Revitalization of Traditional Eco Systems

Nakshatra Vanam (Star Trees)
No Star Botanical Name Malayalam Name Tamil Name
01 Aswathy Strychnos Nux-vomica Kanjiram Yetti
02 Bharani Phyllanthus Emblica Nelli Nelli
03 Karthika Ficus Glomerata Athi Athi
04 Rohini Eugenia Jaambolana Njaval Perunaval
05 Makayiram Acasia Catechu Karingali Karungali
06 Thiruvathira Diospyros melanoxylon Kari Karai
07 Punartham Bambusa Vulgais Mula Moongil
08 Pooyam Ficus Religiosa Arayal Arasu
09 Aayilyam Calophyllum Indophyllum Punna Punnai
10 Makam Ficus Benghalensis Peral Alamaram
11 Pooram Butea monosperma Plasu Palasu
12 Uthram Ficus Tinctoria Ithi Itti
13 Atham Spondias Pinnata Ambazham Marima, Nalini
14 Chithira Aegle Marmelos Koovalam Vilvam
15 Chothy Terminalia Arjuna Maruthu Maruthu
16 Visakham Feronia Elephantum Dadhipala Vilamaram
17 Anizham Mimusops Elengi Elanji Magizh
18 Thrikketta Aporusa lindleyana Vetti Vetti
19 Moolam Boswellia serrata Kunthirikkam Kunthurukkam
20 Pooradam Salix Tetraspeama Aattupala Aatrupalai
21 Uthradam Artocarpus Heterophyllus Plavu Pila
22 Thiruvonam Calotropis Procera Erukku Vellerukku
23 Avittam Moringa oleifera Muringa Muringai
24 Chathayam Anthocephalus Cadambu Kadambu Katampu
25 Pooruruttathi Azadiracta Indica Aryaveppu Vembu
26 Uthruttathi Magnifera Indica Mavu Ma
27 Revathi Madhuca Longifolia Eluppa Iluppai
Rasi Vanam (Rasi Trees)
No Star Botanical Name Malayalam Name Tamil Name
01 Mesha Pterocarpus santalinus Sandana vengai Chandana Vengai
02 Rishabha Alstonia Scolaris Elilappalai Ezhilampala
03 Midhuna Wrightia Tinctoria Palai Kutakappala
04 Kataka Butea Monosperma Palasu Plasu
05 Simha Zizyphus jujuba LAM Badri ------
06 Kanya Magnifera Indica Ma Mavu
07 Thula Mimusops Elengi Makizhu Elenji
08 Vrishchika Acasia Catechu Karungali Karingali
09 Dhanus Ficus Religiosa Arasu Arayal
10 Makara ---------------- Tothakathi --------
11 Kumbha Prosopis Cineraria Vanni Vahnni
12 Meena Ficus Benghalensis Ala Peral
Navagraha Vanam (Planet Trees)
No Star Botanical Name Malayalam Name Tamil Name
01 Sun Calotropis gigantea Erukku Erukku
02 Moon Butea monosperma Plasu Palasu
03 Mars Acasia Catechu Karingaly Karungaly
04 Mercury Achyranthes aspera Naayuruvi Naayuruvi
05 Jupiter Ficus Religiosa Arayaal Arasu
06 Venus Ficus racemosa Athi Athi
07 Saturn Prosopis cineraria Vahnni Vanni
08 Rahu Cynodon dactylon Karuka Arugampul
09 Ketu Imperata cylindrica Darbha Darbhai
Dasha Pushpas (The Ten Sacred Flowers)
No Botanical Name Common Name
01 Vernonia cinerea Puvvamkurunnila
02 Emilia Sonchifolia Muyalcheviyan
03 Evolvulus alsinoides L Vishnukranti
04 Cynodon dactylon Karuka
05 Eclipta Protrata/ Eclipta Alba Kayyunni
06 Cardiospermum halicacabum Uzhinja
07 Ipomoea sepiaria Thiruthali
08 Curculigo orchioides GAERTN Nilappana
09 Biophytum sensitivum Mukkutti
10 Aerva lanata Cheruvula
Saptharshi Vana (Trees of Seven Rishis)
No Rishi Tree
01 Jamadagni Garika
02 Vasisishta Jambi
03 Gouthama Ummetha
04 Kashyapa Tulsi
05 Agastya Avisa
06 Viswamitra Maredu
07 Bharadwaja Uttareni
Some of the flora commonly seen in the sacred groves of Kerala
Artocarpus hirsutus, Mesua ferrea, Vateria indica, Hopea parviflora, H ponga, Alstonia scholaris, Mimusops elengi, Hydnocarpus pentandra, Hotdgarna arnottiana.
Ground Vegetation:
Geophila reniformis, Borreria sp., Naregamia alata, Centella asiatica, Aerva lanata, Adrographis paniculata, Biophytum sensitivum etc.
In southern region of the state, Members of the mangroves swamps like Myristica fatua var.magnifica, M.malabarica Hydnocarpus spp and Eugenia spp are found in the poorly drained sacred groves. These species are known to develop high profile humidity in the surroundings that promote luxurius growth of undergrowths.