Chapter-2:   FLORISTIC COMPOSITION OF KARNATAKA SEA BEACHES

As our ultimate aim is raising green walls as a part of integrated coastal zone management, to benefit both humans and ecology, we need to familiarize with the sandy seashore plants of Karnataka. After surveying about 50 beaches in the coastal districts of Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada and representating all the taluks viz. Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honavar, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Udupi, Mulki and Mangalore a list of species has been chosen for re-vegetation of the beaches. The observations mainly are pertaining to the vegetation and its elements with special objective of short-listing plants suitable for re-vegetation of the sea beaches of Uttara Kannada, particularly of Honavar Forest Division (Annexure 1). As the beaches of Karnataka share more or less similar climatic conditions we have a wide range of species suitable for re-vegetation. The suitable species are listed below:

1. Sand binding creepers and spreading herbs

Ipomea-pescaprae (Figures 2.1)
Spinifexlittoreus (Figures 2.2)
Launeasarmentosa
Hydrophylaxmaritima
Cyperuspedunculatus
Canavaliarosea (DK and Udupi) (Figures 2.3)
Sesuviumportulacastrum (Figures 2.4)
Glinusoppositifolius (Figures 2.5)
Cassythafiliformis (Figures 2.6)
Evolvulusalsinoides (Figures 2.7)
(Most of the above can be propagated by vegetative cuttings)

2. Erect herbs

Aerualanata (Figures 2.8)
Boerhaaviadiffusa
Borreriaarticularis
Dactylocteniumaegyptium
Pedalium murex
Crotalaria retusa (Figures 2.9)
Alternantherasessilis (Figures 2.10)
Crotalaria verrucosa (Figures 2.11)
Urgineaindica
Crinum asiaticm (Figures 2.12)
(Most are seasonal herbs that spring out naturally during the rainy season. Dissemination of seeds can enrich the beach ecosystem. As many have medicinal properties they are of value to the local population. Urginea and Crinum have underground bulbs and can be grown in dense patches towards the hind shore)

3. Shrubs

Scaveolataccada (mainly in DK and Udupi) (Figures 2.13)
Vitextrifolia (Figures 2.14)
Vitexnegundo
Calotropisgigantea
Clerodendruminerme (Figures 2.15)

4. Climbers

Derris trifoliata
Gloriosasuperba (in the hind shore)
Coccineaindica (vegetable; hindshore, Dandibaghbeach  Karwar) (Figures 2.16)
Trichosanthescucumerianus (wild snakegourd; mid and hind shore) (Figures 2.17)
Dioscoreabulbifera (hind shore)
Premnacorymbosa

5. Trees

Calophylluminophyllum (Figures 2.18)
Morindacitrifolia (Figures 2.19)
Pandanusodoratissimus (Figures 2.20)
Thespesiapopulnea (Figures 2.21)
Erythrinavariegata
Ficusracemosa
Pongamiapinnata
Casuarinaequisetifolia
Borassusflabellifer (palmyra palm- more in DK &Udupi; a couple of trees in Ramagindy) (Figures 2.22)