Monday, January 8, 2018

Painted Sawtooth (Prioneris sita)

Rather rare butterfly of mid hill forests from 600 to 900 m elevations, while descending to 400 m a.s.l. along southern and southwestern part of the hills. This butterfly mimics the poisonous Common Jeseble by size, coloration and wing pattern as well as the behavior, especially in its style of flight. However if disturbed it immediately flies away with great speed.  Painted Sawtooth males often settles on wet patches on ground for mud puddling. Female rarely encountered and spends much of its time inside the forest. Its larva feeds on Capparis moonii

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Utricularia bifida

An indigenous small terrestrial herb found on wet soil and rocks, and as a weed in paddy fields from sea level to 1600 m a.s.l. Flowering in June, July and November to January. 

Saturday, January 6, 2018

වල් ඇඹිල්ල/කටු ඇඹිල්ල[Wal Embilla/Katu Embilla] (Elaeagnus latifolia)

An indigenous shrub common in the shrub jungles around the patanas and forest edges in the mid hills of moist and intermediate zones. Flowering periodically throughout the year. Flowers fragrant and fruits edible. 

Friday, January 5, 2018

Sacciolepis indica

A common native grass in wet depressions and moist grassy slopes, sometime in partial shade from near sea level to over 1520 m elevations. 

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

රට කැටඹිල්ල[Rata Ketambilla]/Rose-Leaved Bramble/Wild Raspberry (Rubus rosifolius)

An indigenous low shrub occurs in shady moist areas, along streams or borders of tea estates and open places or cleared slopes along roadsides among bushes or patana margins mainly in the Kandy district. Flowering from January to March. Fruits edible and collecting to make Jam. 

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Impatiens henslowiana

Rather rare native perennial of scrub and rocky places in the hill country rain forests from 900 to 2000 m elevations. Often found close to rivers and streams or in the spray zone of waterfalls. Large herb of about 60-150 cm tall.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Habenaria acuminata

Rather common native terrestrial orchid species found among grass and other weeds on the slopes and hill cuttings in the submontane zone between 915 and 1524 m elevations.