Five bar Swordtail (Pathysa antiphates ceylonicus)

One of the rarest butterfly of the island. It is confine to the few localities in the southwestern wet lowland forests. Where also it occurs probably in a certain period of the year, roughly from January to end of March. Few earlier records also available from the dry zone especially from the Uva province.  Five bar Swordtail usually flies around midday. Therefore it is also known as "12 O' clock fly". Males often settle on wet patches in stream beds and jungle paths as well as the decaying animal matters.  No larval host plants have been discovered of it from Sri Lanka.

කුකුළු වැල්[Kukulu wel] (Calamus radiatus)

An endemic rattan occurs in forest understorey of southwestern wet lowlands below 1000 m altitude in Kalutara and Galle districts. Flowering from February to March. 

Jasminum grandiflorum

An introduced shrub native to Southwest Asia. Cultivated in home gardens. 

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior[Nicolaia elatior])

Native plant of Malaysia. Cultivated occasionally in home gardens, especially in Kandy and Peradeniya area.

කහ අඬනහිරියා [Kaha Andanahiriya] (Crotalaria retusa)

Common indigenous large herb occurs in waste grounds, roadsides and near seashore. Sometimes also cultivated in gardens. Roots and leaves occasionally use in medicine though plant is reported as poisonous. 

Lemon Pansy (Junonia lemonias vaisya)

Common butterfly flies everywhere up to about 2000 ft. It is very common in the dry zone and local and scarce in the wet zone. It takes part in migrations. Larva feeds on Barleria prionitis (කටු කරඬු/Yellow Hedge Barleria),  Hygrophila auriculata (ක‍ටු ඉකිරි/නීරමුල්ලිය), Lindernia rotundifolia, Dyschoriste madurensis, Dyschoriste nagchana, Rungia repens (සුළු නයි/Creeping rungia), Ruellia prostrata (නිල් පුරුක්)  and Barleria lupulina (රන්වන් කටු කරඩු).

Ludwigia hyssopifolia

An introduced herb with origin uncertain. Common in open wet disturbed sites such as stream banks, ditches, paddy field & tanks margins, rock crevices and openings in dry and wet zone forests from sea level to 200 m altitudes. 

බිම් බෙරු [Bim-Beru ] (Acrotrema walkeri)

An endemic perennial herb, locally common in the wet montane forests from 610 to 1300 m altitude. Acrotrema walkeri can be easily distinguished from other 6 species of the genus occurs in Sri Lanka (All endemic) by usually having pale-white area along the mid rib and primary veins of the leaves. 

ඇම්බැරැල්ලා[Ambarella](Spondias dulcis)

An introduced tree presumably introduced into Southeast Asia from the Society islands. Commonly cultivated in home gardens. Fruit edible and whole plant medicinal.

False Eranthemum (Pseuderanthemum maculatum [Syn: Pseuderanthemum carruthersii])

Introduced ornamental shrub cultivated in gardens. Native of Polynesia. Flowering throughout the year.
Two varieties cultivated in Sri Lanka.

1) variety atropurpureum [or Pseuderanthemum  atropurpureum - now a synonym of Pseuderanthemum carruthersii*]- Above picture
2) variety reticulatum with white flowers with red dotted center [or Pseuderanthemum reticulatum* now a synonym of Pseuderanthemum carruthersii]

*  http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2406673

Horanpella cinnamomea ?

Location - Dothalugala - Knuckles range

Expanse - 10 cm

Reference - The Lepidoptera of Ceylon - F. Moore, F.Z.S. Vol 3 Page 544- 545.

හාතාවාරිය [Hathawariya] (Asparagus falcatus)

An indigenous rambling and scandent shrub occurs in wet, dry and intermediate zones below 1500 m a.s.l. Flowering from July to October. Young shoots and tubers edible and tuberous roots are used in medicine. 

කටු අනෝදා/කටු ආත්තා/රට අනෝදා [Katu anoda/Katu atta/Rata anodha]/Soursop (Annona muricata)

An introduced small tree cultivated in home gardens for its edible fruits. Native to West Indies.

කෙකටිය[Kekatiya] (Aponogeton rigidifolius)

An endemic aquatic herb with submerged leaves, distributed in slow or fast flowing streams and rivers in Kalutara, Rathnapura and Galle districts of the southwestern wet lowlands.

Common Jay (Graphium doson)

Common butterfly widely distributed throughout the country except in the far north. Males often settle in large numbers on wet patches on gravel roads, river beds, etc. It takes parts in migrations and sometimes flies in great numbers. The larva feeds on Polyalthia cerasoides [Patta-Ul-Kenda/පට්ට උල්කෙන්ද], Polyalthia korinti [Mi-Wenna, Ul-Kenda/මීවැන්න/උල් කෙන්ද], Uvaria macropoda and Miliusa indica*[Kekili-Messa/කැකිලිමැස්ස] of the family Annonaceae

* Larva fed on tender leaves and flowers only in the lab.

Mandarin's hat/Chinese hats/Chinese Umbrellas/Cup & Saucer/Parasol flower/Sombrero flower (Holmskioldia sanguinea)

Straggling shrub or small tree native to subtropical Himalayan region of Pakistan and India. Introduced as an ornamental plant to Sri Lanka and cultivated in gardens. 

Purple-bean (Macroptilium atropurpureum)

Trailing or twining herb native to tropical America. Probably introduced as a cover crop and now naturalized along roadsides, waste places, etc.

හුණු කිරිල්ල[Hunu kirilla] (Glochidion zeylanicum)

Rather common native tree occurs along forest borders, open sunny exposed slopes and wet and dry savanna or patana areas from sea level to about 1000 m altitudes. 

Earpod wattle (Acacia auriculiformis)

Introduced tree cultivated as an ornamental. Native to Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia.

Stemorrhages oceanitis

Location - Indhikada Mookalana forest reserve

Expanse - 2.9 - 5 cm

Reference - The Lepidoptera of Ceylon - F. Moore, F.Z.S. Vol 3. (Probably the 'margaronia glauculalis' of plate 181 and page 325)

External Links - http://www.inaturalist.org/listed_taxa/5181647

Siam weed/Devil weed/Common floss flower (Chromolaena odorata [Eupatorium odoratum])

An introduced large herb native to tropical South America. It was first introduced an ornamental at Peradeniya botanical garden in 1884 where it subsequently dead out. When it was next introduced is not recorded but during 1937-1947 it became naturalized in Balangoda  Ratnapura area and spread rapidly up to extend that it was considered as a dangerous weed in 1944. It is now listed as an invasive which is very common along roadsides, waste grounds and forest clearings at lower elevations. Flowering from January to July. 

හීන්-බින්-තල්[Heen-Bin-Tal]/Yellow ground star(Curculigo orchioides)

Locally common native herb occurs in grasslands, patanas and open areas in forests from sea level to about 2000 m a.s.l. Flowering throughout the year. Used in medicine. 

Cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus)

A herb native to southeast Asia, cultivated in gardens as an ornamental. 

Indochinese Cuckooshrike (Annotated checklist of vagrant Cuckooshrikes (Family: Campephagidae) of Sri Lanka)

      Birds that appear outside their normal range are known as vagrants. This post listed up to date published sight records of single *unconfirmed vagrant of the family Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes  and Minivets) in Sri Lanka.   

     1) Indochinese Cuckooshrike (Coracina polioptera)

Single sight record at Sigiriya in February 1993 by A.J. Vincent is the only record. (Kotagama S. & Ratnavira G. 2010:287).

References:
Kotagama, S., Ratnavira, G. 2010. An illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka. Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

*Species for which there are only one or two sight records exist categorized here as unconfirmed vagrants. Problematic records without sufficient details are also included. 

ක‍ටු ඉකිරි/නීරමුල්ලිය [Katu-ikiri/Neeramulliya] (Hygrophila auriculata [Syn: Hygrophila schulli])

Common indigenous herb occurs in marshy places and roadside ditches of both wet and dry zone. Especially along edges of dry zone tanks and ponds. Flowering from January to October. Roots use in medicine and leaf congee is made from the plant.

විල[Wila]/Sparrow false pimpernel(Bonnaya antipoda [Syn: Lindernia antipoda])

Common indigenous decumbent or prostrate herb occurs among grass in paddy fields, roadsides, tank and pond edges and humus-filled rocky hollows in wet and dry lowlands and up to about 550 m altitude in the wet hills. Flowering throughout the year.

කිරි බදු [Kiri badu]/Giant potato(Ipomoea mauritiana)

An introduced vine with origin uncertain (Closest relatives are found in the West Indies and South America). Naturalized in lowland forests, riverine forests, secondary bushlands, cultivated field margins and savannas. Also encountered frequently near beaches and cultivated in home gardens. 

Olax scandens

Rather common indigenous climbing shrub occurs in secondary dry lowland forests, rocky slopes, etc. 

White Hedge Blue (Udara akasa mavisa)

A very local butterfly. But as per Ormiston (The butterflies of Ceylon - W. Ormiston)  plentiful where it occurs (Haputhale, Haldummulla and Nuwaraeliya especially during the March to April). It is usually found near streams in the hills. Males settles on wet patches on roads and females usually hovering among bushes and settle on flowers. No records available on its early stages or larval host plants*. This is probably the first photograph taken of  the White Hedge Blue in its natural habitats in Sri Lanka.

* As per Van der Poorten G.M. & Van der Poorten N.E., 2016 Female laying eggs were observed on developing buds of Persicaria chinensis. (2021/05/30)

Peregrina(Jatropha integerrima[Jatropha pandurifolia])

An introduced shrub or small tree native to Cuba. Cultivated in gardens, Not naturalized.

දිය සියඹලා/හීන් දිය සියඹලා [Diya Siyambala, Heen Diya Siyambala]/Indian jointvetch/Budda pea (Aeschynomene indica)

Common indigenous large erect herb occurs near tanks and paddy fields in the drier part of the country up to the hills. Flowering from July to November.

ගල් කූර/මහ ගල්-කූර[Gal Kura, Maha-Galkura](Melochia corchorifolia)

Common indigenous herb occurs along roadsides, edges of weedy fields, grassy areas between paddy fields & forest edges,etc. from sea level to about 150 m altitude. Often found in rather wet places.

පොල් පලා/පොල් කුඩු පලා[Pol-Kudu Pala, Pol Pala](Ouret lanata [Syn : Aerva lanata])

Common indigenous herb occurs in disturbed or waste sandy grounds, sand flats, open areas in scrub and rocky slopes in dry regions. 

මහ දිය සියඹලා[Maha diyasiyabala] /Pith plant/Shola/Shola pith(Aeschynomene aspera)

Common native erect herb occurs in water or wet places. Usually along the borders of tanks. Pith of the stems is used to make fishing floats, toys & sun hats. 

Chalcosia sp. (Chalcosia venosa?)

Location - Meethirigala forest reserve

Expanse - Male: 3.8cm cm Female: 4.5cm

Reference - The Lepidoptera of Ceylon - F. Moore, F.Z.S. Vol 2 Page 45.

External Links - http://www.inaturalist.org/listed_taxa/3604229

හිරමන-දැත්ත[Hiramana-daththa]/Frogfruit/Bank mat (Phyla nodiflora)

An indigenous creeping herb occurs in moist places like tank edges, seacoast, dry river beds, etc.  Flowering throughout the year. Used in medicine and leaves said to be edible.

ගම්-මිරිස්/ගම්-මිරිස්-වැල්[Gam-Miris/Gam-Miris-Wel]/Black-Pepper(Piper nigrum)

A twining herb native to eastern and western ghats of India. Introduced in an unknown period of the history and naturalized in secondary and disturbed primary forests of the wet zone up to about 800 m elevations. Also cultivated in large scale. 

කැලණිතිස්ස[Kelanitissa]/Yellow elder/Yellow trumpet flower (Tecoma stans)

An introduced shrub or small tree native to tropical America. Widely planted along roads and in gardens. Not naturalized. Flowering intermittently throughout the year.

ගස් බැබිල[Gas-Bebila]/Common sida/Common wireweed(Sida acuta)

Common indigenous herb or small shrub occurs in roadsides and waste places in the lower elevations. 

Common Dartlet (Oriens goloides)

An uncommon butterfly occurs in grassy areas all over the island up to mid-hills. It often found settled on grass by the roadsides. If disturbed, darts off rapidly and usually settles again near by shrub. Common Dartlet larva feeds on Setaria barbata (තණ කොළ), Cyrtococcum trigonum and also Axonopus compressus only when offered.