Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208

ISSN 2348-6236 print /2348-3075 online

Malaya
Journal of RESEARCH ARTICLE
Biosciences
www.malayabiosciences.com

Open Access Full Text Article

Floristic diversity and conservation status of

Ammankkuruchi reserve forest, Pudukkottai district,
Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy

Associate Professor, PG and Research Department of Botany, Alagappa Govt. Arts College, Karaikudi - 620 020.
For correspondence: [email protected]

Article Info: Received 30 Nov 2015; Revised: 24 Dec 2015; Accepted 30 Dec 2015.

ABSTRACT
The present study has been carried out in Ammankuruchi reserve forest (RF) in Ponnamaravathy taluk of
Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India, to document the current floristic composition and conservation
status of the forest area. A total of 145 species belonging to 124 genera and 50 families were recorded from
the study area. Out of the recorded 50 families 49 were angiosperms and 1 was Pteridophyte (Marsileaceae).
The monocots were represented by 27 (18.62 %) species belonging to 23 genera and 11 families, and dicots
contributing 117 (81.25%) species belonging to 100 genera and 38 families. Based on habit classification of
the enumerated plants, the majority of species were herbs 78 (53.79%) followed by 27 (18.62%) shrubs, 23
(15.86%) climbers and the rest 17 (11.72%) were trees. Of all the documented plant species, 1 species
(Albiziaamara) was abundant. Euphorbiaceae with 7 genera and 10 species and Rubiaceae with 7 genera and 9
species were the dominant families followed by Poaceae and Asteraceae each with 8 genera and 8 species in
terms of number whereas Rubiaceae was followed by Poaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae in terms of
abundance. In the present study, out of 145 species recorded, 2 species namely Hildegardia populifolia and
Cayratia pedata were critically endangered, 12 species were nearly threatened, 11 species were vulnerable and
the remaining 120 species were categorized as least concern. The 3 species namely Barleria acuminata,
Habenaria plantaginea and Habenaria roxburghii were endemic to South India. Threat to Ammankuruchi RF
is discussed.

Keywords: Ammankuruchi, Conservation status, Floristic diversity, Invasive species, Pudukkottai, Reserve
forest

1. INTRODUCTION development. The anthropogenic disturbances such as

habitat destruction, over exploitation, pollution and
The vast diversity of life on earth is essential for species introduction greatly affect the biodiversity
ecosystem function and stability. Biodiversity forms a and structural characteristics of a community resulted
support system for human survival and economic in biodiversity loss. Biodiversity documentation,
well-being over thousands of years and which has analysis, conservation and finding enhancement
been used by each civilization for its growth and strategies is considered to be one of the important

Floristic diversity and conservation status of Ammankkuruchi reserve forest, Pudukkottai district, Tamilnadu
Copyright © 2015 MJB
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challenges in present day conservation biology Pudukkottai district has a geographical area cover of
research and policy making process. It has been 4651 Km2 out of which 78 Km2 is moderately dense
carried out in different ecosystem from plains to forest and 177 Km2 is open forest with an total of
mountains all over the world since knowledge of its 255 Km2 which accounts for 5.48% of the geographic
structure and function is necessary for sustainable use area of the district. The total forest cover (RF, reserve
and to maintain species richness for future land and social forestry) is estimated to be 15.2% of
generations. India, a tropical country is one of the the total geographical area of the district and the
world’s top 12 mega diversity countries [1] with 10 forests of the district are verdant and virgin forests
biogeographic regions which are mostly tropical and are said to be several million years old. The
moist and dry deciduous forests. These forests are the forests consist of trees, smaller trees, climbers,
most diverse from the floristic point of view which shrubs, valuable herbs, orchids, canes, indigenous
are seen as relicts of the ancient vegetation, generally palms and it is also rich in algae, fungi, lichens,
rich in plant diversity [2, 3] are disappearing at bryophytes, and pteridophytes [4]. The district is not
alarming rates owing to deforestation and shifting only rich in floristic diversity but also harbors many
cultivation operation [4]. Forest degradation is wildlife species of mammals, birds, reptiles,
considered one of the most serious environmental and amphibians, and fishes.
economic problems for many countries in the tropical
and sub-tropical regions of the globe [5, 6]. About Though the present study site does not fall in hot-
72.1% of existing Indian forest has lost the capacity spot it has its own importance. Ammankuruchi RF is
for regeneration [7].Hence, the government of India located in Ponnamaravathytaluk, Pudukkottai district,
announced these forests as RFs in order to conserve Tamil Nadu. It is one of the patch RFs in
the biodiversity of forests. RFs, a representative Pudukkottai district and has a forest cover of 336.82
example of biodiversity indigenous to an area is a hectares. Rapid increase in land development,
portion of state land where commercial harvesting of extensive agricultural and quarrying operations in
wood products is excluded in order to capture and around RFs poses significant challenges to the
elements of biodiversity that can be missing from survivability and sustainability of Ammankuruchi RF
sustainably harvested sites. RFs may be either large native ecosystem. These activities have caused
(matrix) that represent the diversity of relatively un- extensive degradation to native plant communities
fragmented forest landscapes, extensive leaving remnant native lands. Therefore, the floristic
accumulations of large woody debris and present diversity of these native lands is changing and a study
remaining or small(patch) which represent localized to assess the current floristic composition is needed.
resources such as steep slopes, fragile soils, habitat Floristic composition of Narthamalai RF has been
for certain rare species and conserve sensitive species reported [4] but Ammankuruchi RF have not been
that benefit from intact forest canopies. studied to date. Keeping in view the importance of
the RF, the present study is therefore, attempted to
The total geographical area of the Tamil Nadu create a current plant species list along with their
State is 130,058 km2 which constitutes 3.96% local names, family, habit, IUCN status and
geographical area of the country. The recorded geographic origin (invasive or native) which can be
forests area is 22,877 km², which constitutes 17.59 % utilized in the future for technological advancement,
of the geographic area of the state. Reserved Forests economic prosperity and providing employment
comprise 84.75 %, protected forests, 9.54 % and opportunity to the local people.
Unclassified Forests, 5.71 %. Major forest types
occurring in the State are Tropical Wet Evergreen, 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Tropical Semi-Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous,
Littoral and Swamp, Tropical Dry Deciduous, 2.1. Study area
Tropical Thorn, Sub-Tropical Broadleaved and
Montane Wet Temperate forests [8]. Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District is located between 78.25' and
one of the District of Tamil Nadu stateconsists 79.15' of the East of Longitude and between 9.50' and
mainly of rich scrub jungles varied and crowded 10.40' of the North of Latitude and bounded by
vegetation, majestic undulating hills with Tiruchirappalli district in the North and
surrounding plains, nowhere of great fertility and in West, Sivaganga district in the South, Bay of Bengal
many parts barren and it is interspersed with in the East and Thanjavur district in the North East.
rocky hills, especially in the southwest. As per The climate of the district is hot with the temperature
the 2011 Tamil Nadu state report of forest [8], range from 19° C to 38° and with low rainfall of
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922.8 mm out of which 52.2 mm is received in Flora of Tamil Nadu [13]. Unidentified specimens or
winter, 124.6 mm is received in hot weather period, photographs were taken to the Rapinant Herbarium,
351.9 mm is received during South West Monsoon
and 394.1 mm is received in North East Monsoon.
The altitude is about 87.78 meters (288 feet).
Pudukkottai district is comprised of 9 taluks, 13
development blocks (Alangudi, Aranthangi,
Arimalam, Avadaiyarkoil, Gandarvakottai,
Karambakkudi, Kottaipattinam, Kulathur, Illuppur,
Manamelkudi, Ponnamaravathy, Pudukkottaiand
Thirumayam)and 764 revenue villages. The summer
is from March to May, followed by the south-west
monsoon from June to September. October and
November constitute the post-monsoon or retreating
monsoon season with frequent thunderstorms.
December to February is the north-east monsoon
season, and in the remaining months the weather is
generally bright. The soil of the district is broadly
classified into 2 major groups, namely red, clay and
alluvium soils. The black colour of the forest soil is
mainly due to high contents of humus and minerals.
The AmmankurichiRF is located at Ponnamaravathy
taluk which is 50km away from Pudukkottai. The
Coordinates of the Ammankurichi RF is 10°20'43"N
Latitude and 78°32'8"E Longitude. The total
population of the residents inhabited around the RF
was approximately 2720. The RF has an forest cover
of 336.82 hectares (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Location map of study area
2.2. Field Survey
Trichirappalli for proper identification and matching
An extensive and intensive floristic survey of of the specimens.
Ammankurichi RF was carried out at one month
intervals for 2 years from January 2012 to December 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
2014 covering 336.82 hectares of area. The area was
surveyed at every visit by walking the entire area of The present study has been carried out in
the RF. The survey was spread across the seasons so Ammankuruchi RF in Ponnamaravathytaluk of
as to get maximum information. During survey of Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India, to document
plants a closer examination of each and every area the current floristic composition and conservation
feet by feet was made in order to avoid skipping of status of the Forest area.
any plant species.
3.1. Plant species and their Habits
2.3. Identification, preservation and creation of
Plant species list Taxonomically, a total of 145 species belonging to
124 genera and 50 families have been recorded from
Standard method was followed with regard to the study area of Ammankurichi scrub dry RFs (Table
collection of plant materials, drying, preparation and 1). Out of the recorded 50 families 49 were
preservation of plant specimens [9]. Specimens of angiosperms and 1 was Pteridophyte (Marsileaceae).
collected plants are preserved in the Botany The monocots were represented by 27 (18.62 %)
department herbarium. The Plant specimens were species belonging to 23 genera and 11 families, and
identified using various regional floras viz., Flora of dicots contributing 117 (81.25%) species belonging
British India [10], Flora of the presidency of Madras to 100 genera and 38 families. Based on habit
[11], The flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic [12] and classification of the enumerated plants, the majority
of species were herbs 78 (53.79%) followed by 27
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Table 1. Floristic composition of Ammankkuruchi reserve forest.

S.No. Family Botanical Name Vernacular name Habit IUCN Category

Status

1 Acanthaceae Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth. Netthirappoondu Herb NT NATIVE

Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.) Nees. Kattunayakacceti Herb LC NATIVE

Ecbolium ligustrinum (Vahl) Vollesen. Pachai kanakambaram Herb NT NATIVE

Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Nirkkumpicceti Herb NT NATIVE

Heine.
Justicia simplex D. Don. Not recorded Herb LC NATIVE

2 Agavaceae Agave americana L. Kattukkatalai, Herb LC INVASIVE

Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw. Parukikkarralai Herb LC INVASIVE

Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Marul Herb LC NATIVE

Schult.f.

3 Amaranthaceae Achyranthus aspera L. Naaiyuruvi Herb LC NATIVE

Aerva javanica (Burm.F.) Juss. Ex Not recorded Herb LC INVASIVE

Schult.
Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. Ex. Shultz. Poolaipoo Herb LC NATIVE

Allmania nodiflora (L.) R.Br. Ex Vannikkeerai Herb LC NATIVE

Wight.
Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Not recorded Herb LC INVASIVE
Griseb.
Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br.Ex Ponnanganii Prostrate LC NATIVE
DC. herb
Celosia cristata L. Pannaikeerai Herb NT NATIVE

4 Apocynaceae Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don. Nithyakalyani Herb LC NATIVE

Gomphrena globosa L. Vaadaamalli Herb LC NATIVE

5 Aponogetonaceae Aponogeton natans (L.) Engl. & Kottikilangu Herb NT NATIVE

Krause.
6 Arecaceae Borassus flabellifer L. Panai Tree LC NATIVE

7 Asclepidaceae Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br Arukku Shrub LC NATIVE

Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) Haw. Kallimulayan Herb NT NATIVE

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) Schult. Nannari Climber NT NATIVE

Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. Sirukkurinja Climber VU NATIVE

Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt. Kodikalli Climber LC NATIVE

Wattakaka volubilis (L.F.) Stapf. Perunkurinja Shrub LC NATIVE

8 Asteraceae Acanthospermum hispidum DC. Mullichedi Herb LC INVASIVE

Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) Poompillu Herb LC INVASIVE

R.M.King & H.Rob.

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Ageratum conyzoides L. Poompillu Herb LC INVASIVE

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Karusalanganni Herb LC INVASIVE

Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Muyalccevi Herb LC NATIVE

Parthenium hysterophorus L. Parthenium Herb LC INVASIVE

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. Neichattipoondu Herb LC INVASIVE

Xanthium strumarium L. Marulumathai Tree LC INVASIVE

9 Boraginaceae Heliotropium indicum L. Thelkodukkuchedi Herb LC NATIVE

10 Cactaceae Cereus pterogonus Lem. Railkalli Shrub LC NATIVE

11 Caesalpiniaceae Cassia roxburghii DC. Kondrai maram Tree LC NATIVE

Pterolobium hexapetalum (Roth.) Karu indu Str-Shrub LC NATIVE

Santapau & Wagh.

12 Capparidaceae Cleome viscosa L. Naikkadugu Herb LC NATIVE

13 Cassythaceae Cassytha filiformis L. Kottankodi Climber LC NATIVE

14 Commelinaceae Commelina benghalensis L. Kanavalai Herb LC NATIVE

Commelina communis Eugelm. EX Not recorded Herb LC NATIVE

Kunth.
Cyanotis cristata (L.) Don. Kutirai kulampati Herb LC NATIVE
15 Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides L Vishnukranthi Creeper LC NATIVE

Ipomoea carnea (Mart. Ex Choisy.) Not recorded Climber LC INVASIVE

Austin.
Ipomoea sepiaria Roxb. Talikkodi Twiner LC NATIVE

16 Cucurbitaceae Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrader. Komatti Trailer LC NATIVE

Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt. Kovai Climber LC NATIVE

Coccinia trilobata (Cogn.) C.Jeffrey. Koval Climber LC NATIVE

17 Cyperaceae Bulbostylis barbata Rottb. Mukkorraikkorai Herb LC NATIVE

Chloris barbata SW. Cevvarakupul Herb LC NATIVE

Cyperus rotundus L. Korai kilangu Herb LC NATIVE

Cyperus triceps (Rottb.) Endl. Korai Herb LC NATIVE

Cyperus tuberosus Rottb. Neerkkorai Herb LC NATIVE

Kyllinga nemoralis (J.R.Forst. & Velutta nirbasi Herb LC NATIVE

G.Forst.) Dandy ex Hutch. & Dalziel.

18 Ehretiaceae Ehretia microphylla Lam. Kattu vetrilai Shrub VU NATIVE

19 Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon cinereum R.Br. Not recorded Herb LC NATIVE

20 Euphorbiaceae Acalypha indica L. Kuppaimeni Herb LC NATIVE

Croton bonplandianum Baill. Reilpoondu Herb LC INVASIVE

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Euphorbia antiquorum L. Chathurakkalli Shrub LC NATIVE

Euphorbia corrigioloides Boiss. Not recorded Shrub LC NATIVE

Euphorbia hirta L. Ammanpachaiarisi Herb LC INVASIVE

Euphorbia tortilis Rottler. Tirukkalli Shrub NT NATIVE

Jatropha gossypifolia L. Kattamanakku Shrub LC INVASIVE

Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thenn. Kilanelli Herb LC INVASIVE

Jatropha curcas L. Vellamanakku Shrub LC NATIVE

Securinega leucopyrus (Willd.) Vellaipoola Shrub LC NATIVE

Muell.-Arg.

21 Fabaceae Abrus precatorius L. Kundumani Climber LC NATIVE

Aeschynomene aspera L. Kidaichchi Herb LC NATIVE

Alysicarpus monilifer (L.) DC Ottupullu Herb LC NATIVE

Clitoria ternatea L. Sanguppu Climber LC NATIVE

Indigofera linnaei Ali. Cenneruncil Herb NT NATIVE

Mucuna pruriens (L).DC. Totadulagondi Climber NT NATIVE

22 Flinderaceae Chloroxylon swietenia DC. Vammaram Tree LC NATIVE

23 Hyacinthaceae Urginea indica (Roxb) Kunth. Kaattuvengayam Herb VU NATIVE

24 Hypoxidaceae Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Kurumpalaikkilanku Herb VU NATIVE

25 Lamiaceae Anisochilus carnosus Wall. Karpooravalli Erect VU NATIVE

herb
Anisomeles indica (L.) O.Kuntze. Vattapeymarutti Herb LC NATIVE

Geniosporum tenuiflorum (L.) Merrill. Marumatikkoluntu Herb LC NATIVE

Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. Thumbai Herb LC NATIVE

Ocimum americanum L. Naaithulasi Herb LC NATIVE

Ocimum sanctum L. Thulasi Herb LC NATIVE

26 Liliaceae Aloe barbadensis Mill. Chotthukatthalai Herb LC NATIVE

Gloriosa superba L. Kalappaikizhangu Climber VU NATIVE

27 Lythraceae Lawsonia inermis L. Maruthani Shrub LC NATIVE

28 Malvaceae Abelmoschus ficulneus (L.) Wight & Kaatuvendai Un-shrub LC NATIVE

Arn.
Hildegardia populifolia Schott & Malaipoovarasu Tree CR NATIVE
Endl.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Semparuthi Shrub LC NATIVE

Pavonia zeylanica Cav. Kuruntotti Un-Shrub LC NATIVE

Sida acuta Burm.f. Malaitangi Un-Shrub LC NATIVE

29 Marsilaceae Marsiliea quadrifolia L. Aarakkeerai Herb LC NATIVE

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30 Menispermaceae Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels. Kattukkodi Climber LC NATIVE

31 Mimosaceae Acacia arabica Sensu Baker. Karuvelaamaram Tree VU NATIVE

Acacia horrida (L.) Willd. Kakkamul Shrub LC NATIVE

Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Vellaivelan Tree LC NATIVE

Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd.. Ex Del. Velanmaram Tree LC NATIVE

Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boivin. Usil Tree LC NATIVE

Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn. Karukavimaram Tree LC NATIVE

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. Vellikkaruvai Tree LC INVASIVE

32 Molluginaceae Mollugo pentaphylla L. Turapoondu Herb LC NATIVE

33 Moraceae Ficus bengalensis L. Aalamaram Tree LC NATIVE

34 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Eucalyptus Tree LC NATIVE

35 Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia diffusa L. Saaranai Keerai Creeper LC INVASIVE

Mirabilis jalapa L. Anthimantharai Herb LC NATIVE

36 Oleaceae Jasminum angustifolium Vahl. Kaattumalli Climber LC NATIVE

Jasminum grandiflorum L. Sadimalligai Climber LC NATIVE

37 Onagraceae Ludwigia parviflora Roxb. Neerkirambu Herb NT NATIVE

38 Orchidaceae Habenaria plantaginea Lindl. Valikizhangu Herb VU NATIVE

Habenaria roxburghii Nicolson Valikizhangu Herb VU NATIVE

39 Pedaliaceae Martynia annua L. Telkotukki Herb LC INVASIVE

Pedalium murex L. Aanai nerunji Herb LC INVASIVE

40 Poaceae Agropyron repens Beauv. Naaippul Herb LC NATIVE

Aristida adscenscionis L. Periya thudappampillu Herb LC NATIVE

Brachiaria ramosa Stapf. Not recorded Herb LC NATIVE

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Arugampullu Herb LC NATIVE

Cyperus tuberosus Rottb. Neerkkorai Herb LC NATIVE

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. Mattankayppul Herb LC NATIVE

Saccharum spontaneum L. Naanal Herb LC NATIVE

Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase. Pullu Herb LC NATIVE

41 Rhamnaceae Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Elanthai Tree LC NATIVE

Zizyphus oenoplia (L.) Miller. Soorai Tree LC NATIVE

42 Rubiaceae Canthium coromandelicum N. Burm. Kaarai Shrub LC NATIVE

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Canthium parviflorum Roxb. Nallakkaarai Shrub LC NATIVE

Carissa carandas L. Kilakkaay Shrub LC NATIVE

Carissa spinarum L. Cirukala Shrub LC NATIVE

Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Madukarei Shrub LC NATIVE

Tirveng.
Ixora nigricans Br. Mashagani Shrub NT NATIVE

Oldenlandia herbacea (L.) Roxb. Parpadagam Herb LC NATIVE

Pavetta indica L. Vellaippavattai Shrub LC NATIVE

Spermacoce hispida L. Nathaichuri Herb LC NATIVE

43 Rutaceae Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Ex. Vilvam Tree VU NATIVE

Shultz.
Clausena dentata (Willd) Roeme. Kattukkaruveppilai Shrub LC NATIVE

44 Sapindaceae Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Mudakkathan Climber LC INVASIVE

Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. Virali Un-shrub LC NATIVE

45 Solanaceae Datura metel L. Oomathai Herb LC NATIVE

46 Tiliaceae Corchorus aestuans L. Siruvalichedi Herb LC NATIVE

47 Verbenaceae Gmelina asiatica L. Kumizha maram Tree LC NATIVE

Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene. Poduthalai Herb LC NATIVE

Lantana camera L. Arisimalar Shrub LC INVASIVE

48 Violaceae Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.F.) Oritaltamarai Herb LC NATIVE

Muell.
49 Vitaceae Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Gagnep. Eliilaipirandai Climber CR NATIVE

Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin Kattupirandai Climber NT NATIVE

Cissus quadrangularis L. Pirandai Climber LC NATIVE

Cissus vitiginea L. Cempirandai Climber NT NATIVE

50 Zingiberaceae Zingiber officinale Roscoe Inji Herb LC NATIVE

(18.62%) shrubs, 23 (15.86%) climbers including also observed. Floristically, it is distinguished by a

lianes, twinners, creepers and trailers and the rest 17 fair representation of characteristic and preferential
(11.72%) were trees (Fig 2). This tropical dry scrub species, exclusively or mostly confined to this
forest type is a low forest having trees of 4 to 10 m vegetation type [14].
high however, a complete canopy comprising small,
coriaceous-leaved evergreen trees of short boles and
spreading crowns with some deciduous emergent, 3.2. Species, Family and Relative Dominance
without marked differentiation of canopy layers was

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Albiziaamara was the most abundant species when

compared to other species in the study area.
Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae were the dominant
families followed by Poaceae and Asteraceae in
terms of species number whereas, Rubiaceae was
followed by Poaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae
in terms of abundance. The most species
rich families included Euphorbiaceae with 7 genera
and 10 species and Rubiaceae with 7 genera and 9
species was the dominant family followed by
Asteraceae and Poaceae with 8 genera and 8 species
each, Amaranthaceae with 5 genera and 7 species,
Mimosaceae with 4 genera and 7 species,
Acanthaceae, Asclepidaceae, and Fabaceae with 6
genera and 6 species each, Lamiaceae with 5 genera
and 6 species, Cyperaceae with 4 genera and 6
species, Malvaceae with 5 genera and 5
species,Vitaceae with 2 genera and 4 species,
Agavaceae and Verbenaceae with 3 genera and 3
species each, Commelinaceae, Convolvulaceae, Figure 3. Analysis of Genera and Families contributing more
Cucurbitaceae with 2 genera and 3 species than one species at Ammankuruchi RF
each,Apocynaceae, Ceasalpinaceae, Liliaceae,
Nyctaginaceae, Pedaliaceae, Rutaceae, sapindaceae Assessments of conservation status at the species
with 2 genera and 2 species each, Rhamanaceae, level was performed using the International Union for
Oleaceaeand Orchidaceae with 1 genera and 2 Conservation of Nature Red List criteria [15]. In the
species each, Aponogenataceae, Arecaceae, present study, out of 145 species recorded 2 species
Boraginaceae, Cactaceae, Capparidaceae, namely Hildegardia populifolia and Cayratia
Cassythaceae, Ehretiaceae, Eriocaulaceae, pedatawere critically endangered, 12 species
Flinderaceae, Hyacinthaceae, Hypoxidaceae, including Barleria acuminata, Ecbolium ligustrinum,
Lythraceae, Marseliaceae, Menispermaceae, Hygrophila auriculata, Caralluma adscendens,
Molluginaceae, Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Onograceae, Hemidesmus indicus, Euphorbia tortilis, Indigofera
Solanaceae, Tiliaceae, Violaceae,and Zingiberaceae linnaei, Mucuna pruriens, Ludwigia parviflora, Ixora
with 1 genera and 1 species each (Fig 3). nigricans, Cayratia trifolia and Cissus vitiginea were
nearly threatened, 11 species viz., Barleria
acuminate, Gymnemasylvestre, Ehretia microphylla,
Chloroxylonswietenia, Curculigo orchioides,
Anisochilus carnosus, Gloriosasuperba, Acacia
arabica, Habenaria plantaginea, Habenaria
roxburghii, and Aegle marmeloswere vulnerable and
the remaining 120 species were categorized as least
concern. The 3 species namely Blepharis acuminata,
Habenaria plantaginea and Habenaria roxburghii
were endemic to South India (Fig. 4). Similar
classification of species occurrence status
offlowering plants has been observed in earlier
reports [16, 17, 18].

3.4. Geographic origin of taxa

Figure 2. Habit wise analysis of Ammankuruchi enumerated plants The geographic origin of recorded taxa wasdone
based on the literature available from ENVIS.
3.3. Conservation status of taxa Ammankuruchi RF represents 26(17.93%) invasive

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origin of recorded taxa wasdone based on the

literature available from ENVIS. Ammankuruchi RF
represents 26 (17.93%) invasive and 119(82.07%)
native species. All the recorded species in the family
Asteraceae (8) and Pedaliaceae (2) were Invasive
species. Highest number of invasive species were
documented in the family Asteraceae (8) followed by
Euphorbiaceae (4), Amaranthaceae (3), Agavaceae
and Pedaliaceae (2 species each), and the remaining
Apocynaceae, Aponogetonaceae, Convolvulaceae,
Mimosaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Sapindaceae and
Verbenaceae were represented by one species each
(Fig. 5). The listed invasive species were Agave
Americana, Furcrae afoetida, Aervajavanica,
Alternanthera philoxeroides, Celosia cristata,
Catharanthus roseus, Aponogeton natans,
Acanthospermum hispidum, Ageratina adenophora,
Ageratum conyzoides, Eclipta prostrate, Emilia
sonchifolia,
Parthenium hysterophorus, Vernonia cinerea,
zanthium strumarium, Ipomoea carnea, Croton
bonplandianum, Euphorbia hirta,
Jatrophagossypifolia, Phyllanthus amarus, Prosopis Figure 5. Families representing invasive vs total recorded species
juliflora, Boerhavia diffusa, Martynia annua, at Ammankuruchi RF
Pedalium murex, Cardiospermum halicacabum and
Lantana camera. native seedlings, which is likely interferes with the
biology and existence of native species, poses serious
threat to the ecosystem by altering RF regeneration
cum forest composition and causes economic loss.
Documenting the Geographic origin of taxa of
species creates a valuable database, useful for
implementing better management and conservation of
this patchy RF of Ammankuruchi. Presently, the
forest site is subjected to various anthropogenic
pressures. Data of plant diversity presented in the
current study on trees and shrubs will be useful in
highlighting the importance of these forests for
species conservation and forest management in the
near future.

4. CONCLUSION
RFs provide potential refugia for unique species
Figure 4. Conservation status of recorded species at Ammankurichi RF assemblages, habitat for invertebrate wildlife and soil
micro-organisms that have not been well studied to
Majority of the naturalized/invasive species of the date. No forestland in Pudukkottai is free of human
plains are of tropical American origin [19, 20].The impact. The problem with the chronic form of forest
characteristics of invasive or non-native species are disturbance is that plants or ecosystem often do not
slightly different from those of the surrounding native get time to recover adequately because the human
plants and spreads naturally, which results in a highly onslaught never stops. An obvious approach to
successful species that is altering the composition and conserve plant biodiversity is to map distributional
function of the native communities it invades. All the patterns and look for concentrations of diversity and
non-native species recorded were herbs and invades endemism. Further, management of forest requires
the understory of a RF affecting the growth rate of understanding of its composition in relation to other
207
Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
 Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208

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