Inventorying Plant Diversity in the Homegardens of Kuzhicodu Village, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India

P. Subitha1,2, S. Sukumaran1 and S. Jeeva2

1Department of Botany, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam, Tamilnadu,
India – 629 165.
2Department of Botany, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil, Tamilnadu,
India – 629 003.

Article Info		Abstract
Received: 21-08-2015, Revised: 16-01-2016, Accepted: 29-01-2016		Species richness of plant species of the homegardens of Kuzhicodu village of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu was studied. A total of 485 plant species belonging to347 genera and 105 families which included 253 herbs, 96 shrubs, 87 trees and 49 climbers.Of the 485 plant species, 101 families were Angiosperms, 3 families were Gymnosperms (Araucariaceae, Cupressaceae, Cycadaceae) and a Pteridophyte belongs to the family Davalliaceae is also reported.The dominant and co-dominant families were Poaceae (38 species) and Euphorbiaceae (34 species). The study reveals that the homegarden systems provide cash income, medicine, timber, fuelwood, and edibles for household consumption as well as for sale. The homegardens are the sites of conservation of plants both wild and domesticated, because of their uses to the households.These homegardens serve as asylum for many multipurpose plant species and harbor rich biodiversity.
Keywords: Homegardens, Kanyakumari, Kuzhicodu village, Plant diversity, Tamilnadu.

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