Joseph Pallithanam was an Indian botanist. He was born to Mathachan (Vachaparampil)and Mariamma (Pallithanam) in Kainady

Kainady

Kainady village is located in Neelamperoor grama panchayat. It is a small island and consists of picturesque paddy fields and small canals. Population consists of Hindu and Christian denominations...

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After his education, he became a priest in the Society of Jesus

Society of Jesus

The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...

. He then completing 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, Tiruchirapalli

St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli is a Jesuit-founded college in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.-The College Coat Of Arms:“The college blazon is not the heirloom of an ancient and noble family handed down with pride of name and glorious memories of the past. It is only distinctive badge...

He dedicated his time to taxonomic studies and the compilation of floras.

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, Tiruchirapalli, he inspired scores of students to study Indian botany.

His book ‎A Pocket Flora of the Sirumalai Hills South India is still considered as a notable work on the South Indian flora; it is still cited in the scientific literature.