State tree- The Coconut

State Symbols of KeralaCOCONUT One of the most commonly seen tropical trees in Kerala is the Coconut tree. In fact even the name Kerala is derived from this tree (Kera in Malayalam language means Coconut). Everything from Kerala’s culture to its dishes is evolved around the Coconut tree.

Issued to mark Diamond Jubilee of Coconut Research.

Coconut is the official tree of Kerala.

Date of Issue : 27-12-1976. Denomination: 25(Ps). Perforation:13. No watermark.

line 1 bar1

Elephant is the official animals of Kerala.

State Symbols of KeralaThe majestic Asian Elephant, more popularly known as the Indian Elephant, is the state animal of Kerala. One of the two broad categories of the largest land animal in the world (other being the African Elephant – consisting of African Bush Elephant & African Forest Elephant), Indian Elephant is also the prominent one amongst the recognised sub-species of Asian Elephant (Sri Lankan Elephant, Sumatran Elephant and Borneo Pygmy Elephant are the rest). Though smaller in terms of size, ears and tusk’s length when compared to their African counterparts, Indian Elephants scores in overall looks! Fully grown Indian Elephant can reach a maximum height of 11.5 feet and weigh up to 5000 kg. The gentle giant is a strict vegetarian, feeding on grass, leaves, bamboo, roots and also some fruits & flowers – consuming around 250 kg of food a day!

Elephants have been an integral part of Kerala’s culture & heritage since ancient times. Huge majestic-looking Elephants adorned every King’s prized possessions. Coat of Arms of former Kerala kingdoms (Travancore, Cochin) depicted Elephants. Even the modern state of Kerala acknowledges the role of Elephants in the state’s culture by incorporating them in the state’s symbol.

Right from earlier era, Elephants actively employed in temple duties and timber works – this still continues unchanged and now few are left in the wild. Almost all temples in Kerala have Elephants (mainly contributed by devotees as prized offerings). Notable among them is the famous Lord Krishna Temple at Guruvayur that possess more than 60 jumbos. Punnathur Kotta in Guruvayur is the world’s only Elephant Park. Elephants decorated with caparisons are the highlights of temple festivals and processions in Kerala.

For the people of Kerala, Elephant is the symbol of pride & elegance at all times. Majestic giants namely Guruvayur Kesavan, Guruvayur Padmanabhan, Pampadi Rajan …etc, are help in high esteem by the Keralites. This is perhaps the only state where there are Fans Associations for Elephants! Despite all these aplomb, Indian Elephants’ population is decreasing due to poaching for tusks and habitat destruction by human encroachment. These gentle giants are now being treated as protected animals.

line 1 bar1

Hornbill is the official bird of Kerala

State Symbols of Kerala

A bird with a horn-like excrescence on its large curved bill. Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) is found in the forests of Kerala in places like Periyar Tiger Reserve, and Thattekad. Stamp commemorating centenary of BNHS Mumbai issued by India on 15-9-1983 depicts Hornbill.

Date of Issue : 15-09-1983. Denomination: (100 Ps). Perforation:13. No Watermark.

line 1 bar1

State Flower-Golden shower or Kanikkonna (Cassia fistula )

State Symbols of KeralaThe state flower is The Golden Shower Tree or Indian laburnum Cassia locally known as Kanikkonna in the family Fabaceae, native to southern Asia, from southern Pakistan east through India to Myanmar and south to Sri Lanka. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival. The medium-sized tree blooms in a particular season during the Medam month of Malayalam calendar (April-May), when Keralites celebrate Vishu.It is a medium-sized tree growing to 10-20 m tall with fast growth. The leaves are deciduous or semi-evergreen. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. It blooms in the month of May; flowering is profuse, with trees being covered with yellow flora, with almost no leaf being seen.State Symbols of Kerala

The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand and is called Dok Khuen or  Rachapruek; its yellow leaves symbolize Thai royalty.

line 1 bar1

Jackfruit – Kerala State official fruit

State Symbols of KeralaThe Kerala government  declared  Jackfruit as its official fruit  on 21st March-2018 based on a proposal of the Agriculture Department. The state government has already declared Elephant as the state animal, Great Hornbill as the state bird, Kanikonna as the state flower and pearl spot, popularly known as ‘karimeen’ as its state fish.

The Kerala government  declared  Jackfruit as its official fruit  on 21st March-2018 based on a proposal of the Agriculture Department. The state government has already declared Elephant as the state animal, Great Hornbill as the state bird, Kanikonna as the state flower and pearl spot, popularly known as ‘karimeen’ as its state fish.

Jackfruit - Kerala State official fruitThe jackfruit tree is a widely cultivated and popular food item throughout the tropical regions of the world. Jackfruit is also the national fruit of Bangladesh. We can see the most Jackfruit plants in kerala and especially it is the state fruit of the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and one of the three auspicious fruits of Tamil Nadu, along with the mango and banana.

The jackfruit has played a significant role in Indian agriculture for centuries. Archeological findings in India have revealed that jackfruit was cultivated in India 3000 to 6000 years ago.It has also been widely cultivated in southeast Asia. Stingless bees such as Tetragonula iridipennis are jackfruit pollinators, and as such, play an important role in jackfruit cultivation.

 

line 1 bar1

State fish – Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis)

State Symbols of KeralaThe state fish is the Pearl spot, locally known as Karimeen in the family Cichlidae. It’s scientific name is Etroplus suratensis. It is an indigenous fish extensively found along the east and south-west coasts of Peninsular India. It dwells fresh and brackish water habitats, found throughout Kerala especially in Backwaters around Alleppey, and in western flowing rivers in Karnataka, and backwaters of Andhra Pradesh. It attains an average length of 22 cm and weighing about 250 g. Its body is short, oval in shape and strongly compressed. Eyes large, mouth small. Jaws equal. Caudal fin slightly emarginate. Scales ctenoid. Light green coloured with eight transverse bands; the first over the occiput, the last across the base of the caudal, the other six intermediate. Most of the scales above lateral line have a central white pearly spot; some irregular black spots over the abdomen. Dorsal, ventral, anal and caudal of a dark leaden colour; the pectoral yellowish, with a jet – black base. Matchless taste of the flesh of Pearl spot makes it a favorite item among the food lovers all over the world. This fish is fairly expensive and is available throughout the year. Kerala produces 2000 tonnes of Karimeen annually, but it is insufficient to meet the growing demands for Kerala Karimeen in our country. Karimeen delicacies also tops the list of Kerala cuisines. The hot and spicy ”Karimeen Pollichathu” (fried-pearl spot) is the most favourite among both domestic and foreign tourists. Pearl spot is prone to many diseases mainly caused by wide fluctuations in environmental parameters. The most common disease causing agents are bacteria including Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Flavobacteria, Moraxella, Vibrio and gram-positive Micrococci and Bacillus spp. To create awareness about its commercial potential and promote its production, the state decided to observe 2010-11 as ‘The Year of Karimeen’.

Vernacular Names

  • Dutch: Hommelkolibrie
  • English: Banded etroplus · Banded pearlspot · green chromide · Pearl spot · Pearlspot · Pearlspot cichlid · Striped chromide
  • Finnish: Intiankirjoahven
  • German: Gestreifter Buntbarsch · Indischer Streifenbuntbarsch · Rosenkehlelfe
  • Kannada: Elimeenu
  • Kashmiri: Pitul
  • Konkani: Kalunder
  • Malayalam: Erumeen · Irimeen · Karimeen · ഇരിമീന് · കരിമീന് · കരിമീന്  · കരിമീന്‍
  • Mandarin Chinese: 綠腹麗魚 · 绿腹丽鱼
  • Marathi (Marāṭhī): काळुंदर
  • Oriya: Cundahle
  • Polish: Zóltaczek cejlonski
  • Russian: Etroplus
  • Sinhalese: Koraliya
  • Spanish: Colibrí de Eloísa
  • Tamil: Karassar · Palincha · Panishettai · Sethakandai · Sethakendai · Seththa kendai · Udupatti · சீதக் கென்டை · சேத்து கெண்டை
  • Telugu: Cashi mara · Cashi-mara · Cashimara · Duvvenachepa · కాశ్మిర
  • Thai: ปลาหมอโครมายด์เขียว