Flora of Sacred Groves of Pondicherry Coromandel Coastal Sector

Inventory of Species

From the 35 study sites, comprising 33 sacred groves and two natural patches of

vegetation, 423 Angiosperm species, (404 Dicots 19 Monocots) have been enumerated

(Table I). They belong to 93 ofthe 206 families ofthe classification proposed by Bentham and

Hooker (1862-1883) with subsequent modifications, as in the Flora ofTamil Nadu (h'air and

Henry 1983; Henry et al. 1987). They include 136 herbs, shrubs 91, trees 1 1 9, cl~mbers 58,

lianas 14, parasite 5.

Family-wise Fabaceae (n=52) is the most speciose family foliowed by

Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Acanthaceae Though the thrust was on woody specles, we

have also collected the herbaceous plants The exotics were also enumerated separately (Tabie

n, In, 1'4

Woody Species

There were 251 woody species representing 62 families and 176 geneva The

following five famihes were most speciose: Fabaceae (n=38), Euphorb~aceae (n= 14). Rubiaceae

(n=l I), Asclepiadaceae (n=10) and Rutaceae (n=10)

Majority of the genera (n=49) were represented by one (n=40) or two species

(n=9). Only a few (Canthiurn, Grewia, Premna, Ziriphus) had four species each The genus

Cassia had the maximum of six species, Acacia, Cappatis, Diuspyros, E~iphorbru, Frcus and

Sida had five each Only three cryptogams viz. Riccra sp (KV, TM, MR) Selagmellu sp W)

and Marsileasp. O\[M, KU) were enumerated.

Leaf habit

The leafhabit analysis indicates that both evergreen and deciduous species are fa~rly

represented. The impomnt evergreens include Aglara elaeagnoidccr, I)rypul"\ se/j~ar~a,

I

Table I : Sacred Groves of Pondicheny Coromandel coastal sector

No. Wm Oeky Shrlnc Area Diflanes Conservation TIP ma] rnmr ststus

1 Mudhtnai MD h b i y n a r lc 5.0 1.0 OG 2 Ksa)rbhuvuupiiKB U~~MCQIII OP 110 1.0 PP 3 I(mtadJImKK A i l lc 1.50 2.0 WP 4 Thiidmhi TK A i i lc 0.25 2.5 PP

AiVw Pmhkdiunmsn

A2hqvnuth*m. A i w Aiiw A'i~ur

AiVvur w A'yvlw Aivcnu

AiVm 20 SudhJzuWcmSK W w h i m n OP 1.12 0.5 PP 21 Swdlth~cotlommill SC - 11.2 . WP

22 Rams~thapunm PP Aiylnu lc 0.66 0.6 WP

23 , P M ~ ~ ~ U W M PA A i y w lc 1.50 0.75 PP 24 Sihripdayam SL Ai imu TC 0.75 0.4 WP 25 Kumalam KU Aiiw TC 0.30 1.0 WP

26 Nsgsri NG A'iw OP 0.28 0.4 WP 27 Karaaur KS Rchahtiamman OP 0.25 0.2 WP

28 Sdtrapet ST A iywr OF 0.23 0.6 WP

29 Pm$mdtnliuciundi PM Aiysnu lc 2.16 0.1 PP 30 Puthupst PU Aiyln~r n: 20.00 0 4 WP

31 Oorani OR S d i ~ m ~ n TC 1.80 0.5 WP

32 Olsgapuum 0 1 LordPwumal X: 7.80 2.0 DG

33 Rnntiyur W AnhRdnn OP 1.20 0.5 DG 34 Omipsr OM Muttunriman lc 3.20 0.5 PP

35 Mar t kkmm R.F MA . 246.0 3.2 PP

Shrine Type : OF : Open-floor, OP : Open-platform, TC : Temple complex Conservation Status : MD : Mostly degraded DG . Degraded PP : Panially Preserved

WP : Wed Preserved.

Table 11: Woody species and their distribution in the Sacred Groves of Pondicherry, Coromandal Coastal Sector.

(H - Habit = T - Trees, S - Shrub, C - Climber, L - Liana, LH - Leaf habit = E - Evergreen, D - Deciduous, * = Naturalised).

Ocimum tenulflorum L.

glala etasagnoidea (Adr. Juss.)

Psllanthus wightlanus (Wight el

Mudhanal - MD, Keezhbhuvanagiri - KB, Kuzhandaikuppam . KK, Thirumanikikuzhi - TK, Konjikuppam - KJ, Periyakumattl - PK, T.Puthupalayarn - TM, Arasadikuppam - AK, Surlampet - SP, Varakalpattu - VP, Krishnavaram - KV, Thennampakkam - TP, Mootthikuppam - MK, Keezhkumaramangalam - KM, Periyakattupaiayam - PP, Nattamedu - NM, Pooranankuppam - PN, Alamarathukuppam - AA, Manpalam - MM, Sandhikuppam . SK, Swadeshl-cotton mill - SC, Ramanathapuram - RP, Pannaikuppam - PA, Silkaripaiayam - SL, Kumaiam - KU, Nagari - NG, Karasur - KS, Sedarapet - ST, Periyamudhiiarchavadi - PM, Puthupet - PU, Oorani -OR, Olagapurum - OL, Pannaiyur - PY, Omiper - OM, Marakkanam R.F. - MR,

Table II11Herbaceous flora and its distribution in the sacred groves of Pondicherry Coromandel Coastal Sector

Table . 1V:Exotic species recorded in the Sacred Groves of Pondicherry Coromandel Coastal Sector

D = Deciducous, E = Evergreen

M a n i l G c w ~ a . f t e ~ n m u n ccmescens etc. Regarding the deciduous elements, Meher-

Homji (1974) opined that the deciduous species ofMI1. are exclusive to the coastal belt. Those

occuring inlands and closer to the eastern ghats are totally different (eg Hardwickla hmata,

Wrightia lincloria etc.).These also occur in the far-flung deciduous formations of the western

ghats.

Earlier, Balasubramanian (I 977) distinguished evergreens, semi evergreens and

deciduous elementsin the MR. The following are the semi-evergreen or brevi-deciduous specles

Cumbretum albidum, Ficus benghalensrs, Azadirachta a~dica, Syzygruni c~rrnn~i, I'citrgirn~rrr

prnnata etc. The deciduous species are Alhrzzia amara, A.lehheck, Uolher~~trpcrt~itrilor~~.

Wrightra tinctoria etc.

Phytogeographic affinities

The florisitc afinities of the 25 1 woody species are studied (Table V, F I ~ 1) 25

species (9.9 %) areexclusive to South India, 33 (13. I %)are typically Indian. Twenty seven

(10 7 %)are shared by South India and Sri Lanka, 32 (12 7 %)more are shared by Australla

and Asiancontinents. Some of them(27, 10.7 %) are distributed in Afnca and Asia 14 (5 6 %)

in America and India. Three (1.2 %) species viz. Cucum~smelo, Sida schrmprrrana and Tragu

plukeneti are of Indo-African affinity Eight (3.2 %) species Cardrospernlum helrcacahtrm,

Cassythafiliformis, Coccinia grandis. Dodonea viscosa, Hrbiscus v~rrfol~us, lpomoeq

obscura, Mukia maderaspatana and PassiJorafoetida have wider distribution, in Africa,

Asia and Austrah (Aufraulasia). Fourteen (5.6 %)species belong to the warmer regions i e

pantropical.

Distribution of the TDEF elements

. Mehw Homji (1973) identified the following six species as characteristic of coastal

tropical dry evergreen forests, viz, Mmilkara hexmda, Dtypetessepraria, Carmuna retusa,

Gminia spicato; Ptemspermum canescens and Memecylon umbellatum. They don't occur

in the thorn forests. Ofthese, Carmona retusa and Garcinia sprcata are found in 1 I groves

each. Yet, Carmona return is not found in the southern groves, whereas Ciarcinra sprcala

Table V : Floristic affinity of woody species occurring in the sacred grovu of Pondicherry Commandel coastal rector.

SIC (10.7%) AFA ( 1 0.7%)

Fig 1 : Percent representation of phytogeogrrphic elements in the woody flora of the sacred grovu of Pondicherry Coromnndel coastal sector

occurs in thenonh and south eraerne4 specially on red sandy soils. Another specles, Memecylot1

umbellarum also occur in two extremes, in four southern and six northern yroves but absent in

the intervening 23 groves. Drypetes separra and Manilkara hexrmda are the two understorey

members ofMR which are limited to five northern grovs only and these are proximal to the MR.

The sixth species Ptenupermum cmescens also shows north-south dichotomy in distribution

The first impression gained from the matrix ofdistribution is that only two spiecies,

Carmona retusa and Garcinia spicafa occur across the region, though intermittently Two

species, Memecylon umbellaturn and Ptemspermum canescrns are conf ned to the grows at

north south extreme only. Other two Drypefes sepiaria andManrlkarh hrxandra are confined

to thethe groves closer to the MR.

Balasubramman (1 977) hsted Alhrrrra mara, Dalhergrapi~~rilatu and Sjzygum

cumrnr as Important components ofthe top storey at MR Of these. Syrygirrm cirmrtii occur in

22 groves whereas Alhrrzraamara (n=6) and Dalbergrapanrculata (n=5 j show north-south

dichotomy Among the members ofthe understorey at MR, Aralanoa monophjlla I S almost

continuously present (n=28), Chlomxylon nurefenla, an evergreen taxon (n=6j and a deciduous

element, Flacourtra rndrca (n=13) show dlsjunct d~str~but~on They occur only at the groves of

north-south extremes Though Afalrmrra monophyllais constriuned to be a shruby tree at MR,

t h ~ s has grown Into a 9 m tall tree (76 cm gbh) ~n Sandh~kuppam Obv~ously, the absence of

sibl~ng pressure hasmaulnuzed its growth potenbal

The TDEF at MR also has a fair proportion ofanned and spinous species, for eg

Alalanfia monophylla, Canfhium parvifonrm, Flacourtia rndrca, Ziriphtrs maurrlrana,

Ziziphusoenoplia and 2$~phus*ylopps are fairly continuous in distribution

Four species are remarkably wider and continuous in distribution - Borassua

flabellifer (11132) Azadirachla indica (n=33) Ficus benghalensrs (n=32) and Tamarin B.5

i k c a (n=17). Onlythepalmyrah palm constitutes agrove purely at Sandhikuppam. The presence

ofother trees may be due to the religioudeconomicaVewIo~cal values explained elsewhere

Among the shrub speciwl, a wntinuously dense layer through which isolated trees emerged, is

3

formed by Glycosmrsmaurrtrana at Konjlkuppam and by Memecylori umhellawni at Om~per

Polyalthrasubemsa and Glycosmrs maurtlrana constitute such a stratum at S~lkanpalayam

Swadeshi Cotton Mill

The SwedeshiCottonMill Private Forest (SC) deserves a special considerat~on. It

is locatedin the heart ofthe town. It isin the back-yard ofthe textile null, now indiuenly con'rolled

by the Government Being excluded from biotic influence by a compound wall, this patch of

near-natural vegetation remained inaccessible tiU recently The floristicenumeration by Arumugam

(2001) also showed the co-existence of naturalized and cultivated species within this relict patch

Occupying 11.2 ha, it resembled a remanant oftrophical dry evergreen forest (TDEF)

in general. It had 184 species of angiosperms belonging to 158 genera and 60 families Habit-

wise 61 species were trees, 37 shrubs, four lianas 28 climbers and 58 herbs

Of the tree species, 29 had five or more individuals of >30cm (gbh) (Table VI)

Interestingly, it is a densely wooded formation (n=2450), Strebulusa~per was the most populous

with 15.5% of stand density (n=379), followed by 10 8% of Guazuma ~lmlfolra (n=264) It

had Craleava adansonii, Dalbergipanrculata, Diospyros motilana, ~ O k J ~ ~ e I t i rniug~bltu

andStreb lusasper which are present inMR, about 40 Km northwards Wrighlia to~ciona a

member oftheinterior deciduous forests is a significant constituent. Only four tree species were

armed and ligneous, which may be due to the exclusion ofhuman interferance

Th~s patch also has several umque features Clusters of Adanronra drgrtaia (n= 16)

Santalum album (n=37) S a ~ r a p e r s t c a (n=63) are concentrated In ~solated pockets Th~rteen

tress of Tallpot palm (Corypha macroprda), I 10 of Lrmonra ac~dr,\rma and 8 3 of AIhirrrci

lebbeck are s~zablepopulat~ons, wh~ch are d~spersed

Swadeshi Cotton Mill is a home for several botanically significant spec~mens too

Giant treesofAdmtsoniadigilata (16 m, 960 cm gbh) and Samaneasaman (16 5 m, 670 cm

gbh) are present. Salvadorapersica is a salt tolerant species and Santalum alhum (n=37) is

an endargwed species. Several field botanists agree that presence of such a large population of

4

Table VI :Important tree species of Swadeshi Cotton Mill (n.35 trees > 30 crn - gbh)

Baobab trees lsextranely rarc asit a ather Isolated or ~nsmallgroups mlts natural habitats 111 the

Western ghats By companson, the clumps ofPambutus mrulonu (n=22) of Kumalam and

Polyalthrasubemsa (n=16) at S~lkanpalayam also deserve mentlon

It ~s sad that five acres ofths densely wooded patch was cleared for the constmct~on

of a 'coun complex' recently in 2002 Several trees had been uprooted, bushes cleared and

rodents lulled, desplte protests from the env~ronmental~sts The barren area, shorn of ~ t s tree

cover, 1s a proof of the callousness and lndlfference of the admlnlstrat~ve machinery and its

~nsenslhwty to the deforestauon mwtles nght m the heart ofthe town

Recently, Foundation for Rev~tal~zat~on of Local Health Trad~t~ons (FRLHT)

Bangalore has assessed the conservation status of medicinal plants and recorded 206 plant

specles under vanous degrees ofthreat (FRLHT 2002) However seceral taxa s h o ~ 4 disjunct

dstnbuhon Pleum@I~a oppos/~a recorded 6om Ooraru grove 1s next seen only m Po~nt Calunere

ca 200 km down south Amorphophallti\ cyii~aflcus, the wild arold IS recorded only In two

groves wz Ooratu and Karasur Maheswaran el a1 (1 995) have recently notlced a cluster oftius

aro~d ~n the Pornamman grove on the Pasamur b l l s ofthe Chengalpet D~strlct In Tam1 Nadu,

about 80 km In the north-west Dmsera hunnanr occurs only three (OL, TK, MRF) ofthe 35

sltes

Beyond the systematic mventory, we havenohced the presence ofDerrr~ovaI,Ioha

( g n h 43 cm) In Banglamedu near Ousuterl near Pond~cherry and a giant tree of Plerocarpus

marsuplum (290 cm gbh) m Thalakantkuppam grove near Marakkanam Other magnlficlent

specunens are Drospps montana (gbh 56 cm) at Sooramangalamgrove In Pond~cherry and of

Salwdorapersrca (gbh 7 6 m) at Thmvamurgrovenear Pamum town m Cuddalore Dlstnct

Two specles ofNymphaea, N pubescens and N naucheC (blue flowered) are

noted for ranty In dlstnbubon and were collected from a pond near the Puthupet grove In 2003

( k m g a m , personal comtn~caaon) But, only the former could be recollected at that place m

March 2004

B u ~ i a m i l i a i r s is again seperated by a large gap. Recorded at Marakkanam

and Olagapuram, it is next found only in the Javadi and Kalvarayan W s ofEastem Ghats, about

70 km away.

Values of the groves

Gadgil(1992) remarked that the concept of sacred groves marks an attempt to

maintain an ecologically steady state with biological resources in the wild He identified

tangible and intangible functions of the grove. As observed by Chandran and Gadgil ( 1993),

the sacred groves have now become a mosaic of rehgia, big or small dispersed patches of

forest. Severalvalues ofconservation, ecological and botmcal significance, have been recorded

from them over a course oftime It is significant that these values could be redwovered In the

groyes ofthe Pondicheny region also in ample measures (Table VI1). Since the faunal wealth of

the groves has not been estimated, their value as sanctuaries is uncertain but cannot be denied

MS : Multi-stmuned TN : Tamil Nadu

REFERENCES

Arumugam, S. 2001. Repon to the Dept, of Forest and Wildlife. Govt, of Pondicheny

Balasubramanian, K. 1977. Biotaxonomical studies on Marakkanam Reserve Forests, Corornandel Coast, Ph.D. Thesis, Annamalai Universiv,):alai Nagar, India.

Bentham, G. andHooker, J.D. 1862 - 1883. Genera Plantarum. L. Reeve and Co., London.

Chandran, M.D.S. Gadgil, M. and Hughes, J.D. 1998. Sacred Groves of Western Ghats of India. In : Conserving the Sacredfor Biodiversity Management (eds. Ramakrishnan P.S., SaxenaK.G and Chandra Shekera U.M). Oxford IBH Publishing Co. Pvt Ltd. Ncw Dclhi. pp. 21 1-23?,

FRLHT. 2002. Medicinal plants Secnario in India Metplan Conservation Sociew Bangalore 5860064. 1'-7-0

Gadgil, M. 1992. Conserving Biodiversity as if people Matter: A case study from India, Ambio 21: 266-270.

Hemy. A.N., Kumari, G.R. and Chithra, V. 1987. Flora ofTamil Nadu, India (Series 1; Vol. 2). Bot. SUN. India. Southem Circle, Coimbatore.

King, 0.1. 1997 Botanical and Socio - Cultural studies on Sacred Groves in Cuddalore District, l'amil Nadu. M.l'hil. Dissertation, Univcrsily oSMadras. (Dept. oSBotany, Madras Christian College, Chennai). India.

Maheswaran, B., Dayanandan, P. and Narasimhan, D. 1995. Miniature Sacred grove near Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. In: Abstracts of2nd congress on Traditional Science and Technology oflndia, Bio-3, Dec. 26-3 1, Madras, India.

Meher-Homji, 1973. Aphtosociological study of the.4lbizzia amara Biological community of India. Phytocoecologia 1 : I 14-129.

Meher-Homji, V.M. 1974. '.On the origin ofthe Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest of South India." J. Ecol. Envit. Sci. I: 19-39.

Parthasarathy, N, and Karthikeyan, R. 1997. Plant Biodiversity inventory and conservation of two tropical dry evergreen forests on the Coromandel Coast, South India, Biodiversig and Conservation 6: 1063 - 1083.

hthasarathy, N. and Sethi, P. 1997. Trees and liana species diversity and population structure in aTropical Dly Evergreen Forest in South India. Tropical Ecology. 38(1): 19-30.

Medium-sized deciduous tree; leaves light green; flowers white and scented; fruit berry, orange coloured.

Plate 3 ANACARDIACEAE: Buchanania axillaris (Desr )Ramam

Kolamavu 5n i6~os Small deciduous tree; leaves dark green; flowers whlte tlntsd with green; fruits light yellow.

Plate 4 ANACARDIACEAE: Lannea commandelica (Houtt.) Merr.

Odhian &pei Deciduous tree; bark smooth light grey; flowers greenish white; fruit ripening red.

Plate 5 I,

ANAcARo'Ac~~: ~ a n g i f ~ ~ L, Mango. Maa ,

Tree' inh'~en~e~ terminal memes; flowem Y~IIOW, w~th n a b V glands.

Plate 6 ANACARDI ACEAE: Rhus mysorensis G. Don,

Neyu kiluvai ably t6)g~ma Thorny shrub; flowers yellow; fruits red,

Plate 7

Plate 8 ANACARDIACEAE: SpondlBs pinnata (L. f.) Kurz

Kattumavu &si@ton

Large deciduous tree, up to 20 m; leaves light green, turning yellow before dropping; flowers yellow; fruits green-red yellow, with mango smell.

Plate 9 ANNONACEAE: Miliusa eriocarpa Dunn.

Sakkada maram s h a ~ a ~oglb

Medium-sized tree; flowers pendulous; fruits reddish, turning ohnge.

Plate 10 ANNONACEAE: Polyalthia Iongifolia (Sonner.)Thw.

Nettilingam QpLtpdkmib

Pillar like tree, 20 m; branches pendulous, crowded; flowers yellowish green; fruit aggregate & greenish yellow.

'late 11 4NNONACEAE: PolyalUIia suberosa (Roxb.)Thw.

Siru Naval Bia~ p~6~6il

Shrub to small tree; bark brown; leaves dark green; flowers light yellow; fruits aggregate brown to dark blue;

Plate 13 ~POCYNACEAE: Carissa spinarum L.

Chiru kila Blm15srnr

Thorny shrub; flowers white, tinged with pink outside; fruits green, tinged red,dark blue at ripening.

Plate 15 APOCYNACEAE: RauvoMa tetraphylla L.

Pampukalachedi urrrbq6snrr

Small shrub, tender parts puberulous, leaves planiforrn; flowers cream; fruits reddish, clustered.

Plate 16 APOCYNACEAE: Wrightia tinctofla (Roxb.) R. Br

Veppaalai, Irumpaalai, Nilapalai Qmuurrmsu

Small deciduous tree with milky latex; flowers cymes creamy having fimbriate corolline corona; fruits dark green.

Rate 18 ARECACEAE: Calamus rotang L.

Pirambu dy16q

Climber, armed, stem ringed at nodes; flowers yellow; fruit mucronate with scales in vertical series.

Plate 21 ARECACEAE: Phoenix pusilia. Gaertner.

Chiru icham rsrri6 t-ftkd

Low shrub; stem very short, thichkly dlothed and hidden by old leaf-sheaths; leaves short, le~hlets 4-farious , rigid shining, with orange red pulvinus at the junction with the rhachis, basal ones forming stout flat spines; fruits first green, black when ripe.

Plate 23 A~ISTOLOCHIACEAE: Arlstolochia indica L.

Perumarundukodi, Easwara Mooli R~MIID. wdme

Profusely branched twiner; flowers dark purple; fruits ribbed Septicidal capsule, after dehiscgnse capsule resembles umbrella

Plate 24 ASCLEPI ADACEAE: Calotropis gigantea (L.) R, Bra

Erukku sroi~

Milky shrub; bark yellowish; white branches, leaves and inflorescence covered with soft white wool; flowers purple; follicle curved.

Plate 25 ASCLEPIADACEAE: Ceropegia juncea Roxb.

Twiner; stem fleshy and purplish brown; latex watery; leaves deciduouslleafless; flowers purple.

Plate 26 ASCLEPl ADACEAE: Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.)

R. Br, ex Schuter Kannu minnayam kodi, Sirukurinja, Sarkkarai kolli. 81aw&&mB

Climber; pale green tender parts pubescent, milky latex; flowers dull; yellow fruits, dark green.

Plate 27 ASCLEPIADACEAE: Leptadenia retlculata (Retz.) R. Br. Wt. & AM.

Palai keerai unmsu cbmg

Straggler forming dense mass on the other plants; latex watery; bark yellowish brown; flowers yellowish, corolla-lobes greenish yellow.

'late 28 ~SCLEPIADACEAE: Pentalropls capensis (L. f.) Bullock

Uppili euqd

Slender climber, latex watery; leaves chartaceous when dry and mucronate; flowers purple.

Plate 29 ASCLEPI ADACEAE: Pergularia daemia (Forsska) Choiv.

Vaelipparuthi Qsuduu@&$

A slender strong smelling climber with hispid stems, latex milky; flowers green, corona silky, brownish white.

Plate 30 ASCLEPIADACEAE: Sarcostemma intermedium Decne .

Kodikhalli baprssird

Leafless straggler; branchlets succulent, terete; jointed, latex milky; flowers creamy, peak during July - September.

Plate 31 ASC~EPIADACEAE: Secamone emetica (Retz.) R. Br.

Angaravalli a d n g 6~6j161fl

Profusely branched climber, old stems with numerous spirally arranged protuberances; bark brown, thick and corky, latex milky; fruits yellowish, follicles paired.

Plate 33 A s C L E p l ~ ~ ~ ~ E A ~ : Wattakaka volubilir (L. fa) Stapf,

Kunnjaa (g@&~r

Liana; bark brown, rough and corky; flowers green; fruits with golden hairs when young.

Plate 34 BIGNONIACEAE: Dolichandrone falcata Wall. Ex (DC) Seeman

Chithathi, Kattunarai

Tree; bark light grey; leaves compound, opposite with seven leaflets; flowers white; fruit capsule compressed, falcate (sickle - shaped); epicarp striate.

Plate 35 BOMBACACEAE: Bombax ceiba L.

Mullilavu wsirdm~

Tree; old trees buttressed; branches horizontal, sharply prickled; leaves 5-7 foliate thin coriaceous, glabrous; flowers blood r?d; seeds in capsule surrounded by cotton, blown by wind when ripe.

Sub-S-,Nb \eaves thick. white glandular each a borne, SpafselY above, cream; ~ U I ~ S along nerve below;

Plate 37 BORAGINACEAE: Cordia monoica Roxb.

Narivizhi maram pfldl@ ID@

Tree; leaves scabrous and spotted with whitish points above, slightly pubescent below, mature ones glabrous; flowers yellowish, fragrant; fruiting calyx pubescent, orange when ripe.

Plate 38 BORAGINACEAE: Cordia obliqua Wild.

Viruksham, Mookku Sali @b@ e d

Tree; bark thick, grey or brown; leaves variable in size glabrescent on both sides; flowers white; Fruits yellow or pink, glossy, supported by the accrescent calyx and containing a mucilaginous transparent edible pulp,

Plate 39 BORAGINACEAE: Ehrefia pubescens Benth

Aadaali a~nd

Shrub with stout pale brown branchlets; leaves chartaceous (papery) hirsute above (long hairs) seriaceous below; inflorescence hairy-pubescent; flowers white; fruits red when ripe.

Plate 40 BURSERACEAE: Commiphora caudata (Wt. & Arn.) Engl

Kiluvai d a m m

Tree; bark peeling and papery, exposing green greyish bark stem, leaflets glabrous. cyme, peduncle red. calyx tube pubescent, flowers cream; fruits globose, seeds black with 4 radiating wings.

Plate 41 CACTACEAE: Opuntia monocantha (willd.) Haw.

Pachai chappathi u8me euurr&l

Spiny shrub; branches green, areoles woolly; spine one in each cushion and straight; flowers yellow, the sepals and petals tinged with red.

/I@ - .Pr l c r n

, / J

Plate 42 CAPPARACEAE: Cadaba fruiticosa (L.) Druce (=Cadaba

indica Lani ) Kattagatt~ 6LI;wg. G L D ~ ~ ~ ~ I T I ~ I

Shrub; leaves simple; flowers light green with androgynophore with prominent tubular disc; fruits red when ripe, torulose.

Plate 43 CAPPARACEAE: Cadaba frifoliafa (Roxb.) Wt. & Arn.

Poorna, Vizhuthi ~ i rmn

Shrub; leaves 3-foliate; flowers greenish to cream, only gynophore present; fruit dehiscent.

Plate 45 CAPPARACEAE: Capparis divaricata Lam.

Thoratti ~ , B ~ & w ) L

Armed shrub; h2r4 deeply fissured; branchlets stellate, pubescent; leaves dark green; flowers greenish yellow; fruits woody, corrugated, ribbed, beaked, red when ripe.

Plate 46 CAP PARACEAE Capparis rotundifolia Ro tti

Armed straggler; leaves dark green; flowers light yellow; fruit black when ripe.

Plate 48 CAPPARACEAE Capparis zeylanica L

Thondai &@Qajnyig

Armed straggler; branchlets stellate- tomentose or glabrescent; leaves coriaceous, strongly mucronate; racemose; flowers cream in early morning, pinkish in mid morning and red to purple by evening; fruits smooth, blood red when ripe, pulpy inside, edible.

Plate 49 CAPPARIDACEAE: Crataeva adansonii DC. Ssp. Odora

(Buch. Ham.) M. Jacobs Mavilingam ~onBmirjcs16

Tree, deciduous; branchlets greyish-brown when dry, lenticellate; flowers in clusters, white; gynophore 5 cm;

fruits yellowish grey, irregularly rugose, powdery tomentose,

Plate CELASTRACEAE: Cassine glauca (Rottb.) Kunze

Kannira maram, Karuvalli rssdrsbil~rr u)~Lb

Tree; branchlets glabrous; bark grey; thin fleash-coloured when cut; leaves coriaceous, dark green; flowers green; fruits yellow when ripe.

Plate 53 CELASTRACEAE: Pleurostyla opposita (Wallich) Alston.

Chirupiyari, karikku vagai B)gtSltufl

Tree; bark grey and fissured; leaves dark green, glossy, thin coriaceous; flowers with white anthers, ovary red, disc green; fruits copius

Plate 54 CLUSIACEAE Calophyllum inophyllum L.

Pinnai Alexandrian laurel, Punnai qkmm

Tree; trunk glabrous with milky latex; leaves thick- coriaceous, glossy, dark green, parallel veined; flowers white in clusters; anthers bright yellow; pistil red; fruits drupe with thick pericarp.

Plate 55 CLUSIACEAE: Garcinia spicata (Wigth & Am.) Hook. f

Kokothai

Tree; branchlets glabrous, bark dark brown; leaves coriaceous with very close numerous parallel veins; flowers yellow white, fragrant; fruits yellow when ripe, regenerate by root suckers.

Plate 56 COMBRETACEAE: Anogeissus lafifolia (DC. ) Wallich ex Beddome

Vekkali Vellai nagai 616~ffi6[161f

Tree; bark smooth grey; leaves glabrous, rusty below, turning red before falling; flowers yellow; fruits two winged, with persistant calyx.

Plate 57 COMBRETACEAE: Calycopteris floribunda Lam

Therulankodi, Pillani Bsirmd

Liana; branchlets densely tomentose; leaves light green, glabrous above, tomentose below; flowers creamy without petals, velvety; fruits 5- ribbed, accrescent calyx lobes.

kr

Plate 58 COMBRETACEAE: Combretum albidum G Don

Verragay Q W I L ~ Q C ~ ~ Q

Climber; flowers funnel shaped; fruit dry with four papery wings.

Plate 62 CONVOl -VULACEAE: lpomoea aquatica Forsk.

Neer Kodi 6irQcbnlp

Creeper rooting at nodes; branchlets sub- succulent; flowers pink with a deeper throat; capsule with persistent calyx emb:ecing the fruit.

Plate 63 CONVOLVULACEAE: lpomoea obscura (L.) Ker. Gawler.

Siruthali. 81upnd

Twining perennial, stems villous; leaves puberulous on both sides; flowers pink with purple tube; fruits apically beaked.

Plate 64 CCNVOLVULACEAE: lpomoea sepiaria J . Koeniger Roxb

Thazha kodi grrgffiQcrrlp

Climber; branchlets hirsute; leaves glabrous; flowers white creamy, with purple throat, peduncle and pedicels often thickened in fruit.

Plate 65 CONVOLVULACEAE: Jacquemontia paniculata

(Burm.) Hallier f

Climber, pubescent; leaves chartaceous; flowers white; fruits 8-valved; seeds slightly winged.

Plate 66 CONVOLVULACEAE: Rivea hypocrateriformis

(Dest.) Choisy Msusthaikodi ( t ~ c i r n ~ d Qsrrq

Climber; leaves glabrous above, silky pubescent below; flowers white, fragrant, open at sunset and close at sunrise; fruits dehisce by the rupture of the lid.

Plate 67 CUCURBITACEAE: Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt

Kovai Bmiranmffi(~~rrlp

Climber; deeply grooved stem; branchlets apically pubescent, glabrolls at base; leaves chartaceous, glabrous punctate above (marked with dots) glandular below; flowers white; fruits blood red when ripe, edible.

Plate 68 CUCURBITACEAE: Cucumis melo L.

Sukkankai ffirrjc5bffiiruj

Prostrate spreading vine; leaves chartaceous hispid; flowers yellow; fruits light green with longitudinal green patches in rows; light yellow when ripe.

Plate 69 CUCURBITACEAE: Mukia maderaspatana (L) M. Roemer

Mosumosukkai ~ffi(yabrncb

Clin~bing vine, branchlets hispid; leaves chartaceous, scabrid above (feeling rough due to hard small hairs) shortly hispid below; flowers yellow; fruits red when ripe.

Piate 70 CUCURBITACEAE: Solena amplexicaulis(Lam.) Gandhi.

Perennial climber; leaves polymorphic, ovate, angled, lobed, chartaceous; minutely denticulate; tendrils simple; racemes umbellate; flowers yellowish white; fruit red with yellow spots, striped when ripe.

Woody tendril climber, branchlets lepidote; leaves polymorpnus, deeply lobed, lobes oblong, thin coriaceous, denticulate; flowers in racemes white; fruits with hard rind, red when ripe.

Plate 72 DIOSCOREACEAE: Dioscorea oppositifolia L.

Malayam kizhangukodi,Vetrilaivalli mmmw&dgik@&Qmny

Vine; rhizomes branched; branchlets twining to right, glabrous; leaves simple, coriaceous, glabrous; flowers green; fruits winged, with bulbils.

Plate 73 DIOSCOREACEAE: Dioscorea pentaphylla L.

Vellaikodi, Chedhukandhi susirmmbQmlrlp

Vine; branchlets twining to left; leaves 3-foliate, coriaceous, mucronate; flowers green; fragrant capsule, winged in pendulous masses.

Plate 74 EBENACEAE Diospyros chloroxylon Roxb

Small tree; branches thorny, branchlets seriaceous- pubescent; leaves thin coriaceous, hairy on both sides; bark dark brown; flowers white; fruit brown when ripe.

Plate 75 EBENACEAE: Diospyros ebenum J. Koel ex Retz.

Karunkali, Salaikarimaram ffi~kffirrd

Tree; leaves coriaceous, bark brown, when cut, old bark deeply fissured nearly black outside, new leaves light green, old ones dark green; flowers greenish yellow; fruits velvety when young, dark green later with prominent five lobed calyx.

Plate 76 'BENACEAE: Diospyros ferrea (Willd.) Bakh,

lrumballi @@wudil

Shrub; leaves small thick; flowers small greenish; fruit berry red.

Plate 77 EBENACEAE: Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.

Karunthumbi, Beedi elai illp@mbu my16

Tree; tornentose; bark greyish black, cleft in rectangular plates, showing black inner oar'^ in the clefts; leaves light green, coriaceous; flowers white; fruit orange, edible, rusty, tomentose when young.

Plate 78 EBENACEAE: Diospyros montana Roxb.

Vakkanthi, Karunthuvalisu ffi~$amda

Tree; bark greyish black; leaves thick chartaceous, mature leaves glabrous; flowers greenish yellow; fruit green with an apical black mucro orange when ripe.

Plate 79 ERYTHROXYLACEAE: EIythroxylummonogynum Roxb.

Sernbulichan. (2%b~ldh~t%

Tree; bark dark brown rough; leaves coriaceous, glabrous; flowers white; fruits red when ripe, edible.

Plate 81 EilPHORBIACEAE: Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth. E x Hk

Oduvam 966116i1

Trees to shrubs; leaves coriaceous shining; flowers greenish; fruits 3-ridged ripening brown, opening explosively; tender leaves deadly poisonous.

Plate 82 EUPHORBIACEAE: Dimorphocalyx glabellus var.

lawianus (Hk. f.) Chak & Bat.

Shrub to tree; flower greenish white; fruit black with calyx.

Plate 84 EUPHORBIACEAE: Euphorbia antiquorum L

Sadhurakkalli eayffi~66iraf

Armed shrub; branchlets 3-5 angular, sub- succulent; latex milky; flowers greenish; fruits reddish when young.

Plate 85 EUPHORBIACEAE: Euphorbia nivulea B. Hav.

Elaikalli, Silaikkalli, Kilaimukkukalli

Armed shrub; bark deeply fissured; leaves succulent, light green; latex milky.

Plate 86 EUPHORBIACEAE: Jatropha curcas I.

Kattukottai, Katamanku sni~nlomkpj

Shrub; bark smooth greenish white; leaves green and lobed; flowers light green, fruits oily, rugose when dry globose.

Plate 87 EUPHORBI ACEAE: Jatropha glandulifera Roxb.

Vellai kattukottai Qrmsirmsrrffiffini~~Qffinim~

Shrub; leaves deeply lobed, glands in leaf margins; tender parts purplish green; flowers villous at base; capsule 3-lobed.

Plate 88 EUPHORBI ACEAE Jatropha gossypifolia L.,

Aadalai q , ~ m m

Shrub; dark coloured with glandular haus on branches; flowers red; capsule 3-lobed.

Plate 90 '

EUPHORBIACEAE: Phyllanthus reticulatus Poiret Pullanthi, Karunelli s~$pdd

Shrub; leaves dark green, thin; flowers white; fruits blue when ripe.

Plate 91 EUPHORBIACEAE: Securinega leucopyrus (Wild.) Muel. Arg.

Madhupullanthi, Vellaipoola 61~usirnnmuymn

Armed shrub; branchlets ending in spines; leaves glaucous; flowers greenish; fruits globose, white when ripe.

Plate 92 EUPHORBIACEAE: Tragiaplakenetii R. Smith

Karumchenthatti, Sirukaanchori, Poonakachi tb@&Qe$,5ilp

Climbing shrub with stinging hairs; glaucous light green leaves; fruits green.

Plate 93 FABACEAE - Caesalpinioideae: Bauhinia purpurea L

Manthari m$gam~

Tree; bark greyish to dark brown, rough; branchlets warty; leaves thin coriaceous, lobed to almost half way down to the base; flowers rose pink; pod apex horned.

Plate 94 FABACEAE-Caesalpinioideae: Bauhinia racemosa Lam.

Aathi ~+,%$1

Tree; crooked, bark rough, nearly black; leaves dull green; flowers white; pods dark green, pendulous massive, twisted 2-3 times.

Plate 95 'ABACEAE-Caesalpinioideae: Bauhinia variegata L.

Sigupumanjary Blcutp@efl

Tree; bark grey wltn vertical cracks; leaves big sized glabrous above, puberulous along nerves below, mucronate at the cleft; flowers light, pink, upper lobe dark; pod veins prominent.

Plate 96 FABACEAE- Caesalpinioideae: Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.

Kazharchikaai 5pj#li 5n6

Armed straggler; outer bark papery brown; leaves glabrous above, puberulous below; flowers yellow, latex milky; pods densely spiny.

Plate 97 FABACEAE - Caesalpinioideae: Cassia auriculata L.

Aavaram amrrLb

Shrub; bark yield tannin; leaves stipules auriculate, thin. coriaceous, glabrous above, puberulous below, mucronate; flowers golden yellow; fruit turgid, light brown when ripe.

Plate 98 FABACEAE-Caesalpinioideae: Cassia fistula L.

Sarakkonrai er~k~2bnsdrm~

Tree; pale smooth bark when young, darker and rough when old; leaves coriaceous; flowers yellow; inflorescence penduluous, pods long cylindrical, indehiscent.

Plate 99 FABACEAE-Caesalpinioideae: Cassia montana Heyne. ex. Roth

Mali avaram ~maq,sunyti

Tree; branchlets glabrous; leaflets dark green, chartaceous; flowers yellow interminal cluster; pods compressed, strongly nerved.O

Plate 100 FABACEAE-Caesalpinioideae: Cassia occidentalis L.

Peiavarai Ou66umr

Shrub; leaves chartaceous, glandular; flowers yellow in cluster; pod flattened, horned; weed.

Plate 101 FABACEAE-Caesalpinioideae: Cassia fora L.

Tagarai

Shrubs; foetid smell when broken; leaves thin, corlaceous, glabrous above, pubescent below; flowers golden yellow. pods compressed, glabrous, constricted.

Piate 103 FABACEAE-Caesalpinioideae: Pterolobium hexapetalum

(Roth.),Santapu et Wa gh Karuindu Wi@!sadr@

Armed straggler; branchlets tomentose-stellate; leaves chartaceous, glabrous; flowers white; pod samaroid, apically winged, dark green below, wings terminal reddish.

Plate 105 FABACEAE-Faboideae Abrus precatorius L.

Kundumani @61RiT@~~m?

Climber; branchlet: densely sericeous; leaves chartaceous, glabrous; flowers rose to pink; pods wrinkled, seeds dark red with black end.

Plate 106 F A B A C E A E - F ~ ~ O ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taubert

Porasu Qurr~ffi

Tree; leaflets coriaceous, glabrous above sericeous below; flowers in leafless period orange scarlet (flame) colour in dark velvety calyces; pods brown when ripe.

Plate 107 FAEACEAE-Faboideae: Dalbergia paniculata Roxb.,

Arivagia, Panivagai Velluruvai 6)6~16lt~yrna~

Tree; bark whitish; branchlets pubsecent; leaves chartaceous, pubescent; flowers white fragrant, tinged with pink; pods lanceolate, faintly nerved.

Plate 108 FABACEAE-Faboideae: Derris ovalifolia (Wight et Am) Benth.

Liana; bark dark coloured; leaves dark green; flower whitish; fruit capsule, brown.

Plate 109 FABACEAE-Faboideae: Derris scandens (Roxb.)Benth

Thekil, Ponili QgBsi,

Liana, branchlets tomentose; leaves glabrous above pubrulous below; flowers creamlpink; pods oblong, glabrous.

Plate 110 FABACEAE - Faboideae: Glyricidia sepium (Jacq.)

Kunth ex walp. Vivasaya thagari dsuerrug6my

Tree; branchieis glandular-pubescent; leaves thin coriaceous; flowers rose pink in clusters; pod oblong, continuous between seeds.

Plate 11 1 FABACEAE-Faboideae: Mucuna pmriens (L.) DC.

Poonaikali ~~.mmffi ffirrd

Climber, branchlets downy pubescent; leaves thin coriaceous white - pubescent irritant hairs are very troublesome; flowers dark - purplish; pods curved and apex S -shaped grey, bristly irritant.

Plate 112 FABACEAE-Faboideae: Ormocarpum cochinchinense (Lour) Merr

Elumbotti, Kattu murungai a@lbQum~:~q

Shrub; leaves light green thin; flowers yellow, pods 2-4 seeded; medicinally used to help fix broken bones.

Plate 11 3 FABACEAE-Faboideae: Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre

Pungan 4k161b

Tree; leaves shiny dark green; flowers pea like white and purple pods brown when mature.

Plate 11 4 FABACEAE-Faboideae: Pseudarthria viscida ( L . ) Wt. Et Am

Kodi ottai Qff i r r lp~im~

Climber; branchlets viscid villous; leaf margin ciliate: flowers roses; pods hooked, pubescent, margin undulate; non septate apiculate.

Plate 11 5 FABAcE~~Taboideae: Terannus labialis (L. f.) Sprenge.

Muvilaikodi ~dmsoffiQmrlp Climber; branchlets tomentnsp: leaves thin coriaceous pubescent below flower pink; pods compressed, septate, brown when ripe.

Plate 117

FABACEAE-Mimosoideae Acacia chundra (Roxb.) Ex . Rott. Wild. Karungali ffifirrjffirrd

Armed tree; bark dark greenish L~own, branchlets glabrous; leaves glabrous; flowers yellowish white; pods brown when ripe.

Plate 1 I 8 FABP.CEAE-Mimosoideae: Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd.

Velvalem 6)mdQmmb

Armed tree; branchlets yellowish-velvety; bark grey and smooth dark brown and rough; leaflets glabrous above, pubescent below; flowers cream to yellow; pod thick turgid, rusty, tomentose brown.

Plate 120 FABACEAE-Mimosoideae: ~ l b i G a amara (Roxb.) Boivin

Unjaa, Usilai redsmm

Large tree; branchlets yellowish or grey pu~escsnt; leaves glabrous; flowers pinkish white cream; pods compressed, strongly nerved, indehiscent, greyish brown.

Plate 121 FABACEAE - Mlmoso~deae ~1biz;'a lebbeck (L) Benth

Vaga~ arrmffi

Dec~duous tree, bark brown~sh grey, flowers wh~te with very long green~sh stamens, rlpe pods straw coloured, remalnlng w~th tree

Plate 122 F F ~ A C E A E - Mimosoideae: ~ l b i i i a odoratissima (L. f.) Benth

Karuvagai ffiu~~mrnmffi

Moderate tree; bark grey with irregular cracks; leaves puberulous, sweet scented; flowers white with yellow anthers; pods drying black.

Plate 123 FABACEAE - Mimosoideae Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wt. & Arn

Vedathala, Viduthalai Osu~&,rnrr

Armed small tree; bark grey; branchlets densely pubescent; spine tiped; leaflets pubescent; flowers bicoloured, upper yellow, lower pink; pods twisted, brown.

Plate 124 FABACEAE - Mimosoideae: Leucena leucocephala (Lam.) De wit

Nattu cavintham, Savundal 6q@ai~6i)

Tree; bark brown with lenticels; leaves compound glaucous; flowers white pods strap shaped, brown when dry.

Plate 125 FABACEAE-Mimosoideae: Mimosa intsia L.

Kattu seekai 6rri~Qbmffi

Armed shrublstraggler; pubescent; leaflets dark green; flowers rose to pink; pods falcate, jointed, spinous along margin, beaked; coppery, turning dark brown.

Plate 126 F A B ~ c E A E - M ~ ~ o s o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : peltophoruffl pter0Carpurn

(DC) Baker ex Heyne, Mania\ Konnai D @ ~ ~ ~ " ~ ~

iree, Rowers yellow with brownish calyx: bark brownish-cracking.

Plate 127 FABACEAE-Mimosoideae: Pithecd obium dulce (Roxb.)

Benth. Kodukapuli Q f f i r r ~ f f i ~ r r u q d

Armed tree; branchlets densely tornentose; leaflets chartaceous, glabrous; flowers light greenlcream; pod circinate or falcate, turgid black seeds with white aril.

Plate 128 FABACEAE-Mimosoideae: Prosopis juliflora L.

Vaelikaruvai, Velikathan 06udi&@msu

Armed shrub; branchlets glabrous; leaflets chartaceous, glabrous; flowers cream yellowish; pods slightly curved, compressed yellow when ripe.

Plate 129 FABACEAE-~imosoideae: Samanea saman (Jacq.) Prain

Thoongu moonji maram @TiJ@(&&-IlD!Tb

Tree; branchlets tornentose; leaflets glabrous above; pubescent below; flowers pinkish white; pods slightly twisted, woody with thick rnesocarp,

Plate 130 FLACOURTIACEAE: Casearia elliptica Wild.

Nayalingi 9rr6adGB1

Small tree; pale bark; branchlets warty, densely pubescent; leaves thin- coriaceous, pubescent; petiole red, biade velvety; iiuwers light green; fruits dehiscing along 3 valves exposing the red seeds.

Plate 132 HIPPOCRATEACEAE: Salacia chinensis L.

Perunattukkodi 6iu~riffirri@bQffiirq

Liana; !eaves grey I green thin coriaceous, glabroti; below, glossy above; flowers greenish yellow; berry ripening yellow to red I salmon pink.

Plate 133 YIPPOCRATEACEAE: Reissantia indica (Wild) N Halle.

Odankodi, Morasarakodi ~ ~ i i Q & r r l p

Straggling shrub; branch-lets sometimes coiled, glabrous; leaves thin coriaceous, glabrous; flowers rusty yellow; seeds winged enclosed in capsules.

Plate 134 ICACINACEAE Pyrenancantha volubilis Wight.

diocious climber; leaves dark green shiny and rough; flowers small greenish yellow; fruit orange when ripe, mesocarp sticky.

Plate 135 LAM IACEAE: Anisomeles iadica ( L . ) Kuntz.

Paemiratti, Vattachadachi G u b d ~ i q

Shrub, smelling qtrongly of camphor; leaves chartaceous, pubescent; flowers pink-violet.

Pkte 136 LAMI ACEAE: Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit

Shrub; sweet scented branchlets hispid with chartaceous leaves; flowers blue; fruits nutlets.

?late 137 LAMIACEAE: Leonotis nepetaefolia (L) R. Br.

Shrub; branchlets pubescent, leaves chartaceous spinous with whorls of orange-scarlet flowers.

Plate 138 LAMIACEAE: Ocimum americanum L.

Kanjam korar Najthnlali a6rrGenh O ~ r r r n ~

Shrub; leaves serulate, flower cream, scented; peduncles purplish green

Plate 139 LAMIACEAE: Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

Nallathulasi p6i)6\) am81

Shrub, strongly aromatic, branchlets hispid; flowers purplish; nutlets brown when dry.

Plate 140 LAURACEAE: Cassytha fi/i?formis L

Antharakkadi, Kothan, wi3~5(2ffimlg

Partial stem parasite, twiner, seen in dense clusters light green on thickets; flowers yellow; fruits white when ripe.

Plate 141 LECYTHIDACEAE: Careya arborea Roxb.

Peithaandri, Ayrner, Kurnki, Ouu>&iir&fl

Tree, bark dark brown, grey branchlets with leaf scars, pubescent; leaves thin-coriaceaous clustered; flowers yellowish white; fruits globose fleshy, brown when ripe crowned with calyx lobes.

Plate 142 LILIACEAE: Asparagus racernosus Wild

Thenner vitan kizhangu, kadamoolam gsadrdfr S s i i ~ r r a i r Bcpi~(g

Armed tuberous climber leaves scaly, cladodes light green; flowers, white scented; fuits ripening red.

Plate 143 LlLlACEAE Gloriosa superba L.

kalappai kizhangu senkandala kanvalikodi 66~~6nuf f i d@k@

Tuberous climber; branches glabrous; lean leaves chartaceous glabrous apex tendrilled; flowers first greenish, then yellow, passing through orange and scarlet to crimson; capsule linear.

Plate 144 LI NACEAE: Hugonia mystax. L

Modirakanni ~ 1 0 ~ & ~ & 6 6 d T d

Liana; bark yellow; leaves coriaceous glabrous, nerves pubescent below; flowers golden yellow; fruits when ripe red.

Plate 145 LOGANIACEAE: Strychnos colubrina L.

Kodi yeti Gl&rrlpailp

Liana; leaves dark green; flowers with rancid smell; fruits yellow when ripe.

Plate 146 LOGANIACEAE: Strychnos nux-vomica L.

Kanjaram, Yettimaram ailplo~lo

Tree; leaves coriaceous, 3-nerved, shiny, flowers small greenish; fruits orange when ripe.

Plate 147 LOGANIACEAE: Strychnos potatorum L. f.

Thethankottai C ~ g i y i r j Q c s r r i s m ~

Tree; leaves chartaceous, 5-nerved, bright green; flowers white; fruits thin shelled, deep blue when ripe: seeds used to clear muddy water.

Plate 148 LORANTHACEAE Dendrophthoe falcata (L, f.) Etingsh.

Pullurivi qb@~sSi

Parasite; branchlets terete; leaves subcoriaceous, glabrous; flowers yellow, when dry red.

Plate 149 LORANTHACEAE: Taxillus bracteatus (Wall.) Tieghem

L D J ~ 6l@rr,@l9

Parasite; branchlets downy-tomentose; leaves pilose pubescent; flowers greenish yellow red inside.

Plate 150 LORANTHACEAE: Viscum orientale (Willd.)

Pulluruvi gi@

Parasite; leaves obtuse at apex 3-ribbed; berry purple.

Plate I 51 MALVACEAE: Abufilon indicum ( L . ) Sweet.

Thutthi g&l

Shrub; branchlets with stellate pubescent and simple hairs; leaves minutely hairy; fruits light black when ripe.

Plate 153 MALVACEAE: Hibiscus surattensis L.

Kattupulichai ~rri@irqd8sme

Prickly shrub; branchlets reddish with recurved prickles; leaes membranous, flowers yellow, inside base purple around throat.

Plate 154 MALVACEAE: Hibiscus vitifolius L.

Manjalthuthi tr@%g,@$

Shrub; branchiets stellate t o~ r~e~~ lose , glandular; lower leaves triangular upper-angled or ovate -cordate chartaceous; flowers yellow; inside base purple (throat).

Plate 155 MALVACEAE: Pavonia odorata Wild.

Peramutti Gugirwilp

Shrub; branchlets viscid; leaves basally 5 - nerved; flowers pink or white schizocarp, pubescent, mericarps not winged; seeds pubescent.

Plate 156 MALVACEAE: Sida cordifolia L.

Nila tutti $mg,@&

Small undershrub velvety; branchlets densely stellate, tomentose with simple hairs; leaves chartaceous, tomentose; flowers yellow, schizocarp exceeding calyx.

Plate 157 MALVACEAE: Sida schimperiana Hochst

Rigid undershrub; branchlets densely stellate tomentose; leaves sub coriaceous, glabrous above stellate-tomentose below; flowers bright yellow; schizocarp not exceeding calyx.

Plate 158 MALVACEAE: Thespesia populnea (L. ) Sol. Ex Corr.

Puvarasu U6UIJd

Tree; branchlets and leaves peltate scaly; flowers yellow fading to purplish pink, throat reddish inside; capsule indehiscent, apically depressed.

Plate 159 ME1 ASTOMATACEAE: Memecylon umbellaturn Burm. f.

ffinen@i

Shrub; leaves coriaceous glabrous; flowers blue in clusters of umbels; fruit yellow when ripe.

Plate 160 M~LIACEAE: Aglaia elaeagnoidea (Adr. Juss.) Benth

Erumaikanni n@sm1~&5sdrsdil

Tree; leaves glossy on the tip; flowers small white with fragrance; fruit orange when ripe.

Plate 161 MELIACEAE: ~zadi ra i ta indica Adr. JuSS.

Vembu Ombu

Tree; branchlets glabrous; leaves imparipinnate ~yb-coriaceOUS; flowers white; fruits yellow when ripe

Plate 163 MENISPERMACEAE: Cissampelos pareira L.

Appatta wljui~rr

Climber tomentose; leaves chartaceous, pubescent; flowers minute greenish; fruits hirsute, rcd when ripe, subtending the conspicuous auricular bracts.

Plate 166 MENISPERMACEAE: Tiliacora acuminata (Lam.) Miers.

Perungattukodi Qugrbmrri~rSGlcsrrlp

Climber, woody base, with hanging prop-roots; leaves coriiceous, glabrous; flowers bright yellow; fruits green turning orange to red.

Plate 167 MENISPERMACEAE: Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) Meirs ex Hk fl. &

Thomson ; Sallikodi, Seendhil #$fiisi,

Woody climber; branchlets glabrous, bark corky; leaves chartaceous with glandular papillose patches on lower surface in basal nerve axils; flowers green; fruits green to orange to red.

Plate 168 MORACEAE: Ficus amplissima J . E . Smith

Kal-lchchi ffidl8d

Tree; leaves sub-coriaceous, petiole 8 crn glandular at the apex below; figs subsessile pyriform, seeds turn red when ripe.

Plate 169 IWRACEAE: Ficus benghalensis L.

Ala maram ~ ~ , ~ U L D Q ~ I

Tree; with aerial roots; leaves coriaceous, glabrous above puberulose below, petiole 4 cm, syconus ripening red.

Plate 170 MORACEAE: Ficus hispida L. f.

Paey-Atthi OuJjah$l

Tree; bark grey; branchlets hispid, petiole with a sub nodal gland to 4 cm; figs on special shoot or branches.

plate 171 MORACEAE: Ficus racemosa L.

Vellai atthi 96usirm61~abfl

Tree; bark brown; branchlets white pilose; leaves sub-coriaceous, glaucous above glabrous below, petiole 3-5 cm cauliflorous.

Plate 172 M~RACEAE: Ficus religiosa L.

Arasamaram ajelogb

1 ree; leaves suocoriaceous; petiole 12 cm, articulate; figs paired sessile ripening pink, purple or black.

Plate 174 M~RACEAE: Strebolus asper Lour.

Pura maram qpirm~tb

Tree; leaves scabrid; flowers small;fruits yellow when ripe.

Plate 175 MYRTACEAE Eugenia bracfeata (Wild.)Roxb.

Kayan e;u~rr&

ShrublTree; branchlets glabrous; leaves chartaceous, glabrous; flowers white, petals glandular; berry c~vered with calyx lobe orange when ripe.

Plate 177 MYRTACEAE: Syzygium hemisphericurn (wight) Alston

Vellai Naval Qasirmm ~rrsusi,

Tree; bark smooth, blakish; branchlets glabrous; leaves thin, coriaceous, glabrous; flowers white or rose; fruit light rose, hemisperical

Plate 178 OCHANACEAE: Ochna obtusata DC.

Chilanti Blsu@,@

Shrub; leaves glabrous glossy; flowers golden yellow; seeds black when ripe, held on reddened calyx.

Plate 179 OLACACEAE: Olax scandens Roxb.

Kodal ranchi 5 ~ 6 i ) y @ B I

Armed climbers; leaves ttin coriaceous; flowers white; fruits cupule, fleshy pinkish on ripening.

Pla!e 180 OLEACEAE: Chionanthus zeylanica L.

Tree; ieaves simple; flowers small white, with coconut fragrance; fruits purple when ripe.

Plate 181 OLEACEAE: Jasminum angustifolium (L.) Wild. Var.

angustifolicum. Wt. Kattumalligai, Karamanachedi &rri@~oBsSim&

Climber; leaves dark green chartaceous; flowers white with scent; fruits black when ripe.

Plate 182 OLEACEAE: Jasminum auriculatum Vahl.

Kodimalli, Mullai (~~s;imsu

Climber; leaves light green, glabrous, chartaceous, often variegated; flowers white with scent; fruits black when ripe.

Plate I 83 OPILIACEAE: Cansjera rheedi J. Gmelin.

Kalimannakkeerai f f i d ~ m s Z m ~

Liana; branchlets tomentose; leaves dark green shiny, thin-coriaceous; flowers yellowish; fruits green to orange to red.

Plate 185 PAPAVERACEAE: Argemone mexicana L.

Brama thandu Lnrjh~~@mhfj

Armed shrub; leaves chartaceous glaucous with yellow juice, grey coloured; flowers golden yellow; capsule spinous apically, dehice by valves; seeds black and pitted.

Plate 186 PASSIFLORACEAE: Adenia Wightiana (Wt. Et. Arn.) Engl

Climber (Vine); branchlets glabrous, petioles much t wisted; leaves chartaceous, glabrescent gland at the leaf base; flowers small petals attached to calyx throat, a fringe of short hairs at the base of petals; capsule 3 cm long.

Plate 187 PASS1 FLORACEAE: Passiflora foetida L.

Mosukkattan Q m r r f f i f f i ~ i ~ n a i

Vine; te~drillar; foetid when bruised; branchlets densely stiff-hispid; leaves chartaceous; flowers white, with andro-gynophore; stigmatic branches cross-like; beny deeply pitted yellowlgreen.

Plate 188 PERIPLOCACEAE Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br,

Nannari pairmrrfl

Climber; milky latex; leave: grey green coriaceous glabrous above glaucous below; flowers axillary yellow; seeds in capsule blown by wind; roots flavouring for drinks.

Plate I 89 POLYGONACEAE: Antigonun leptopus Hk. & Am.

Kodi rose - coral creeper 6i~nlpGyrrak

Climbers; inflorescence tip tendrilar; leaves light green; flowers pink.

Plate 190 RHAMNACEAE: Scutia myrtina (Brum. f.) Kutz,.

Kokkinullu, Tuvadi Qffi1~id1(g6iTm

Armed shrub; brnchlets glaucous; spines recurved; leaves coriaceous, slightly inrclled; flowers white; fruits dark blue compressed.

Plate 191 RHAMNACEAE: Ventilago madraspatana Gaertner

Vernbadam OslluurnnkQ&rrlp

Unarmed liana; branchlets tornentose; leaves thin coriaceous; flowers yellow frequent; fruits winged, capsule coriaceous.

Plate 192 RHAMNACEAE: Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.

llanthai @m$m@

Small tree; branchlets woolly; stipular thorns; leaves grey glabrous above, rusty tomentose below, flowers greenish; fruits red when ripe.

Plate 193 RHAMNACEAE: Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Miller.

Choorai mullu rgmgwsira

Armed shrub; branchlets densely tomentose; leaves pubescent above sericeous below; flowers gleen; fruits black when ripe.

Plate 194 RHAMNACEAE: Zjzjphus rugusa Lam.

Kattilandai, Sudu Thoratti ~rrilpm$mgj

Armed shrub, branchlets woolly; leaves woolly flowers small green; drupe pyriform.

Plate 195 RHAMNACEAE: Ziziphus xylopynrs (Retz.) Willd.

Kottai Elandai (d~rrism~@su$mg

Armed tree; branchlets tomentose; leaves glabrous above, tomentose below; flower greenish; drupe tomentose grey I green when ripe.

Plate 196 RUBIACEAE: Benkara malabarica (Lam.) Tiruveng adum

Pudan W O ~ I T ~ J

Armed shrub; leaves dark green; flowers white; fruit globose dark cream.

Plate 197 RUEIACEAE: Canthium dicoccum (Gaerrtn.) Teysm. Ex. Binnend

Irambarathan, Nekkini @fibugbgnh

Unarmed tree; bark dark grey, smooth; leaves coriaceous dark green shining; flowers cream; fruits globose.

Plate 198 RUBIACEAE: Canthiurn parviflorum lam.

Mullukaari, Sengaarai Qekffirrmy

A thorny grey shrub; leaves chartaceous; flowers greenish; drupe globose.

Plate 199 RUBIACEAE Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tw.

Mathukarai @&,1&5smj

Armed shrub; leaves chartaceous; flowers white turning yellow; berry with a crown of calyx lobes.

Plate 200 RUBiACEAE: lxora pavetta Andr.

Korivi Qsrrfid

Small tree; leaves coriaceous dark green; flowers white scented; fruit berry black when ripe.

Plate 201 RUBIACEAE: Morinda pubescens J. E. Smith

Manjanathi, Nuna pwm

Tree; bark light yellow; flowers white; fruit compound greenish;dark when ripe.

Plate 202 RUBIACEAE: Pavetta indica L.

Pannapavattai 611~i@8@!Jd

Shrub; leaves sub coriaceous; flowers white; fruit black when ripe.

Plate 203 RUBIACEAE: Pavetfa tomentosa Roxb. Gx. Smith.

Therani Qggd

Tree; tender parts softly tomentose; leaves densely tomentose below drying black above, Lwers white; berry small-black when ripe.

Plate 204 RUBIACEAE: Psilanthus wightianus (Wt. Et. Am), J . Ler oy

Vedan, Uppulathi, Wild Coffee G r m ~ a i

Shrub; branchlets horizontal; leaves light green chartaceous; flowers white; fruit black when ripe.

Plate 205 RURIACEAE: Tarenna asiatica (L) Kunze ex. Schuman

Thaerani, Kura, Thirukura C ~ ~ w d i l

Shrub; leaves coriaceous; flowers white; fruits black when ripe.

Plate 207 RUTACEAE Aegle marmelos ( L . ) Corr. Serr.

Vilvam dbsutb

Armed tree; branchlets pubescent; leaves chartaceous glabrous; flowers white; fruit grey when ripe valued for aromatic pulp.

Plate 208 RUTACEAE: Atalantia monophylla (L . ) Corr. Serr.

Kattunaragam, Kattu elumichai &rig ~ a ~ ~ j - r r r n n

Armed tree; leaves glabrous, coriaceous; flowers white, scented; fruits yellow waxy dark green.

Plate 209 R~TACEAE: Chloroxylon swietena DC.

Satin Wood, Vaimaram, Porasu Giunva

Unarmed tree; bark rough and corky yellowish; branchlets pubescent; leaves compound, thin coriaceous gland-dotted; fruit capsule woody.

Plate 21 1 RUTACEAE: Glycosmis mauritiana (Lam.) Yuich Tanaka

Konji pazham (affin~.$dl

Shrub; leaves thin aromatic if crushed; flowers white; fruits salmon pink.

Plate 21 2 RUTACEAE: Limonia acidissima 1.

Vila maram, Wood Apple dmrr

Arined tree, bark rough, white; leaves thin coriaceuus, glossy green; flowers cream; fruits grey, pulp edible.

Plate 214 RUTACEAE: Pleiospemum alatum (Wall. E x Wt & Arn.) S.

Kurun tharnul gija,bapsir

Armed shrub; leaves thin coriaceous glossy, glabrous; flowers cream; fruits dark green.

Plate 215 RUTACEAE: Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam.

Kindu mullu, Milakaranai c61sa6r@wsir@

Armed climber; leaves fragrant when crushed; bark cream; flowers white; fruits orange when ripe.

Plate 216 SP LVADORACEAE: Azima tetracantha Lam.

Mulsangu (1~6iT1fk(g

Armed shrub; branchlets divaricate; leaves greyish green, spine tiped; flowers white; berries white edible.

Plate 21 7 SALVADORACEAE: Salvadora persica L. var.

Nightiana (Thavettes) Verde, Sithuva, kodumavali Ql&ysuir

Tree; leaves thick chartaceous; flowers white; fruits green red to dark blue salt-tolerant.

Plate 21 8 SANTALACEAE: Santalum album L.

Sandhana maram c r $ p m ~ l b

Tree; bark light red; leaves subcoriaceous; flowers red; fruit red when ripe.

Plate 219 SAPINDACEAE: Allophylus serratus (Roxb.) kun.

Siruvalli d@6~h6m

Shrub; leaves trifoliate, leaflets woolly when young, glabrous later; flowers pale yellow; fruits arillate, green to orange to red.

Plate 220 SAP1 NDACEAE: Cardiospermum helicacabum L. var.

microcarpum (Kunt) Blume Mudakkathan (y~ffiffijj5rr~

Climbers; leaves membranous sub-glabrotls; flowers white; capsule 3-lobed, pubescent winged at angles.

plate 221 SAPINDACEAE: Dodonaea

angustifolia L. f, Virali 6 1 n p 5 '

Shrub dioecious; leaves thin coriaceous gland dotted flowers green unisexual; fruits 3-merous tinged reddish when ripe especially the wings.

Plate 223 SAP1 NDACEAE: Sapindus emarginatus Vahl.

Pucha, Poovamkottai, pungankai, Soap nil! ~ 6 ~ ~ 6 1 m r i m ~

Tree; branchlets tornentose; leaves thick coriaceous, flowers white, fruits rusty, substitute for soap.

Plate 225 SAPOTACEAE Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard.

Kanupalaa, Vlakkai palai umrr

Tree; sap milky; leaves dense green coriaceous; flowers white fragrant brownish red when dry; fruits berry beaked with persistent style when young.

Plate 226 SAPOTACEAE: Mimusops elengi L.

Mahizhamaram L D ~ I J J I D J L ~

Tree; leaves sub-coriaceous, bark deeply furrowed; flowers fragrant cream berry ovoid light yellow.

Plate 227 SCROPHULARIACEAE: Striga asiatica (L . ) Kuntze

@a Q ~ L P

Root parasite herb; leaves thick; flowers yellow; fruit capsules small.

Plate 229 STERCULIACEAE: Guazuma ulmifolia Lam,

Uthraksham, Thenkai maram 0~66rcsnu>, ~ & ~ i i 5 L b

Tree; branchlets stellate tomentose; leaves chartaceous, tomentose below; flowers yellow; fruits woody, tubercled resembling a small mulberry in shape and colour.

Plate 231 STERCULIACEAE: Pterospermum canescens Roxb.

Sembiolavu, Tada GicrlbBsuq

Tree; leaves lobed brown pubescent below; flowers white fragrance; fruit capsule, brown.

Plate 232 STERCULIACEAE: Pterospermum xylocarpum (Gaert~r)

Santapau & Wagh. Masippuluvai, Masapoondi t ~ g u ~ m i ~ l q

Tree; branchlets warty; lezves thick coriaceous glabrous above rusty below; flowers white turning yellow soon fading; fruits reddish brown.

Plate 234 TILIACEAE: Grewia obtusa Wali,ex.Dunn

Shrub; leaves lanceolate; flowers cream; fruit pyrene, brown coloured.

Plate 235 TILIACEAE: Grewia rhamnifolia Heyne. ex. Roth.

Shrub; branchlets densely-tomentose; leaves thin coriaceous glabrous; flowers light green; fruit drupe Clobed velvety.

Plate 236 TI LIACEAE: Grewia filiafolia Vahl.

Thadachi p~+Qi

Tre?; leaves thin coriaceous, stellate along nerves above; grey below; flowers yellow; drupe sparsely hirsute.

Plate 237 TILIACEAE: Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq.

Ottarai Q L L ~ D

Shrub; branchlets stellate tomentose; leaves thin- coriaceous; scabrid above, woolly below; flowers cream; fruit capsule, woolly prickly apex transparent.

Plate 238 TURNERACEAE: Turnera ulmifolia L var.

angustifolia Wild. ex. Urban,

Shrub; branchlets glandular pubescent; leaves chartaceous; flowers bright yellow capsule globose pitted.

Plate 239 VERBENACEAE: Gmelina asiatica L.

Nilakkumala, Sirukumalam., Mulkumizu I $ ~ u ~ @ L D ~ ( T I I

Armed shrub, horizontal branches; spines leaf bearing; leaves chartaceous glabrous; flowers golden yellow; fruits yellow when ripe.

Plate 240 VERBENACEAE: Lantana camara L, var, aculeata (L.)

Moldenke Unnichedi ~ ~ 6 d i i i Q a l p

Prickly shrub aromatic; leaves rugose and scabrous; flowers white yellow or mixed orange, condensed clusters; fruits dark blue.

Plate 241 VERBENACEAE: Premna corymbosa (Burm. f.) Rott. & \h' -j

Serithalai. Nalla Pinnai ~~sudairsmm

Shrub moderately scented when bruised; leaves chartaceous; flowers cream to brownish; fruits black when ripe.

Plate 243 VERBENACEAE: Premna serratifolia L.

Paaiminnai urrujdkwrrr6

Tree; leaves thin-coriaceous light green glossy; flowers greenish white unpleasant smell; fruits black when ripe.

Plate 244 VERBENACEAE: Premna tomentosa Wild.

Kolakathaithaekku. Malai thaekku Q&rrsukffiian~~Ogt@

Tree; bark yellowish; leaves thick coriaceous, tomentose; flowers cream scented; fruits black when ripe.

Plate 245 VERBENACEAE: Symphorema involucratum Roxb.

Vellai mallikkodi, Poongurungu Qsusirmm loddiQ6nlp

Liana; leaves thin coriaceous; flowers with thick obovate involucral bracts grcz: corolla white; fruits conspicuous by the accrescent involucre of bracts.

Plate 246 VERBENACEAE: Vitex altissima L, f.

Mayilai nochi 1~~31slrrrlp

Tree; leaves thick - chartaceous; flowers white to purple; fruit ripening purple.

Plate 247 VERBENACEAE Vifex negundo L.

Nalla nochichi Qp,n&fl

Shrub; tender parts grey pubescent; leaves chartaceous, glabrous above, grey pubescent below; flowers purple to violet; bark grey.

Plate 248 VITACEAE: Cayratia pedata (Lour.) A. L. Juss. ex. Gaghe~

Pannikkaodi uidffiQmaq

Climber; (Liana); stem brittle; leaves 7-9 foliate soffly pubescent, dark green; flowers green; fruits green to red.

Plate 250 'JITACEAE: Cissus vitiginea L.

( ~ c F L ~ ~ I J ~ ~ T ~ L

Climber; branchlets densely pubescent; leaves broadly cordate, thick-coriaceous 5-angled serrate; tendrils simple; flowers pale yellow; fruits rugose blue when ripe.

Plate 251 VITACEAE: Cyphostemna setosum (Rox~ . ) Alston.

5~cgdsrrfi

Climber; fleshy stem; leaves fleshy; fruit red hairy.

Plate 1 ACANTHACEAE Justicla adhatoda L. Adatodai aur6p~r

Shrub with foetid smell; flowers cream white, lower lobe crested with purple lines.

Plate 12 APOCYNACEAE Carlssa carandas L.

Kalaka I kiia &n i~

Shrub; leaves 3 ribbed at base, thorny; bark yellowish brown; flowers white or pale rose; fruits red berry turning purple or black on ripening.

Plate 14 APOCYNACEAE lchanocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br

Manipilan kodi; Udar kodi roaufhflmrrbr 4c6mp

Straggling shrub with milky latex, tender parts rusty-pubescent; flowers cream; fruits rusty.

Plate 17 ARECACEAE Borassus fiabelifer L,

Panaimaram

Tree, stem grayish black, when young clothed with dry leaves or bases of petioles: fruit drupe blackish yellow.

Plate 19 ARECACEAE Corypha macropoda Kurt. Ex. Linden.

Kudai panai

Tree, stem with annular petiolar scars, naked, monocarpic; flowers light green; fruits greenish yellow.

Plate 20 ARECACEAE Phoenlx hurnllis Royal.

Malai eacham, kattu eacham. &@ &erbr, @BI

Shrub; inflorescence light yellow; fruits small green when young, red when semi-ripe and black when ripe.

Plate 22 ARECACEAE Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb

Eechamaram wh.uo-h

Tree; trunk with persistent leaf base; leaves with grey coatings ending In spines; flowers light yellow; fruits green when young, yellow when semi ripe and brown when ripe.

Plate 32 ASCLEPIADACEAE Tyiophora indica (Burrn, f . ) Merr

Nangiiai prattai ~@,dsmsu

Straggler; branches pubescent; latex watery; flowers axillary, clusters, greenish yellow, outside purple, and inside pink.

Plate 44 CAPPARACEAE Capparis brevispina D. C.

Adondai, Athandovi mL.@kQar@,d

Armed shrub; leaves coriaceous and mucronate, flowers solitary, creamy, upper pair with a yellow blotch each on inside base; fruit smooth, ellipsoid beaked, red when ripe.

Plate 47 CAPPARACEAE Capparis seplarla L.

Kattukathiri, Karunjurai, kokkimullu. wl@km Q d s b f l

Straggling shrub; branchlets densely fulvous or grey pubescent; leaves thin mucronate, thorns recu~ed ; flowers corymbose, sub sessile, umbels white; fruit dark blue when ripe.

Plate 50 CAPPARACEAE Maerua oblonglflia (Forsskal) A. Rich.

Mocchakodi Clwk Qeq

Unarmed woody straggler; branchlets glabrous, arching, very brittle; leaves lanceolate, entire, mucronate; racemes corymbose; flowers greenish white 1 pink; fruits moniiiform.

Plate 52 CELASTRACEAE Maytenus emarglnata (Willd.) Ding. Hou.

Chinta &&LIT

Armed shrub; whitish grey bark; leaves coriaceous, glabrous; flowers white fragrant; capsule brown when ripe.

Plate 59 COMBRETACEAE Termlnalla belllrlca (Gaetrner) Roxb.

Thani, Thandri. ~~ lPmb Qu Tree, branchlets warty, with leaf scars; leaves coriaceous, glabrous, flnely pellucid-dotted above; flowers creamy, strong scented; fruits sty or velvety outside.

Plate 60 CONVOLVULACEAE Argyrela cymosa (Roxb.)Sweet

Attukodi 4tbi@di*

Climber; leaves thinly pubescent on both sides, chartaceous; inflorescence cyrnose, bracts foliaceous, persistent; calyx reddish, corolla lobes rose in the upper, pink in the lower half; fruits globose, blown by wind.

Plate 61 CONVOLVULACEAE Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.

Sivan koondal 6ku-h hi$&

Total parasite; slender twiner; leafless yellowish branches; flowers creamy; fruits sticky.

Plate 80 EUPHORBIACEAE Bridelia retusa (L.) Sprengel.

Mulvaengai, Mul Alamaram, Adamaruthu ( ~ ~ ~ & r n r s

Tree; bark dark grey red when cut; leaves pale green; flowers light green; fruits ripenlng black.

Plate 83 EUPHORBIACEAE Drypetes separle (Wt et Arn.) pax et hoffn.,

Vellilambu, Veerai 1 tomb

Tree; bark grey; leaves chartaceous shiny, dark green; flowers greenish; fruits green to orange to red.

Plate 102 FABACEAE - Caesalplnloldeae. Delonlx elata (L.) Gamble.

Padenarayan, curg+p~&I

Tree; branchlets warty; leaflets without stipels; flowers cream, becoming yellow; pod apices attenuate, horned, sutures groved.

Plate 11 6 FABACEAE - Mmsoldeae Acacla caesla (L.) wild.

Kari indu dl @&@

Armed liana; branchlets glabrous, inter-nodal thorns hooked; leaves puberulous, petiole prickled on the underside with convex elongate gland at base; flowers cream; pods thin glabrous, horned, brown when ripe.

Plate 119 FABACEAE- Mlmosoideae Acacia nllotica (I.) Del

Karuvelarn f f i~66URH6

Armed tree; branchlets grey pubescent; thorns white; bark dark brown rough; flowers golden yellow; pods constricted glaucous, grey when ripe

Plate 131 FLACOURTIACEAE Flacourtla Indica (Burrn. f.) Merr

Sothaikala Qm~@ffimn

Armed shrub; leaves thin coriaceous, glabrous, dark green; flowers usually on the thorns, white; fruits black red when ripe, edible.

Plate 152 MALVACEAE Hlblscus rosas!knsls L.

Sernparuthi Qebu&

Shrub; bark light brown with lenticel; leaves dark green; flowers red cultivated.

Plate 162 MELIACEAE Walsura trifoliata (Adr. Juss.) Harns.

Walsura mad

Tree; branchlets densely tomentose; leaves thick coriaceous, glabrous, glossy above, glacous below; flowers white; fruits yellow when ripe.

Plate 164 MENISPERMACEAE Coccolus hirsutus (L.) Diels

Sirunkattukodi ~ c s l r i @ & Q q

Climber; leaves chartaceous; flowers greenish; fruits purple when ripe.

Plate 165 MENISPERMACEAE Pachygone ovata (Poir.) Mers.Ex. Hk. &

Thorns.

Kattukodi &@Qrwnp

Climber; leaves coriaceous; flowers yellow, clusters, honey scented; fruits green through orange to purple.

Plate 176 MYRTACEAE Syzygium cumlni (L.) Skeets

Naaval ~~~ Tree; branclets glabrous; leaves coriaceous glabrous, glossy above, aromatic when crushed; flowers cream; fruits green, red to dark blue, petiole reddish.

Plate 184 PANDANCEAE Pandanus odoratissirnus Roxb. Cor. Talumbu ~ m l p

Tree; with thick prickly glabrous leaves; trunk with basal prop-roots bracts leafy, cream and fragrant; fruits orange when ripe.

Plate 206 RUBIACEAE Tricalysia sphaerocarpa,Gamble Ceepu maram #Lq tomb

Tree; leaves simple; flowers small; fruits green turning black when ripe.

Plate 213 RUTACEAE Pamburus misslonls (Wt.) Swing.

Kadanaathi s~p@

Armed tree; bark brown coloured, rough; leaves glossy, thin conaceous; flowers cream; fruit dark green.

Plate 222 SAPINADACEAE Leplsanthes tetraphylla (Vahi.) Radlk

Kugamathi, Nehota q&Qmn Tree; crooked leaves thick-coriaceous; flowers white, cauliflorus foetid; fruits rusty outside yellow-velvety tomentose.

Plate 228 SOLANACEAE Solanum trl]obatum L.

Thuduvaeiai Dpmrn

Armed climber; leaves chartaceous prickly; flowers purple; Fruits green with white spots, dark red when ripe; medicinal.

Plate 230 STERCULIACEAE Melochla nudiflora L.

Akichedi gl&Q 6 l q

Sub-shrub; branches tomentose, browny; leaves ovate to lanceolate, serrate; flowers in axillary clusters, pinkish-white; capsule five-valved, brown when ripe.

Plate 233 TlLlACEAE Grewla tillafolla Vahl.

Thadachi s b . 8

Tree; leaves thin coriaceous, stellate along nerves above; grey below; flowers yellow; drupe sparsely hirsute.

Plate 242 VERBENACEAE Premna latlfolla Roxb.

Perlajitti, Qh@&

Tree; leaves chartaceous glabresent above softly pubescent below; flowers white; fruits ripening red.

Plate 249 VITACEAE Clssus quadrangularls L

Pirandai & & m ~

Climber; stem 4-angled, glabrous; leaves early-caducous, thick conaceous; flowers greenish-yellow; h i t s red.

Plate 81 EilPHORBIACEAE: Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth. E x Hk. f.

Oduvam ~gsu&

Trees to shrubs; leaves coriaceous shining; flowers greenish; fruits bridged ripening brown, opening explosively; tender leaves deadly poisonous.