Flora of Tamil Nadu
| Flora | Characteristics |
| Palaquium bourdillonii | Palaquium bourdillonii Brandis is indigenous to South India. This tree species predominantly thrives within the biome characterized by seasonal dryness in tropical regions. |
| Palaquium ravii | The trees can reach heights of up to 25 meters and have a trunk with smooth, grey bark that exhibits a reddish blaze. The young branchlets are terete in shape and covered with fine, closely pressed hairs, becoming hairless as they mature. |
| Phyllanthus anamalayanus | Belongs to Phyllanthus genus; Found in mixed deciduous forests |
| Pittosporum viridulatum | Found in mixed deciduous forests; Characteristics unknown |
| Polyalthia rufescens | Polyalthia rufescens is a tree species found in Tamil Nadu and is known for its distinctive reddish or rufescent (reddish-brown) coloration on various parts of its plant, including leaves or stems. |
| Pommereulla | It is a type of plant that persists year after year and mainly thrives in regions characterized by a seasonally dry tropical environment. |
| Popowia beddomeana | It is a tree that predominantly flourishes in the damp tropical ecosystem. |
| Prioria | Prioria is a group of flowering plants belonging to the Fabaceae family. Species within this genus are located in regions such as Central America, Africa, southern Asia, and Oceania. |
| Anogeissus sericea | Belongs to Anogeissus genus; Found in mixed deciduous forests |
| Cyperus dwarkensis | Belongs to Cyperus genus; Characteristics unknown |
| Indigofera caerulea | Belongs to Indigofera genus; Characteristics unknown |
| Kurinji of Kodaikanal | Noteworthy flower; Blooms once in 12 years; Found in mixed deciduous forests |
| Cinchona | Source of anti-malarial drug quinine; Abundant in Nilgiri hills |
| Medicinal Eucalyptus | Abundant in Nilgiri hills; Possesses medicinal properties |
| Medicinal Herbs | Found in Palani hills and Courtallam; Possess medicinal properties |
| Palmyra trees | Abundantly grows in Tirunelveli; Raw materials for cottage industries |
| Rubber | Main plantation crop in Kanyakumari; Characteristics unknown |
| Sandalwood | Grows in Javadhu hills of Vellore district; Characteristics unknown |
Fauna of Tamil Nadu
| Name | Region of Origin | Unique Characteristics |
| Bengal tiger | Varying environments in TN | Apex predator; Distinctive orange coat with black stripes |
| Asian elephant | Various habitats in TN | Large herbivore; Iconic presence in the landscape |
| Indian leopard | Throughout TN | Agile and adaptable; Spotted coat for camouflage |
| Sloth bear | Various habitats in TN | Shaggy coat; Feeds primarily on insects and fruits |
| Gaur | Forested areas of TN | Massive size; Wild cattle species |
| Manjampatti white bison | Manjampatti hills in TN | Rare and endemic; White coloration; Resides in hilly terrain |
| Wild boar | Throughout TN | Omnivorous; Distinctive tusks for defense and digging |
| Black-winged stilt | Wetlands and marshes in TN | Long legs and distinctive black and white plumage |
| Nilgiri Tahr | Nilgiri hills in TN | Endemic mountain ungulate; Unique curved horns |
| Lion-tailed macaque | Western Ghats in TN | Distinctive mane of fur around face; Endangered species |
| Bonnet macaque | Various habitats in TN | White tuft of hair on head; Agile and adaptable |
| Chital | Forested areas of TN | Spotted deer species; Graceful and agile |
| Hyena | Various habitats in TN | Carrion feeder; Distinctive hunched back |
| Teals | Wetlands and water bodies in TN | Small dabbling ducks; Often found in shallow waters |
| Gulls | Coastal areas of TN | Seabirds with distinctive white and grey plumage |
| Sambar | Forested areas of TN | Largest Indian deer species; Curved antlers |
| Terns | Coastal areas of TN | Seabirds known for their graceful flight |
| Plovers | Various habitats in TN | Ground-dwelling birds; Distinctive calls |
| Flamingos | Coastal areas and wetlands in TN | Pink plumage; Wading birds known for their striking appearance |
Botanical Gardens in Tamil Nadu
Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu is domestic to numerous famend botanical gardens that show off the region`s wealthy biodiversity, selling conservation, studies, and public education. Here`s an outline of a few exquisite botanical gardens in Tamil Nadu:
Government Botanical Garden, Ooty
Location: Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Established: 1847
Highlights: Sprawling over fifty five acres, this lawn is well-known for its widespread series of over 1,000 species of plants, inclusive of uncommon orchids, ferns, and shrubs. It functions a superbly landscaped format with a fossilized tree trunk anticipated to be over 20 million years old.
Botanical Garden, Chennai
Location: Chennai (Chetpet)
Established: 1786
Highlights: This anciental lawn covers round 24 acres and homes a extensive type of plants, inclusive of medicinal herbs, decorative plants, and tropical trees. It serves as a studies middle for botanical research and conservation.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park and Botanical Garden, Vandalur
Location: Vandalur, close to Chennai
Established: 1985
Highlights: This expansive park now no longer most effective serves as a zoological lawn however additionally consists of a botanical lawn with numerous indigenous and amazing plant species, selling biodiversity conservation and environmental education.
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory and Botanical Garden
Location: Kodaikanal
Established: 1899
Highlights: Located close to the well-known Kodaikanal Lake, this lawn functions a various variety of plants and gives lovely perspectives of the encompassing hills, making it a famous vacationer spot.
Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu
Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu is domestic to loads of flora and fauna sanctuaries that guard various plant life and fauna, selling conservation and ecological balance. These sanctuaries offer habitats for severa species, along with endangered animals and precise plants. Here`s a top level view of a few superb flora and fauna sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu:
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Nilgiris District
Established: 1940
Highlights: Known for its wealthy biodiversity, Mudumalai is domestic to elephants, tigers, leopards, and numerous chicken species. The sanctuary gives jeep safaris and guided treks for flora and fauna enthusiasts.
Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Location: Coimbatore District
Established: 1974
Highlights: This reserve is understood for its populace of Bengal tigers and various flora and fauna, along with Indian gaurs and Nilgiri tahrs. The reserve additionally functions picturesque landscapes, along with hills, valleys, and waterfalls.
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Location: Tirunelveli District
Established: 1988
Highlights: This sanctuary is a important habitat for tigers, leopards, and numerous species of birds and reptiles. It additionally includes various ecosystems, from evergreen forests to grasslands.
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
Location: Nagapattinam District
Established: 1967
Highlights: This sanctuary is well-known for its migratory chicken populations, specifically for the duration of the wintry weather months. It is domestic to flamingos, pelicans, and numerous shorebirds, along side precise coastal and marine ecosystems.
Major Forests in Tamil Nadu
Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu is blessed with a number of forests that play a important position in preserving ecological stability and assisting biodiversity. These forests are classified primarily based totally on their plants types, geographical location, and climatic situations. Here`s a top level view of the most important forests in Tamil Nadu:
Tropical Evergreen Forests
Location: Western Ghats, mainly withinside the Nilgiri and Kanyakumari districts.
Characteristics: These forests are characterised through dense, lush plants with excessive humidity and rainfall. They host a number of bushes, which include teak, rosewood, and ebony.
Biodiversity: Home to severa endemic species, which include orchids and numerous birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Tropical Deciduous Forests
Location: Predominantly withinside the jap and imperative areas of Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu.
Characteristics: These forests shed their leaves withinside the dry season and are characterised through species like sal, teak, and bamboo. They get hold of mild rainfall.
Biodiversity: Supports a number wildlife, which include deer, wild boars, and numerous chicken species.
Scrub Forests
Location: Found withinside the drier areas of Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu, which include elements of the southern districts.
Characteristics: Composed of short, stunted bushes and shrubs, those forests are tailored to dry situations and feature a decrease biodiversity in comparison to different wooded area types.
Biodiversity: Home to numerous small mammals and birds tailored to arid environments.
Threatened Flora and Fauna of Tamil Nadu
Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu is wealthy in biodiversity, however numerous species of flowers and fauna are below chance because of habitat loss, pollutants, weather change, and human activities. The following is an outline of a number of the threatened species withinside the region:
Threatened Flora
Endangered Plant Species:
Adenanthera pavonina (Red Sandalwood): Overexploitation and habitat destruction have brought about a decline in its population.
Santalum album (Sandalwood): Valued for its fragrant heartwood, sandalwood faces threats from unlawful logging and habitat loss.
Rare Medicinal Plants:
Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh): Once abundant, its numbers are declining because of overharvesting for conventional medicine.
Rauvolfia serpentina (Snake Root): Overharvesting for its medicinal homes has brought about its threatened status.
Orchid Species:
Many orchids, which include Vanda tessellata, are threatened because of habitat destruction and unlawful series for the decorative trade.
Threatened Fauna
Mammals:
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris): Habitat loss and poaching have made this iconic species susceptible in areas just like the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus): Facing threats from habitat fragmentation and human-natural world conflict, elephants are an increasing number of endangered in Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu.
Birds:
Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps): This seriously endangered fowl is threatened via way of means of habitat loss because of agriculture and urbanization.
Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus): Habitat degradation and pollutants have brought about a decline of their populations.
Tamil Nadu's Biodiversity
Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu positioned withinside the southern a part of India, is thought for its wealthy and numerous biodiversity, encompassing numerous ecosystems, flora, and fauna. The kingdom`s particular geographical functions, climate, and cultural practices make a contribution to its ecological wealth. Here`s a top level view of Tamil Nadu`s biodiversity:
Geographical Diversity
Topography: Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu functions numerous landscapes, which includes mountains, plateaus, coastal areas, and river valleys. The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are in particular wealthy in biodiversity.
Climatic Zones: The kingdom stories various climatic conditions, from tropical withinside the coastal areas to temperate withinside the hill stations, helping exceptional ecosystems.
Flora
Forest Types: Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu is domestic to numerous wooded area types, which includes tropical evergreen forests, deciduous forests, scrub forests, and mangrove forests. Each wooded area kind helps a awesome set of plant species.
Plant Species: The kingdom boasts over 6,000 species of flowering vegetation, which includes medicinal vegetation like neem and tulsi, in addition to economically vital species including teak and sandalwood.
Fauna
Wildlife Diversity: Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu is domestic to numerous wildlife, which includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Notable species encompass the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, Nilgiri langur, and numerous species of deer.
Bird Species: The kingdom hosts over 500 species of birds, making it a crucial vicinity for birdwatching. Migratory birds flock to wetlands just like the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary.
Notable Endemic Species
Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu is domestic to plenty of endemic species which can be precise to the region, reflecting its wealthy biodiversity and sundry ecosystems. These species have tailored to the particular climatic and geographical situations of Tamil Nadu, making them an crucial a part of the state`s herbal heritage. Here are a few awesome endemic species:
Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius)
Description: A mountain goat with a unique curved horn, discovered on the whole withinside the grasslands and shola forests of the Nilgiri Hills.
Conservation Status: Endangered because of habitat loss and hunting.
Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macrora)
Description: A massive, colourful squirrel with a hairy tail, recognised for its hanging fur and arboreal lifestyle.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable, on the whole discovered in forested regions of Flora And Fauna Of Tamil Nadu.
Blue Vanda (Vanda coerulea)
Description: An orchid species recognised for its beautiful blue flowers, commonly discovered in evergreen forests.
Conservation Status: Threatened because of habitat destruction and unlawful collection.
Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus)
Description: A massive frog species generally discovered in wetlands and rice fields, diagnosed for its unique calls.
Conservation Status: Near Threatened because of habitat loss and pollution.
Kodaikanal Plant (Arundinaria racemosa)
Description: A bamboo species endemic to the Kodaikanal region, used historically for diverse functions via way of means of neighborhood communities.
Conservation Status: Not officially assessed however faces threats from habitat alteration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What types of forests are found in Tamil Nadu?
A1: Tamil Nadu has several forest types, including tropical evergreen, deciduous, scrub, and mangrove forests.
Q2: How many species of plants are found in Tamil Nadu?
A2: Tamil Nadu is home to over 6,000 species of flowering plants, including many endemic species.
Q3: What are some notable endemic plant species in Tamil Nadu?
A3: Notable endemic plant species include the Nilgiri Tahr, Blue Vanda orchid, and Kodaikanal plant.
Q4: What types of wildlife can be found in Tamil Nadu?
A4: Tamil Nadu hosts a diverse range of wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Q5: Which endangered animals are found in Tamil Nadu?
A5: Endangered species include the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, and Great Indian Bustard.
