Review Article
Occurrence and Ethnic Uses of Cryptocoryne consobrina Schott, A Lesser-Known Endemic Aroid, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Shaju T1, Shaji PK2, Ajinsha JS3, Ratheesh Narayanan MK4* and Sunil CN5
1,3Jawaharlal Nehru, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode, Karimankode P.O., Thiruvananthapuram – 695562, Kerala, India
2Environmental Resource Research Centre, Peroorkada P.O, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 005, Kerala, India
4Department of Botany, Payyanur College, Edat P.O., Kannur – 670 327, Kerala, India
5Department of Botany, S. N. M. College, Maliankara P.O, Ernakulam – 683 516, Kerala, India
4Department of Botany, Payyanur College, Edat P.O., Kannur – 670 327, Kerala, India
5Department of Botany, S. N. M. College, Maliankara P.O, Ernakulam – 683 516, Kerala, India
*Corresponding author: Ratheesh Narayanan MK, HOD and Assistant Professor Department of Botany Payyanur College, Kannur, Kerala India. E-mail Id: drratheeshpoduval73@gmail.com
Copyright: © Shaju T, et al. 2023. This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Information: Submission: 20/04/2023; Accepted: 19/07/2023; Published: 22/07/2023
Abstract
Cryptocoryne consobrina Schott, a narrow endemic and threatened plant species of the Western Ghats, is described. Notes on distribution, ethnobotanical uses along with photographs and illustrations are also provided. The present collection of this species, from Idukki District and Tiruppur District, confirming its occurrence in Kerala and Tamil Nadu respectively. The plant grows in thickets along the riverbank and exposed areas of the riverbed. The plant forms a preferred leafy vegetable for the local inhabitants, especially the Malappulaya Tribe of Marayur apart from being a herbal remedy for peptic ulcer.
Keywords: Araceae; Cryptocoryne; Endemic, Kerala; Malappulaya Tribe; Tamil Nadu