses (Boratynski et al., 2003).

Table 1. Floras grown in the walls of Sri Mayuranathar temple in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Nature of Wall Sl. No. Scientific Name Common Name Tamil Name Family Habit Rock Cement Calcium

1) Mollugo oppositifolia (Linn) Jima Thura Poondu Aizoaceae Herb

2) Amaranthus viridis (Linn) Green Amaranth Kuppai kirai Amaranthaceae Herb -

3) Alterranthera sessilis (Lamrk) Sessile Joyweed Ponnanganni Amaranthaceae Herb - -

4) Solanum nigrum (Linn) Black night shade Manaththakkali Solanaceae Herb - - Solanum xanthocarpum (Schrad Yellow berried night 5) Kandankathiri Solanaceae Herb - - & Wendl) shade 6) Achlypha indica (Linn) Indian nattle Kupameni Euphorbiaceae Herb

7) Phyllanthus amarus (Linn) Stone breaker Kezhanelli Euphorbiaceae Herb - -

8) Cleome viscosa (Linn) - Naaikadugu Capparidaceae Herb - -

9) Sida accuta (Linn) Common wire weed Mookkuthipoo Malvaceae Herb - -

10) Cynodon dactylon (Pers) Devils grass Arugampillu Poaceae Herb - -

11) Chloris barbata (SW) Swollen finger grass Kodaipillu Poaceae Herb - - . 12) Boerhaavia diffusa (Linn) Tar vine Mukkarattai Nyctaginaceae Herb -

13) Memordica charantia (Linn) Bitter gourd Pavakkai Cucurbitaceae Climber - -

Melothria maderaspattana 14) -- Musumusukkai Cucurbitaceae Climber - - (Cogn)

15) Ficus religiosa (Linn) People's tree Arasu Moraceae Tree -

16) Ficus bengalensis (Linn) Banyan tree Ala Moraceae Tree - -

17) Ficus glamorata (Roxb) Cluster fig Atti Moraceae Tree - -

18) Oldenlandia umbellata (Linn) Choy roof Inbura Rubiaceae Herb - -

19) Morinda tinctoria (Roxb) Indian Malberry Nuna Rubiaceae Tree - -

20) Andrographis echioides (Nees) False water willow Acanthaceae Herb - -

21) Carica papaya (Linn) Papaya Pappali Caricaceae Tree - -

22) Leucas aspera (Spreng) Common leucas Thumbai Lamiaceae Herb -

23) Commelina benghalensis (Linn) Benghal day flower Kanangozhai Commelinaceae Herb - -

24) Tridax procumbens (Linn) - Thathapoo Astraceae Herb - -

25) Vernonia indica (C.B. Clarke) Iron weed - Astraceae Herb - -

25) Tinospora cordifolia (Miers) Guduchi Sindil Menispermaceae climber - -

26) Aerva Lanata - Poovellam Poo Arnaranthacena Herb - -

Table 2. Floras grown in the walls and towers of Sri Kasi Vishvanathar temple in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Natural of Wall Sl. No. Scientific Name Common Name Tamil Name Family Habit Rock Cement Calcium

1) Morinda tinctoria (Roxb) Indian malberry Nuna Rubiaceae Tree

2) Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) Neem Vembu Meliaceae Tree - -

3) Boerhaavia diffusa (Linn) Tar vine Mukkarattai Nyctaginaceae Herb Climbing 4) Tiliocora acuminata (Miers) Wild climp Kattukkodi Megnoliaceae - - shrub 5) Leucas aspera (Spreng) Common leac Thumbai Lamiaceae Herb -

6) Ficus religiosa (Linn) People's tree Arasu Moraceae Tree -

7) Ficus benghalensis (Linn) Banyan tree Alam Moraceae Tree - -

8) Convolvulus arvensis (Linn) Field Bind weed Elikkadhukkerai Convoluvlaceae Herb - -

9) Amaranthus viridis (Linn) Green Amaranth Kuppaikirai Amaranthaceae Herb - -

10) Chloris barbata (SW) - Kodaipillu Poaceae Herb - -

11) Euphoribia hitra (Linn) Asthma weed Amman Patharisi Euphoribiaceae Herb - -

Table 3. Floras grown in the walls and towers of Sri Vallalar temple in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Natural of Wall Sl. No. Scientific Name Common Name Tamil Name Family Habit Rock Cement Calcium

1) Ficus benghalensis (Linn) Banyan tree Alam Moraceae Tree - -

2) Ficus religiosa (Linn) People's Tree Arasu Moraceae Tree - -

3) Ficus glamorata (Roxb) Cluster fig Atti Moraceae Tree - -

4) Cleome viscosa (Linn) Naikadugu Capparidaceae Herb - -

5) Memordica dioica (L) Wild Bitter gourd Midhipagal Cucurbitaceae Climber - -

Table 4. Floras grown in the walls and towers of Sri Parimala Renganathar temple in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Natural of Wall Sl. No. Scientific Name Common Name Tamil Name Family Habit Rock Cement Calcium

1) Gomphrena globase (Linn) Globe amaranth Vadamalli Amaranthaceae Herb - -

2) Lecus aspera (Sperng) Common leucas Thumbai Lamiaceae Herb -

3) Cleome viscosa (Linn) - Naikadugu Capparidaceae Herb - -

4) Cynodon dactylon (Pers) Devils grass Arugampillu Poaceae Herb - -

5) Androgrphis paniculata (L) - Siriyanangai Acanthaceae Herb - -

6) Cyperus rotundus - Paaikkorai Cyperaceae Herb - -

7) Cyperus kylinga - Pookkorai Cyperaceae Herb - -

Table 5. Floras grown in the walls and towers of Sri Ramer temple in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Natural of Wall Sl. No. Scientific Name Common Name Tamil Name Family Habit Rock Cement Calcium

1) Ficus benghalensis (Linn) Banyan tree Alam Moraceae Tree - -

2) Chloris barbata (SW) - Kodaipillu Poaceae Herb - -

3) Morinda tinctoria (Roxb) Indian malberry Nuna Rubiaceae Tree - -

4) Lennea Coromendalica (Linn) Joil tree Uthayam Anacardiaceae Tree - -

5) Solanum trilobatum (L) Thoodhu Valai Solanaceae Climber - -

6) Solanum toruvum (L) - Sundaikkai Solanaceae Tree - -

7) Amarathus spinosus (L) - Mullukerai Amaranthaceae Herb - -

8) Sida cardifolia (L) - Arivalmanai poondu Malvaceae Herb - -

The plants found on walls and towers of temples in Mayiladuthurai is belonging to the families of Aizoaceae, Amaranthaceae, Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Capparidaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Acanthaceae, Caricaceae, Lamiaceae, Commelinaceae, Astraceae, Menispermaceae, Meliaceae, Megnoliaceae, Convoluvlaceae, Anacardiaceae and Cyperaceae. Among the families the higher genus was recorded mainly to Amaranthaceae (5 taxa), Solanaceae (4 taxa), Euphorbiaceae (3 taxa), Lamiaceae (3 taxa) and Moraceae (3 taxa). The largest number of species belongs to the genera is Solanum (4) followed by Ficus (3), Cyperus (2), Amaranthus (2), Andrographis (2), Sida (2) and Memordica (2). The total number of vascular plants growing spontaneously on walls included 31 genuses with 22 families. Among the 31 genus, 40 species were recorded. Out of the 40 species, 35 species were Dicotyledons and remaining 5 species were Monocotyledons. All the plants studied in the temple walls also present near by the surrounding areas of the temples. This group comprises mainly perennials, small shrubs and trees. Most of the taxa recorded in the temple walls and towers of Mayiladuthurai are herbs other than shrubs, climbers and woody plants. The specific conditions on the walls are also a reason for the limited number of species that can survive and complete their life-cycle. The woody species for example, Azadirechta indica, Ficus species etc., were observed only in the seedling stage. Their appearance depends on the permanent supply of Diasporas from the neighborhood. Seeds of phanerophytes are delivered by birds or by wind. Similarly, the immediate neighborhood at parental specimens is due to the occurring herbaceous plants growing, flowering and fruiting with in the wall fissures (Boratynski et al., 2003). Plants growing at the extreme base of a wall in temples were ignored, since these would probably be rooted in the ground and therefore not truly rupestral. Similarly, wall tops with an obvious accumulation of soil were excluded from the survey. They often have typical forms, dried or injured stems with intensive seed production and vegetative propagation, able to occupy free areas and to grow in the conditions of scarce and unequal soil moisture (Nedelcheva and Vasileva, 2009; Osma et al., 2010). The number of annual species is bigger at the top of the wall and on the vertical wall surface and there fissures have perennials, which are typical for the wall base and the surrounding area. This is due to the favorable environmental conditions in the basal zone i.e., more humidity and nutrients are available there (Darlington, 1981). Moreover, physiological limits of early plant development exists horizontal growth of radical of young plants prevents many species from successful establishment and regular occurrence in horizontal fissures (Segal, 1969; Wajcikowska, 1988, 1992, 2000; Singh, 2011c). The more or less flat top a wall clearly receives more light and rain than the vertical sides and accumulates more debris that leads to the formation of rudimentary soils. Fruits and seeds dropped or

Copyright © 2013 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Modern Biol. Med. 2013, 4(1): 40-53 50 evacuated by birds are much more likely to arrive on the top of a wall than on its sides. It seemed probable, therefore, that certain species would tend to be found on the expose tops of wall, while shade sowing plants and those not primarily dispersed by birds would be more at home on their sides (Payne, 1989). The wall habitat is different from natural habitat and rocks, depending on many different properties related to wall structures. Buildings contain binding materials, which structurally and chemically differ from the original building materials. Usually most of them are cleaned repeatedly; thus, they basically are temporary habitat. Walls are generally isolated, small, and their microclimate is more affected by changes of climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation and irradiation than that of rocks. Wall surfaces resemble each other and have a uniform slope and areas, so wall flora is influenced by the nearby semi - natural vegetation (Duchoslav, 2002). Plants growing on walls reach these habitats by wind (anemochorous), animals (zoochorous), mostly by birds and by stolon fragments (autochorous) (Yarci and Ozcelic, 2002) and grow there randomly, deep-rooted plants can be destructive. Although their roots are weak at the beginning of growth, they become stronger in time and cause widening of cracks. Most of these plants absorb little water from the substrate, but absorb it from the air. Although wall plants are often aesthetically appealing, the local municipalities occasionally clean up the walls to prevent damage by the plants. It would be more preferable if the clean-up was more selective by allowing for plant type and degree of damage. Among the study the tree species such as Azadirechta indica, Morinda tinctoria, Ficus religiosa, F. glamorata, F. benghalensis and Lennea coromentalica were recorded. Trees negatively affect the structure of the wall and are the main problem for the preservation of the wall. These species can be found in the environmental landscape vegetation and they are moved by their Diasporas. Nature has provided needs with a number of devices that help them to be disseminated widely. The agencies that facilitate the dispersal of weed seeds far and wide are water, wind and animals, including man. They have the remarkable capacity to germinate under varied conditions, but vary characteristically. They are season bound and the peak period of germination always takes place in certain seasons in regular succession year after year. To avoid such a situation a wise step is to follow the principal prevention is better than cure (Kaya and Curran, 2006). Generally there are two methods for removing the floras from the temples. They are physical method and chemical method. (1) Physical method: In this method the plants are uprooting them in their initial stages of growth. The fully grown plants can be controlled by cutting them with suitable sharp instruments like, cutters, sickle, khukri, etc. This method is not a permanent solution for control of plants growth in

Copyright © 2013 by Modern Scientific Press Company, Florida, USA Int. J. Modern Biol. Med. 2013, 4(1): 40-53 51 temples and monuments, because certain plants like Ficus bhengalensis grow more vigorously when they are cut. (2) Chemical method: In this method certain chemicals are applied which are able to kill the plants in few weeks of time. These chemicals usually called as herbicides and its effects in two ways. In one case these herbicides block the photosynthetic activities of the plants and thus the plants are gradually killed in a couple of months. In another case certain herbicides destroy the cells and tissues of the plants thus gradual killing of plants. Herbicides like Glyphosate, Paraquat, Atrasine, etc., when sprayed over the leaves of plants, can kill the plants by blocking the photosynthetic activities. The 1% solution of sodium arsenate in water can destroy the cells and tissues of plants when injected the stem of plants.

4. Conclusions

An attempt was made on the survey of floras grown on the walls of some familiar temples in Mayiladuthurai, one of the important towns in Tamil nadu, South India. In this survey, a total of 31 plants belonging to 22 families were observed. Among the 31 genus, 40 species were recorded. Out of the 40 species, 35 species were Dicotyledons and remaining 5 species were Monocotyledons. In addition, there are two methods for removing the floras from the temples. They are physical method and chemical method.

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