Sunday, November 26, 2017

Eragrostis viscosa

Common native perennial mainly occurs in coastal lowlands of the dry zone, usually on sandy foreshores and saline flats in association of grasslands. Also known to extend to the wet zone up to 500 m elevations along roadsides, as a weed of tea estates and disturbed grounds.

Panicle - Usually 5-11 cm long &1-2 cm wide
Spikelets - 2-3 mm long &1-1.5 mm wide

Saturday, November 18, 2017

කවලු[Kavalu] (Setaria parviflora)

An introduced perennial weed common in open grassy areas, roadsides and patana lands from sea level to about 1500 m elevations. It is eaten by cattle. 

Friday, November 17, 2017

පොතු තණ[Potu Thana]/Carpet Grass (Axonopus compressus)

An introduced perennial native to tropical America. Naturalized and occurs in wide range of habitats as a ruderal and weed from sea level to about 1900 m a.s.l., mainly in the wet zone. It is used as a lawn grass.   

Thursday, November 16, 2017

බූ දෙනි තණ[Bu Deni Tana]/Bugseed Grass (Alloteropsis cimicina)

Common native grass species of most parts of the wet and dry lowlands up to about 1200 m a.s.l. of mid-hills  It occurs mainly in damp or shady sites in disturbed places, but also in varies other habitats including dry patana lands.  

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus [Syn: Panicum maximum])

An introduced and naturalized perennial often forming large clumps. Probably native to the Africa. It occurs commonly in open grassy areas, river banks, neglected lawns, roadsides, pastures and plantations from sea level to about 1000 m elevations.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

ගුරු තණ[Guru Tana] (Digitaria ciliaris)

An indigenous annual common along roadsides, paddy field borders, ditches and other disturbed sites from lowlands to intermediate elevations. 

Monday, November 13, 2017

Urochloa subquadripara [Syn: Brachiaria subquadripara]

An indigenous perennial common in fallow fields, grassy roadsides, waste places  and along stream banks from sea level to about 1000 m a.s.l. It is a very good pasture grass. 

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Eragrostis unioloides

Common native grass species distributed throughout the island from sea level to about 2300 m elevations. 

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Sour Grass (Paspalum conjugatum)

Probably a native grass of tropical America. Introduced to Sri Lanka and now a common weed in plantations, lawns, roadsides and other open grassy areas from sea level to about 1100 m elevations. 

Friday, November 10, 2017

Mission Grass/Crab Grass (Setaria parviflora [Syn: Pennisetum polystachion])

Native plant of tropical Africa. Introduced to Sri Lanka as an ornamental grass. Escaped and naturalized along roadsides, cultivated lands, fallow fields, etc. from sea level to about 1100 m a.s.l. It has become an invasive weed of forests and plantations. 


Thursday, November 9, 2017

ලෙව්[Lev]/Bareet Grass (Leersia hexandra)

An indigenous grass species common in marshes, ponds and paddy fields throughout the island. Serious weed in paddy fields though used as a fodder for cattle.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

බැල තණ/වල්මල් කුරක්කන්[Bela Tana/Walmal Kurakkan]/Goose Grass(Eleusine indica)

Common indigenous annual or short-lived perennial widely distributed in both wet and dry zones up to about 1400 m elevations.  Often a weed of cultivation. Also occurring in tea estates, lawns, gardens, waste areas, roadsides as well as lowland jungles. 

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

කලඳන/කලමරුවා[Kaladana/Kalamaruwa] (Ipomoea nil)

An introduced ornamental vine native to the America. Escaped and naturalized along roadsides, disturbed areas and scrublands, mostly in the wet zone. But also found near coast in the northern dry zone.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Sacciolepis interrupta

Common native grass species occurs in paddy fields, marshes and shallow lakes from low to medium elevations. It is eaten by cattle. 

Sunday, November 5, 2017

බටදැල්ල[Batadhalla] (Isachne globosa)

Common native annual or short-lived perennial grass species grows in marshy habitats, rice fields, stream banks and ditches from sea level to 1800 m a.s.l. Troublesome weed of  paddy fields though use as a fodder for cattle. 

Saturday, November 4, 2017

බද මල් තණ[Bada Mal Tana] (Ischaemum muticum)

An indigenous perennial occurs mainly near sea level on beaches, sandy shores and coconut plantations. An endemic variety srilankense is known only from two collections made in a single population from Pallugaturai of Puttalam district.

Friday, November 3, 2017

ගිරා තණ/හීන් මාරතු[Heen Marathu/Gira Thana]/Wild Millet (Echinochloa colonum)

Common native tufted annual widely distributed often in or near water as weed of paddy fields and disturbed grounds from sea level to 1300 m a.s.l. in all three climatic zones. The grass including seed is readily eaten by cattle. The grain is used as food in India by poorer classes and in Myanmar in times of scarcity. 

Thursday, November 2, 2017

දිය පාසි[Diya Pasi]/Yellow Bladderwort (Utricularia aurea)

An indigenous aquatic herb common in the tanks, ditches, pools and swamps at low altitudes, mainly in the dry regions. Flowering from August to December (Probably throughout the year)

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

කෙකටිය [Kekatiya](Aponogeton crispus)

An indigenous aquatic herb with submerged and floating leaves occurs in lakes, ponds and tanks from sea level to about 1300 m a.s.l, mainly in the northern and western part of the country down to Panadura. Flowering throughout the year.