Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 135-141
http://dx.doi.org/10.14719/pst.2016.3.2.209
135
ISSN: 2348-1900
Plant Science Today
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Research Article
Bryophyte diversity in the Sacred Groves, with special
reference to Vallikkattukavu of Kozhikode district in
Western Ghats
Jyothilakshmi, G. R., Manju, C. N.,* Mithun Venugopal and Chandini, V. K.
Department of Botany, The Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India (affiliated to the University of Calicut)
Article history
Abstract
Received: 10 March 2016
Accepted: 31 March 2016
Published: 12 April 2016
The bryophyte diversity in the Vallikkattu kavu of Kozhikode district is
enumerated along with the conservation of bryophytes in the sacred grove is
discussed. This report represents many interesting finds such as Bryum
retusifolium var. heterophyllum Card. ex Gangulee a new record to Kerala and
Ditrichum tortuloides Grout. is a new record for Peninsular India. The
endemic species Fissidens kammadensis Manju et al. and the rare species
Calymperes palisotti Schwaegr. could be collected from this sacred grove.
© Jyothilakshmi et al. (2016)
Special Section: New Frontiers in
Cryptogamic Botany
Section Editor
Afroz Alam
Keywords
Publisher
Bryophytes; Sacred Grove; Vallikkattukavu; Western Ghats
Horizon e-Publishing Group
Corresponding Author
Manju C. N.
manjucali@gmail.com
Jyothilakshmi, G. R., C. N. Manju, M. Venugopal and V. K. Chandini. 2016.
Bryophyte diversity in the Sacred Groves, with special reference to
Vallikkattukavu of Kozhikode district in Western Ghats. Plant Science Today 3(2):
135-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.14719/pst.2016.3.2.209
Introduction
Sacred groves represent patches of forests
protected by assigning them as the abode of Gods
and Goddesses. They are considered as one of the
land use systems with ecological and socio-cultural
importance in the region. They are also regarded as
the treasure house of rare and endemic species.
Kerala is one of the state having maximum number
of Sacred Groves. They are traditionally conserved
as a part of natural worship and these practices have
played an important role in protection of
biodiversity (Bhagawat et al., 2005; Bhagawat &
Rutte, 2006.). The sacred grove performs several
ecological functions, which directly or indirectly
helps to maintain ecosystem health of all other
interacting landscape units.
Sacred Groves harbour a wide variety of
habitat and landscapes and serve as a storehouse of
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rare and endemic species. Despite the fact that many
sacred groves are still well preserved, many have
also been destroyed and others are now threatened
by anthropogenic activities. A number of studies
have been conducted on the floristic diversity and
other aspects of sacred groves of Southern India
such as Gadgil (1985), Chandran, et. al. (1998),
Chandran and Hughes, (1997, 1998), Godbole (1998),
Anupama (2008), etc. There is only a single report on
the bryophytes of sacred groves in Kerala (Manju et
al. 2008).
Vallikkattukavu (11o23'17"N; 75o47'10"E) is
the largest sacred grove in the Kozhikode district
covering about 16 acres of area. This Kavu is
situated 25 km away from Kozhikode city and
exactly
located
in
Edakkara
desam
of
Thalakkulathur Village. The temple and the forests
are managed by the Malabar Devaswom Board with
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Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 135-141
The support of Vallikkattukavu Management
Committee. The vegetation in this Kavu represents
a low land evergreen forest with Myristica
malabarica,
Lagerstroemia
microcarpa,
Lophopetalum wightianum, Carallia brachiata as
the dominant tree species. Vallikkattu Kavu is also
characterized by endemic species like Hopea
ponga, Ancistrocladus heyneanus, Holigarna
arnottiana,
Memecylon
umbellatum
and
Gymnostachyum febrifugum and a large number of
medicinal plants including Nervilia infundibulifolia
and Aporosa cardiosperma. This area is an abode
of a variety of important plants including
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nonflowering plant groups such as Fungi,
Bryophytes and Pterdophytes, and the area is
conserved properly.
The present paper enumerates the
bryophyte diversity of the area in detail. This is the
first of its kind from a sacred grove in India. The
taxa are arranged in alphabetical order within
each of the two divisions of bryophytes, the
Marchantiophyta (liverworts) and Bryophyta
(Mosses). For each species representative
specimens with following data are included; the
locality, the collector’s name, collection number,
and comments on the distribution of species is
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Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 135-141
137
provided with photographs. The bryophyte
specimens were deposited in the Zamorin’s
Guruvayurappan college herbarium (ZGC).
List
of
bryophytes
Vallikkattukavu:
recorded
form
MARCHANTIOPHYTA (LIVERWORTS)
Archilejeunea minutilobula Udar & U.S. Awasthi,
found on moist soil. Kozhikode-Vallikkattukavu (53
m), 27. 9. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3819b (ZGC). It is
distributed in Western Ghats of Kerala,
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Cheilolejeunea
serpentina
(Mitt.)
Mizut.;
epiphytic on bark of the tree. Kozhikode Vallikkattukavu (53m) 29. 6. 2014, Jyothi et al. 584
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(ZGC) Distributed in Kerala (Wayanad, Kozhikode,
Idukki); Eastern Himalaya (Meghalaya: East Khasi
Hills; West Khasi Hills).
Cololejeunea lanciloba Steph.; epiphyllous, leafy
thallus is closely appressed to the angiosperm leaf
surface. kozhikode-Vallikkattukavu (53m) 27. 9.
2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3834, 3841, 3827; 29. 6. 2014,
Jyothi et al. 579 (ZGC). It is distributed in India
(Kerala-Kozhikode), Nicobar Islands; Japan, China,
Borneo, Philippines, Hawai, Java, Malaya,
Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Polynesia, New Caledonia, Australia and
Africa.
Cyathodium cavernarum Kunze; it was found on
soil cuttings and on wet soil. Kozhikode Vallikkattukavu (53m), 27. 9. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun
3819a, 3823a (ZGC). It is distributed in Peninsular
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Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 135-141
India
(Kerala,
Gujarat);
Central
India
(Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan); NorthEast India (Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West
Bengal); Cuba, Africa, Indonesia, Mexico and
America
Lophocolea bidentata (L.) Dumort., found on
buttresses and on soil. Kozhikode-Vallikkattukavu
(53 m) 27. 9. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3833a, 3814,
3820 (ZGC). It is distributed in Kerala:
(Thiruvananthapuram,
Kozhikode);
Eastern
Himalayas
(Meghalaya,
East
Khasi
Hills,
Mawphlong forest); Nepal and Australia.
Lopholejeunea sikkimensis Steph.; it was found
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on bark of tree. Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu (53m),
27. 9. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3823b (ZGC). Kerala
(Lakkidi); Tamil Nadu (Nilgiri hills, Ootacamund,
Naduvattam); Karnataka (Marcaca); Central India
(Madhya Pradesh); North- East India (West Bengal,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal.
Mastigolejeunea humilis (Gott.) Schiffn.; it was
found on bark of tree. Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu
(53m), 13. 6. 2015, Jyothi & Mithun 3894 (ZGC). It is
distributed in India (Kerala -Kozhikode, Tamil
Nadu);
Japan,
Ryukyu,
Formosa.
Widely
distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia and
Oceania.
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Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 135-141
Pallavicinia lyellii (Hook.) Carruth., this species
is found near stream on land cuttings. Kozhikode Vallikkattukavu (53 m) 29. 6. 2014, Jyothi et al.
1278; 27. 9. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3838 (ZGC). It is
distributed in Kerala (Wayanad, Kozhikode), Tamil
Nadu (Kanyakumari, Madurai, Nilgiri and
Tirunelveli) Western Ghats of Karnataka,
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139
Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh; North America
and British Island.
Riccardia multifida (L.) Gray, it is present on the
buttresses of trees near stream. KozhikodeVallikkattukavu (53 m), 29. 06. 2014, Jyothi et al.
580; 27. 09. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3807a, 3803a,
3813a (ZGC). It is distributed in Kerala (Wayanad,
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Silent Valley National Park, Kozhikode), Tamil
Nadu: (Madura, Kodaikanal, Palni hills); Eastern
Himalaya, Darjeeling; Sri Lanka, China, N.
America, Europe, Alaska and Hawali.
Riccia gangetica Ahmad ex L.Söderstr; it was
found on wet soil. Kozhikode Vallikkattukavu
(53m), 13.6.2015; Jyothi & Mithun 3897, 586, 587
(ZGC). It is distributed in India: Kerala- Kozhikode,
Eastern Himalayas; Meghalaya, East Khasi Hills
and Shillong.
BRYOPHYTA (MUSCI)
Barbula indica (Hook.) Spreng.; found in land
cuttings.
Kozhikode-Vallikkattukavu
(53m),
29.6.2014, Jyothi & Mithun 571a (ZGC). Distributed
in India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu); China, Japan,
Indonesia and Philippines.
Bryum retusifolium var. heterophyllum Card. ex
Gangulee; on Soil. Kozhikode- Vallikkattukavu
(53m), 27. 09. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3837a (ZGC).
This species was earlier recorded from Palni hills
of Tamil Nadu and type collected from East Nepal.
Hence the present collection is a new record for
Kerala. (Plate 1).
Calymperes erosum C. Müll. Hal.; it is found in
root buttresses, stone surfaces and on tree trunks.
Kozhikode-Vallikkattukavu
(53m)
29.06.2014,
Jyothi et al. 594 b, 585; 27.9.2014 Jyothi & Mithun
3809, 3819a (ZGC). It is distributed in South India
(Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu); Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
China, Africa and America.
Calymperes palisotti Schwaegr.; on bark of the
tree. Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu (53m) 27.9.2014,
Jyothi & Mithun 3818b (ZGC). Distributed in South
India- Kerala (Changanacherry, Kozhikode).
Recorded from Central Province of Sri Lanka
(Kandy district) common in tropical Africa and
various Islands in the Western Indian Ocean. It is a
very rare species in India. (Plate 2).
Chionostomum rostratum (Griff.) C. Muell.;
epiphytic, found on tree bark. Kozhikode
-Vallikkattukavu (53m) 27.9.2014, Jyothi & Mithun
3818a (ZGC). It is distributed in India (Kerala,
Khasia Hills, Darjeeling, Coorg); Thailand, N. & S.
Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan.
Ditrichum tortuloides Grout., on the soil.
Kozhikode, Vallikkattukavu (53m), 27.09.2014,
Jyothi & Mithun 3824b, 3898 (ZGC). It is distributed
in Khasi & Jaintia Hills; Western Himalaya; Europe;
North America. The present collection is a new
record for Peninsular India. (Plate 3).
Fissidens ceylonensis Dozy & Molk., found on
land cutting. Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu (53m),
29.6.2014 Jyothi et al. 595 (ZGC). A widely
distributed species found in South India (Kerala,
Tamil Nadu); North-east India (Darjeeling,
Himalaya, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal); Sri
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Lanka, Borneo, Iran, Java, Malaysia, Moluccas,
Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Sumatra,
Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan.
Fissidens crispulus Brid. var. robinsonii (Broth.)
B.C. Tan & Choy, it was found on soil along with
Riccardia multifida. Kozhikode- Vallikkattukavu
(53m) 27.9.2014. Jyothi & Mithun 3889 (ZGC). It is
distributed in India: Kerala (Wayanad, Kozhikode);
North India (Himalaya); China and Philippines.
Fissidens crispulus Brid.; found on root
buttresses and soil along with Riccardia multifida.
Distributed in India: Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu
(53m) 29.6. 2014 Jyothi et al. 583, 570; 27.9.2014,
Jyothi & Mithun 3803b, 3807b, 3837b (ZGC).it is
distributed in South India (Kerala), North India
(Himalaya); China and Philippines.
Fissidens flaccidus Mitt., terrestrial- found on soil
Kozhikode- Vallikkattukavu (53m). 27. 9. 2014,
Jyothi & Mithun 3816b (ZGC). Distributed in South
India (Kerala-Wayanad, Tamil Nadu); Central
India: (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh); North-east
India: (Bengal, Haryana, Khandala, Western
Himalayas); Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Borneo,
Brazil, Myanmar, Taiwan, Japan, Java, Nepal,
Mexico. New Guinea, Philippines and Ryukyus.
Fissidens ganguleei Norkett., it was found on root
buttresses and on soil. Kozhikode-Vallikkattukavu
(53m). 27.9.2014, Jyothi & Mithun (3804) (3828);
A.H. Norkett; Mungpoo 24.10.1970 (14979)(ZGC). it
is distributed in. India: Kerala, Darjeeling; East
Nepal.
Fissidens hollianus Dozy & Molk.; found on the
surface of stone along with other species of
Fissidens. Kozhikode – Vallikkattukavu(53 m), 27.
9. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3821b (ZGC). It is
distributed in India, China, Japan, Thailand,
Myanmar, Vietnam, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia
and New Guinea.The present collection is a new
record for Kerala.
Fissidens kammadensis Manju, Rajesh &
Madhus., on bark of decayed wood, on rocks and
on roots of higher plants. India: Kerala : Kozhikode
- Vallikkattukavu (53m) 29. 6. 2014, Jyothi et al.
576, 578, 588, 592a (ZGC). This species is earlier
recoded from Kammadam Kavu in Kasaragod
district of Kerala only by Manju et al. (2008). (Plate
4).
Fissidens pellucidus Hornsch., found on soil.
Kozhikode- Vallikkattukavu (53m) 29.6.2014, Jyothi
et al. 598, 576a; 27. 9. 2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3821a,
3822, 3826, 3830, 3831a, 3888 (ZGC) Distributed in
India, China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
Thailand,
Vietnam,
Malaysia,
Singapore,
Indonesia, Philippines and South America.
Garckea flexuosa (Griff.) Margad & Nork.,
terrestrial- found in the soil along with Ditrichum
tortuloides. Kozhikode, Vallikkattukavu (53m),
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Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 135-141
27.09.2014, Jyothi & Mithun (3824 a) (ZGC).
Distributed in South India: Kerala(Wayanad),
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, North India: West Bengal,
Khasi hills, Tripura; Andaman Islands; Sri Lanka;
Bhutan; Myanmar; Indochina; Japan; Java;
Madagascar, Malaysia, Nepal; New Guinea;
Philippines; Sumatra; Thailand; Australia; Oceania
and C. America.
Isopterygium lignicola (Mitt.) A.Jaeger, found on
root buttresses of trees with regularly moistened
areas. Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu (53m) ; 29. 6.
2014, Jyothi et al 576b; 27.09.2014 Jyothi & Mithun
3807c, 3813, 3817, 3833b, 3811 (ZGC).it is
distributed in India: South India (Kerala, Nilgiri,
Coorg) Sikkim, Khasia hills, Sri Lanka and
Myanmar.
Leucophanes glaucescens C. Muell. ex Fleisch.,
found on bark. Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu (53m),
29.6.2014, Jyothi et al., 574, 599 (ZGC).Distributed
in Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu (Tirunelveli),
Kerala (Kozhikode), Andaman Islands; Sri Lanka,
Indonesia and Vietnam.
Plagiothecium entodontella Broth. ex Dix., found
creeping on rock surfaces and bark of the trees.
Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu (53m) 29.6.2014,
Jyothi et al. (594a); (1279); 27.09.2014, Jyothi &
Mithun (3802)(3815) (ZGC). Distributed in India:
Darjeeling; Endemic in Thailand. The present
collection is a new record for Peninsular India.
Sematophyllum subhumile (C. Muell.) Fleisch.; found
on root butteresses of tree. Kozhikode - Vallikkattukavu
(53m) 27.9.2014, Jyothi & Mithun 3804b (ZGC).
Distributed in India (Kerala, Nilgiri, Palni, Upper Assam,
East Nepal), Burma, Thailand, Java.
DISCUSSION
This study forms a preliminary report on the
bryophytes of sacred grove in India. Sacred grove
represent relic vegetation of the past, but no
thorough studies on the bryophytes present in the
sacred groves in India, especially Kerala. The
present study resulted in recording of 29 species of
bryophytes. Among these, 10 are liverworts and 19
are mosses. Bryum retusifolium var. heterophyllum
Card. ex Gangulee is a new record to Kerala and
Ditrichum tortuloides Grout. is a new record for
Peninsular India. Fissidens kammadensis Manju et
al., endemic to Kerala and rare species Calymperes
palisotti Schwaegr. could be collected from this
sacred grove.
141
authorities of the
College, Kozhikode.
Zamorin’s
Guruvayurapan
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Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to the authorities of
Vallkkattu Kavu for giving permission to collect
specimens from the area and the support during
the visit. Second author is thankful to the SERBDST, New Delhi for the financial support. We also
acknowledge the support provided by the
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Mithun Venugopal