CCATMBT011

A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON TAXONOMY, MEDICINAL USES AND
INVASIVE NATURE OF ANGIOSPERMS IN PATTITHARA
GRAMAPANCHAYATH, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,
KERALA
DISSERTATION
Submitted to
CHRIST COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), IRINJALAKUDA
(Affiliated to University of Calicut)
In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BOTANY
Submitted by
MALAVIKA P.
Reg. No: CCATMBT011
Under the guidance of,
Prof. JACOB ABRAHAM PULIKAL
POST GRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
JUNE 2021
(Affiliated to University of Calicut & Nationally accredited with 'A' grade)
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “A PRELIMINARY STUDY

ON TAXONOMY, MEDICINAL USES AND INVASIVE NATURE OF
ANGIOSPERMS IN PATTITHARA GRAMAPANCHAYATH, PALAKKAD
DISTRICT, KERALA” submitted to the University of Calicut by Ms. MALAVIKA P.,
Reg. No. CCATMBT011, 4th Semester M.Sc. Botany in partial fulfilment for the award
of the degree of Master of Science in Botany is a bonafide record of the research work
carried out by her under the supervision and guidance of Prof. Jacob Abraham Pulikal,
Associate Professor, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Christ College (Autonomous),
Irinjalakuda. No part of the present work has formed the basis for the award of any other
degree or diploma previously.
Irinjalakuda Prof. E. J. Vincent
Date: Co -ordinator
P.G. Department of Botany

Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda
(Affiliated to University of Calicut & Nationally accredited with 'A' grade)
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “A PRELIMINARY STUDY

DISTRICT, KERALA” submitted to the University of Calicut by Ms. MALAVIKA P.,
Reg. No. CCATMBT011, 4th Semester M.Sc. Botany in partial fulfilment for the award
of the Degree of Master of Science in Botany is a bonafide record of the research work
carried out by her under my supervision and guidance. No part of the present work has
formed the basis for the award of any other degree or diploma previously.
Irinjalakuda Prof. Jacob Abraham Pulikal

Date: P.G. Department of Botany
Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda
Examiners:
1.
2.
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the dissertation work entitled “A PRELIMINARY STUDY

DISTRICT, KERALA” submitted to the University Of Calicut in partial fulfilment of
the requirements for the award of Degree of Master of Science in Botany is a bonafide
record of original research work done by me under the supervision and guidance of prof.
Jacob Abraham Pulikal, Associate Professor, Post Graduate Department of Botany,
Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda.
I further declare that the dissertation has not formed on the basis
for the award of Degree/Diploma/Fellowship/Associationship or other similar title of any
university or institution.
Irinjalakuda MALAVIKA P.
Date:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
At first I would like to show my deepest gratitude to the mother nature whose unbounded rays of
blessings enriched my thoughts and deeps and also gave me good health, strength and self-
confidence.
I would like to thank Rev. Dr. Jolly Andwres, principal, Christ College (Autonomous),
Irinjalakuda for giving me permission and facilities to complete my dissertation in Christ college
(Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Kerala.
The work has conducted under the guidance of Prof. Jacob Abraham Pulikal, Associate
Professor, Department of Botany, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda. I am thankful to
him for giving me considerable freedom and help throughout the period of this work. I was
immensely helped by his nature and warm friendly attitude. Moreover I was quiet relieved from
the difficulties of this work by his helpful approach.
I also express my deep sense of thanks to Prof. Vincent. E.J., Co-ordinator of P.G. Department
of Botany, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda and who was giving valuable ideas and
guidance throughout the course of completing the project.
I respectfully extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Tessy Paul, Head of Department of Botany, Christ
College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda for permitting me to complete the work for providing
necessary facilities.
I am very much thankful to Dr. Mani C.J. Associate professor, Department of Botany, Christ
College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda for his valuable guidance during the course of study.
I am deeply indebted to, Mrs. Sweety M.S., Mrs. Sabeena A.M., Mrs. Sreelakshmi V.V. Guest
Lecturers, Department of Botany, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda. Their critics were
most helpful to me in all stages of this work.
I express my immense gratitude to all teachers of the Department of Botany, Christ College
(Autonomous), Irinjalakuda for their support and encouragement during the course of study.
I also utilize this opportunity to express my thanks to Mr. Antony, Lab Assistant of Department of
Botany, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda for his help and support for this work.
I also express my very profound gratitude to my mother and father for their support and
encouragement throughout the work. I am also thankful to my friends for their co-operation and
support.
MALAVIKAP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1. INTRODUCTION 1-4
2. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY 5
3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 6-11
4. AREA OF STUDY 12
5. MAP OF STUDY AREA 13
6. MATERIALS AND METHODS 14
7. ENUMERATION OF DATA 15-213
8. RESULT AND DISCUSSION 214-253
9. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 254-255
10. GLOSSARY OF TAXONOMIC TERMINOLOGIES USED 256-260
11. GLOSSARY OF MEDICINAL TERMS USED 261-265
12. ABBREVIATIONS USED 266
13. INDEX TO PLANTS 268-272
14. REFERENCE 273-280

INTRODUCTION
Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as the variability among living organisms from
all sources including, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species
and of ecosystem.
Plant diversity refers to the existence of wide variety of plant species in their natural
environments.
There are around 300,000-500,000 species of vascular plants that exist on earth. Land
plants include bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperm. Angiosperm
include 300,000 species of flowering plants, the largest and most diverse group within
the kingdom plantae. Angiosperms represent approximately 80 % of all the known green
plants now living. Angiosperms shows greater variability among other plant groups. The
size range alone is quite remarkable, from the smallest individual flowering plant, Wolffia
at less than 2 millimetres, to one of the tallest angiosperms, Eucalyptus at about 100
metres. Between these two extremes lie angiosperms of almost every size and shape.
Flowers are the reproductive structures of angiosperms, which represent 90% of all living
land plants and upon which most of terrestrial life depends, either directly or indirectly.
However, flowers are a relatively recent evolutionary innovation on the geological
timescale of plant diversification.
India is rich in biological diversity. Such richness is largely due to varied physical
environment, latitude, altitude, geology and climate. The climate and altitudinal
variations coupled with varied ecological habitats have contributed in the development of
immensely rich vegetation wealth, and varied flora and fauna forming a very unique
biodiversity. Seeing the rich plant diversity, Hooker (1904) commented that ‘The Indian
flora is more varied than that of any other country of equal area in the eastern hemisphere,
if not on the globe’. The Indian flora represents taxa occurring in different countries
including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Indo-China. There are even the representatives from
African, American, Australian and European countries. About 28% of the total Indian
flora and about 33% of angiosperms occurring in India are endemic (Nayar, 1996). It is
1
roughly estimated that about 10% of flowering plant species in India are threatened and
34 plant species have been reported to be extinct (Nayar and Sastry, 1987 -1990). western
Ghats is one of the biodiversity hotspot in India an d exist as major component
contributing the biodiversity of Kerala state.
Kerala with good rains and tropical climate is ideal for flowering plants to grow and
profusely bloom. Orchids, Anthurium and Roses stand in front of the flowering plant
category and some less prominent ones but more enchanting plants those are grown all
over Kerala. The floral diversity of Kerala can be categorized into three (i)Wild and
Indigenous, (ii) Indigenous and Cultivated (iii) Exotic, yet cultivated or wild. Kerala
harbours 4694 species of flowering plants under 1418 genera and 188 families. Of these,
4078 are indigenous, 199 are exotic naturalised and 417 are cultivated/planted. Of the
4078 indigenous species, 1568 are endemic to India and of these, 865 are endemic to the
Western Ghats. Of the 865 Western Ghats endemics, 237 species are endemic to Kerala
(T. S. Nayar et al 2008).
The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, are well known for their rich and
unique assemblage of flora and fauna. which covers an area of approximately 1, 60,000
Km², are among the 25 biodiversity hotspots globally identified. The wide variation of
rainfall patterns in the Western Ghats, coupled with the region’s complex geography,
produces a great variety of vegetation types. These include scrub forests in the low-lying
rain shadow areas and the plains, deciduous and tropical rainforests up to about 1,500
meters, and a unique mosaic of montane forests and rolling grasslands above 1,500
meters. Based on the ecological factors and floristic composition, four major forests and
23 floristic types have been identified.
As early as 1904 Hooker had drawn attention to the distinct flora of the Western Ghats,
which he called the “Malabar” floristic region. The presence of Bambusae,
Dipterocarpaceae, Guttiferae, Myristicaceae and Arecaceae has contributed to its
distinctness. The various major vegetation types are tropical evergreen forests, moist
deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, scrub jungles, sholas, savannas including high
rainfall savannas, peat bogs and myristica swamps. Four thousand species of flowering
plants are known from the Western Ghats.
Palakkad is the gateway to Kerala due to the presence of the Palakkad Gap in the Western
Ghats. It is spread over an area of 26.60 square kilometres. Palakkad Gap or Palghat Gap
2
is a low mountain pass in the Western Ghats between Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and
Palakkad in Kerala. The pass is located between the Nilgiri Hills to the north and
Anaimalai Hills to the south. The region of western ghats of south of Palakkad gap
contains 87% of the total endemic species of western ghats and 37% of this total are
endemic to this region alone.
The flora of Palakkad district has not been thoroughly explored in the past, some of the
works include some of the notable works including, Flora of Palghat (Subramanian et al.,
1987) enumerated about 757 angiosperm species and forms the first attempt to document
angiosperm vegetation of Palakkad district followed by the detailed documentation done
by Vajravelu (1990) where he described about 1355 species of 732 genera, under 146
families of flowering plants.
The invasion of alien species is recognized as a primary cause of global biodiversity loss.
The problem of invasive species is great and probably become more severe since the
growing human population will result in more disruption of ecosystems and hence
systems that are more invasion prone. An alien plant, also referred to as exotic,
introduced, foreign, non-indigenous or non-native, is one that has been introduced by
humans intentionally or otherwise through human agency or accidentally from one region
to another. An alien plant that has escaped from its original ecosystem and is reproducing
on its own in the regional flora is considered a naturalized species. Those naturalized
aliens that become so successful as to spread in the flora and displace native biota or
threatens valued environmental, agricultural or personal resources by the damage it
causes are considered invasive (V.S. Raju). 173 invasive alien species belonging to 117
genera under 44 families were documented from India. Almost 80% of the species were
introduced from neotropics. Tropical America (74%) and Tropical Africa (11%)
contribute maximum proportion to the invasive alien flora of India (Reddy C. S. 2008).
The plants whose population grows predominantly in situations markedly distributed by

man (except cultivated plants.) are called weeds (Baker, H. G. 1974). Weeds are
unwanted plants in the crop land that compete for nutrients, water and space.
Traditional medicines are used by about 60 per cent of the world's population. These are
not only used for primary health care not just in rural areas in developing countries, but
also in developed countries as well where modern medicines are predominantly u sed.
Medicinal Plants constitute an important component of the plant resource spectrum of
3
Kerala. Recent analysis shows that out of estimated 4600 flowering plants in Kerala,
about 900 possess medicinal values. Of these, 540 species are reported to occur in forest
ecosystems. Over 150 species of plants that are either indigenous or naturalized in Kerala
are used in the Indian system of Medicine like Ayurveda and Sidha. The rural folk and
tribal communities make use of about 2,000 species of lesser-known wild plants for
various medicinal uses. About 60 to 65% of plants required for Ayurvedic medicine and
almost 80% of plants used in Sidha medicine are found in the forests of Kerala.
The present study is focused on the documentation of the angiosperm species in Pattithara
Gramapanchayath. Pattithara is a village and grama panchayath in Palakkad district. It
comes under the Pattambi thaluk. The study area has not undergone any comprehensive
floristic documentation so far.
4
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
❖ Preliminary Taxonomic Investigation on the Angiosperms of Pattithara

Gramapanchayath.
❖ Enumeration of species, find out dominant families, genera, and preparation of

artificial key for identification of all the taxa under study.
❖ Catalogue the plants having medicinal values.
❖ Identification of Invasive species that cause major problem.
❖ Identification of weeds.
❖ Preparation of reference herbaria.
5
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Floristic diversity can be defined as diversity

of indigenous plants present in a specific area during a particular time period. Around
17500 flowering plants are found in India. Out of which western Ghats is the second
richest biogeographic region followed by Himalayas (Singh P. 2020).
Mishra N. and Pareek A. (2015) studied the diversity of angiosperm taxa of Kota district
of Rajasthan in India. They found that Leguminosae, with 30 species, followed by
Moraceae (7 species), Combretaceae and Rubiaceae (5 species), Euphorbiaceae,
Apocynaceae, and Tiliaceae (4 species). The most specific genera were Ficus (6 species),
followed by Acacia and Grewia (4 species), Terminalia, Albizia, Dalbergia, Indigofera,
Ziziphus and Tamarix (3 species each).
Dar et al (2007) revealed that about 17% of flora in Kashmir have medicinal values. Most
of these plants belong to dicotyledons. Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae
and Scrophulariaceae are the dominant families.
Out of 355 plant species recognized by Dar and Naqshi (2002) 282 belong to
dicotyledons, and 73 belong to monocotyledons.
Pranati and Namita Nath (2021) conducted a study at Dibrugarh district, Assam and
documented 462 species under 334 genera and 116 families as per Bentham and Hooker
system. These taxa distributed under 12 super orders and 35 orders. Out of 36 orders, the
ten orders that represented the highest number of native species in the district were
Lamiales (35), Malpighiales (29), Rosales (26), Gentianales (23), Sapindales (18),
Fagales (19), Alismatales (17), Poales (14), Zingiberales (13) and Laurales (11), which
accounted for 60.8% of the species. Asteraceae was found to be largest family in dicots.
Among monocotyledons, Poaceae was found to be the largest family. The results were
based on Bentham and Hooker’s classification and APG system.
Rahman A.M., Zannatul Ferdows, A. K. M. Rafiul Islam (2014) studied the qualitative
assessment of angiosperm flora of Bangladesh police academy, a total of 302 species
belonging to 243 genera under 84 families were recorded. Magnoliopsida is represented
by 69 families, 214 genera and 271 species, whereas Liliopsida by 15 families, 29 genera
6
and 31 species. Fabaceae is the largest family in Magniliopsida represented by 35 species
and in Liliopsida, Poaceae is the largest family with 9 species.
Sarafaraz Khan Marwat et al (2013) conducted a floristic study on emergent aquatic and
marshland angiosperms of D. I. Khan District, KPK, Pakisthan. Out of the 40 semi aquatic
species belong to 26 genera and 15 families. Cyperaceae was the largest family that
contributed 16 species followed by Poaceae with 6 species, Polygalaceae 4 species,
Ranunculaceae and Typhaceae with 2 species each.
Floristic diversity of Angiosperms in the proposed site of Aranmula internatinal airport

by Anto M. and Jasy T. (2016) documented 250 plant species belonging to more than 67
families, among them Poaceae and Cyperaceae families were most dominant.
The scientific investigation of floristic diversity in Western Ghats of Kurusumala

(Thiruvananthapuram) mostly of tropical deciduous forest, shows 327 taxa. The dominant
families were Fabaceae, Poaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. (Sukumaran, S., Brintha, T. S. S.,
& Jeeva, S. 2019).
The alien flora of Kashmir Himalaya includes plants belong to families Poaceae (60
species), Asteraceae (54), Brassicaceae (30) and the 3 together account for 25% of total
alien flora. The genera with highest number of alien species are Amaranthus and
Prunus(8each). Chenopodium, Galium, Polygonum, and Rumex (7each), Artemisia,
Cyperus, Ranunculus, (6each), and hibiscus, Ipomea, Mentha, Nymphea, Papever, Poa,
Populus, Potamogeton, and Trifolium (5each), (Anzar Ahmad Khuroo et al 2007).
Pergl, Jan et al (2018) studied the naturalized alien flora of the Indian states, and they
reported 471 naturalized species in India. The highest number is reported from Tamil
Nadu (332) and lowest number from Lakshadweep (17). The families richest in
naturalized alien species are Composite (75), Leguminosae (60), and Poaceae (36). The
highest numbers of naturalised aliens occur in states located at lower latitudes in the
tropics, and in more northernly located states that even in the dry period still have
relatively high amounts of precipitation.
The invasive alien angiosperm diversity from Bivapur tahsil by Deshmukh U. B. et al

(2017) shows that a total of 72 species distributed in 57 genera and 33 families. 25
families, 49 genera and 64 species come under Dicotyledonae. 8 families, 8 genera and 8
7
species come under monocotyledons. Asteraceae is the most dominant family with 10
species.
K. Chandra S. (2012) studied the invasive alien plants of Indian Himalayan regions and
they recorded about 190 invasive alien species under 112 genera, belonging to 47
families. Among these dicotyledons represented 40 families and monocots represented 7
families. Their study revealed that 18 species have been introduced intentionally and the
remaining species established unintentionally through trades.
Kumari B., Shiv Pratap Singh, Anupam Pratap Singh, Rajkumar and Satyapal Verma
(2016) Conducted a preliminary survey of invasive alien angiosperms of UP India. They
found total richness of 79 species belonging to 29 families. Dicots represented 72 species
and monocots seven species. About 70.88 percentage of these alien s pecies were
introduced from tropical America including South America, followed by tropical Africa.
Maximum number of species (21) From the family Asteraceae followed by
Amaranthaceae (7), Euphorbiaceae (5), and Papilionaceae and Caesalpiniaceae with four
species. They found that both aquatic and terrestrial invasive plant species are becoming
threat to the native flora they reproduce rapidly and crowding out native species.
Van Kleunen et al (2019) Conducted a study on naturalised and invasive alien flora of
Ghana. They recorded 291 species of naturalised alien plants. The five species are
classified as invasive and 4:20 of them detailed information is available about their
distribution in regions there are 21 widely distributed species that occur in at le ast eight
regions and five of them are distributed all over the country, Azhadirachta indica,
Eichinochloa colona, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna oxidentalis and S.siamea, the first
3 being classified as invisible and other invasive species among the widely distributed
ones is Gliricidia sepium, recorded from eight regions.
Deshmukh U.B., M. B. Shende O. S. Rathor (2016) Documented the invasive alien of

Chandpur district of Maharashtra. A total of 100 species distributed in 64 genera and 34
families recorded as invasive alien in the flora of Chandpur district. Among this
dicotyledons represented by 28 family and 54 genera an d 92 species monocotyledons
represented by six families seven genera and eight species among these about 92 are
contributed by Two major geographical regions viz of America 67 species, Africa 15
species, Mediterranean 4 species, Europe 3 species, Peru 3 species. American continence
contributed majority of about 67 percentage of noxious invasive plants in Chandpur
8
district of Maharashtra Africa contributed about 15 % and Mediterranean about 4%
Europe and Peru contributed 3% respectively.
Vinogradova Y. et al (2018) studied the invasive plants of Russia and they reported 354
invasive alien species.
Wagh V. V. and Ashok K. Jain (2018) documented the ethnobotanical information of

invasive alien plant species in Jhahua district of Madhya Pradesh, India. From this survey
a total of 102 plant species belonging to 38 families were reported for curing various
ailments and ethnobotanical uses.
Vast majority of people on earth still rely on their

traditional meteria medica for everyday health care needs. Modern allopathic medicine
has its roots in ancient medicine. Natural products and derivatives represent more than
50% of all drugs in clinical use in the world. (Kirtikar K.R., Basu B.D. 1918).
Studies on the medicinal plants of Ayvacik Canakkle in Turkey (Uysal I. et al 2012).

found a total of 117 taxa belonging to 42 families. Out of 40 taxa were observed to be
used for medicinal purpose with 54 applications. Liliaceae, Urticaceae With two species
each. The most commonly used attacks are Origanum majorona, O.onites, O. Vulgarae,
Salvia fruticosa, Urtica pilulidlfera etc. The taxa are recorded here have been mostly used
for the treatment of cough, stomach ache, kidney ailments, analgesic, diuretic, injury,
abdominal pain, laxative and dyspepsia.
The medicinal plants of western Ghats include Azhadirachta indica, Centella asiatica,
Celastrus paniculatus, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Chlorophytum arudinaceum, Santalum
album, Terminalia arjuna etc. (Singh P. 2020).
Nandini N and shiddamallayya (2013) found that the old Mysore district of Karnataka
comprises 72 medicinal plants of 41 families to treat various health disorders.
Schlage C. et al (2000) documented the medicinal plants of Washambaa (Tanzania). Total

of 328 taxa were collected. Most popular species are Myristica salicifolia and Toddalia
asiatica. Largest number of plants were used for gastrointestinal disorders.
Taxonomic investigation of leafy vegetables growing throughout the Santahar Pourosova

shows 24 species belonging to 22 genera and 16 families. 24 plants have been documented
with their uses for the cure of more than 59 diseases. (Rahman, A. H. M. et al 2015).
9
The investigation on medicinal plants revealed that traditional healers used 85 species of
plants distributed in 76 genera belonging to 41 families to treat various diseases. this study
showed that many people in the studied parts of Kancheepuram district still continue to
depend on medicinal plants at least for the treatment of primary healthcare. (Muthu C. et
al 2006).
The study on medicinal plants used by kaadar tribes of sholayar forest Thrissur district,
Kerala (P. S. Udayan et al 2005). It reported the traditional medicinal uses Off Ford even
plants belonging to 27 families. During the survey of sholayar forest a total of One Note
one species were collected among them 41 species is commonly used by the tribal
community.
An ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by traditional healers in silent vally

(Yabesh J.M. et al 2014) Reported a total of 102 plants Tributed in 95 genera belonging
to 53 families. the most important species according to their use value were Moringa
oleifera, Curculigo orchioides, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Vitex negundo, Carica
papaya, Annona squamosa.
Praveenkumar K. (2018) conducted a survey in Madathody Nagakavu in Ottapalam

thaluk, Palakkad district, Kerala. He collected 50species coming under 49 genera and 25
families included 38 medicinal plants.
Ethnomedicinal study of plants used in the Nelliyampathy hills of Kerala, India

(Vijayakumar S. 2015), include 85 medicinal plants belonging to 49 families were
reported to be used against 19 different ailments in the hills. Maximum reported families
were Cucurbitaceae with 6 species followed by Acanthaceae, Malvaceae, and Fabaceae,
Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae and Myrtaceae.
Randomized survey of medicinal plants used by folk Medicinal practitioners in Comilla

district, Bangladesh (Rahmatullah M. et al 2010). Lamiaceae contributed 4 plants,
followed by Leguminosae, Rutaceae, and Solanaceae families with 3 plants each.
Kerala experienced many large and small flood and landside events.
The preliminary investigations have shown that the riparian regions of major rivers in
Kerala are one of the areas which are highly affected by flood and lan dslides. The study
enlisted a total number of 1,243 species of flowering plants belonging to 150 families
from the riparian areas four rivers under study. Highest number of species is recorded
10
from Periyar (549), Chalakkudy (470), and 3 tributaries of Bharathappuzha together have
421 species (Nayar C. et al 2019).
Floods and landslides bring several alien invasive plans to the water bodies within
drylands causing great threat to biodiversity and aquatic environment this could be a
reintroduction of the already eradicated wild species from the area or a n ew arrival these
wild plants are distributed in the area by competitive adaptive capability by eradicating
the other species. Non-invasive plants become invasive when they possess biological
traits that are different from the native flora (Cherian T. 2018).
11
AREA OF STUDY
Location
Pattithara Gramapanchayath of Palakkad district, Kerala is the study area. It has a total
geographical area of 27.2 km2 (10.5 sq. mi) and the area spread within 18 wards. The
total human population is about 33157.
Climate
climate is classified as tropical. Most months of the year are marked by significant
rainfall. The short dry season has little impact.
Temperature
An average temperature of 30.0°C, April is the hottest month of the year. The lowest
average temperatures in the year occur in July, when it is around 25.6 °C. The av erage
annual temperature is 27.6°C.
Rainfall
About 2749 mm of precipitation falls annually. Precipitation is the lowest in January, with
an average of 1 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in July, with an average
of 718 mm.
Soil type
soil include laterite, clay and sandy soil.
Flora and fauna
Most of the area enriched with various mammals and birds. Mostly cleared for cultivated
and human habitation still affords shelter and for many lower animals of diverse group.
Coconut palm, paddy and plantains are mainly cultivated in this area.
12
MAP OF STUDY AREA
PATTITHARA GRAMAPANCHAYATH
1. Arikkad 10. Dharmagiri
2. Pooleri 11. Vattenad
3. Pattithara 12. Mala
4. Chittappuram 13. Kottappadam
5. Aloor 14. Thalakkassery
6. Thanakkad 15. Thozukkara
7. Venkara 16. Angadi
8. Kasamukku 17. Kokkad
9. Kakkattiri 18. Othaloor
13
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study is based on the repeated collections of all available specimens of
angiosperms from Pattithara panchayath area in its reproductive and vegetative stages,
during the period from December 2020 to June 2021. The specimens collected in
vegetative phase, repeated visits were made to the same localities for the collection of
specimens with reproductive stage. All the field observations such as habit, habitat, nature
of leaves, etc. were noted in the field book.
The specimens of appropriate size with relevant parts were collected from the field and
sealed in polythene covers. Herbaria were prepared following wet method. The dried
specimens were mounted on the herbarium sheets and labelled properly, after collecting
all the relevant information. The specimens deposited in the herbarium of Christ College,
Irinjalakuda.
During the collection, the specimens collected were tagged with field number. Field
observations such as habitat, habit, flower colour, etc. were entered in the field book.
Worked out each material and observations were made using a dissecting microscope.
They were identified with available literature and Flora such as Flora of presidency of
Madras, Flora of British India etc. The specimens were confirmed with help of floras,
monographs, publications, and also with the help of experts.
The species and genera are arranged in alphabetical order under each family. Families are
arranged according to the system of classification by Bentham and Hooker (1882 -1883).
After enumeration of the data of plants were noted. A reference herbarium of selected
species are also provided. The systematic part begins with genus treatment, which is
followed by treatment of species, comes under each genus. A key to the species is also
provided if necessary. Details such as common name, local name, general characters,
medicinal importance, distribution of plants, invasive plants, weeds are added and also
photographs were plated.
14
ENUMERATION OF THE DATA
SYSTEMATIC KEY TO THE FAMILIES
I. Ovules not enclosed in an ovary, on the surface of megasporophyll, stigma
absent ..................................................................................GYMNOSPERMS
II. Ovules enclosed inside the ovary, stigma present

………….................................................................................ANGIOSPERMS
ANGIOSPERMS
1. Plants usually with tap root system, reticulate veined, cotyledons two
…………………………………………………………………DICOTYLEDONS
2. Plants usually with fibrous root system, parallel veined, cotyledon one
……………...…………………………………………… MONOCOTYLEDONS
1.DICOTYLEDONS
1a. Inner perianth lobes (petals) free; stamens inserted on the thalamus
…………………………………………………………………...POLYPETALAE
1b. Inner perianth lobes (petals) united; stamens epipetalous
……………………………………………………………………..GAMOPETALAE
1c. Perianth one seriate or absent, when two seriate similar
………………..……………………………………………..MONOCHLAMYDEAE
15
1a. Polypetalae
1. Flowers 3-merous; sepals free, rarely united; stamens free, usually numerous; ripe
carpels free often talked, rarely (Anona) conjoined; leaves simple; pith
trabeculate……............................................................................... ANNONACEAE
2. Dioecious, scandent herbs or shrubs; flowers very small; anthers dehiscing by
slits carpels; 3; seeds usually reniform or horseshoe-shaped.
……………………………………………………………….MENISPERMACEAE
3. Sepals 4 petals 4, uniform; stamens in 2 rows, free, filaments of inner 4 long, of
outer 2 shorter; fruit with an internal partition ……………………..CRUCIFERAE
4. Herbs or if shrubs or trees, then with ovary and fruit borne on a long
gynophore; sepals 4….................................................................CAPPARIDACEAE
5. Stamens twice as many as the sepals; placenta, free-central; herbs
……………….………………………………………….…CARYOPHYLLACEAE
6. Sepals 2, petals 4-5; placentas free-central. Leaves opposite or alternate, entire,
Sometimes terete; sap watery ………………………………...PORTULACACEAE
7. Seeds many, attached to the inner angles of the cells; flowers regular; carpels
as many as the sepals; small herbs with simple, opposite leaves…ELATINACEAE
8. Stamens numerous, rarely few, in a column around the style with only short free
filaments, or dividing into groups opposites the petals; anthers 1-celled; or if 2 –
celled, then the leaves compound-digitate; staminal column adnate at the base to
the contorted corolla lobes; an epicalyx often present; leaves usually
simple .................................................................................................MALVACEAE
9. Stamens usually 15, sometimes fewer, in a column or cup around the style, mouth
16
the column or cup usually with 5 sterile prolongations opposite the petals; or if
stamens more numerous, then petals0; anthers 2-celled; leaves simple; or if
compound-digitate, then petals 0 ……....................................... STERCULIACEAE

10. Anthers opening by slits; petals not ciliate or laciniate; stamens borne on a torus;
fruit capsular or separating into cocci ..................................................TILIACEAE
11. Leaves simple; or if compound, then alternate; the stamens usually 5, filaments
often united at the base; anthers sometimes cohering; flowers often irregular
………………………………………………………....……… .GERANIACEAE
12. Filaments united into a tube; or if free, then the fruit capsular or the
leaflets alternate………………………………………….………….MELIACEAE
13. Stamens 4-5, opposite to, usually more or less embraced by and adnate to the base
of the petals ...................................................................................RHAMNACEAE
14. Leaves stipulate; ovules and seeds erect ascending; fruit usually 2-celled,2-6
seeded, rarely 1-selled, 1-seeded ...........................................................VITACEAE
15. Leaves exstipulate; flowers often zygomorphic; stamens usually 8, inserted
inside the disk or between it and the ovary, rarely ouside.
……………………………………………………………………SAPINDACEAE
16. Carpels solitary excentric; style terminal; style terminal; flowers irregular and
usually with numerous stamens; ovules 1- many on the inner angle of the carpels;
leaves almost always stipulate………….………………………..LEGUMINOSAE
17. Ovary 1-celled; leaves opposite or alternative; fruit often
2-5-winged…………………………………………………….COMBRETACEAE
18. Stamens 3-12; anthers usually opening by pores; petals contorted in bud; leaves
usually 3-5-ribbed ................................................................. MELASTOMACEAE
17
19. Flowers axillary or in terminal panicles; petals usually crinkled;
ovary quite free; ovary and fruit 1-6-celled…………………….... LYTHRACEAE
20. Ovary completely or half adnate to the calyx-tube; stamens as many or
Twice as many as the petals and inserted with them; herbs and under shrubs,
often in marshes, sometimes floating ……………………….……ONAGRACEAE
21. Flowers symmetrical; stamens few, usually 3, with sinuous or conduplicate
anthers; styles united or free only at the apex; fruit not winged; climbers or
prostrate plants, usually bearing tendrils .............………..........CUCURBITACEAE
22. Ovary 2-5-celled; or if 1 -celled, then petals; ovules axile or basal
………………………………………………………………..………AIZOACEAE
1b. Gamopetalae
23. Stipules usually conspicuous, inserted within or between the petioles or leaf -like
and whorled with the leaves; ovary 2-10-celled; ovules 1-many in each
cells ……………………………………………………………......…RUBIACEAE
24. Anthers cohering in a tube around the style, filaments free; flowers usually
in heads, rarely solitary, surrounded by an involucre of bracts; calyx-limb or
reduced to pappus; ovary 1-celled, 1-ovuled; fruit-dry; leaves
usually alternate…………………………………………………….COMPOSITAE
25. Stamens free from the corolla; ovary 2-15-celled; ovules and seeds numerous;
corolla sometimes somewhat irregular; herbs, sometimes tall
………………………………………………………………..CAMPANULACEAE
26. Ovule solitary, pendulous from an ascending funicle; style 5-fid; calyx beset
18
with stalked glands ……………………….…………………PLUMBAGINACEAE
27. Ovary superior, 2-8 celled; ovules 1 in each cell, axile; trees with milky sap or
thorny .................................................................................................SAPOTACEAE
28. Stamens 2alternate with the carpels; corolla-lobes 4-9, imbricate or valvate;
ovary 2-celled, cells 2- or rarely 1-4- or 8-ovuled; stipules 0 .................OLEACEAE
29. Pollen granular; stigma annular or interrupted below the smooth, non-stigmatic,
entire or 2-fid tip of the style; fruit berry-like drupaceous or of 2 free, rarely
cohering follicles ...........................................................................APOCYNACEAE
30. Pollen waxy or granular, aggregated in solitary or paired masses in each cell of
The free or connate anthers; filaments usually connate; apex of the style
flattened into a plane or beaked disk with stigmatic border, bearing 5 glands
to which the pollinia are attached in pairs or fours; fruit of 2, rarely 1,
free follicles ………………….………..…………………….ASCLEPIADACEAE
31. Stipules 0, not represented by a raised line; corolla-lobes contorted; or if valvate,
then leaves alternate; ovary 1 -celled; or if 2-celled, then corolla
short, rotate and placentas undivided ……………..…………….GENTIANACEAE
32. Corolla-lobes imbricate; styles 2; small herbs …..………..........HYDROLEACEAE
33. Corolla-lobs imbricate or contorted; ovary 2-celled, cells 2-ovuled or spuriously
4-selled and cells 1-ovuled; fruit of two 1-2-seeded pyrenes or of four 1-seeded
nutlets; embryo superior radicle; herbs, shrubs or trees…………BORAGINACEAE
34. Corolla-lobes plicate; if imbricate, then fruit a valvular capsule or leafless
parasitic plants; ovary 2 -, rarely 3-5center; fruit usually dehiscent or if
indehiscent; then embryo with inferior radicle: usually climbing
plants………………………………………………………..CONVOLVULACEAE
19
35. Corolla-lobes plicate; style single; herbs or shrubs, rarely trees….SOLANACEAE
36. Ovules many on placentas attached to the middle of the septum; seeds almost
always albuminous ..........................................................SCROPHULARIACEAE
37. Ovules attached singly or 1-seriately under the leaves of a projecting parietal
2-bladed placenta; or with 2 ovules in each cell; or the 2 cells spuriously
4-celled by the intrusion of a false septum with many ovules attached singly or
2-seriately to the inner angles; seed not albuminous ...…………..PEDALIACEAE
38. Fruit opening elastically from the apex of 2 loculicidal valves; seeds usually
supported on upcurved processes from the placentas; leaves simple,
Opposite .......................................................................................ACANTHACEAE
39. Fruit not 4-lobbed; or if 4-lobbed, then drupaceous; or if separating into nutlets,
then ovary entire ...........................................................................VERBENACEAE
40. Fruit separating into 4 distinct nutlets or, less often, drupes, rarely 4 -lobbed and
not separating, and then not drupaceous; ovary always 4-lobed...……..LABIATAE
1c. Monochlamydeae
41. Perianth tubular, its base adhering to the ovary, tube long or short, limb truncate
or 3-5-toothed or -lobed, segments simply valvate, ovule solitary basal;
stigma peltate ..............................................................................NYCTAGINACEAE
42. Perianth scarious and dry; flowers always with scarious or hyaline bracts and 2
bracteoles; anthers 1-2 celled; ovary 1 celled, ovoid; leaves membranous,
opposite or alternate; stipules O ...............................................AMARANTHACEAE
43. Leaves stipulate; stipules usually connate in a tube around the nodes, persistent
20
or rarely deciduous and leaving a sercular scar; perianth membranous,
often coloured, segments 3-6, connate or free; herbs or shrubs, sometimes
climbing..……………………………………………………….POLYGONACEAE
44. Flowers usually 1-sexual, sometimes bisexual; leaves usually alternate,
Sometimes opposite or whorled, often unequal-sided; stamens 2-4, filaments
short, free; anthers 2-celled; ovule erect; herbs or shrubs, often aromatic,
sometimes scandent…………………………………….……….….PIPERACEAE
45. Stipules almost always present, though often minute or falling early;
Perianth usually single, sometimes double or lacking in either or both sexes,
outer series valvate or imbricate, inner, when present, free; stamens frequently
connate; herbs, shrubs and trees, very often with milky sap.
……………………………………………….……………….EUPHORBIACEAE
46. Style single, undivided; stamens 3-5; ovule basal, erect; leaves alternate or
opposite; herbs, shrubs or trees with watery sap, sometimes beset with stinging
hairs…………………………….………………………………….URTICACEAE
2. MONOCOTYLEDONS
47. Flowers irregular, usually markedly so by the modification of one segment of the
inner series to form a lip; androecium and gynoecium confluent as a column
bearing 1, rarely 2, sessile or nearly sessile anthers, ovary 1celled.
……………………..……………………………………………ORCHIDACEAE
48. Ovules many, 2-seriate on the inner angle of each cell; leaves radical or clustered
21
at the apex of a short stem; herbs or large shrubs, the root a bulb corn or
tuber…………..……………………………………………AMARYLLIDACEAE
49. Aquatic, erect or floating herbs; inflorescence terminating a 1 -leafed scape;
embryo cylindric as long as and lying in a central canal in the albumen
…………………………………………………………...…PONTEDERIACEAE
50. Outer perianth-series calycine, inner coralline; embryo marginal or only partly
enclosed in the albumen ........................................................COMMELINACEAE
51. Herbs or shrubs, sometimes climbing by serial roots; seldom marsh plants, very
rarely free floating; flowers 2 sexual or monoecious, rarely dioecious and then
tuberous-rooted with much modified spathes; spadix simple; leaves note in spiral
rarely spinous; perianth 0 or of scales ....................................................ARACEAE
52. Stems solid; leaves 3-ranked, rarely 0; sheaths rarely with a ligule, closed in front;
perianth 0 or of bristles or scales; fruit a compressed or 3-angled nut with the
seed free within; embryo inside the albumen ................................CYPERACEAE
53. Stems usually hollow expect at the nodes; leaves 2-ranked, very rarely
Sub spirally arranged; sheaths almost always with a ligule and split in front;
perianth represented by 2, rarely 3 or more hyaline scales, rarely 0; fruit a grain
with the seed coat adhering to the pericarp, rarely free within it; embryo at the
base of the albumen: grasses and bamboos .......................................GRAMINEAE
22
ANNONACEAE
1 a. Flowers in cymose inflorescence………………………………………Annona
1 b. Flowers solitary
2a. Sepals, broadly ovate, tomentose, basally connate ……..…………...Uvaria
2b. Sepals, ovate, acute, pubescent……………..………………………..Polyalthia
1. Annona reticulata L, Sp. Pl. 537. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 78. 1872; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 20(14). 1915; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 49. 1990;
(Plate 1a)
Common name: Custard apple.
Local name: Ramasita pazham.
Description
Habitat: Cultivated and often naturalized.
Habit: Trees.
Root: Taproot.
Leaves: Leaves simple, alternate, distichous, estipulate; petiole 10-20 mm long, stout,
glabrous, grooved above; lamina 10-20 x 3.5-7 cm, ovate-lanceolate, oblong, lanceolate
or oblong-lanceolate, base acute, obtuse or decurrent, apex acuminate, margin entire,
pubescent on both sides when young, glabrous above and pubescent beneath at
maturity, coriaceous; lateral nerves 10-14 pairs, pinnate, prominent, intercostate
reticulate.
Inflorescence: cymose
Flowers: Flowers bisexual, green, rarely leaf opposed
Calyx: sepals 3, 2-3 mm long, pubescent outside, glabrous.
Corolla: petals 3 + 3, outer ones 1.5-2 cm, puberulous; inner ones reduced.
23
Androecium: stamens many, 1-1.3 mm long; anther cells hidden by the overlapping
connectives.
Gynoecium: carpels many.
Fruit: Fruit an aggregate of berry, to 10 cm across, spherical or ovoid, yellowish-red;

areoles flat, rather separated by reticulations of raised ridges; pulp yellowish.
Seeds: seeds black-brown.
Distribution: Native of Central America and West Indies.
Medicinal importance: ripe fruit stops vomiting and acts as antidote to poisons. Dried
fruit used in diarrheal. Leaves used as vermicide. Bark of young twigs yields fiber and
is a strong astringent and tonic. Fruit antidysenteric and vermifuge (Watt’s Die).
2. Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thoms. Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India
1:50.1872; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 13(9). 1915; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 49. 1990;
(Plate 1b)
Common name: South Indian Uvaria
Local name: Koorilvalli
Description
Habitat: Along coastal areas and deciduous forests at low altitudes
Habit: climber
Root: taproot.
Stem: branchlets sparsely hairy.
Leaves: Leaves 13-16 x 4-5 cm, elliptic, lanceolate, apex acuminate, base rounded, thin
coriaceous, lower surface brownish.
Flowers: Flowers solitary, leaf opposed; pedicels to 1 cm, tomentose
Calyx: sepals 8 x 5 mm, broadly ovate, tomentose, basally connate
24
Corolla: petals fleshy, outer 2 x 1.5 cm; inner 2 x 1 cm, obovate, tomentose, apex
incurved, golden-brown.
Androecium: anthers concealed by connectives
Gynoecium: carpels numerous, 5 mm, oblong, tomentose.
Distribution: South India and Sri Lanka
Medicinal importance: Decoction of root-bark given to women in tits at delivery rime,

in rheumatism, bowel-complaints of children and for eczema. leaves boiled in oil used
in children's complaints and in eczema. Scented oil distilled from roots used in various
diseases. Root fragrant and aromatic. An unctuous secretion exudes from the anthers.
Leaves smell like cinnamon. Leaves used in rheumatic-swellings, root in jaundice,
fever, biliousness and typhoid fever.
3. Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thw., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 65. 1872; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 16(12). 1915;
(Plate 1c)
Common name: Corky debbar tree
Description
Habitat: Sacred grooves in the plains
Habit: Small trees
Root: taproot
Stem: bark fissured, corky, rough; young branches rufous tomentose.
Leaves: simple, alternate, distichous, estipulate; petiole 2-3 mm long, brown pubescent,
slender; lamina 3-12 x 1-3.5 cm oblong, elliptic-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, base
slightly narrowed, oblique or obtuse, apex obtuse or obtusely acute, margin entire,
undulate, glabrous and shiny above, pubescent and pale beneath, sub membranous;
lateral veins 9-12 pairs, pinnate, faint; intercostae reticulate.
25
Flowers: bisexual, yellowish-green, mostly suffused with purple, solitary, rarely in
pairs, extra-axillary, 8-10 mm long; pedicels slender, 1.5-2.5 cm lon.
Calyx: sepals 3, spreading, ovate, acute, 2 x 1 mm, pubescent outside, glabrous inside,
Corolla: petals 6 (3+3); outer petals ovate to oblong-lanceolate, acute, slightly reflexed,
6 x 4-5 mm, thickly coriaceous, silky pubescent outside, glabrous inside; inner ones
slightly longer; torus convex.
Androecium: stamens numerous, ca. 1 mm long, connectives slightly convex at top

concealing the anther cells.
Gynoecium: carpels many, ca. 2 mm long, pubescent, ovule one, style oblong, stigma
triangular, flat.
Fruit: aggregate of berries; fruitlets sub globose, purple ca. 5 mm across, puberulous,
stalks slender, 0.5-1 cm long.
Seeds: 1, globose, smooth.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia
MENISPERMACEAE
1. Tiliacora acuminata (Poir.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Thoms. Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1:
99. 1872; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 28(20).1915; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 52. 1990;
(Plate 1d)
Common name: Tapering leaf tiliacora
Local name: Vallikanjiram
Description
Habitat: moist deciduous forests and also sacred groves in the plains
26
Habit: climbing shrubs.
Root: taproot.
Stem: stems striate, sparsely puberulous or glabrous.
Leaves: alternate, ovate or lanceolate, truncate, cordate, rarely acute at base, acuminate
at apex, 8-14 x 3.5- 8 cm, chartaceous, glabrous, 3-5 nerved at base; petioles 1.5-3 cm
long, sulcate, glabrous.
Inflorescence: axillary, panicled, 3.5-10 cm long, pubescent.
Male flowers: 2-7 at apex of inflorescence, yellow
Calyx: sepals 6 in 2 rows; inner ones broadly elliptic, glabrous
Corolla: petals 6, obovate, glabrous
Androecium: stamens 6, cylindric.
Female flower: solitary
Calyx: sepals 6 in 2 rows; inner ones broadly elliptic, glabrous
Corolla: petals 6, obovate, glabrous
Gynoecium: carpels 8-12, glabrous, on stalked puberulous gynophore.
Fruit: Drupes on branched carpophores, oblong to obovoid, 10-15 x 6-7 mm, glabrous,
red when ripe; endocarp reticulate.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia.
Medicinal importance: Root rubbed with water given as an antidote in snake poison.
27
BRASSICACEAE
1. Nasturtium indicum (L.) DC; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1:134. 1872, p.p.; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 37(27). 1915;
(Plate 1e)
Common name: Indian field cress
Local name: Kattukadugu
Description
Habitat: Marshy areas
Habit: Slender, glabrous herbs, to 50 cm high.
Root: taproot
Leaves: alternate, lower one slyrate-pinnatipartite or lobed with 1-4 segments on either
side, 6-10 x 2.5 cm; upper ones sessile, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate-oblong, entire,
lyrate-pinnatifid or dentate above base.
Inflorescence: Racemes terminal, to 25 cm long, many-flowered.
Flowers: 2.5 mm across; pedicels 5-7 mm long in fruit.
Calyx: Sepals oblong-ovate, 2-3 mm long
Corolla: Petals 3-4 mm long, yellow.
Androecium: Stamens 2 mm long.
Gynoecium: Stigma subsessile.
Fruit: Fruits on patent or erecto-patent 4-8 mm long stalks, slightly curved, beaked, 12-
25 x 1-1.5 mm.
Seeds: 2-seriate, minute, globose, rugose, reddish brown.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia, China and Africa
28
CAPPARIDACEAE
1 a. Stem subglabrous…………………………………………………C.rutidosperma
1 b. Stem viscous ……………………………………………………..C.viscosa
1. Cleome rutidosperma dc., Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 93. 2009;
(Plate 1f)
Common name: Fringed spider flower
Local name: Neelavela
Description
Habitat: In coastal areas
Habit: herb
Root: taproot
Stem: weak, ribbed, subglabrous to eglandular-pilose, clothed with soft recurved

caducous to 2 mm long prickles.
Leaves: 3-foliolate; lower ones long-petioled; upper ones short-petioled or sessile;

leaflets subsessile, rhombate-elliptic, obovate or oblong-lanceolate, attenuate or cuneate
and webbed at base, obscurely crenulate-serrulate and purple at margin, acute or
acuminate at apex, 1-6 x 0.2-2 cm, glabrous; lateral nerves 6-8 pairs, softly setose;
petioles at base to 4 cm long, gradually diminishing upwards to nearly absent; petiolules
less than 1 mm long.
Inflorescence: Racemes, few-flowered, leaf bearing, not clearly demarcated, to 20 cm

long.
Flowers: Flowers in axils of leaves below and in axils of foliaceous bracts above;
pedicels filiform, 1-2 cm long, elongating to 3.5 cm in fruit, shortly glandular hairy.
Calyx: Sepals linear or linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 2.5-4 x 0.3-0.8 mm, thinly clothed
with short bristles.
29
Corolla: Petals oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate, clawed at base, apiculate at apex, 8-12 x
1.5-2.5 mm, sho5wy, pink, bluish violet, rarely white with pink streaks; claw 2 -3.5 mm
long.
Androecium: Stamens 6; filaments 6-9 mm long; anthers linear, ca 2 mm long, recurved

after anthesis.
Gynoecium: Gynophore 1.5-2 mm long, elongating to 8 mm in fruit. Ovary linear, 7-12

mm long, slightly curved; stigma sessile, capitate.
Fruit: Capsules linear-cylindric, compressed, attenuate at both ends, ribbed, 4-7 cm x

2.5-4 mm; beak 1-4 mm long; valves glabrous, parallel nerved.
Seeds: seeds many, suborbicular to reniform with prominent concentric and transverse
ridges and open cleft, 1.5-2 x ca 1.5 mm, orange-brown, drying black; elaiosome
conspicuous, white or creamy.
Distribution: Pantropical
Invasive plant.
2. Cleome viscosa L., Sp. Pl. 672. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 170. 1872; Gamble,
(Plate 2a)
Common name: Wild mustard
Local name: Kattukadugu
Description
Habitat: Weed among cultivated plants, wastelands, roadsides, etc.
Habit: herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: viscous with stalked glandular hairs.
Leaves: alternate, 3-5(-7)-foliolate; leaflets subsessile, 0.6-3.5 x 0.3-2 cm, elliptic-
30
oblong or obovate to spathulate, apex obtuse, base cuneate, margins ciliate,
membranous, glandular pubescent; petiole up to 5 cm long.
Inflorescence: Racemes terminal, lax, few-flowered, corymbiform.
Flowers: 1-1.5 cm across; pedicels to 1 cm long, elongate during fruiting.
Calyx: Sepals 4, 4-8 x 2-3 mm, lanceolate, apex acute, glandular hairy without.
Corolla: Petals 4, yellow, 6-12 x 3-5 mm, obovate to oblong-spathulate, apex rounded.
Androecium: Stamens 12-18; filaments 6-8 mm long, broadened at tip; anthers linear.
Gynoecium: Ovary sessile, 5-7 mm long, oblong-cylindric, glandular-hairy; stigma
capitate.
Fruit: Capsules 5-6.5 x 0.3-0.5 cm, linear-oblong, terete, striate, densely glandular hairy.
Seeds: many, 1-1.5 mm across, reniform, transversely ridged, reddish-brown.
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Seeds have properties like the mustard, are anthelmintic,
carminative and stimulant, and yield an oil. Leaves applied to boils prevent formation of
pus, mid juice, applied for ear-aches. Recent wounds are treated with leaves boiled in
ghee. Juice of the plant boiled with oil smeared over the head and body for rheumatism,
ear-diseases, phlegm, diseases of the brain, pain all over the body, and stomach -ache.
31
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
1. Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam.,Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 245. 1874; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 65(46). 1915; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 38. 1982; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl.
Pl. Thrissur For. 49. 1996;
(Plate 2b)
Common name: Oldman’s cap
Local name: Akkaramkolli
Description
Habitat: In the plains and deciduous forests
Habit: Erect annual herbs
Root: long tap root, densely tomentose to glabrescent.
Leaves: pseudoverticillate, 5-18 x 1-3 mm, linear to linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate,

apex apiculate; stipules 2-4 mm long, lanceolate, fimbriate, scarious.
Inflorescence: terminal dichasial cymes
Flowers: arranged in corymbs; pedicels c. 3 mm long; bracts white, ovate, acute.
Calyx: Sepals 5, 3-5 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate, scarious-margined, silvery-white.

Corolla: Petals 5, c. 1 mm long, ovate-suborbicular, obtuse, reddish, persistent.
Androecium: Stamens 5; filaments c. 1 mm long.
Gynoecium: Ovary ovoid, 1-loculed; ovules many on free-central placenta.
Fruit: Capsules c. 2 mm long, ovoid, 3-valved.
Seeds: Seeds many, reniform, light brown.
32
Medicinal importance: This herb is used externally and internally in the bites of
venomous reptiles in Pudukotta. Infants suffering from convulsions are said to be
bathed in decoction of the whole plant.
PORTULACACEAE
1. Talinum cuneifolium (Vahl) Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 864.1; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 247.
187; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 66(48). 1915;
(Plate 2c)
Common name: Cylon spinach
Local name: Sambarcheera
Description
Habitat: Wastelands
Habit: Erect semi-succulent, glabrous herbs to 1 m tall
Root: taproot, rootstock tuberous.
Leaves: subsessile, alternate, 4-8 x 1.5-3 cm, obovate or oblanceolate, base cuneate,
apex obtuse or rounded.
Inflorescence: terminal, paniculate.
Flowers: Flowers 1.5-2 cm across; pedicels to 1.2 cm long; bracts 2-4 mm long, linear.
Calyx: Sepals 2, 4-6 x 2-3 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate.
Corolla: Petals 5, pink, 8-10 x 4-5 mm, obovate.
Androecium: Stamens many; filaments unequal.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 2 mm long, globose, 1-loculed; styles 3-armed. Capsules 4-6 mm

across, globose. Seeds ovoid, black, striate.
33
ELATINACEAE
1. Bergia capensis L., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 69(49). 1915; Manilal & Sivar., Fl.
Calicut 40. 1982; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 105. 2009
(Plate 2d)
Description
Habitat: Fallow lands, paddy fields and grasslands
Habit: Herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: stems to 35 cm long, glabrous, reddish or pink, fleshy.
Leaves: elliptic-lanceolate, cuneate at base, minutely serrate at margin, acute at apex, 3-

3.6 x 0.6-0.7 cm; mid nerve very prominent and purplish beneath, sunken above; lateral
nerves 6-8 pairs, alternate except basal ones, distinct beneath, faint above; stipules ovate
or lanceolate, acuminate at apex, dentate to ciliate at margin, ca 3.5 mm long,
membranous.
Flower: in dense axillary clusters; pedicels 1.5 mm long, glabrous.
Calyx: Sepals 3, ovate-lanceolate, entire at margin, acuminate at apex with a blunt

swollen tip, ca 1.2 mm long.
Corolla: Petals 3, oblong or subspatulate, obtuse at apex, ca 1.5 mm long pink.
Androecium: Stamens 5, ca 1.2 mm long.
Gynoecium: Carpels 5, connate; ovary globose; styles 5.
Fruit: Capsules globose, ca 1.5 mm with 5 longitudinal furrows, breaking into 5 valves.
Seeds: seeds numerous, minute, oblong or obovoid, reticulate, brownish.
34
A potent weed
MALVACEAE
1 a. Ovary ovoid, glandular hairy…………...…………………………….Hibiscus
1 b. Ovary sub globose, not glandular hairy
2 a. Petals yellow coloured………………………………..…………Sida
2 b. Petals pink with dark center……………………………………..Urena
Hibiscus
a. Seeds concentrically tubercled, dark brown……………………….H.furcatus
b. Seeds minutely tubercled, brown………….……………………….H.vitifolius
1. Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. ex DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 335.1874; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 97(70). 1915; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 47, non Willd. 1809;
(Plate 2e)
Common name: Thorny creeper
Local name: Pachapuli
Description
Habitat: Dry and moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: climbing shrubs
Root: taproot
Stems: with recurved prickles, often intermingled with dense stellate indumentum.
35
Leaves: entire to 3-5-angled or lobed, alternate, 4-8 x 3-7 cm, cordate or truncate at the
base, margins coarsely serrate, apex acuminate, prickly on the nerves beneath; petiole 4-
7 cm long, prickly; stipules c. 7 x 3 mm, lanceolate, ciliate.
Flowers: axillary, solitary; pedicels 1.5-5 cm long, jointed above middle, prickly.
Involucral bracts 10-12, c. 15 x 3 mm, bifurcate, apex spathulate.
Calyx: Calyx tube c. 1 cm long, nerves densely pubescent with long stellate and simple
hairs; lobes 5, c. 10 x 4 mm, lanceolate.
Corolla: Corolla c. 8 cm across, yellow with deep purple center; petals 5, 4 -5 x 3-4 cm,
obovate.
Androecium: Staminal column up to 1.5 cm long, antheriferous throughout; filaments c.

3 mm long, purplish; anthers purplish.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 5 mm long, ovoid, 5-celled, densely appressed hairy; stigma 5,

capitate.
Fruit: Capsule c. 1.5 cm long, ovoid or conical, bristly hairy.
Seeds: 4 mm long, 3-gonous, dark brown, concentrically tubercled.
Distribution: Paleotropics
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Decoction of root-bark given to cure internal poison, and

swellings and to cleanse the kidneys. Leaves eaten cooked improve digestion, cure eye-
diseases, and are anthelmintic. Leaves made into a paste and swallowed to remove small
fish-bones stuck in the throat. Juice of leaves mixed with honey, applied in eye-
diseases.
2. Hibiscus vitifolius L., Sp. Pl. 696. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 338. 1874;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 98(70); Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 80. 1990;
(Plate 2f)
Common name: Grape Leaved Mallow
36
Local name: Kattuvelluram
Description
Habitat: Dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, also in the plains
Habit: shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: stems terete, green, densely clothed with glandular and stellate hairs.
Leaves: 4-8 x 3-8 cm, broadly ovate or more commonly 3-5-lobed, with triangular
segments, base cordate, margins coarsely dentate to serrate, apex acute, basally 5-7-
nerved, minutely stellate above, tomentose below; petioles 4-13 cm long; stipules to 2
mm long, linear to filiform.
Flower: solitary or 3-5 in a cluster, c. 4 cm across; pedicel to 3 cm long, articulated

above the middle. Involucral bracts 6-8, 1-1.5 cm long, linear.
Calyx: 3 cm across, campanulate, 5-lobed, the lobes ovate-triangular, acute.
Corolla: Corolla 6-7 cm across, yellow with a dark purple center; petals 5, 4-5 x 3-4 cm,
obovate.
Androecium: Staminal column c. 2 cm long, antheriferous throughout, apex 5-toothed;

filaments to 3 mm long; anthers c. 2 mm long, purplish.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 4 x 3 mm, ovoid, pentangular, 5-celled; stylar branches 5,

purplish, glandular hairy; stigmas 5, capitate, purplish, glandular hairy.
Fruit: Capsules 1.5-2 cm across, depressed globose, strongly 5-winged.
Seeds: 3 mm long, reniform, minutely tubercled, brown, glabrous.
Distribution: paleotropics
A potent weed.
37
3. Sida veronicaefolia Lam,. Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 89(64). 1915;
(Plate 3a)
Common name: Heart leaf sida
Local name: Vallikurunthotti
Description
Habitat: All types of habitats from sandy sea coasts to deciduous forests.
Habit: herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: stem, petioles and pedicels pubescent with minute stellate hairs intermingled with
simple hairs.
Leaves: simple, alternate, 2-5.5 x 1.5-4.5 cm, broadly ovate or orbicular, apex acute to
acuminate, base cordate, margins serrate-crenate; basally 5-7-nerved, stellate-tomentose
on both sides; petioles to 3 cm long; stipules 1-2 mm long, linear.
Flowers: axillary, solitary; pedicels to 2 cm long, filiform, articulated above the middle.
Calyx: 5 mm long, campanulate, divided to the middle, stellate-tomentose without;

lobes 5, triangular.
Corolla: Petals 6 x 5 mm, yellow coloured, obovate, apex rounded or slightly

emarginate.
Androecium: Staminal column c. 2 mm long; anthers numerous, yellow.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 2 mm across, subglobose; styles 5; stigmas 5, globose, yellowish.
Fruit: Schizocarp to 2.5 mm long; mericarps 5, to 3 x 2 mm, trigonous with rounded

angles, apex shortly 2-beaked, completely enclosed in accrescent calyx
Seed: 2 mm long, reniform, brownish-black.
A potent weed.
38
Medicinal importance: Infusion of roots cooling, astringent and tonic, given in nervous
and urinary diseases, bilious disorders and gonorrhoea. Powder of root-bark with milk
and sugar given to relieve frequent micturition and leucorrhoea. Leaves mucilaginous
and used as a demulcent. Infusion given in fevers, as a cooling medicine. Seeds laxative
and used in piles. Boiled milk, whisked with febrinons twigs, coagulates and is
given after decantation. For piles. Leaves cooked and eaten in cases of bleeding pile.
4. Urena sinuata L., Sp. Pl. 692. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 329. 1874; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 92(66). 1915; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 133. 2009;
(Plate 3b)
Common name: Congo jute
Local name: Uram
Description
Habitat: moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Erect annual herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: plametly deeply lobed, alternate, base truncate, velvety tomentose on both
sides, to 7-ribbed at base.
Flowers: axillary, usually solitary, sometimes 2 or 3 in a cluster;Involucral bracts 5,

connate at base, clothed with rigid hairs.
Calyx: 5-9 mm long, campanulate, 5-parted; lobes ovate-elliptic, margins pubescent.
Corolla: pink with dark center; petals to 15 x 9 mm, obovate with rounded apex,
stellate-hairy without. Staminal column, pinkish;
Androecium: anthers pale pink.
Gynoecium: Ovary to 4 mm across, subglobose, stiff-hirsute; Stigmas capitate.
Fruit: Schizocarp 10-12 mm across, globose; mericarps trigonous, densely stellate-

pubescent, also with many glochidate spines;
39
Seeds: reniform, angular.
Distribution: Pantropical.
A potent weed.
STERCULIACEAE
1. Melochia corchorifolia L., Sp. Pl. 675. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 374. 1874;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 110(79). 1915; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 67.
1996;
(Plate 3c)
Common name: Chocolate weed
Local name: cheruvuram
Description
Habitat: Degraded deciduous forest areas and waste places
Habit: herbs
Stem: young stem, stellate hairy mixed with simple hairs.
Leaves: varying in size and shape, simple, alternate, 2 - 5 x 1 - 2.5 cm, ovate- oblong
acute at apex, cordate or attenuate at base, margin serrate, sparsely hairy on nerves on
both sides; petioles to 1 cm long.
Inflorescence: terminal, capitate cymes.
Flowers: Bracts 2-3 mm long, linear-lanceolate, ciliate on margins.
Calyx: sepal 5-lobed, campanulate, 2-3 mm long; lobes lanceolate, ciliate, Corolla pink,
5, 2-4 mm.
Corolla: petals obovate, obtuse or retuse at apex.
40
Stamen: 5, filaments united at base.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 1 mm long, ovoid, 5-celled; ovules 2 in each cells; styles 5.
Fruit: Capsule 3-4 mm, sub - globose, 5- valved.
Seed: angular or plano-convex, dark brown or greyish.
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Stem and leaves boiled in oil form an efficacious remedy in the
bites of, water snakes.
MELIACEAE
1. Naregamia alata Wight & Arn. Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 542. 1875; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 175(125). 1915; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 64. 1982;
(Plate 3d)
Common name Goanese ipecacuanha
Local name: Nilanaragam
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: herbs.
Leaves: 3-foliolate; leaflets 1.5-2.5 x 0.6-1.2 cm, obovate, laterals oblique, apex obtuse,
base cuneate, margins entire to serrate; petioles 1.5-2.5 cm long, winged.
Flowers: axillary, solitary; pedicel short.
41
Calyx:5-lobed; lobes 3-4 mm long, lanceolate.
Corolla: Petals 5, white, 1.5-1.8 cm long, spathulate. Disc annular. Staminal tube 1.8-2
cm long, cylindric, inflated at top, white with 10 yellow teeth at margins
Androecium: anthers 10, sessile at the apex of the tube. Ovary 3-celled
Gynoecium: ovules 2 in each cell; style filiform; stigma capitate.
Fruit: Capsule 4-5 mm diam., ovoid to subglobose, 3-valved
Seeds: 1 mm across. curved, truncate at both ends.
Distribution: Peninsular India
Medicinal importance: The whole plant has a pungent, aromatic odor. roots have emetic
properties, used in acute dysentery and in chronic forms of bronchitis. Juice of plant
mixed with coconut oil is used cinases of Psora. Root and leaves used in rheumatism .
root and leaves used in biliousness, indigestion and itches. Fruit used in cooking. Juice
boiled with oil or powder thereof given as a remedy in rheumatism, swellings, impure
blood, and biliousness.
RHAMNACEAE
1. Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1:634.1875; Gamble, Fl Pres.
Madras 220(158).1918; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 121. 1990;
(Plate 3e)
Common name: Jackal jujube
Local name: Mullumpazham
Description
Habitat: Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains.
42
Habit: shrubs,
Root: tap root
Stem: with thorns many, recurved, branchlets densely silky hairy.
Leaves: simple, alternate, 4-6.5 x 2-3 cm, ovate, apex acuminate, base oblique, 3 or 4
ribbed, densely fulvous hairy, sessile or shortly petioled.
Flowers: 3 mm across, shortly pedicelled, 6-20 in axillary clusters.
Calyx: Sepals triangular, hispid outside.
Corolla: Petals clawed, concave, greenish yellow; disk flat, glabrous.
Fruit: Drupe 6 x 6 mm, globose, black.
Distribution: Tropical Asia and Australia. Throughout the hotter parts of India
Medicinal importance: The whole plant is astringent and helps digestion.Decoction of
bark used to heal wounds.
VITACEAE
1 a. Climbers, reddish brown flowers……......…………………………..Ampelocissus
1 b. Shrubs to small trees, greenish white flowers……………………….Leea
1. Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.)., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 230(165). 1918; Manilal
& Sivar., Fl. Calicut 68. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 122. 1990;
(Plate 3f)
Common name: Jungle angoor
Local name: Chembravalli
43
Description
Habitat: Near streams in evergreen forests
Habit: climber
Root: taproot.
Stem: branches striate, nearly glabrous, hollow.
Leaves: simple, often 5-gonal, sometimes 3-5 lobed, usually deeply cordate at base,
serrate at margin, acute to acuminate at apex, 10-25 x 10-24 cm, glabrous; nerves
prominent beneath; petioles 5-15 cm long, deeply grooved in upper half.
Inflorescence: pyramidal-thyrsoid; primary branch 1.5-5 cm long; thyrses 3-7 cm long;

peduncles 5-10 cm long; tendrils branched, 10-15 cm long.
Flower: reddish brown; pedicels ca 1 mm long, puberulous.
Calyx: saucer-like, entire and glabrous.
Corolla: Petals oblong, ca 1.5 x 0.8 mm, glabrous. Disc enclosing about half of ovary,
5-grooved.
Fruit: Berries globose,7-9 mm, black when ripe, 2-4 seeded.
Seed: elliptic-oblong in outline, 6-7 x 4-5 mm, with a longitudinal, broad ridge and a
groove on either side on adaxial surface and an oblong-elliptic chalazal knot and
prominent fissures radiating towards margin on abaxial surface.
Distribution: South Asia
2. Leea crispa Royen ex L., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 665. 1875; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 240 (171). 1918;
(Plate 4a)
Common name: Asiatic leea
Local name: Nalugu
44
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous and evergreen forests
Habit: Shrubs to small trees
Root: taproot
Stem: branches.
Leaves: pinnate, alternate, 1 or 2-pinnate, densely soft-villous beneath when young;

leaflets 5-7, 10-20 x 4-9 cm, broadly ovate to elliptic or ovate-oblong to elliptic, acute,
acuminate to caudate at apex, rounded to cordate at base, sharply serrate at margin,
chartaceous to subcoriaceous, glabrous or sparsely hairy above, densely hairy beneath
with sparse globose pearl glands; petioles 1-4 cm long; stipule narrowly winged;
rachises 4-12 cm long; lateral nerves 8-16 pairs; petiolules 5-15 mm long.
Inflorescence: 2-12 cm long, glabrous or pubescent; peduncles to 6 mm long; bracts

ovate to linear-lanceolate, to 6 mm long, subpersistent; bracteoles lanceolate, 3 mm
long; pedicels 1-2 mm long, pubescent.
Flower: greenish white in corymbs.
Calyx: 2 x 3 mm, pubescent with prominent reticulate nervation, 5-lobed; lobes 3-

angled.
Corolla: corolla tube with staminal lobes 3-4 mm long, 5-lobed; lobes subulate, 2.5-3 x
1-1.5 mm. Staminal lobes deeply 2-fid,
Androecium: stamens free; filaments to 2 mm long; anthers oblong, to 1 cm long,

medifixed; staminal column 3 mm long.
Gynoecium: Ovary globose-subglobose, less than 1 mm across, 4-8 loculed; style 1-2
mm long; stigma capitate.
Fruit: globose-depressed, 12 mm across, purple black.
Seed: usually 6, 5x 3 mm.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and China
45
Medicinal importance: root tubers is used against guinea worms.
TILIACEAE
1. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 395. 1874; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 120(86). 1915; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 95. 1990
(Plate 4b)
Common name: Burweed
Local name: Oorpam
Description
Habitat: Degraded deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: hairy, stellate hairs mixed with simple hairs.
Leaves: simple, alternate, 2.5-7 x 2.5-6 cm, generally rhomboid-ovate, base rounded or
cordate, margins irregularly serrate, apex acute or acuminate, stellate-pubescent to
glabrescent; basal ones palmately 3-lobed; petioles up to 4 cm long; stipules 3-4 mm
long, subulate.
Inflorescence: terminal or leaf-opposed cymes
Flowers: 5-6 mm across, shortly pedicellate.
Calyx: Sepals 4-5 mm long, lanceolate, hairy without.
Corolla: Petals yellow, 4-5 mm long, oblong-obovate.
Androecium: Stamens 8-15.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 1.5 mm long, ovoid, setose.
46
Fruit: Capsules 4-5 mm across, subglobose, stellate hairy outside, setose; setae c. 2 mm
long, hooked at tip.
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: It is mucilaginous, used as demulcent and is a serviceable

injection in gonorrhoea.
GERANIACEAE
1. Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. var. candolleanum (Wight) Edgew. & Hook.f., Fl.
Brit. India 1: 437. 1874; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 133(95). 1915;
(Plate 4c)
Common name: Tropical little tree plant
Local name: Nilamthengu
Description
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests and grasslands
Habit: Herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: pubescent.
Leaves: crowded at apex, paripinnate, to 4 cm, rachis ending in a bristle; leaflets

opposite, 10-13 pairs, to 5 x 3 mm, oblong, pubescent, midvein oblique, stipules linear.
Inflorescence: Umbels terminal; peduncles to 7 cm, pubescent
47
Flowers: yellow, 6 mm across.
Fruit: Capsule enclosed in calyx, 3 mm, lanceolate
Seeds: rugose.
SAPINDACEAE
1. Cardiospermum halicacabum L., Sp. Pl. 366. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 1: 670.
1875; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 244(175). 1918; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 130. 1990;
(Plate 4d)
Common name: Balloon vine
Local name: Uzhinja
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests, also in scrub jungles.
habit: Climbing or trailing herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: alternate, bi-ternate; leaflets 2-4 x 1-2.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, deeply dentate or
lobed, apex acute to acuminate, membranous; petiole to 3 cm long.
Flowers: white, polygamous in 3-7-flowered axillary tendril-bearing peduncles;

peduncle up to 5 cm long.
Calyx: Sepals 4, in 2-pairs, outer pair smaller.
Corolla: Petals 4, white, unequal, with basal scales.
Androecium: Stamens 8; filaments unequal, pilose.
Gynoecium: Ovary 3-locular; ovule 1-per locule; stigma 3-fid.
48
Fruit: Capsule papery, inflated, 3-lobed, winged.
Seed: one in each chamber, black with a white eye.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Root, used as an emetic, laxative and stomachic. Fried leaves
used to accelarate the secretion of the menses. Juice of plant given, to promote the
Catamenial flow, during the menstrual period. Leaves given in rheumatism and applied
to reduce swellings and tumours . Root diaphoretic and diuretic, given in decoction as
an aperient. Leaves administered in pulmonic complaints and mixed with castor-oil,
internally employed in rheumatism and lumbago. The whole plant boiled in oil rubbed
in bilious affections. Leaves mixed with jaggery and boiled in oil used in sore eyes.
FABACEAE
SUBFAMILY: PAPILIONACEAE
1 a. Pods subterete, not constricted between the joints,
Reticulately veined…………………………………………..………..Alysicarpus
1 b. Pods linear, compressed with 4-raised ribs near sutures……………....Centosema
1 c. Pods oblong-cylindrical…….………………………….……………....Crotalaria
1 d. Pods hooked hairy………………………………………………….….Desmodium
1 e. Pods linear-oblong…….…………………...……………………….....Tephrosia
1 f. Pods obliquely oblong, flat thick, pointed at both ends indehiscent…..Pongamia
Desmodium
a. Stem angled, hairy when young, glabrescent on ageing …………...…D.gangeticum
49
b. Stem sub-terete, clothed with minute hooked hairs; branches few…....D.scorpiurus
c. Stem branches trigonous, ciliate with stiff hairs on angles .…………..D.triquetrum
1. Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) var. vaginalis; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 158. 1876;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 338(238). 1918; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 146. 1990;
(Plate 4e)
Common name: Alyce clover, One leaved clover
Local name: Nila-orila
Description
Habitat: Wastelands in the plains
Habit: Herb
Root: taproot
Leaves: basal leaves 0.8-3.5 x0.7-1.5 cm, ovate- orbicular, base cordate, apex
rounded,apiculate; upper leaves to 5 x 1.8 cm, oblong to linear-lanceolate, base
subcordate, apex acuminate, petiole to 6 mm long; stipules to 1.8 cm long, lanceolate,
striate, scarious; stipels minute.
Flowers: in terminal racemes up to 7 cm long; pedicels c. 2 mm long.
Calyx: 4 mm long, equalling or slightly longer than the first joint of pod; segments
linear, striate.
Corolla: pink to purple; standard c. 5 mm long. Staminal tube to 5 mm long;
Androecium: anthers uniform.
Gynoecium: Ovules many; style filiform, incurved at apex.
Fruits: Pods 1.3-2 cm long, subterete, not constricted between the joints, reticulately
veined, joints 4-8.
50
A potent weed.
2. Centrosema molle Benth, Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 204. 2009;
Manilal, Fl. Silent Valley 70. 1988; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 178. 1990;
(Plate 4f)
Common name: Spurred butterfly pea
Local name: Kattupayar
Description
Habitat: Forest plantations and deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Pubescent twiners.
Leaves: 3-foliolate; leaflets 3-6.2 x1.5-4 cm, ovate or elliptic, apex acuminate, base
rounded, the terminal larger than the laterals, pubescent; petiole to 5 cm long; stipules
persistent.
Inflorescence: Raceme, axillary,
Flowers: 5-8-flowered; peduncles 4-5 cm long. pedicels 7-10 mm long; bracts connate,
5-8 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, deciduous; bracteoles 6-8 mm long, ovate.
Calyx: calyx tube 3-4 mm long, campanulate, 2-lipped, upper lip emarginate, adpressed
tomentose.
Corolla: violet; standard c. 3 cm long, ovate-suborbicular, gibbous at the back above the
claw, emarginate, pubescent without; wings falcate, the auricle curved back. ‘’
Androecium: Stamens 9+1.
Gynoecium: Style basally pubescent.
Fruits: Pods 7-12 x0.4-0.6 cm, linear, compressed with 4-raised ribs near sutures;
Seeds:15-18, 4-6 mm long, oblong, brown with dark mottling.
Distribution: Native of America; introduced in India
51
A potent weed.
3. Crotalaria striata DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 84. 1876; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras
301(212). 1918;
(Plate 5a)
Common name: Ding Ding
Local name: Kilukkampettichedi
Description
Habitat: Degraded forest areas, also in the plains.
Habit: Erect under shrubs, up to 1.6 cm tall.
Root: taproot
Stem: branches puberulous.
Leaves: 3-foliolate; leaflets subequal, 3-7 x 1.8-4 cm, obovate or elliptic-ovate, apex
obtuse or acute, base cuneate, membranous, glaucous below; petiole 3-7 cm long;
stipules 1-3 mm long, setaceous, deciduous.
Inflorescence: terminal many-flowered racemes
Flowers: Flowers 1.3 cm long, pedicels 3-4 mm long; bracts to 3 mm long, subulate.
Calyx: 5-7 mm long, upper 2-lobes united, other lobes lanceolate, adpressed tomentose.
Corolla: Petals yellow with prominent reddish veins; standard c. 1.2 cm long, broadly
elliptic; keels curved and beaked.
Androecium: Stamens 10, monadelphous.
Gynoecium: Style abruptly incurved at the base; stigma oblique.
Fruit: Pods 3-4.2 x 0.6-0.8 cm, oblong-cylindrical
Seeds: 18-30, brown.
52
Invasive plant.
4. Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2:168.1876; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 345(244). 1918; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 157. 1990;
(Plate 5b)
Common name: Sal leaved desmodium
Local name: Orila
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests and forest plantations, also in the plains
Habit: Erect under shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: angled, hairy when young, glabrescent on ageing.
Leaves: 1-foliolate, 5-10 x 1-5 cm, ovate to elliptic, apex acute, base rounded,
glabrescent above, densely appressed hairy below, often blotched with grey; petiole to
2.5 cm long; stipules to 8 mm long; linear-lanceolate.
Inflorescence: fascicled in terminal and axillary, 15-25 cm long racemes.
Flowers: white pedicels 3-4 mm long; bracts subulate.
Calyx: campanulate; lobes 1.5-2 mm long, triangular, tomentose without.
corolla: Petals 4 mm across.
Androecium: Stamens diadelphous.
Gynoecium: Ovary 3-4 mm long, compressed, hairy without; stigma capitate.
Fruit: Pods 1.2-2.3 x 0.1-0.15 cm, moniliform, 4-7-jointed, reticulate, slightly pubescent
with hooked hairs, constricted in ventral suture.
53
A potent weed.
5. Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Desv., Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 220.
2009;
(Plate 5c)
Common name: Scorpion tick trefoli
Description
Habitat: Wastelands, also along the roadsides
Habit: Slender, trailing, pubescent herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: stem sub-terete, clothed with minute hooked hairs; branches few.
Leaves: alternate, pinnately trifoliate; rachis 1.7-6.5 cm x 1-2 mm, minutely hooked
hairy; leaflets subsessile, elliptic to ovate, obtuse at apex, entire, the terminal leaflet
often larger, to 1.6-5.5 x 1-3 cm; stipules persistent, connate, amplexicaul, striate,
auriculate at the base, acuminate at apex, pubescent and ciliate; stipels to 2 mm long,
subulate, pubescent.
Inflorescence: racemose, 5-15 cm long, minutely pubescent, leaf-opposed, 12-22-

flowered.
Flowers: to 5.5 x 4 mm, solitary or in clusters of 2-3 at nodes; pedicels 4-5 mm long,
filiform, patent hairy.
Calyx: hairy, to 3 mm long, campanulate with a short tube below; lobes 5, to 2.6 mm
long, the two upper connate for most part except at the 2-toothed apex, others linear-
lanceolate, the lower slightly larger.
Corolla: Petals pink or white turning to pale yellow; standard broadly obovate, 4 mm,
slightly emarginated at apex, cuneate at the base; wings sub-elliptic, to 3.5 x 2 mm,
rounded at apex, slightly auriculate and shortly clawed at the base; keels longer than the
54
wings, to 4 x 1 mm, clawed, truncate or retuse at the apex, base with a thin lamellate
appendage.
Androecium: Stamens diadelphous; staminal column to 3.5 mm long, closely set with
minute, hooked hairs.
Gynoecium: Style to 1 mm long, bent, glabrous; stigma capitate, glabrous.
Fruit: Pod linear, slightly turgid, intended on both the sutures, to 3.3 x 3.3 cm, densely
hooked hairy, 4-7 jointed.
Seeds: oblong, sub turgid, 3 x 1.3 mm, brown, smooth.
Distribution: Native of America; introduced and naturalised in the pacific regions of

Asia.
A potent weed.
6. Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 163. 1876,p.p. ; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 345(244); Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 159. 1990;
(Plate 5d)
Common name: Trefle gros
Local name: Adakkapaanal
Description
Habitat: Semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Erect subshrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: branches trigonous, ciliate with stiff hairs on angles.
Leaves: 1-foliolate, 5-15 x 1.5-4 cm, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, apex acuminate, base
subcordate, glabrous above and tomentose below; petiole to 3.5 cm long; stipules 1 -1.8
x 0.4-0.5 cm, subulate at apex, striated.
Inflorescence: Racemes terminal, 10-28 cm long; bracts 3-6 x 3-5 mm, subulate;
pedicels 4-6 mm long.
55
Calyx : 4 mm long, campanulate; lobes lanceolate, acuminate.
Corolla: Petals pink.
Androecium: Stamens monadelphous.
Gynoecium: Ovary 3-4 mm long, pubescent without; style curved; stigma capitate.
Fruit: Pods 1.8-3.5 x 0.5-0.7 cm, laterally compressed, 5-7-jointed, loosely appressed
hairy.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia to Pacific Islands and China
Medicinal importance: Root used in medicine.
7. Tephrosia purpurea (L.), Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 112. 1876,p.p.; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 320(226). 1918; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 174. 1990;
(Plate 5e)
Common name: Wild indigo
Local name: Kattamari
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests and grasslands, also in the plains
Habit: Perennial erect or decumbent herbs or subshrubs
Root: taproot
Leaves: imparipinnate; leaflets 7-15, 1-2.8 x 0.3-1 cm, oblanceolate or obovate, apex
obtuse to emarginate or truncate, base cuneate, mucronate; stipules 3-6 mm long,
lanceolate.
Flowers: 7 mm long, in few-flowered, leaf-opposed, pseudoracemes; pedicels 3-4 mm

long; bracts c. 2 mm long.
Calyx: 3-4 mm long., pubescent; lobes subulate.
Corolla: Petals pink to purplish; standard c. 4 mm broad, orbicular.
Androecium: Staminal tube to 4 mm long.
56
Fruit: Pods 2.5-4 x 0.3-0.4 cm, linear-oblong
Seeds: 5-7, ellipsoid, dark brown.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Decoction of root given to children as anthelmintic. Dried plant

is deobstruent, diuretic, and useful in bronchitis, bilious, febrile attacks, obstructions of
the liver, spleen and kidneys, to purify blood and to cure boils. Infusion of seeds is
cooling. Root-bark ground with pepper given in obstinate colic. The whole plant is tonic
and laxative. Root bitter, and given in dyspepsia and chronic diarrhoea. Decoction of
fruit given to stop vomiting.
8. Pongamia glabra Vent., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2:240.1876; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 385(272). 1918;
(Plate 5f)
Common name: Hongay oil tree
Local name: Ungu
Description
Habitat: Deciduous and mangrove forests, also planted as avenue tree
Habit: Evergreen trees,
Root: taproot
Stem: surface grey, smooth, speckled with brown; branchlets lenticellate.
Leaves: imparipinnate, alternate, leaflets 5-7, opposite, estipellate; petiolule 6-10 mm;
slender, pubescent; leaflet 4.5-12 x 2-7 cm, elliptic-acuminate, elliptic-lanceolate, ovate
or ovate-oblong, apex acuminate, margin entire, glabrous, chartaceous; stipules lateral,
small, oblong, cauducous; rachis 10-15 cm long, slender, pulvinate, pubescent; lateral
nerves 5-8 pairs, pinnate, ascending, slender, faint; intercostae reticulate, obscure.
57
Inflorescence: axillary racemes
Flowers: bisexual, purplish-white, 15-18 mm long, axis pubescent; bracts small,

cauducous.
Calyx: Calyx tube campanulate; minutely 5 toothed, apex truncate; corolla exserted.
Corolla: Petals 5, clawed; standard suborbicular with curved folds above the claw;
wings obliquely oblong, slightly adnate above the claws to the obtuse keel petals which
are joined near the tip.
Androecium: Stamens 10, monadelphous, the vexillary stamen free below and above;
anthers uniform.
Gynoecium: Ovary subsessile, inferior, 1-celled, ovules 2; style in curved, beardless;

stigma capitate.
Fruit: a pod, 4-5 x 2-2.5 cm, obliquely oblong, flat, thick, pointed at both ends,
indehiscent, slightly falcate.
Seed: one, reniform.
Medicinal importance: Leaves with those of the plumbago, pepper and salt, pounded
with curd, given in leprosy. Juice of root with cocoanut-milk, given in gonorrhoea.
Flowers used in diabetes and pods worn round the neck to cure whooping cough.
Leaves used as fodder for cattle and as green manure for sugarcane. Wood used as fuel.
Seeds, leaves and oil used for skin-diseases and rheumatism. Oil used for burning. Bark
contains a bitter alkaloid. Poultice of leaves applied to ulcers infested with worms. Pulp
of seeds applied in leprosy. Ashes used as caustic to open abscesses. Powder of root-
bark given in honey for rheumatism, leprosy, piles, worms and ulcers. Decoction or
powder of bark used as a laxative and for ulcer in the vagina.
58
SUBFAMILY: CAESALPINIACEAE
1. Saraca indica sensu Bedd., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 271. 1878; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 409(289). 1919;
(Plate 6a)
Common name: Asoka tree
Local name: Ashokam
Description
Habitat: Evergreen forests, also grown as ornamental tree in the plains
Habit: Trees,
Root: taproot
Stem: surface brown or brownish-black, lenticellate.
Leaves: paripinnate, alternate; leaflets 6-12, opposite, 7-28.5 x 2-8.5 cm, narrowly
oblong, oblong-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, round, cuneate or acute, apex acute or
acuminate, base obtuse, margin entire, glabrous, coriaceous; stipules 7-20 mm long,
intra petiolar, scarious, ovate, connate; rachis 4-25 cm long, slender, pulvinate,
glabrous; petiolule 2-10 mm long, stout, glabrous; lateral nerves 10-15 pairs, pinnate,
arched towards the margin, slender, faint, intercostae reticulate, faint.
Flowers: bisexual, yellow-orange or red, in dense sessile paniculate corymbs, axillary to

leaves or leaf scars; bracts ovate, small deciduous; bracteoles 4 mm long oblong-
spathulate, ciliolate, coloured, sub persistent.
Calyx: 4 cm long, petalloid, cylindric, enclosing a lobed disc; lobes 4, ovate-oblong,

unequal, spreading, imbricate.
Corolla: Petals 0.
Androecium: Stamens 7 or 8, much exserted, free; filaments long, filiform, coloured,

glabrous; anthers versatile.
59
Gynoecium: Ovary half inferior, stipitate, the stipe adnate below to one side of the disc,
pubescent; style incurved, glabrous, filiform; stigma small, capitate; ovules many.
Fruit: a pod 10-5 x 2-5 cm, flat, oblong, coriaceous or almost woody, tapering at both
ends; continuous within.
Seeds: 2-8, 3.8 cm long, ovoid, slightly compressed.
Distribution: India and Myanmar
Medicinal importance: Flowers scented and used in temples. Bark strongly astringent,
contains tannin and used in medicine for menorrhaegia. Flowers mixed with water and
pounded used in haemorrhagic dysentery. Leaves possess the property of purifying
blood and juice mixed with cummin seeds used for stomach-ache. The sight of the tree
when in flower is said to remove grief as implied by, its vernacular name. Root bark
used in Lekshnana lehya for diseases of women, Powder or decoction of bark given in
biliousness, worms, ulcers, poisons, pimples, weakness, bowel complaints, haemorrhage
and dropsy. It improves complexion but constipates bowels. Flowers used in biliousness
and syphilis.
SUBFAMILY: MIMOSACEAE
1 a. Trees, stem thick, without prickles…………….…………………………...Albizia
1 b. Herbs, stem 4-angular, with prickles.………………………………….......Mimosa
1. Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr., Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 187. 1990; Sasidh. &
Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 168. 1996; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 265.
2009;
(Plate 6b)
Common name: Sau tree
Local name: Motta vaka
60
Description
Habitat: Evergreen and deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Deciduous trees
Root: taproot
Stem: bark 5-6 mm thick, surface brownish-grey, smooth, horizontally furrowed;

branchlets minutely golden tomentellous.
Leaves: bipinnate, alternate, pinnae 4-20 pairs, opposite, even pinnate, 8-12.5 cm long,
slender, sparsely tomentellous; with a gland in between each pairs or on distal 2 -3 pairs;
leaflets 50-90, opposite, even pinnate, sessile, 3-6 x 15-18 mm, falcate-lanceolate or
falcate, apex acute, base oblique, subtruncate or obtuse, margin entire, ciliate, glabrous
above, sparsely tomentellous and glaucous beneath, chartaceous; stipules 2.5-4 x 1 cm,
free, lateral, obliquely cordate, crisped, orange-pink, pubescent, with filiform tail, base
much dilated at one side, caducous; rachis 18-35 cm, slender, grooved above, pulvinate,
sparsely minutely tomentellous, with a gland near its base on upper side; midrib starting
and ascending along the distal margin, lateral nerves obscure.
Flowers: bisexual, white, in globose heads, 2-6 in axillary fascicles or arranged in

terminal and axillary panicles; peduncle slender, pubescent; pedicel 0.5-1 mm,
pubescent; bracts stipular, persistent.
Calyx: 2.5-5 × 1-2 mm, funnel shaped, pubescent, teeth short.
Corolla: Petals connate, 6-10 mm long, funnel shaped, pubescent, lobes 5, ovate-
lanceolate.
Androecium: Stamens many, yellowish, monadelphous at the base, tube slightly shorter
to or longer than the corolla tube.
Gynoecium: Ovary 1.5 mm long, sessile, glabrous; style up to 3 cm long.
Fruit: a pod, 15-20 x 2.5 cm, strap shaped, flat, reddish-brown, glossy, straight or wavy
along the margin, very shortly stalked, apices round or tapering, slightly bullate over the
seeds;
Seeds: 8-20, 6-10 x 5-8 mm, ovate, flat, dull brown.
61
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and South China
2. Mimosa pudica L., Sp. Pl. 518. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 291. 1878; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 421(298). 1919; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 101. 1982;
(Plate 6c)
Common name; Touch me not plant
Local name: Thottavadi
Description
Habitat: Weed in the plains
Habit: Straggling herbs
Root: taproot
Stem :4-angular, with prickles
Leaves: alternate to 12 cm long, pinnae 5-10 pairs; leaflets 20 pairs, oblong, 3-7 by
0.75-1 mm, overlapping, apex acute-mucronate, base oblique-truncate; rachis,
tomentose.
Flowers: pink.
Fruit: Lomentum flat, margin with recurved prickles
Seeds: 3-5, sub rhombic.
Distribution: Native of South America; now Pantropical
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Oil boiled with juice of the' whole plant applied to infants in
debility and thinness. Leaves rubbed into a paste and applied to hydrocele. Juice of
leaves with horse’s urine made into an anjan applied to remove films of the conjuctiva
by setting up an artificial inflammation. Root is dried and tied to the patient’s neck at
62
ebb-tide as a remedy in cracked-pot cough. Root contains a peculiar tannin and
decoction is used in gravel, and complaints arising from corrupt blood and bile. Juice
applied to fistulous sores. Juice of leaves used to impregnate cotton-wool for a dressing
in any form of sinus.
COMBRETACEAE
1. Quisqualis indica L., Sp. Pl. (ed. 2) 556. 1762; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 459. 1878;
(Plate 6d)
Common name: Burma creeper
Local name: Kulamarinji
Description
Habitat: Introduced as ornamental plant; now runs wild
Habit: Woody climbers
Root: taproot
Stem: young branchlets tomentose.
Leaves: opposite to subopposite, 6-12 x 3-5 cm, elliptic to oblong-elliptic, base rounded
to subcordate, often unequal sided, apex acuminate, minutely verrucose above, finely
pubescent beneath, chartaceous; petiole to 1 cm long.
Infloresence: Spikes terminal, to 8 cm long.
Flower: fragrant; bracts 2-5 x 1-2 mm, linear. Receptacles 4.5-8 cm long, narrowly
tubular, expanding towards the apex, pubescent without.
Calyx: Sepals 2-3 x 1.5-2.5 mm, triangular reflexed.
Corolla: Petals 1-1.5 x 0.4-1 cm, obovate-oblong, obtuse, white, turning deep red at
maturity, finely pubescent.
63
Androecium: Filaments 5-7 mm long.
Gynoecium: Style adnate to the wall of the upper receptacle for most of its length.
Fruit: 3-3.5 x 1-1.2 cm, ovate-elliptic, black.
Distribution: Native of Myanmar
MELASTOMACEAE
1. Memecylon malabaricum (Clarke) Cogn., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 505(356).1919;
(Plate 6e)
Common name: Malabar memycylon
Local name: Kazhavu
Description
Habitat: Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, and also in sacred groves
Habit: Bushy shrubs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 5-12 x 1.5-4 cm, ovate, apex gradually acute, cordate at base,
sessile; nerves obscure.
Flowers: fascicled in very dense many-flowered cymes; peduncles 1-2 mm long;

pedicels short, 1-2 mm long.
Calyx: Calyx tube 1-2 mm long, campanulate, truncate at apex.
Corolla: Petals 1-2 mm long, obovate, blue.
Gynoecium: Style subulate, c. 3 mm long.
Fruit: Berry 4-5 mm across, globose.
64
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats
LYTHRACEAE
1 a. Flowers in inflorescence…………………………………………….Ammannia
1 b. Flowers solitary…………………………...…………………………Rotala
Ammannia
a. Dischasial cymes …………………………………………………….....A.baccifera
b. Racemes…………………………………………………………………A.roundifolia
1. Ammannia baccifera L., Sp. Pl. (ed.2) 175. 1762, ssp.; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2:
569. 18379; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 510(360). 1919;
(Plate 6f)
Common name: Blistering ammania
Local name: Kalluruvi
Description
Habitat: Paddy fields and other wet lands
habit: herbs
root: taproot
stem: 4-angled or more or less winged.
Leaves: simple, decussate, sessile, 2-6 x 0.5-0.8 cm, linear to elliptic, apex acute, base
attenuate, chartaceous.
Inflorescence: Cymes dischasial, axillary.
Flower: 4 or 5-merous, perigynous; pedicels c. 2 mm long.
65
Calyx: Calyx tube 1-2 mm long, campanulate; lobes 4, 1-1.5 mm long, triangular.
Corolla: Petals absent.
Androecium: Stamens 4; filaments c. 0.5 mm long.
Gynoecium: Ovary 1 mm in diam., globose, 4-5-locular; ovules many; stigma capitate.
Fruit: Capsule 1.5-2 mm across, globose, exceeding calyx tube
Seed: brownish, concavo-convex.
Distribution: Tropical Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Leaves extremely aerid used to blister skin in rheumatic pains
and fever. This is used to prepare a liniment applied to the temple as a remedy for
burning pain in the eyes. Leaves and also ashes with oil applied to cure herpetic
eruptions. Decoction with ginger and cyperus root given for intermittent fever.
2. Ammannia rotundifolia Buch.Ham. ex Roxb., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 566. 1879;
Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 114. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 207. 1990; Sunil &
Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 306. 2009.
(Plate 7a)
Description
Habitat: Along streams and marshy areas in grasslands
Habit: Erect herbs
Stem: reddish, 4-angled.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 8 x 6 mm, oblong-orbicular, sessile, glabrous, 5-nerved.
Inflorescence: Racemes 1-1.5 cm long, bracteoles 2 mm long, lanceolate.
Calyx: calyx tube 2.5 mm long, lobes triangular, acute; intersepalar appendages absent.
Corolla: Petals 1.5 x 1 mm, obovate.
66
Androecium: Staminal filaments attached near the base of calyx tube.
Gynoecium: Ovary 1 x 1 mm, obovoid, truncate, obtuse, 4-angled; style 1 mm long.
Distribution: South and South East Asia and also in Japan
3. Rotala malampuzhensis R.V. Nair ex Cook., Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 114.
1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 207. 1990; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 306.
2009;
(Plate 7b)
Common name: Malamphuzha rotala
Description
Habitat: Paddy fields and banks of streams
Habit: herb
Root: taproot
Stem: much branched, creeping and rooting below.
Leaves: simple, decussate, sessile, submerged leaves scale-like to orbicular,
upper leaves linear to lanceolate, to 15 x 4 mm. Bracts leaf -like; bracteoles
equaling calyx tube, capillary.
Flowers: monomorphic, sessile, solitary.
Calyx: Calyx tube campanulate, bright red, lobes 3, ovate-acute, appendages 3.
Corolla: Petals 3, small, bright red.
Androecium: Stamens 3, inserted above the base of the calyx tube.
Gynoecium: Ovary globose; stigma capitate.
Fruit: Capsule globose, bright red, opening by 3 valves
Seeds: 10-15, smooth, bright red.
67
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Kerala)
ONAGRACEAE
1 a. Petals cream coloured or white with an yellowish blotch inside
obovate, emarginate or rounded at apex.………...……………………….Jussiaea
1 b. Petals yellow, elliptic, emarginated ……….…………………………….Ludwigia
1. Jussiaea repens L., Sp. Pl. 1: 388. 1753;
(Plate 7c)
Common name: Water Primrose
Local name: Nircharambu
Description
Habitat: Ponds and ditches
Habit: Aquatic floating herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: aerophores spongy, white coloured, fusiform.
Leaves: 1.5-3.5 x 0.5-1.5 cm, obovate to oblanceolate, base attenuate, apex obtuse,
lower surface glossy.
Flowers: solitary, axillary, to 4 cm across.
Calyx: Calyx tube c. 1 cm long, pubescent; lobes 5, narrow-lanceolate.
Corolla: Petals 5, obovate, emarginate or rounded at apex, cream coloured or white with
a yellowish blotch inside.
Androecium: Stamens 10; filaments subequal.
68
Gynoecium: Ovary 5-locular; ovules many; style hairy at base; stigma globose.
Fruit: Capsule c. 2.5 cm long, terete, 10-ribbed, dehiscing by 4-5 valves.
Distribution: Continental Asia, Malesia and Australia
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
2. Ludwigia perennis L., Sp. Pl. 119. 1753; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 117. 1982;
Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 208. 1990; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 311. 2009
(Plate 7d)
Common name: Paddy clove
Local name: Neerkarayambu
Description
Habitat: Waterlogged areas in grasslands
Habit: Annual herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: subglabrous or puberulent on younger parts.
Leaves: simple, alternate, 1-11 x 0.3-2.7, linear to narrowly elliptic, cm, apex subacute,
base narrowly cuneate; petioles 2-15 mm long.
Flowers: from the upper leaf axils; bracteoles reduced or up to 1 mm long.
Calyx: Sepals 4, rarely 5, deltate, (1.3-) 2-3.5 mm long, glabrous or puberulent.
Corolla: Petals yellow, elliptic, 1-3 mm long, emarginated.
Androecium: Stamens usually as many as the sepals, rarely more.
Gynoecium: Disk at apex of ovary slightly elevated; style 0.7-1.5 mm long; stigma
globose.
69
Fruit: Capsule thin walled, 0.3-1.6 cm long, terete, pale brown readily and irregularly
dehiscent; pedicel 0-6 mm long.
Seeds: in several rows in each locule, free, broadly ellipsoid, 0.3-0.5 mm long, brown,
with fine brown lines.
Distribution: Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Tender shoot is rubbed on aching gums. Plant boiled in oil and
applied to body to bring down fever.
CUCURBITACEAE
1 a. Fruit is a berry……………………………………………………….Mukia
1 b. Fruit ovoid-fusiform, beaked……….……………………………….Trichosanthes
1. Mukia scabrella (L. f.) Arn. Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 623. 1879;
(Plate 7e)
Common name: Madras pea pumkin
Local name: Mindattanga
Description
Habitat: Deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: climber
Root: taproot
Stem: coarsely scabrous.
70
Leaves: simple, alternate, 8-9 x 6-7 cm, ovate, cordate at base; entire or shallowly 5-
lobed; spineus serrate, densely scabrous; petiole 6-7 cm long.
Male flowers: 8-12 together, 4-6 mm across, yellow; pedicel 5-6 mm long.
Calyx: densely hairy outside, lobes linear.
Corolla: Petals 2-2.5 mm long, obovate, yellow.
Female flowers: solitary or 2-3 together.
Fruit: Berry 1-1.5 cm across
Seeds: obovate, marginate, yellowish white, rugose.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Decoction of seeds sudorific. Root useful in flatulence and when
masticated relieves tooth-ache. The whole plant boiled in oil used in biliousness in
children.
2. Trichosanthes cucumerina L., Sp. Pl. 1008. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 609.
1879; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 529(373). 1919; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 215. 1990;
(Plate 7f)
Common name: Snake gourd, Malabar Patola
Local name: Kayappan padavalam
Description
Habitat: Forest margins in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, also in the
plains
Habit: climber.
Root: taproot
Leaves: 8-11 x 8-10 cm, palmately 3-5-lobed, broadly ovate or sub-orbicular, base
71
truncate-cordate, margin distantly denticulate, apex acute, lower surface glandular-
pubescent, chartaceous; petiole to 3.2 cm.
Male flowers: in axilliary racemes, ebracteate; pedicel to 2 cm long. C
Calyx: calyx-tube turbinate, glandular-pubscent, lobes linear.
Corolla: Petals oblong-lanceolate, long-fimbriate, white.
Androecium: Stamens 3; pistillodes 3, slender.
Female flowers: solitary; pedicel to 1.5 cm.
Gynoecium: Ovary ribbed, pubescent; style to 1.6 cm.
Fruits: ovoid-fusiform, beaked, white-striped when young, yellow when ripe.
Medicinal importance: Juice of leaves is emetic and used in congestion of the liver,
bilious head-ache and as laxative. Root acts as a powerful cathartic. Juice of leaves
rubbed over the body in remittent fever. Fruit- fried in butter and eaten with bread as a
remedy in spermatorrhoea. Fruit applied to boils to hasten suppuration. Seeds useful in
disorders of the stomach.Tender shoots and dried capsules are considered laxative.
Seeds antifebrile and anthelmintic. Decoction of stalk is expectorant.
AIZOACEAE
1 a. Cymose inflorescence…………..…………………………………...Mollugo
1 b. Flowers solitary……………..………………………………………Trianthema
Mollugo
a. leaves form rosette…………………………………………..……...…M.nudicaulis
b. leaves whorled…………………………………………………….…..M.pentaphylla
72
1. Mollugo nudicaulis Lam., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 664. 1879; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 553(390). 1919; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 126. 1982;
(Plate 8a)
Common name: Naked stem carpet weed
Local name: Ullukkumarunnu chedi
Description
Habitat: Deciduous forest and sandy seacoasts
Habit: Glabrous acaulescent herbs.
Root: taproot.
Leaves: forming a rosette, up to 5 x 1 cm, obovate to broadly spathulate, apex obtuse to

rounded, base gradually contacted to a rather short (5-15 mm) petiole, veins rather
obscure.
Inflorescence: Cymes scapose, several, to 15-20 cm long, di- or trichotomously

branched, spreading to ascending; terminal flower in each ramification pedicellate,
ultimate branches tending to have several second flowers or a single pedicellata one;
bracts reduced to hyaline oblong to lanceolate scales.
Calyx: Sepals 5, broadly ellipsoid to oblong, subequal, 2- mm long, rounded at base and
apex, sub gibbous at base, margins hyaline.
Androecium: Stamens 3-5; filament c.1.5 mm long.
Gynoecium: Ovary oblong, 3-lobed, 3-celled; stigmas 3, sessile, flat, spreading,

papillose.
Fruit: Capsule valves 3, firm, rounded at apex
Seeds: black, plump, very oblique-reniform, with a slightly caruncle or thickened

attachment, surface thickly tuberculate.
A potent weed.
73
Medicinal importance: A powerful anthelmintic in cases of taenia, when stalk of fresh
plants and leaves ground with water is taken internally.
2. Mollugo pentaphylla L., Sp. Pl. 89. 1753; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 553(390). 1919;
Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 127. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 221. 1990 ;
(Plate 8b)
Common name: Five leaved carpet weed
Local name: Parpadakappullu
Description
Habitat: Open areas and along banks of streams, also in deciduous forests
Habit: herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: branching at base from a tap root
Leaves: (often described a opposite or whorled) in alternate fascicles of 2-4, unequal,

1.5-3.5 x 0.6-1.2 cm, spathulate with rounded apices, to narrowly elliptic or lanceolate,
acute, very shortly petiolate
Inflorescence: Pedunculate cymes from the leaf fascicles or apparently just below them,
at upper or terminal nodes, once to repeatedly branching, forming a paniculate
appearance, ultimate branches pseudo-racemose.
Calyx: Sepals 5, orbiculate or oval, thin, green with white scarious margins, strongly
imbricate, somewhat accrescent in fruit, closely enclosing capsule.
Androecium: Stamens 3-5, shorter than sepals.
Gynoecium: Ovary trilocular; ovules many, placentation axile.
Fruit: Capsules very thin-walled; globose or sub globose, locullicidal;
Seeds: obliquely reniform, dark chestnut-brown, low-tuberculate, with a caruncle,

without a linear appendage.
74
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: This is stomachic, aperient, antiseptic, given to women to

promote menstrual discharges. The whole plant with oil used as antidote in poisoning.
Decoction of tender shoots and flowers given in fever to perspire.
3. Trianthema portulacastrum L., Sp. Pl. 223. 1753; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras
550(389). 1919; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 221. 1990;
(Plate 8c)
Common name: Giant pig weed
Local name: Pasalikeera
Description
Habitat: Paddy fields and other moist localities
Habit: succulent herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: branchlets pubescent on one side, thickened at the nodes.
Leaves: opposite or subopposite, unequal, 1.2-3.5 x 0.8-2.2 cm, orbicular-obovate,

oblong or elliptic, base obtuse or attenuate, margins entire, often undulate, purplish,
apex obtuse, rounded or retuse, sub-succulent; petiole sheathing with two stipule-like
appendages.
Flowers: 7 mm across, axillary, solitary, sessile, sheathed by the base of the petiole.
Calyx: Calyx tube c. 1.5 mm long, adnate to base of petiole; lobes 5, white or pink, c. 4
mm long, oblong, obtuse.
Androecium: Stamens 15-20.
Fruit: Capsule to 5 mm long, turbinate, apex truncate, 2-lobed, brown, circumscissile.
Seeds: black with muricate concentric lines.
75
Distribution: Tropics of the World
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Decoction of plant, given us a remedy in rheumatism, worms,

syphilis and poisoning. It is laxative, antidote in alcoholic poison, improves vitality and
increases milk in mothers.
RUBIACEAE
1 a. Flowers terminal
2 a. Corolla curved, tube purple with yellowish mouth, lobes ovate,
obtuse…………………………………………………..…………Chassalia
2 b. Corolla villous, lobes 4, oblong, recurved…………………………Morinda
2 c. Corolla funnel-shaped dialated above middle, orange-red or yellow,
tomentose outside, villous at mouth, ovate-lanceolate
…………………………………………………………….………Mussaenda
1 b. Flowers axillary
3 a. Calyx cupular, 4-toothed, without hispid.………………………...Canthium
3 b. Calyx densely hispid, lobes 4…………………………………..…Diodia
3 c. Calyx tube 2-4 lobed…………….………………………………...Spermacoce
3 d. Calyx tube, lobes minute
4a. Stem cylindrical……………………………………………….Ixora
4b. Stem 4-angled…………………….…………………………..Oldenlandia
Spermacoce
a. Capsule long, truncate, compressed, pubescent………………………....S.ocymoides
76
b. Capsule subglobose, hispid without………………………...…………...S.hispida
c. Capsule, ovoid, dehiscence circumcissile………………….……..……….S.hirta
1. Canthium coromandelicum (Burm. f.)., Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 342.
2009;
(Plate 8d)
Common name: Wild jessamine
Local name: Kandakara
Description
Habitat: Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in sacred groves
Habit: Armed shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: branchlets obtusely 4-angled; bark grey; spines 1-3.2 cm long, supra-axillary.
Leaves: simple, opposite,1.8-4.2 x 1.3-3 cm, ovate, elliptic-ovate to obovate, apex

subacute, base rounded to attenuate; petiole c. 5 mm long; stipules subulate.
Inflorescence: sessile cymes below spines.
Flowers: greenish, 4-merous, in axillary.
Calyx: cupular, 4-toothed.
Corolla: 4-5 mm across, campanulate to globose, mouth villous; lobes 4, ovate, acute,
spreading or reflexed.
Androecium: Stamens 4, subsessile, exserted.
Gynoecium: Stigma capitate, slightly 2-lobed.
Fruit: 1-1.4 cm across, subglobose, yellow.
77
2. Chassalia curviflora (Wall. ex Kurz) Thw. (Wall.) Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl.
Alappuzha Dist. 344. 2009; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 218. 1996;
(Plate 8e)
Common name: Curved flower chassalia
Local name: Karutha-amalppori
Description
Habitat: Common in all types of forests, also in the plains
Habit: Shrubs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 22 x 8 cm, oblanceolate, abruptly acuminate; nerves 12 pairs,

regular; petiole to 3 cm long, stipule connate, ovate, membraneous, 2-fid.
Inflorescence: Cymes 7 x 4 cm, terminal, panicled, glabrous.
Flowers: 15 mm long, subsessile.
Calyx: 1.5 mm long, globose, lobes 5, ovate.
Corolla: 8 mm long, curved, tube purple with yellowish mouth, lobes ovate, obtuse.
Androecium: Stamens 5, included; anthers linear.
Gynoecium: Ovary 2-celled, ovule one in each cell; style 2-fid at apex.
Fruit: 6 mm across, globose, glabrous
Seeds: 2.
78
3. Diodia teres Walter, Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 346. 2009;
(Plate 8f)
Description
Habitat: Wasteland and scrub jungles in laterite hillocks

Habit: Erect branched herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: terete and woody at base, younger parts 4-angled.
Leaves: sessile, 2-4 x 0.3-1 cm, narrowly elliptic, oblong to linear-lanceolate, base
attenuate, margins revolute, apex acute and setaceous hispid and white punctate on both
surfaces, lateral veins 4-5 pairs; stipules connate like a sheath, to 2 mm long, hispid
without, apex truncate with 4-7 mm long hairy setae.
Flowers: sessile, axillary, congested in the stipular sheath.
Calyx: densely hispid; lobes 4, c. 1.5 mm long.
Corolla: pink; tube c. 3 mm long, campanulate; lobes 4, oblong-acute, hispid without.
Androecium: Stamens 4, inserted near the throat.
Gynoecium: Stigma flat, broad, bilobed.
Fruits: 3 mm long, turbinate, densely hispid, splitting into two indehiscent mericarps.
Seeds: reticulate, reddish brown.
Distribution: Topical America and Africa
4. Ixora coccinea L., Sp. Pl. 110. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 145. 1880; Gamble,
(Plate 9a)
Common name: Flame of the woods
Local name: Thechi
79
Description
Habitat: In the plains, also grown in homesteads
Habit: Bushy shrubs.
Root: taproot
Stem: cylindrical without hairs
Leaves: simple, opposite, 6-10 x 2.5-3 cm, elliptic to oblong, shortly acute at apex,
round to slightly cordate at base, sessile, greenish on drying.
Inflorescence: terminal corymbs 5-8 cm across; peduncle and pedicels short.
Calyx: Calyx tube 0.18-0.2 cm long, puberulous without; lobes minute.
Corolla: scarlet; tube 3-3.5 cm long, puberulous without; lobes 0.8-1 x 0.4-0.5 cm.
Androecium: Stamens attached at throat; anthers 0.3-0.35 cm long.
Gynoecium: Ovary 0.1-0.2 cm across; style 3-3.5 cm long, exserted.
Fruit: Berry 0.6-0.8 cm diam., didymous
Seeds: 2, globose, 0.3-0.4 cm diam.
Distribution: Peninsular India and Sri Lanka
Medicinal importance: Fruit, eaten. Root and flowers used in medicine for dysentery,
fever, gonorrhoea, and externally applied in bead-ache and boils.
5. Spermacoce ocymoides sensu., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 200. 1881;
(Plate 9b)
Local name: Tharakeera
Description
Habitat: Moist and dry deciduous forests and waste places
Habit: herbs
80
Stem: 4-angled and narrowly winged, ciliate along the margins.
Leaves: 1-2.7 x 0.4-1.3 cm, ovate to elliptic, base cuneate, apex acute, glabrous,
subsessile; stipule bristles subulate.
Flowers: very small, in axillary and terminal, sessile, capitate clusters. Bracts and
bracteoles subulate.
Calyx: Calyx lobes 2, 1-2 mm long, lanceolate.
Corolla: white, c. 2 mm long.
Fruit: Capsule c. 1 mm long, truncate, compressed, pubescent.
Seeds: oblong, reticulate.
Distribution: Tropical America, widely introduced elsewhere
6. Spermacoce hispida L., Sp. Pl. 102. 1753; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist.
367. 2009.
(Plate 9c)
Common name: Jointed botton weed
Local name: Tharthavel
Description
Habitat: Sandy low lands
Habit: herb
Root: taproot
Stem: bluish, hispid.
Leaves: 1-2 x 0.8-1.5 cm, oblong-elliptic to obovate, acute at apex, attenuate at base,
hispid on both sides. Stipules sheathing.
Inflorescence: axillary verticillate cymes.
81
Calyx: Calyx tube 0.15-0.2 cm long, ovoid, hispid without; lobes 4, obovate.
Corolla: pinkish white; tube slender, 0.5-0.6 cm long, hairy at throat; lobes 4.
Fruit: Capsule sub globose, 0.2-0.25 cm diam., hispid without.
Seeds: 2, 0.1-0.15 cm long, grooved; septum detaching from coccus.
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Seeds are said to be aphrodisiac, and the plant is prescribed to
cure haemorrhoides. Seeds cooling, demulcent. and given in dysentery. Root employed
for similar purposes is an alterative and blood purifier. Leaves Decoction or powder of
root need as a remedy in rheumatism, indigestion, biliousness, dropsy and worms. It
remove the effect old age mid injuries in the bowels and kidneys. Seeds used
medicinally as coffee removal kidney complaints and improve strength. Roo t is used in
decoction as a purgative for infants.
7. Spermacoce hirta L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 148. 1762;
(Plate 9d)
Local name: Thaval
Description
Habitat: Degraded moist deciduous forests and wastelands
Habit: Erect pubescent herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 2-4 x 1.5-2 cm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, base obtuse, apex
acute, membranous, sessile; stipule pectinate.
Inflorescence: verticillate in axillary fascicles
82
Flowers: white, 4-merous; bracteoles filiform.
Calyx: Calyx-tube small, unequally 4-lobed, larger 2 lobes 1 mm long.
Corolla: 1.5 mm long, funnel-shaped; lobes 4.
Androecium: Stamens 4, attached at throat.
Gynoecium: Ovary 2-locular, ovule 1-per locule.
Fruit: Capsule 1 mm long, ovoid, dehiscence circumcissile;
Seeds: 2, minute.
Distribution: Tropical Africa and America; now common in South India
A potent weed.
8. Morinda tinctoria Roxb., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 156. 1880; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 9e)
Common name: Pavetta tree
Local name: Manjapavetta
Description
Habitat: Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Deciduous trees
Root: taproot
Stem: bark pale brown, thick, vertically fissured and irregularly cracked; blaze turmeric
yellow.
Leaves: simple, opposite, decussate; stipules interpetiolar, connate, sheathing, bifid at

apex; petiole 5-20 mm long, stout, pubescent, grooved above, glabrous; lamina 7.5-25 x
2-8 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, oblanceolate or elliptic-oblong, base acute, cuneate or
attenuate, apex acute to acuminate, margin entire, pubescent or tomentose, chartaceous;
83
lateral nerves 7-12 pairs, pinnate, prominent; intercostae reticulate, slender; domatia
present.
Flowers: bisexual, white, in terminal, globose heads
Calyx: calyx limb truncate
Corolla: 2 cm long; tube 1 mm long, villous within; lobes 4, oblong, recurved
Androecium: stamens 4, attached to the throat of corolla; anthers exserted
Gynoecium: ovary 1.5 mm, 2-celled or incompletely 4-celled, inferior; style 4 mm;
stigma 2 lobed.
Fruit: syncarp, 15-18 mm across, globose, pyrenes 4, oblong
Seeds: not winged.
Medicinal importance: Paste of leaves with aromatics given in diarrhoea, dysentery, and
as a tonic and febrifuge. Juice used externally in gout and to promote healing of sores.
Root used as astringent.
9. Mussaenda frondosa L., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 89. 1880; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 9f)
Common name: Schizomussaenda
Local name: Vellilathaali
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, also in the plains
Habit: Straggling shrubs; branchlets pubescent.
Root: taproot
84
Leaves: simple, opposite, 6-10 x 4-6 cm, broadly ovate, caudate acuminate at apex, base
rounded, sparsely hairy on both surfaces; petiole to 1.5 cm long; stipules 3 -4 mm long,
ovate, bifid at apex.
Inflorecence: Cymes terminal, lax, tomentose.
Flowers: 5-merous. Bracts and bracteoles linear, 1-1.5 cm, hairy.
Calyx: Calyx-lobes 5, 0.8-1 cm long, lanceolate, hairy, one of the calyx lobes
transformed into a showy, white, pubescent, leaf-like structure, 8-12 x c. 4.5 cm.
Corolla: 2.5-3 cm long, funnel-shaped dialated above middle, orange-red or yellow,

tomentose outside, villous at mouth; lobes 6-7 mm long, ovate-lanceolate.
Androecium: Stamens 5, included or exserted.
Gynoecium: inferior ovary
Fruit: Berry
Medicinal importance: Decoction of root expels phlegm, externally applied as a cooling

agent and boiled in oil applied to cure aphthae. Flowers attenuant, diuretic, used in
cough, asthma, ague, flatulence, externally applied to clean foul ulcers and cure skin,
eruptions. Root with cow’s urine, given in white leprosy. Root rubbed in with water
applied to burning eyes and juice of fruit and leaves applied in cases of dimness of the
eyes. Decoction of stem used as a remedy for cough. Leaves ground with cocoanut
scrapings fried and applied to cure ulcers. White leaves ground and boiled with castor
oil given for internal swellings and ulcers. Powder of leaves and bark taken in honey to
purify blood.
10. Oldenlandia corymbosa L., Sp. Pl. 119.1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 64.
1880,p.p.; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 600(423). 1921; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 239. 1990;
(Plate 10a)
Common name: Diamond flower
85
Local name: Parpadakapullu
Description
Habitat: Degraded forest areas, also in the plains
Habit: Diffuse or spreading prostrate herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: stem 4-angled.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 1-2.5 x 0.2-0.4 cm, linear-lanceolate, acute at apex, base
attenuate, scabrid on margins; stipules sheathing.
Flowers: axillary 2-6 in a corymb; 4-merous; peduncles 4-8 mm long.
Calyx: Calyx tube c. 1 mm long, lobes minute.
Corolla: white tube c. 1 mm long with a ring of hairs at throat.
Androecium: Stamens 4 inserted at corolla base.
Gynoecium: inferior ovary
Fruit: Capsules c. 2 mm across, subglobose, loculicidal, dehiscing at top only;
Seeds: minute, trigonous
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: The plant is used in the treatment of fevers. Juice of leaves
applied to the palms of the hand to remove burning sensation. It is given internally to
remove burning sensations at the pit of the stomach.
86
ASTERACEAE
1a. Leaves opposite
2a. Stem hairy
3a. Stem viscid hairy......................................................................…Ageratum
3b. Stem glandular hairy………………………………….………...Eupatorium
3c. Stem glandular-hispid……………………………………...…...Mikania
3d. Stem adpressed hairy. ……………………………..……….…..Synedrella
3e. Stem slightly hairy………………………….…………………..Tridax
3f. Stems glabrous or pubescent.……………………………………Wedelia
2b. Stem not hairy
4a. Stem terete, appressed strigose ……………………………………...Eclipta
4b. Stem prostrate, ………………………..…………………..…………Spilanthes
1 b. Leaves alternate
2a. Achenes ribbed, hairy; pappus……………………………………..Blumea
2b. Achenes obovate, compressed, hispid along margins pappus a
fimbriate crown…………………………………………..…...…..Grangea
2c. Achenes 5-ribbed, hispid; pappus white silky…………………….Emilia
2d. Achenes angular, glabrous; pappus absent…………….…...……..Sphaeranthus
2e. Achenes hairy; outer pappus, setaceous………….…………….....Vernonia
2f. Achenes, 8-10-ribbed; pappus yellow, barbellate hairs……...……Vicoa
Spilanthes
a. Achenes, obovate, biconvex, dark brown, glandular…………………..S.acmella
b. Achenes, marginal ones 3-angled, central achenes laterally compressed,
87
obovate, truncate, ciliate along the edges,………………………...……S.radicans
Blumea
a. Corolla glandular………………………………………………………...B.virens
b. Corolla wightiana………………………………………………………..B.wightiana
1. Ageratum conyzoides L., Sp. Pl. 839. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 243. 1881;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 677(476). 1921. Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 248. 1990;
(Plate 10b)
Common name: Goat weed
Local name: Appa
Description
Habitat: Weed in fallow fields and wastelands in the High Ranges
Habit: Herbs,
Stem: viscid hairy.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 5-7 x 3-5 cm, ovate, apex acute, crenate, base rounded; petiole
1-3 cm long.
Inflorescence: Heads white, to 7 mm across, in terminal corymbose panicle; bracts 1 -3-

seriate, 3-4 mm long, elliptic, toothed at apex, 3-ribbed.
Flowers: all similar, bisexual.
Corolla: 2.5 mm long, tubular, white, glabrous, 5-lobed at apex.
Androecium: Stamens 5, anthers linear.
Fruits: Achenes 2 mm long, linear, 5-angled, hirsute along the angles; pappus 3-4 mm
long, many, setaceous.
88
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: This has strong aromatic smell and is used externally in agues.
Juice is a good remedy for prolapsus ani. Oil boiled with the juice of plant applied in
rheumatism.
2. Blumea virens Wall. ex DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 264. 1881; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 686(483); Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 379. 2009;
(Plate 10c)
Common name: Panicled blumea
Description
Habit: herb.
Root: taproot
Leaves: alternate, 5-10 x 3-5 cm, pinnatisect and serrate, glabrous; petiole 1-5 cm long.
Inflorescence: Heads 5 x 7 mm, many, in axillary and terminal large panicles, peduncles
1.5 cm long, glabrous; outer bracts 2 mm long, lanceolate, hairy at apex; inner larger, 6
mm long, linear-oblong.
Flower: Bisexual florets 10, central
Corolla: 5 mm long, glandular.
Female florets: many; corolla 4 mm long, slender.
Fruit: Achenes 2 mm long, ribbed, oblong, hairy; pappus 4 mm long, white.
A potent weed.
89
3. Blumea wightiana DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 261. 1881; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 686(483). 1921;
(Plate 10d)
Description
Habitat: Degraded deciduous forests and grasslands
Habit: Herbs, 30-70 cm high
Root: taproot
Stems: strigose.
Leaves: 5 x 3 cm, obovate, obtuse, glandular serrate, covered with simple and glandular
hairs, nearly sessile.
Inflorescence: Heads 5 x 6 mm, in axillary and terminal thyrsiform clusters; peduncle

strigose; bracts 5 mm long, linear, hairy; outer smaller.
Flowers: Bisexual flowers around 10, central; corolla 3 mm long, glandular.
Female flowers: many
Corolla: slender.
Fruit: Achenes ellipsoid, ribbed, hairy; pappus 3 mm long.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia to Australia and Africa
4. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 304. 1881; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 10e)
Common name: False daisy
Local name: Kanjunni
90
Description
Habitat: Paddy fields and moist localities
Habit: Herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: terete, appressed strigose.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 1-3 x 0.2-0.5 cm, oblong, oblong-lanceolate or oblong-

elliptic, acute or sub acuminate at apex, cuneate at base, entire, densely strigose, sessile
or subsessile.
Inflorescence: Heads terminal 4-5 mm across; peduncles appressed strigose, 2-4 mm

long.
Flower: Involucral bracts in 2 rows; outer bracts 5, ovate-elliptic, 3.5 x 2.5 mm, sub
acuminate at apex, cuneate at base, strigose outside, glabrous inside; inner bra cts 5,
elliptic-obovate, 3 x 1.5 mm, sub acuminate at apex, cuneate at base, sparsely strigose
outside, glabrous inside.
Ray florets: 2-3- seriate, female, 4 mm long.
Calyx: Sepals minute, ovate, acute, membranous.
Corolla: 2.5 mm long; tube 0.8 mm long; limb1.6 mm long, with 2 unequal, obtuse-
tipped lobes at apex.
Disk florets: numerous, ca 3 mm long.
Corolla: campanulate, ca 1.6 mm long; lobes 4, ovate, ciliate on margin.
Androecium: Stamens 4 or 5, sagittate.
Gynoecium: Ovary 1.1-1.2 mm long, hairy at apex; style branches 2, pubescent. Palea
2.2 mm long, hairy in the upper two-third portion.
Fruit: Achenes yellowish brown to brown, oblong-turbinate, dorsiventrally compressed

and sharply angled, hairy at apex; pappus of partially or completely united scales
forming a cone at the apex.
91
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Fresh plant with seasamum oil applied externally in

elephantiasis. Juice of root used as an emetic, purgative and applied to galled necks in
cattle. Juice of leaves boiled in oil used as antidote to poison and in anaemia,
indigestion and worms. Leaf is a good remedy for scorpions. Juice of plant with
powdered pepper given as anthelmintic, in asthma, rheumatism, cough, swelling,
leprosy, head and eye diseases. It improves strength, complexion and brain power and-
cures dental disorders in fever.
5. Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 336. 1881; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 10f)
Common name: Purple sow thistle
Local name: Muyalchevian
Description
Habit: herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: alternate, radical and cauline; radical leaves 4-10 x 1-3 cm, lyrate-pinnatifid
with large terminal lobes, semi-orbicular; cauline leaves small, obovate to spathulate.
Inflorescence: Heads homogamous, not rayed, 1-3 on long slender peduncles.
Flower: Involucral bracts cylindric, uniseriate, 6-8 mm long, oblong-lanceolate. Florets

bisexual.
Corolla: pink, 3-3.5 mm long, wider to the mouth, lobes 5.
Androecium: Stamens 5; anthers 1-1.5 mm long.
92
Gynoecium: Ovary 1.5 mm long; style-arms acute.
Fruit: Achenes 1-2 mm long, 5-ribbed, hispid; pappus white silky, 5-6 mm long.
Distribution: Tropical and Subtropical Africa and Asia
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Decoction used as a febrifuge and juice given with sugar in
bowel-complaints. Juice of leaves poured into the eyes for-night-blindness and
inflammation of the eyes.
6. Eupatorium odoratum L., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 244. 1881;
(Plate 11a)
Common name: Siam weed
Local name: Communist-pacha
Description
Habitat: A weed in all terrestrial habitats
Habit: Shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: glandular hairy.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 8-12 x 5-8 cm, ovate, apex acute, base cuneate, crenate,
hispid; petiole 2-3 cm long, cylindrical-oblong.
Inflorescence: Heads to 10 mm long, in terminal corymbose cymes; bracts 3-5-seriate,

to 8 mm long, ovate, obtuse; outer smaller, inner linear, acute, 3-ribbed.
Flowers: few to many, similar, bisexual
Corolla: 5 mm long, white, tubular, 5-lobed, pubescent at apex.
93
Fruit: Achenes 4 mm long, linear, 5-angled, scabrous, black; pappus many, 4-7 mm
long, setaceous, yellowish.
Distribution: Native of America; naturalised in Tropical Asia.
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
7. Grangea maderaspatana (L.)., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 247. 188; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 11b)
Common name: Madras carpet
Local name: Nelampala
Description
Habitat: Marshy areas, bunds of fields and sandy river beds
Habit: herbs
Stem: densely hispid.
Leaves: alternate, 2-3 x 1.5 cm, oblanceolate, irregularly pinnate-lobed, base auricled,
sessile.
Inflorescence: Heads
Flower: globose, axillary, solitary, pedunculate; bracts 2-3 seriate; 5 mm long, oblong,
obtuse, hairy; receptacle convex, naked.
flowers female: corolla 2 mm long, slender, tubular, yellow.
Inner flowers: bisexual; corolla 2 mm long, campanulate, 5-lobed
Androecium: anthers obtuse at base.
Fruit: Achenes obovate, compressed, hispid along margins; pappus a fimbriate crown
94
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and Africa
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Leaves considered a valuable stomachic medicine having

deobstruent and antispasmodic properties used in obstructed menses and hysteria. Juice
of leaves employed as an installation in ear-ache. Leaves powdered and used as an
antiseptic application to ulcers. The plant, is used in preparing antiseptic and anodyne
fomentations.
8. Mikania scandens Clarke, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 144. 1881;
(Plate 11c)
Common name: Climbing Hempweed
Local name: Vayara
Description
Habitat: Forest plantations and also in the plains in moist localities
Habit: Climbers
Root: taproot
Stem: glandular-hispid.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 5-8 x 4-6 cm, ovate, apex acute, base cordate, crenate,
glabrate; petiole 2-4 cm long.
Inflorescence: Heads 5 mm long, in axillary panicles; bracts biseriate, outer 2 smaller,

inner 3-5, 4 x 1.5 mm, ovate, obtuse.
Flowers: 3-5, similar, bisexual
Corolla: 3 mm long, tubular, lobes 5, glandular, white
Androecium: anthers linear.
Fruit: Achenes 2 mm long, 5-ribbed, black, glabrous; pappus 4 mm long, many, hispid.
95
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
9. Sphaeranthus indicus L., Sp. Pl. 927. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 275. 1881, p.
p; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 692(487). 1921; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 255. 1990;
(Plate 11d)
Common name: Indian globe flower
Local name: Adakkyamaniyan
Description
Habitat: Lake shores, paddy fields, etc.
Habit: Diffuse aromatic herbs
Root: taproot
Stems: with toothed wings.
Leaves: alternate, 3-4 x 1-2 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse at apex, decurrent to stem at base,
spinulose serrate, hispid.
Inflorescence: Heads in globose spikes, numerous, densely packed; spikes to 1 cm

across, peduncles winged; bracts 2-types, basal bracts of the spike ovate, obtuse; bracts
of each head lanceolate, ciliate.
Flowers: two types, few; outer female, inner bisexual, all tubular;
Corolla: 5-lobed, pink; lobes acute
Androecium: anthers tailed at base.
Fruit: Achenes angular, glabrous; pappus absent.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia, Australia and Africa
A potent weed.
96
Medicinal importance: Seeds and root are anthelminthic. The plant with cummin is
stomachic and ground with oil used in itches. It is useful in bilious affections and for the
dispersion of various kinds ot tumours. Oil prepared bv boiling the root in sesamum oil
taken as a powerful aphrodiasiac. Decoction of roof with cummin-seed powder given in
bowel complaints and with sugar for cough and chest pain. root-bark rubbed in water
applied in piles. The flowers, are highly esteemed as alteratives, depurative and tonic
useful in skin-diseases. The bark ground and mixed with why is a valuable remedy in
piles. The whole plant, powdered and given in ghee as a remedy in hernia, enlarged
spleen, constipation, poison and stone in the bladder.
10. Spilanthes acmella sensu., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 307. 1881; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 708.498. 1921;
(Plate 11e)
Common name: Toothache plant
Local name: Akravu
Description
Habitat: Moist localities in evergreen forests
Habit: Procumbent scabrid herbs.
Stem: prostrate
Root: taproot
Leaves: to 4 x 2.5 cm, ovate, base truncate, apex acute, chartaceous.
Inflorescence: Heads 10 x 7 mm, solitary, conical.
Flowers: bisexual
Corolla: yellow, 2.5 mm long, tubular, campanulate above; lobes 0.5 mm long, ovate,
acute, glabrous.
Fruit: Achenes 2 x 1 mm, obovate, biconvex, dark brown, glandular.
97
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: The flower head are used as a specific for inflammation offlic
periosteum of the jaws and used as fish-poison. The plant and flower-heads are very
acrid and lane a hot burning taste causing profuse salivation. It is a powerful stimulant,
sialagoguo, used in head-ache, tooth-ache and paralysis of the tongue.
11. Spilanthes radicans Jacq., Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 254. 1996; Sunil
& Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 390. 2009;
(Plate 11f)
Common name: White spot flower
Description
Habitat: Degraded moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Erect herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: prostrate glabrous.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 7 x 4 cm, ovate, acute, crenulate along the margins, glabrous;
petiole 1-2 cm long.
Inflorescence: Heads 7-12 x 6-8 mm, solitary or 2-3 together; peduncles 3-5 cm long,
puberulus; bracts 4 x 1 mm, glabrous.
Flowers: corolla 2 mm long, 3-lobed.
Fruit: Achenes 2 types, marginal ones 3-angled, central achenes laterally compressed,
obovate, truncate, ciliate along the edges, cilia longer towards the apex.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America
A potent weed.
98
Invasive plant.
12. Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 308. 1881; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 708(498). 1921; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 152. 1982;
(Plate 12a)
Common name: Synedrella
Local name: Mudianpacha
Description
Habit: Erect branches herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: adpressed hairy.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 4-8 x 2-4 cm, elliptic-ovate, apex acute, base cuneate to
truncate, narrowly winged on the petiole, margin serrate, scabrous on both sides, basally
3-nerved; petiole to 3 cm.
Inflorescence: Heads solitary, axillary and terminal, few-flowered, 0.5-1 cm across,

radiate. Phyllaries 2-seriate; outer foliaceous, inner paleaceous.
Flowers: heterogamous, yellow.
Ray flowers: female; corolla tube 2-2.5 mm long; ligule 1-2 mm long, 2-3-lobed; ovary
3 mm long, oblong, winged; style-arms acute.
Disc flowers; bisexual; corolla tube 2-3 mm long, lobes 5; stamens 5, included, ovary 2-
3 mm long. achenes 3-4 mm long,
dimorphic: of ray florets dorsally compressed, with lacerate wings; of disc florets
trigonous, not winged, with 2 or 3 rigid awns.
Distribution: Native of West Indies; naturalised in India, China, Malesia and Polynesia .
99
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
13. Tridax procumbens L., Sp. Pl. 900. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 311. 1881;
(Plate 12b)
Common name: Mexican daisy
Local name: Muriyampachila
Description
Habitat: Deciduous forests, also waste lands in the plains
Habit: Procumbent herbs.
Root: taproot
Stem: slightly hairy
Leaves: simple, opposite, 3-6 x 1.5-3 cm, ovate, apex acute, serrate, bulbous-based
hairy; petiole 5-10 mm long.
Inflorescence: Heads 1.3 x 1.5 cm, solitary, on long peduncles; bracts in 3-series,
lanceolate, hairy.
Flowers: Outer row of flowers ligulate, female, limb 3 x 2 mm, 3-toothed, white; inner
flowers bisexual, tubular; corolla 6 mm long, 5-lobed at apex, yellow.
Fruit: Achenes 2 mm long, obovoid, densely hairy; pappus many, setaceous.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America; now widespread throughout tropics and

subtropics
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
100
14. Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 233. 1881; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 12c)
Common name: Ash colored fleabane,
Local name: Puvankurunal
Description
Habit: herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: ribbed, smooth or puberulus.
Leaves: alternate,variable, 2-8 x 1-3 cm, ovate, acute at both ends, thinly hairy below;
petiole 1-2 cm long, slender.
Inflorescence: Heads 5 x 3 mm, in terminal corymbose cymes, peduncled; outer bracts

minute, inner oblong, acute, cuspidate, hairy.
Flowers: 5-10, similar; corolla 3 mm long, glabrous, bluish-purple.
Fruit: Achenes 1.5 mm long, hairy; outer pappus 1 mm long, setaceous, inner 3 mm
long.
Distribution: Pantropics
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: The whole plant is used in medicine to promote, perspiration in

febrile affections. Seed used as alexipharmic. The whole plant is a remedy for spasm of
the bladder and strangury, Flowers administered for blood shot eyes. Juice of leaves
given in honey for dysentery, fever and worms. Juice boiled with oil applied, to cure all
fevers and elephantiasis.
101
15. Vicoa indica (L.) DC., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 701(493). 1921; Manilal & Sivar.,
Fl. Calicut 152. 1982; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 256. 1996;
(Plate 12d)
Common name: Sonkadi
Local name: Kammalchedi
Description
Habitat: Degraded forests, also in the plains
Habit: Annual herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: alternate, 7-12 x 2-3.5 cm, elliptic ovate, acuminate at apex, attenuate at base,
margins serrate, hairy above and on nerves below, white cottony between the
prominently reticulated veins below; upper leaves sessile to slightly petioled, lower
ones long petioled.
Inflorescence: Heads in terminal and axillary corymbs, 1.5-2 cm diam. Involucre bracts
many-seriate; outer ones leafy, shorter, 0.5-0.7 x 0.3-0.4 cm, moniliform hairy without,
mucronate at tip; inner ones scarious at base, leafy above, 0.8-1 x 0.2-0.3 cm long,
lanceolate, innermost ones scarious.
Flowers: homogamous, not rayed.
Corolla: campanulate, purple; tube slender, 0.5-0.6 cm long, widened at mouth;style-

arms subulate, hairy at tip.
Fruit: Achenes 0.1-0.2 cm long, 8-10-ribbed; pappus yellow, barbellate hairs, 0.25-0.3
cm long.
Distribution: India, China, Thailand and West Africa
A potent weed.
102
16. Wedelia trilobata (L.), Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 397. 2009;
(Plate 12e)
Common name: Singapore daisy
Description
Habitat: Introduced as garden plant, now runs wild
Habit: Herbs, perennial, prostrate, diffuse.
Root: taproot
Stem: stems glabrous or pubescent.
Leaves: Leaves 3-10 x 3-7 cm, elliptic-obovate, usually with 3 angular lobes with
toothed margins, acute at apex, basally cuneate, glabrous to sparingly pubescent; petiole
short, upto 5 mm. Heads radiate, 2-2.5 cm across, solitary on ebracteate 4-15 cm long
peduncles.
Inflorescence: Involucre green; bracts lanceolate, 1-1.5 cm long, ciliate; inner narrower.
Ray florets 5-8; corolla bright yellow, 1.5-2.0 x 0.5-0.7 cm, 3-4 denticulate; tube short.
Ovary trigonous; stigma bilobed. Pappus connate into a spathiform, fimbriate cup at the
apex, devoid of awns. Disc florets many.
Corolla: yellow; tube 5-8 mm long, 5-lobed; lobes deltoid, densely pubescent within.
Androecium: Anthers black, syngenecious.
Gynoecium: Style branches flattened and marginally pubescent.
Fruit: Achenes blackish, warty, 4-6 mm long, crowned by the persistent pappus cup.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America
A potent weed.
103
COMPANULACEAE
1. Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 438. 1881; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 12f)
Common name: Goose weed
Local name: Pongati
Description
Habitat: Along water courses, paddy fields and mangrove forests.
Habit: Erect herb
Root: taproot
Stem: 125 cm high, divaricately branched, thickened towards base to 3.5 cm in breadth,
with long fibrous roots, fistulous, the cortex replaced by spongy, aerenchymatous tissue.
Leaves: oval to oblong-elliptic, 8.6-11.5 x 2.2-4.7 cm, cuneate or abruptly acute at base,
subacute to obtuse at apex, entire, membranous, glaucous; petioles 1-3 cm long.
Inflorescence: Spikes ovoid, to 3 cm long, bluntly tapering to apex; peduncles to 6 cm

long;
Flowers: many. Bracts spathulate, to 3 x 2 mm, clawed, cuspidate-acute, inflexed over

calyx. Bracteoles lateral to bracts, linear, 2-3 mm long.
Calyx: Calyx tube cupular, 1 mm long; lobes obovate-deltoid, 1 x 2 mm, concave, pale
green.
Corolla: white; tube 1-1.5 mm long; lobes ovate-triangular.
Androecium: Filaments glabrous.
Gynoecium: Top of ovary truncate; stigma flattened, obscurely 2-lobed.
Fruit: Capsule depressed-globose, 3-3.5 mm in diameter, chartaceous
104
Seeds: oblong-cuneate, 0.5-0.8 x 0.2 mm, minutely ridged longitudinally, yellowish-
brown.
A potent weed.
PLUMBAGINACEAE
1. Plumbago zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. 151. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 480. 1882;
(Plate 13a)
Common name: White leadwort
Local name: Vellakoduveli
Description
Stem: striate.
Leaves: 3-7 x 1.7-3.2 cm, ovate or elliptic-ovate, base shortly and abruptly attenuated
into a short petiole, apex acute or subacute, somewhat glaucous beneath; petiole c. 1 cm
long, amplexicaul at base and often auriculate.
Flowers: white, in elongate, terminal, often panicled racemes; rachis with sessile glands;
bracteoles ovate, acuminate.
Calyx: 8-12 mm long, narrowly tubular, densely covered with stalked glands; lobes
small.
Corolla: 1-1.6 cm across; tube c. 1.5 cm long; lobes obovate-oblong.
105
Androecium: Stamens 5; filaments c. 1.5 cm long.
Gynoecium: Ovary ellipsoid, 1-locular; stigma 5-fid.
Fruit: Capsule oblong, acute with 5 furrows.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Root in combination with Bishtali is applied in cases of enlarged

spleen and as a tonic in dyspepsia. The bruised root mixed with oil is applied in
rheumatism. Root paste applied to open abscesses. It is said to increase digestion and is
much used as a stimulant, adjunct to other preparations and powerfully poisonous.
Ashes used as caustic to open abscesses.
SAPOTACEAE
1 a. Stamens 6, anthers extrorse…………………………………………….Achras
1 b. Stamens 8, anthers oblong……………………………………………..Mimusops
1. Achras sapota L., Sp. Pl. (ed.2) 469. 1762; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 534. 1882;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 759(533). 1921; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 269.
1996.
(Plate 13b)
Common name: Sapota
Local name: Sapota
Description
Habitat: Cultivated
106
Habit: Trees
Root: taproot
Stem: young parts covered with brown hairs; exudation milky white latex.
Leaves: simple, alternate, spiral, clustered towards the apex of branchlets; petiole 10-30
mm long, stout, glabrous; lamina 7-15.5 ×2.5-4.5 cm, elliptic, elliptic-obovate or
elliptic-oblanceolate, base acute or attenuate, apex slightly acuminate with retuse tip,
margin entire, glabrous, coriaceous; lateral nerves many parallel, slender, faint,
intercostae reticulate, obscure.
Flowers: bisexual, white, solitary or in pairs from the axils of upper leaves; pedicels 0.8-
2 cm long, scurfy;
Calyx: sepals 6, 3+3; 6.5-10 mm long
Corolla: 0.7-1.1 cm long, campanulate, greenish-white or cream; lobes 6, irregularly 2-3

toothed;
Androecium: stamens 6, inserted at the top of the corolla tube; filaments free or partly
fused with the staminodes; anthers extrorse; staminodes 6, alternating with the stamens,
bifid, laciniate, irregularly divided; disc annular, tomentose;
Gynoecium: ovary superior, hairy, many celled, ovules many; style terminal.
Fruit: a berry, 3.5-8 × 3-6 cm, ovoid or ellipsoid, scaly.
Seeds: 1.5-2.5 cm long, many, black.
Distribution: Native of South America; widely cultivated in the tropics
2. Mimusops elengi L., Sp. Pl. 349. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 548. 1882;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 765(538). 1921; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 157. 1982;
(Plate 13c)
Common name: Asian bullet wood
Local name: Elangi
107
Description
Habitat: Semi-evergreen and evergreen forests, also grown in homesteads
Habit: Evergreen trees
Root: taproot
Stem: bark dark grey, cracked or fissured longitudinally, scaly, rough; lenticels vertical;
exudation milky; young branches brown pubescent.
Leaves: simple, alternate, spiral, 4-12 x 3.5-7.5 cm; elliptic or elliptic-oblong, apex
obtuse to acuminate, base round or obtuse, margin entire, glabrous, coriaceous; stipules
lanceolate, caducous; petiole 15-40 mm long, slender, grooved above, pubescent; lateral
nerves many, slightly raised beneath, parallel, slender, looped near the margin forming
intramarginal nerves; intercostae reticulate.
Flowers: bisexual, white, fragrant, 1-3 in axillary fascicles, pedicel 1 cm long.
Calyx: lobes 8 in 2 series of 4 each, thick, outer lanceolate, valvate, pubescent.
Corolla: 1 cm across; lobes 24, 3 series of 8 each, with hairs on back and margins,
acuminate.
Androecium: Stamens 8, alternating with pilose staminodes; filaments 1 mm, anthers

oblong, cordate, 3 mm, connectives apiculate; staminodes lanceolate, acuminate,
fimbricate, pilose.
Gynoecium: Ovary 0.1-0.15 cm long, void, hirsute without, 6-8-celled; 1 ovule in each
cell; style columnar, 5 mm; stigma minutely fimbricate.
Fruit: a berry, yellow, ovoid, 2.5 cm long, 1.5 cm across, fleshy, epicarp thin.
Seed: usually 1, oblong-ellipsoid, laterally compressed.
Medicinal importance: Decoction of bark is a useful astringent in discharges from the

mucous membrane of the bladder and urethra. Flowers dried and powdered used as a
snuff in a disease called Ahma in Bengal. Pounded leaves applied in head -ache.
108
decoction of root given in anguina. Ripe fruit pounded with water given to promote
delivery in child-birth.
OLEACEAE
1. Jasminum rottlerianum Wall. ex A. DC., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 593. 1882;
(Plate 13d)
Common name: Crowded flower jasmine
Local name: Kattumulla
Description
Habitat: Evergreen, shola and moist deciduous forests
Habit: Climbing shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: pubescent or twany villous.
Leaves: simple, opposite, to 10 x 5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, apex acute to acuminate,

villous or subglabrous; petiole 1 cm, pubescent.
Inflorescence: Cymes terminal and axillary, bracts ovate, bracteoles linear, tomentose.
Calyx: Calyx tube 2 mm, 7-lobed, 5 mm, linear, curled, pubescent.
Corolla: white, tube 2.5 cm long, lobes 5-7, oblong, obtuse, twisted,1.5 cm.
Gynoecium: Ovary 1 mm across; style 7 mm, stigma clavate.
Fruit: didymous, subglobose, 1 cm across, purple.
Distribution: Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
109
APOCYNACEAE
1 a. Trees
2a. Stigma obconic……………………...............................................Alstonia
2b. Stigma fusiform, bifid…………………………………………... Holarrhena
1 b. Not trees
3a. corolla yellow, funnel-shaped………………..………………….Allamanda
3b. corolla white, salver shaped….…………………………………Ichnocarpus
1. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 642. 1882; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 13e)
Common name: Devil tree
Local name: Ezhilamppala
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests and sacred groves, also in the plains
Habit: Large trees
Stem: bark 10-15 mm thick, surface grey-brown, irregularly cracked and shallowly
fissured, subverrucose, lenticellate; latex milky white; branchlets whorled.
Leaves: simple, whorled, 5-20 x 3-7 cm, obovate, oblanceolate or obovate-oblong; apex
obtuse or emarginated, base cuneate or attenuate, margin entire, glabrous,
subcoriaceous; petiole 5-12 mm long, stout, glabrous; lateral nerves many, slender,
prominent, glabrous, parallel, looped near the margin forming intramarginal nerves;
intercostae reticulate, obscure.
Inflorescence: greenish-white in terminal umbellate cymes
Flower: bisexual, 10-12 mm long.
110
Calyx: cupular, lobes 5, ovate, unequal, obtuse, puberulous, eglandular.
Corolla: salver shaped, 4 mm across, lobes 5, obovate to orbicular, creamy yello w,

spreading.
Androecium: Stamens 5, included; anthers narrowly cordate; disc obscure.
Gynoecium: Carpels 2, free, ovules many; style filiform; stigma obconic.
Fruit: two linear, narrow, pendulous follicular mericarps, green, 30-40 cm long;
Seeds: 5-6 mm long, flat, commate at both ends.
Distribution: South and South East Asia to Australia
Medicinal importance: Bark is also used in chronic cases of diarrhoea and dysentery.
Poultice of leaves used for ulcers . The milky juice Is applied to ulcers and mixed with
oil dropped into the ear in ear-ache. Ashes used as caustic to open abscesses Pieces of
wood rubbed in water and applied in rheumatism and wounds. Bark bruised and boiled
in oil with cotton-seed applied to the ear for deafness . Bark is an astringent tonic,
anthelmintic and antiperiodic. Juice of fresh bark with milk administered in leprosy,
dyspepsia and as anthelmintic. Juice of leaves with that of fresh ginger administered to
women after continment .
2. Allamanda cathartica L., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 821(577). 1923; Sunil &
Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 418. 2009; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 161. 1982;
(Plate 13f)
Common name: Golden trumpet
Local name: kolambi
Description
Habitat: Grown as garden plant
Habit: Straggling shrubs.
Root: taproot
111
Leaves: whorled, 6-11 x 3-6 cm, elliptic or broadly oblong, base acute or attenuate,
apex acuminate, subcoriaceous, lateral veins 12-14 pairs; petiole to 5 mm long.
Flowers: in terminal or axillary short-peduncled cymes.
Calyx: 5-partite; lobes c. 1.5 x 0.5 cm, obovate-acute.
Corolla: yellow, 5-7 cm across, funnel-shaped; tube 4-6 cm long, inflated above the
middle, throat densely villous; lobes 5, orbicular.
Androecium: Stamens 5, included in the basal constricted part of corolla tube; anthers
subsessile, c. 5 mm long, sagittate, mucronate.
Gynoecium: Ovary bilocular; stigma ovoid with a basal ring like appendage.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America; now naturalised in the tropics of the world
3. Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. DC.; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 644. 1882;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 811(570). 1923; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 165. 1982;
(Plate 14a)
Common name: Ivory tree
Local name: Kadalapala
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Small deciduous trees
Root: taproot
Stem: bark rough, pale brown, to 8 mm, exfoliates in small flakes; latex milky white.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 7-18 x 3-12 cm, broadly ovate, ovate-oblong or ovate-
lanceolate, apex acute or acuminate, base obtuse, margin entire, glabrous or puberulent
beneath, membranous; petiole 4-6 mm, pubescent, stout; lateral nerves 10-14 pairs,
prominent, arched, puberulous; intercostae reticulate.
112
Flowers: bisexual, creamy-white, slightly fragrant, in terminal and axillary corymbose
cymes, appear along with new leaves.
Calyx: lobes 5, 2.5 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, ciliate, glandular within at base.
Corolla: salvar shaped, lobes 5, oblong, obtuse, as long as the tube, tube 1.3 cm long,
puberulous, mouth with a ring of hairs.
Androecium: Stamens 5, included, attached towards the base of the corolla tube, anthers
sagitate; disc absent.
Gynoecium: Carpels 2, apocarpous; ovules many in each carpel, style 2 mm long;

stigma fusiform, bifid.
Fruit: of 2 terete elongated follicular mericarps connected at the tip and then free, 25 x 1
cm.
Seeds: 8 mm, oblong, with tuft of silky brown hairs at the apex.
Medicinal importance: Bark bitter, astringent, cold, digestive and used as remedy in
piles, dysentery, bile, leprosy, and phlegmatic humours. It is expectorant, antidote to
poisons, cures dysuria, urinary and skin-diseases, checks nausea and vomitting, removes
pruritus, bad ulcers and stomachache. Bark is applied as a lep in rheumatism anti hot
decoction used in tooth-ache and bowel affections.
4. Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 669. 1882; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 820(577); Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 281. 1990;
(Plate 14b)
Common name: Black creeper
Local name: Palvalli
Description
113
Habit: Climbers
Root: taproot
Stem: branchlets brown-tomentose.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 4-6 x 3 cm, ovate, apex obtusely acute, base rounded, nerves
5 pairs, brown-pubescent below; petiole to 5 mm long.
Flowers: 3.5 mm long, in terminal or axillary panicled cymes; pedicels 3 mm long.
Calyx: 1 mm long, lobes ovate, acute, pubescent.
Corolla: white, salver shaped, contracted at mouth, tube 2 mm long, hairy inside, throat
densely white-villous, lobes twisted, oblong, acuminate.
Androecium: Stamens included, anthers deeply sagitate at base, apiculate at apex.
Gynoecium: Carpels 2, free, stigma columnar.
Fruit: Mericarps follicular, to 15 cm long, slender, rusty puberulus
Seeds: many, compressed, crowned with long silky coma.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and Australia
Medicinal importance: Root used in treatment of skin-diseases. Stalk and leaves used in
decoction for fever. root has purgative and alterative qualities. Leaves and stalk boiled
in oil applied to cure fever, head-ache and excessive heat. Root powdered and given in
milk to remedy formation of sugar in urine, impure blood and stone in the bladder. This
increases vitality, stops haemorrhage and painful urination.
ASCLEPIADACEAE
1 a. Shrubs without glabrous stem………………………………………. Calotropis
1 b. Climbers with glabrous stem………….…………………………….. Cosmostigma
114
1. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 17. 1883; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 14c)
Common name: Bowstring hemp
Local name: Erikku
Description
Habitat: Wastelands
Habit: Shrubs
Stem: rounded.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 10-16 x 8-10 cm, smaller in branchlets, elliptic-ovate to

obovate, apex acute or obtuse, base cordate; lateral nerves 5-7 pairs, adpressed
pubescent when young, becoming glabrous on maturity.
Flowers: pale purple or greenish-white, 3 cm across; pedicels to 3 cm long, stout.
Calyx: Calyx lobes to 3 mm long.
Corolla: campanulate, tube short, lobes ovate to oblong, recurved. staminal corona of 5
vertical lobes, 1 cm long. Carpels free.
Fruit: saccate, to 6 x 3 cm, ovoid;
Seeds: many.
Distribution: Tropical Asia
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: Root-bark and inspissated juice are alterative and tonic. It is used
in leprosy, syphilis, dysentery, elephantiasis and scrotum. Milky juice used for ring-
worms and for tooth-ache. The dried juice is a nervine tonic. Powdered root-bark given
115
as a specific for dysentery and smoked like tobacco in syphilis. Flowers are digestive
and tonic. Dried flowers given in leprosy, syphilis and in gonorrhoea, with milk diet.
Juice of young buds applied in ear-ache. Leaves with pepper used for snake-bite.
Flowers useful in rat-poisoning. Root used as antidote to poison. Milky juice of the
plant given internally as an effective emetic in cases, of poisoning. Juice boiled with
coconut oil applied to itches. Juice of leaves heated with opium applied in ear-ache.
2. Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Wight, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 46. 1883;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 846(595); Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 168. 1982
(Plate 14d)
Common name: Green milk weed creeper
Local name: Vattuvalli
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests, scrub jungles and sacred groves
Habit: Climbing herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: glabrous.
Leaves: 6-10 x 3-5 cm, ovate, apex acute or acuminate, base rounded or subcordate, 5-
ribbed, glabrous with a few small black glandular papillae at base, lateral nerves 3 pairs;
petiole to 2.5 cm long.
Inflorescence: Racemes to 2.5 cm long.
Flowers: 8 mm across, many together; pedicels 1 cm long, slender, pubescent.
Calyx: sepals small, ovate to orbicular, ciliate.
Corolla: greenish-yellow with brown dots, lobes ovate, gynostegium 2 mm across, outer
corolla lobes orbicular, emarginate, membranous, inner corolla similar to outer.
116
Medicinal importance: Leaves used to cure ulcerous sores. Root-bark administered
internally in dyspepsia accompanied by a febrile condition and absence of bile in the
stools.
GENTIANACEAE
1 a. Capsule oblong ………………………………………………………L.cristatum
1 b. Capsules ellipsoid…………………………………………………….L.indicum
1. Limnanthemum cristatum (Roxb.) Griseb., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 131. 1883;
Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 883(620). 1923;
(Plate 14e)
Common name: Crested Floating heart
Local name: Neyyambal
Description
Habitat: Ditches in grasslands and ponds
Habit: Rhizomatous annuals or perennials
Shoot: Primary fertile shoots many, uniphyllous, arising from the axils of scales
on the rhizome. Secondary shoots zig-zag, sympodial, many-jointed, each joint
bearing a single floating leaf.
Leaves: all fertile, floating, 6-10 cm across, ovate to orbicular, base deeply cordate,
gland-dotted below, membranous; petiole to 2.5 cm long.
Flowers: bisexual and female, in umbellate clusters of 10 -20 at the junction of the
branch and petiole; pedicels 3-4.5 cm long.
Calyx: deeply 5-partite; lobes 3-5 mm long, narrowly lanceolate.
117
Corolla: white with a yellow throat; tube c. 2 mm long with a ring of glandular hairs at
the throat; lobes 5, 7-8 x 3-4 mm, with flexuous, membranous wings on the margins and
a similar median longitudinal crest within.
Androecium: Stamens 5, highly reduced in female flowers.
Gynoecium: Ovary bottle-shaped with 5, minute, orbicular, disc glands at the base;
stigmas 2-lobed.
Fruit: Capsule to 14 mm long, oblong.
Seeds: 4-6 in each capsule, to 2 mm across, discoid, brown.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and South China
Medicinal importance: Stem, fruit and leaves are eaten in certain localities at all times,
curried or boiled (Watt’s Die). This is used in tile preparation of “ Darbhyadi" for fever
and jaundice.
2. Limnanthemum indicum (L.) Griseb., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 131. 1883; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 883(621). 1923;
(Plate 14f)
Common name: Floating hearts
Local name: Chinnambal
Description
Habitat: Ponds and ditches
Habit: Rhizomatous herbs
Rhizome: 2-3 cm thick with prominent branch scars. Primary fertile branches many,
petiole-like and uniphyllous, highly variable in length depending on the depth of water;
secondary branches sympodial, zig-zag, many-jointed, trailing on water surface; each
joint uniphyllous; nodes often rooting.
118
Leaves: all cauline, fertile and floating, to about 25 cm across, ovate-orbicular, base
deeply cordate with narrow sinuses, entire or subentire, fleshy, glossy green above, pale
and gland-dotted beneath ; petiole to 3 cm long.
Flowers: bisexual, distylous in umbellate clusters from the junction of the petiole and
the branch; bract to 7 x 4 mm, ovate or oblong; pedicel 5-10 cm long.
Calyx: deeply 5-partite; lobes to 6 x 2 mm, oblong-acute, green with hyaline margins.
Corolla: white with yellow throat; tube c. 2 mm long; lobes 5, to 13x4 mm, elliptic or
oblong, acute, densely covered with long, white hairs within.
Androecium: Stamens as many as corolla lobes, dimorphic; filaments yellow.
Gynoecium: Ovary bottle- shaped; stigma sinuately 4-8 lobed; disc glands as many as
stamens, orbicular.
Fruit: Capsules ellipsoid.
Seeds: 1.5 mm across, discoid, brownish, tubercled.
Distribution: Paleotropic
HYDROLEACEAE
1. Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 133. 1883; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 15a)
Common name: Cylon hydrolea
Local name: Vellol
Description
Habitat: Wet sandy areas near water bodies
119
Habit: Annual herbs
Root: taproot
Leaves: alternate, 4-7 x 1.5 cm, elliptic or lanceolate, apex acute, base cuneate,
membranous, young parts partly hirsute.
Inflorescence: Racemes axillary and terminal, pedicels to 0.5 cm;
Calyx: calyx lobes 6 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, glandular, acute;
Corolla: lobes 6.5 mm, ovate, obtuse, deep blue
Androecium: stamens 5, filaments basally dialated;
Gynoecium: ovary 2.5 mm, oblong, many ovuled, sparsely hispid, styles 2, 3 mm,
stigma globose.
Fruit: Capsule 5 x 2 mm, ovoid.
A potent weed.
BORAGINACEAE
1 a. Inflorescence axillary or some times solitary………………….Coldenia
1 b. Inflorescence terminal ………………………………………...Heliotropium
1. Coldenia procumbens L., Sp. Pl. 125. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 144. 1883;
(Plate 15b)
Common name: Creeping coldenia
120
Local name: Nilamparanda
Description
Habitat: Lake shores, paddy fields and wastelands
Habit: Trailing herbs,
Stem: softly white villous.
Leaves: soflty white villous, alternate, 1.5-3 x 0.5-1.5 cm, obliquely obovate or
subpinnatifid, apex emarginate, base cuneate, margin irregularly dentate; lateral veins
impressed above.
Inflorescence: axillary few-flowered sessile cymes or some times solitary.
Calyx: 4-lobed; lobes ovate-acute, ciliate.
Corolla: white, 2 mm long, tube 1 mm long; lobes 4, imbricate in buds.
Androecium: Stamens 4, included.
Gynoecium: Ovary 4-lobed, 4-locular; ovule 1-per locule.
Fruit: Drupe of 4 subconnate pyrenes, 1.5-2 mm across, subglobose.
2. Heliotropium indicum L., Sp. Pl. 130. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 152. 1883;
(Plate 15c)
Common name: Indian turnsole
Local name: Thelkada
Description
Habitat: Along lakeshores and paddy fields during summer
Habit: Erect, branched, pubescent herbs.
121
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 11 x 6 cm, sub-deltoid or broadly ovate, apex acute,base

turncate, margin undulate, chartaceous; petiole 3-6 cm long.
Flowers: sessile, in terminal or leaf-opposed curved, to 20 cm long spikes.
Calyx: Calyx- lobes 5, 1.5-2 mm long, linear, acute.
Corolla: pale violet or pink, salver-form; tube 3-4 mm long, slightly constricted distally,
5 -lobed; lobes c. 1 mm long, ovate.
Androecium: Stamens 5, subsessile, free.
Gynoecium: Ovary weakly 4 -lobed; stigma conical.
Fruit: Nutlets connate in pairs, separating later, ribbed, each nutlet 2-3 mm long.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Juice of leaves applied to wounds, sores, boils, ophthalmia and
scorpion stings. It is used in inflamed tarsi and in the treatment of hydrophobia. The
plant, contains tannin: boiled with castor-oil used as an antidote to poison. Decoction of
root used for cough, fever, and phlegm in the throat. Decoction of root given to cure
rheumatism. asthma, constipation, chest affections, leprosy and worms. This is used as a
leaf manure and decoction or powder of the whole plant given to fatten the body.
CONVOLVULACEAE
1 a. Corolla cream coloured………………….………………………………..Cuscuta
1 b. Corolla pink coloured………………..…….……………………..………Ipomoea
1 c. Corolla white coloured…………………….………….………………….Evolvulus
122
1 d. Corolla yellowish cream
2a. Seeds subtrigonous, not glaborous………………………………….Hewittia
2b. Seeds glabrous……………………………………………………..Merremia
Ipomoea
a. Capsule, sub globose…………………………………..……………….…I.cairica
b. Capsule, ovoid……………………….………………………………...….I.digitata
Merremia
a. Leaves ovate, rarely 3-lobed, base cordate, apex acuminate-
apiculate,glabrous or sparsely pubescent………….……….…………..M.hederaceae
b. Leaves simple, linear-lanceolate, base auricled and toothed, apex acute,
mucronate, sessile to subsessile ……………………….……...……..M.tridentata
1. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 225. 1883; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 931(654). 1923; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 465. 2009;
(Plate 15d)
Common name: Dodder
Local name: Moodillathali
Description
Habit: climber
Stem: up to 2.5 mm in diam., yellowish.
Flowers: sessile in lateral racemes.
Calyx: cupular, lobes herbaceous, c. 1.5 mm long, suborbicular.
Corolla: cream coloured, c. 7 mm across, 6-8 mm long, funnel-form; lobes ovate-

triangular, erect.
123
Androecium: Stamens 5; filaments very short; corolla scale ovate to oblong, fimbriate.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 2 mm long, conical, stigma acute.
Fruit: Capsule succulent, c. 5 mm across, globose-conical.
Seeds: 3-3.5 mm long, black.
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
2. Evolvulus nummularius (L.), Sp. Pl. (ed.2) 391. 1762; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut
188. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 307. 1990;
(Plate 15e)
Common name: Agracejo Rastrero
Local name: Vishnukranthi
Description
Habitat: Forest plantations and degraded moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, subopposite to alternate, 5-15 x 4-10 mm, broadly ovate to orbicular,
apex obtuse to emarginate, base subcordate, glabrous or sparsely hairy below; petiole to
5 mm long.
Flowers: 1-2, in leaf-axils; pedicels slender 2-5 mm long.
Calyx: Calyx lobes 5, free, 2-3.5 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, acute, ciliate on margins.
Corolla: white, 6-8 mm across, rotate.
Androecium: Stamens sub exserted.
124
Fruit: Capsule 3-4 mm across, globose;
Seeds: brown to black.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America; naturalised in Africa and Indo-Malesia
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
3. Hewittia bicolor (Vahl) Wight & Arn., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 216. 1883;
(Plate 15f)
Common name: Malabar bind weed
Local name: Ohanamvalli
Description
Habit: climber
Root: taproot
Stem: twining or prostrate, pubescent.
Leaves: simple, alternate, 4-7 x 3-4 cm, ovate, apex acute, base cordate, margin entire
or angled, puberulent, basally 3-nerved; petiole to 6 cm long.
Flowers: axillary 1 to few-flowered peduncled cymes; bract linear-lanceolate, attached

to little below the calyx.
Calyx: Sepals 5, outer 3 larger, accrescent, inner 2 smaller.
Corolla: yellowish or cream coloured with a purple centre, c. 3 cm across, campanulate,

limb shallowly 5-lobed.
Androecium: Stamens included; filaments dilated at base.
125
Gynoecium: Ovary imperfectly 2-locular; ovules 2-per ocule; stigma 2.
Fruit: Capsule 4-valved, 8-10 mm across, subglobose;
Seeds: 4 or less, 5-6 mm long, subtrigonous, black.
Distribution: Asia, Africa and South America
4. Ipomoea cairica (L.). Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 918(645) 1923; Manilal & Sivar.,
Fl. Calicut 183. 1982; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 471. 2009;
(Plate 16a)
Common name: Railway creeper
Local name: Kolambipoo
Description
Habit: Extensive climbers.
Root: taproot
Leaves: pedately 5-7-foliolate, 3-7 x 4-8 cm, orbicular in outline; lobes elliptic-ovate,
apex obtuse to emarginate; petiole to 4.5 cm long.
Flowers: solitary or in short racemes; pedicels 1-2.5 cm long.
Calyx: Calyx-lobes subequal, 4-6 mm long, outer obovate, apiculate.
Corolla: Corolla pink, 4.5-6 cm long, funnel-shaped.
Androecium: Stamens 5; filaments pilose below.
Gynoecium: Style long; stigma globose.
Fruit: Capsule 1-1.2 cm long, subglobose.
Seeds: 4-6 mm long, subglobose to ovoid, blackish.
126
A potent weed.
5. Ipomoea digitata sensu Clarke., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 202. 1883; Manilal &
Sivar., Fl. Calicut 183. 1982; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 309. 1996;
(Plate 16b)
Common name: Giant potato
Local name: Anchilatthali
Description
Habit: Glabrous twining shrubs
Root: taproot
Leaves: palmately 5-7-lobed, 6-12 x 5-9 cm, base cordae, acuminate at apex of
lobations; petiole 4-8 cm long.
Inflorescence: axillary, few to many-flowered cymes; peduncles 6-12 cm.
Calyx: Calyx-lobes subequal, c. 8 mm long, broadly ovate, glabrous.
Corolla: large, pink, widely campanulate; tube 2.5-3 cm long, limb spreading, 4-5 cm
across, glabrous.
Androecium: Stamens included.
Gynoecium: Ovary 4-locular.
Fruit: Capsule c. 1 x 0.8 cm, ovoid.
Seeds: 4, ovoid, black, wooly.
Medicinal importance: Stems and leaves eaten by cattle. Root is tonic, alterative,
aphrodisiac, demulcent and lactagogue. Powdered root stalk given with wine to
increase, secretion of milk. It. Moderates menstrual discharge when taken boiled in
127
sugar- and butter. Powdered root acts as a purgative. root, in decoction used for
consumption. Root eaten by patients.
6. Merremia hederacea (Burm. f.) Hall. f., Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 186. 1982;
Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 311. 1996;
(Plate 16c)
Common name: Ivy wood rose
Local name: Kudichivalli
Description
Habitat: Degraded forests and along bushes and thickets, also in the plains
Habit: Prostrate or twining herbs; stem often warty.
Root: taproot
Leaves: 2-4 x 1.5-3 cm, ovate, rarely 3-lobed, base cordate, apex acuminate-apiculate,
glabrous or sparsely pubescent; petiole 1-2 cm long.
Inflorescence: Cymes many-flowered, axillary; peduncle 2-4 cm long.
Calyx: Sepals unequal, obovate, notched and mucronulate, outer c. 3 mm long, inner c.
4 mm long.
Corolla: yellow, campanulate, c. 1.3 cm across.
Fruit: Capsule c. 5 mm long, obconical, slightly 4-lobed.
Seeds: black, glabrous or puberulent.
A potent weed.
128
7. Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f, Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 928(652). 1923; Manilal
(Plate 16d).
Common name: Arrow leaf morning glory
Local name: Pradharini
Description
Habit: Trailing herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: long slender branches and thick root-stock.
Leaves: alternate, simple, 2-4 x 0.5-1.2 cm, linear-lanceolate, base auricled and toothed,
apex acute, mucronate, sessile to subsessile.
Flowers: axillary few-flowered cymes, sometimes solitary; peduncle 1-2 cm long.
Calyx: Sepals 5-6 x 2-3 mm, lanceolate, acuminate.
Corolla: campanulate, cream coloured or yellow with a purplish eye at centre; tube 1-
1.5 cm long; limb spreading 1-1.5 cm across, subentire.
Androecium: Stamens 5.
Gynoecium: Ovary 2-celled; stigma 2-lobed.
Fruit: Capsules 5-8 mm across, subglobose;
Seeds: 4, glabrous, brown.
Medicinal importance: Root in decoction or the whole plant powdered or boiled in oil
used for rheumatism, piles, swellings and urinary disorders. It improves vitality and is
laxative.
129
SOLANACEAE
1. Physalis angulata L., Sp. Pl. 183. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 238. 1883;
(Plate 16e)
Common name: Sunberry
Local name: Njettanga
Description
Habitat: Degraded forests and waste places
Habit: Annual herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: branches angular.
Leaves: simple, alternate, 3-7 x 1.5-3 cm, ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, apex acute base
cuneate, unequal sided, margins dentate or sinuate, sometimes entire, glabrous or
sparsely pubescent; petiole to 4 cm long.
Flowers: axillary, solitary; pedicels ca 8 mm long.
Calyx: campanulate, 5-toothed, inflated and to 2.5 cm across in fruit.
Corolla: pale-yellow with a purple base, campanulate, c. 8 mm across; limb plicate,

shortly lobed.
Androecium: Stamens 5, unequal; anthers oblong.
Gynoecium: Ovary globose, glabrous; ovules many; style linear; stigma obscurely 2-
lobed.
Fruit: Berry 6-8 mm across, globose, enclosed by the inflated calyx;
Seeds: many, discoid, minutely rugose.
Distribution: Tropical Asia, Africa and Australia
A potent weed.
130
Invasive plant.
Medicinal importance: This plant is considered to be tonic, diuretic and aperient, and
forms an ingredient in a medicinal oil given for enlargement of the spleen. The whole
plant made into a paste with rice water or conjee applied to restore flaccid breasts. Fruit
is said to be tonic, diuretic, and purgative. Decoction of root given to cure ulcers, fits,
eczema and colic in children.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
1 a. Leaves simple, opposite
2a. Flowers solitary, axillary or in terminal racemes…………………..Lindernia
2b. Flowers in terminal racemes …………………………...………….Limnophila
1 b. Leaves simple, not opposite
3a. Seeds 4-angled, reticulate………………………………………Scoparia
3b. Seeds oblong, pitted.……………………………………..…….Sopubia
Lindernia
a. Capsule linear lanceolate………………………………………….………L.antipoda
b. Capsule ovoid…………………………………………………….……….L.crustacea
1. Lindernia antipoda (L.), Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 200. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat
Dist. 324. 1990; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 322. 1996;
(Plate 16f)
Common name: Sparrow lindernia
Description
Habitat: Sides of streams, reservoirs and marshy areas
131
Habit: Prostrate or diffuse herbs, rooting at the nodes.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, variable 1.5-2.5 x 0.5-1 cm, elliptic-obovate, apex obtuse,
base cuneate, margin subentire to serrate; penninerved, subsessile.
Flowers: solitary, axillary or in terminal racemes; bracts leafy; pedicle to 1 cm long.
Calyx: divided to the base; lobes c. 4 mm long, lanceolate, margin scarious.
Corolla: bluish with an yellow mouth, 6-8 mm long, internally short pilose between the
staminodes.
Androecium: Stamens 2, fertile; staminodes 2, hooked.
Fruit: Capsule 1-1.4 cm long, linear-lanceolate
Seeds: yellow, ridged.
Distribution: Tropical and Subtropical Asia and Australia
A potent weed.
2. Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.v. Muell., sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 502.
2009; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 199. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 324. 1990;
(Plate 17a)
Common name: Malaysian lindernia
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests and waste lands
Habit: herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: 4-angled, slightly winged on angles.
132
Leaves: simple, opposite, 0.8-1.5 x 0.7-1.2 cm, ovate, apex subacute, base truncate,
margin serrate, penninerved; petiole c. 5 mm long.
Flowers: axillary, solitary or 2-per node on terminal racemes; pedicel 1-1.2 cm long.
Calyx: 4 mm long, divided to 1/3, 5-ribbed, lobes elliptic-lanceolate, ciliate on margins.
Corolla: rose to purple, tube 5 mm long.
Androecium: Stamens 4, didynamous; lower pair of stamens with a subulate appendage

at the middle of filament.
Gynoecium: Ovary globose.
Fruit: Capsule 5 mm long, 2-3 mm across, ovoid;
Seeds: minute, many.
Distribution: Africa, America and Tropical and Subtropical Asia
A potent weed.
3. Limnophila racemosa Benth., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 271. 1884; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 952(668). 1923;
(Plate 17b)
Common name: Water marsh weed
Description
Habitat: Flooded paddy fields, ponds, etc
Habit: herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: rooting at lower nodes, then erect with basal part usually submerged, thick, tumid
at nodes.
Leaves: Upper leaves opposite or in verticils of 2-3, ovate-lanceolate to oblong-

lanceolate, 2.8-6.6 x 0.8-1.9 cm, rounded and semi-amplexicaul at base, acuminate at
133
apex, finely spinulose-serrate, strongly 3-5-nerved at base, glabrous on both surfaces,
punctate above; lower ones in verticils of more or less 10-12, pinnately dissected, upto
5.8 cm long, often deflexed and root-like.
Flowers: numerous, in terminal racemes 5-18 cm long; peduncles finely glandular-

hispid. Bracts ovate to broadly lanceolate, 5-7 x 3-4 mm, subacuminate at apex, finely
glandular-pubescent on both surfaces. Pedicels 2-6 mm long, finely glandular-
pubescent.
Calyx: Calyx tube 2-3 mm long; lobes more or less equal, ovate-lanceolate, 2-3 x 0.75
mm, long acuminate, scarious at margins.
Corolla: Corolla tube pale greenish white to white, 7-10 mm long, puberulous without,
villous within at throat; limb white or pale blue or pale mauve; lobes of upper lip
broadly orbicular with a pale purple blotch at centre of each; lower lip 9 -17 mm across,
midlobe broader than lateral ones.
Androecium: Posterior filaments 2-3 mm long, anterior ones longer; anther cells
horizontally placed.
Gynoecium: Style glabrous.
Fruit: Capsule globose, 3-4 x 2-3 mm, enclosed by longer calyx lobes, tipped by
withered style, glabrous;
Seeds: oblong-cuneate to globular, 0.5-0.7 mm long, quadrangular, muricate.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and East and South China
4. Scoparia dulcis L., Sp. Pl. 116. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 289. 1884; Gamble,
(Plate 17c)
Common name: Sweet broomweed
Local name: Kallurukki
134
Description
Habitat: Wasteplaces
Habit: Erect annual or perennial herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, decussate to whorled, 1-3 x 0.5-1.5 cm, obovate-oblong, apex acute,
base attenuate, margin crenate-serrate, penninerved, punctate, chartaceous; petiole to 0.7
cm long.
Flowers: axillary, solitary or 2; pedicels slender 4-7 mm long.
Calyx: Calyx lobes 2-3 mm, ovate-oblong, ciliate along margin.
Corolla: Corolla white 4-6 mm long, rotate, throat densely hairy, lobes spathulate.
Androecium: Stamens 4, subequal, 3-4 mm long.
Gynoecium: Ovary globose, 2-celled; ovules many; stigma truncate.
Fruit: Capsules 1-2 mm across, globose;
Seeds: 4-angled, reticulate.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America; now Pantropical
A potent plant.
Invasive plant.
5. Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Don, Gen., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 302. 1885;
(Plate 17d)
Common name: Common sopubia
Local name: Kunju kolambi
135
Description
Habitat: Grasslands, laterite hillocks and moist deciduous forests
Habit: herb
Root: taproot
Stem: hispid.
Leaves: 2-3.5 cm long, lobes narrow, filiform, hirsute.
Flowers: pink or pinkish-white, axillary; pedicels 2-3 cm long, slender;
Calyx: 9 mm long, tube ribbed, lobes acuminate, scabrid;
Corolla: 2.5 cm long, tube ventricose, lobes subequal, obovate, obtuse; stamens 4, one
anther lobe sterile, spurred.
Capsule: 5 x 3.5 mm, truncate at apex;
Seeds: oblong, pitted.
Distribution: India and Sri Lanka
A potent weed.
PEDALIACEAE
1. Sesamum prostratum Retz., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 369. 1884; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 17e)
Common name: Indian sesame oil plant
Description
Habitat: Sandy areas near sea and waste lands
136
Habit: prostrate herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: stems and branches obtusely quadrangular in upper part, furrowed, villous-
tomentose.
Leaves: small, broadly ovate to obovate, rarely shallowly 3-lobed, 6-17 mm long, 6-16
mm broad; base rounded, margin crenate-dentate, apex rounded, sparsely pubescent on
upper surface, densely covered with villous hairs on veins below, numerous white
mucilagenous hairs between veins below; petioles 1-2 mm long. Pedicels 1-2 mm long.
Calyx: Calyx lobes nearly free to base, lanceolate, c. 5 mm long, c. 1 mm broad.
Corolla: reddish to pinkish-violet without, similar with purple flecks and spots within,
densely pubescent without, 20-30 mm long.
Fruit: Capsule ovate-oblong, 6-12 mm long, 4-9 mm broad, densely villous and with
white mucilagenous hairs, apex rounded and truncated, beaked.
Seeds: 2 mm long, black, reticulate-pitted.
Distribution: India
ACANTHACEAE
1 a. Herbs
2 a. Stem branches glabrous …………………………………….....…Andrographis
2 b. Stem branches 4-angled, tomentose. ……….….……………..….Asystasia
2 c. Stem with spines…………………………………………….……Barleria
2 d. Stem pubescent to pilose or sparsely sericeous,…………….……Blepharis
2 e. Stems villous. ……………………………………………....…….Ruellia
137
2 d. Stem hairy
3 a. seeds 4, compressed…………..……………………………..Phaulopsis
3 b. seeds orbicular, rugose, brown.…………………..………….Rungia
1 b. Shrubs
4 a. Corolla pink, bilipped, lobes obtuse, ciliate……….……..…..….Asteracantha
4 b. Corolla upper lip curved, obtuse, notched; lower as long as the
upper lip…………………………………………………………Justicia
Justicia
a. Capsule pubescent………………..………………………………………J.adhatoda
b. Capsule glabrous……………………………………...………...……….J.gendarussa
1. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 501.
1884; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1048(734). 1924;
(Plate 17f)
Common name: Green chiretta,
Local name: Kaakanjiram
Description
Habitat: Scrub jungles, also in the plains
Habit: Slender herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: branches glabrous.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 9 x 1.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, base acute, decussate,
glabrous. Panicle terminal and upper axillary, glandular-hairy;
Flowers: many, distant.
Calyx: Calyx lobes 3 mm long, linear, hairy, connate at base.
138
Corolla: 14 mm long, pink or white with purple dots, tube ventricose, hairy, upper lip
entire, midlobe of lower lip broader than laterals, acute, glandular-hairy.
Gynoecium: Ovary puberulus, style hairy.
Fruit: Capsule 20-30 x 3 mm, oblong, acute, hairy; retinacula spoon shaped;
Seeds: 8, glabrous.
Distribution: Peninsular India and Sri Lanka
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: root has tonic for stomachic and alterative properties and its
tincture is stimulant, aperient and effective in influenza. Juice of leaves used as a
remedy in flatulence diarrhoea in children and as anthelmintic. Juice is given in fever.
decoction of the whole plant given to cure’ impure blood, asthma, swelling-. worms. It
is boiled mid fomented to cure fever and headache.
2. Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees , Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 408. 1884; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 1015(712). 1924;
(Plate 18a)
Common name: Long leaved barleria
Local name: Vayalchulli
Description
Habitat: Paddy fields and other moist localities
Habit: Subshrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: strigose-hispid, with sharp thorns.
Leaves: in whorls of 8, unequal, 6-10 x 2-4 cm, linear-lanceolate, apex acute, base
cuneate, margins dentate and wavy, larger pair, sessile. Thorns 2-3 cm long, axillary.
139
Flowers: in axillary whorls; bracts and bracteoles leafy, 1.2 cm long;
Calyx: calyx lobes 4, larger lobe 1 cm long;
Corolla: corolla pink, 1.5 cm long, bilipped, lobes obtuse, ciliate.
Fruit: Capsule 1 cm long; seeds orbicular, 3 mm across.
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Indo-China
Medicinal importance: Root is a cooling bitter tonic and a reputed diuretic and
demulcent employed as decoction in rheumatism, in diseases of the genito-urinary tracts
and in dropsical affections. Leaves and seeds used in jaundice and anasarca. Leaves
used as a pot-herb. Decoction of root or leaves given internally as a remedy in
rheumatism, swellings, dropsy, poison and bowel-complaints. Seeds used to cure
biliousness, impure-blood, excessive heat, and complaints in the womb.
3. Asystasia violacea Dalz. ex Clarke, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4:494.1884; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 1063(744). 1884;
(Plate 18b)
Common name: Ganges primrose
Local name: Valli upudal
Description
Habitat: Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and also in the plains
Habit: Erect or diffuse herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: branches 4-angled, tomentose.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 2-3.5 x 1.5-2.2 cm, broadly ovate to elliptic, apex acuminate,
base cuneate; lateral nerves close, pubescent; petiole to 1 cm long.
Flowers: in terminal or subterminal secund racemes.
Calyx: Calyx lobes 5, 5-6 mm long, lanceolate.
140
Corolla: lilac or blue; tube to 2.5 cm long, puberulous without; lobes 5, subequal,
spreading, orbicular.
Androecium: Stamens 4; anthers 3 mm long.
Gynoecium: Style to 1.5 cm long, puberulous below.
Fruit: Capsule to 1.5 cm long, calvate, stalked, pubescent, beaked;
Seeds: 2-4, 0.5 mm cross, orbicular or angular.
Distribution: Tropical Asia and Africa
4. Barleria prionitis L., Sp. Pl. 636. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 482. 1884;
(Plate 18c)
Common name: Porcupine Flower
Local name: Chemmulli
Description
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests and scrub jungles
Habit: Erect armed shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: with spines
Leaves: opposite, to 5-9 x 2.5-4 cm, elliptic, acute, mucronate, base cuneate, sparsely
puberulus, ciliate on the margins, gland dotted beneath; petiole to 2 cm.
Inflorescence: Cymes axillary
Flowers: bracts 2, 1.5 cm, oblong mucronate
Calyx: outer calyx lobes 1.3 x 0.4 cm, inner 1.1x 0.2 cm, mucronate, hirsute;
Corolla: corolla tube 2.5 cm, lobes 2 cm obovate
141
Androecium: filaments 1.3 cm, staminodes 2, included at the base of the corolla tube
Gynoecium: ovary 2.5 mm, style 2.5 cm.
Distribution: Tropical Africa and Asia
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Juice of leaf administered with honey or sugar and water as a
remedy in catarrhal affections in children and applied to feet in rainy season to prevent
cracking or laceration. Ashes of plant taken with conjee for cough. Root used for
cleaning teeth. Leaves used in syphilis as an alterative. Dried bark given in whooping
cough and juice of fresh hark with milk in anasarca. Paste of root is applied in boils and
glandular swellings. Oil prepared with stem and leaves used to clean wounds. Ashes of
burnt plant mixed with water and boiled with rice into conjee given as a remedy in
dropsy, anasarca and cough.
5. Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 478. 1884; Vajr.,
Fl. Palghat Dist. 346. 1990;
(Plate 18d)
Common name: Creeping blepharis
Local name: Elumbotti
Description
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Prostrate herbs.
Root: taproot
Stem: stems up to 2 m long, sometimes rooting at nodes, pubescent to pilose or sparsely

sericeous,
Leaves: ternate, unequal, 3-5 x 2 cm, obovate, apex apiculate, puberulus, margins
distantly serrate; petiole to 3 cm.
142
Flowers: axillary; bracts 4 pairs, obovate, margins dentate with stiff elongated hairs,
bracteoles 1.5 cm, spathulate;
Calyx: outer calyx lobes 1.3 cm and 1.8 cm, oblong, 2 and 3 veined, inner 8 mm;
Corolla: corolla tube urceolate, 5 mm, lower lip reduced, upper lip 3 lobed, 18 x 12 mm,
white with pink nerves.
Androecium: filaments 4 and 5 mm, anthers 1-celled, apiculate, bearded;
Gynoecium: ovary 2.5 mm, oblong, style 1 cm, with a basal ring.
Distribution: Tropical Africa to India
A potent weed.
6. Justicia adhatoda L., Sp. Pl. 15. 1753; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 541.
2009;
(Plate 18e)
Common name: Vasaka
Local name: Aadalodakam
Description
Habitat: In the plains, often planted
Habit: shrubs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 5-30 cm long, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, apex

acute, margins entire, hairy, light green above, dark beneath, leathery; petiole 1 -2.5 cm
long.
Flowers: in compact, axillary, pedunculate spikes; peduncles 3-10 cm long; bracts 2 x 1

cm, elliptic, subacute, 6-7 nerved; bracteoles 2 x 0.4 cm, oblong-lanceolate, 1-nerved.
Calyx: Calyx lobes 1 cm long, oblong-lanceolate, 3-nerved.
143
Corolla: white with red or yellow-barred throats; uppe rlip 2 x 1 cm, curved, obtuse,
notched; lower as long as the upper lip.
Androecium: Stamens 2, anther cells not tailed; filaments hary at the base.
Gynoecium: Ovary pubescent; ovules 2 in each cell; style hairy towards the base.
Fruits: (capsules) clavate, longitudinally channelled, 1.9-2.2 x 0.8 cm wide, pubescent;
seeds: globular, glabrous.
Medicinal importance: Leaves given as medicine to cattle and to man in rheumatism.

Fresh flowers are bound over the eyes in ophthalmia. Leaves given in decoction as
anthelmintic Root, bark, leaves and flowers used in medicine for cough, asthma, ague
and phthisis. Juice of leaves used in diarrhoea and dysentery. Dried leaves smoked as
cigarettes'in asthma. Decoction of root of leaves given as a remedy in asthma,
biliousness, impure blood, jaundice, consumption, leprosy, fever and cough.
7. Justicia gendarussa Burm. f., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 532. 1885; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 1079(755). 1924; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 542. 2009;
(Plate 18f)
Common name: Daun Rusa
Local name: Vathamkolli
Description
habit: Shrubs
stem: branches dark purple, terete, smooth.
Root: taproot
Leaves: 7-10 x 2 cm, linear or oblong-lanceolate, apex acute or obtuse, base acute,
chartaceous, glabrous, lateral nerves 5-7 pairs, bluish; petiole 2-3 mm long.
144
Inflorescence: Spikes terminal, to 8 cm long, narrow; bracts linear, 4 mm long.
Flowers: white
Calyx: calyx lobes linear-lanceolate, 5 mm long;
Corolla: white with purple streaks, 1.5 cm long; ovary and style puberulus.
Fruit: Capsule 12 mm long, glabrous.
Distribution: Tropical Africa and Asia
Medicinal importance: Leaves are roasted and used in chronic rheumatism. Oil prepared
from leaves is used in eczema and facial paralysis. Juice of leaves used in ear-ache and
cough. This is very efficient remedy in colic of children. Leaves with mustard used as
emetic and heated with salt applied in stiffness of joints.
8. Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Sweet., Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 222. 1982;
Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 345. 1996;
(Plate 19a)
Common name: Himalayan ruellia
Description
Habitat: Semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Diffuse herbs,
Stem: branches glandular hairy.
Leaves: in unequal pairs, 3-5 x 2 cm, elliptic, acuminate at both ends, nerves 4 pairs;
petiole 2.5 cm long.
Inflorescence: Spikes axillary, 2 x 1 cm, 1-sided; bracts paired, 6 x 7 mm, orbicular,

hairy and long ciliate along the margins; bracteoles absent.
Flowers: small, scarcely seen above the bracts.
Calyx: Calyx lobes 5, unequal.
145
Corolla: 8 mm long, bilabiate, tube slender, lobes obtuse, white with pink spots.
Androecium: Stamens 4, filaments united into an adnated sheath below.
Fruit: Capsule 3 mm long, glabrous;
Seeds: 4, compressed.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia, China and Africa
9. Ruellia prostrata Poir. Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 411. 1884; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 1017(714). 1924;
(Plate 19b)
Common name: Bell weed
Local name: Thuppalampotti
Description
Habitat: Degraded forest areas, also in the plains
Habit: Diffuse herbs, rooting at lower nodes
Root: taproot
Stems: villous.
Leaves: simple, opposite, to 6 x 4 cm, ovate, acute, entire, base acute of obtuse; petiole
2-3 cm long.
Flowers: axillary, 2 or 3 together; bracts absent; bracteoles foliar, 1.5 x 1 cm, ovate.
Calyx: 5-partite, lobes 10 mm long, linear, ciliate.
Corolla: white or pinkish-white, tube 8 mm long, lobes subequal, 1 cm long, obovate.
Androecium: Stamens 4, didynamous, filaments connate below.
Gynoecium: Ovary glabrous, style densely hairy.
Fruit: Capsule 1.5 x 0.6 cm, linear oblong, slightly pubescent;
Seeds: 16-20, orbicular, compressed, marginate, smooth.
146
Distribution: India
A potent weed.
10. Rungia parviflora (Retz.) Nees var. pectinata (L.) Clarke in Hook. F., Fl. Brit.
India 4: 550. 1885; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1071(750). 1924;
(Plate 19c)
Description
Habitat: Semi-evergreen forests and waste places
Habit: Herbs
Stem: hairy.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, 4-6 x 2 cm, ovate to linear-oblong or obovate.
Inflorescence: Spikes 2 x 0.7 cm, 2-5 together, axillary, sessile; sterile bracts 4 x 2 mm,
elliptic, narrowly winged on one side; fertile bracts 3 x 2 mm, obovate, broadly winged
on either side, emarginate, pubescent; bracteoles similar to bracts.
Flowers: small, densely packed.
Calyx: Sepals linear, acuminate, hyaline, hairy.
Corolla: 4 mm long, upper lip entire, white.
Androecium: Stamens 2, filaments glabrous; cells of the lower anther with a white
appendage.
Fruit: Capsule 2.5 mm long, glabrous
Seeds: orbicular, rugose, brown.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar
147
VERBENACEAE
1 a. Herbs …………………………………………………….………….Lippia
1 a. Not herb
2a. Stamens 4, didynamous,not purple……………………….…….Cithaexylem
2b. Stamens 4, filaments purple, anthers oblong,………………….Clerodendrum
2c. Stamens 4, included……………………………………………..Lantana
2d. Stamen 2,filament pubescent…………………………...……….Stachytarpheta
Clerodendrum
a. Style fliform…………………………….…………….……………...C.indicum
b. Style slender………………………………………...………………..C.infortunatum
1.Citharexylum spinosum L., Sp. Pl.: 625. 1753; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 229.
1982; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 355. 1996;
(Plate 19d)
Common name: Fiddlewood, Spiny fiddlewood
Local name: Parijatham
Description
Habitat: Grown as garden or avenue tree
Habit: trees
Root: taproot
Stem: branchlets 4-angular, sometimes spiny.
Leaves: decussate-opposite, alternate or subopposite, ternate or verticillate, exstipulate,

to 15 x 6 cm, elliptic to oblong-elliptic, acute, entire or dentate, usually with a pair of
glands at base of lamina; petiole 0.5 to 1.5 cm long.
148
Inflorescence: axillary and terminal, recemiform or spicate
Flowers: numerous, small, regular or somewhat zygomorphic; bractlets inconspicuous.
Calyx: cupular or tubular, 5-lobed or 5-toothed to truncate.
Corolla: white, 0.8-1 cm across, infundibular or hypocrateriform, usually 5-lobed, rarely

4- or lobed, lobes slightly irregular; tube narrow, cylindric.
Androecium: Stamens 4, didynamous, rarely 5 or even 6; filaments attached at or above

middle of corolla tube, included; the lower 2 forming staminodes.
Gynoecium: Ovary perfectly or imperfectly 4-loculed; ovule 1 in each locule; style

terminal; stigma shortly 2-lobed.
Fruit: a drupe, partly enclosed by the enlarged calyx; pyrenes 2-loculed
Seed: 2 -seeded.
Distribution: Native of West Indies; introduced and naturalised in many other countries.
2. Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Ktze., Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 558.
2009;
(Plate 19e)
Common name: Bowing Lady
Description
Habitat: Scrub jungles
Stem: stoloniferous
Root: taproot
Stem: mostly unbranched, obtusely tetragonous, hollow.
149
Leaves: in whorls of 3-4, 7-22 x 2-4 cm, linear-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, base
attenuate to acute, margin entire or more or less toothed, apex acute or acuminate,
sessile or subsessile.
Inflorescence: terminal panicles.
Flowes: Bracts foliaceous resembling the leaves in all respects but smaller; bracteoles 5-
12 x 2-3mm, linear.
Calyx: 5-partite, red, broadly campanulate; tube 4-6 mm long; lobes 5, 6-10 mm long,
ovate, apex acute.
Corolla: white, hypocrateriform; tube slender, 8-13 cm long, curved; lobes 8-15 mm
long, oblong or ovate-oblong, obtuse, reflexed.
Androecium: Stamens 4, exserted; filaments purple, slender; anthers oblong, c. 2.5 mm

long, purple.
Gynoecium: Sytle filiform, purple; stigma shortly bifid.
Fruit: 4-lobed, blue-black, 1-1.3 cm across; pyrenes 1-4, ; fruiting-calyx accrescent,

fleshy, bright red.
Seed: 1-seeded
Distribution: Indo-Malesia; cultivated in the warmer parts of the world
Medicinal importance: Wood is lied round the neck as a charm against ailments. The
root is used in asthma, cough and scorfulous affections. Resin is used in syphilitic
rheumatism.
3. Clerodendrum infortunatum L., Sp. Pl. 637. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 594.
1885; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1100(770). 1924; 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 365.
1990;.
(Plate 19f)
Common name: Hill glory bower
150
Local name: Peruvu
Description
Habitat: Degraded forest areas and also in the plains
Habit: Shrubs
Stem: young shoots tawny villous.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 8-17 x 6-12 cm, ovate or orbicular, apex acuminate, base
cordate, margin entire or denticulate, villous beneath and tomentose above; basally 5-7
nerved; petiole to 8 cm long.
Inflorescence: Panicle terminal, 14-20 cm long, villous; bracts foliaceous.
Calyx: cupular, 0.8-1 cm long; lobes lanceolate, 3-5-ribbed, acuminate at apex,

tomentose.
Corolla: white, tubular; tube 1-1.5 cm long, villous without; lobes 6-10 mm long,
oblong, hairy without.
Androecium: Stamens 4; filaments slender, purplish, 2-2.5 cm long; anthers oblong.
Gynoecium: Ovary globose; style slender; exserted, 2-2.5 cm long.
Fruit: Drupe 6-8 mm across, globose, bluish-black on ripening; fruiting calyx enlarged,
pink;
Seeds: 2-4, globose, 2-3 mm across.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Leaves used as anthelmintic. Juice of leaves used as vermifuge

and a bitter tonic and febrifuge in malarial fevers. Root used in Kanaka oil for deafness
Decoction of root-bark cures diarrhoea, dysentery and bowel-complaints, flatulence,
poisons and gonorrhoea. Leaves used to remove excreta from children’s anus.
151
4. Lantana camara L., Sp. Pl. 627.1757;
(Plate 20a)
Common name: Wild sage
Local name: Chilanni
Description
Habitat: Introduced as ornamental plant; now naturalised as weed
Habit: Much branched scandent shrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: 4-angled, armed with short thorns.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 3-6 x 2-4 cm, ovate or elliptic-ovate, apex acute to shortly
acuminate, basesubcordate or truncate, margin creneate-serrate, scabrous above,
puberulous below, veins impressed above; petiole to 1.5 cm long.
Inflorescence: terminal and axillary condensed spikes; peduncle 3-4 cm long, shortly
prickly.
Flowers: sessile, orangish-red, changing to deep red on ageing; bracts closely

imbricating.
Calyx: truncate.
Corolla: salver-shaped; tube 0.8-1 cm long, slender, cylindric, bent and inflated over
stamens; lobes 5, obscurely 2-lipped.
Androecium: Stamens 4, included.
Gynoecium: Ovary 2-celled; ovules 1 in each cell; style slender; stigma subcapitate.
Fruit: Drupe 2-3 mm across, globose, purple on ripening
Seeds: reticulate.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America, widely naturalised in the tropics and

subtropics
152
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
5. Lippia nodiflora (L.) A.Rich., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 563. 1885; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 20b)
Common name: Capeweed
Local name: Kaattuthippali
Description
Habitat: Coastal sandy areas, paddy fields and stream sides
Habit: Prostrate herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, 1-3 x 0.8-1.5 cm, obovate-spathulate or oblanceolate, sometimes elliptic

or cuneiform, apex rounded or obtuse, base cuneate, margin sharply serrate above the
middle, fleshy, glabrescent to appressed pubescent; petiole to 8 mm long, decurren t.
Flowers: 5-merous, sessile, aggregated in axillary, globose-capitate or elongate,

cylindric, stalked spikes, 1-2.5 cm long when mature and 6-9 mm across; peduncle
solitary in each axil, 1.5-6 cm long; bracts small, closely imbricate, obovate.
Calyx: cupular, aboutequalling the corolla tube, deeply 2-cleft; lobes lanceolate.
Corolla: pink to white, 2-2.5 mm long, salver-form, 2-lipped, upper lip 2-lobed,
emarginate, lower 3-lobed. Stamens 4, included.
Fruit: Drupe 2 mm long, enclosing two,
Seed:1-celled pyrenes.
Distribution: Tropics and subtropics
A potent weed.
153
Medicinal importance: Tender stalks and leaves toasted and given to children in
indigestion and to women as a drink after lying in. It: is used as a demulcent in
gonorrhoea. The plant, is considered to be febrifuge and diuretic and is applied in the
form of a paste to promote suppuration.
6. Stachytarpheta indica sensu Clarke, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 564. 1885,p.p. ;
Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 227. 1982;
(Plate 20c)
Common name: Jamaica vervain
Local name: Kattupunnuthu
Description
Habit: Subshrubs
Root: taproot
Stem: branches subtertragonous.
Leaves: 3.5-7 x 2-4 cm, obovate, base cuneate and decurrent on petiole, margin coarsely
crenate-serrate, apex obtuse or rounded; petiole to 2 cm long.
Inflorescence: Spikes terminal, 10-25 cm long, c. 4 mm across. Bracts c. 7 mm long.
Calyx: 6 mm long, 4-toothed, puberulous.
Corolla: hypocrateriform, bluish-pink; tube 8-10 mm long, slightly curved; limb c. 8

mm across.
Androecium: stamen 2, filament pubescent
Gynoecium: Style included.
Fruit: 5 mm long, oblong.
154
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
LAMIACEAE
1 a. Leaves whorled………………...………………………………………Pogostemon
1 b. Leaves opposite
2a. Corolla pale pink, 2-lipped. ………………………………………Anisomeles
2b. Corolla blue, lobes short, glabrous inside ….……….…………… Hyptis
2c. Corolla white
3a. Calyx 10-toothed…………………………………………..…..Leucas
3b. Calyx 6-toothed…………………………………………...…..Orthosiphon
1. Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Ktze., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1140(797). 1924; Manilal
(Plate 20d)
Common name: Malabar catmint
Local name: Karithumba
Description
Habitat: Dry and moist deciduous forests and wastelands
Habit: Erect, aromatic woody herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: 4-angled, grooved on opposite sides, densely pubescent.
155
Leaves: simple, opposite, 3-7 x 2.5-4.5 cm, broadly ovate to obovate, apex acute, base
turncate, margin coarsely serrate-crenate, tomentose on both sides; petiole to 3 cm long.
Flowers: in axillary sessile clusters or in terminal interrupted spikes.
Calyx: campanulate; tube 4-5 mm long; lobes 5. ca. 2 mm long, ovate, ciliate on
margin.
Corolla: pale pink, 1-1.4 cm long, 2-lipped.
Androecium: Stamens 4, didynamous, exserted; filaments hairy; anthers of upper pair 2-

celled, of lower 1-celled.
Gynoecium: Ovary 4-partite; style slender; stigma 2-fid; disc subentire.
Fruit: Nutlets 4, lenticular, reddish-brown.
A potent weed.
2. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 630. 1885; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 20e)
Common name: Bush mint
Local name: Nattappoochedi
Description
Habitat: Degraded moist and dry deciduous forests and wastelands
Habit: Shrubs, to 1.5 m high
Root: taproot
Stem: obtusely 4-angular, viscous hairy.
Leaves: simple, opposite, to 7 x 5 cm, ovate, acute, hispid below, glabrate above; lateral
nerves 5-7 pairs; petole to 3 cm long.
156
Flowers: in axillary short cymose racemes.
Calyx: Calyx tube 8 mm long, tubular, 10-ribbed, glandular hairy, teeth spinulose, 4
mm long.
Corolla: 5 mm long, lobes short, glabrous inside, blue.
Androecium: Stamens 4, declinate, filaments free, pubescent; anthers confluent.
Gynoecium: Ovary 4-partite; style subentire.
Fruit: Nutlets 4 x 2.5 mm, oblong, compressed, with a ridge on dorsal surface,
pubescent, deep brown, mucilaginous when wet.
Distribution: Originally from America now Pantropical
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
3. Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 690. 1885; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 20f)
Common name: Common leucas
Local name: Thumba
Description
Habitat: Deciduous forests and wastelands
Habit: Erect hirsute herbs
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 3-8 x 1-2 cm, linear-lanceolate, apex acute, base cuneate,
margin distantly serrate, puberulous, petiole 3 mm long.
Inflorescence: Verticils terminal and axillary
157
Flowers: bract linear, equalling calyx, hirsute.
Calyx: 6 mm long, tubular, 10-ribbed, upper half strigose without, glabrous below;
mouth oblique, 10-toothed; teeth unequal, posterior the longer, linear, c.1 mm long.
Corolla: white; tube c. 6 mm long; upper lip c. 3 mm long, villous without; lower lip 7 -8
mm long.
Androecium: stamens 4.
Gynoecium: Style 8 mm long.
A potent weed.
4. Pogostemon quadrifolius (Benth.) F.Muell., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 639. 1885;
(Plate 21a)
Local name: Naithumba
Description
Habitat: Scrub jungles in laterite hillocks
Habit: Large erect herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: angled and ridged; whole plant densely grey-pubescent.
Leaves: usually 4 in a whorl, 6-10 x 0.5-0.8 cm, linear-lanceolate, acute at apex,

attenuate at base, densely gray-pubescent on both sides.
Inflorescence: Spikes terminal, 10-15 cm long, 0.5-0.8 cm diameter; bracts 0.3-0.4 x

0.1-0.15 cm, ovate-lanceolate.
Flowers: clustered at axils of bracts.
Calyx: Calyx .0.1 cm long, 5-toothed.
158
Corolla: white; tube 0.1-0.15 cm long, 4-lobed.
Androecium: Stamens 4, shortly exserted; filaments bearded.
Gynoecium: Ovary 4-celled; ovules 1 in each cell; style slender; stigma 2-fid.
Fruit: Nutlets 4, minute.
Distribution: India
5. Orthosiphon glabratus Benth., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1114(779). 1924;
(Plate 21b)
Common name: Thyme java tea
Local name: Chilannippadam
Description
Habitat: Degraded moist and dry deciduous forests and waste lands
Habit: Erect herbs
Stem: hirtus.
Root: taproot
Leaves: opposite, 5 x 3 cm, ovate, base rounded or cordate, acute at apex, thinly
tomentose below; nerves 6-8 pairs; petioles to 3 cm long.
Inflorescence: Racemes 15-20 cm long, terminal, with distant whorls of flowers.
Flowers: 5-6 in a whorl; pedicels 2-3 mm long;
Calyx: 6-7 mm long, deflexed, 2-lipped; upper lip broad, entire, lower lip 4-lobed, lobes
subulate, hairy;
Corolla: white 13 mm long, 2-lipped, tube 9 mm long, cylindric, upper lip 4-lobed,
lower lip cup-shaped;
Androecium: stamens 4, included, declinate,
159
Gynoecium: style slender, stigma terminal, capitate.
Fruit: Nutlets 2-4, orbicular, pitted.
NYCTAGINACEAE
1. Boerhavia diffusa L., Sp. Pl. 3. 1753; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1162(814). 1925;
Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 242. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 383. 1990 ;
(Plate 21c)
Common name: Hogweed
Local name: Thazhuthama
Description
Habitat: Moist and dry deciduous forests and also in the plains
Habit: Herbs with long trailing branches;
Root: taproot
Stem: reddish, tomentose.
Leaves: simple, unequal, ovate, obtuse, undulate along margins, truncate to subcordate
at base, tomentose, very variable in size; petiole to 1 cm long.
Flowers: 4 mm long, 4-10 together, in axillary or terminal, peduncled umbels; bracts 5,

ovate, glandular. Perianth pink.
Fruit: Capsule 3 x 1 mm, clavate, 5-ribbed, glandular.
160
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Decoction of root taken as a remedy in rheumatism, impure

blood, cough, asthma, hernia, dropsy, chest-pain, piles and swellings. It improves
digestion. Leaves in decoction cure rheumatism, phlegm and boiled in oil applied in the
above maladies.
AMARANTHACEAE
1 a. Leaves alternate………………………………………………………Aerva
1 b. Leaves opposite
2a. Spike terminal, slender, solitary……………………..…………..Cyathula
2b. Heads axillary, usually solitary…………………………….…….Alternanthera
Alternanthera
a. Flowers white…………………………………………….……….…...A.bettzickiana
b. Flowers yellowish red…………………………………….…………...A.sessilis
1. Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 728. 1885; Gamble, Fl.
Pres. Madras 1178(825); Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 244. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist.
385. 1990;
(Plate 21d)
Common name: Polpala
Local name: Cherula
Description
Habitat: Deciduous forests and waste lands in the plains
Habit: Herbs,
161
Stem: white woolly tomentose.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, alternate, 3-4 x 3 cm, orbicular to ovate, apex obtuse, mucronate,
pubescent above, densely woolly below, membranous; petiole ca. 1 cm.
Inflorescence: Spikes axillary, to 1 cm, densely tomentose;
Flowers: bracts and bracteoles 1 mm, ovate; tepals 1.5 mm, oblong, woolly mucronate;
Androecium: filaments basally connate, 0.5 mm, staminodes subulate;
Gynoecium: ovary 0.4.
Distribution: Widespread in the tropics and subtropics
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: The flowering tops are officinal and roots used in headache and
also as a demulcent. Root applied to abscess and wounds to expel matter. Decoction
used in stricture. Root boiled with conjee is given as tonic to pregnant women, cures
gonorrhoea and kidney disorders. The plant bruised and boiled in oil given in sore
mouth. The plant made into a paste and taken in milk cures, haemorrhage, powdered
and taken in honey cures cutaneous affections, and sugar in urine.
2. Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) Voss, Sasidh., Fl. Shenduruny WLS 253. 1997;
(Plate 21e)
Description
Habitat: Degraded deciduous forests and wastelands
Habit: perennial herbs,
Root: taproot
Stem: stem and branches villous when young but soon glabrescent.
Leaves: opposite, 1-3.5 x 0.5-2 cm, narrowly or more broadly elliptic to oblanceolate or
rhomboid-ovate, acute or acuminate at the apex, long-attenuate into an indistinctly
demarcated petiole below, often purple-suffused and not rarely variegated.
162
Inflorescence: Heads axillary, sessile, usually solitary, globose or ovoid, 5 -6 mm in
diameter.
Tepals: white, lanceolate, acute, mucronate with the excurrent midrib, the outer 3
prominently 3-nerved below and darker in the nerved area, with a line of minutely
barbellate white hairs along each side of this area, the hairs becoming denser towards
the base of the tepal; inner 2 tepals slightly shorter, usually 1-2 nerved.
Androecium: Pseudo-staminodes as long as the filaments, laciniate at the apex.
Distribution: Native of Tropical America; now getting naturalised in Asia.
A potent weed.
3. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex. DC., Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 245. 1982;
Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 386. 1990; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 591. 2009;
(Plate 21f)
Common name: Sessile joy weed
Local name: Ponamgani
Description
Habitat: Along sides of water courses and marshy areas
Habit: Decumbent herbs,
Root: taproot
Stem: glabrous.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 3-4 x 1 cm, elliptic-oblong to oblanceolate, apex obtuse, base
attenuate into a petiole, crenate, glabrous.
Inflorescence: Spike 7-12 x 5 mm, sessile, solitary or 2-3 together; bracts and bracteoles
similar, 1 mm long, broadly ovate, acute, glabrous.
Flowers: yellowish red.
Tepals: equal, 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, acute, glabrous, 3-nerved at base.
163
Fruit: Achenes 2 x 2 mm, obovoid, emarginate at apex;
Seed: orbicular, compressed, brown.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: It is eaten as a vegetable to increase milk in mothers and also

used as a wash for the eyes. Juice boiled with oil applied to the head is good for the
eyes, biliousness and wounds. Decoction of plant, or powder taken in butter cures
impure blood, phlegm, bile, gonorrhoea, leprosy, stone in the bladder, ulcers, asthma
and fever. It improves digestion but is believed to cause rheumatism, and said to be a
remedy in piles. The whole plant bruised and boiled in-oil applied to the head as a
cooling medicine and to induce sleep.
4. Cyathula prostrata (L.), Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 722. 1885; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 22a)
Common name: Small prickly chaff flower
Local name: Cherukadaladi
Description
Habit: Decumbent herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, opposite, 5-7 x 2-3.5 cm, rhomboid, acute at both ends, thinly
pubescent; petiole 5-15 mm long.
Inflorescence: Spike terminal, to 18 cm long, slender, solitary.
164
Flowers: in groups of 3-5 of which one perfect and others neutor; bracts and bracteoles
similar, 1.5 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate, pubescent.
Tepals: 5, free, 3 x 1 mm, elliptic, acute, hooked awn like in neutor flowers.
Androecium: Stamens 5, filaments united into a membranous truncate cup; staminodes

membranous, alternate with stamens, fimbriate.
Gynoecium: Ovary ovoid, style simple, stigma capitellate.
Fruit: Achenes 2 x 1 mm, obovoid, compressed, golden brown.
A potent weed.
POLYGONACEAE
1. Polygonum barbatum L., Sp. Pl. 362. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 37. 1886;
(Plate 22b)
Common name: Bearded Knotweed,
Local name: Velluthamuthalamookku
Description
Habitat: Along stream sides
Habit: Stout herbs, to 1.2 m tall, procumbent below.
Leaves: simple, opposite, subsessile, 7-15 x 1.5-2.5 cm, lanceolate, apex acute or
acuminate, base acute to cuneate, glabrous except the margins and midribs; ocrea
tubular, 1.5-3 cm long, strigose without, mouth truncate, long barbellate.
Flowers: Spikes terminal, paniculate, 3.5-11cm long; bracts oblong-truncate, ciliate

along margins. Perianth white; lobes 5, 2-3 mm long, oblong.
165
Gynoecium: Style-arms 3.
Fruit: Nutlets 3-gonous, included within perianth tube, black on ripening.
PIPERACEAE
1. Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth, Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1210(847). 1925;
Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 248. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 396. 1990;
(Plate 22c)
Common name: Slate pencil plant
Local name: Mashithandu
Description
Habitat: Degraded forest areas and wastelands
Habit: Delicate, glabrous annual herbs; stems erect, 5-30 cm tall, pellucid, branched
when well developed.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, alternate throughout, 1-3 cm long and wide, triangular ovate, cordate at
base with a sinus 1-2 mm deep, obtuse or shortly acuminate at apex, pellucid, palmately
5-7 nerved from the base; petiole 6-15 mm long, clasping decurrent along the stem.
Inflorescence: Spikes solitary, terminal but frequently leaf-opposed by overtopping, 2-5

cm long, slender, axis glabrous; peduncle 2-5 cm long, about as thick as spike axis;
bracts 0.2-0.3 mm in diameter.
Flowers: scarcely immersed. Ovary with a fleshy, oblique, subapical stigma.
166
Fruit: sessile, about 0.8 mm long, globose-ellipsoid, with an apical stigma,
longitudinally striate-undulate, blackish brown at maturity.
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
EUPHORBIACEAE
1 a. Fruit globose
2a. Male flowers stamens many ………………………………………Mallotus
2b. Male flowers stamens 3
3a. Shrubs....……………………………………………………….Breynia
3b. Serbs…………………………………………………………...Phyllanthus
1 b. Fruit not globose
4a. Fruit, ovoid, warty………………………………………………….Croton
4b. Fruit pubescent……………………………………………………..Euphorbia
1. Breynia rhamnoides (Retz.) Muell., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 330. 1887; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 1304(912). 1925;
(Plate 22d)
Common name: Indian snowberry
Local name: Chuvannaniruri
167
Description
Habitat: Semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Habit: Large shrubs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, alternate, 2-3 x 1.5-2.5 cm, ovate or elliptic, apex acute, base acute or
obtuse, glabrous, dark brown above and lighter below on drying; petiole to 2 mm long.
Male flowers: in axillary fascicles of 2-5; pedicels 3-5 mm long; perianth turbinate,
yellow, lobes 5; stamens 3.
Female flowers: axillary, solitary, reddish, c. 1.5 mm across; perianth campanulate,
5-6-lobed; ovary 3-celled;
style short; stigmas 3, sunk at top of ovary.
Fruit: 3-4 mm across; globose, red on ripening, changes to purple.
2. Croton bonplandianus Baill., Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 266. 1982; Vajr., Fl.
Palghat Dist. 426. 1990; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 399. 1996;
(Plate 22e)
Common name: Ban thulasi
Description
Habitat: Degraded forest areas and roadsides
Habit: Herbs
Root: taproot
Stem: young parts stellate-pubescent and viscous glandular.
168
Leaves: simple, alternate, 2-5 x 1-2 cm, ovate-lanceolate, apex gradually acute, base
attenuate, margin faintly serrulate, densely stellate scaly on both sides when young,
sparsely so below and glabrous above on ageing; petiole to 1.5 cm long.
Inflorescence: Racemes to 10 cm long; pedicels glandular on either side.
Male flowers: 3-4 mm across; perianth 2-seriate, greenish-white, outer c. 1 mm long,

inner c. 2 mm long; stamens many.
Female flowers: few, towards base, 2.5-3 mm across; perianth 1-seriate, lobes 5; ovary
subglobose, tomentose; style short; stigma 3, each forked to form 6 lobes.
Fruit: Capsule 5-6 mm across, ovoid, warty
Seeds: 3, globose, caranculate.
Distribution: Native of South America; now naturalised in Paleotropics
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
3. Euphorbia hirta L., Sp. Pl. 454. 1753; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1275(892). 1925;
(Plate 22f)
Common name: Asthma herb
Local name: Attuvattappala
Description
Habitat: Degraded forest areas and forest plantations, also in the plain
Habit:s: Slender, erect, pubescent herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: decussate, 1-2.5 x 0.7-1.5 cm, broadly oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, apex acute,
base obliquely truncate, margin serrulate, hispid on both sides, basally 3 -nerved.
169
Inflorescence: Cyathia aggregated in single or paired axillary clusters. Involucre minute,
glands 5, red.
Male flowers: 4-6, ebracteolate.
Female florets: laterally pendulous; styles 2-fid from base.
Fruit: Capsule 1.5-2 mm across, pubescent.
Seeds: minute, red, 4-angled, minutely furrowed.
A potent weed.
4. Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 442. 1887;
(Plate 23a)
Common name: Monkey face tree,
Local name: Sindooram
Description
Habitat: Semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, evergreen and dry deciduous forests, also in
the plains
Habit: Dioecious trees
Root: taproot
Stem: bark 4-5 mm thick, pale brown; branchlets, tawny or rusty pubescent.
Leaves: simple, alternate, 5-20 x 2-8 cm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, apex acuminate or
acute, base acute or round, margin entire or sparsely serrate, glabrous above, greyish
pubescent to fulvous tomentose with minute red glands beneath; coriaceous; 3 -ribbed
from base, lateral nerves upto 6 pairs, pinnate, ascending, prominent, intercostae
scalariform, prominent; stipules lateral, cauducous; petiole 7-60 mm long, stout,
170
swollen at base, fulvous-pubescent with 2 small sessile glands on each side of the
submit.
Flowers: unisexual, brick red, in rusty puberulous, terminal spicate panicles.
Male flowers: 4.5 mm across; tepals 4, lanceolate, stamens many.
Female flowers: 4 mm across, tepals 3 or 4, thicker than in males, ovate-lanceolate;

ovary with red glands, superior, 3-celled, ovules one in each cell; styles 3, to 3.5 mm
long, papillose.
Fruit: a capsule, 7-8 mm across, globose, 3-lobed, loculicidally 3 valved, densely red-
glandular, pubescent.
Seeds: 1-4, globose, glabrous, black.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and Australia
Medicinal importance: Kamala powder is used in eye-diseases. Seeds yield an oil used
in medicine. In medicine Kamala is a reputed remedy for Tape-worm and externally
used in skin diseases.
5. Phyllanthus niruri sensu, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 298. 1887; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 1290(903). 1925; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 412. 1996;
(Plate 23b)
Common name: Phyllanthus
Local name: Keezharnelli
Description
Habitat: Degraded moist deciduous, forest plantations and also in plains
Habit: Erect herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, 6-8 x 3-4 mm, oblong, apex obtuse to acute, base unequal sided, lower
surface glaucous; stipules lanceolate, scarious.
Male flowers: towards tip of branchlets, solitary, axillary; tepals 5, ovate; stamens 3,
171
exserted; filaments connate; disc of 5 glands.
Female flowers: 1.5 mm across; tepals 5, oblong; ovary globose; style erect, recurved .
Fruit: Capsule 2 mm across, globose.
Seeds: 6, trigonous, vertically muriculate.
Distribution: Tropics
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: Juice of stem with oil good for sore eyes. Root and leaves used
in sore mouth and wounds. The plant is considered deobstruent, diuretic, astringent,
cooling and given with milk in jaundice. Young tender shoots administered in the form
of infusion in chronic dysentery. The plant is used in gonorrhoea and kindred affections.
Fruits used in medicine for fever.
URTICACEAE
1 a. Flowers small umbellate clusters………………………………………Pilea
1 b. Flowers axillary, subsessile clusters………………………………Pouzolzia
1. Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1379(965). 1928; Manilal
& Sivar., Fl. Calicut 279. 1982; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 655. 2009;
(Plate 23c)
Common name: Gunpowder Plant
Description
Habitat: Grown as garden plant, often found as an escape
Habit: Slender succulent herbs
172
Root: taproot
Stem: branches bifarious stem transparent.
Leaves: simple, opposite, 4 x 3 mm, ovate-orbicular, apex obtuse, base attenuate,

subsucculent, 1-nerved; raphides transverse; petiole to 1 mm long.
Flowers: monoecious in small umbellate clusters, 1-1.5 mm across.
Male flowers: tepals 4, free, concave, obtuse; stamens 4.
Female flowers: tepals connate, 2-4-toothed; ovary c. 0.5 mm long, ovoid, 1-celled;
ovule 1.
Fruit: Achene c. 1 mm long, ellipsoid
Distribution: South America; now introduced into other tropical regions
Invasive plant.
2. Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 581. 1888; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
(Plate 23d)
Common name: Graceful pouzolzs bush
Local name: Kallurukki
Description
Habitat: Wastelands
Habit: Slender procumbent herbs.
Root: taproot
Leaves: simple, alternate, 1.5-3 x 1-2 cm, ovate-elliptic, base rounded, apex acute,
sparsely strigose, membranous, lateral nerves 3 or 4 pairs, basal pair opposite; petiole to
2 cm long.
Flowers: in axillary, subsessile clusters.
173
Male flowers: 3-4 mm across; tepals 4, 1.5-2 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, sparsely
villous; stamens 4, filaments c. 2 mm long.
Female flowers: tepals connate; style linear c. 2 mm long, thinly pubescent. Achenes 2 -
winged.
Distribution: Tropical Asia
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: The whole plant dried and powdered and given in honey
Cure syphilitic complaints, gonorrhoea and snake poison.
ORCHIDACEAE
1. Acampe wightiana Lindl., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1447(1011).1928; Manilal &
Sivar., Fl. Calicut 284. 1982; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 433. 1996;
(Plate 23e)
Common name: Brittle orchid
Local name: Maravazha
Description
Habit: Robust epiphytic shrubs.
Stem: stout, 20-50 cm high, with vermiform roots from basal nodes.
Leaves: distichous, 12-20 x 2-3 cm, linear, sheathing at base, apex unequally 2-lobed,
thick, coriaceous.
Inflorescence: Corymbs leaf-opposed; peduncle 3.5-5 cm long. Floral bracts scaly,

broadly orbicular, broader than long.
174
Flowers: 0.8-1 cm across,sepals and petals 0.8-1 x 0.3-0.5 cm,ovate-lanceolate, creamy
yellow with reddish-brown transverse bands, thick, fleshy, creamy white with narrow
red streaks, saccate at base, 3-lobed; lateral lobes small; mid-lobe ovate-obtuse, margin
crispate; spur short.
Androecium: Anther terminal, 2-loculed; pollinia 2, globose.
Fruit: Capsule to 4 cm long, cylindrical, ribbed.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka and Seychelles.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
1. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 279. 1892; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 23f)
Common name: Black musale
Local name: Nilappana
Description
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests and grasslands, also in the plains
Habit: Small herbs, rhizome to 15 cm long, oblong, perennial.
Leaves: 10-15 x 2 cm, lanceolate, plicate, base sheathing, pilose, subsessile. Perianth
yellow, 1.5 cm across; tube 3 cm long, narrow, sparsely pilose.
Androecium: Stamens 6, filaments erect.
Gynoecium: Ovary 3-celled; ovules many, villous.
Fruit: baccate
Seeds: subglobose.
175
Medicinal importance: Tuberous roots considered demulcent, diuretic, tonic and

restorative, useful in gonorrhoea, piles, debility, impotence and asthma jaundice,
diarrhoea and colic. It is also prescribed in electuary. Used in the preparation of
Trilokyasundra Pills for fever. Juice of crushed root with breast-milk applied to the eyes
for growth of flesh in the eyes in sore-eye. Crushed root applied to scalds and blisters
caused by quicklime and used as a remedy in diabetes, haemorrhage and diseases of
genital organs of both sexes.
PONTEDERIACEAE
1 a. Ovary ovoid, glabrous; style glandular; stigma 3-lobed,
glandular…………………………………………………………….Eichhornia
1 b. Ovary, globose, 3-locular; ovules many per locule; stigma
3-lobbed…………………………………………………………….Monochoria
1. Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms., Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1530(1069). 1928;
(Plate 24a)
Common name: Water hyacinth
Local name: Kulavazha
Description
Habitat: Ponds and wet lowlands
Habit: herb
Stem: short
176
Root: long fibrous roots, floating or sometimes rooting.
Leaves: glabrous, 45-110 x 50-100 mm; broadly ovate to rhomboid, entire, obtuse, base
cuneate or rounded. Petiole glabrous and spongy, 6-30 cm long, with a fusiform bulbous
portion about the middle. Peduncle spongy.
Inflorescence: (3-) 6-15 (-35) flowered.
Flowers: lilac, tinged blue, withering soon. Perianth c. 57 mm long, tube green,
glandular; segments 34-40 mm long, obovate to ovate-oblong, posterior segment with a
yellow spot.
Androecium: longer 3 stamens , filaments curved, glandular hairy; shorter filaments c. 6

mm long, glabrous; anthers purple-blue.
Gynoecium: Ovary ovoid, glabrous; style glandular; stigma 3-lobed, glandular.
Distribution: South America; now naturalised in the Paleotropics
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
2. Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Presl, Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1529(1068). 1931;
Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 293. 1982; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 512. 1990
(Plate 24b)
Common name: Arrow leaf pond weed
Local name: Kakkapola,
Description
Habitat: Paddy fields and wet lowlands
Habit: herbs,
Leaves: obovate, base cordate, apex abruptly accuminate, thinly coriaceous; petiole 8-
26 cm long, sheathing at base.
177
Inflorescence: of solitary terminal raceme, to 9 cm long, from upper nodes of emergent
stems.
Flowers: regular; pedicel 1-1.8cm long; bracts membraneous. Perianth campanulate,

deeply lobed; lobes 3+3, deep blue, 0.8-1.2 x 0.5-0.6 cm, oblong-obovate.
Androecium: Stamens 6; filaments subequal.
Gynoecium: Ovary, c. 5 mm long, globose, 3-locular; ovules many per locule; style to 5
mm long; stigma 3-lobbed.
Fruit: Capsule to 1 x 0.8 cm, oblong.
Seeds: many,oblong, ribbed, transversely striate between ribs.
Distribution: India to China, Malesia and Japan
A potent weed.
Invasive plant.
COMMELINACEAE
1 a. Capsule, ellipsoid, 3-celled……………………………………………Commelina
1 b. Capsule, oblong, apex beaked………………………………………...Cyanotis
1 c. Capsule, globose………………………………………………………Murdannia
1. Commelina benghalensis L., Sp. Pl. 41. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 370. 1892;
(Plate 24c)
Common name: Dayflower
178
Local name: Adukkavettila
Description
Habitat: Wastelands, also in deciduous forests
Habit: Diffuse herbs
Leaves: 3-5 x 2-3.5 cm, ovate or elliptic-ovate, base rounded or subtruncate, apex
obtuse or acute, pubescent, margin ciliate; petiole to 8 mm long; sheath to 1.5 cm long,
apex with rufous hairs.
Flower: cleistogamous flowers, Spathe 1.5 cm across, funnel-shaped, truncate at apex,

pubescent. Septemberals subequal, c. 2.5 mm long; outer ones linear; inner ones
orbicular.
Corolla:Petals blue, larger ones c. 4 x 4.5 mm, broadly ovate. Stamens 3; staminodes 2.
Ovary to 1mm long.
Fruit: Capsule to 5 mm long, ellipsoid, 3-celled.
Seeds: 5, pitted.
Distribution: Africa, India, China, Japan and Malesia.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: This is an aquatic plant, and used in medicine for diarrhoea and
dysentery.
2. Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6:388.1892; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 1550(1082). 1931;
(Plate 24d)
Common name: Creeping Cradle Plant
Description
Habitat: Degraded deciduous forests and moist places
179
Habit: Fleshy decumbent, glabrous herbs,
Root: rooting at lower nodes, often purple-suffused.
Leaves: linear, apex acute or acuminate; sheath to 7 mm long, mouth ciliate.
Inflorescence: axillary cymose clusters, enclosed within the leaf sheath; bracteoles 1 -2
mm long, linear.
Flowers: 6-7 mm across.
Calyx: connate, tube 2-4 mm long, pilose; lobes lanceolate. Corolla blue; tube to 3 mm,
lobes to 4 mm, ovate.
Androecium: Stamens 6; filaments pink with purple pilose hairs.
Gynoecium: Ovary c. 1.5 mm, woolly, 3-celled; ovules 2 per cell on axile placentae;
style c.1.5 mm long, pilose; stigma 3-fid.
Fruit: Capsule 5-6 mm long, oblong, apex beaked
Seeds: 6, c. 2 mm, oblong, pitted.
A potent weed.
3. Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan, Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 522. 1990; Sasidh. &
Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 477. 1996;
(Plate 24e)
Common name: Dove weed
Local name: Thali pullu
Description
Habitat: Grasslands, also in the plains
Habit: Procumbent herbs
180
Leaves: sessile, 6-11 x 0.5-1.2 cm, linear or linear-lanceolate, base rounded, apex acute
or acuminate; sheath to 1.2 cm long, margin ciliate.
Flowers: in terminal and axillary few-flowered, subglobose or subcorymbose panicles.
Calyx: Sepals 2 mm long, oblong, obtuse.
Corolla: Petals 2-2.5 mm long, oblong, acute, bluish-purple.
Androecium: Staminal filaments bearded; staminodes 3 with filaments bearded or not.
Gynoecium: Ovules 2 in each cell.
Fruit: Capsule 2.5-3.7 mm across, globose;
Seeds: 2- per locule, c.1 mm, cuboid, deeply pitted.
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and Africa
A potent weed.
ARACEAE
1. Pothos scandens L., Sp. Pl. 968. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 551. 1893; Gamble,
(Plate 24f)
Common name: Climbing aroid
Local name: Anapparuva
Description
Habitat: Evergreen forests, waste places and sacred groves
Habit: Climbers. stem angled, rooting at nodes.
181
Leaves: 5-9 x 2-3 cm, lanceolate, apex acuminate, nerves many, united to form 2-3
narrow ribs, glabrous; petiole 3-6 cm long, broadly winged, wing broaden above.
Inflorescence: axillary; peduncle to 0.5 cm long; spathe 5 mm across, orbicular, obtuse,

concave, brown; spadix 3-5 mm across, globose.
Flowers: densely packed; bracts 3-5, orbicular;
Androecium: stamens 6, free;
Gynoecium: ovary obovoid, stigma 3-toothed.
Fruit: Berry oblong, 1-1.8 cm long.
Distribution: India to Malesia and Madagascar
Medicinal importance: Root, bruised and fried in oil used in abscess on the head.
CYPERACEAE
1 a. Simple, open, or often reduced to a single hemispherical head; spikes subglobose.
Spikelets oblong or linear, compressed. Glumes distichous, oblong-ovate,
folded,apex narrowed in to a recurved, greenish; basal 2 glumes, empty
…………………………………………………………………………..Cyperus
1 b. Compound,and wide, loose, rays cymose; setaceous. Spikelets solitary,
globose, obtuse, rusty-brown; rachilla wingless. Glumes spiral,ovate,
obtuse, scarcely keeled, 3-nerved, margins narrowly hyaline.
…………………………………………………………………….…..Fimbristylis
1 c. With 1 to 3 glomerulous clusters of spikelets; earing 4-10 spikelets; bracts
leaf- like Spikelets ovate or oblong-elliptic, squarrose, pubescent. Glumes
182
spiral, oblong-obovate, pubescent, 3-nerved; recurved. Hypogynous bristles
3, scabrid. Hypogynous scales 3, longitudinally rectangular with
3-denticulate apex, base long-stipitate……………………..………………Fuirena
1 d. A head of globose spikes, the central spike longer than the others, white;
leafy bracts 3-4, exceeding the inflorescence, Spikelets many, ovate
elliptic. Glumes distichous,boat-shaped, keeled, lower 2 glumes
smaller, empty…………………………………………………………...….Kyllinga
Fimbristylis
a. Nut obovoid, trigonous, verruculose……………………….……F.quinquangularis
b. Nut obovoid, biconvex, glossy,stipitate…………………………F.dichotoma
1. Cyperus maderaspatanus Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 278. 1798; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl.
Alappuzha Dist. 796. 2009;
(Plate 25a)
Description
Habitat: Wastelands and degraded deciduous forests
Habit: herb
Root: fibrous root
Leaves: 2-4 to a culm, 1.5-8 x 0.1-0.3 cm, linear, flat, gradually acuminate; sheaths upto
2.5 cm long, reddish-purple.
Inflorescence: simple,open, or often reduced to a single hemispherical head; rays 1 -3;

leafy bracts 2-4, the lowest upto 8 cm long; spikes 0.5-1.5 cm across, subglobose.
Spikelets 6-12 x 3-4 mm, oblong or linear, compressed. Glumes distichous, 2-2.5 long
(including awn), c. 1 mm wide, oblong-ovate, folded, apex narrowed in to a recurved, c.
1 mm long awn, greenish; basal 2 glumes empty.
Androecium: Stamen 1.
183
Gynoecium: Stigma 3-fid. Nuts c. 1 x 0.5 mm, oblong-obovate, trigonous, apiculate,
brown.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka and Tropical Africa
A potent weed.
2. Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth, Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 644. 1893;
(Plate 25b)
Common name: Globe finger rush
Description
Habitat: Grasslands
Habit: Erect, tufted, non-rhizomatous annuals,
Leaves: basal, equitant, 10-35 cm long, linear, laterally flattened, scabrid on margins;
sheaths 2-8 cm long, laterally compressed, sharply keeled, lower sheaths bladeless;
ligule absent.
Inflorescence: compound, 4-8 cm long and wide, loose, rays cymose; bracts 2-4, c. 1 cm
long, setaceous. Spikelets solitary, 1.5-2.5 x 1.5-2 mm, globose, obtuse, rusty-brown;
rachilla wingless. Glumes spiral, 1.2-1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, obtuse, scarcely keeled, 3-
nerved, margins narrowly hyaline.
Androecium: Stamens 1-2; anthers c. 0.3 mm long.
Gynoecium: Style linear, triquetrous, ciliate at the base of stigmas; stigmas 3-fid, as
long as the style.
Fruit: Nut 0.5-1 x 0.5 mm, obovoid, trigonous, verruculose.
Distribution: Tropical Africa, Iraq to Tropical and Subtropical Asia and North Australia.
184
3. Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl, Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1658(1151). 1931;
(Plate 25c)
Description
Habitat: Degraded deciduous forests, cultivated lands and riverbanks
Habit: herb
Stem: caespitose
Leaves: canaliculate, rarely flat, as long or shorter than stem, scabrid, apex acute; ligule
a fringe of short hairs; sheaths rusty or pinkish.
Inflorescence: simple or decompound, 5-11 cm; involucral bracts 3-7, longest to 10 cm;
primary rays 3-5, glabrous or pilose, 4-11 cm; secondary rays 3. Spikelet solitary,
ovoid, oblong-ovoid, or terete, to 5 mm, acute; rachilla winged; glumes broadly ovate to
suborbicular, to 2 mm, membranous, red-brown, glabrous, sides hyaline, nerveless,
mucronulate, keel 3-nerved.
Androecium: Stamen 1; filament to 2 mm; anther linear, to 1 mm.
Gynoecium: Style 2-fid, basally glabrous; stigmas ciliate.
Fruit: Nut obovoid, biconvex, to 1 mm, glossy, vertical ribs 7-10, obscurely cross-
barred, umbonulate, stipitate.
A potent weed.
4. Fuirena glomerata Lam., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 666. 1893; Gamble, Fl. Pres.
Madras 1669(1158). 1931;
(Plate 25d)
Description
Habitat: Marshy areas in grasslands and paddy fields
185
Habit: Erect, tufted, non-rhizomatous annual herbs; culms 10-34 cm tall, slender,
obtusely angular, 2-4-noded, pubescent.
Leaves: 2.5 - 9 x 0.3-0.6 cm, linear or linear-lanceolate, base rounded, apex acute,
wholly pubescent, 3-5-nerved, basal leaves reduced to bladless sheaths; sheaths to 2.5
cm long; ligules 1-2 mm long, hairy.
Inflorescence: with 1 to 3 glomerulous clusters of spikelets; clusters 1-2 cm across,

bearing 4-10 spikelets; bracts leaf-like. Spikelets 5-10 x 2.5 - 3.5 mm, ovate or oblong-
elliptic, squarrose, pubescent. Glumes spiral, 1.5-2 x 1 mm, oblong-obovate, pubescent,
3-nerved; awn c. 1 mm long, recurved. Hypogynous bristles 3, scabrid. Hypogynous
scales 3, c. 1 x 0.5 mm, longitudinally rectangular with 3-denticulate apex, base long-
stipitate.
Androecium: Stamens 3. Stigmas 3, papillose.
Fruit: Nuts, obovate to elliptic, triquetrous.
A potent weed.
5. Kyllinga monocephala Rottb., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 588. 1893; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 25e)
Common name: Whitehead spike sedge
Local name: Peemuthanga
Description
Habitat: Waste places, degraded forest areas and grasslands
Habit: herb.
Leaves: many, 2-15 x 0.2-0.4 cm, linear, margins scabrid on the upper part; sheaths 1-3
cm long, purple-brown.
186
Inflorescence: a head of globose spikes, the central spike longer than the others, white;
leafy bracts 3-4, exceeding the inflorescence, the lowest upto 14 cm long. Spikelets
many, 2.5-3 x 1-1.5 mm, ovate-elliptic. Glumes distichous, 2-2.5 mm long, boat-shaped,
keeled, lower 2 glumes smaller, empty.
Gynoecium: Stigmas 2.
Fruit: Nut 1-1.5 mm long, obovate or oblong, biconvex, brownish.
A potent weed.
Medicinal importance: sols used as antidote to poisons.
POACEAE
1. Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin., Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 7: 86. 1896; Gamble, Fl.
(Plate 25f)
Common name: Kyasuwa grass
Local name: Poochavalanpullu
Description
Habitat: Waste places
Habit: herb
Root: fibrous root
Leaves: linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 5-25 x 0.3-1 cm, rounded at base, tubercle-based

hairy or glabrous. Sheaths slightly keeled, sparsely tubercle-based hairy. Ligules
membranous, fimbriate.
187
Flower: Panicles spiciform, interrupted, 5-15 cm long, fluffy-white or purplish. Rhachis
puberulous. Involucre enclosing 1-5 spikelets, atleast one of them pedicelled, pedicels
1-3 mm long, villous; bristles densely woolly plumose. Spikelets lanceolate, 4 -6 mm
long. Lower glume ovate-lanceolate,hyaline, faintly 1-3-nerved, silky villous. Upper
glume ovate-lanceolate,hyaline, faintly 5-nerved, silky villous. Lower floret male or
barren. Upper floret bisexual. First lemma ovate, 3-4 x 1-1.5 mm, 3-lobed at apex,
hyaline, faintly 5-nerved, teeth ciliolate. Palea minute, hyaline.
Androecium: Stamens 3, anthers, yellow. Second lemma elliptic,coriaceous, shining,

faintly 5-nerved. Palea elliptic, coriaceous, 2-keeled.
Gynoecium: Ovary oblong, styles 1-2 mm long; stigmas 2-3 mm long, cream-yellow.
Distribution: West Africa and India
A potent weed.
188
189
190
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The preliminary taxonomic investigation on medicinal uses and invasive nature of plants
in Pattithara Gramapanchayath, Palakkad district, Kerala, revealed that the study area is
composed of 150 species of angiosperms belonging to 134 genera and 53 families (Table
1). Among this Dicotyledons, Polypetalae represented by 22 families; Gamopetalae
represented by 18 families; Monochlamydae represented by 6 families and
Monocotyledons represented by 7 families.
Table 1: showing the list of plants collected from Pattithara Gramapanchayath.
SL. NO. PLANT NAME FAMILY

1. Annona reticulata L. Annonaceae
2. Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. ex Hook.f. & Annonaceae
Thoms.
3. Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thw. Annonaceae
4. Tiliacora acuminata (Poir.) Miers ex Hook.f. Menispermaceae
& Thoms.
5. Nasturtium indicum (L.) DC Brassicaceae
6. Cleome rutidosperma dc.,R. Capparidaceae
7. Cleome viscosa L. Capparidaceae
8. Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. Caryophyllacae
9. Talinum cuneifolium (Vahl) Willd. Portulacaceae
10. Bergia capensis L. Elatinaceae
11. Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. Ex D Malvaceae
12. Hibiscus vitifolius L. Malvaceae
13. Sida veronicaefolia Lam Malvaceae
14. Urena sinuata L. Malvaceae
15. Melochia corchorifolia L. Sterculiaceae
16. Naregamia alata Wight & Arn. Meliaceae
214
17. Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill. Rhamnaceae
18. Leea crispa Royen ex L. Vitaceae
19. Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Vitaceae
20. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Tiliaceae
21. Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. var. Geraniaceae
candolleanum (Wight) Edgew.
22. Cardiospermum halicacabum L., Sapindaceae
23. Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) var. vaginalis. Fabaceae
24. Centrosema molle Benth Fabaceae
25. Crotalaria striata DC Fabaceae
26. Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., Fabaceae
27. Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Desv. Fabaceae
28. Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC. Fabaceae
29. Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Fabaceae
30. Pongamia glabra Vent. Fabaceae
31. Saraca indica sensu Bedd. Fabaceae
32. Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. Fabaceae
33. Mimosa pudica L. Fabaceae
34. Quisqualis indica L. Combretaceae
35. Memecylon malabaricum (Clarke) Cogn. Melastomaceae
36. Ammannia baccifera L. Lythraceae
37. Ammannia rotundifolia Buch.Ham. ex Roxb. Lythraceae
38. Rotala malampuzhensis R.V. Nair ex Cook. Lythraceae
39. Jussiaea repens L. Onagraceae
40. Ludwigia perennis L. Onagraceae
41. Mukia scabrella (L. f.) Arn. Cucurbitaceae
42. Trichosanthes cucumerina L. Cucurbitaceae
43. Mollugo nudicaulis Lam. Aizoaceae
44. Mollugo pentaphylla L. Aizoaceae
45. Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoaceae
46. Canthium coromandelicum (Burm. f.) Rubiaceae
47. Chassalia curviflora (Wall. ex Kurz) Thw. Rubiaceae
215
48. Diodia teres Walter. Rubiaceae
49. Ixora coccinea L. Rubiaceae
50. Spermacoce ocymoides sensu. Rubiaceae
51. Spermacoce hispida L. Rubiaceae
52. Spermacoce hirta L. Rubiaceae
53. Morinda tinctoria Roxb. Rubiaceae
54. Mussaenda frondosa L. Rubiaceae
55. Oldenlandia corymbosa L. Rubiaceae
56. Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae
57. Blumea virens Wall. ex DC. Asteraceae
58. Blumea wightiana DC. Asteraceae
59. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. Asteraceae
60. Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Asteraceae
61. Eupatorium odoratum L. Asteraceae
62. Grangea maderaspatana (L.) Asteraceae
63. Mikania scandens Clarke. Asteraceae
64. Sphaeranthus indicus L. Asteraceae
65. Spilanthes acmella sensu. Asteraceae
66. Spilanthes radicans Jacq. Asteraceae
67. Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. Asteraceae
68. Tridax procumbens L. Asteraceae
69. Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. Asteraceae
70. Vicoa indica (L.) DC. Asteraceae
71. Wedelia trilobata (L.) Asteraceae
72. Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn. Companulaceae
73. Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae
74. Achras sapota L. Sapotaceae
75. Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae
76. Jasminum rottlerianum Wall. ex A. DC. Oleaceae
77. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae
78. Allamanda cathartica L. Apocynaceae
79. Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. DC. Apocynaceae
216
80. Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae
81. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. Asclepiadaceae
82. Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Wight. Asclepiadaceae
83. Limnanthemum cristatum (Roxb.) Griseb. Gentianaceae
84. Limnanthemum indicum (L.) Griseb. Gentianaceae
85. Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl. Hydroleaceae
86. Coldenia procumbens L. Boraginaceae
87. Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae
88. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb Convolvulaceae
89. Evolvulus nummularius (L.) Convolvulaceae
90. Hewittia bicolor (Vahl) Wight & Arn. Convolvulaceae
91. Ipomoea cairica (L.) Convolvulaceae
92. Ipomoea digitata sensu Clarke. Convolvulaceae
93. Merremia hederacea (Burm. f.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae
94. Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae
95. Physalis angulata L. Solanaceae
96. Lindernia antipoda (L.) Scrophulariaceae
97. Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.v. Muell Scrophulariaceae
98. Limnophila racemosa Benth. Scrophulariaceae
99. Scoparia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae
100. Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Don, Gen Scrophulariaceae
101. Sesamum prostratum Retz. Pedaliaceae
102. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Acanthaceae
Nees.
103. Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees. Acanthaceae
104. Asystasia violacea Dalz. ex Clarke. Acanthaceae
105. Barleria prionitis L. Acanthaceae
106. Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Acanthaceae
107. Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae
108. Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Acanthaceae
109. Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Sweet. Acanthaceae
110. Ruellia prostrata Poir. Acanthaceae
217
111. Rungia parviflora (Retz.) Nees var. pectinata Acanthaceae
(L.) Clarke.
112. Citharexylum spinosum L. Verbenaceae
113. Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Ktze. Verbenaceae
114. Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Verbenaceae
115. Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae
116. Lippia nodiflora (L.) A.Rich. Verbenaceae
117. Stachytarpheta indica sensu Clarke Verbenaceae
118. Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Ktze. Lamiaceae
119. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae
120. Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. Lamiaceae
121. Pogostemon quadrifolius (Benth.) F.Muell. Lamiaceae
122. Orthosiphon glabratus Benth. in Wall. Lamiaceae
123. Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctaginaceae
124. Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. Amaranthaceae
125. Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) Voss. Amaranthaceae
126. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex. DC. Amaranthaceae
127. Cyathula prostrata (L.) Amaranthaceae
128. Polygonum barbatum L. Polygonaceae
129. Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth. Piperaceae
130. Breynia rhamnoides (Retz.) Muell. Euphorbiaceae
131. Croton bonplandianus Baill. Euphorbiaceae
132. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae
133. Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell.Arg. Euphorbiaceae
134. Phyllanthus niruri sensu. Euphorbiaceae
135. Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. Urticaceae
136. Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud. Urticaceae
137. Acampe wightiana Lindl. Orchidaceae
138. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Amaryllidaceae
139. Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Pontederiaceae
140. Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Presl. Pontederiaceae
141. Commelina benghalensis L. Commelinaceae
218
142. Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don. Commelinaceae
143. Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan. Commelinaceae
144. Pothos scandens L. Araceae
145. Cyperus maderaspatanus Willd. Cyperaceae
146. Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth. Cyperaceae
147. Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl. Cyperaceae
148. Fuirena glomerata Lam. Cyperaceae
149. Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. Cyperaceae
150. Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin. Poaceae
Among the top thirteen families. Largest elementary contribution was given by
Asteraceae (16 species), followed by Fabaceae (11species), Rubiaceae (10 species).
Acanthaceae (10 species), Convolvulacae (7 species), Verbenaceae (6 species),
Scrophulariaceae (5 species), Lamiaceae (5 species), Euphorbiaceae (5 species),
Malvaceae (4 species), Apocynaceae (4 species), Amaranthaceae (4 species).
[Figure 1 and Figure 2].
219
Figure 1: relative abundance of top thirteen families.
Figure 2: Relative dominance of families (Top thirteen families, all others include in
other families)
220
Table 2: showing different habitats of plants.
SL. PLANT NAME FAMILY HABITAT

NO.
1. Annona reticulata L. Annonaceae Cultivated and often
naturalized
2. Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. Annonaceae Along coastal areas
ex Hook.f. & Thoms. and deciduous
forests at low
altitudes.
3. Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Annonaceae Sacred grooves in
Thw. the plains.
4. Tiliacora acuminata (Poir.) Menispermaceae Moist deciduous
Miers ex Hook.f. & Thoms. forests and also
sacred groves in the
plains.
5. Nasturtium indicum (L.) DC. Brassicaceae Marshy areas
6. Cleome rutidosperma dc.,R. Capparidaceae Coastal areas
7. Cleome viscosa L. Capparidaceae Weed among
cultivated plants,
wastelands,
roadsides, etc.
8. Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Caryophyllacae Plains and deciduous
Lam. forests
9. Talinum cuneifolium (Vahl) Portulacaceae Wastelands
Willd.
10. Bergia capensis L. Elatinaceae Fallow lands, paddy
fields and grasslands
11. Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. Ex Malvaceae Dry and moist
DC. deciduous forests,
also in the plains
221
12. Hibiscus vitifolius L. Malvaceae Dry deciduous and
semi-evergreen
forests, also in the
plains.
13. Sida veronicaefolia Lam. Malvaceae All types of habitats

from sandy sea
coasts to deciduous
forests.
14. Urena sinuata L. Malvaceae Moist deciduous
plains.
15. Melochia corchorifolia L. Sterculiaceae Degraded deciduous
forest areas and
waste places.
16. Naregamia alata Wight & Arn. Meliaceae Moist deciduous
plains
17. Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill. Rhamnaceae Moist and dry
deciduous forests,
also in the plains.
18. Leea crispa Royen ex L. Vitaceae Moist deciduous and
evergreen forests
19. Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Vitaceae Near streams in
Evergreen forests
20. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Tiliaceae Degraded deciduous
plains.
21. Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. Geraniaceae Dry deciduous
var. candolleanum (Wight) forests and
Edgew. grasslands
222
22. Cardiospermum halicacabum Sapindaceae Moist deciduous
L. forest also in scrub
jungles
23. Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) var. Fabaceae Wastelands in
vaginalis. plains.
24. Centrosema molle Benth. Fabaceae Forest plantations
and deciduous
plains.
25. Crotalaria striata DC. Fabaceae Degraded forest
areas, also in the
plains.
26. Desmodium gangeticum (L.) Fabaceae Moist deciduous
DC. forests and forest
plantations, also in
the plains.
27. Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Fabaceae Waste lands, also
Desv. along the roadsides
28. Desmodium triquetrum (L.) Fabaceae Semi-evergreen and
DC. moist deciduous
plains.
29. Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Fabaceae Moist deciduous
forests and
grasslands, also in
the plains
30. Pongamia glabra Vent. Fabaceae Deciduous and
mangrove forests,
also planted as
avenue tree.
31. Saraca indica sensu Bedd. Fabaceae Evergreen forests,
also grown as
223
ornamental tree in
the plains
32. Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Fabaceae Evergreen and
Merr. deciduous forests,
also in the plains.
33. Mimosa pudica L. Fabaceae Weed in plains
34. Quisqualis indica L. Combretaceae Introduced as
ornamental plant;
now runs wild
35. Memecylon malabaricum Melastomaceae Evergreen and semi-
(Clarke) Cogn. evergreen forests,
and also in sacred
groves
36. Ammannia baccifera L. Lythraceae Paddy fields and
other wet lands
37. Ammannia rotundifolia Lythraceae Along streams and
Buch.Ham. ex Roxb. marshy areas in
grasslands
38. Rotala malampuzhensis R.V. Lythraceae Paddy fields and
Nair. ex Cook. banks of streams
39. Jussiaea repens L. Onagraceae Pond and ditches
40. Ludwigia perennis L. Onagraceae Waterlogged areas
in grasslands
41. Mukia scabrella (L. f.) Arn. Cucurbitaceae Deciduous forests,
also in the plains.
42. Trichosanthes cucumerina L. Cucurbitaceae Forest margins in
semi-evergreen and
moist deciduous
plains.
43. Mollugo nudicaulis Lam. Aizoaceae Deciduous forest
and sandy seacoasts
224
44. Mollugo pentaphylla L. Aizoaceae Open areas and
along banks of
streams, also in
deciduous forests
45. Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoacae Paddy fields and
other moist
localities.
46. Canthium coromandelicum Rubiaceae Moist and dry
(Burm. f.) deciduous forests,
also in sacred groves
47. Chassalia curviflora (Wall. ex Rubiaceae Common in all types
Kurz) Thw. of forests, also in the
plains
48. Diodia teres Walter. Rubiaceae Wasteland and scrub
jungles in laterite
hillocks
49. Ixora coccinea L. Rubiaceae In the plains, also
grown in
homesteads
50. Spermacoce ocymoides sensu. Rubiaceae Moist and dry
deciduous forests
and waste places
51. Spermacoce hispida L. Rubiaceae Sandy low lands
52. Spermacoce hirta L. Rubiaceae Degraded moist
deciduous forests
and wastelands.
53. Morinda tinctoria Roxb. Rubiaceae Moist and dry
deciduous forests,
also in the plains.
54. Mussaenda frondosa L. Rubiaceae Moist deciduous and
semi-evergreen
plains
225
55. Oldenlandia corymbosa L. Rubiaceae Degraded forest
areas, also in the
plains
56. Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Weed in fallow
fields and
wastelands in the
High Ranges
57. Blumea virens Wall. ex DC. Asteraceae Moist deciduous and
semi-evergreen
plains
58. Blumea wightiana DC. Asteraceae Degraded deciduous
forests and
grasslands
59. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. Asteraceae Paddy fields and
moist localities
60. Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Asteraceae Dry and moist
deciduous forests,
also in the plains
61. Eupatorium odoratum L. Asteraceae A weed in all
terrestrial habitats
62. Grangea maderaspatana (L.) Asteraceae Marshy areas, bunds
of fields and sandy
river beds
63. Mikania scandens Clarke. Asteraceae Forest plantations
and also in the plains
in moist localities
64. Sphaeranthus indicus L. Asteraceae Lake shores, paddy
fields, etc
65. Spilanthes acmella sensu. Asteraceae Moist localities in
evergreen forests
226
66. Spilanthes radicans Jacq. Asteraceae Degraded moist
deciduous forests,
also in the plains
67. Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Asteraceae Deciduous forests,
Gaertn. also in the plains.
68. Tridax procumbens L. Asteraceae Deciduous forests,
also waste lands in
the plains
69. Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. Asteraceae Deciduous forests,
also in the plains
70. Vicoa indica (L.) DC. Asteraceae Degraded forests,
also in the plains
71. Wedelia trilobata (L.) Asteraceae Introduced as garden
plant, now runs
wild.
72. Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn. Companulaceae Along water
courses, paddy fields
and mangrove
forests
73. Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae Deciduous forests,
also in the plains
74. Achras sapota L. Sapotaceae Cultivated
75. Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae Semi-evergreen and
evergreen forests,
also grown in
homesteads
76. jasminum rottlerianum Wall. Oleaceae Evergreen, shola and
ex A. DC. moist deciduous
forests
77. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae Moist deciduous
forests and sacred
groves, also in the
plains.
227
78. Allamanda cathartica L. Apocynaceae Grown as Garden
plant
79. Holarrhena antidysenterica Apocynaceae Moist deciduous and
(Roth). A. DC. dry deciduous
plains
80. Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Apocynaceae Moist and dry
Br. deciduous forests,
also in the plains.
81. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. Asclepiadaceae Wastelands
82. Cosmostigma racemosum Asclepiadaceae Moist deciduous
(Roxb.) Wight forests, scrub
jungles and sacred
groves
83. Limnanthemum cristatum Gentianaceae Ditches in
(Roxb.) Griseb grasslands and
ponds
84. Limnanthemum indicum (L.) Gentianaceae Ponds and ditches
Griseb
85. Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl. Hydroleaceae Wet sandy areas
near water bodies
86. Coldenia procumbens L. Boraginaceae Lake shores, paddy
fields and
wastelands
87. Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae Along lakeshores
and paddy fields
during summer
88. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae Deciduous forests,
also in the plains
89. Evolvulus nummularius (L.) Convolvulaceae Forest plantations
and degraded moist
deciduous forests,
also in the plains
228
90. Hewittia bicolor (Vahl) Wight Convolvulaceae Moist and dry
& Arn deciduous forests,
also in the plains.
91. Ipomoea cairica (L.) Convolvulaceae Dry and moist
deciduous forests,
also in the plains
92. Ipomoea digitata sensu Clarke. Convolvulaceae Moist deciduous
forest
93. Merremia hederacea (Burm. Convolvulaceae Degraded forests
f.) Hall. f. and along bushes
and thickets, also in
the plains
94. Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. Convolvulaceae Deciduous forests,
f. also in the plains.
95. Physalis angulata L. Solanaceae Degraded forests
and Wastelands
96. Lindernia antipoda (L.) Scrophulariaceae Sides of streams,
reservoirs and
marshy areas.
97. Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.v. Scrophulariaceae Moist deciduous
Muell. forests and waste
lands
98. Limnophila racemosa Benth. Scrophulariaceae Flooded paddy
fields, ponds, etc
99. Scoparia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae Wastelands
100. Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Scrophulariaceae Grasslands, laterite
Don, Gen. hillocks and moist
deciduous forests
101. Sesamum prostratum Retz. Pedaliaceae Sandy areas near sea
and waste lands
102. Andrographis paniculata Acanthaceae Scrub jungles, also
(Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees. in the plains.
229
103. Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Acanthaceae Paddy fields and
Nees other moist localities
104. Asystasia violacea Dalz. ex Acanthaceae Evergreen and semi-
Clarke. evergreen forests
105. Barleria prionitis L. Acanthaceae Dry deciduous
forests and scrub
jungles
106. Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Acanthaceae Dry deciduous
plains
107. Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae In the plains, often
planted
108. Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Acanthaceae Moist deciduous
plains
109. Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Acanthaceae Semi-evergreen and
Sweet. deciduous forests,
also in the plains
110. Ruellia prostrata Poir. in Lam. Acanthaceae Degraded forest
areas, also in the
plains
111. Rungia parviflora (Retz.) Nees Acanthaceae Semi-evergreen
var. pectinata (L.) Clarke. forests and waste
places.
112. Citharexylum spinosum L. Verbenaceae Grown as gardenor
avenue tree
113. Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Verbenaceae Degraded forest
Ktze. areas and also in the
plains
114. Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Verbenaceae Introduced as
ornamental plant;
230
now naturalised as
weed
115. Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Ornamental plant
116. Lippia nodiflora (L.) A.Rich. Verbenaceae Coastal sandy areas,
paddy fields and
stream sides
117. Stachytarpheta indica sensu Verbenaceae Dry and moist
Clarke. deciduous forests,
also in the plains
118. Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Lamiaceae Dry and moist
Ktze. deciduous forests
and wastelands
119. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae Degraded moist and
dry deciduous
forests and
wastelands
120. Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. Lamiaceae Deciduous forests
and wastelands
121. Pogostemon quadrifolius Lamiaceae Scrub jungles in
(Benth.) F.Muell. laterite hillocks
122. Orthosiphon glabratus Benth. Lamiaceae Degraded moist and
dry deciduous
forests and waste
lands
123. Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctaginaceae Moist and dry
deciduous forests
124. Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Amaranthaceae Deciduous forests
Schult. and waste lands in
the plains
125. Alternanthera bettzickiana Amaranthaceae Degraded deciduous
(Regel) Voss. forests and
wastelands
231
126. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Amaranthaceae Along sides of water
Br. ex. DC. courses and marshy
areas
127. Cyathula prostrata (L.) Amaranthaceae Moist deciduous and
semi-evergreen
plains
128. Polygonum barbatum L. Polygonaceae Along stream side
129. Peperomia pellucida (L.) Piperaceae Degraded forest
Kunth. areas and wasteland
130. Breynia rhamnoides (Retz.) Euphorbiaceae Semi-evergreen and
Muell. moist deciduous
plains
131. Croton bonplandianus Baill. Euphorbiaceae Degraded forest
areas and roadsides
132. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Degraded forest
areas and forest
plantations, also in
the plain
133. Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Euphorbiaceae Semi-evergreen,
Muell.Arg. moist deciduous,
evergreen and dry
deciduous forests,
also in the plains
134. Phyllanthus niruri sensu. Euphorbiaceae Degraded moist
deciduous, forest
plantations and also
in plains
135. Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. Urticaceae Grown as garden
plant, often found as
an escape
136. Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud. Urticaceae Wastelands
232
137. Acampe wightiana Lindl. Orchidaceae Moist deciduous
plains
138. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Amaryllidaceae Moist deciduous
forests and
grasslands, also in
the plains
139. Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Pontederiaceae Ponds and
Solms. wetlowlands
140. Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. Pontederiaceae Paddyfiels and wet
f.) Presl. lowlands
141. Commelina benghalensis L. Commelinaceae Wastelands
142. Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don. Commelinaceae Degraded deciduous
forests and moist
places
143. Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Commelinaceae Grasslands, also in
Brenan. the plains
144. Pothos scandens L. Araceae Evergreen forests,
waste places and
sacred groves
145. Cyperus maderaspatanus Cyperaceae Wastelands and
Willd. degraded deciduous
forests
146. Fimbristylis quinquangularis Cyperaceae Wastelands and
(Val) Kunth. degraded deciduous
forests
147. Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Cyperaceae Degraded deciduous
Vahl. forests, cultivated
lands and riverbanks
148. Fuirena glomerata Lam. Cyperaceae Marshy areas in
grasslands and
paddy fields
233
149. Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. Cyperaceae Waste places,
degraded forest
areas and grasslands
150. Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin. Poaceae Wastelands
Among this 150 species, herbs are dominant with 93 species, followed by 28 shrubs, 17
climbers and 12 trees. [Table 3 and Figure 3].
Table 3: Habit wise distribution of plants
SL. PLANT NAME FAMILY HABIT

NO.
1. Annona reticulata L. Annonaceae Trees
2. Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. ex Hook.f. & Annonaceae Climbers
Thoms.
3. Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thw. Annonaceae Trees
4. Tiliacora acuminata (Poir.) Miers ex Menispermaceae Climbers
Hook.f. & Thoms.
5. Nasturtium indicum (L.) DC. Brassicaceae Herbs
6. Cleome rutidosperma dc.,R. Capparidaceae Herbs
7. Cleome viscosa L. Capparidaceae Herbs
8. Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. Caryophyllacae Herbs
9. Talinum cuneifolium (Vahl) Willd. Portulacaceae Herbs
10. Bergia capensis L. Elatinaceae Herbs
11. Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. Ex DC. Malvaceae Shrubs
12. Hibiscus vitifolius L. Malvaceae Shrubs
13. Sida veronicaefolia Lam Malvaceae Herbs
234
14. Urena sinuata L. Malvaceae Shrubs
15. Melochia corchorifolia L. Sterculiaceae Herbs
16. Naregamia alata Wight & Arn. Meliaceae Herbs
17. Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill. Rhamnaceae Shrubs
18. Leea crispa Royen ex L. Vitaceae Shrubs
19. Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Vitaceae Climbers
20. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Tiliaceae Shrubs
21. Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. var. Geraniaceae Herbs
22. Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Sapindaceae Climbers
23. Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) var. vaginalis. Fabaceae Herbs
24. Centrosema molle Benth. Fabaceae Climbers
25. Crotalaria striata DC. Fabaceae Shrubs
26. Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. Fabaceae Herbs
27. Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Desv. Fabaceae Herbs
28. Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC. Fabaceae Herbs
29. Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Fabaceae Shrubs
30. Pongamia glabra Vent. Fabaceae Trees
31. Saraca indica sensu Bedd. Fabaceae Trees
32. Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. Fabaceae Trees
33. Mimosa pudica L. Fabaceae Herbs
34. Quisqualis indica L. Combretaceae Climbers
35. Memecylon malabaricum (Clarke) Cogn. Melastomaceae Shrubs
36. Ammannia baccifera L. Lythraceae Herbs
37. Ammania rotundifolia Buch. Ham.ex Roxb. Lythraceae Herbs
38. Rotala malampuzhensis R.V. Nair ex Cook. Lythraceae Herbs
39. Jussiaea repens L. Onagraceae Herbs
40. Ludwigia perennis L. Onagraceae Herbs
41. Mukia scabrella (L. f.) Arn. Cucurbitaceae Climbers
42. Trichosanthes cucumerina L. Cucurbitaceae Climbers
43. Mollugo nudicaulis Lam. Aizoaceae Herbs
44. Mollugo pentaphylla L. Aizoaceae Herbs
235
45. Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoaceae Herbs
46. Canthium coromandelicum (Burm. f.) Rubiaceae Shrubs
47. Chassalia curviflora (Wall. ex Kurz) Thw. Rubiaceae Shrubs
48. Diodia teres Walter. Rubiaceae Herbs
49. Ixora coccinea L. Rubiaceae Shrubs
50. Spermacoce ocymoides sensu. Rubiaceae Herbs
51. Spermacoce hispida L. Rubiaceae Herbs
52. Spermacoce hirta L. Rubiaceae Herbs
53. Morinda tinctoria Roxb. Rubiaceae Trees
54. Mussaenda frondosa L. Rubiaceae Shrubs
55. Oldenlandia corymbosa L. Rubiaceae Herbs
56. Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Herbs
57. Blumea virens Wall. ex DC. Asteraceae Herbs
58. Blumea wightiana DC. Asteraceae Herbs
59. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk Asteraceae Herbs
60. Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Asteraceae Herbs
61. Eupatorium odoratum L. Asteraceae Shrubs
62. Grangea maderaspatana (L.) Asteraceae Herbs
63. Mikania scandens Clarke. Asteraceae Climbers
64. Sphaeranthus indicus L. Asteraceae Herbs
65. Spilanthes acmella sensu. Asteraceae Herbs
66. Spilanthes radicans Jacq. Asteraceae Herbs
67. Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. Asteraceae Herbs
68. Tridax procumbens L. Asteraceae Herbs
69. Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. Asteraceae Herbs
70. Vicoa indica (L.) DC. Asteraceae Herbs
71. Wedelia trilobata (L.) Asteraceae Herbs
72. Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn. Companulaceae Herbs
73. Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae Shrubs
74. Achras sapota L. Sapotaceae Trees
75. Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae Trees
76. jasminum rottlerianum Wall. ex A. DC. Oleaceae Climbers
236
77. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae Trees
78. Allamanda cathartica L. Apocynaceae Shrubs
79. Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. DC. Apocynaceae Trees
80. Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae Climbers
81. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. Asclepiadaceae Shrubs
82. Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Wight. Asclepiadaceae Climbers
83. Limnanthemum cristatum (Roxb.) Griseb. Gentianaceae Herbs
84. Limnanthemum indicum (L.) Griseb. Gentianaceae Herbs
85. Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl. Hydroleaceae Herbs
86. Coldenia procumbens L. Boraginaceae Herbs
87. Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae Herbs
88. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae Climbers
89. Evolvulus nummularius (L.) Convolvulaceae Herbs
90. Hewittia bicolor (Vahl) Wight & Arn. Convolvulaceae Climbers
91. Ipomoea cairica (L.) Convolvulaceae Climbers
92. Ipomoea digitata sensu Clarke. Convolvulaceae Climbers
93. Merremia hederacea (Burm. f.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae Herbs
94. Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae Herbs
95. Physalis angulata L. Solanaceae Herbs
96. Lindernia antipoda (L.) Scrophulariaceae Herbs
97. Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.v. Muell. Scrophulariaceae Herbs
98. Limnophila racemosa Benth. Scrophulariaceae Herbs
99. Scoparia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae Herbs
100. Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Don, Gen. Scrophulariaceae Herbs
101. Sesamum prostratum Retz. Pedaliaceae Herbs
102. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. Acanthaceae Herbs
ex Nees.
103. Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees. Acanthaceae Herbs
104. Asystasia violacea Dalz. ex Clarke. Acanthaceae Shrubs
105. Barleria prionitis L. Acanthaceae Herbs
106. Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Acanthaceae Shrubs
107. Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae Shrubs
237
108. Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Acanthaceae Shrubs
109. Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Sweet. Acanthaceae Herbs
110. Ruellia prostrata Poir. Acanthaceae Herbs
111. Rungia parviflora (Retz.) Nees var. Acanthaceae Herbs
pectinata (L.) Clarke.
112. Citharexylum spinosum L. Verbenaceae Trees
113. Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Ktze. Verbenaceae Shrubs
114. Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Verbenaceae Shrubs
115. Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Shrubs
116. Lippia nodiflora (L.) A.Rich. in Michx. Verbenaceae Herbs
117. Stachytarpheta indica sensu Clarke. Verbenaceae Shrubs
118. Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Ktze. Lamiaceae Herbs
119. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae Shrubs
120. Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. Lamiaceae Herbs
121. Pogostemon quadrifolius (Benth.) F.Muell. Lamiaceae Herbs
122. Orthosiphon glabratus Benth. in Wall. Lamiaceae Herbs
123. Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctaginaceae Herbs
124. Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. Amaranthaceae Herbs
125. Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) Voss. Amaranthaceae Herbs
126. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex. DC. Amaranthaceae Herbs
127. Cyathula prostrata (L.) Amaranthaceae Herbs
128. Polygonum barbatum L. Polygonaceae Herbs
129. Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth. Piperaceae Herbs
130. Breynia rhamnoides (Retz.) Muell. Euphorbiaceae Shrubs
131. Croton bonplandianus Baill. Euphorbiaceae Herbs
132. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Herbs
133. Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell.Arg. Euphorbiaceae Trees
134. Phyllanthus niruri sensu. Euphorbiaceae Herbs
135. Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. Urticaceae Herbs
136. Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud. Urticaceae Herbs
137. Acampe wightiana Lindl. Orchidaceae Shrubs
138. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Amaryllidaceae Herbs
238
139. Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Pontederiaceae Herbs
140. Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Presl. Pontederiaceae Herbs
141. Commelina benghalensis L. Commelinaceae Herbs
142. Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don. Commelinaceae Herbs
143. Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan. Commelinaceae Herbs
144. Pothos scandens L. Araceae Climbers
145. Cyperus maderaspatanus Willd. Cyperaceae Herbs
146. Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth. Cyperaceae Herbs
147. Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl. Cyperaceae Herbs
148. Fuirena glomerata Lam. Cyperaceae Herbs
149. Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. Cyperaceae Herbs
150. Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin. Poaceae Herbs
239
Figure 3: Relative abundance of plants based on habit.
240
Among the invasive taxa, Asteraceae is predominant with 9 plants. Followed families
Capparidaceae, Fabaceae, Onagraceae, Convolvulaceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, and
Pontederiaceae consist of 2 species each. A total of 32 plants belonging to 17 families
reported as invasive [Table 4 and Figure 4].
Table 4: showing the invasive taxa.
SL. NO. INVASIVE PLANTS FAMILY

1. Cleome rutidosperma dc.,R. Capparidaceae
5. Crotalaria striata DC. Fabaceae
20. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae
241
25. Stachytarpheta indica sensu Clarke. Verbenaceae
30. Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. Urticaceae
242
Pontederiaceae
Lamiacae
Verbanaceae
Convolvulaceae
Asteraceae
Onagraceae
Fabaceae
Capparidaceae
0 2 4 6 8 10
No. of plants
Figure 4: shows the top eight invasive families.
243
A total of 85 weeds belonging to 33 families were collected. Among the weed population
Asteraceae shows predominance with 15 species, followed by Fabaceae (6 species),
Malvaceae (4 species), Convolvulaceae (4 species), Scrophulariaceae (4 species),
Acanthaceae (4 species), Verbenaceae (4 species), Amaranthaceae (4 species) and
Cyperaceae (4 species). [ Table 5 and Figure 5].
Table 5: Table showing weeds among the collected plants.
SL. NO. WEEDS FAMILY

3. Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. Ex DC. Malvaceae
4. Hibiscus vitifolius L. Malvaceae
5. Sida veronicaefolia Lam. Malvaceae
6. Urena sinuata L. Malvaceae
8. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq Tiliaceae
9. Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Sapindaceae
10. Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) var. vaginalis. Fabaceae
11. Centrosema molle Benth. Fabaceae
12. Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. Fabaceae
13. Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Desv. Fabaceae
22. Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoacae
244
24. Spermacoce hirta L. Rubiaceae
27. Blumea virens Wall. ex DC. Asteraceae
39. Vicoa indica (L.) DC. Asteraceae
40. Wedelia trilobata (L.) Asteraceae
46. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae
48. Ipomoea cairica (L.) Convolvulaceae
49. Merremia hederacea (Burm. f.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae
51. Lindernia antipoda (L.) Scrophulariaceae
52. Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.v. Muell. Scrophulariaceae
54. Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Don, Gen. Scrophulariaceae
245
Nees.
58. Ruellia prostrata Poir. in Lam. Acanthaceae
62. Stachytarpheta indica sensu Clarke. Verbenaceae
65. Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. Lamiaceae
68. Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) Voss. Amaranthaceae
70. Cyathula prostrata (L.) Amaranthaceae
73. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae
80. Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan. Commelinaceae
81. Cyperus maderaspatanus Willd. Cyperaceae
85. Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin. Poaceae
246
13%
31%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
Fabaceae Malvaceae Convolvulaceae Scrophulariaceae Acanthaceae

Cyperaceae Verbenaceae Amaranthaceae Asteraceae
Figure 5: relative abundance of weeds in top nine families.
247
67 medicinal plants are collected from this area belonging to 36 families. Among them 7
families shows more number of plants with medicinal properties. Asteraceae shows
dominance with 8 species followed by Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Acanthaceae with 5
species each, Aizoaceae, Apocynaceae, and Verbenaceae with 3 species each [ Table 6
and Figure 6].
Table 6: showing medicinally important plants.
SL.NO. PLANT NAME FAMILY

1. Annona reticulata L. Annonaceae
2. Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. ex Hook.f. & Annonaceae
Thoms.
3. Tiliacora acuminata (Poir.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Menispermaceae
Thoms.
5. Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. Caryophyllaceae
6. Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. Ex DC. Malvaceae
7. Sida veronicaefolia Lam. Malvaceae
9. Naregamia alata Wight & Arn. Meliaceae
10. Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill. Rhamnaceae
11. Leea crispa Royen ex L. Vitaceae
13. Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Sapindaceae
14. Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC. Fabaceae
16. Pongamia glabra Vent. Fabaceae
17. Saraca indica sensu Bedd. Fabaceae
248
22. Trichosanthes cucumerina L. Cucurbitaceae
25. Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoaceae
26. Ixora coccinea L. Rubiaceae
28. Morinda tinctoria Roxb. Rubiaceae
29. Mussaenda frondosa L. Rubiaceae
39. Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae
40. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae
41. Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. DC. Apocynaceae
42. Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae
44. Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Wight. Asclepiadaceae
47. Ipomoea digitata sensu Clarke. Convolvulaceae
48. Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae
Nees.
249
53. Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae
54. Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Acanthaceae
55. Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Ktze. Verbenaceae
61. Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell.Arg. Euphorbiaceae
64. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Amaryllidaceae
66. Pothos scandens L. Araceae
250
Figure 6: shows 7 families with more number of plants having medicinal values.
251
Among the 150 plants, 25 plants belongs to aquatic habitats. Dicotyledons belonging to
12 families and monocotyledons belonging to 3 families were reported [ Table 7 & Figure
7].
Table 7: showing list of aquatic plants collected from Pattithara Gramapanchayath.
SL. NO. PLANT NAME FAMILY

1. Nasturtium indicum (L.) DC Brassicaceae
4. Ammannia rotundifolia Buch.Ham. ex Roxb. Lythraceae
5. Rotala malampuzhensis R.V. Nair ex Cook. Lythraceae
9. Grangea maderaspatana (L.). Asteraceae
10. Wedelia calendulacea (L.) Less. Asteraceae
13 Limnanthemum indicum (L.) Griseb. Gentianaceae
15 Lindernia antipoda (L.) Scrophulariaceae
16. Limnophila racemosa Benth. Scrophulariaceae
18. Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees. Acanthaceae
20. Polygonum barbatum L. Polygonaceae
252
Dicotyledons Monocotyledons
20%
80%
Figure 7: showing the relative abundance of aquatic plants among monocotyledons and
dicotyledons
253
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The present study is conducted to study the angiosperm diversity in Pattithara

Gramapanchayath, Palakkad district, Kerala. Resulted in the collection, identification and
description of 150 flowering plants belonging to 53 families, which displays a wide
distribution of angiosperms in the area. Among this Dicotyledons, Polypetalae
represented by 22 families; Gamopetalae represented by 18 families; Monochlamydae
represented by 6 families and Monocotyledons represented by 7 families. Largest
elementary contribution was given by Asteraceae (16 species).
The most dominant habit recorded are herbs with 93 species, followed by 28 shrubs, 17
climbers and 12 trees. And the collected plants are from different habitats.
The invasive taxa represented by 32 plants belonging to 17families, was dominated by

Asteraceae with 9 plants. The following families Capparidaceae, Fabaceae, Onagraceae,
Convolvulaceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, Pontederiaceae consist of 2 species each.
The weed population include 85 plants coming under 33 families, where Asteraceae
showed predominance with 15 species, followed by Fabaceae (6 specis), Malvaceae (4
species), Convolvulaceae (4 species), Scrophulariaceae (4 species), Acanthaceae (4
species), Verbenaceae (4 species), Amaranthaceae (4 species), Cyperaceae (4 species).
67 medicinal plants are collected from this area belonging to 36 families. Among this, 7
families are more in number of plants with medicinal properties. Asteraceae shows
dominance with 7 species followed by Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Acanthaceae with 5
species each, Aizoaceae, Apocynaceae, and Verbenaceae with 3 species each. The plants
are used for different diseases.
Among the 150 plants, 25 were aquatic plants and the remaining 125 belongs to terrestrial
habitats. Dicotyledons belonging to 12 families and monocotyledons belonging to 3
families were reported.
The present study helped to unravel the diversity of angiosperms in the study area. The
study may be of helpful to the future researchers for evaluating the floristic diversity,
vegetation and species conservation programs of the area. It can also be used as a record
254
to compare the angiosperm diversity of the area with that in the future. So these results
will be helpful for future studies.
255
GLOSSARY OF TAXONOMIC TERMINOLOGIES USED
Acicular: Needle shaped, as in pine.
Acuminate: Tapering gradually into a protracted point.
Acute: Pointed tip with sides forming acute angle.
Adnate: Filament continues into connective which is almost as broad.
Antipetalous: Stamens opposite the petals.
Arachnoid: Covered with entangled hairs giving a cobwebby appearance.
Aristate: With a long bristle at the tip.
Attenuate: Tip drawn out into a long tapering point.
Basifixed: The filament ends at the base of anther (when connective extends up to base
of anther)or at least base of connective (when anther lobes extend freely below the
connective).
Bifid: Style or stigma divided into two.
Bithecous: Stamen with two anther lobes (each anther lobe at maturity becomes
unilocular due to coalescence of two adjacent microsporangia) so that anther is two -
celled at maturity.
Canescent: Covered with grey hairs.
Capitate: Stigma appearing like a head.
Caudate: Apex elongated and tail-like.
Ciliate: With marginal fringe of hairs.
Cirrhose: With slender coiled apex.
Cordate: Heart shaped, with a deep notch at base
Crenate: With low rounded or blunt teeth.
Crisped: Margin strongly winding in vertical plane giving ruffled appearance to leaf.
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Cuneate: Wedge-shaped, tapering towards the base
Cuspidate: Abruptly narrowed into sharp spiny tip.
Deltoid: Triangular in shape.
Dentate: With sharp teeth pointing outwards.
Denticulate: Minutely or finely dentate.
Diadelphous: Filaments of stamens united in two groups.
Didynamous: Four stamens, two shorter and two longer.
Diplostemonous: Stamens in two whorls, the outer whorl alternating with petals.
Dorsifixed: Filament attached on the connective above the base.
Double crenate (bi-crenate): Rounded or blunt teeth are again crenate.
Double dentate: Sharp outward teeth are again dentate. The term bi-dentate, though
sometimes used here, is inappropriate, as it more correctly refers to a structure bearing
two teeth.
Double serrate (bi-serrate): The serrations are again serrate.
Elliptical: Shaped like an ellipse, a flattened circle usually more than twice as long as
broad
Emarginate: With a shallow broad notch at tip.
Entire: Smooth, without any indentation.
Epipetalous: Filaments attached to the petals, a characteristic feature of sympetalous

families.
Epiphyllous (epitepalous): Filaments attached to the perianth.
Floccose: Covered with irregular tufts of loosely tangled hairs.
Glabrate: Nearly glabrous or becoming glabrous with age.
Glabrous: Not covered with any hairs. Sometimes but not always synonymous with
smooth surface.
Glacous: Surface covered with a waxy coating, which easily rubs off.
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Glandular: Covered with glands or small secretory structures.
Glandular-punctate (gland-dotted): Surface dotted with immersed glands.
Gynobasic style: Arising from central base of the ovary.
Hastate: Shaped like an arrow head with two basal lobes directed outwards, also
referring to hastate leaf base.
Heterostemonous: Same flower with stamens of different sizes.
Hirsute: Covered with long stiff hairs.
Hispid: Covered with stiff and rough hairs.
Lanate: Wooly, with long intertwined hairs.
Lanceolate: Shaped like a lance, much longer than broad and tapering from a broad base
towards the apex
Linear: Long and narrow with nearly parallel sides as in grasses and onion.
Lunate: Shaped like half-moon
Lyrate: Lyre-shaped; pinnatifid with large terminal lobe and smaller lower lobes
Monadelphous: Filaments of all stamens united in a single group.
Monothecous: Stamen with single anther lobe so that mature anther is single-celled.
Mucronate: Broad apex with a small point.
Obcordate: Like cordate but with broadest part and notch at apex.
Obdiplostemonous: Stamens in two whorls but outer whorl opposite the petals.
Oblanceolate: Like lanceolate but with broadest part near apex.
Oblong: Uniformly broad along the whole length.
Obovate: Ovate, but with broadest part near the apex.
Obtuse: Broad apex with two sides forming an obtuse angle.
Orbicular (rotund): Circular in outline.
Ovate: Egg-shaped, with broadest part near the base.
258
Palmatifid: The incision is less than halfway towards the base.
Palmatipartite: The incision is more than halfway towards the base of leaf blade.
Palmatisect: The incision reaches almost the base of leaf blade.
Pandurate: Fiddle shaped; obovate with sinus or indentation on each side near the base
and with two small basal lobes.
Pedate: Deeply palmately lobed leaves with lobes arranged like the claw of a bird.
Peltate: Shield shaped with petiole attached to the lower surface of leaf (and not the
margin).
Pilose: Covered with long distinct and scattered hairs
Pinnatifid: The incision is less than halfway towards the midrib.
Pinnatipartite: The incision is more than halfway towards the midrib.
Polyadelphous: Filaments united in more than two groups.
Polyandrous: Stamens free throughout.
Puberulent: Minutely pubescent.
Pubescent: Covered with soft short hairs.
Reniform: Kidney-shaped.
Retroserrate: Teeth pointed downwards.
Retuse: With a slight notch generally from an obtuse apex.
Revolute: Margin rolled down.
Rounded: With a broad arch at the base.
Rugose: With wrinkled surface.
Runcinate: Oblanceolate with lacerate or parted margin.
Sagittate: Shaped like an arrowhead with two basal lobes pointed downwards.
Scabrous: Surface rough due to short rough points.
Scurfy: Covered with scales.
259
Sericeous: Covered with soft silky hairs, all directed towards one side.
Serrate: With sharp teeth pointing upward like saw.
Serrulate: Minutely or finely serrate.
Simple: Single style or stigma resulting from single carpel or fused styles or stigmas.
Sinuate: Margin winding strongly inward as well as outward.
Spathulate (spatulate): Shaped like a spatula, broadest and rounded near the apex,
gradually narrowed towards the base.
Stellate: Covered with branched star-shaped hairs.
Strigose: Covered with stiff appressed hairs pointing in one direction.
Subulate: Awl-shaped, tapering from a broad base to a sharp point
Synandrous: Stamens fused completely through filaments as well as anthers.
Syngenesious (synantherous): Filaments free but anthers connate into a tube.
Terminal style: Arising from the tip of ovary, the most common type.
Tetradynamous: Six stamens, two shorter in outer whorl and four longer in inner
whorl.
Tomentose: Covered with densely matted soft hairs, wooly in appearance.
Truncate: Appearing as if cut straight across.
Undulate (repand, wavy): Margin winding gradually up and down and wavy.
Velutinous: Covered with short velvety hairs.
Versatile: Filament attached nearly at the middle of connective so that anther can swing
freely.
Villous: Covered with long, fine soft hairs, shaggy in appearance
260
GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS USED
Amenorrhea: It is the absence of menstruation – one or more missed menstrual

Periods.
Analgesic: A remedy that relieves or allays pain.
Anorexia: an emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by

refusing to eat.
Anticonvulsant: Used to prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic fits or other

convulsions.
Anthelminthic: used to destroy parasitic worms.
Antitussive: used to prevent or relieve a cough.
antidysentery: tending to relieve a cough.
Antifungal: Used to prevent fungal growth active against fungi.
Antimicrobial: Active against microbes.
Antioxidant: A substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging

oxidizing agents in a living organism.
Antipyretic: Used to prevent or reduce fever.
Anti-scorbutic: Having the effect of preventing or curing scurvy.
Antiseptic: It is a substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms.

They’re frequently used in hospitals and other medical settings to reduce the risk of
infection during surgery and other procedures.
Anti-urolithiatic: Dissolving or preventing the formation of calculi in the kidney,

ureter or bladder.
Aperient: Used to relieve constipation.
Aphrodisiac: A food, drink, or other thing that stimulates sexual desire.
Appetizer: A small dish of food or a drink taken before a meal or the main course of a
meal to stimulate one’s appetite.
261
Abortifacient: Causing abortion.
Arthritis: A disease causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.
Asthma: A respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the

forms lungs, of causing hypersensitivity. Difficulty in breathing. It is usually connected
to allergic reaction or other.
Astringent: Causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues.
Athlete’s form of ring worm foot: A fungal infection affecting mainly the skin between
the toes. It is a form of ring worm.
Blennorrhoea: A mucous discharge, especially from the urethra or vagina.
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes. It typically

causes
Bronchospasm and coughing.
Bruise: an injury appearing as an area of discoloured skin on the body, caused by a

blow or impact rupturing underlying blood vessels.
Carminative: a drug that relieves flatulence.
Chicken box: an infectious disease causing a mild fever and a rash of itchy inflamed
pimples which turn to blisters and then loose scabs. It is caused by the herpes zoster
virus and mainly affects children.
Cholagogue: is a medicinal agent which promotes the discharge of bile from the
system, purging it downward.
Cirrhosis: a chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of cells, inflammation,

and fibrous thickening of tissue. It is typically a result of alcoholism or hepatitis.
Conjunctivitis: inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye.
Constipation: a condition in which there is difficulty in emptying the bowels, usually
associated with hardened faeces.
Convolution: a thing that is complex and difficult to follow.
Cough: expel air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound.
262
Decongestant: used to relieve nasal congestion.
Depurative: used for or capable of depurating; purifying; purgative.
Diabetes: a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone
insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated
levels of glucose in the blood.
Diaphoretic: Sweating, especially to an unusual degree as a symptom of disease or a

side effect of a drug.
Diarrhoea: a condition in which faeces are discharged from the bowels frequently and
in a liquid form.
Diuretic: any drug that increases the flow of urine.
Dizziness: a sensation of spinning around and losing one’s balance.
Dropsy: An old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess
water.
Dysentery: infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhoea with the presence of
blood and mucus in the faeces.
Eczema: a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed with
blisters which cause itching and bleeding.
Emmenagogue: a substance that stimulates or increases menstrual flow.
Emollient: having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.
Epilepsy: a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory

disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical
activity in the brain. Expectorant: a medicine which promotes the secretion of sputum
by the air passages, used to treat coughs.
Febrifuge: a medicine used to reduce fever.
Flatulence: the accumulation of gas in the alimentary canal.
Galactagogue: a food or drug that promotes or increases the flow of a mother’s milk.
Gonorrhoea: an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects both
males and females.
263
Gripe: affect with gastric or intestinal pain.
Haemorrhoid: a swollen vein or group of veins in the region of the anus.
Hepatitis: a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver.
Hypertension: abnormally high blood pressure.
Hypoglycaemia: condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than
normal.
Hypolipidemia: a decrease in plasma lipoprotein caused by primary (genetic) or

secondary
Factors.
Indigestion: pain or discomfort in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting

food. Inflammation: a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes
reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
Insomnia: habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep.
Intermittent fever: pattern of fever in which there is an interval where temperature is

elevated for several hours followed by an interval when temperature drops back to
normal
Laryngitis: inflammation of the larynx, typically resulting in huskiness or loss of the

voice, Harsh breathing, and a painful cough.
Laxative: purgatives, or aperients are substances that loosen stools movements.
Leprosy: a contagious disease that affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves,
causing discoloration and lumps on the skin and, in severe cases, disfigurement and
deformities.
Leucorrhoea: a whitish or yellowish discharge of mucus from the vagina.
Malaria: an intermittent and remittent fever caused by a protozoan parasite which

invades the red blood cells and is transmitted by mosquitoes in many tropical and
subtropical regions.
Measles: an infectious viral disease causing fever and a red rash, typically occurring in
childhood.
264
Meningitis: a serious disease in which there is inflammation of the meninges, caused
byviral or bacterial infection.
Mumps: a contagious and infectious viral disease causing swelling of the parotid
salivary glands in the face, and a risk of sterility in adult males. Oliguria: the production
of abnormally small amounts of urine.
Ophthalmia: inflammation of the eye, especially conjunctivitis.
Phlegm: the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucous membranes of the
respiratory passages, especially when produced in excessive quantities during a cold.
Piles:swollenveins in your anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins.
Postpartum: period begins immediately after childbirth as the mother’s body, including
hormone levels and uterus size, returns to a non-pregnant state.
Psoriasis: a skin disease marked by red, itchy, scaly patches.
Rabies: a contagious and fatal viral disease of dogs and other mammals, transmissible
through the saliva to humans and causing madness and convulsions.
Rheumatism: any disease marked by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or
fibrous tissue, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
Scabies: a contagious skin disease marked by itching and small raised red spots, caused
by the itch mite.
Sinusitis: inflammation of a nasal sinus.
Smallpox: an acute contagious viral disease, with fever and pustules that usually leave
permanent scars.
Sore: painful or aching
Splinters: break or cause to break into small sharp fragments.
Stimulant: a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the

body.
265
ABBREVIATIONS USED
Fl. Alappuzha Dist: Flora of Alappuzha District, Kerala, India
Fl. Brit. India: Flora Of British India
Fl. Pres. Madras: Flora Of Presidency Of Madras
Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut: Manilal and sivaraj, Flora Of Calicut
Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For: Sasidharan N. and V.V. Sivarajan, Flowering
Plants of Thrissur Forest
Sasidh., Fl. Shenduruny WLS: Sasidharan N. Flora of Shenduruny wild life
sanctuary.
Sp. Pl: Species Plantarum
Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist: vajravelu, Flora Of Palghat
266
INDEX TO PLANTS
SL.NO. PLANT NAME FAMILY FIELD

NO.
1 Annona reticulata L. Annonaceae 117
2 Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. ex Hook.f. Annonaceae 75
& Thoms.
3 Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thw. Annonaceae 153
4 Tiliacora acuminata (Poir.) Miers ex Menispermaceae 74
Hook.f. & Thoms.
5 Nasturtium indicum (L.) DC Brassicaceae 77
6 Cleome rutidosperma dc.,R. Capparidaceae 13
7 Cleome viscosa L. Capparidaceae 12
8 Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. Caryophyllacae 134
9 Talinum cuneifolium (Vahl) Willd. Portulacaceae 112
10 Bergia capensis L. Elatinaceae 30
11 Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. Ex D Malvaceae 114
12 Hibiscus vitifolius L. Malvaceae 136
13 Sida veronicaefolia Lam Malvaceae 20
14 Urena sinuata L. Malvaceae 137
15 Melochia corchorifolia L. Sterculiaceae 148
16 Naregamia alata Wight & Arn. Meliaceae 101
17 Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill. Rhamnaceae 94
18 Leea crispa Royen ex L. Vitaceae 82
19 Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Vitaceae 44
20 Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Tiliaceae 116
21 Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. var. Geraniaceae 103
22 Cardiospermum halicacabum L., Sapindaceae 126
23 Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) var. Fabaceae 85
vaginalis.
24 Centrosema molle Benth Fabaceae 9
267
25 Crotalaria striata DC Fabaceae 119
26 Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., Fabaceae 149
27 Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Desv. Fabaceae 57
28 Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC. Fabaceae 106
29 Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Fabaceae 80
30 Pongamia glabra Vent. Fabaceae 72
31 Saraca indica sensu Bedd. Fabaceae 99
32 Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. Fabaceae 79
33 Mimosa pudica L. Fabaceae 10
34 Quisqualis indica L. Combretaceae 122
35 Memecylon malabaricum (Clarke) Melastomaceae 34
Cogn.
36 Ammannia baccifera L. Lythraceae 33
37 Ammannia rotundifolia Buch.Ham. ex Lythraceae 92
Roxb.
38 Rotala malampuzhensis R.V. Nair ex Lythraceae 31
Cook.
39 Jussiaea repens L. Onagraceae 93
40 Ludwigia perennis L. Onagraceae 15
41 Mukia scabrella (L. f.) Arn. Cucurbitaceae 152
42 Trichosanthes cucumerina L. Cucurbitaceae 150
43 Mollugo nudicaulis Lam. Aizoaceae 139
44 Mollugo pentaphylla L. Aizoaceae 4
45 Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoacae 41
46 Canthium coromandelicum (Burm. f.) Rubiaceae 109
47 Chassalia curviflora (Wall. ex Kurz) Rubiaceae 62
Thw.
48 Diodia teres Walter. Rubiaceae 133
49 Ixora coccinea L. Rubiaceae 100
50 Spermacoce ocymoides sensu. Rubiaceae 104
51 Spermacoce hispida L. Rubiaceae 87
52 Spermacoce hirta L. Rubiaceae 66
268
53 Morinda tinctoria Roxb. Rubiaceae 68
54 Mussaenda frondosa L. Rubiaceae 130
55 Oldenlandia corymbosa L. Rubiaceae 128
56 Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae 55
57 Blumea virens Wall. ex DC. Asteraceae 24
58 Blumea wightiana DC. Asteraceae 110
59 Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. Asteraceae 3
60 Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Asteraceae 65
61 Eupatorium odoratum L. Asteraceae 58
62 Grangea maderaspatana (L.). Asteraceae 32
63 Mikania scandens Clarke. Asteraceae 59
64 Sphaeranthus indicus L. Asteraceae 19
65 Spilanthes acmella sensu. Asteraceae 2
66 Spilanthes radicans Jacq. Asteraceae 21
67 Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. Asteraceae 68
68 Tridax procumbens L. Asteraceae 113
69 Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. Asteraceae 140
70 Vicoa indica (L.) DC. Asteraceae 135
71 Wedelia trilobata (L.) Asteraceae 11
72 Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn. Companulaceae 5
73 Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae 95
74 Achras sapota L. Sapotaceae 118
75 Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae 102
76 Jasminum rottlerianum Wall. ex A. DC. Oleaceae 40
77 Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae 144
78 Allamanda cathartica L. Apocynaceae 151
79 Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. Apocynaceae 98
DC.
80 Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. Apocynaceae 50
81 Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. Asclepiadaceae 73
82 Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Asclepiadaceae 48
Wight.
269
83 Limnanthemum cristatum (Roxb.) Gentianaceae 90
Griseb.
84 Limnanthemum indicum (L.) Griseb. Gentianaceae 91
85 Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl. Hydroleaceae 25
86 Coldenia procumbens L. Boraginaceae 39
87 Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae 89
88 Cuscuta reflexa Roxb Convolvulaceae 76
89 Evolvulus nummularius (L.) Convolvulaceae 138
90 Hewittia bicolor (Vahl) Wight & Arn. Convolvulaceae 8
91 Ipomoea cairica (L.) Convolvulaceae 7
92 Ipomoea digitata sensu Clarke. Convolvulaceae 47
93 Merremia hederacea (Burm. f.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae 70
94 Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f. Convolvulaceae 84
95 Physalis angulata L. Solanaceae 52
96 Lindernia antipoda (L.) Scrophulariaceae 28
97 Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.v. Muell Scrophulariaceae 67
98 Limnophila racemosa Benth. Scrophulariaceae 83
99 Scoparia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae 123
100 Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Don, Gen Scrophulariaceae 132
101 Sesamum prostratum Retz. Pedaliaceae 131
102 Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Acanthaceae 107
Wall. ex Nees.
103 Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees. Acanthaceae 1
104 Asystasia violacea Dalz. ex Clarke. Acanthaceae 60
105 Barleria prionitis L. Acanthaceae 64
106 Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Acanthaceae 22
107 Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae 121
108 Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Acanthaceae 38
109 Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Sweet. Acanthaceae 23
110 Ruellia prostrata Poir. Acanthaceae 61
111 Rungia parviflora (Retz.) Nees var. Acanthaceae 49
pectinata (L.) Clarke.
270
112 Citharexylum spinosum L. Verbenaceae 45
113 Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Ktze. Verbenaceae 43
114 Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Verbenaceae 56
115 Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae 143
116 Lippia nodiflora (L.) A.Rich. Verbenaceae 88
117 Stachytarpheta indica sensu Clarke Verbenaceae 147
118 Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Ktze. Lamiaceae 142
119 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae 146
120 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. Lamiaceae 17
121 Pogostemon quadrifolius (Benth.) Lamiaceae 108
F.Muell.
122 Orthosiphon glabratus Benth. Lamiaceae 78
123 Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctaginaceae 127
124 Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. Amaranthaceae 120
125 Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) Amaranthaceae 53
Voss.
126 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex. Amaranthaceae 46
DC.
127 Cyathula prostrata (L.) Amaranthaceae 53
128 Polygonum barbatum L. Polygonaceae 71
129 Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth. Piperaceae 129
130 Breynia rhamnoides (Retz.) Muell. Euphorbiaceae 105
131 Croton bonplandianus Baill. Euphorbiaceae 145
132 Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae 63
133 Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell.Arg. Euphorbiaceae 51
134 Phyllanthus niruri sensu. Euphorbiaceae 14
135 Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. Urticaceae 115
136 Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud. Urticaceae 141
137 Acampe wightiana Lindl. Orchidaceae 81
138 Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Amaryllidaceae 42
139 Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Pontederiaceae 96
140 Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Presl. Pontederiaceae 27
271
141 Commelina benghalensis L. Commelinaceae 35
142 Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don. Commelinaceae 36
143 Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan. Commelinaceae 26
144 Pothos scandens L. Araceae 111
145 Cyperus maderaspatanus Willd. cyperaceae 155
146 Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Cyperaceae 6
Kunth.
147 Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl. Cyperaceae 16
148 Fuirena glomerata Lam. Cyperaceae 18
149 Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. Cyperaceae 154
150 Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin. Poaceae 124
272
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A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON TAXONOMY, MEDICINAL USES AND

INVASIVE NATURE OF ANGIOSPERMS IN PATTITHARA

GRAMAPANCHAYATH, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,

CHRIST COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), IRINJALAKUDA

(Affiliated to University of Calicut)

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BOTANY

Reg. No: CCATMBT011

Under the guidance of,

Prof. JACOB ABRAHAM PULIKAL

POST GRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

CHRIST COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), IRINJALAKUDA

CHRIST COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), IRINJALAKUDA

(Affiliated to University of Calicut & Nationally accredited with 'A' grade)

This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Irinjalakuda Prof. E. J. Vincent

P.G. Department of Botany

CHRIST COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), IRINJALAKUDA

(Affiliated to University of Calicut & Nationally accredited with 'A' grade)

This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Irinjalakuda Prof. Jacob Abraham Pulikal

I hereby declare that the dissertation work entitled “A PRELIMINARY STUDY

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY 5

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 6-11

5. MAP OF STUDY AREA 13

6. MATERIALS AND METHODS 14

7. ENUMERATION OF DATA 15-213

8. RESULT AND DISCUSSION 214-253

9. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 254-255

10. GLOSSARY OF TAXONOMIC TERMINOLOGIES USED 256-260

11. GLOSSARY OF MEDICINAL TERMS USED 261-265

12. ABBREVIATIONS USED 266

13. INDEX TO PLANTS 268-272

14. REFERENCE 273-280

The plants whose population grows predominantly in situations markedly distributed by

❖ Preliminary Taxonomic Investigation on the Angiosperms of Pattithara

❖ Enumeration of species, find out dominant families, genera, and preparation of

❖ Catalogue the plants having medicinal values.

❖ Identification of Invasive species that cause major problem.

❖ Preparation of reference herbaria.

Floristic diversity can be defined as diversity

Floristic diversity of Angiosperms in the proposed site of Aranmula internatinal airport

The scientific investigation of floristic diversity in Western Ghats of Kurusumala

The invasive alien angiosperm diversity from Bivapur tahsil by Deshmukh U. B. et al

Deshmukh U.B., M. B. Shende O. S. Rathor (2016) Documented the invasive alien of

Wagh V. V. and Ashok K. Jain (2018) documented the ethnobotanical information of

Vast majority of people on earth still rely on their

Studies on the medicinal plants of Ayvacik Canakkle in Turkey (Uysal I. et al 2012).

Schlage C. et al (2000) documented the medicinal plants of Washambaa (Tanzania). Total

Taxonomic investigation of leafy vegetables growing throughout the Santahar Pourosova

An ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by traditional healers in silent vally

Praveenkumar K. (2018) conducted a survey in Madathody Nagakavu in Ottapalam

Ethnomedicinal study of plants used in the Nelliyampathy hills of Kerala, India

Randomized survey of medicinal plants used by folk Medicinal practitioners in Comilla

soil include laterite, clay and sandy soil.

Flora and fauna

1. Arikkad 10. Dharmagiri

2. Pooleri 11. Vattenad

3. Pattithara 12. Mala

4. Chittappuram 13. Kottappadam

5. Aloor 14. Thalakkassery

6. Thanakkad 15. Thozukkara

7. Venkara 16. Angadi

8. Kasamukku 17. Kokkad