Author(s):

Periyasamy M and Saranya S

Abstract: The survey of sthalavriksha of temples was conducted in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, India from the month November 2017 to March 2018. A total number of 52 temples surveyed which includes 28 Shiva temples, 8 Perumal temples, 7 Amman temples, 7 Murugan temples and two other deity temples. Out of 52 temples surveyed, Sthalavrikshas found in 47 temples. A total of 25 plant species of sthalavriksha belonging to 14 families, belong to 25 genera were recorded. All the recorded 25 Sthalavrikshas species belong to angiosperms and are dicotyledons. Among 14 families, Caesalpiniaceae is the most dominant family represented by 3 species followed by Rutaceae and Moraceae represented 2 species each. Among the 25 species, Aegle marmelos was the most frequently recorded in temples followed by Prosopis spicigera, Ficus religiosa and Azadirachta indica. The medicinal uses of the sthalavriksha have gathered from the available literature, priests and temple authorities. All 18 plant species of sthalavrikshas have medicinal values. Different parts of the sthalavriksha are used for medicinal purpose. The entire plant (2 species), bark (9 species), fruits (4 species), leaves (8 species), flower (3 species), gum and seed (2 species) and root (1 species) are used for medicinal purpose.

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