RESEARCH ARTICLE

FLOWERING OBSERVATION OF THE ENDANGERED, Phreatia jayaweerae Ormerod (ORCHIDACEAE) IN SRI LANKA AFTER 45 YEARS

Abstract

A total of 189 orchid species have been recorded from Sri Lanka, including 55 endemic species (Fernando and Ormerod, 2008; Soto Arenas and Cribb, 2010). Whereas listing of 189 species is substantial not all species are common, some may be widespread and uncommon. In particular, Phreatia jayaweerae (Fig. 1A) is an endemic species (Fernando and Ormerod, 2008) and belonging to endangered criteria in the National Red List 2012 (MOE, 2012). The species, P. jayaweerae described by Ormerod, 2005 by using dried materials which collected by Jayaweera in 1969 at Rangala, Corbet's Gap; Raxawa Estate, near Doloshage and Kiriwanaeliya, near Norton Bridge (Ormerod, 2005). Herein we report the first sighting of flowering and fruiting of P. Jayaweerae after 45 years in Morningside Estate (6.4030°N, 80.6295°E, Elevation 1050 m), near Morningside, Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. The fruits observed on 5th April 2015 (Fig. 1B) and flowers were observed on 24th June 2015 (Fig. 1C) at the same locality, both fruits and flowers are pale yellowish-green in colour.

Keywords: Wild orchids, Phreatia, Morningside Estate

How to Cite: Nadun Arangala,,Atthanagoda,A, Priyadarshana,T.M.T.S, (2015). FLOWERING OBSERVATION OF THE ENDANGERED, Phreatia jayaweerae Ormerod (ORCHIDACEAE) IN SRI LANKA AFTER 45 YEARS.WILDLANKA, 3(4):Pages 195-199

Published On:2015-12-31

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