Category: Greening Sanjeevi Hills

Ramco Nursery has initiated efforts to conserve Maerua apetala, a rare and lesser-known tree species. The initiative includes collecting seeds from existing trees, in a handful of locations around Rajapalayam and nearby regions, and propagating saplings in the nursery to ensure the survival of the species for future generations.

Known in Tamil as Iruvalli, Maerua apetala belongs to the caper family, which includes several drought-resistant species adapted to dry climatic conditions. Native to India, the species is mainly associated with dry deciduous forests and hilly terrains, but is considered uncommon and is only sparsely documented in floristic surveys of forest ecosystems.

In Rajapalayam, the tree can be spotted near Mayurnather Temple, along the Ayyanar Kovil Road near the Saibaba Temple, and within the Ramco Polytechnic campus area. The species is also present in a few temples located in surrounding villages. According to local observations, many of these trees are believed to be over a century old. In several temples, they are revered as sacred trees and continue to hold cultural and spiritual significance among devotees.

The conservation effort aims to increase awareness about the rare species while also supporting its long-term survival through propagation and plantation initiatives.