Ethnobotany of certain sacred groves in Tamil Nadu, South India

Britto, S. J.; Balaguru, B.; Natarajan, D.; Soosairaj, S.; Nagamurugan, N.

Fifty-six medicinal plant species in sacred groves from Pudukottai and Tanjore districts of Tamil Nadu, South India, are listed with their uses. Species of Caesalpiniaceae and Rutaceae are the most frequently used. Memecylon umbellatum, Chloroxylon swietenia, Strychnos nux-vomica, Syzygium cumini and Caryota urens occurred in all the groves, serving the key functions in the ecosystem thereby contributing to the overall species richness and the enhancement of biodiversity.