FLORA
Almost one fourth of India's 10,000 plant species are found in the state.
Among the almost 4,000 flowering plant species
- 1,272 are endemic to Kerala
- 159 threatened
- 900 species of medicinal plants
Cassia Fistula (Kani Konna) is the state flower of Kerala
Among the 1,000 species of trees in Kerala, the major ones are
- sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia)
- anjili
- mullumurikku (Erythrina)
- Cassia
Other plants include
- Bamboo
- wild black pepper
- wild cardamom
- the calamus rattan palm (a type of climbing palm)
- aromatic vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides)
Two of the world’s Ramsar Convention listed wetlands—
- Lake Sasthamkotta
- Vembanad-Kol wetlands are in Kerala
As well as 1455.4 km² of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Subjected to extensive clearing for cultivation in the 20th century, much of the remaining forest cover is now protected from clearfelling.
Eastern Kerala’s windward mountains shelter tropical moist forests and tropical dry forests, which are common in the Western Ghats.
FAUNA
Kerala's fauna are noticeable for their diversity and high rates of endemism:
- 102 species of mammals (56 of them are endemic)
- 453 species of birds
- 202 species of freshwater fishes
- 169 species of reptiles (139 of them endemic)
- 89 species of amphibians (86 endemic)
These are threatened by extensive habitat destruction, including soil erosion, landslides, salinization, and resource extraction
Animals found in Kerala
- Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus)
- Bengal Tiger
- Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca)
- Nilgiri Tahr
- Common Palm Civet
- Grizzled Giant Squirrel
Reptiles include
- King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
- Viper
- Python
- Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) .
Emblematic species of birds found in Kerala's
- Malabar Trogon
- The Great Hornbill
- Kerala Laughingthrush
- Darter
- Southern Hill Myna
Fishes found in lakes, wetlands, and waterways
- Kadu (stinging catfish)
- Choottachi (Orange chromide—Etroplus maculatus)