v7i2.175

Submitted date: 11 June 2014
Accepted date: 27 July 2014
Published date: 20 February 2015
Pp. 101–102.

Rediscovery of Aeginetia indica L. (Orobanchaceae) from Meegahakiula, Sri Lanka after 125 years

S.P. Ekanayake, S. Jayarathne, S. Harischandra, S. Karunarathne, B. Weerakoon, K. Mahagedara, A. Thudugala & K.B. Ranawana
*Corresponding author. E-mail: sekanayake@gmail.com

Aeginetia indica L. (Orobanchaceae) is an herbaceous annual plant that lacks leaves and is parasitic on roots of monocots, especially grasses. The species is rare and declining throughout its range. In Sri Lanka it has a Redlist status of CR status. A small population of Aeginetia indica was discovered during botanical explorations while collecting and cataloguing plants in the village of Kalugahakandura, Meegahakivula District Secretariat Division of Badulla District, in December 2013. At that time, six mature individuals of Aeginetia indica were recorded in a small area approximately one square meter on a steep road-side forest floor (07°0606.19N, 81°0458.63E). Taxonomic identity was determined by comparison with specimens at the National Herbarium, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, by submitting a voucher specimen (Reference No. 6/01/H/03) to the National Herbarium.

Section Editor: James L. Reveal