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Showing posts from October, 2016

Major Biodiversity of Poovar beach along the Neyaar River: a tourism destination of Kerala

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Padma Mahanti 1.          Department of Environment and Climate Change, Trivandrum-695024, Kerala Email: padma.mahanti@gmail.com Abstract The biodiversity of brackish water (BW) is always showing the virginity in the exploration of flora and fauna. BW is also the harbor of many medicinal plants, avifauna and other taxa. Due to salinity, plants develop the defense mechanisms by synthesizing some secondary metabolites which show the medicinal potential for the human beings. During a weekend visit along the Neyaar River, we could identify many beneficial indicators of rich biodiversity near Poovar beach. It is a prime tourist destination near the capital of the state of Kerala. A cursory observation revealed that the most prominent flora are Cerbera odollam, Barringtonia racemosa, Cocos nucifera etc and most visible avifauna are Haliastur indus, Corvus splendens, Bubulcus ibis, Ardeola grayii etc. It was also observed that the place is a prime tourist destination of the

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

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Family: Verbenaceae  it is usually found along country roadsides and it grows also well as a ruderal plant on disturbed terrain. It is an invasive species in some places.The fresh leaves are consumed in bush tea as a “cooling” tonic and blood cleanser, to treat “asthma” and “ulcerated stomachs.

Hemidesmus indicus

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Family: Asclepiadoideae  The stem and branches of H. indicus twine anticlockwise, and are profusely laticiferous, elongate, narrow, teret and wiry of deep purple or purplish brown colour with the surface slightly ridged at the nodes. Roots are woody, slender and aromatic. Roots smell similar to camphor, hence the plant is also known as Kapoori.  The extracts from the root are used as a coolant and a blood-purifier and also used in many other forms, especially as refreshing syrup with sugar and a dash of lemon (Sharbat), and served at most small refreshment shops in South India.

Argemone mexicana

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Family: Papaveraceae An extremely hardy pioneer plant, it is tolerant of drought and poor soil, often being the only cover on new road cuttings or verges. It has bright yellow latex, and though poisonous to grazing animals, is rarely eaten. Seeds contain 22–36% of a pale yellow non-edible oil, called argemone oil or katkar oil, which contains the toxic alkaloids sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine. The last major outbreak in India occurred in 1998. 1% adulteration of mustard oil by argemone oil has been shown to cause clinical disease. in India, Argemone oil is mixed with sunflower oil and sesame oil to increase the quantity, but this adulteration causes health disorders and renowned brands display "no argemone oil" to qualify purity. Argemone mexicana may be a suitable first-aid treatment in rural areas when access to other better antimalarials is delayed.

Celastrus paniculatus

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Family: Celastraceae Local Name: Pengu Deciduous vine with stems up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter and 6 m (20 ft) long with rough, pale brown exfoliating bark covered densely with small, elongated lenticles. The leaves are simple, broad, and oval, obovate or elliptic in shape, with toothed margins. The plant, which is widely known as the “intellect tree,” is used to both sharpen mental focus and relax the nerves. elastrus paniculatus seeds can also redu ce cholesterol.

Costus speciosus

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Family: Costaceae Local: Kaukauka Cheilocostus speciosus differs from the common ginger by having only one row of spirally arranged leaves. The species reproduces vegetatively by rhizome, and birds disperse the seeds when they feed on the fruits. The habitat where this species is found is roadside ditches and low-lying areas in the forest. The flowering season starts after the rainy season, from October to December.The plant has many historical uses in Ayurveda, where the rhizome has been used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms. It is mentioned in the Kama Sutra as an ingredient in a cosmetic to be used on the eyelashes to increase sexual attractiveness.