Aquatic Ornamental Macrophytes in Kole Wetlands: An Untapped Resource for Sustainable Utilisation

Kole wetlands in Kerala, holds very high diversity of untapped endemic aquatic plant resources which have high potential on ornamental plants for the aquarium industry. The paper presents an overview of the floristic survey of aquatic ornamental plants carried out during the year 2012–2014 in the Kole wetland ecosystem of Kerala. The study aimed at exploring and documenting the ornamental plant wealth of this area, which still remains unknown. The investigation on the availability and abundance of ornamental plants in the Ponnani Kole revealed the presence of 32 species under 24 genera and 19 families. In the present analysis of Kole wetland flora, members of the family Scrophulariaceae were predominant followed by Lentibulariaceae and Hydrocharitaceae. Nymphaea nouchali, Nymphaea pubescence, Myriophyllum oliganthum, Nymphoides indica, Nymphoides crystatum, Bacopa monnieri, Limnophila heterophylla, Limnophila repens, Utricularia aurea, Utricularia exoleata, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Hydrilla verticillata, Vallisneria natans Eichhornia crassipes, Hygroryza aristata, Najas graminea Marsilea quadrifolia and Ceratopteris thalictroides are frequent in all seasons in the study area. The abundance of these plants in the Kole wetlands has been worked out with a view to develop harvest strategies and suggest management measures. The increased popularity of water gardening and aquarium planting in turn augment the harvest of the freshwater plants which may result in depletion of these resources. Therefore, population of these plant species needs to be maintained in-situ by adopting structured cultivation techniques and suitable conservation methods. Kole wetlands are not only important in terms of making the ecological system available for a variety of animals and maintaining the micro-climate of the region, but also for providing useful resources for livelihood, healthcare and aesthetic interest.