Joseph Mathen Pallithanam (1915–1984) was an Indian botanist. He was born to Mathachan (Vachaparampil) and Mariamma (Pallithanam) in

Kainady Kainady is a village located in Neelamperoor panchayat in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. Geography Kainady is a small island and consists of picturesque paddy fields and small canals. Population consists of Hindu and Christian denomin ...

village of

Kuttanadu Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്‌) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...

. He belongs to a traditional agricultural family. His maternal uncle Pallithanthu Mathai Luka (Pallithanathu Kochu Mathan) pioneered the backwater kayal cultivation in Kuttanadu. After his education, he became a priest in the

Society of Jesus , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...

. He then completed a doctorate in botany, and became an instructor at St. Xaviers College, Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu, and then at

St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli (SJC) is a Catholic college in Tamil Nadu, India. It was established in 1844 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and it is regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions in India. It was affiliated wi ...

. He dedicated his time to taxonomic studies and the compilation of florae. Pallithanam was one of the first Indian Jesuit botanists. Though he had done considerable work in field of taxonomy, very little has been published; however, along with Father Balam of St. Joseph's College, he inspired scores of students to study the botany of India. His book ''A Pocket Flora of the Sirumalai Hills South India'' is still considered as a notable work on South Indian flora; it is still cited in the scientific literature.''Tropical Conservation Science'' Vol.1(2):89-110, 2008
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References

20th-century Indian Jesuits 1915 births 1984 deaths 20th-century Indian botanists People from Alappuzha district Scientists from Kerala Jesuit scientists {{India-reli-bio-stub