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Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

November 18, 2016 09:56 AM +0530

Description

Oldenlandia umbellata, the chay root, (chaya, saya, chiruver, emburel, imbural, imburaver, sayaver, or shayaver in Tamil; saya, sayamul in Sinhala ), Rubiaceae, grows in sandy ground in the dry coastal areas of South India and northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

A prostrate annual or perennial herb, with a long woody rootstock. Stems 4-sided, scabrous. Leaves linear to lanceolate. Flowers heterostylous (the 1st image shows the long-styled form; the 2nd image, the short-styled form), in axillary inflorescences, small, white, about 4 mm across. The fruit an ovoid to globose capsule.

A butterfly nectar plant.

A medicinal plant, the leaves with expectorant properties, and the root a specific for snakebite poisoning.

The powdered root bark of O. umbellata has been used since the medieval period in India (c. 1200–1500 CE) for obtaining a fast red dye, as well as a variety of other shades, including orange, purple, and brown, with different mordants (Roy, 1978). This was the most important source of red in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and South India. The Dutch East India Company monopolised the trade in chay root in Sri Lanka in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Sources:
A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, Volume XII, Dassanayake and Fosberg, eds. (1988)
Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:758254-1
Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka, van der Poorten and van der Poorten (2016)
Medicinal Plants (Indigenous and Exotic) Used in Ceylon, Part IV, Jayaweera (1982)
Roy, M. (1978). Dyes in ancient and medieval India. Indian Journal of History of Science 13:83-112.

The first image was taken in Casuarina Beach, Jaffna on 18 November 2016 and the second image in Palameenmadu, Batticaloa on 8 July 2018.

Photos / Sounds

What

Orange Climber (Zanthoxylum asiaticum)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 26, 2016 08:08 AM +0530

Description

Zanthoxylum asiaticum (syn. Toddalia asiatica), forest pepper, Rutaceae, is a small, erect scrambling or climbing shrub. With a wide distribution, from tropical Africa, India, Sri Lanka to China. In Sri Lanka, common in montane forests and also found in coastal districts.

Plants dioecious (male and female flowers on separate individuals). Stems armed with sharp prickles. Leaves trifoliate with sessile leaflets. Flowers small, about 7 mm across, white, in a paniculate inflorescence. Fruits glandular, orange when ripe (like miniature mandarins).

Larval food plant (leaves) of the Common Banded Peacock, Common Mormon and Red Helen.

Leaves yield various volatile oils like linalool, the root bark has alkaloids like toddaline and the stem bark yields coumarins. Leaves, root bark, roots and fruit are all used in medicine; the root bark as an antimalarial, fruit and roots in oil as a liniment for rheumatism, root decoction as an anthelmintic, and leaf poultice to treat toothache.

Historically, the root bark was used as a yellow dye stuff; the colouring matter is a lighter yellow than turmeric, but is more lightfast.

Sources:

A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, Volume V, Dassanayake and Fosberg, eds. (1988)
Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77194041-1
Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka, van der Poorten and van der Poorten (2016)
Medicinal Plants (Indigenous and Exotic) Used in Ceylon, Part IV, Jayaweera (1982)
Indian Medicinal Plants https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-0-387-70638-2_1642
A Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, Volumes I to VI, Watt (1889-1893)
Brooks, B. T. (1910). The natural dyes and coloring matters of the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science. A: Chemical and Geological Sciences and the Industries. 5:439-452.

Photos / Sounds

What

Roxburgh's Cassia (Cassia roxburghii)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

July 25, 2017 11:10 AM +0530

Description

Cassia roxburghii, Ceylon cassia, Fabaceae, is a small tree native to Sri Lanka and India. In Sri Lanka, it is common in the dry zone.

The flowers are 2-2.5 cm across, pink to salmon-pink or rose, turning yellowish or orange as they age. The fruit is black, 20-32 cm long, 2 cm in diameter and indehiscent.

Larval food plant of the Lemon Emigrant (leaves), Redspot (leaves) and Slate Flash (flowers).

Observed on the side of a dirt track off the A15 on the way to Trikonamadu Nature Reserve.

Sources:
A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, Volume VII, Dassanayake and Fosberg (1991)
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:485162-1
Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka, van der Poorten and van der Poorten (2016)

Photos / Sounds

What

Sri Lankan Loten's Sunbird (Cinnyris lotenius ssp. lotenius)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

August 29, 2017 09:31 AM +0530

Place

Meewathura (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

July 25, 2017 11:01 AM +0530

Description

Jasminum angustifolium, wild jasmine, Oleaceae, a slender woody twiner, vine, or straggling shrub found scrambling through shrubs and small trees in scrub and forest in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Also found in India and the Andaman Islands.

Terminal inflorescence with 1-3 flowers. Corolla hypocrateriform. Somewhat fragrant. Flowers in April and July to September. Fruit a paired berry, black when ripe.

Observed on the side of a dirt track off the A15 on the way to Trikonamadu Nature Reserve.

Ayurveda herb. Roots are ground into a paste with the root of Acorus calamus and lime juice to treat ringworm.

Sources:
A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, Volume VI, Dassanayake and Fosberg, eds. (1988)
Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:609326-1
Medicinal Plants (Indigenous and Exotic) Used in Ceylon, Part IV, Jayaweera (1982).

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

May 31, 2017 09:33 AM +0530

Description

A katydid observed in Thangamale Bird Sanctuary in Haputhale, Sri Lanka.

Photos / Sounds

What

Sri Lanka White-Eye (Zosterops ceylonensis)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

June 2, 2017 10:08 AM +0530

Description

Endemic Sri Lanka white-eye, Zosterops ceylonensis, found only in the hill country feeds on insects and nectar. Near threatened status.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

May 30, 2017 10:47 AM +0530

Description

Hedyotis dendroides, Rubiaceae, is a shrub or small tree endemic to Sri Lanka. It is found in the montane zone.

This species is an example of heterostyly. These images are of the short-styled form.

Conservation status: near threatened

This plant was seen in the Horton Plains.

Sources:
A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, Volume XII, Dassanayake and Clayton (1998)
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:752429-1

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

May 30, 2017 12:52 PM +0530

Description

Hedyotis dendroides, Rubiaceae, is a shrub or small tree endemic to Sri Lanka. It is found in the montane zone.

This species is an example of heterostyly. This image shows the long styled form.

Conservation status: near threatened

This plant was seen in the Horton Plains.

Sources:
A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon, Volume XII, Dassanayake and Clayton (1998)
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:752429-1

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

May 30, 2017 10:07 AM +0530

Description

Rhododendron arboreum subsp. zeylanicum, Ericaceae, is endemic to the upper montane zone of Sri Lanka. This was seen at Horton Plains.

Subsp. zeylanicum has leaves with srongly recurved margins.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

May 31, 2017 10:39 AM +0530

Description

Exacum trinervium, Gentianaceae, is endemic to Sri Lanka. According to the Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon this variable species has 4 subspecies (however, they are not accepted by Plant List); this is subsp ritigalensis.

Photos / Sounds

What

Trellis-Vine (Pergularia daemia)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

February 27, 2017 01:41 PM +0530

Description

Pergularia daemia, Apocynaceae, is a climber from Old World tropics, including Sri Lanka. Its parts contain toxic chemicals such as cardenolides.

In dry coastal areas of Sri Lanka, it is a major food plant (leaves only) of the Plain Tiger butterfly larva, Danaus chrysippus chrysippus (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

In Ayurveda, leaves and flowers are used for treating snakebite.

Photos / Sounds

What

Crown Flower (Calotropis gigantea)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

February 27, 2017 04:19 PM +0530

Description

Calotropis gigantea, Apocynaceae, is a shrub from Asia, including Sri Lanka. Its leaves exude a latex containing cardiac glycosides.

In Sri Lanka, it is the main food plant (leaves and flowers) of the Plain Tiger butterfly larva, Danaus chrysippus chrysippus (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

Roots, flowers, stem and latex are used in Ayurveda for treating a variety of conditions and illnesses, including snakebite.

Photos / Sounds

What

Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus ssp. chrysippus)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

March 1, 2017 02:12 PM +0530

Description

Plain Tiger, Danaus chrysippus chrysippus, wingspan 60-75mm. This is a male (see sex brand on underside of hindwing - a black patch with a white centre).

It is widespread in dry zone coastal areas of Sri Lanka. The larva feeds on plants of the Apocynaceae many of which have toxic chemicals, hence its (and the adult's) poisonous nature. The main food plant is Calotropis gigantea, but, according to the Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016), in dry coastal areas it also feeds on Pergularia daemia and Pentatropis capensis as often as on C. gigantea. See my other observations on C. gigantea and P. daemia.

This butterfly is probing a Cardiospermum halicacabum flower (see second uncropped image).

Photos / Sounds

What

Indian Grey Mongoose (Urva edwardsii)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

March 2, 2017 10:58 AM +0530

Description

Indian grey mongoose, Urva edwardsii, Herpestidae, from West Asia and the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka. Found throughout the island, more common in the northern dry zone.
This is subspecies U. e. lanka.

Photos / Sounds

What

Lesser False Vampire Bat (Megaderma spasma)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

August 19, 2016 12:38 PM +0530

Description

Lesser false vampire bat, Megaderma spasma, roosting in the water tower at Popham’s Arboretum, Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Widespread from the Indian Subcontinent to SE Asia.

I previously incorrectly identified this as Megaderma lyra.

Photos / Sounds

What

Lavender Sorrel (Oxalis barrelieri)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

November 8, 2016 09:37 AM +0530

Description

Oxalis barrelieri, Barrelier’s woodsorrel, Oxalidaceae, is a small herb from tropical America naturalised in Sri Lanka in the hill country.

It is a butterfly nectar plant (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

Photos / Sounds

What

Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

November 6, 2016 12:50 PM +0530

Description

Murraya paniculata, Orange Jessamine, Rutaceae, is a wild citrus relative from Sri Lanka, India and SE Asia. It is a shrub or small tree with highly scented flowers.

It is a butterfly nectar plant (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

Bark, roots, leaves and flowers are used in Ayurveda medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including hypertension.

Photos / Sounds

What

Nettleleaf Velvetberry (Stachytarpheta urticifolia)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 26, 2016 07:28 AM +0530

Description

Stachytarpheta urticifolia, Blue Rat-tail, Verbenaceae, is a herb from tropical America naturalised in Sri Lanka. Flowers open only a few at a time on the long spike.

It is a nectar source for butterflies (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

I have observed an Acherontia lachesis (Bee Robber) moth larva devouring the leaves of this plant.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 21, 2016 11:18 AM +0530

Description

Atalantia ceylanica, Rutaceae, is a wild citrus species from Sri Lanka and S India. Its flowers and leaves and scented and it produces small fruit which turn purple when ripe.

Its leaves are a larval food plant of several butterfly species, Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor parinda), Common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus), Lime Blue (Chilades lajus lajus) and Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus demoleus); it is also a butterfly nectar source (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

Its leaves, bark and flowers are used in Ayurveda medicine.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 26, 2016 08:09 AM +0530

Description

Psiadia ceylanica, Asteraceae, is a shrub from only Sri Lanka and South India. Found at higher elevations in grassland and scrub, it flowers year round.

It is a nectar source for butterflies (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

Photos / Sounds

What

Obscure Morning Glory (Ipomoea obscura)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 26, 2016 09:06 AM +0530

Description

Ipomoea obscura, Lesser glory, Convolvulaceae, is a slender vine from tropical Africa and Asia, including Sri Lanka, generally found in disturbed places.

Its leaves are used in Ayurveda medicine to treat aphthous infections.

Photos / Sounds

What

Indian Nightshade (Solanum violaceum)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 21, 2016 10:50 AM +0530

Description

Solanum violaceum, Indian nightshade, Solanaceae, is a shrub from Sri Lanka and India. Its flowers are buzz-pollinated by bees.

The edible, but bitter, fruits are usually collected from the wild for turning into curry.

Photos / Sounds

What

Bush Plum (Carissa spinarum)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 21, 2016 10:25 AM IDT

Description

Carissa spinarum, Apocynaceae, is a small tree from Sri Lanka, India and Myanmar, found in overgrazed or disturbed vegetation. It is armed with stout spines. Its unscented flowers are eaten by macaques. Its fruit turn black when ripe.

It is a nectar source for butterflies (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

The ripe fruits are eaten fresh and roots are used in Ayurveda for treatment of pains.

Photos / Sounds

What

Blue Fountain Bush (Rotheca serrata)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

October 21, 2016 11:08 AM +0530

Description

Rotheca serrata, syn Clerodendrum serratum, Lamiaceae, is a shrub from Sri Lanka, India and SE Asia. In Sri Lanka it is found in wet low country and up to mid elevations.

Roots are used in Ayurveda medicine to treat malarial fever.

Photos / Sounds

What

Purple Coraltree (Erythrina fusca)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

February 13, 2017 03:44 PM +0530

Description

Erythrina fusca, Coral bean, Fabaceae, is the only Erythrina species native to both the Old and New Worlds, its wide distribution attributed to dispersal by water. In Sri Lanka it is found along rivers and its conservation status is near threatened.

It is a a food plant (leaves only) of the Chestnut Streaked Sailor (Neptis jumbah nalanda) and Common Sailor (Neptis hylas varmona) butterfly larvae (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

The bark, roots and seed are used in Ayurveda medicine.

Photos / Sounds

What

Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

November 29, 2016 02:49 PM +0530

Description

Male oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis, from the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka, and SE Asia. It's an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae). It's a delightful songster and was once, sadly, kept as a cagebird for this reason. It has a similar shape to the European robin, but has a much longer tail which is usually kept cocked upright. The female has less bright plumage with a greyish cast.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dushylarge

Date

November 21, 2016 07:11 AM +0530

Description

This is tentatively identified as Dinothrombium gigas. It is an arachnid about 2-3cm long seen in Sri Lanka in sandy soil in the dry zone, usually after rain.

Please see the discussion below about this identification. Any comments and a definitive identification are welcome.

Photos / Sounds

What

Lesser False Vampire Bat (Megaderma spasma)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

December 9, 2016 12:38 PM +0530

Description

Lesser false vampire bat, Megaderma spasma, roosting in the water tower at Popham’s Arboretum, Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Widespread from the Indian Subcontinent to SE Asia.

I previously incorrectly identified this as Megaderma lyra.

Photos / Sounds

What

Indian Umbrella Thorn (Vachellia planifrons)

Observer

dushylarge

Date

November 19, 2016 03:44 PM +0530

Description

Vachellia planifrons (syn. Acacia planifrons), Jungle Nail, Fabaceae. A small armed tree, about 7m tall, with a typical flat crown from South India and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, it is restricted to the arid sandy areas of Mannar Island and the coast opposite on the mainland.

The tree has two types of thorn at the base of petioles, two short, somewhat curved, thorns and two long straight thorns (both can be seen in the image). The pods curl into spirals or rings.

This is a butterfly nectar plant (van der Poorten & van der Poorten, 2016, The Butterfly Fauna of Sri Lanka).

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