Relevance Of Sacred Groves In Kerala Urbanscape/ Chapter 4:Biotic Aspects Of Sacred Groves

Chapter 4: BIOTIC ASPECTS OF SACRED GROVES IN KERALA

4.1 Flora and vegetation
The general floristic composition and physiognomy of vegetation of the sacred groves are typically like the low level evergreen forest. The
vegetation in undisturbed groves is luxuriant and comprises several stories of trees mixed with shrubs, Lianes and herbs. The ground is
humus laden and covered with litter. Macro-fungus are abundant, so also ferns. Whenever there is a water body algae and water plants
grow gregariously. Floristic variations have occurred in many sacred groves exposed to human and animal interferencesand climatic and
edaphic changes.
Top canopy is represented by species like Artocarpus hirsutus, Vateria indica, Hopea parviflora, Hopea ponga, Alstonia scholaris etc.
Second storey consists of Macaranga peltata, Mimusops elengi, Hydnocarpus wightiana, Holigarna arnottiana etc. Commonlianas are
Strychnos colubrina, Anamirta cocculus, Tetracera ak ara, Acacia intsia etc. Chassalia curviflora, lxora nigricans, Ixora brachiata are
constituents of the shrubby layer. The ground layer is usually formed of seasonalmembers as, Centella asiatica, Aerva lanata,
Andrographis paniculata, Biophytum sensitivum. Common climbersare Calamus spp, Anamirta cocculus. Strychnos colubrina,
Calycopteris floribunda etc. Other climbers commonlyfound in these groves belong to Vitaceae. Menispermaceae.Asclepiadaceae and
Apocynaceae. Total parasites like Cassytha filiformis and semiparasites like Loranthus spp, are also common. Common constituents of the
shrubbylayer include species like Memecylon umbellatum, Pavetta indica, Chassalia ophioxyloides, lxora spp etc. Theground layer is
usually thickly populated with species which prefer humus and love shade. Along with a fewangiosperms, ferns, Selaginellas and many
macrofungi like species of Agaricus, etc. occur. Dead trunks of fallentrees harbor a variety of Polyporales. especially species of Fomes and
Polyporus as is common in Iringole Kavu.
Typical evergreen elements of the tree layer of these sacred groves are Artocarpus hirsutus, Hopea parviflora, Mesua ferrea, Vateria
indica, Ficus spp etc. There are also a few semi evergreen representatives like Fagraea ceylanica, Murraya exotica, Samadera indica etc.
A few deciduous and semideciduous members also are seen.Semideciduous representatives are species of Cinnamomum, Syzygium
cumiini, Litsea spp, Mangifera indica etc. Mallotus philippensis, Dillenia pentagyna and Trema orientalis are some of the deciduous
species.
Semi-evergreen representatives are found among the undergrowth also, common members being Pavetta indica, Curcuma aromatica,
Nephrolepis spp etc. Epiphytic orchids like Vanda spathulata, Vanda tessellata, andBulbophyllum spp are also common.
Some characteristic morphological adaptations accompany the members of the sacred groves. Broad prominent buttresses are seen in most
of the trees like Ficus spp, Hopea parviflora etc. which attain enormous heights with tall bole, the branches confining to the top most
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A very interesting constituent of the sacred groves is represented by members of the typical mangroves swampfound in poorly drained
regions of South Travancore with a very long rainy season. Common members represented are Myristica magnifica with prominent dense
stilt roots, Myristica malabarica. Hydnocarpus spp. Eugenia spp. etc. These members are known to develop a high profile of humidity in
the surroundings their presence in certain groves is justified as they promote luscious growth of undergrowth mostly members of Araceae,
Urticaceae. Zingiberaceae, Acanthaceae etc The exact physiological implication behind this high humidity is not experimentally proved,
though it may be ascribed to very high transpiration rates of the leaves of these trees.

4.1.1 Climbers common in sacred groves

1. Abrus precatorius L.
2. Acacia intsia W & A
3. Ampelocissus arnottiana Planch.
4. Anamirta cocculus (L) W&A
5. Asparagus racemosus Willd.
6. Calycopteris floribunda Lam.
7. Cissus pallida L.
8. Coccinia cordifolia (L.) Cong.
9. Combretum latifolium Blume.
10. Cyclea peltata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thoms
11. Dioscorea pentaphylla L.
12. Gloriosa superba L.
13. Gnetum ula Brongn
14. Ichnocarpus.frutescens (L) R. Brown.
15. Ipomoea albaL.
16. Jasminum angustifolium (L) Vahl.
17. Kunstleria k eralensis Mohanan et Nair
18. Mik ania cordata (Burm. f) Robins.
19. Morinda umbellata L.
20. Moullava spicata (Dalz.) Nicolson
21. Mucuna gigantea DC.
22. Myxopyrum serratulum A.W. Hill

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23. Naravelia zeylanica (L) DC.

24. Passiflora.foetida L.
25. Piper longum L.
26. Piper nigrum L.
27. Quisqualis indica L.
28. Sarcostigma k leinii W&A
29. Smilax zeylanica L.
30. Ziziphus rugosa Lam.

4.1.2 Epiphytes and parasites common in sacred groves

1. Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt.& Mc Cann

2. Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wight
3. Cleisostoma tenuifolium (L.) Garay
4. Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) SW
5. Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl.
6. Dendrobium macrostachyum Lindl.
7. Gastrochilus acaulis (Lindl.) Kuntze
8. Luisia zeylanica Lindl.
9. Polystachya concreta

4.1.3Endemic plants common in the sacred groves

1. Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.
2. Artocarpus integrifolia L.
3. Blepharistemma membranifolia(Miq) Ding Hou.
4. Calophyllum apetalum Willd.
5. Calotropis procera R. Br.
6. Cardiospermum halicacabum L
7. Centella asiatica Urb.
8. Coffea travancorensis W. & A.

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9. Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott.

10. Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
11. Datura stramonium L
12. Desmodium gangeticum DC.
13. Desmos lawii (J.Hook .f. & Thoms) Safford.
14. Dioscorea bulbifera L.
15 Ecbolium viride (Frossk) Alston.
16. Ervatamia heyneana (Wall) Cooke
17. Eugenia sp.
18. Eupatorium odoratum L.
19. Evolvulus alsinoides L.
20. Geophila repens (L) Johnston
21. Glycosmis pentaphylla Corr.
22. Grewia microcos L.
23. Hemidesmus indicus R. Br.
24. Hibiscus aculeatus Roxb.
25. Holigarna arnottiana J.H.K..
26. Holigarna beddomei J.H.K.
27. Hopea parviflora Bedd.
28. Hopea ponga (Dennst) Mabb.
29. lxora brachiata Roxb.
30. Ixora coccinea L.
31. lxora lanceolaria Hook.f.
32. Ixora nigricans R. Brown ex Wight & Arm
33. Justicia simplex D.Don
34. Kunstleria k eralensis Mohanan & Nair
35. Lantana camara L.
36. Leea indica (Burm. E) Merr.
37. Leucas aspera Spr.
38. Liparis viridiflora Lindl.
39. Litsea fioribunda (BI) Gamble

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40. Madhuca neriifolia (Moon) H. j. Lam

41. Mallotus philippensis M. Arg.
42. Melastoma malabathricum L.
43. Memecylon edule Roxb.
44. Memecylon heyneanum Benth.
45. Memecylon utnbellatum Burro. F..
46. Mesua ferrea L.
47. Mimosa pudica L.
48. Moullava spicata (Dulz) Nicolson.
49. Murraya paniculata (L) Jacq.
50. Mussaenda belilla Buch. - Ham.
51. Mussaenda laxa (J.H.K) Hutch ex. Gamble
52. Myristica malabarica, Lam.
53. Naregamia alata W&A"
54. Neolitsea zeylanica Meisn.
55. Nothopegia colebrook eana (Wight) Blume.
56. Ophiorrhiza tnungos L.
57. Pandanus furcatus Roxb.
58. Pavetta indica L.
59. Psychotria curviflora Wall ex Roxb.
60. Rauvolfia canescens L.
61. Santalum album L.
62. Sida carpinifolia L.f.
63. Sida cordifolia L.
64. Sida rhombifolia L.
65. Solanum xanthocarpum Sch&W
66. Stachytarpheta indica Vahl.
67. Tephrosia tinctoria (L) Pets.
68. Terminalia paniculata Roth.

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4.2Fauna
Animals associated with sacred groves are of two categories. Those which inhabit the groves and those which visit them. Snakes of
different categories, frogs, lizards, millipedes, termites, ants earth worms, and snails form a very important component of the sacred grove
ecosystem. Termites, ants and earth worms play an important role in the make up of the soil. Many birds like crows, kites, owls, herons,
mynas, parrots, humming birds etc. nest in these sacred groves. Bats, humming birds and insects like mosquitoes, wasps, honey-bees,
butterflies and beetles seem to be closely connected with pollination mechanism of various plants. Monkeys, most of the birds, rodents like
rats. mice. bandicoots, squirrels, mongoose, hares which are also inhabitants of these sacred groves help the plants in dispersal of seeds
and fruits. As an ecosystem, sacred groves help in soil and water conservation besides preserving biological wealth. The ponds and streams
usually adjoining the groves are perennial water sources. Many animals and birds resort to them for their water requirements during
summer. These groves are good repositories of humus, which is formed by litter decomposition. The nutrients generated in the groves find
their way into the adjoining agroecosystems like paddy fields, tapioca and rubber plantations. The floral diversity of these groves is very
high. It is also interesting to note that particularly some members are represented in most of the groves.

4.3 Ecosystem services

Sacred groves deliver a number of ecosystem services. The benefit conferred, when compared with their small size, is relatively
greater. Generally kavus provide a variety of ecological services such as
1. Our kavus are isolated patches of evergreen forests. As a biological resource, each kavu has its individuality. Rare species of
plants exist in them. The animals depending on them also find kavus as refugia. that small wilderness patches in man-modified tropical
landscapes can act as biodiversity inocula.
2. Plants in the groves increase the quantity of oxygen in the village atmosphere. Transpiration will increase humidity in the
immediate vicinity and provide a more favourable microclimate for many organisms. The humidity and the cool atmosphere are blessings
for the villagers. Plants absorb dust. Hence the grove acts as the lungof the village.
3. Kavu prevents the spreading of desiccation and reduces the incidence and intensity of fire, at least in some terrains as in the
midland laterite beds in the region.
4. Forests form our main watershed areas. Groves are as good as rain forests in storing ground water, and are providing more
dependable sources of water for the organisms inside as well as in the neighbourhood. Almost all sacred groves contain water in the form
of groundwater, springs, pools, lakes or streams. The vegetation enables replenishment of groundwater resources. Rivers originating in the
midland in this region are perennial partly owing to the sacred groves. Groves are also helpful in sustaining freshwater springs that empty
into water bodies situated near salt water.

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5. Fertility of the soil in the vicinity of groves is increased by the humus from them. During monsoon these organic matters even
reach the coastal sea to sustain fish fauna. When litter accumulates, organic materials build the soil and are returned to the biomass of the
standing forest. In this process, many micro-organisms, invertebrates, fungi etc., will flourish and many species not found in the
ploughed fields and secondary forests are present in the groves.
6. There are many species, such as Adapathiyan, Ilippa, Eenthal, which directly give us food. Groves play an important role in
maintaining the food chain in the locality, harbouring a variety of forms ranging from micro-organisms in the humus to large plants and
animals. The bird population in the groves help control the agricultural pests.
7. Medicinal plants, fast disappearing from the homesteads, are still preserved in several groves. They can be used for further
propagation. A variety of seedlings of medicinal plants are available in various groves.
8. Plants like Kammatti, Cherikkotta etc. are raw materials used by traditional artisans among the villagers.
9. Above all, the groves are surviving gene pools. They are important in preserving the genetic diversity of the wild ancestors and
allies of the cultivars and of indigenous fauna. Wild varieties of pepper, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, etc.,
10. Groves can promote eco-aesthetics. Groves have to be maintained as centres of social and cultural prospect as in the past. They
will be useful as study centres for historical researchers

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