Diversity of Psammophytes in Sand Dunes of Periyakadu Coast, Southwest Coast of India
Murugan Muthulekshmi Shyra
Department of Botany and Research Centre, PTMTM College (Affiliated to Alagappa University), Karaikudi – 630 003, Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu–623 604, India.
Thankappan Sarasabai Shynin Brintha
Department of Botany, Scott Christian College (Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University), Tirunelveli – 627 012, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu–629 003, India.
Rajaram Mary Sujin *
Department of Botany and Research Centre, PTMTM College (Affiliated to Alagappa University), Karaikudi – 630 003, Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu–623 604, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The qualitative plant survey in the coastal sand dunes of Periyakadu coast, investigated the current vegetative status of plant life form and its species and families present. The field observations carried out from March 2020 to April 2021. Overall, 126 species belonging to 106 genera and 47 families were recorded in the study area. The most common and dominant families recorded in the study site were: Leguminosae (21species) followed by Poaceae (15 species), Malvaceae (8 Species), Cyperaceae (7 Species), Apocynaceae and Rubiaceae (5 species each). Of these plant species recorded in the study area, 73 Species were herbs, Shrubs (21 Species), Trees (21 species) and Climbers (11 Species). The latter appears to be the case for the plant diversity of the sand dunes under study.
Keywords: Coastal sand dunes, qualitative plant survey, plant life form, diversity, Periyakadu and India