Sri Lanka

The Enchanted Isle

A Greentours Trip Report

17th February to 7th March 2014

Led by Paul Cardy

Trip Report and Systematic Lists written by Paul Cardy

Day 0/1 Monday February 17th & Tuesday February 18th Journey to Sri Lanka and to Kandy

A rather unusual beginning to the tour this year, as I had been in the north checking out some new areas, and the two different flight arrivals were met by our excellent ground agents. I arrived at the Suisse in Kandy late morning to meet Geoff, Margaret, and Mary and before too long Rees and Carol arrived. Free time followed with lunch available if and when wanted.

On the lake in front of the hotel were Indian Cormorants, Little Cormorants, Little and Great Egrets, and Black-crowned Night Herons. Basking on the same log was Indian Softshell Terrapin. Three-spot Grass Yellow, Psyche, and Zebra Blue flew in the hotel gardens, which supported a very large Flying Fox roost.

We met up at 3.30 for an afternoon excursion. In three-wheelers we motored around the lake to a small guesthouse, the terrace of which overlooks the good forest of the Udawattakelle Sanctuary. White-bellied Sea Eagle was much in evidence throughout our stay, with two birds in the air over the forest. Yellow-fronted Barbet, Orange Minivets, Oriental White-eyes, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, and Hill Mynas were all seen well. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots regularly flew over, calling, which would be how we would most often see them during the tour, and Ceylon Swallows were in the air.

A troop of mischievous Toque Macques moved across the rooftops and came extremely close to us. The beautiful butterfly Metallic Caerulean was on the wing, and Red Pierrot was as always a pleasing find. The birds continued with the endemic Layard’s Parakeet, the widespread Oriental Magpie-Robin, Rose-ringed Parakeets flying over, and Asian Brown Flycatcher. Whilst all this was going on our hosts provided welcome afternoon tea and coconut hoppers.

Back at the Suisse we enjoyed a very good buffet dinner beside the pool, and looked forward to a productive and enjoyable tour.

Day 2 Wednesday 19th February Peradineya, Udawattakelle, and Kandy

A very fine morning, and indeed rather warm, with blue skies. After an excellent breakfast, as usual either western or curries, we set off in the bus for the short drive to Peradineya Botanic

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Gardens. We spent the morning walking slowly around the gardens, and generally our route avoided the busiest areas, although anyway visitor numbers were not especially high today. We saw a wealth of interesting things during our visit and of course there was a fine selection of plants here, both native and non-native, the gardens particularly attractive and well laid out. A new entrance area with cafe and shop was here this year, but the latter sadly had no books for sale.

An avenue of Javan Almonds was particularly fine, with incredible irregular buttress roots. Among the many trees were Nutmeg, Mango, African Tulip Tree, Sausage Tree, Bread Fruit and Jack Fruit, but the most impressive were the Pride of Burma, Amherstia nobilis, many of which were in fine bloom, as usual at this time of year. The Cannonball trees were in both flower and fruit, a good example of cauliflory. Thunbergia fragrans had white trumpets and there was some fine Monstera deliciosa. A feature of the gardens are the beautiful avenues of Royal Palms, Cabbage Palms, and Borassus Palms.

As always the gardens give us an introduction to the common birds of Sri Lanka. Yellow-billed Babblers moved around in small groups, White-bellied Drongos sallied for insects, and Magpie Robins were conspicuous. Asian Palm Swifts wheeled over the lawns. We had good views of nectaring Pale-billed Flowerpeckers and Purple-rumped Sunbirds, and Common Tailorbirds were active in the dense shrubbery. Koels called noisily, as did Common Hawk Cuckoo, and Brown- headed Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, and Ceylon Small Barbets provided a constant soundtrack.

The butterfly highlight today was a superb Ceylon Birdwing, not usually seen here. Other species included Psyche, White Four-ring, Dark Caerulean, Common Crow, and both Emigrants. Apefly was a good record, and Lime Blue was here. Lesser Grass Blues were rather common over the lawns and Grey Pansy, Common Mormon, and Common Tiger were also on the wing.

Three-striped Palm Squirrels were much in evidence and there were troops of Toque Macaques. Forest Wagtail was seen well under the trees, and Black-hooded Oriole called regularly, and was also seen. In the air were several raptors, namely White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Oriental Honey Buzzard, and Shikra. Thankfully the honey buzzard stayed away from the semi- circular bee nests hanging under some high branches.

We reached the immense Flying Fox roost, and marvelled at the huge numbers of these impressive bats, quarrelling noisily and never seeming to rest. As usual hundreds were on the wing, despite it being mid-morning. This population has grown every time I visit and the roost now covers a vast area with many trees dripping with bats.

After reaching the huge spreading Javan Fig we strolled along an avenue of contorted Cook’s Pines to a pond. But, not a pond this year as for some reason it had been drained leaving only cracked mud. Usually a great dragonfly site today we only saw Sri Lankan Orange-faced Sprite, Pink Skimmer, Sombre Skimmer, and Globe Skimmer, as there was no water! A small Water Monitor caused much interest, and Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots again flew over. Nearby the melastomataceous Medinilla magnifica had stunning large distinctly veined leaves. Here too was a strange tree, Napoleona, placed in its own family, showing cauliflory, the flowers being rather Passiflora like.

In Kandy a small family run restaurant near the river provided us with a very good rice and curry lunch. There were many dishes of varying hotness, such as banana flower, and delicious chicken curries. The ginger beer was very refreshing.

After a break back at the hotel, at 3.30pm we went to the forest of Udawattakelle, a beautiful place, although often quiet, especially in the afternoon. A bonus was almost no other visitors. Two of the lycaenid Slate Flash flew in a light gap, beautiful in the sunlight. The bird highlight, and one Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 2 of my main targets here, was a few of the endemic Brown-capped Babbler moving quietly on the forest floor, seen briefly but well today. Yellow-crowned Barbet excavated nest holes, and a white male Paradise Flycatcher moved daintily through the subcanopy. In the pond were a number of Indian Pond Terrapins. Hill Mynas and Black Bulbuls provided a noisy backdrop.

At 5.30 p.m. Sunil took the group to the Temple of the Tooth, surely the cultural highlight of a visit to Kandy.

Day 3 Thursday 20th February Sorabora and Victoria Radenigala

Leaving at 7.15 we drove east from Kandy, making good progress. The skies were heavily overcast, and it was uncharacteristically rather cool. After the heavy traffic of Kandy we were soon in more rural surroundings, and some fine verdant scenery. We travelled the main road to Mahiyangana, over the Knuckles range, the road now much improved after several years of roadworks. The series of switchbacks down onto the eastern lowlands are now via a wide, brand new, much more comfortable road than in the past. Through fine vegetation, among the many roadside plants were the ‘handkerchief’ tree Mussaenda frondosa, Stachytarpheta urticifolia, and Crotalaria verrucosa with purple veined white flowers. Troops of Toque Macaques loitered on the roadsides. Despite the clouds we still had good views down to the lowlands.

Once in the paddies of the eastern lowlands there were many White-throated Kingfishers on the wires. In Mahiyangana we had a ginger beer or tea break at the old rest house where we watched nesting Scaly-breasted Munias. A highlight here was two Malabar Pied Hornbills, in fact the only two seen today. On the river shores were a number or Red-wattled Lapwings.

At Sorabora we parked and walked slowly to the reservoir. An early highlight was a pair of very close Stork-billed Kingfishers, one battling with a fish. Butterflies were soon much in evidence with species such as Crimson Rose, Common Mormon, Common Rose, Dark Wanderer, Chocolate Soldier and Lemon Pansy. Ceylon Birdwing was here again and Angled Castor was added to the list.

Nearing the reservoir we met the first of several large Water Monitors, and a White-breasted Waterhen. At the reservoir itself were several Little Cormorants, and Brahminy Kites and Whiskered Terns were in the air. Walking slowly along the bank, lined with impressive fig trees, Green Imperial Pigeons and Brown-headed Barbets were seen well.

Several Asian Paradise Flycatchers frequented a leafy corner by a smaller reservoir, all of the rufous phase, and we watched them for some time as they sallied for insects. Grey-breasted Prinias perched in the grasses very closely. The flora was very interesting with a wide selection of weedy species.

Crossing a small bridge brought us into excellent habitat, where calling White-browed Bulbuls and Dark-fronted Babblers moved through the scrub. There was a good selection of bugs, beetles, Hymenoptera, Diptera, and other insects seen today. Among the Odonata were Sombre Skimmer and Orange-winged Groundling. Butterflies continued with a selection of danaids, namely Glassy Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, and Common Crow.

Bird activity in the lakeside scrub was rather less than usual but we did see Plain Prinias, and Indian Peafowl was calling. Indian Pitta also called repeatedly.

We ate our picnics back across the bridge. Rain came at last, as is rather the norm here, and it was time to make our way quickly back to the bus. After another brief tea (or ginger beer) and toilet

Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 3 stop at a small hotel, we took the road to the south through the reserve of Victoria Radenigala to complete a large circuitous route. The paddies were full of the common birds, and the only Woolly-necked Storks of the tour were seen. Ocimum sanctum and Indian Laburnum bloomed on the roadsides. The driver took up birdwatching and I had my work cut out to stop him from stopping the bus for every one of the many common birds along the way, things we would see many of during the trip, and much better to see when we were on foot!

In Victoria Radenigala we saw a selection of blues including Blue-banded Pierrot, Common Hedge Blue, Common Caerulean, Tiny Grass Blue, and Zebra Blue.

An impromptu bridge stop in a very small village proved excellent for birds. In a short time we recorded Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Common Iora, Oriental White-eye, and Ceylon Green Pigeons. The previous year we had seen Stripe-necked Mongoose at this spot which had been a good record.

We arrived back in Kandy shortly after 6, with time for catching up on notes before another delicious dinner.

Day 4 Friday 21st February Upper Water Catchment and Temple Loop

A varied day began at 8.00 as we went up to the Upper Water Catchment above Kandy, where a wide track leads up through fine forest. Things were initially quiet as is usually the case in such forest, but we were in fine preserved habitat so close to bustling Kandy. White-rumped Shama started things off, flying across the track and seen well. A fine male Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher was a highlight. Among a variety of trees the Jakfruit relative Artocarpus nobilis was much in evidence with its huge spiky fruits. Several of these had been partly eaten, probably by Golden Palm Civets. Other trees here included Ficus exasperata and Premna tomentosa, and the St.John’s-wort relative Clusea major, also a tree, grew alongside the track. Brown-capped Babblers were encountered twice as we neared the end of the walk, and seen incredibly well as the made their way quietly across the forest floor. The second group in particular foraged on a nearby bank and were watched for ages unconcerned by our presence. Yellow-fronted Barbets called continuously.

Open areas with lantana had Tailed Jay, Common Bluebottle, Great Eggfly, and Common Sailor. The lovely Glad-eye Bushbrown flew in light gaps, and Chestnut Bob and Forget-me-not were seen. Reaching the reservoir there were a number of butterflies, including Blue Mormon and The Baron.

Nearby we had good views of Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth, and the large white Buddha on the hilltop overlooking the town.

In town we visited Queens Hotel where the ever attentive Mr.Silva had arranged for tea to be served. The bookshop was raided for any natural history books, and around the corner from the hotel we visited another bookshop. There I was delighted to find the new, very weighty, ‘Mammals of Sri Lanka’ had been published, which I snapped up for 10,000 Rps, and added many kilos to my already heavy luggage. Money changing, pharmacy, and various other practical needs were dealt with.

We returned to our hotel for lunch, a swim, a siesta, or any combination of the three.

In the afternoon we visited three small temples in the countryside near Kandy, what we call the Temple Loop. Leaving the hotel at 2.30, the first temple visited was Gadaladeniya, fourteenth century, with some fine carved elephants around the central Dagoba, although there was extensive

Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 4 restoration work going on here this year. There are carved Buddhas as well as Hindu gods. This year all came with me along the track outside where we had good views of a particularly striking beautiful red and yellow male Garden Calotes, the butterflies Crimson Rose and Tiny Grass Blue, and the dragonfly Sombre Skimmer.

The second, larger, temple of Lanka Tilake was perched atop a hill and commanded fine views over the paddies and vegetation, and again had both Buddhist and Hindu elements. The birds were rather good here today, especially in one large fruiting fig. Black-rumped Flameback, Small Minivet, Orange Minivet, and Black-hooded Oriole were all in the same tree. A highlight here was superb views of Ceylon Small Barbet, excavating a nest hole.

The third of the temples, Embekke Divale, boasted some fine carved wooden pillars, also dating from the fourteenth century. The carvings depict a range of subjects such as a bullock-eating elephant (!), Sinhalese warriors and dancers, and a Portuguese soldier on horseback. But again this year all of us walked to the paddies here where we saw Ceylon Swallows, White-rumped Munias, and Plain Prinia.

Day 5 Saturday 22nd February Journey to Nuwara Eliya

Leaving the comfortable Hotel Suisse, we drove into town to Kandy Station. Still with a few features of a bygone era, sadly the remarkable old points control system in the station master’s office has now been fully modernised, and the burning rope cigarette lighter on the platform is no more. Mr.Silva had procured us first class seats, which gave us more comfort from the rest of the train now crowded with hordes of tourists.

We enjoyed the fine changing scenery as the train climbed slowly ever higher towards Nuwara Eliya, stopping every now and then at small well-kept stations. Bamboo Orchids became common along the trackside, and there were some very tall Lobelia nicotianifolia in bloom. The pink Ipomoea cairica, Railway Creeper, was very common. Once through pine plantations we were in extensive tea estates, each with a distinctive white tea factory at its heart. There were many non- native plants here such as Grevillea robusta, eucalypts, and bottle-brush. There were also some impressive waterfalls en route.

We left the train at Nanu Oya, the closest station to Nuwara Eliya, and were reunited with our bus, which had been driven from Kandy with our luggage. Osbeckia cupularis as well as elder, fuchsias, and bracken were seen on the roadsides, and the flowering Plectranthus grandis was impressive. Nuwara Eliya always comes as a great contrast to Kandy, being a hill station with British influenced architecture, and many quirky hints at its colonial past.

Our home here was The Grand Hotel, a spacious, comfortable, stylish, and busy place.

Having settled in there was time to relax or stroll through the impressive gardens. We met again at 3.30p.m. for the short walk into town to visit Victoria Park. Over the years this place has turned up some fine birds, and we saw some good things here this afternoon.

After some perseverance we had fine views of the endemic Sri Lanka White-eye and Yellow-eared Bulbuls, and a fine male Indian Blue Robin was a highlight. Two Forest Wagtails were seen well, and grey Great Tits were much in evidence. Common Sandpipers and Grey Wagtails frequented the streams. A child with a toy horn did his best to scare off the rest of the birds!

Dinner in the hotel was an extensive buffet, the Sri Lankan food being particularly good.

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Day 6 Sunday 23rd February Horton Plains

We set off at 5.30 in the dark in a mini-van up towards the Horton Plains. The night was starlit and dawn revealed cloudless blue skies. The weather can be very changeable on the Horton Plains but today we were blessed with more or less continuous sunshine, although the clouds and mist did roll in at lunch time and there was very light precipitation. Having passed through several small settlements, and dairy farms, and having crossed the railway a few times, we started the climb up a forested road via a series of sharp turns. The road had many Tree Ferns, Cyathea gigantea, and various species of Osbeckia, with showy pink flowers.

At the gate and ticket booth were some smart toilets, complete with a view! Here Montane Frogs called from the edges of the ponds. Once inside the park we stopped at a suitable place to eat our box breakfast. Sri Lanka Woodpigeons flew over one by one, Sri Lanka Yellow-eared Bulbuls and Sri Lanka White-eyes worked through the mossy trees, Indian Blackbird sang from atop a tree, and the highlight, a female Arrenga, was at least glimpsed! Here the lady’s-tresses Spiranthes spiralis was in flower, and Osbeckia rubicunda was covered in impressive blooms.

Before long we reached the car park and sorted ourselves out and loaded up with our box lunches before setting out on our circuitous walk around Horton Plains, about six miles in total. It was pretty busy up here today, being Sunday. We still managed to see much of interest however. Things started superbly with Sri Lanka Bush Warbler seen incredibly well, one of the more difficult endemics to get such a great look at.

A new regime at the entrance gate had all bags inspected and some plastics and cardboard unacceptable, such as the plastic seals of water bottles and our lunch boxes, but why could we put the lunches in different paper bags, and carry other plastic through like cling film? An admirable idea to control litter (of which there is very little in the park), but a bit confused at the moment!

This is the best plant day of the tour, with a fascinating flora on the plains, and many very attractive species. The rolling grasslands are interspersed with patches of elfin forest on the hill tops, comprised of various species of Syzygium; Calophyllum walkeri with its flush of new red leaves; and Litsea species being among the dominants. We found both of usual species of sundew today, Drosera baumannii with a basal rosette, and Drosera peltata with stem leaves. In the same wet area was a very tiny violet flowered Utricularia. The campanula Wahlenbergia marginata flowered beside the path, mostly opening later in the day. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, and the impressive large yellow flowered Hypericum mysurense were among the shrubs. At least three species of Osbeckia were here – Osbeckia parvifolia, Osbeckia rubicunda and Osbeckia cupularis. The genus Strobilanthes was represented by Strobilanthes calycina, Strobilanthes pulcherrima and Strobilanthes viscosa, and the rarely flowering Strobilanthes sexennis was in leaf. The very common blue flowered iris was Aristea ecklonii and is naturalised here. The delicate flowered Impatiens leptopoda was a good find, and Euphorbia rothiana was seen. In the water bloomed Eriocaulon ceylanicum and Aponogeton jacobsenii. A highlight today was the orchid Coelogyne odoratissima in flower, and the monocots Disporum leschenaultianum and Arisaema leschenaultii were both in fine bloom.

Hill Swallows flew low over the grasslands, and gathered mud from streamlets. Pied Bushchats were common and confiding, and a few Paddyfield Pipits were seen very closely. Zitting Cisticolas were much in evidence today. A total of three Black Eagles was seen in the air. Dull Blue Flycatchers and Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers sallied for insects at the forest edge.

I picked out movement on the edge of elfin forest and we had our first great views of Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys, the hirsute race here known as bear monkeys.

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Butterflies were few in number up here, however we did see several of the endemic Ceylon Hedge Blue, and a few Ceylon Tigers, a speciality of the area. Long-tailed Blue and Common Bluebottle were recorded too, and the skipper Baracus vittatus was rather common. Small-eared Shrub Frog called, and we have seen the species here in the past.

As is so often the case when we arrived at World’s End the dramatic views were completely obscured by dense low cloud, which didn’t clear today despite our vigil. Sri Lanka Junglefowl ventured onto the track, a fine male seen well. Nearby was a female with two chicks. Two young men had each picked up one of these, and we were not sure whether they had picked them up to help them or what their motives were. Anyway I gently took them and returned them to their mother.

A little further on, lunch was eaten at Little World’s End where clouds again obscured the view, although they cleared a little to give an impression of the fine views below. The walk on from here produced much of the white flowered gentian Exacum walkeri in bloom, particularly fine this year. The diminutive Viola pilosa was very attractive, as was Viola betonicifolia. A lone Bear Monkey was watched very closely. Back near the car park were two extremely tame Sambar, but the usual herd was not seen on the grasslands today. Dusky-striped Squirrel ran across the road, remarkably the only one seen up here today.

We arrived back in Nuwara Eliya late afternoon after a very productive day on the Horton Plains.

Day 7 Monday 25th February Hakgala and Tea estate

Clear blue skies again today for our leisurely morning visit to Hakgala Botanic Garden some thirty minutes south of town. Another fine garden, covering an extensive hillside and merging into native forest at the higher reaches. We strolled around the labyrinthine paths, admiring the plants, and finding butterflies, birds, dragonflies, and amphibians as we went. Red Helen, Ceylon Tiger, Great Eggfly, Common Sailor, Ceylon Hedge Blue, and Ceylon Treebrown were among the butterflies today in the continued fine weather. A highlight was a fine male Indian Fritillary.

A troop of the highland race of Toque Macaques made their way across the lawns and in the trees above was a very close Bear Monkey troop. We had superb views of this endemic primate, and later we met a second troop.

The many ponds in the gardens provide excellent habitat for a range of amphibians, and today we saw Montane Hour Glass Treefrog and Rana temporalis. A beautiful lichenose Pygmy Lizard, a fine animal, was well camouflaged on a tree trunk.

Among the Odonata also around the ponds were Triangle Skimmer, Red-veined Darter, and the damselfly Mountain Reedling. I was pleased to find a recently emerged Globe Skimmer on a tree trunk, with exuvia, which fitted well the illustrations I have of the larva of that species.

Featured bird was the endemic Dusky Blue Flycatcher of which we saw several, all of them tame and seen superbly. Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Black Bulbuls, and Sri Lanka White-eye were all here too. One superb mixed flock also had the delightful Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers. Brown-breasted Flycatcher was another highlight. Himalayan Buzzard flew over the distant cliffs.

Ferns and clubmosses carpeted the banks, and we admired bulbs such as the white Eucharis amazonica and Crinum kirkii.

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Lunch was enjoyed by the lakeside at a characterful place that specialised in baguettes and pizzas. An aerial robot camera operated by some Chinese visitors rather invaded our privacy and we discussed ways to bring it back to earth. A bonus here was a Tamil Yeoman in surprising open habitat, and Great Tits were nesting inside a conifer trunk.

In the afternoon Sunil looked after the group on a visit to one of the many local tea plantations and factories so characteristic of the highlands. There they learnt something of the tea growing process and were of course able to buy some of the final product!

We enjoyed our last meal at the Grand.

Day 8 Tuesday 25th February Journey to Yala

It was time to say farewell to Nuwara Eliya, and again under blue skies, at 8 a.m., we set off for the journey south to Tissamaharama. A winding two hour journey through many small villages, the occasional town, and extensive tea plantations, took us to Ella where we stopped at the finely situated Rest House for a cup of tea. There were fine views down to the southern lowlands, our destination. The acraeid Tawny Coster flew over the lawns, birds included Golden-fronted Leafbird, and we were back in the land of Oriental White-eyes.

The road took us slowly down to the plains, via the impressive Ella Falls. There a short stop had the persuasive hawkers proffering colourful rocks, trying hard to give them away. The damsel Oriental Greenwing was superb in the sunlight, flying around the rocks in the river, and Indigo Dropwing was here too. Having reached the lowlands the paddies were lush with tall rice at this time of year and we soon reached the western boundary of the extensive Yala National Park. A usual wetland stop was all but dried out this year but we did see Purple Heron, Black-winged Kite, a perched Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Indian Peafowl, and Ashy Prinia.

The lunch stop at an abanoned park gate was alive with open country butterflies, notably many Lesser Gulls. Also here were Lemon Emigrant, Common Crow, Crimson Rose, Lemon Pansy, and various lycaenids such as Common Pierrot. Common Birdwing was as always impressive. A resourceful troop of Toque Macaques kept vigil whilst we ate and here too were Hanuman Langurs.

A post prandial stroll yielded several more butterflies, the highlight of which was a number of fine Banded Peacocks, at what is a reliable site for the species. Extensive Calotropis gigantea supported a selection of danaids. Butterflies continued with Tailed Jay, The Lime, Common Leopard, Chocolate Soldier, and Dark Wanderer. Malabar Pied Hornbills were seen, and a White- naped Woodpecker flew over the road.

Another wetland, again much drier than is usual, had several Spoonbills and Painted Storks. Waders on the mud included Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Sandplover, Yellow-wattled Lapwings, and Little Stint. A rather large Mugger Crocodile basked on an islet and Ashy-crowned Finch Larks frequented the grassy flats.

The western side of Tissa tank, with many large Rain Trees standing in the water, had another huge Flying Fox roost, and many Darters in the trees. Grey Herons, Purple Gallinules, White- breasted Waterhen, and Black-headed Ibis were all here, and several Eastern Scarlet Darters were admired.

Nearby was our recently refurbished hotel on the banks of the extensive tank, where an island supports a large gathering of nesting and roosting egrets, cormorants, ibis, and pelicans. As in

Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 8 recent years year I was very impressed with the standards at the completely refurbished hotel, the staff, rooms, and especially the food, all excellent.

As we went through the checklists in the evening, Common Evening Brown was added to the butterfly list, attracted by the hotel lights.

Dinner in the hotel was an extensive buffet, the curries extremely good.

Days 9 to 11 Wednesday 26th to Friday 28th February Yala and Bundala National Parks

Our three full days in the area allowed us plenty of time to explore the two superb national parks of Yala and Bundala. We enjoyed two morning trips (of about six hours each) in Yala, and a morning trip to Bundala, and spent time at some of the fine tanks in the area, and the very productive buffer zones outside the parks.

Each morning the jeep was outside the hotel in the dark at 5.30 a.m., so we could get to the Yala entrance gate at opening time. Generally we spent the next six hours driving many of the tracks in the park, exploring the scrub, grasslands, and lagoons, stopping whenever we saw something of interest, and that was often.

The first day at Yala this year was one of the most memorable in my fifteen years of visits. As I write this that evening, many highlights stand out. Once inside the park, we soon encountered a female Elephant, with radio collar, drinking at a water hole, then throwning dust over her head. Two more females approached from our left and came incredibly close to the jeep. Then a male ambled in, sexually aroused and ithyphallic, walking straight up to the first female. There followed some pre-mating behaviour and it seemed sure we would see Elephants mating, but then as quickly as he had appeared, the two separated quietly and moved in opposite directions.

Another lone male, a tusker, was seen later. Many fine views were had of a great range of birds, not least the rare Black-necked Stork and the scarce here Lesser Adjutant. Several Ruddy Mongooses were seen, tail tips held raised, and Black-naped Hares frequented the grasslands. There were the usual Chital, Wild Boar, and two Jackals. Land Monitors and some large Crocodiles represented the reptiles.

Later that morning a collection of jeeps prompted us to stop, and a distant Leopard was seen briefly making its way through tall grass but soon disappeared. Here an early highlight of my year happened when I picked out a sleeping Leopard low in a tree, very cryptic and hard to see. Once I had got everyone onto it, our group watched it for some ten minutes before shouts began happening among the vehicles, and it was time for us to leave, everyone delighted with this unexpected sighting on our first morning. At first I had spotted just a foreleg and a bit of torso visible on the branch but as we watched the Leopard raised its head, stood and turned around, and was seen superbly although distantly. The kind of find that makes one happy for the rest of the day.

In the afternoon the wetlands along the park entrance road held the usual wealth of waders and we had fine views of many birds in the late afternoon sunlight. But it was the last stop, by a flower filled buffalo pool, that had us amazed with the many special things that kept appearing. Here were the usual variety of kingfishers, bee-eaters, herons, and storks, all great, but many special things started happening. Female Paradise Flycatchers sallied over the water then a fine male rufous phase, and then amazingly a superb white male too. We had many prolonged views. Indian Pitta appeared at the scrub edge and most of us had great views. Malabar Pied Hornbills flew over as

Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 9 did a male Black-headed Cuckooshrike. Brahminy Starlings and Rose-coloured Starlings were both new to us. White-browed Fantail took insects from the buffalos horns. An Indian Softshell basked on the bank and then a fine Star Tortoise ambled down to the water hole. Orange-breasted Green Pigeons were fine in the sunlight, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker flew in, and an Oriental Honey Buzzard flew over mobbed by Rose-ringed Parakeets.

We saw all this standing in a shady corner by the poolside.

The return morning visit to Yala was as always a chance to appreciate much of what we had seen already, with a few additions. That day it was Carol who earned at least two gold stars by spotting a Leopard moving through acacia scrub on the right of the vehicle. Soon it appeared in full view and crossed the track behind us. All had superb views, and some, especially Mary, got a series of superb photos. There was much excitement and chatter in the jeep, a fine experience.

Some 100 bird species were seen daily in the area, many in great numbers. Of course the usual cormorants, pelicans, darters, spoonbills, egrets and herons were numerous. Waders were a feature, including Marsh Sandpiper, Kentish Plover, Lesser Sandplover, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Thick-knee, and several Yellow-wattled Lapwings around the water holes. Painted Storks were much in evidence, with their characteristic feeding method, and there were also a few Openbills; and many Black-headed Ibis. Lesser Whistling Ducks were rather common, looking fine in the sunlight, and there were numbers of Garganey at Bundala.

We had regular fine views of Peacocks, very common here, with some males displaying. Chestnut- headed, Blue-tailed and Green Bee-eaters were all conspicuous, looking fine in the sunlight, often right beside the vehicle, and Hoopoe was seen well in Bundala and Yala. Malabar Pied Hornbills were as always impressive.

Around the water-holes were some impressive Mugger Crocodiles, and large Land Monitors were a feature. Brahminy Kites, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, and Crested Hawk Eagle were among the raptors in the area. A bizarre sight one day was two White-browed Fantails seemingly taunting a Crested Hawk Eagle by landing on its back and head and characteristically fanning their tails and moving from side to side. The raptor seemed unconcerned, maybe they were feeding on lice, but no feeding was observed.

It is the mammals here that are really special, and the vehicles often allow a remarkably close approach. Elephants were of course a feature and we had some close encounters, as already described above. Many Chital were seen, often groups sheltering under trees. Troops of Langurs were regularly encountered, often mixed with Macaques. Several Ruddy Mongooses were seen, foraging around the tracksides tails upcurved, and oblivious to the vehicle, and Common Grey Mongoose was seen too. Wild Boar were much in evidence. A bonus this year for the mammal connoisseur was Indian Bush Rat moving through the dry grass at Yala on the second visit.

In Yala breakfast were eaten in one of the few places that one is permitted to stop and get out of the jeep. The first day was on the beach, very busy with other jeeps, but on the second visit breakfast was taken in the fine riverine forest at Elephant Rock where we were alone. Here many Malabar Pied Hornbills attended a large fig tree, and Skipper Frogs skipped across the rock pools. A Buffstriped Keelback snake was seen moving rapidly across the forest floor.

Cactus like Euphorbia antiquorum trees were a feature of the vegetation, and the mimosa with parti-coloured pink tassel flowers was Dichrostachys cinerea. The blue butterfly pea Clitoria ternatea climbed over the scrub, and there were many Cassia bushes, notably Cassia auriculata with its large flowers. The distinctive vine Cissus quadrangularis scrambled over the bushes.

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Butterfly watching from a vehicle is not ideal but among species on the wing were Crimson Rose, Blue Tiger, Plain Tiger, Small Grass Yellow, Yellow Orange-tip, White Orange-tip, Common Jezebel, both Emigrants, and Tawny Coster.

The saltpans at Bundala had good numbers of waders this year, among them Pacific Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Lesser Sandplover, Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Turnstone, Little Stint, Temmick’s Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Eurasian Curlew, and Black-winged Stilt. A bonus was breeding plumage Rufous-necked Stint. Small Pratincoles were a highlight, and there was a lone Red-necked Phalarope this year. A bonus at Bundala this year was an Olive Ridley Turtle offshore at the breakfast stop, watched for some time as it came to the surface every few minutes.

Brown-headed Gulls were at Bundala, and terns are always a feature here, with Gull-billed, Caspian, Great Crested, Lesser Crested, Common, Roseate, Whiskered, and White-winged. Two Glossy Ibis were the only ones of the tour. Other birds noted in Bundala included Crested Treeswift, Oriental Skylark, Indian Reed Warbler, and Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, and among the many other birds at Yala were Ceylon Wood-shrike and Jerdon’s Bushlark. Indeed we left the area with few gaps in the birdlist. There are few trips on which one can see such a large percentage of the country bird list on a two week visit.

After long breaks back at the comfortable hotel in the middle of the day, with lunch optional, we drove out again in the afternoons.

A series of tanks was visited one afternoon. Stork-billed Kingfisher was seen well and Indian Reed Warbler skulked in the reeds. Nesting Streaked and Baya Weavers were both at the same site. In a leafy garden we had superb views of Indian Scops Owl. Yellow and Black Bitterns frequented the shores of another tank, where Cotton Pygmy Teal and many Little Grebes were on the water, and there were a number of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas. A surprise here was a Pied Cuckoo, frequenting the lily pads! Another Star Tortoise was seen and Odonata included Orange-winged Groundling, Variable Glider, and Yellow Damselfly.

The last afternoon yielded some important surprises along the Bundala entrance road. Female Watercock was new and in the same field of view was Ruddy-breasted Crake, a bird trip highlight. Margaret picked up a Eurasian Collared Dove, prosaic to the English but an interesting record here. Black-necked Stork again was a superb bonus.

Day 12 Saturday 2nd March Journey to Koggala

It was time to leave Yala after an excellent buffet breakfast and head west along the coast. Before we left Common Palmfly was flying in the gardens, and roosting Indian Scops Owls were admired. Initially travelling through good habitat as we passed Bundala, and extensive wetlands, we reached the rapidly expanding Hambantota with its brand new almost unused international airport.

A stop at the protected wetlands of Kalametiya produced several Small Salmon Arabs flying around the bushes, and a highlight was the beautiful lycaenid Common Silverline. The only Peacock Pansies of the tour were on the wing, as was a Redspot. As we got out of the vehicle a Black-rumped Flameback was seen very closely. Blue Percher, Eastern Scarlet Darter, Black Velvetwing, and Variable Glider represented the dragonflies, and an important record was of the very small damselfly Enallagma parvum. Blue-faced Malkoha was here as usual, and Green Imperial Pigeon and Small Minivets were seen.

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A stop was made at the Tangalle Rest House where we enjoyed a delicious rice and curry lunch, or western choice, in the characterful old building by the harbour. Photos showed the extensive damage that the area suffered in the 2004 tsunami, and I remembered I’d been here with a group one week before that terrible disaster.

The journey was fascinating as there was always something of interest going on in the several towns and many villages that we passed through. In Weligama were stilt fishermen perched stop their poles, and here too we saw the small island of Taprobane with its eponymous exclusive hotel, available for private hire

We arrived at the hotel late afternoon, on the touristy south-west coast. The colonial style rooms here had been fine on previous visits, but this year we arrived to find the place somewhat in chaos not least due to the fact the main building of the hotel was covered in scaffolding and undergoing very major building work. We had been staying in very fine places up until now, so this all came as a bit of a shock, and also we were certainly fish out of water among all the tattooed surfers!

We met in the bar in the evening to catch up with checklists. Dinner was better than expected and enjoyed in the cool sea breeze.

Day 13 Sunday 3rd March Whale Watching and Koggala paddies

A fine bonus to the tour now is the opportunity to take a whale watching trip from the south coast at Mirissa, about half an hour’s drive east of our hotel. We left the hotel before dawn, arriving at the harbour in good time to procure good seats on the boat. I had ensured that the boat we were on was one of the better ones, priding itself on a more ethical approach, with a good crew. This company works with cetacean researchers, and distances itself from the worst behaviour of several of the boats here which chase around the ocean once whales are spotted, with little regard to the international standards of whale watching guidelines. Breakfast was served on the boat, and was rather good.

The seas were reasonably calm today although a persistent wind was a feature this year. We motored out to the most productive area and before too long encountered the first Common Bottlenose Dolphins. A small group was bow-riding and performing various acrobatics out of the water. We had regular fine views. Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins were seen too rather more distantly. Before long things got very exciting when the first Blue Whale was spotted. We were rewarded with some fine views of the world’s largest mammal. We had several classic views of this superb animal. Also seen today were a few other species. Various were called but most managed to see Bryde’s Whale (although the exact identity of the ‘Tropical Whale’ species here is not fully ascertained) and Short-finned Pilot Whale.

Birds were few and far between, although Bridled Terns flew over the water.

Back at the hotel a welcome lunch was enjoyed on the beach.

In the afternoon, in a convoy of tuc-tucs, we explored several paddy sites just inland of Koggala, where some rather good habitat supports a good selection of flora and fauna.

Among the butterflies were several danaids, with Great Crows a feature, and both Glassy and Blue Glassy Tigers. Indeed we only saw Great Crows here this year, and not at Sinharaja as we usually do. There were Black Velvet-wings, Sombre Skimmer, and several other dragonflies.

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Active in the trees were two troops of Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys, here the nominate subspecies. Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Ceylon Green Pigeons were seen well. Peacock was often heard and we also saw several in the area. Emerald Dove and Ashy Woodswallows were among the other birds.

The white flowered Suicide Tree, with spherical pendulous fruits, was common here, a member of the Apocynaceae. The interesting mangrove Bruguiera sexangula with its waxy flowers was admired.

Day 14 Monday 4th March Unawatuna and Galle

A leisurely start this morning after several early rises. Back in the tuc-tucs we returned inland, visiting a selection of sites around Koggala Lake, and saw some fine things this morning. One overgrown lakeside property was especially interesting. Black-hooded Orioles were seen well, and we had a close look at Asian Koel. Shikra was in the air, as were Asian Palm Swifts and Little Swifts. Brown-headed Barbet called and was seen closely.

Common Mormon, Crimson Rose and Common Rose represented the swallowtails. Again there were several Great Crows. Rustic was new for us and Common Leopard was on the wing. Common Palmfly and Tawny Coster were seen again. Among the blues were Tiny Grass Blue, Lime Blue, and Indian Cupid, and Chestnut Bob was here.

A beautiful Forest Calotes was a highlight, a stunning green lizard with a startlingly long fine tail. Another troop of Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys was seen. A Brown Mongoose typically rather shy, was seen briefly running along the track in front of us.

After a short break back at the hotel we drove in our bus into Galle and enjoyed a very good lunch in a hotel inside the walls of the fort. After lunch we had a short stroll around the Unesco site of the old fortified part of Galle, with its many fine colonial buildings. There followed opportunities for various practicalities in the new town such a changing money, supermarket, bookshops, etc. etc.

Back at the hotel there was a break before meeting to catch up with the checklists before dinner.

Day 15 Tuesday 5th March Journey to Sinharaja

It was time to leave this heavily touristed part of the island and head inland to the much less visited rainforests of the south west. Leaving at a leisurely 9 am, we initially took the new motorway that heads north of Galle. Unlike any other roads in the country, this toll road has almost no traffic and progress was fast, through verdant scenery, and a good selection of birds were seen en route.

Leaving the highway, narrow roads took us through extensive agriculture, many small villages, and then into forested hills. We reached the fine Boulder Garden somewhat earlier than expected. Leaving the bus on the ‘main’ road we strolled past paddies and took the stairs among boulders up to the beautifully appointed restaurant, by pools, below a huge overhanging boulder. There we enjoyed the very good rice and curry lunch provided by the last hotel, although I gladly bought sandwiches from here for those who didn’t fancy that. A highlight was a Three-toed or Black- backed Pygmy Kingfisher that landed very closely, and this fine species was seen again during our stay here.

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There followed time to settle in, relax, or swim, before we met later in the afternoon for a stroll around the environs of the lodge.

Crested Treeswifts flew over the paddies, and the calls of Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots overhead were much in evidence. Tawny-bellied Babblers moving through dense vegetation were seen well, and two displaying Black-hooded Orioles were much admired. Emerald Doves were much in evidence in the area, often heard and seen closely near the lodge.

Crested Serpent Eagle flew low over the paddies. Scaly-breasted and White-rumped Munias were conspicuous.

The skipper Bush Hopper was on the wing and the satyrids Orsotriaena medus and Common Bushbrown were seen. Water channels supported the fine demoiselle Vestalis apicalis.

Dinner was eaten in the fine surroundings of the outdoor dining room beneath a huge boulder. The pools supported Golden Frog, and the lovely Common Hour-glass Tree-frog. Margaret looked up and spotted a stunning centipede sitting above us, a Scolopendra? This really was a fine animal and after the group had retired to bed, the manager, the chef, and I, stood and admired it for a long time. Obviously a rare find, the chef who had been here for nine years had never seen one before.

Day 16 Wednesday 6th March Sinharaja

We left the Boulder Garden at 6 am, just as it was getting light, in a jeep, for the forty minute drive to Sinharaja. We enjoyed fine weather for the whole day which proved to be supremely productive, especially for endemic birds. Reaching the reserve boundaries and the impressive new visitor centre and ticket office at the forest edge, we met the forest guide, obligatory for a visit here, and very good as usual. Back in the jeep we bumped our way up the very rough road to Mr. Martin’s bungalow, quite an experience. A short stop on the way had close calling Sri Lanka Spurfowl, but as usual they were very difficult to see.

Having arrived we settled onto the balcony, ate our box breakfast, and ordered tea and coffee. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie sat on the verandah as we arrived. Bird activity was rather quiet initially this morning, with only widespread species such as Orange Minivet, noisy Black Bulbuls, and Brown- breasted Flycatcher seen initially. This would soon change however. Following the impressive centipede of last evening, there were some fine millipedes seen today.

Once organised, leech socks on, we set off for the short walk to the reserve entrance. Yellow- crowned Barbet called continuously. The attractive endemic Legge’s Flowerpecker perched atop a slender tree, with Pale-billed Flowerpecker too. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots regularly flew over. Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys were heard from time to time, and were seen briefly. A fine large snail was Acavus superbus, endemic as some 95% of the 265 Sri Lankan species are. The red gesneriaceous herb on the rocks here was the naturalised Episcia reptans from South America.

The forest here is comprised mainly of Dipterocarps, and as many as 150 species are estimated to be here. Various species of Shorea and Dipterocarpus were seen today. The tree fern Cyathea walkerae was here and there were large tufts of the ferns Blechnum orientale and Dichranopteris linearis, as well as clubmosses. Bamboo Orchids were numerous along the track and we saw many fine examples of the pitcher plant Nepenthes distillatoria, the only Sri Lankan species. It grew on banks as well as climbing over shrubs, and even hung from trees. Clidemia hirta was a white flowered Melastomacean herb. The forest near the research station had the trees Callophyllum bracteatum and Callophyllum thwaitesii as well as Shorea trapezifolia with huge buttress roots.

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It was the birds that stole the show this morning. A flock of the endemic Ashy-headed Laughingthrush moved across the track and was encountered three times today. We came across several fine mixed bird flocks as we walked, of varying size and variety. Orange-billed Babblers often formed the core, whilst Dark-fronted Babblers skulked lower in the undergrowth. Sri Lankan Blue Magpies called from across an open valley and were finally seen incredibly closely. As expected the ranger knew the location of a roosting female Sri Lankan Frogmouth, which we approached very closely, and he started taking photos for the ladies! Soon we saw the first stunning Red-faced Malkohas, both rufous and white phases of Paradise Flycatcher, and the regional endemic Malabar Trogon. Ceylon Crested Drongo was here too, and the scarce Green- billed Malkoha flew over. A bonus was the scarce Chestnut-winged Cuckoo.

The sun brought out the swallowtails. Ceylon Birdwings sailed over the trees, and there were a few Blue Mormons and Red Helens. A highlight today was a Five-bar Swordtail puddling on the track. This is a scarce species here, called the ‘twelve o’clock fly’ by entomologists in the past as it characteristically appears in the middle of the day. A feature here is the lazy flight of the beautiful delicate Tree Nymphs, of which there were several. The Clipper, Commander, Great Eggfly, Glad- eye Bushbrown, Angled Pierrot, Common Caerulean and the wonderfully named Restricted Demon, were among the other butterflies here. Common Imperial was new for us, and a highlight towards the end of the morning was a Plum Judy, the only metalmark on the island.

A few Kangaroo Lizards were seen, and Forest Calotes. Sri Lanka Junglefowl often ventured onto the track, unconcerned by our presence. Mountain Hawk Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle were in the air.

Lunch was eaten back at Martin’s, with a selection of excellent curries cooked by the ladies of the house, one of the finest meals of the tour. Packed sandwiches from the Boulder Garden were the alternative. Lunch was followed by a siesta until 3 pm, when we headed again into the forest, but some opted for an earlier return to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at our fine hotel. Spot-winged Thrush appeared at the table to peck at a banana, a fine view of this next endemic.

Having seen so much in the morning of course things were a little slower in the afternoon but we continued to see new species. Indeed every walk along this superb track yields new things, an indication of the high biodiversity here. Blyth’s Reed Warbler skulking in scrub near the reserve entrance was a surprise. Surely the highlight this afternoon was Ceylon Scaly Thrush, not one but two. In the morning we had met a group of avid twitchers, and some of them left without seeing this species, so we were really very fortunate. Sri Lanka Wood Pigeons were seen superbly closely feeding in a trackside fruiting shrub. Rain came but we sheltered and once it stopped activity predictably picked up again. Layard’s Parakeets and White-faced Starlings perched atop tall trees. A fine pale shield bug was a good find as was the forest damselfly Elattoneura caesia.

There was a good selection of blues mud puddling on the track, among them Pointed Ciliate Blue, Dingy Lineblue, Common Lineblue, and Pointed Lineblue. A lone Aberrant Bushblue was seen today, but we often see several of this scarce species at Sinharaja. Indian Giant Squirrel and Flame-striped Squirrel were seen, but both species were less in evidence than is usual.

Another delicious meal at the Boulder Garden was very welcome after a long and productive day. As usual the manager thought our thirteen hour stay away from the hotel in the forest was a record for guests there!

Some of us were distracted between courses by the many small ponds and wet mossy boulders, and found several frogs including the impressive large tree frog Polypedates cruciger. The centipede however did not reappear. A narrow tunnel behind a shrine had several bats that I must have a better look at next time! Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 15

Day 17 Thursday 7th March Sinharaja and Journey to Negombo

Unusually it was only your leader who returned to Sinharaja today, everyone else opting for a relaxing morning at the Boulder Garden.

There was a buzz of excitement this year at the Sinharaja HQ as a male Blue-and-white Flycatcher had arrived, and had been seen daily here for the last few days. A vagrant, and a new bird for Sri Lanka, Sunil saw it, but by the time we returned from the forest it was no longer visible. We waited some time but it didn’t reappear.

We began the morning with another attempt at the very difficult to see Sri Lanka Spurfowl, but this very elusive species remained in cover, even though they were calling very closely. The endemic Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill was a bonus and seen well, as were Sri Lanka Mynas. Common Hawk Cuckoo called and was seen incredibly well, the only one of the tour.

Ceylon Scimitar Babblers called regularly and were seen well. Spot-winged Thrush ventured onto the track almost at our feet. Yellow-browed Bulbul was here, but had been surprisingly elusive this year, and Black-crested Bulbuls were seen well. Calling Chestnut-backed Owlets were tracked down and seen superbly. A pleasing find was another Three-toed Kingfisher, perched right beside the track. Indian Giant Squirrel was seen very well and Oriental Honey Buzzard was in the air.

The sunlight brought out a good number of butterflies, among them The Clipper and Metallic Caerulean, and Small Leopard was a pleasing find. A small pond by the HQ had the stunning endemic damselfly Elattoneura tenax and the startlingly coloured Crimson Dropwing. Another highlight was the stunning butterfly Blue Oakleaf flying along the stream. A beautiful purplish snail with a flattened yellow shell was a species of Satiella.

After a long morning in the forest I said farewell to Sinharaja and the jeep drove me back to the Boulder Garden. With time to change and re-pack, with a quick sandwich lunch under the boulder, we said farewell and drove towards the airport near where we were to spend our last night. We took a convoluted route along many small country roads and through small villages, which initially avoided the worst of the traffic, but that became heavy the closer we got to the capital conurbation. Roadworks were again a feature at the start of the journey, with a stop/go system that was ignored by all resulting in very challenging traffic jams! Our driver did a superb job of manoeuvering us through this. A tea stop was made at a convenient rest house en route.

We arrived at our very pleasant airport hotel at dusk, the rooms situated amongst extensive leafy grounds. We met in the bar for a final run through the checklists and reflected on the wealth of flora and fauna we’d seen on this very productive tour. Dinner was an excellent buffet. Common Palm Civet was active in the hotel grounds.

Day 18 Friday 8th March Departure

It was but a short drive to the airport, and we departed at three different times for our respective flights.

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Sri Lanka Systematic Lists 2014

Itinerary:-

Tuesday 18th February. Arrival. Colombo to Kandy. Greenwoods. Wednesday 19th February. Peradineya Botanic Garden. Udawattakelle. Kandy. Thursday 20th February. Sorabora, Victoria Radenigala Sanctuary. Friday 21st February. Upper Water Catchment. Temple Loop. Saturday 22nd February. Train to Nuwara Eliya. Victoria Park. Sunday 23rd February. Horton Plains. Monday 24th February. Hakgala Botanic Garden. Tea Plantation. Tuesday 25th February. Nuwara Eliya to Tissamaharama via Ella. Wednesday 26th February. Yala National Park. Thursday 27th February. Bundala, Tissa area tanks. Friday 28th February. Yala National Park, and Bundala boundary road. Saturday 1st March. Tissamaharama to Koggala via Kalemetiya and Tangalle. Sunday 2nd March. Whale Watching. Koggala area. Monday 3rd March. Koggala area. Galle. Tuesday 4th March. Koggala to Boulder Garden. Wednesday 5th March. Sinharaja. Thursday 6th March. Sinharaja. Journey to Katunayaka. Friday 7th March. Departure.

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Systematic List Number 1 Mammals

Previously the nomenclature and taxonomic order of this list was taken from ‘The Book of Indian Animals’ (1971) by S. H. Prater and published by Oxford University Press. Additional material came from the ‘Manual of the Mammals of Sri Lanka’ (1980) by W. W. A. Phillips. A fine addition to my library in 2014 was the weighty ‘The Mammals of Sri Lanka’ by Asoka Yapa and Gamini Ratnavira, Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, 2013. I have updated the taxonomy following this new standard work. Records from previous years are included in square brackets.

Toque Macaque Macaca sinica Endemic. Common and widespread, especially in the Kandy area. ssp.sinica. Dry zone. ssp.aurifrons. Wet zone. ssp.opisthomelas. Highlands, Hakgala. Tufted Grey Langur Semnopithecus priam Common in Yala and Bundala area, also in Victoria Radenigala. Purple-faced Semnopithecus vetulus Endemic. Subspecies monticola was seen very well on Leaf Monkey Horton Plains and at Hakgala. The nominate subspecies was seen in the Koggala area and at Sinharaja. Leopard Panthera pardus Three at Yala this year. One glimpsed walking into tall grass. One cryptic individual spotted low in a tree and then seen well. One walking out of scrub and past the vehicle was seen superbly well. [Rusty Spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus Seen along the Yala entrance road in the past.] [Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica Road casualties near Bundala in the past.] [Golden Palm-Cat Paradoxurus sp. Endemic. Upper Water Catchment, Kandy.] This species has now been split into four. Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Tamarind Tree gardens. Common Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii Yala area. Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii Several in Yala and Bundala. Brown Mongoose Herpestes fuscus 1 in Koggala area. [Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes viticollis Victoria Radenigala.] Golden Jackal Canis aureus 2 at Yala, 2 at Bundala. Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus 1 at Wilpattu (PGC). Seen at Yala in the past. [Grey Musk Shrew Suncus murinus A few previous records.] Shrew sp. A dead individual on Horton Plains. Very hard to identify without dissection. Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus Some huge colonies seen, e.g. around Hotel Suisse and especially in Peradineya Gardens. Bat spp. Several different species present but not identified. Various frugivorous and insectivorous species seen. 30 species have been recorded in Sri Lanka. Three-striped Palm Funambulus palmarum Widespread and common, although fewer seen than Squirrel is usual. Flame-striped Squirrel Funambulus layardi Sinharaja, only 1 this year. Dusky-striped Squirrel Funambulus obscurus Horton Plains, only 1 this year. Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel Ratufa macroura The ‘Highland Grizzled’ nominate subspecies was seen near Nuwara Eliya (PGC). The ‘Black and Yellow’ subspecies melanochra was seen at Sinharaja.

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Indian Bush Rat Golunda ellioti Yala, in short grass. An addition to the list in 2014. Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis A few at Yala and Bundala. Droppings on Horton Plains. Sambar Rusa unicolor 2 tame individuals on Horton Plains. Chital Axis axis Several at Yala. Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak Upper Water Catchment, Kandy, heard only this year. Wild Boar Sus scrofa Several at Yala. Rooting evidence elsewhere. A male, and a family group at Udawattakelle, including striped young was quite a find in the forest in 2013. Indian Elephant Elephas maximus Several fine sightings at Yala and Bundala. Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee Yala, where the true ‘wildness’ of this species is under debate. Also in Wilpattu (PGC). Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus One or more individuals seen on boat trip from Mirissa. Bryde’s Whale Balaenoptera brydei This species also seen from the boat? The correct assignment of members of the Tropical Whale complex in Sri Lankan waters is not fully understood. Long-snouted Spinner Stenella longirostris Seen from the boat south of Mirissa. Dolphin Common Bottlenose Tursiops truncatus Pods close to the whale watching boat. Dolphin Short-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala macrorhynchus Seen from the boat too?

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Systematic List Number 2 Birds

The nomenclature is taken from ‘Birds of South Asia, The Ripley Guide’ by Pamela C.Rasmussen and John C.Anderton, Lynx Edicions 2005. This work introduced several significant taxonomic changes from previous standard works of the region, namely ‘A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka’ by Harrison and Worfolk, Oxford University Press 1999 and ‘Birds of the Indian Subcontinent’ by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp (Helm 1998).

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Several on tanks in Tissa area Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis Locally numerous in Tissamaharama, Yala and Bundala areas Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Widespread and locally abundant e.g. Yala and Bundala Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Widespread and locally numerous, e.g. Kandy area, Yala, and Bundala Darter Anhinga melanogaster Reasonably common at Yala and Bundala Little Egret Egretta garzetta Widespread and common Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Several in Bundala and Yala areas Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Several in Bundala and Yala areas Great Egret Casmerodius albus Widespread and reasonably common Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Widespread and common Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Widespread and very common. Considered distinct from Western Cattle Egret, B.ibis, by Rasmussen. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Widespread and very common Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Several around Kandy Lake, 1 at Yala Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis 2 in Tissa area Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis 1 at Tissa Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Yala and Bundala, locally common Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Widespread and locally numerous, as at Yala Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Mahiyangana area Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus 1 at Yala and 1 at Bundala Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus 2 at Yala Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 2 at Bundala Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Common at Yala and Bundala, also in Sorabora area Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucordia Several at Yala and Bundala Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica Common at Yala and Bundala, also seen near Mahiyangana Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandelicus A few at Tissa Garganey Anas querquedula Several at Bundala Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Peradineya, Yala area, and Sinharaja Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1 on Day 8 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Widespread and reasonably common White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Widespread in small numbers, seen on 10 days Grey-headed Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Sorabora, and a few in Bundala and Yala areas Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Widespread in small numbers Shikra Accipiter badius Peradineya, Yala, and Koggala area Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus 1 over Hakgala Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis 3 over Horton Plains

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Crested Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus A few in Yala and Bundala. Changeable Hawk- Eagle is now considered as a separate species, S.limnaeetus. Mountain Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis Sinharaja Sri Lanka Spurfowl Galloperdix bicalcarata Endemic: Heard very closely at Sinharaja but very difficult to see! Sri Lanka Junglefowl Gallus lafayetti Endemic: Several at Yala and Bundala, mostly males. Several on Horton Plains. Much in evidence at Sinharaja. Often heard. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Common in Yala and Bundala areas. Also at Sorabora, at Victoria Radenigala, and in Koggala area. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Widespread and reasonably common Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca 1 near Bundala 2014 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea A female at Bundala Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio Several at Yala and Bundala Moorhen Gallinula chloropus A few in Bundala and Yala areas, and Koggala area Coot Fulica atra A few on Day 8 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Common on tanks in Tissa area, and a few at Yala and Bundala Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Several at Yala and Bundala Grey Plover Pluvialis squatorola A few at Bundala Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Several at Yala and Bundala Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Yala Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Yala and Bundala Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Many at Yala and Bundala Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii A few at Yala Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus A few at Bundala and Yala Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Widespread and common Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura A few at Bundala Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago A few at Yala Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1 at Bundala Common Redshank Tringa totanus Common at Yala and Bundala Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Numerous at Yala and Bundala Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Several at Yala and Bundala Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 2 at Yala Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Several at Yala and Bundala Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Scattered records Turnstone Arenaria interpres A few at Yala and Bundala Little Stint Calidris minuta Several at Yala and Bundala Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Several at Yala and Bundala Rufous-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Bundala, where one in breeding plumage Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Several at Yala and Bundala Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Large flocks at Yala and Bundala Ruff Philomachus pugnax 1 at Yala Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Very common at Yala and Bundala Indian Stone Curlew Burhinus indicus Yala entrance road and Bundala Great Thick-knee Burhinus recurvirostris A few at Bundala and Yala Small Pratincole Glareola lactea 4+ at Bundala Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus 1 at Bundala Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus A few at Bundala

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Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Yala and Bundala areas, some in breeding plumage Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Several at Bundala Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis Bundala and Koggala Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii Bundala and Koggala Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii A few at Bundala Common Tern Sterna hirundo Bundala Little Tern Sterna albifrons In breeding plumage at Bundala Little Tern/Saunder’s Tern Sterna albifrons/saundersi Bundala, indistinguishable in non-breeding plumage. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus From the whale watching boat Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus Numerous at Tissa, Yala and Bundala, also Sorabora White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus A few at Yala and Bundala Rock Pigeon Columba livia Feral Pigeon widespread Sri Lanka Woodpigeon Columba torringtoni Endemic: 3 in flight on the Horton Plains, and seen superbly well at Sinharaja Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Widespread and very common Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1 at Bundala was a new record for the tour Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Heard in Kandy area, seen well at various sites such as Sinharaja and Boulder Garden Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta Common at Yala and Bundala Ceylon Green Pigeon Treron pompadora Endemic: Victoria Radenigala, Koggala, and Sinharaja Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Widespread in small numbers Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot Loriculus beryllinus Endemic: Widespread and rather common, mostly in flight overhead this year! Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria A few in the Kandy area Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Widespread and common Layard’s Parakeet Psittacula calthropae Endemic: A few in the Kandy area, and Sinharaja Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus 1 near Tissa Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus 1 at Sinharaja 2014 Common Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus varius Heard at Peradineya, seen at Sinharaja Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Scattered throughout, mostly heard Blue-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris Yala, Kalemetiya, and Sinharaja area Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus Endemic: A few at Sinharaja seen very well ‘Southern’ Coucal Centropus [sinensis] parroti Widespread in small numbers Green-billed Coucal Centropus chlororhynchus Endemic: 1 seen well at Sinharaja Indian Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena 1 in a garden near Tissamaharama, and a pair in the hotel garden there Chestnut-backed Owlet Glaucidium castanonotus Endemic: 2 seen very well at Sinharaja Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus monilieger A female seen amazingly close, at Sinharaja Indian Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor Scattered records Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Scattered records Little Swift Apus affinis Reasonably widespread Crested Tree-Swift Hemiprocne coronata Yala and Bundala, and Boulder Garden Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus 1 at Sinharaja Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Scattered records Black-backed Dwarf Ceyx erithacus 1 at Boulder Garden, and 1 at Sinharaja, seen Kingfisher superbly Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Sorabora and Tissa area tanks

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White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Widespread and common Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Tissa area tanks Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Locally common, as at Yala Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus Widespread and common Chestnut-headed Merops leschenaulti Kandy, Yala, and Bundala Bee-eater Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Remarkably 2 only this year, Bundala and south coast Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 at Bundala, 1 at Yala Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill Ocyceros gingalensis Endemic: Sinharaja and Wilpattu (PGC) Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus Mahiyangana, and several in Yala area Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica Widespread and quite common, often heard Yellow-fronted Barbet Megalaima flavifrons Endemic: Greenwoods and Upper Water Catchment etc., Kandy, Koggaka area, etc. Ceylon Small Barbet Megalaima rubricapillus Endemic: Kandy and Lanka Tilake Coppersmith Megalaima haemacephala Sorabora, Yala, and Koggala area Yellow-crowned Dendrocopos mahrattensis 1 at Bundala, 1 at Yala Woodpecker Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense subspecies psarodes. Kandy, Lanka Tilake and Kalemetiya. Crimson-backed Flameback Chrysocolaptes stricklandi Endemic: Heard only this year on Horton Plains and at Hakgala. Split from Greater Flameback, C.lucidus. White-naped Chrysocolaptes festivus Western boundary of Yala. Woodpecker Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura Seen very well at Yala and Debarawewa. Heard at Sorabora. Otherwise fewer heard or seen than is usual. Jerdon’s Bushlark Mirafra affinis A few in the Yala area Ashy-crowned Eremopterix grisea Yala area, fewer than is usual. Sparrow-lark Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula A few at Bundala Swallow Hirundo rustica Widespread and very common Hill Swallow Hirundo dumicola Common on the Horton Plains Ceylon Swallow Hirundo hyperythra Endemic: Scattered records, e.g. Kandy, Temple Loop, Koggala area, and Boulder Garden. Treated as a full species by Rasmussen. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Widespread and common. Some were ssp.lucionensis. Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus Widespread in small numbers Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Wilpattu (PGC) White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Scattered lowland records Ceylon Crested Drongo Dicrurus lophorinus Endemic: A few at Sinharaja Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus Tissa area and Koggala area Sri Lanka White-faced Sturnus senex Endemic: 2+ at Sinharaja Starling Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum 1 at Yala Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus A few at Yala Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis Widespread and very common Sri Lanka Mynah Gracula ptilogenys Endemic: A few at Sinharaja Lesser Hill Mynah Gracula indica Several in Kandy area

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Sri Lanka Blue Magpie Urocissa ornata Endemic: Some excellent close views at Sinharaja House Crow Corvus splendens Widespread and very common Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Widespread and very common Large Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina macei 1 at Wilpattu (PGC) Black-headed Coracina melanoptera A male at Yala Cuckoo-shrike Ceylon Wood-Shrike Tephrodornis affinis Endemic. Yala and Wilpattu (PGC). Split from Common Woodshrike, T.pondicerianus, by Rasmussen. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamoneus Lanka Tilake and Kalemetiya Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Widespread in small numbers, e.g. Kandy and Sinharaja Bar-winged Hemipus picatus Kandy and Nuwara Eliya areas Flycatcher-Shrike Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Widespread - commonest in Yala and Bundala Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis Sorabora [Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Lanka Tilake, Ella, Yala, and Sinharaja Black-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus Endemic: A few at Sinharaja Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Widespread and very common Sri Lanka Yellow-eared Pycnonotus penicillatus Endemic: Common in the highlands Bulbul White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus Widespread in wooded habitats Yellow-browed Bulbul Iole indica Only at Sinharaja this year Square-tailed Black Hypsipetes ganeesa Scattered records, common at Sinharaja, also Bulbul Kandy and Hakgala Brown-capped Babbler Pellorneum fuscocapillum Endemic: Seen extremely well at Udawattakelle and Upper Water Catchment, Kandy Ceylon Scimitar- Babbler Pomatorhinus [schisticeps] melanurus Endemic: Seen at Sinharaja, heard on Horton Plains etc. Tawny-bellied Babbler Dumetia hyperythra Bundala and near Boulder Garden Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps Sorabora, Horton Plains, and Sinharaja Sri Lanka Orange-billed Turdoides rufescens Endemic: Rather common at Sinharaja, where Babbler several flocks Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis Widespread and very common Ashy-headed Laughing Garrulax cinereifrons Endemic: One flock met three times at Sinharaja Thrush Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa daurica Greenwoods and Yala Brown-breasted Muscicapa muttui Kandy area, Hakgala, and Sinharaja Flycatcher Dull Blue Flycatcher Eumyias sordida Endemic: Seen well on Horton Plains, and especially at Hakgala Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae A male in Upper Water Catchment, Kandy Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelena A male frequenting the Sinharaja HQ for several days was a new species for Sri Lanka, 2014 Grey-headed Culicicapa ceylonensis Several in the highlands Canary Flycatcher White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola A few at Yala and Boulder Garden Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Sorabora, Yala, and Sinharaja Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Widespread in small numbers. Both rufous and white morph males were seen, often extremely well. Much in evidence this year.

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Ceylon Bush Warbler Bradypterus palliseri Endemic: 1 seen very closely on the Horton Plains Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Scattered records. Especially common on the Horton Plains. Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsoni Sorabora and Victoria Radenigala Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis En route to Tissamaharama Plain Prinia Prinia inornata Scattered records Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica 2 at Yala Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum In scrub at Sinharaja entrance Indian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus brunnescens Several in reed beds at Bundala, and tanks around Tissa Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Widespread in small numbers Large-billed Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus magnirostris 1 at Sinharaja Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush Myiophonus blighi Endemic: A female on Horton Plains, a male seen superbly near Nuwara Eliya (PGC) Spot-winged Thrush Zoothera spiloptera Endemic: 3 seen very well at Sinharaja Ceylon Scaly Thrush Zoothera imbricata Endemic: 2 seen superbly at Sinharaja Indian Blackbird Turdus simillimus Horton Plains. Split from Common Blackbird, T.merula. Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea A male in Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Widespread and common White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Upper Water Catchment, Kandy Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata Victoria Radenigala, Sorabora, Yala, and Bundala, rather common. Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata Common on Horton Plains and around Nuwara Eliya Great Tit Parus major Several in Nuwara Eliya area, also Ella Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis 2 in Hakgala Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Peradineya, Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya, and Hakgala Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava A few at Yala and Bundala, ssp.thunbergi Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Several in the highlands Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii Yala entrance road Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Widespread in small numbers Legge’s Flowerpecker Dicaeum vincens Endemic: A few at Sinharaja Tickell’s Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Widespread in small numbers Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica Widespread and reasonably common Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Yala and Bundala Loten’s Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia Widespread in small numbers Sri Lanka White-eye Zosterops ceylonenesis Endemic: Common in Nuwara Eliya area Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus Scattered records. Seen on 5 days. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Widespread and locally common Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar A colony at Tissa Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Tissa area, with nests at a few sites. White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Rather widespread Black-throated Munia Lonchura kelaarti Seen briefly at Hakgala Spotted Munia Lonchura punctulata Scattered records Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca Bundala

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Systematic List Number 3 Reptiles

The nomenclature and taxonomic order from this list was originally taken from A Checklist of Sauria of Sri Lanka (1998) and Snakes of Sri Lanka (1998), both annotated checklists published by the University of Peradeniya and by Anslem de Silva. In addition the Coloured Atlas of Some Vertebrates of Ceylon, Volume 2 Tetrapod Reptilia by Deraniyagala (1953) was used to aid identifications. ‘Snakes and Other Reptiles of Sri Lanka’ (2005) by Indraneil Das and Anslem de Silva is a good recent photographic guide. Also of use is ‘The Herpetofauna of the Knuckles Range’ by Goonewardene et al., 2006. Several species were added to the list in 2014, but records from previous years are put in square brackets.

Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris Several at Yala and Bundala etc. Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea At least one off the Bundala shore 2014. Indian Mud Terrapin Lissemys punctata Scattered records, e.g.Kandy Lake and Yala. Indian Pond Terrapin Melanochelys trijuga ssp. thermalis. Scattered records e.g. Udawattakele, Kandy Lake, and Bundala. Star Tortoise Geochelone elegans Yala and Tissamaharama. Also Wilpattu (PGC). Green Calotes Calotes calotes Koggala paddies and Sinharaja. [Black-lipped Calotes Calotes nigrilabis Endemic: We used to always see this species on the Horton Plains. Not seen in the last three years.] Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor Scattered records, with a particularly fine male at Gadaldineya. Whistling Lizard Calotes liolepis Endemic. Kandy area 2014. [Rhino-horned Lizard Ceratophora stoddartii Endemic: Usually in elfin woods on Horton Plains, or at Hakgala.] Pygmy Lizard Cophotis ceylanica Endemic: Hakgala Botanic Garden. [Humpnose Lizard Lyriocephalus scutatus Endemic: Kottawa and Sinharaja.] Sri Lankan Kangaroo Otocryptis wiegmanni Endemic: Several at Sinharaja. Lizard Fan-throated Lizard Sitana ponticeriana Beaches in Yala and Bundala. Kandian Day Gecko Cnemaspis kandiana A few records. Brooke’s House Gecko Hemidactylus brookii Yala, and in the Hotel Suisse. Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Common in the hotels. Four-clawed Gecko Gehyra mutilata Around habitation. [Bent-toed Gecko sp. Cyrtodactylus sp. A male and female on a tree trunk at night in Upper Water Catchment, Kandy, was a tour highlight. Awaiting identification to species. There are several recently described very local endemics. 2009.] [Mourning Gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris This very impressive gecko was seen at Lunuganga in the past. A rarely seen species.] [Common Lanka Skink Lankascincus fallax Endemic: Tissamaharama 2012.] [Smooth Lanka Skink Lankascincus taprobanensis Endemic: Hakgala.] Common Skink Mabuya carinata Also known as Brahminy Skink. Scattered records. Rock Skink Mabuya macularia Sorabora and Yala. Water Monitor Varanus salvator Scattered records, e.g. Peradineya, Kandy, Sorabora, and Sinharaja, some very large individuals. Land Monitor Varanus benghalensis Several in Bundala and Yala areas. Also in south west. [Common Rough-sided Aspidura trachyprocta Horton Plains. Snake]

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[Common Ratsnake Ptyas mucosus Udawattakele, Kottawa, Sorabora, Hakgala, Embekke Devale, Yala, Kandy, Sinharaja.] [Common Bronzeback Dendrelaphis tristis Sinharaja. Tree Snake] [Stripe-tailed Bronze- Dendrelaphis caudolineolatus Possibly this species at Sinharaja too.] back Tree Snake Chequered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator Probably this in ditch at Kalemetiya, seen from vehicle. In the past at Sorabora, Tissa, Ahangama and at Sinharaja. [Sri Lanka Keelback Xenochrophis asperrimus Sinharaja and Udawattakelle.] Buffstriped Keelback Amphiesma stolata One at Yala. [Sri Lanka Krait Bungarus ceylonicus Sinharaja.] [Green Vine Snake Ahaetulla nasutus Sinharaja.] [Green Pit Viper Trimeresurus trigonocephalus Endemic: Sinharaja. Udawattakelle.]

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Systematic List Number 4 Amphibians

The nomenclature and taxonomic order from this list was based on ‘Amphibia of Sri Lanka’ (1996), an annotated checklist by Anslem de Silva and published by the University of Peradeniya. In addition ‘The Amphibian Fauna of Sri Lanka’ (1996) by Dutta and Manamendra-Arachchi was used to aid identifications. The nomenclature now follows the recently published ‘Amphibians of Sri Lanka: A Photographic Guide’ by Anslem de Silva, 2009, a welcome addition to the literature. Species recorded on previous tours but not in 2014 are put in square brackets.

Bufonidae Kotogama’s Dwarf Toad Bufo kotagamai Endemic: Sinharaja. With characteristic inwardly curved black warty parietal ridge. [Common House Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus Various records including Mahiyangana Rest House; Victoria Gardens, Nuwara Eliya; Bentota area; Upper Water Catchment, Kandy; Sorabora. Previously called Bufo melanostictus.]

Dicroglossidae Skipper Frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Scattered, e.g. Tissa and Yala. [Six-toed Green Frog Euphlyctis hexadactylis Bundala and Peradineya, large and striking bright green.] Sri Lanka Paddyfield-frog Fejervarya greenii Endemic: Horton Plains. or Montane Frog [Kirtisinghe’s Frog Fejervarya kirtisinghei Endemic: Upper Water Catchment, Kandy, and probably this species at Boulder Garden.] Common Paddyfield-frog Fejervarya limnocharis Scattered records. [Jerdon’s Bull-frog Hoplobatrachus crassus Sorabora and Pattipola.] [Sri Lanka Rock Frog Nannophrys ceylonensis Endemic: Upper Water Catchment, Kandy.]

Microhylidae [Half-webbed Pug Snout Ramanella palmata Endemic: Hakgala. Frog] [White-bellied Pug Snout Ramanella variegata Tamarind Tree. Frog]

Ranidae Golden Frog Hylarana aurantiaca Boulder Garden. Common Wood Frog Rana temporalis Endemic: Hakgala and Boulder Garden. Also Upper Water Catchment and Kottawa in the past.

Rhacophoridae [Round-snouted Pygmy Philautus femoralis Endemic: Horton Plains. Tree Frog] [Pointed Snouted Shrub Philautus nasutus Endemic: This or a closely related newly described Frog species at Sinharaja. This species is apparently extinct! Philautus cuspis?] [Common Shrub Frog Philautus popularis Endemic: Upper Water Catchment, Kandy.] [Gunter’s Shrub Frog Philautus variabilis Endemic: Hakgala. This species is apprently extinct, so must be another taxon!] [Small-eared Shrub-frog Pseudophilautus microtympanum Endemic: Horton Plains.] Common Hour-glass Polypedates cruciger Endemic: Boulder Garden. Tree Frog Montane Hour-glass Polypedates eques Endemic: Hakgala. Also Upper Water Catchment, Tree Frog Kandy, in the past. [Long-snouted Tree Frog Polypedates longinasus Endemic: Sinharaja.]

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Systematic List Number 5 Marine Fishes

None of the group snorkelled this year. This is a composite list of all fish recorded on this tour over the years.

Moray Eel Gymnothorax (?) javanicus Lizardfish Synodus sp Hardyhead Silverside Antherinomorus lacunosis Island Halfbeak Hemiramphus archipelagicus Insular Halfbeak Hyporamphus affinis Soldierfish Myripristis murhjan Bronze Soldierfish Myripristis adusta Smallmouth Squirrelfish Sargocentron microstoma Lionfish Pterois volitans Cornetfish Fistularia commersonii Scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis ?oxycephala Peacock Grouper Cephalopholis argus Indian Grouper Epinephelus faveatus Saddled Grouper Epinephelus daemelii Tiger Cardinalfish Cheilodipterus macrodon Sharksucker Echeneis naucrates Bluefin Trevally Caaranx melampygus Silver Pomalo Trachinotus blochii Chequered Snapper Lutjanus decussatus Blacktail Snapper Lutjanus fulvus Bluestripe Snapper Lutjanus kasmira Oriental Sweetlips Plectorhinchus vittatus Blackspot Emperor Lethrinus harak Big-eye Emperor Monotaxis grandoculis Doublebar Goatfish Parupeneus bifasciatus Yellowstripe Goatfish Mulloidichthys flavolineatus Dash-and-dot Goatfish Parupeneus barberinus Indian Goatfish Parupeneus indicus Sweeper Pempheris vanicolensis Longfin Spadefish Platex teira Black-backed Chaetodon melannotus Butterflyfish Lined Butterflyfish Chaetodon lineolatus Vagabond Butterflyfish Chaetodon vagabundus Threadfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon auriga Indian Vagabond Chaetodon decussatus Butterflyfish Zanzibar Butterflyfish Chaetodon zanzibariensis Racoon Butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula Speckled Butterflyfish Chaetodon citrinellus Collared Butterflyfish Chaetodon collare Redfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon trifasciatus Meyer's Butterflyfish Chaetodon meyeri Chevroned Butterflyfish Chaetodon trifascialis Long-fin Bannerfish Heniochus acuminatus

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Yellowtail Angelfish Apolemichthys xanthurus Blue-ringed Angelfish Pomacanthus annularis Imperial Angelfish Pomocanthus imperator Semicircle Angelfish Pomocanthus semicirculatus Indo-pacific Sergeant Abudefduf vaigiensis Major Seven-bar Sergeant Abudefduf septemfasciatus Major Dick's Damsel Plectroglyphidodon dickii Jewel Damsel Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus Whiteband Damsel Plectroglpyidodon leucozonus Blue Devil Chrysiptera cyanea Surge Demoiselle Chrysiptera leucopoma Three-spot Damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus Yellowtail Damsel Neoopomacentus azysron Caerulean Damsel Pomacentrus caeruleus Philippine Damsel Pomocentrus phillippinus Whitetail Damsel Pomacentrus chrysurus Phoenix Damsel Plectroglphidodon phoenixensis Two-tone Chromis Chromis dimidiata Dusky Gregory Segastes nigricans Queen Coris Coris frerei Checkerboard Wrasse Halichoeres hortulanus Dusky Wrasse Halichoeres marginatus Nebulous Wrasse Halicoeres nebulosis Timor Wrasse Halichoeres timorensis Barred Thicklip Wrasse Hemigymnus fasciatus Blackedge Thicklip Hemigymnus metapteris Wrasse Bird Wrasse Gomphosus caeruleus Crescent Wrasse Thalassoma lunare Sixbar Wrasse Thalassoma hardwicke Cleaner Wrasse Labroides dimidiatus Bluebarred Parrotfish Scarus ghobban Barred Parrotfish Scarus caudofasciatus Sharpfin Barracuda Syphraena acutipinnis Yellowtail Barracuda Syphraena flavicauda Fringelip Mullet Crenimugil crenilabis Shrimp Goby Amblyeleotris periophthalma Moorish Idol Zanclus cornutus Convict Surgeonfish Acantharus triostegus Powder-blue Acanthurus leucosternon Surgeonfish Striped Surgeonfish Acanthurus lineatus White-spotted Acanthurus guttatus Surgeonfish Striped Bristletooth Ctenocaetus stiatus Orangespine Unicornfish Naso lituratus Bluespine Unicornfish Naso unicornis Whitemargin Unicornfish Naso annulatus

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Java Rabbitfish Siganus javus Lined Rabbitfish Siganus lineatus Black Triggerfish Melichthis niger Orange-lined Balistapus undulatus Triggerfish Wedge-tail Triggerfish Rhinecanthus rectangulus Picassofish Rhinecanthus aculeatus Moustache Triggerfish Balistoides viridescens Scribbled Filefish Aluterus scriptus Blackspotted Puffer Arothron nigropuncatus Guineafowl Puffer Arothron meleagris Porcupinefish Diodon hystrix

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Systematic List Number 6 Butterflies

The nomenclature and taxonomic order from this list is taken from ‘The Butterflies of Ceylon’ (1998) by Bernard d’Abrera and published by Hill House Publishers. Species seen in previous years are put in square brackets, to better represent those species that may be expected on the tour. Species annotated 2014 were added this year.

Papilionidae Fivebar Swordtail Pathysa antiphates Mud-puddling along Sinharaja track, perhaps more than one individual, 2013 and 2014. Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon Kandy, Yala west, and Sinharaja. Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon Kandy, Horton Plains, Hakgala, Yala west, and Sinharaja. [Common Jay Graphium doson Recorded on previous tours] [Common Mime Chilasa clytea Larvae on cinnamon in a Debarawewa garden] Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus Yala west Common Banded Peacock Papilio crino c.5, Yala west Red Helen Papilio helenus A few at Hakgala and several at Sinharaja Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor Kandy area, Nuwara Eliya area, and Sinharaja. Common Mormon Papilio polytes Scattered records, e.g. Kandy and Koggala area. Crimson Rose Papilio hector Widespread in small numbers Common Rose Papilio aristolochiae Scattered records Ceylon Birdwing Troides darsius Endemic: Rather widespread this year, seen at several new sites, on 6 days.

Pieridae Small Salmon Arab Colotis amata A few at Bundala and Kalametiya Large Salmon Arab Colotis fausta Wilpattu 2014 (PGC) [Little Orange-tip Colotis etrida Kalemetiya] [Great Orange-tip Hebomoia glaucippe Yala, small numbers in the past] Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe Widespread and reasonably common Small Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta Yala and Bundala areas Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda Kandy, Koggala area, and Sinharaja. [Spotless Grass Yellow Eurema laeta Hakgala] One-spot Grass Yellow Eurema andersoni Koggala area and Sinharaja Yellow Orange-tip Ixias pyrene Yala and Bundala White Orange-tip Ixias marianne Yala and Bundala [Pioneer Belenois aurota Usually at Yala] [Common Gull Cepora nerissa Yala] Lemon Emigrant Catopsilia pomona Widespread and reasonably common Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe Widespread and common Common Jezebel Delias eucharis Widespread and reasonably common Dark Wanderer Pareronia ceylanica Sorabora, and Yala area Psyche Leptosia nina Widespread in small numbers Common Albatross Appias albina Scattered records Ceylon Lesser Albatross Appias paulina Common at Yala west [Striped Albatross Appias libythea Sorabora]

Danaidae Tree Nymph Idea iasonia Endemic: Several at Sinharaja Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea Widespread and reasonably common

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Ceylon Tiger Parantica taprobana Endemic: a few on the Horton Plains, and at Hakgala. Blue Glassy Tiger Ideopsis similis Koggala area and Sinharaja Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace A few records Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis Sorabora Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Yala and Bundala areas Common Tiger Danaus genutia Scattered records Great Crow Euploea phaenareta Several in the Koggala area Common Crow Euploea core Widespread and common

Nymphalidae [Tawny Rajah Charaxes psaphon A male at Yala west] The Clipper Parthenos sylvia Udawattakelle and Sinharaja [The Cruiser Vindula erota Sinharaja] Blue Oakleaf Kallima philarchus Endemic: 1 in flight at Sinharaja The Baron Euthalia aconthea Upper Water Catchment, Kandy [Gaudy Baron Euthalia lubentina A female at Embilipitya] The Rustic Cupha erymanthis Koggala area Indian Fritillary Argynnis hyperbius A male at Hakgala Leopard Phalanta phalantha Yala west and Koggala area Small Leopard Phalanta alcippe 1 at Sinharaja Commander Moduza procris 1 at Sinharaja [Blue Admiral Kaniska canace Horton Plains and Hakgala] [Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Yala and Kandy] Indian Red Admiral Vanessa indica 1 at Nuwara Eliya 2014 Common Sailor Neptis hylas Widespread in small numbers Chestnut-streaked Sailor Neptis jumbah Sorabora Common Laskar Pantoporia hordonia A few records Angled Castor Ariadne ariadne Sorabora and Yala west [Black Prince Rohana parisatis Udawattakele and Hakgala] Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa thais 1 by the lake at Nuwara Eliya was a surprise, and at Sinharaja [Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus A few records] Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina Kandy area, Hakgala, and Sinharaja. Chocolate Soldier Junonia iphita Sorabora and Yala west Grey Pansy Junonia atlites Kandy, Koggala area, and Boulder Garden. Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias Sorabora and Yala west Peacock Pansy Junonia almana Kalemetiya

Satyridae Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda In the hotel at Tissa [Tamil Treebrown Lethe drypetis Sinharaja] Ceylon Treebrown Lethe daretis Endemic: 1 at Hakgala White Four-ring Ypthima ceylonica Widespread and locally common [Jewel Four-ring Ypthima singala Endemic: On the journey to Yala] [Dark-brand Bush-brown Mycalesis mineus Sorabora] Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus Boulder Garden and Sinharaja [Tamil Bushbrown Mycalesis visala Victoria Radenigala] Glad-eye Bushbrown Nissanga patnia Upper Water Catchment, Kandy, and several in Sinharaja.

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The Medus Orsotriaena medus Sorabora, Kandy area, Koggala area, and Boulder Garden. Common Palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra Tissa and Koggala area

Acraeidae Tawny Coster Acraea violae Ella, Yala area, Koggala area.

Lycaenidae Apefly Spalgis epeus 1 at Peradineya [Indian Sunbeam Curetis thetis 1 at Sorabora 2013] Aberrant Bushblue Arhopala abseus mackwoodi 1 at Sinharaja [Common Acacia Blue Surendra vivarna Sorabora] Redspot Zesius chrysomallus 1 at Kalemetiya Common Imperial Cheritra freja 1 at Sinharaja, 2014 Common Silverline Spindasis vulcanus 3 at Kalemetiya 2014 [Yamfly Loxura atymnus Peradineya and Unawatuna] [Monkey Puzzle Rathinda amor 1 at Yala west 2013] [Nilgiri Tit Hypolycaena nilgirica Sinharaja] [Common Guava Blue Virachola isocrates Koggala area] Slate Flash Rapala manea 2 in Udawattakelle [Indigo Flash Rapala varuna En route to Yala] [Malabar Flash Rapala lankana Sinharaja] Pointed Ciliate Blue Anthene lycaenina 1 at Sinharaja 2014 Dingy Lineblue Petrelaea dana Sinharaja 2014 [Large 4-line Blue Nacaduba pactolus Sorabora] [Pale Ceylon 6-line Blue Nacaduba sinhala Endemic: Sinharaja] [Transparent 6-line Blue Nacaduba kurava Sorabora] [Opaque 6-line Blue Nacaduba beroe Sorabora] Common Line-blue Prosotas nora Sinharaja Tailless Line-blue Prosotas dubiosa Sinharaja Pointed Lineblue Ionolyce helicon Sinharaja 2014 Dark Caerulean Jamides bochus Widespread and locally common [Ceylon Caerulean Jamides coruscans Endemic: Sinharaja Metallic Caerulean Jamides alecto Kandy area and Sinharaja Common Caerulean Jamides celeno Widespread in small numbers Forget-me-not Catachrysops strabo Upper Water Catchment, Kandy Pea Blue Lampides boeticus Horton Plains, Sorabora, Boulder Garden. Zebra Blue Syntarucus plinius Widespread in small numbers Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon Widespread in small numbers Blue-banded Pierrot Discolampa ethion Sorabora, Kandy area, and Sinharaja. Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia A few at Sinharaja [Butler’s Spotted Pierrot Tarucus callinara Yala and Kalametiya] [Grass Jewel Freyeria trochilus South coast and Tissamaharama] Dark Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra A few records. Lesser Grass Blue Zizina otis Scattered records Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax Scattered records Red Pierrot Talicada nyseus Greenwoods and Hakgala Indian Cupid Everes lacturnus Scattered records, mainly south-west [African Babul Blue Azanus jesous A few in the south-east] Common Hedge Blue Actyolepis puspa Victoria Radenigala [White Hedge Blue Udara akasa Horton Plains]

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Ceylon Hedge Blue Udara lanka Endemic: Several on Horton Plains, also Hakgala [Singalese Hedge Blue Udara singalensis Hakgala] [Plain Hedge Blue Celastrina lavendularis Sinharaja] [Quaker Neopithecops zalmora Sorabora] [The Malayan Megisba malaya Yala area] Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus Scattered records Plains Cupid Chilades pandava Scattered records Lime Blue Chilades laius Peradineya, Kalemetiya, Koggala area

Riodinidae Plum Judy Abisara echerius 1 at Sinharaja

Hesperiidae N.B. Skippers were very scarce this year. [Common Banded Awl Hasora chromus Horton Plains] [White-banded Awl Hasora taminatus Horton Plains, and Kandy area] [The Brown Awl Badamia exclamationis Kottawa] Common Small Flat Sarangesa dasahara c.5 at Sorabora [Water Snow Flat Tagiades litigiosa Sinharaja] Hedge Hopper Baracus vittatus Several on Horton Plains, and Sinharaja. Bush Hopper Ampittia dioscorides Boulder Garden. [Indian Palm Bob Suastus gremius Bentota] Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala Scattered records. [Grass Demon Udaspes folus Sorabora] [Common Banded Demon Notocrypta paralysos Sinharaja] [Restricted Demon Notocrypta curvifascia 3 at Sinharaja] [Tree Flitter Hyarotis adrastus Sinharaja] [Indian Skipper Spialia galba Yala and Victoria Radenigala] [Common Grass Dart Taractocera maevius Peradineya Botanical Garden] [Common Dartlet Oriens goloides Udawattakelle and Sinharaja] [Dart sp. Potanthus confuscius Sinharaja] [Indian Dart Potanthus pallida Maybe this species in Koggala area] [Dart sp. Potanthus sp. Bentota area] [Palm Dart sp. Telicota colon Kandy] [Dark Palm Dart Telicota ancilla Brief Garden] [Conjoined Swift Pelopidas conjuncta Kandy area] [Wallace’s Swift Borbo cinnara Sorabora, and Koggala area]

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Systematic List Number 7 Dragonflies and Damselflies

The nomenclature and taxonomic order is taken from The Dragonflies of Sri Lanka (2000) by de Fonseka, and the identifications were made using this book and the ‘Jetwing’ booklet ‘Dragonflies of Sri Lanka’ produced by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. Species recorded on previous tours but not in 2014 are put in square brackets.

Zygoptera

Calopterygidae Oriental Green-wing Neurobasis chinensis By the waterfall below Ella and at Sinharaja. Black-tipped Demoiselle Vestalis apicalis Endemic: Around the Boulder Garden near Sinharaja.

Euphaeidae [Shining Gossamerwing Euphaea splendens Endemic: Sinharaja.]

Chlorocyphidae [Ultima Gem Libellago finalis Endemic: A few at Embekke Devale 2013.] [Green’s Asian Jewel Libellago greeni Endemic: Peradineya.]

Lestidae Mountain Reedling Indolestes gracilis Endemic: Nuwara Eliya and Hakgala.

Platycnemididae [Yellow Featherleg Copera marginipes Peradineya.]

Protoneuridae Jungle Threadtail Elattoneura caesia Endemic: a few at Sinharaja. [Dark-glittering Elattoneura centralis Endemic: Several at Brief Garden. Threadtail] Red-striped Threadtail Elattoneura tenax Endemic: Sinharaja 2014, a beautiful species.

Coenagrionidae Pygmy Midget Agriocnemis pygmaea Yala and Bundala areas. [Marsh Dancer Onychargia atrocyana Several at Lunuganga.] Malayan Blue Cercion malayanum Tissamaharama. a damselfly Enallagma parvum Appparently this very small species at Kalemetiya, an important record. [Dawn Bluetail Ischnura aurora Peradineya 2013.] Ubiquitous Bluetail Ischnura senegalensis Bundala, Yala, Debara Wewa, Kalemetiya. [Painted Waxtail Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Lunuganga.] Yellow Damselfly Ceriagrion coromandelianum Scattered records, e.g. Debarawewa. Blue Sprite Pseuadgrion microcephalum Yala and Tissa areas. [Malabar Sprite Pseudagrion malabaricum Peradineya 2013.] Sri Lanka Orange-faced Pseudagrion rubriceps A few records. Sprite ceylonicum

Platystictidae [Fraser’s Shadowdamsel Drepanosticta fraseri Endemic: Possibly this very rare species at Kottawa 2012.]

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Anisoptera

Aeshnidae [(an emperor dragonfly) Anax guttata Lunch stop on way to Yala, Sorabora, Ella, Peradineya.]

Libellulidae Sombre Lieutenant Brachydiplax sobrina Debarawewa etc. [Pruinosed Bloodtail Lathrecista asiatica 1 in Koggala area 2012.] Red Skimmer Orthetrum chrysis At the Research Station, Sinharaja. Asian Skimmer Orthetrum glaucum A few records. Pink Skimmer Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum Peradineya and Hakgala. Sombre Skimmer Orthetrum sabina Widespread, e.g. Peradineya and Sinharaja. Triangle Skimmer Orthetrum triangulare Several at Hakgala. Blue Pursuer Potomarcha congener Scattered records, e.g. Kalemetiya. Asian Pintail Acisoma panorpoides Scattered low elevation records, e.g. Tissa and Debara Wewa. Orange-winged Brachythemis contaminata Sorabora, Debarawewa, Yala, Bundala, etc. Groundling Eastern Scarlet Darter Crocothemis servilia Yala, Debarawewa, Kalametiya, etc. Little Blue Darter Diplacodes trivialis Bundala, Kalametiya, and south-west. Black Velvet-wing Neurothemis tullia Rather widespread. Spine-legged Reedling Rhodothemis rufa A few records. Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombei Hakgala. Crimson Dropwing Trithemis aurora A particularly amazing pink-purple. Sinharaja. Indigo Dropwing Trithemis festiva Scattered records. [Dancing Dropwing Trithemis pallidinervis Recorded 2012.] Variable Glider Rhyothemis variegata Common at tanks in Tissa and Yala area, and Kalemetiya. Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens Locally numerous. Red-veined Glider Tramea basilaris Tissa area. [Sociable Glider Tramea limbata Peradineya 2012 and 2013.] [Foggy-winged Twister Tholymis tillarga Inside the Hotel Suisse 2013.] [Dingy Duskflyer Zyxomma petiolatum Around the hotel ponds at Tissa at dusk, 2013.] Scarlet Basker Urothemis signata Kalemetiya.

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Systematic List Number 8 Vascular Plants

This is a composite list of the flora recorded on our Sri Lankan tours from 2003 onwards. On the return from the 2012 tour I bought the first 9 volumes of ‘A Revised Handbook To The Flora Of Ceylon’, by Dassanayake, M. D. and Fosberg, F. R. (Ed.) (1980 onward), New Delhi: Amerind Publishing Co.

Published in 2008, ‘Illustrated field guide to the flowers of Sri Lanka’ by J.& J.de Vlas is an extremely useful photographic field guide, covering some 1,000 species. ‘A Field Guide to the Common Trees and Shrubs of Sri Lanka’, by Ashton, M.S., Gunatilleke, S., de Zoysa, N., Dassanayake, M.D., Gunatilleke, N. and Wijesundera, S. (1997), Colombo: WHT Publications, is an excellent guide to the woody species.

Families are arranged in alphabetical order, and within each family, species are similarly listed alphabetically. Many alien species are naturalised in Sri Lanka, from Pan-tropical species in the lowlands to plants of the temperate zone around Nuwara Eliya – these are marked N. There is also interest in some species cultivated in Sri Lanka, either ornamentally (gardens/roadsides) or commercially. Such non-wild species do not strictly belong in an account of natural history like this, and, although included in the list, are demarcated by {brackets}.

Ferns and their allies

[Note: Many habitats were very fern-rich (especially montane and rain-forest), and there remained very many unidentified species e.g. there were at least 7 unnamed species in both the Horton Plains elfin forest and Hakgala botanic garden, as well as a fine array of epiphytes in the Koggala mangroves]

Adiantaceae Maidenhair Ferns Adiantum spp Forest floor at Udawattakele, near the Knuckles, rocks in Randenigala Reserve and Hakgala botanic garden [Several species seen including one like houseplant, another with wide oblong pinnules]

Aspleniaceae (a spleenwort) Asplenium sp? Forest: hairpins near Hasalaka, rocks in Randenigala Reserve and below Rawana Ella falls [Possibly the identity of leathery long- stalked cordate fern] (a spleenwort) Asplenium sp? Rocks in Randenigala Reserve [Very distinctive – tiny palmate frond with narrow oblong pinnules] {Bird’s-nest Fern} {Asplenium nidus-avis} Peradeniya Botanical Gardens greenhouses, etc. [Epiphyte – very much living up to its name]

Azollaceae (a water fern) Azolla sp Tissamaharama tank [Tiny free-floating fern: closely overlapping leaves, slightly grey- green]

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Blechnaceae Paathara Blechnum orientale Forest floor at Udawattakele, and Sinharaja [Large tufted 1-pinnate fern] (a woodwardia) Woodwardia sp? Upper Water Catchment forest and Lankatilake [Similar to latter but broader frond]

Cyatheaceae (a tree fern) Cyathea crinita Nuwara Eliya [Large 3-4 pinnate fronds; spores not covered in an indusium] (a tree fern) Cyathea gigantea Upper Water Catchment forest and Nuwara Eliya [Large 2-3 pinnate fronds; spores not covered in an indusium] (a tree fern) Cyathea walkerae Sinharaja forest (possibly also around Kandy) [As C. crinita but with indusia]

Gleicheniaceae Kekilla Dichranopteris linearis Forming thickets by tracks in Sinharaja. Same species or related by road in forested hills, especially east of Kandy and on Horton Plains; also near Ahangama [Tall fern with fronds forking and 1-pinnate]

Hymenophyllaceae (a filmy fern) Hymenophyllum sp? Moist rock faces on Horton Plains [Typical tiny trans-lucent filmy fern but more coriaceous than usual]

Hypolepidaceae Bracken Pteridium aquilinum Toward Nanu Oya (tea-growing areas), round Nuwara Eliya and on Horton Plains [Familiar tall branched and creeping fern]

Lindsaeaceae (a fern) Lindsaea caudata? Forest on Upper Water Catchment and Sinharaja [Large 1-pinnate fern climbing up trunks like ivy]

Lycopodiaceae (a fir clubmoss) Huperzia sp Epiphytic on trees in elfin forest of Horton Plains [From next by tufted little-branched stems] (clubmoss) Lycopodium sp Wet patana on Horton Plains [Differs from next type in its decumbent habit and chunky angled cone] (clubmoss) Lycopodium cernuum? Open scrub on Horton Plains and forest in Sinharaja [Resemble big branched moss with stiff spreading leaves and cone-like bodies]

Marsileaceae “4-leaved clover” Marsilea sp Shallow water and edges of paddy-fields: Yala NP, Tissamaharama tank and near Ahangama Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 39

[Short creeping fern: frond with 4-leaflets – looked very similar to European M. quadrifolia]

Oleandraceae (a ladder fern) Nephrolepis acutifolia? Rocks by Boulder Garden [Typical ladder fern, but with spore-heaps united along outer edge of pinnae] {a ladder fern) {Nephrolepis exaltata?} Planted in Kandy [Typical ladder fern but with marginal spore heaps distinct]

Ophioglossaceae (a moonwort) Botrychium sp Forest floor, Upper Water Catchment [Forked frond: one half sterile and pinnate, the other fertile, rather resembling dock flower]

Polypodiaceae “Oak Fern” Drynariopsis heraclea? Epiphytic in Upper Water Catchment (Kandy) and by Ahangama paddies [Dimorphic fronds: 1) deep-lobed spreading & 2) toothed, deeply veined clasping trunk] Dragon’s-scale Fern Pyrrosia pilloseloides? Epiphytic by Ahangama paddies [Tiny fleshy fern, also dimorphic 1) oval; and 2) linear]

Pteridaceae Golden Mangrove-fern Acrostichum aureum? Mangrove swamp in and around Koggala lake [Large pinnate fern, upper pinnae reduced, covered densely beneath in orange-brown spores] (no common name) Pteris sp? Forest floor at Udawattakele [Typical 1- pinnate Pteris with spore-heaps down midvein]

Salviniaceae (a water-fern) Salvinia auriculata Tissamaharama tank, pool by Sithulpahuwa temple road (Yala NP) and paddies near Ahangama [Typical free-floating Salvinia with opposite paired leaves and submerged leaves modified to function like roots] (a water-fern) Salvinia natans Lake Gregory (Nuwara Eliya) [Very similar to latter]

Schizaeaceae (climbing ferns) Lygodium spp On trees by paddies near Ahangama [Climbers with deltoid pinnate fronds (>1 species probably present)] (a curly-grass) Schizaea sp On trees by paddies near Ahangama [From latter by more scrambling habit and forking linear fronds]

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Selaginellaceae (clubmosses) Selaginella spp Moist forest floor: Upper Water Catchment (Kandy), Hakgala botanic garden and Sinharaja [Several frond-like species may occur: 2-3 pinnate branched, (dorsiventrally flattened, tiny overlapping leaves)] (clubmosses) Selaginella spp Weed in Peradeniya and Hakgala botanic gardens; common in elfin forest on Horton Plains; by Boulder Garden and Sinharaja [From latter by less divided form, more moss- like (close to S. kraussiana)]

Conifers

Araucariaceae {Kauri pine} {Agathis robusta} Peradeniya Botanical Gardens [Tall tree with leathery veinless barrow-lanceolate leaves] {Cook’s Pine} {Araucaria cookii} Peradeniya Botanical Garden in wind-distorted avenue [Tall “geometrical” columnar tree with needle leaves] {Norfolk Island Pine} {Araucaria excelsa} Planted in cooler areas of the island [Similar to last]

Cupressaceae {Monterey Cypress} {Cupressus macrocarpa} By museum on Horton Plains [Big spreading tree with opposite/whorled appressed scale-like leaves and cones with 8-12 scales]

Cycadaceae a cycad Cycas circinalis With impressive cones at Wilpattu 2014 (PGC) {a cycad} {Cycas revoluta} Planted in Koggala Beach hotel [Resembling squat almost stemless palm with rigid pinnate leaves]

Pinaceae Caribbean Pine N Pinus caribaea Plantations on the Knuckles, in the hills up to Nanu Oya, below Horton Plains and Sinharaja [3-needle pine, dark green glossy leaves] Patula Pine N Pinus patula In similar situations and areas to last, but less common [As latter but 3-4 needles per drooping cluster]

Podocarpaceae {a podocacrp} {Podocarpus macrophyllus} Planted in Kandy [Tall coniferous tree, but leaves longer and wider than typical needles]

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Angiosperms

DICOTYLEDONES

Acanthaceae Katu ikili Acanthus illicifolius By lagoon behind beach in Yala NP. [Low shrub: opposite holly-like leaves and blue leathery flowers] {no common name} {Acanthus sennei} Gardens by Unawatuna beach [Red-flowered typical acanthus – native to Ethiopia] {no common name} {Aphelandra sinclairiana} Gardens in Kandy [Resembles rosy-red multi- headed Justicia] Puruk Asystasia gangetica Widespread and locally common [Clamberer with opposite ovate leaves: white asymmetric flowers with purple lower lip and throat] (no common name) Barleria prionitis Sorabora (no common name) Blepharis maderaspatensis? Moist rocks by road over the Knuckles [Creeping herb with acanthus flowers pink/purple veined] Firecracker Flower Crossandra infundibuliformis Wilpattu 2014 (PGC). Planted in Kandy [1m tall shrub with glossy rather drooping leaves; spike of salmon-orange flowers] {no common name} {Crossandra nilotica} Planted in Kandy [Small evergreen shrub: cluster of red flowers on long peduncle] no common name Eranthemum capense Recorded 2014. Blue flowers with unequal lobes. {no common name} {Eranthemum pulchellum} Planted in Kandy [Low shrub: head of small purple flowers] (no common name) Gymnostachyum ceylanicum Cultivated at Peradineya, an endemic species {no common name} {Hemigraphis alternata} Planted in Kandy [Scrambling much-branched ground cover: pinkish stems, leaves purple- green above and purple below (“colorata”); tubular purple flowers] Katu-ikiriya Hygrophila schulli Sorabora and Yala area [Tall emergent: opposite leaves have spines and long purplish- blue flowers at base] {no common name} {Hypoëstes phyllostachys} Hakgala botanic garden [Slender herb: narrow leaves and whorls of 2-lipped purplish flowers] Suduu-puruk Justicia betonica Koggala [Low bush with narrow lanceolate leaves; dense spikes of pink flowers, almost hidden by whitish grey bracts] Shrimp-flower N Justicia brandegeana ±naturalised, Unawatuna margins {planted elsewhere} [Low shrub: salmon-pink overlapping bracts, white flowers. Still best known as Beloperone guttata] {no common name} {Justicia (Jacobinia) carnea} Gardens in Kandy [2m shrub, head of pink flowers lower lip 3 lobed] (no common name) Justicia procumbens Scattered records (no common name) Justicia royeniana Horton Plains

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{no common name} {Pachystachys lutea} Gardens in Kandy [1m evergreen shrub: spikes with yellow bracts and short-lived white hooded flowers] {no common name} {Pseuderanthemum atro- Garden near Koggala Spice Garden [Smooth, purple- purpureum} leaved ornamental] {no common name} {Pseuderanthemum carruthersii} Koggala [Subshrub: pink-centred white 4-lobed flowers; gold variegated leaves (reticulatum)] (no common name) Rhinacanthus nasutus Sorabora {no common name} {Ruellia portellae?} Gardens in Kandy [Low growing herb, red green velvet leaves and rosy-pink tubular trumpets] Nil-puruk N Ruellia tuberosa Bare ground by Menik Ganga river (Yala NP) and by lanes at Unawatuna, and Sorabora [Low herb: stem square (swollen nodes); and 4cm violet flowers] {no common name} {Sanchezia nobilis} Gardens in Kandy [Bushy: fresh green leaves with yellow veins; yellow tubular flowers, reddish bracts] (no common name) Strobilanthes bilaria? Sinharaja NP gate [From next by pale purple flowers] Kaha-nelu Strobilanthes calycina Horton Plains: montane forest understorey and edges, in leaf [Low shrub: opposite oval toothed leaves; drooping heads of lemon-yellow flowers, overlapping bracts in green hop-like head] {no common name} {Strobilanthes dyerianus} Peradeniya botanic garden [Ground cover (60cm): leaves with metallic silver intervenal zones when old, but purple when young] (no common name) Strobilanthes pulcherrima Horton Plains (no common name) Strobilanthes sexennis In leaf in elfin forest by Baker’s Falls. [Flowers only every 12 years or so] Nelu Strobilanthes viscosa By path in elfin forest, Little World’s End (Horton Plains) [Endemic: low shrub with oval toothed leaves and 2cm pale purple tubular flowers (like Penstemon with recurved lobes)]

Aizoaceae (no common name) Sesuvium portulacastrum Moist coastal sand in Yala NP [Prostrate fleshy opposite-leaved herb: star-like flowers green outside and pink within]

Amaranthaceae [Weedy amaranths were frequent on waste ground as at Lankatilake and on shores in Bundala (globular heads)] (no common name N) Achyranthes aspera Weed: Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya, near Kande Ela reservoir, Peradineya etc. [Spicate amaranth with reflexed fruit] Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 43

(no common name) Aerva lanata Scattered records {no common name} {Alternanthera brasiliensis} Gardens in Kandy [Brightly coloured leaves for low borders] {no common name} {Alternanthera sessilis} Scattered records [Similar to latter, but forming mats, with small white flowers in leaf- axils] {Cock’s-comb} {Celosia argentea} Sorabora, gardens in Nuwara Eliya (var argentea) and Koggala (var cristata) [Latter is familiar red annual cock’s-comb, former has pink spikes (redder tops)] (no common name) Gomphrena celosioides Sorabora etc. {an iresine} {Iresine diffusa} Gardens in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya [1m subshrub whose red leaves have pink veins]

Anacardiaceae {Cashew} {Anacardium occidentale} Gardens/groves near Colombo [Small tree: leathery obovate leaves and sprays of yellow fragrant flowers] Arrida Campnosperma zeylanicum Sinharaja forest canopy [Large tree with oblanceolate leaves (rufous scaly beneath) crowded at branch ends, twigs leaf-scarred and pulpy purple fruit] {Smoke Tree} {Cotinus coggygria} Gardens in Kandy [Shrub with ovate untoothed leaves, feathery fruit-stalks; here red-leaved atropurpureus] {Mango} {Mangifera indica} Planted by roads and in gardens e.g. Colombo, Kandy and Sinharaja [Large fruiting tree with alternate lanceolate leaves]

Annonaceae Wal anoda N Annona glabra Koggala [Small tree: alternate, acute, elliptic prominently net-veined leaves and pulpy yellow edible fruit] {Sugar apple} {Annona squamosa} Koggala spice garden [Tree with aromatic oblong leaves and yellow-green fruit covered in warts] Ylang Ylang N Cananga odorata By track in Udawattakele [Tree: alternate untoothed leaves and fragrant flowers] {Ovila} {Polyalthia longifolia} Planted on verges in Kandy etc. (though native in Sri Lanka) [Columnar var pendula: tree, alternate narrow oblong-lanceolate leaves] Athu ketiya Xylopia championii Sinharaja forest understorey [Endemic small tree: lanceolate with tapering acuminate tip; scarlet fruit]

Apiaceae (formerly known as Umbelliferae) (a hare’s-ear) Bupleurum mucronatum Pantana near World’s End (Horton Plains) [Typical but slightly reddish hare’s-ear with lanceolate leaves and small umbels of yellowish flowers] Not found 2012, 2013, or 2014. Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 44

(a hare’s-ear) Bupleurum sp Path through Elfin woods between World’s End and Little World’s End (Horton Plains) [Similar but much smaller and not reddish] Not found 2012, 2013, or 2014. (a marsh pennywort) Centella asiatica? Moist turf in Hakgala botanic garden [Ascending with leaves like currant] Fennel N Foeniculum vulgare Verges near Nuwara Eliya [Feathery foliage, yellow umbels, aniseed aroma]

Apocynaceae {Desert Rose} {Adenium obesum} Planted in Koggala [Low fleshy bush resembling a “bonsai baobab”; thick leaves and long pink flowers] Yellow Allamanda N Allamanda cathartica Planted and also ±naturalised on verges near Colombo [Shrub: whorled leaves & large yellow trumpets] {an allamanda} {Allamanda neriifolia} [As last but smaller flowers] {an allamanda} {Allamanda violacea} Koggala [From other allamandas by rose-violet flowers, climbing habit and shiny dark leaves] Hawari Nuga Alstonia macrophylla Recorded {Maha karamba} {Carissa carandas} Gardens in Kandy (though a wild native in Sri Lanka) [Shrub: small obovate opposite leaves; long spines at alternate nodes, milky latex; white star-like flowers] Heen karamba Carissa spinarum Scrub in Bundala NP [Small tree with white latex: both rhomboid leaves and spines opposite; white star-like flowers and black berries] Rose Periwinkle N Catharanthus roseus ±naturalised on verges near Unawatuna {planted in Kandy} [1m bush: opposite leaves, 4cm pink flowers] Suicide Tree Cerbera odollam Very common south-west coast, mainly among mangroves [small tree with 5 petalled white flowers and spherical green highly poisonous fruits] Ceylon Jasmine N Ervatamia divaricata ±naturalised near Buddhist temples close to Kandy and by lanes at Unawatuna {planted at Hotel Suisse} [2m shrub: glossy opposite leaves and fragrant 4cm white jasmine-like flowers (spirally rotate)] Synonym: Tabernaemontana divaricata. Kiri-wel Ichnocarpus frutescens Victoria Radenigala 2012 [Climber: sprays of tiny white 5-petalled flowers and opposite leaves] {Oleander} {Nerium oleander} Gardens in Kandy [Shrub with long leathery leaves, and gaudy pink (or white or yellow) flowers] Frangipani N Plumeria acuminata Commonly planted but also ±naturalised on verges near Colombo [Shrub: big obovate

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alternate leaves and fragrant white flowers with strong orange centre] Great Frangipani N Plumeria obtusa Planted but also ±naturalised on verges near Colombo and by temple ruin on Sithulpahuwa road (Yala NP) [As latter but with a yellow centre] Red Frangipani N Plumeria rubra With latter (and hybrids) near Colombo [Typical Plumeria but reddish-white or yellow flowers] Yellow Oleander N Thevetia peruviana By Kandy lake, Mahiyangana and Tissamaharama tank etc. [Shrub: yellow trumpets and linear-lanceolate deep green leaves] Wal-eddha Walidda antidysenterica Moist areas in Bundala [Endemic small bushy tree: lanceolate leaves, milky latex; waxy white jasmine-like flowers (oval petals with corona of scales)] Rosy Milkweed Twiner Oxystelma secamone Debarawewa in the past

Araliaceae {no common name} {Polyscias balfouriana} Gardens in Kandy [1m erect shrub: pinnate leaves with round crinkled green and cream leaflets] {no common name} {Schefflera arboricola} Gardens in Kandy [House plant shrub: evergreen leaves like horse-chestnut. Variegated form]

Aristolochiaceae (a birthwort N) Aristolochia ringens Forest edges in Upper Water Catchment [Woody climber with 20cm Dutchman’s pipe flowers]

Asclepiadaceae [White-flowered Asclepiad vines occurred at Randenigala Reserve (paired silky pods) and Yala (with cordate leaves plus all parts including petals hairy)] Wara Calotropis gigantea Common in the south-east, and east [Shrub with oblong opposite leaves, milky latex and umbel-like heads of pale violet flowers]

Asteraceae (formerly known as Compositae) (a flossflower) Ageratum conyzoides Locally abundant on roadsides [Low herb like hemp-agrimony with very pale blue, globular heads] Flossflower N Ageratum houstonianum Kadugannewa station and Hakgala botanic garden [Taller than latter, mid-blue (parent of fluffy-flowered bedding plant)] Sudana Anaphalis brevifolia Abundant in tussock grassland on Horton Plains [Much-branched woolly everlasting with clusters of white heads]

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Maha-sudana Anaphalis subdecurrens Scarcer on bare ground on Horton Plains [Like latter, but branching mainly from base with pink heads] (a mugwort N) Artemisia dubia var.grata Verges near Nuwara Eliya [Typical mugwort but very tall (2m): nodding tasselled inflorescence and well-cut leaves with linear oblong lobes] The only species in the flora. (no common name) Astroeupatorium inulifolium Locally common in the highlands {a bur-marigold} {Bidens sp} Gardens in Kandy [Like next but yellow rays] Black-jack N Bidens pilosa Moist verges over the Knuckles, Kadugannewa station and Hakgala botanic garden [Small white daisy-like heads with yellow centre, opposite pinnate leaves] (a knapweed N) Centaurea sp? Paddy banks near Koggala [Resembles typical purple-red knapweed with lanceolate serrate leaves] (no common name) Centratherum punctatum Koggala Common Floss Flower Chromolaena odorata Widespread Canadian Fleabane N Conyza canadensis Weed in Hakgala botanic garden [Tall: many narrow oblong leaves, many tiny white daisies] {a tickseed} {Coreopsis sp} Peradeniya gardens [Popular orange-yellow daisy-like bedding plant; opposite pinnately cut leaves] {Mexican Aster} {Cosmos bipinnatus} Gardens in Kandy [Popular bedding Cosmos with pink-purple rays and opposite 2-3 pinnate leaves] {a cosmos} {Cosmos sulphureus} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [From last by orange rays] (no common name) Crassocephalum crepidioides Scattered records {German-ivy} {Delairea odorata} Hakgala botanic garden [Climber with ivy-like leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers] {no common name} {Eleutheranthera ruderalis} A weed of abandoned land (no common name) Emilia alstonii Possibly this species too (no common name) Emilia exserta Margins near Ahangama and Sinharaja [Similar to next but more weedy and not so purple-flushed] (no common name) Emilia sonchifolia Scattered records Kadupara Emilia zeylanica Rocky verges near Nuwara Eliya and on Horton Plains [Endemic: like small elegant purple-flushed sow-thistle with terminal pink nodding heads] Mexican Fleabane N Erigeron karvinskianus Rocky verges near the Knuckles, on Horton Plains and Hakgala botanic gardens [Branched herb whose white daisy flowers go pink with age] Podisingomaran Eupatorium odoratum Marginal weed: tea plantation near Nuwara Eliya and Sinharaja [Fluffy pale lavender weed]

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Shaggy Soldier N Galinsoga quadriradiata Weed in Hakgala botanic garden [Opposite- leaved hairy herb with many tiny few-rayed white daisies] (a cudweed) Gnaphalium sp Verge on Horton Plains zigzag and weed in Hakgala botanic garden [Typical coarse spicate cudweed (like G. sylvaticum or G. undulatum)] (an everlasting) Helichrysum sp Verges of road to Horton Plains [Tall non- tufted, whitish stems, linear leaves, clustered small golden globular heads] Common Cat’s-ear N Hypochaeris radicata Verges on Horton Plains [Yellow dandelion- like heads at end of branched scaly stems; basal rosette] Mile-a-Minute Mikania cordata Scattered records, e.g. Sorabora (no common name) Moonia heterophylla Verges on Horton Plains zigzag [Herb: opposite pinnately-cut triangular leaves and yellow daisies] {Cape daisy} {Osteospermum ecklonis} Nuwara Eliya gardens [Woody lower stem; big white-flowered daisy (ligules purple/mauve below) - popular patio plant in UK] {no common name} {Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides} Koggala gardens [Climber with orange daisy heads] (a ragwort) Senecio sp. Bogs on Horton Plains [Like dwarf, very neat Marsh Ragwort – yellow daisy-like heads] {Canadian Goldenrod} {Solidago canadensis} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [Familiar tall perennial: many narrow leaves and numerous tiny yellow heads] Smooth Sow-thistle N Sonchus oleraceus Weed in Victoria Park (Nuwara Eliya) [Annual: milky sap, and many yellow dandelion-like heads] (a toothache plant N) Spilanthes indicus Dry paddyfield bank south of Mahiyangana [Low creeping herb, resembling pink-purple clover] Nodeweed N Synedrella nodiflora Widespread [Herb with small yellow flowers] Dandelion N Taraxacum officinale s.l. Nuwara Eliya [Familiar weed with jagged toothed basal leaves and yellow heads] Wild Sunflower N Tithonia diversifolia Roadsides: Kandy, Lankatilake, Nuwara Eliya, etc. [Shrub: big yellow daisy-like flowers and 3-5 lobed leaves] Coat-buttons Tridax procumbens Weed with white notched ray petals. Widespread. Kobo mella Vernonia arborea Scrub by zigzag up to Horton Plains and by track through Sinharaja NP [Small tree: long lanceolate leaves and white clustered heads] (a vernonia) Vernonia cinerea Common roadside weed [Pale lilac ageratum- like herb with woody base] (a vernonia) Vernonia hookeriana Surely present too. Endemic. (a vernonia) Vernonia wightiana Horton Plains Pupula Vernonia zeylanica Verges, Lankatilake, abundant near Nanu Oya, Horton Plains, Tissamaharama tank,

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Kalemetiya, etc. [Endemic: Clambering under- shrub with whitish lilac heads] (no common name N) Wedelia trilobata Moist turf by tracks: widespread [Clambering herb, opposite 3-lobed leaf, yellow daisies] Rough Cocklebur Xanthium indicum Shores of Tissamaharama tank, Sorabora, etc. [Coarse herb: angled ovate leaves and oval bur-fruit]

Balsaminaceae {a balsam} {Impatiens balsamina} Gardens in Kandy [Tall pink leafy herb: parent of the garden Indian balsam] Wal-kudalu? Impatiens cuspidata? Wet moss by trickle on Horton Plains zigzag [Possible identity of tiny delicate long-spurred pink balsam] Koodalu-mai Impatiens flaccida? Streamside rocks, Sinharaja Research Station [Slender pink succulent herb (60cm) (lateral petals united] (a balsam) Impatiens leptopoda Common on Horton Plains [Endemic: Low pink butterfly-like flowers 2-3cm (two lateral petals united)] Gas-kudalu Impatiens macrophylla Moist banks by Horton Plains zigzag [Tall balsam: large leaves, red stems and small orange flowers] Gal-demata Impatiens repens Peradeniya botanic garden, Sinharaja HQ pond [Trailing herb: succulent red stems, roundish leaves and yellow flowers] Endemic, but may be extinct in the wild.

Begoniaceae {a begonia} {Begonia axel-langei?} Gardens in Kandy [Tall herbaceous begonia with large leaves] Gal-aebala Begonia cordifolia Sorabora [Typical low white begonia, roundish asymmetric leaves] {a begonia} {Begonia fuchsioides} Hakgala botanic garden [Erect herbaceous begonia with pendent red flowers]

Berberidaceae (a barberry) Berberis ceylanica Edges of elfin forest on Horton Plains [Typical yellow barberry: ovate leaves with distant attenuate teeth]

Bignoniaceae {Garlic Vine} {Adenocalymma alliaceum} Gardens in Kandy [Climber with masses of pink-mauve flowers, leaves smell strongly of garlic] {no common name} {Clystosoma callistegiodes} Gardens in Unawatuna [White climber] {Jacaranda} {Jacaranda mimosifolia} Roadside tree in Colombo [Leaves like mimosa: flat oblong fruit (no flowers during visit – purple)]

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{no common name} {Podranea ricasoliana} Gardens in Kandy [Vigorous evergreen climber: pink tubular flowers with darker throat] {Golden Shower} {Pyrostegia venusta} Shrouding tree at Grand Ella Motel [Climber with masses of clusters of orange/red tubular flowers] {African Tulip-tree} {Spathodea campanulata} Planted around Kandy [Tree with pinnate leaves & clusters of large bright orange-red flowers] {Yellow Tabebuia} {Tabebuia serratifolia} Peradeniya botanic garden [Leafless tree during visit: clusters of bright yellow trumpet flowers (leaves are palmate with stalked, toothed leaflets] {Chinese Trumpet- {Tecoma grandiflora} Gardens [Vigorous climber: pale pink trumpets with creeper} deeper stripes in the throat] Yellow Elder N Tecoma stans Margins: Mahiyangana, Sinharaja [Small tree: pinnate leaves, clustered orange or yellow tubular flowers]

Bombaceae Red Silk Cotton Tree Bombax ceiba Planted in south-west {Kapok Tree} {Ceiba pentandra} Planted in Kandy [Tree with palmate leaves, and long pods containing kapok fibre] {Paina de seda} {Chorisia speciosa} Planted on roadsides [Similar to latter] Kata boda Cullenia ceylanica Sinharaja canopy [Endemic tree: narrow alternate elliptic–oblong leaves: dark green above, golden scaly below, petioles swollen at apex; globular spiny fruit] Kata boda Cullenia rosayroana Sinharaja forest canopy [Endemic tree: very similar to last but petioles (leaf-stalks) not swollen at tip]

Boraginaceae Naruvilli Cordia monoica Scrub in Yala NP [Small tree: alternate ovate leaves, rough hairy above and bright yellow berry-like fruit] a hound’s-tongue) Cynoglossum furcatum Lake Gregory, Nuwara Eliya [Tall hairy herb smelling of mice; flowers like blue forget-me- not] Eth-hoda Heliotropium indicum Disturbed margins in Bundala NP, and Sorabora [Annual with rough ovate leaves and pale lilac curving double spikes]

Brassicaceae (formerly known as Cruciferae) Charlock N Sinapis arvensis Weed in Nuwara Eliya, and Embekke Devale [Familiar wild mustard: four yellow petals, rough toothed leaves and long pods]

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Buddlejaceae Butterfly Bush N Buddleja davidii By railway near Talawakele and Nuwara Eliya [Familiar shrub: long lilac-purple spikes and lanceolate opposite leaves] (a Buddleja N) Buddleja madagascariensis Verges below Hakgala botanic garden [From last by oblique panicles, corolla has grey green tubes and orange yellow lobes]

Burseraceae Kekuna Canarium zeylanicum Sinharaja forest edge [Endemic tree: alternate pinnate leaves (ca 7 untoothed leaflets) and twigs rusty hairy]

Cactaceae Katu-pathok N Opuntia dillenii Rough sandy ground in Yala and Bundala NPs [Stout yellow-flowered cactus made up of flattened jointed stems] a cactus Rhipsalis baccifera Epiphytic on street trees in Kandy and in Peradeniya Botanical Gardens [Grey-green succulent with narrow pipe-like stems]

Callitrichaceae (a water-starwort) Callitriche sp Pools in Victoria Park (Nuwara Eliya) and Hakgala botanic gardens [Aquatic with opposite elliptical notched leaves; tiny flowers]

Campanulaceae “Star of Bethlehem” N Laurentia longifolia By gate into Upper Water Catchment [Low herb with white star flower (4cm tube)and thistle-like leaves] (a lobelia) Lobelia heyneana Horton Plains. Small annual herb. (a lobelia) Lobelia leschenaultiana In flower around Lake Gregory, Nuwara Eliya, 2012 Wal-dumkola Lobelia nicotianifolia Rail cutting toward Nanu Oya [Tall (1-2m) herb with “foxtail” pale pink flower-spike, and linear stipules] (no common name) Pratia sp Elfin forest, World’s End (Horton Plains) [Creeping, low, whitish Lobelia-like herb; ovate toothed leaves] (a bellflower) Wahlenbergia marginata Moist patana on Horton Plains [Low, delicate, erect pale-blue and like a campanula]

Cannabidaceae Indian Hemp N Cannabis sativa Roadside weed near Kandy and Nuwara Eliya [Tall annual with palmate cut leaves]

Capparidaceae (a spider-flower) Cleome rutidosperma Sorabora [Typical yellow Cleome: palmate leaves, open spike of tiny 4-petalled flowers (slightly irregular) and long pods]

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(a spider-flower N) Cleome spinosa Embekke Devale [Like showy garden Spider- flower] Lunu warana Crataeva adansonii Scrub in Yala NP (including Sithulpahuwa temple road [Small tree: alternate long-stalked trefoil leaves (leaflets elliptical), twigs leaf- scarred and greenish-white flowers] Vela Gynandropsis gynandra Banks at Sorabora, Tissamaharama and wasteland at Galle [From yellow Cleome by white or pinkish flowers]

Caprifoliaceae (a honeysuckle N) Lonicera confusa Verges near Kande Ela reservoir [Typical honeysuckle woody scrambler with fragrant white or gold flowers] {Himalayan Elder} {Sambucus hookeri} Planted: gardens of Hotel Suisse and around Nuwara Eliya [Typical elder but taller, with slender leaflets and less flattened heads]

Caricaceae {Papaya or Papaw} {Carica papaya} Commonly planted on verges and in gardens {Like “woody Brussel-sprout” – small unbranched tree with big terminal palmately- lobed leaves and big orange fruit on upper stem]

Casuarinaceae {Casuraina} {Casuarina equisetifolia} Planted by Kandy lake etc. [Tree: drooping green twigs and scale-like leaves]

Celastraceae Pelan Bhesa ceylanica Sinharaja forest [Endemic tree: alternate oval leaves with acute often twisted tips and curved veins]

Chenopodiaceae (a seablite) Suaeda vermiculata Kalemetiya flats (a seablite) Suaeda sp? Muddy lagoon shores in Yala and Bundala NPs [Prostrate subshrub with fleshy linear leaves]

Clusiaceae (formerly known as Guttiferae) Walu kina Calophyllum bracteatum Sinharaja streamside subcanopy [Endemic tree: opposite narrow oblong leaves flushed white, limp and pendulous] Batu kina Calophyllum thwaitesii Sinharaja forest canopy [Endemic tree: from last by obovate leaves. May be identical to C. trapezifolium] Kina Calophyllum walkeri Locally abundant in elfin forest of Horton Plains [Endemic: gnarled tree with opposite obovate leaves, young foliage clusters bright red, looking like flowers]

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(no common name) N Clusia major Upper Water Catchment (Kandy) [Under- storey sprawling shrub: opposite very leathery, untoothed leaves with latex] Madol Garcinia hermonii Sinharaja forest understorey [Endemic tree: opposite lanceolate leaves with 50-60 pairs of lateral veins; fruit a green berry with soft spines] (a St John’s-wort) Hypericum japonicum Wet turf on Horton Plains [Typical slender herbaceous Hypericum: tiny 5-petalled yellow flowers and leaves with citric aroma when crushed. Plant in marsh near gate may be distinct in its wavy edged leaves] Not seen in recent years. Mysore St John’s-wort Hypericum mysorense Pantanas of and verges below Horton Plains [1-2m shrub with crowded opposite 4-ranked tough leaves and 6cm bright yellow flowers. Resembles H. revolutum of E. African mountains] Na Mesua ferrea Rain forest subcanopy: Udawattakele and Sinharaja [Endemic tree: red-flushed opposite drooping leaves] Ceylon Ironwood Mesua nagassarium Stream valleys at Sinharaja [From latter by narrower leaflets and trunk with buttresses. The national tree]

Combretaceae Beriya Lumnitzera racemosa Mangrove swamps, Koggala lake [Shrub: spathulate leaves (crenate-toothed); spike of small white flowers] {Rangoon Creeper} {Quisqualis indica} By entrance to Grand Ella Motel [Climbing shrub: fragrant flowers are red in bud, white when pen and fade to crimson – the leaves are variable too!] Kumbuk Terminalia arjuna Banks of Tissamaharama tank [Large tree: opposite oblong leaves; ovoid fibrous fruit with five wings] Indian Almond N Terminalia catappa Widespread and common [Distinctive arrangement of layered branches and terminally clustered leathery obovate leaves]

Convolvulaceae Giritilla Argyreia populifolia Verges near New Rest House, Bundala and Sinharaja NP (pink-purple in last) [Like creamy morning glory with purple throat and heart-shaped leaves] (no common name) Erycibe paniculata Koggala 2012 Vishnu-kanthi Evovulus alsinoides Sorabora, Victoria Radenigala, Yala, etc. [Prostrate, but not twining with faded blue flowers] (a morning-glory) Ipomoea sp Banks by paddies near Ahangama [Small pink trumpet – climber with neat sagittate leaves] Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 53

Marsh Glory Ipomoea aquatica Scattered records Railway Creeper N Ipomoea cairica Waste land and railway banks near Kandy [Twiner with 5-lobed leaves and purple flowers 4-5cm across] Pink Morning Glory N Ipomoea carnea Scrub in Bundala NP [Non-climbing shrub: cordate leaves (wavy edges) and 8-10cm pink trumpets] (a morning-glory) Ipomoea coccinea Victoria Radenigala 2012 Morning Glory N Ipomoea indica (I. learii) Verges (road and rail): Kandy and near Nanu Oya [Vigorous purple-blue bindweed with 9cm flowers] Sea Morning Glory Ipomoea pes-caprae Beach sands at Yala and Unawatuna (where also abundant in fallow fields and quarry) [Purple-pink trumpets 3-6cm and distinctive “goat’s-foot” leaves] (a morning-glory N) Ipomoea quamoclit Fence at Unawatuna [Red-flowered twiner, with finely -lobed foliage] Littlebell Ipomoea triloba Scattered records African Morningvine Merremia tridentata Koggala 2012 Kiri-madu Merremia umbellata Shrouding bushes on road to Horton Plains [Climber: narrow triangular leaves; white funnel-like flowers with spreading lobes and two narrow bracteoles]

Crassulaceae {a kalanchoë} {Kalanchoë angustifolia} Hakgala botanic garden [Similar to next two species but with narrower leaves] {a kalanchoë} {Kalanchoë blossfeldiana} Ornamental: Kandy [Popular pot succulent pot in UK] Akkapanna Kalanchoë pinnata Lankatilake banks [Toothed opposite-leaved succulent with spikes of pink pendulous tubular flowers]

Cucurbitaceae [Note: other cucurbits seen included slender cream-flowered species with hastate leaves like orache (by path on Horton Plains)] Kowakka Coccinea grandis Coastal scrub in Yala NP [Climber: 5-lobed leaves and white bell-like flowers, also with 5 lobes] (a gourd) Momordica sp? Lankatilake verges [Low clamberer with tiny yellow flowers] Common Fringed- Trichosanthes cucumerina Yala, where one with much deeper fringed flowers flower vine than is usual, a different species?

Cuscutaceae (a dodder) Cuscuta sp Bank, Tissamaharama tank, Embekke Devale, etc. [Parasite comprising wiry twining yellow stems and dense heads of tiny flowers]

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Dichapetalaceae Balu nakuta Dichapetalum gelonoides Rain forest understorey: Udawattakele [Shrub: pointed lanceolate leaves, clusters of tiny green flowers]

Dilleniaceae (no common name) Acrotrema sp. Rosettes of leaves with pink flowers. One of several endemic species. Hondapara Dillenia indica Disturbed tracksides in Sinharaja [Similar to next but with sharp toothed leaves and white flowers] Para-satumal N Dillenia suffruticosa Verges near Kandy, Koggala & Kolapitya [Small tree: big alternate leathery leaves; 10- 15cm yellow flowers, petals crinkly and globose fruit with spreading sepals] Kekiri wara Schumacheria castaneifolia Sinharaja forest edge [Endemic small tree: leaves large and toothed (chestnut-like); flowers stalkless and yellow in terminal panicles]

Dipterocarpaceae [Note: Dipterocarps are large forest trees with alternate simple untoothed leaves. The distinctive fruit that gives the family its name is a dry nut, usually with wings (a little like sycamore fruit). Dipterocarpus spp have 2 long and 3 short wings; Shorea spp have 3 long and 2 short wings (all twisted); and Vateria has no wings]. Bu hora Dipterocarpus hispidus Lower Sinharaja forest. Kottawa 2012. [Endemic large tree: from next by softer leaves with 14-20 pairs of veins, dense golden- brown hairs beneath] Hora Dipterocarpus zeylanicus Sinharaja forest edge [Endemic tree: large leathery leaves and 15-18 pairs of lateral veins] Beraliya dun Shorea affinis Sinharaja forest canopy on ridges [Endemic tree: low concave buttresses; leaves with revolute margins and purplish-pink flush (9 pairs of lateral veins)] Tiniya Shorea congestiflora Sinharaja forest canopy on deep soil [Endemic big tree with thin low buttresses: narrow elliptic leaves, long acuminate (11-15 lateral pairs of veins)] Beraliya Shorea disticha Sinharaja forest canopy [Endemic big tree: long ovate oblong leaves (8-11 pairs of lateral veins)] Honda beraliya Shorea megistophylla Sinharaja forest canopy [Endemic tree: often with buttresses and oblong-elliptic leaves (often flushed red), acuminate and 13-18 pairs of lateral veins] Nawada Shorea stipularis Sinharaja forest canopy (including the “big tree” with platform) [Endemic tree (huge) with low rounded buttresses: broad oblong-ovate

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leaves (14-17 pairs of veins) and big persistent ovate stipules] Tiniya dun Shorea trapezifolia Sinharaja forest canopy (especially on deep soils) [Endemic tree with prominent buttresses: lanceolate leaves (11-14 vein pairs)] Beraliya Shorea wothingtonii Sinharaja forest canopy [Endemic tree: buttresses rounded and small elliptic dark green leaves, margins slightly rolled over and 6-9 pairs of lateral veins] Hal Vateria copallifera Sinharaja forest canopy [Endemic large tree: leathery oblong leaves (knee-bent stalk), woolly twigs]

Droseraceae (a sundew) Drosera burmanni Boggy slope on Horton Plains [Typical small sundew with all leaves basal] Kadulessa Drosera peltata Horton Plains [Bigger with long petioled leaves up stem, although only very tiny examples seen 2014]

Ebenaceae Porawa Mara Diospyros insignis Sinharaja forest understorey. Kottawa 2012. [Small tree: alternate ovate-elliptic leaves; bark peeling in large thin flakes (black with brown beneath)]

Elaeaocarpaceae Gal weralu Elaeocarpus subvillosus Sinharaja forest subcanopy [Tree: alternate oval leaves, hairy beneath (bronze when young) and fruit like olives (ginger tomentose when young)]

Ericaceae Wal kapuru Gaultheria rudis Shrubby slopes around Horton Plains [Small shrub: leathery lanceolate leaves (serrate and aromatic), sprays of silver-white globose drooping flowers] Maha Rathmal Rhododendron arboreum Forest edges and wet areas Horton Plains [Typical large rhododendron with red flowers. Endemic subspecies (or var) zeylanicum] (a bilberry) Vaccinium sp Patana near World’s End (Horton Plains) [Low shrub: obovate leaves and white urn-shaped flowers. Rather like V. symplocifolium (see Sumithrarachchi et al.) but this is described as a tree]

Euphorbiaceae {Red-hot Cat’s-tail} {Acalypha hispida} Gardens in Kandy [Shrub with oval-oblong toothed leaves and long red velvety drooping flower-spikes]

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{Acalypha} {Acalypha wilkesiana} Gardens in Colombo and Kandy [From last by spikes brownish and inconspicuous; leaves big (scalloped edge), often variegated red-bronze- green or green and cream (aurea variegata)] (no common name N) Andrachne telephioides? Lankatilake temple [Low herb with whorl of branches below which are fruit like tiny apples] Hin kebella Aporusa lanceolata Sinharaja forest understorey [Endemic small tree: oblong-lanceolate leaves with long acuminate tip and spikes of tiny yellow flowers] {no common name} {Breynia disticha} Gardens in Kandy [Shrub with 2-ranked leaves: form with pink variegated oval leaves i.e. ‘Roseo-picta’] Wal murunga Breynia retusa Sithulpahuwa temple road (Yala NP) [Shrub: 2-ranked oval fragrant leaves; 3-lobed fruit resembling grey and yellow eggs surrounded by frilly pastry case] Pat kela Bridelia moonii Forest margins in Sinharaja [Endemic tree: numerous oblong-oval leaves, white beneath; young twigs have dense rusty hairs; spicate green flower clusters] Gal hedawaka Chaetocarpus castanocarpus Sinharaja forest subcanopy [Tree with alternate ovate leaves and bright red fruit densely covered in prickles] {Croton} {Codiaeum variegatum} Hedges and gardens in Colombo and Kandy [Shrub: leaves whorled toward end of branches and brilliantly coloured red-pink-yellow- orange-bronze and green] {Bonpland’s Croton} {Croton bonplandianus} Debarawewa banks Wira Drypetes sepiaria Sithulpahuwa temple road [Small tree: alternate broad oval-oblong leaves with notched apex; gnarled trunk] Daluk Euphorbia antiquorum Drier slopes near the Knuckles and in Yala NP [Cactus-like tree, candelabra-branched, triangular-stemmed succulent] (a spurge) Euphorbia heterophylla Scattered records. (a spurge) Euphorbia hirta Scattered records. (a spurge) Euphorbia maculata Recorded {a spurge} {Euphorbia millii} Hakgala botanic garden etc. [Spiky subshrub with bright red flowers] Poinsettia N Euphorbia pulcherrima Planted in Kandy etc; maybe same species (pale bracts) wild at Lankatilake and Boulder Garden and in tea-estates [Popular house plant] (a spurge) Euphorbia rothiana Near World’s End [Patch-forming tall herb with lanceolate leaves and somewhat yellow- flushed bracts]

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Nawahandi Euphorbia tirucalli Scrub in Bundala NP and Kalemetiya [Scrambling shrub with green cylindrical stems and tiny leaves that fall easily] Hin katu pila Flueggea leucopyrus Yala NP scrub: on back road into park and main body of NP [Low thorny shrub with blunt obovate leaves and many white berries] {Bellyache Bush} {Jatropha gossipifolia} Naturalised at Kalemetiya Bu Kenda Macaranga indica Scrubby forest fringes east of Kandy [Small tree with large ovate-orbicular leaves (peltate i.e. stalked from plane surface, not at edge)] Kenda Macaranga peltata With latter above Kandy and in rainforest gaps at Sinharaja [Differs in its warty fruit] Bu Kenda Mallotus tetracoccus Pioneer at Sinharaja [Small tree: numerous leaves, rhomboidal long-stalked, silver-green below with pair of large glands near base] {Slipper Flower} {Pedilanthes tithymaloides} Gardens: Kandy & Unawatuna (variegata) [Succulent zigzag branching bush: oval leaves with white latex; asymmetric long pink flowers in clusters of 6-7] Castor Oil Plant N Ricinus communis Verges near Colombo, east of Kandy and around Nuwara Eliya [Shrub: palmate-lobed leaves and spikes of spiny fruits]

Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae) {no common name} {Bauhinia acuminata} Planted roadside shrub between Colombo and Kandy [Evergreen, neat white flowers and 2- lobed leaves] {no common name} {Bauhinia divaricata} Street tree in Kandy [Small evergreen tree: clustered flowers, narrow white petals, turning pink with age] {no common name} {Bauhina purpurea} Roadsides: Ella to Yala [Medium tree: typical Bauhnia leaves and purple flowers] Maila Bauhinia racemosa Scrub at Sorabora and north-west Yala NP [Similar to B. acuminata but flower yellow- white] Bell-bauhinia Bauhinia tomentosa Sorabora. Large pale yellow flowers. {Orchis tree} {Bauhinia variegata} Peradeniya botanic gardens [Medium tree, deeply 2-lobed leaves; 8cm pink-purple flowers, long pods] {Paradise Flower} {Caesalpinia pulcherrima} Planted near New Resthouse, Mahiyangana [Small tree: bipinnate leaves, lax flowerhead (golden or red) fragrant with long stamens] Indian Laburnum Cassia fistula Verges in Randenigala Reserve and Yala NP etc. [Popular yellow Cassia (small tree) with drooping racemes] Red Cassia Cassia roxburghii Sithulpahuwa temple road [Typical cassia tree but with pink or salmon racemes] {Flamboyant} {Delonix regia} Roadsides etc on Knuckles and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens [Tree with bipinnate leaves and showy orange-red flowers]

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Ashoka Tree Saraca asoca Scattered records, e.g. Peradineya Candle Bush N Senna alata Verges near Peradeniya, Tissamaharama and Boulder Garden [Low shrub: erect yellow racemes of closely overlapping flowers; firm- ribbed pinnate leaves] Ranawara Senna auriculata Scrub in Yala NP [Typical shrubby cassia, but with very large persistent ear-shaped stipules and clusters of large bright yellow flowers] (a candle bush N) Senna didymobotrya Verges near Kandy and on route to Nanu Oya, and Victoria Radenigala [Like S. alata, but the erect spikes have brown black scales] (a cassia N) Senna mimosoides Waste ground etc [Slender prostrate to ascending herb: fine pinnate foliage; solitary (- 3) yellow flowers] Coffee Senna Senna occidentalis Recorded Siam Cassia Senna siamea Verges in Randenigala Reserve [Differs from next in dark brown pods and flowers not markedly fragrant] Yellow Cassia N Senna spectabilis Verges near houses above Kandy [Pinnate (ca 10 pairs of leaflet) small tree with racemes of fragrant yellow flowers and black pods] Tamarind N Tamarindus indica By main tracks in Yala NP [Tall pinnate tree with bark fissured an d thick rough brown pods]

Fabaceae (Faboideae) {Crab’s Eyes} {Abrus precatorius} Gardens: Kandy and Koggala [Small pink peaflowers, forming red seeds with black tips] (a peaflower) Aeschynomene indica Koggala area [Erect emergent aquatic herb: 1- pinnate leaves, numerous crowded leaflets and yellow flowers.] {Pride of Burma} {Amherstia nobilis} Avenue by Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, in splendid flower [Deservedly called the “Queen of flowering trees”, 1m pendulous racemes of vermilion and yellow flowers] Greater Sea-bean Canavalia obtusifolia Sea shore, Yala [Prostrate with purple pea- flowers] A butterfly-pea Centrosema pubescens Recorded Butterfly-pea Clitoria ternatea Scrub edges near New Rest House, Lankatilake and Yala NP etc. [Climbing pea with large upside down flowers (white, lilac or violet)] Rattle-box Crotalaria laburnifolia Scattered records. [Similar to next two species, but a 2m shrub, yellow flowers with greenish keels] Andanaheeriya Crotalaria micans Sea shore Yala NP and scrub in Bundala NP [Typical yellow Crotalaria, decumbent; trefoil leaves have narrow leaflets] Andanaheeriya Crotalaria pallida Road verges near Mahiyangana, etc. [Low shrub: trefoil leaves and long spikes of yellow peaflowers]

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(no common name) Crotalaria retusa? Embekke Devale – bank near paddy field and wood-carver [Similar to last] Blue Andana Crotalaria verrucosa Sorabora and Victoria Radenigala [Purple- veined white herb with “rattlebox” pods] Andanaheeriya Crotalaria walkeri Verges onto Horton Plains and elfin forest edges [3m tall shrub: long spikes of yellow pea-like flowers] (no common name} Derris trifoliata? Koggala lake [Pink climber with trefoil leaves] Asian tick-trefoil Desmodium heterocarpon Widespread [Trifoliate leaves with large end leaflet, dense heads of pink flowers] Creeping Tick-trefoil Desmodium triflorum Peradineya lawns etc. (tick-trefoils) Desmodium spp Verges in Unawatuna [Slender herbs: trefoil (ovate leaflets), slender pink-purple (parti- coloured) spikes; segmented pods with numerous clinging hooks. Frequent in Sri Lanka, several spp probably present] December Tree Erythrina subumbrans By tea-estates near Nanu Oya [From E. variegata by crimson flowers with purple keel] Dadap Erythrina variegata? Upper Water Catchment forest (Kandy) [Tree with trefoil leaves and crowded scarlet-winged flowers] Weta hiriya N Gliricidia sepium Widespread [Tree: pinnate leaves and showy white to purplish racemes] (an indigo) Indigofera astragalina? (hirsuta) Verges: Randenigala Reserve & Bundala NP [Possible identity of hairy annual, purple spikes; obovate wrinkly leaves – undivided and round stipules] Val-avari Indigofera subulata Scrambling over bushes in Yala NP [Spikes of purplish peaflowers; pinnate leaves] (a bean N) Macroptilium lathyroides Verges in northwest Yala NP, and Kalemetiya [Large climbing vetch with brick-red peaflowers] Balsam of Tolu N Myroxylon balsamum Pathside at Udawattakele [Shrub: leaves with aromatic translucent dots] Shamrock Pea Parochetus communis Horton Plains visitor centre Yellow Flame-tree Peltophorum pterocarpum Sinharaja track edge [Tree: bipinnate, leaves feathery with crowded leaflets; twigs rusty hairy; rusty-yellow showy flowers; fruit like crimson mange-tout] (a bean N?) Phaseolus sp Verges: Lankatilake and Sinharaja [Pink spiked trefoil climber like a runner bean] Kathuru murunga {Sesbania grandiflora} Widespread [Small tree: pinnate leaves (no terminal leaflet), white-flowered curry shrub] Gorse N Ulex europaeus Verges in Nuwara Eliya and forming thickets on Horton Plains [Familiar shrub: branched spines and yellow flowers]

Fabaceae (Mimosoideae)

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Cockspur Thorn Acacia eburnea Dry scrub in Yala NP [From A. planifrons by 1-6cm silver-white thorns and yellow globose heads] {Babboola} {Acacia nilotica?} Planted in the coastal zone [Similar to last with dense yellow globular heads: not enough for sure identity] Umbrella Thorn Acacia planifrons Abundant in scrub in Yala and Bundala NPs [Thorny shrub: small bipinnate leaves and long-stalked creamy flower-heads] {Jumble Bead} {Adenanthera pavonina} Planted on Kandy roadsides [Small tree with bipinnate leaves; coiled pods with scarlet seeds] {Lebbek} {Albizia lebbeck} Victoria Park (Nuwara Eliya) [Bipinnate small tree: creamy fragrant brush-like head] Ceylon Rosewood Albizia odoratissima Recorded {Powder-puff Plant} {Calliandra surinamensis} By railway, Kandy-Nuwara Eliya [Shrub: with puffs of pink stamens (no petals), pinnate leaves in pairs] (no common name N) Desmanthus virgatus Roadside weed: Kadugannewa station and Sinharaja [Like twiggy, prickly-stemmed Mimosa pudica] Andara Dichrostachys cinerea Scrub in Yala NP [Spiny bipinnate shrub: staminate heads pink (yellow at tip) and fading to white] Giant Sensitive Plant Mimosa invisa Scattered records Sensitive Plant N Mimosa pudica Moist verges near the Knuckles, Sorabora, etc. [Low herb: globular pink heads, pinnate leaves that collapse when touched] (a mesquite N) Prosopis inflata? Scrub in Bundala NP [Possibly this ±naturalised: almost leafless shrub with many long thorns] {Rain Tree} {Samanea saman} Debarara Wewa banks [Large bipinnate tree: similar to latter with brown or black flattened pods]

Gentianaceae (no common name) Crawfurdia championii Possibly this species on Horton Plains, 2009. Binara Exacum trinervium Wet patanas on Horton Plains, not in flower 2014 [Endemic: large herb with opposite leaves and 4-5cm purplish blue flowers with yellow eye. Subspecies macranthum] Sudu-binara Exacum walkeri Light shade in elfin wood, Little World’s End, much in flower in February (Horton Plains) [Endemic: from latter by white flowers] (a gentian) Gentiana quadrifaria Marshes on Horton Plain [Tiny blue species with var.zeylanica folded perianth segments.] Not seen in recent years. (no common name) Swertia zeylanica Horton Plains. Not seen in recent years.

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Geraniaceae (a crane’s-bill) Geranium nepalense Kande Ela reservoir 2012.

Gesneriaceae (no common name) Chirita augusta Wet rocks by stream, Sinharaja research station [Endemic: leaves narrowed above and below; stems bear 1-2 red-purple flowers, each 3.5cm long] (no common name) Didymocarpus humboldtianus? Wet rocks at higher levels near the Knuckles [Typical rosette gesneriad, with sprays of white flowers] {no common name} {Episcia reptans} Planted on rocks by gate into Sinharaja NP and also in gardens in Kandy [Ground cover gesneriad: variegated leaves, hairy; with single red flowers] {no common name} {Kohleria hirsuta} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [Herb resembles red balsam, but leaves and flowers are densely hairy] (a Cape primrose N) Streptocarpus sp? On wet rocks by Rawana Ella falls {Planted in Hakgala botanic garden} [Rosette gesneriad with pink -purple flowers. Not S. saxosa]

Goodeniaceae Takkada Scaevola sericea Scrub near coast in Yala NP [Shrub with alternate obovate leaves: distinctive white fan- shaped flowers]

Haloragaceae (a water-milfoil) Myriophyllum sp Debarara Wewa tank [Submerged aquatic herb with whorls of pinnate leaves (linear leaflets)]

Hydrangeaceae {Hydrangea} {Hydrangea macrophylla} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [Familiar garden hydrangea: dense globular flowerheads with big sterile flowers]

Lamiaceae (formerly known as Labiatae) {a coleus} {Coleus blumei} Forming avenue at Peradeniya Botanical Gardens [Familiar ornamental: brightly- coloured leaves] {a coleus} {Coleus canaliensis} Gardens in Koggala and Galle [Similar to last] (a coleus) Coleus inflatus Elfin forest, Baker’s Falls (Horton Plains) and Sinharaja forest [Endemic: 1m tall perennial: big leaves, winged stem; purple flowers (reddish stalks)] Knobweed! N Hyptis capitata Lunuganga 2009 [white flowers in stalked globular heads] Maha-yakwanassa Leonotis nepetifolia Rough dry grass in Kandy, and Victoria Radenigala [Tall herb: dense whorls of orange flowers becoming dry spherical fruit clusters]

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(no common name) Leucas zeylanica Lagoon shore in Yala NP, etc, widespread [White, like horehound but with markedly bigger low lip] American Basil Ocimum americanum Scattered records Holy Basil Ocimum sanctum Verges in Randenigala Reserve etc. [Familiar aromatic blue-purple branched herb] Cat’s Whiskers Orthosiphon aristatus Sorabora. (no common name) Plectranthus grandis Common on roadsides around Nuwara Eliya [Shrub with spikes of blue flowers] {a sage} {Salvia riparia} Knuckles hairpin verges Red Sage N Salvia splendens Naturalised on verges east of Kandy (also cultivated) [Popular summer bedding plant – red tubular flowers]

Lauraceae Elephant Ears Actinodaphne speciosa Horton Plains elfin woods [Endemic tree: leaves large and roundish in 2s and 3s with pointed tip and red-brown woolly beneath] Love Vine Cassytha filiformis Koggala area Wal kurundu Cinnamomum dubium Forest edges in Sinharaja [Endemic tree: from next by young twigs being finely hairy] Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum Scattered records [Native in Sri Lanka, mainly seen in cultivation: tree with opposite aromatic leaves, 3-5 parallel veins and dense network; reddish bark] (various names) Litsea spp Horton Plains elfin woods [Several tree spp occur in canopy (some endemic): alternate untoothed leaves. L. longifolia probably seen on edge at Sinharaja] Kudu dawula Neolitsea fuscata? Horton Plains elfin forest [Endemic tree: alternate lanceolate leaves, white tomentose beneath] Ululu Persea macrantha By lake at Sorabora [Tree with oblong-oval leaves, asymmetric base and whitish beneath]

Lecythidaceae {Fish-poison tree} {Barringtonia asiatica} Planted in Koggala [Big tree, native on Sri Lanka: large oblong terminally crowded leaves and 12cm flowers with massed stamens, open overnight] {Cannonball Tree} {Couroupita guianensis} Planted by Kandy lake and in Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, in flower and fruit [Big tree: terminally-crowded ovate leaves, 5- petalled whitish-pink flowers on trunk turning large brown spherical fruit]

Lentibuliariaceae (a bladderwort) Utricularia ?caerulea Waterlogged moss in Lake Gregory bog [Typical bladderwort: feathery submerged leaves bearing bladders; flowers spurred, lilac and tiny]

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(a bladderwort) Utricularia sp. Paddies near Ahangama [Larger than last with bigger yellow flowers (resembles U. intermedia)] (a bladderwort) Utricularia sp. Ponds at Lunuganga [Yellow flowered species, may be same as previous species] (a bladderwort) Utricularia sp. A very small violet flowered species on Horton Plains

Linaceae Bu-getiya Hugonia mystax Scrub in Yala NP [Privet-like shrub with 5- petalled yellow flowers]

Loranthaceae Pilila Dendrophthoë falcata On Ficus at Sorabora [Parasite with red curving tubular flowers]

Lythraceae {no common name} {Cuphea hyssopifolia} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [Low shrub: small opposite leaves, little purple flowers (ornamental edging)] {no common name} {Cuphea ignea} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [Sub-shrub whose orange cigar-like flowers have ‘ash’ ends] {Queen of Flowers} {Lagerstroemia speciosa} Planted on roadsides near Colombo and Kandy [Small tree: eucalyptus-like flaking bark and 2- ranked oval leaves; big rose-pink flowers (native in Sri Lanka)] Fire Bush Woodfordia fruticosa Victoria Radenigala 2012

Magnoliaceae Wal sapu Michelia nilagirica Planted or native at upper edge of Hakgala botanic garden [Tree: narrow yellow-tepalled magnolia]

Malpighiaceae {no common name} {Tristellateia australiasiae} Gardens in Unawatuna and Koggala [Climber: sprays of yellow flowers and bright orange stamens; the five petals are contracted at base to very narrow stalk]

Malvaceae Wal-anoda Abutilon indicum Verges in Yala NP and near Debarara Wewa etc. [Branched herb with velvety leaves and small yellow flowers, fruit like segmented pie] {no common name} {Anisodontea spp} Gardens in Koggala area [Subshrub with small pink mallow flowers] {Cotton} {Gossypium herbaceum} Recorded [Soft shrubby mallow with yellow flowers; fruit dehiscing to reveal cotton boll] {Hibiscus hybrids} {Hibiscus x } Numerous different coloured forms in gardens near Colombo and Kandy

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{a hibiscus} {Hibiscus calyphyllus} Gardens: Kandy [Evergreen bush: cordate or 3- lobed hairy leaves, solitary big yellow flowers (maroon centre)] Wal-wada Hibiscus eriocarpus Recorded [Small tree: pale pink or white flowers with deep purple centre; 3-lobed leaves] {Okra} {Hibiscus esculentus} Kadugannewa station [Erect herb: 8cm pale yellow flowers with maroon throat] Napiriththa Hibiscus furcatus Rough verges near the Knuckles, Unawatuna and Kalawana/Sinharaja [Vigorous scrambler, strongly hooked stems and yellow flowers with maroon eye] a hibiscus Hibiscus lobatus Victoria Radenigala Perumaddi Hibiscus micranthus Rough verges: Yala NP, Bundala, and Victoria Radenigala [Delicate shrub, small irregularly toothed leaves and 2cm white flowers] Rose of China N Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ±naturalised by lanes at Unawatuna (some double flowers) {planted in Kandy} [Red evergreen shrubby mallow: prominent column of stigma and stamens] {Coral Hibiscus} {Hibiscus schizopetalus} Gardens in Kandy and by road through hills to east [Shrub with pendant flowers whose red petals are recurved and frilly with 15cm staminal tube] Belli patta Hibiscus tiliaceus Yala NP and Koggala lake mangroves [Small tree: cordate leaves, palmately 9-11 veined; yellow flowers with crimson centre, fading to orange] Tropical Rose-mallow Hibiscus vitifolius Pendulous yellow flowers. Widespread. Turk’s Cap N Malvaviscus arboreus Verges by road over Knuckles [Shrub: serrated leaves and red pendulous mallow flowers folded like umbrellas (aka M. penduliflorus)] a sida Sida cordata Sorabora (no common name) Sida spp Rough ground: New Rest House, World’s End, botanic garden at Hakgala and “back road” into Yala [Weedy herb: serrate-lanceolate leaves (Horton Plains plant broader) and 1-2cm apricot-yellow flowers] Suriya N Thespesia populnea Roadside tree near Bundala and Koggala lake [Leaves heart-shaped, shiny and palmately 7- veined; pale yellow flowers with purple centres] Patta-epala Urena lobata Sorabora, Unawatuna and Kalawana verges [Erect herb: small pink mallow, darker centres & fruit with hooked tips]

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Martyniaceae Tiger’s Claw N Martynia annua Yala NP: verges in northwest and sandy waste in main NP [Coarse weed with big angled leaves, 3-4cm pink tubular flowers and fruit with two curved spines]

Melastomataceae Katakalu-bovitiya Clidemia hirta Common invasive weed: Upper Water Catchment, Lankatilake, Boulder Garden and Sinharaja [Typical hairy Melastomatacean herb, but small white flowers] Pini baru Lijndenia capitellata Sinharaja forest understorey [Endemic shrub: leaves with 3 veined, flushed purple; small white flowers] Lantharum-mal Medinilla fuchsioides Elfin forest, Little World’s End, not in flower 2014 (Horton Plains) [Endemic: sprawling climber, thick glossy opposite leaves and small waxy reddish tubular flowers] {no common name} {Medinilla magnifica} Peradeniya botanic garden [Shrub with fabulous large dusty purple leaves that are strongly veined] Kora kaha Memecylon umbellatum Scrub in Yala NR, not in flower 2014 [Small tree: opposite oval blunt leaves and small umbels of brilliant blue flowers] (no common name) Memecylon varians? Forest edge near the Knuckles [Small tree with narrow elliptic leaves, sessile blue-white flowers] Ma bowitiya Melastoma malabathricum Galle area, and Koggala [Shrub: opposite leaves with 5 parallel veins and showy violet- mauve flowers and black soft fruit] Bowitiya Osbeckia aspera Sinharaja margins [Osbeckia spp resemble latter but have capsules; this species is 3-4m bushy shrub with 5cm mauve flowers (5- petalled), prickly capsule and 5-veined leaves] (no common name) Osbeckia lanata Horton Plains Heen-bowitiya Osbeckia octandra Margins of forest around Sinharaja, etc. [As O. aspera, but smaller narrow rather privet-like leaves] Bowitiya Osbeckia parvifolia Verges on Horton Plains Bowitiya Osbeckia rubicunda Shrubby margins onto Horton Plains [As O. aspera but with smaller glossy deeply 3-veined leaves] (no common name) Osbeckia walkeri Horton Plains [Leaves pubescent on both sides] (no common name) Sonerila sp. Sinharaja Glory-bush Tibouchina urvilleana Near Nuwara Eliya, and Horton Plains. Native to Brazil. [Typical melastoma with large blue flowers]

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Meliaceae Margosa or Kohomba N Azadirachta indica Track edges in Yala NR and Tissamaharama tank or Neem [Tree: alternate pinnate leaves – no terminal leaflet, all other leaflets sickle-shaped with very unequal sides] {Honduran Mahogany} {Swietenia macrophylla} Peradeniya botanic garden [Tree: leaves similar to latter but ca 6 (not ca 12) leaflets; buttressed trunk]

Menispermaceae Weni wel Coscinium fenestratum Sinharaja forest margins [Round-leaved twining liane: tiny flower-clusters giving way to berries] Rasakinda Tinospora cordifolia? By railway near Nanu Oya and Grand Ella Motel [Climber: spikes of tiny unisexual greenish-yellow flowers and aerial roots]

Menyanthaceae Crested Snowflakes Nymphoides hydrophylla Yala area [Like tiny water-lily with white unfringed flowers] Water Snowflake Nymphoides indica Yala area [as above but flowers fringed]

Moraceae {Bread Fruit} {Artocarpus altilis} Planted near Kandy etc. [Tree with deeply pinnately-cut strong dark green leaves] Jak Fruit N Artocarpus heterophyllus Planted by roads in and near Kandy and ± naturalised at Udawattakele and Sinharaja [Tree with big elliptic leaves (6-10 pairs of veins) and huge fruit on trunk] Wal Del Artocarpus nobilis Forest in Upper Water Catchment (Kandy) and Sinharaja [Endemic: from last by big stiff strongly veined (10-13 pairs) strong green leaves, wavy edged] {Walu nuga} {Ficus benjamina} Peradeniya botanic garden (variegata form in Kandy) [Willow-leaved fig: horizontal branches with stilt roots. Evidently this (not F. benghalensis - banyan!] {Indiarubber Plant} {Ficus elastica} Gardens in Kandy [Familiar, but here often tree size] Bu deliya Ficus exasperata Upper Water Catchment [Tree: typical lobed fig leaves, leathery and with rough white hairs] Cluster Fig Ficus racemosa Banks of Menik Ganga river (Yala NP) and Debarara Wewa [Tall tree with buttressed trunk: pear-like leaves with latex; red figs] Bo N Ficus religiosa Planted and ± naturalised in Kandy and Sorabora [Big tree: large trunk; leaves have long petiole and long pointed tip] Creeping Fig N Ficus pumila (F. repens) Climbing rocks or hugging ground on verges in Kandy [Small juvenile oval leaves and aerial

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roots (like ivy); larger leathery leaves on adult forms]

Myristicaceae Ruk Horsfieldia iryaghedhi Sinharaja forest subcanopy [Endemic tree: big leaves oblong-lanceolate alternate, clustered near branch tips above orange sessile berries. Orange woolly hairy under leaves and on twigs] Malaboda Myristica dactyloides Forest of Upper Water Catchment at Kandy and Sinharaja [Endemic tree: similar to latter but leathery leaves and twigs yellow-brown hairy when young] Nutmeg Myristica fragrans Planted in Peradineya

Myrsinaceae River Mangrove Aegiceras corniculata Recorded 2012 Balu dan Ardisia willisii? Yala dunes [Endemic: bush clambering with brownish-pink flowers in clusters]

Myrtaceae {a bottle-brush} {Callistemon citrinus} Gardens near Ella and Nuwara Eliya [Shrub; with red bottle brush spikes] {a bottle-brush} {Callistemon viminalis} Gardens in Kandy [Similar but weeping habit] {Tasmanian Blue Gum} {Eucalyptus globulus} Planted as shelter in tea-estates, and below Horton Plains [Typical gum with sickle-like leaves that are whitish-flushed] {Tallow-wood} {Eucalyptus microcorys} Planted below Horton Plains [Gum: similar to next but with flaky corrugated bark] {Black Butt} {Eucalyptus pilularis} As latter toward Nanu Oya [Gum: shiny lanceolate leaves and greenish white bark] The following Eucalyptus species possibly present too. Eucalyptus camuldulensis Eucalyptus citriodora Eucalyptus maculata Eucalyptus robusta Seeta pera Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Scrub by World’s End (Horton Plains) and Kande Ela reservoir {planted in Peradeniya gardens} [Low shrub: thick 3-veined rusty - tomentose leaves; pink many-stamened flowers] Not in flower 2014. Dan Syzygium caryophyllatum Yala Alu bo Syzygium makul Sinharaja forest [Endemic suckering tree: opposite acute elliptic leaves, flushed bright crimson] (no common name) Syzygium revolutum? Forest edge near Ahangama [Tree: opposite leaves 5-6cm, revolute, blunt and obovate; small flower cyme]

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(no common name) Syzygium rotundifolium Horton Plains elfin woods [Endemic tree: opposite roundish (2cm) notched leaves that are leathery, stiff and many-veined] Kurumbatiya Syzygium rubicundum Sinharaja forest subcanopy [Endemic tree: opposite neat acute elliptic leaves flushed rose- pink at first] Weli damba Syzygium umbrosum Horton Plains elfin woods [Endemic: as S. rotundifolium but spathulate leaves flushed purple-crimson]

Nandinaceae {no common name} {Nandina domestica} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [Erect shrub resembling Berberis/Mahonia with sprays of red berries and 2-3 pinnate leaves with swollen joints]

Naucleaceae Bakmi Nauclea orientalis Forest below Rawana Ella falls [Tree with opposite broad ovate leaves, rounded tip; branches leaf-scarred]

Nelumbonaceae Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Dominant in some tanks (Yala NP & Tissamaharama) and pools in rocks on Sithulpahuwa temple road {Planted at Peradeniya Botanical Gardens} [Differs from water-lily by its big leaves held above water]

Nepenthaceae Pitcher Plant Nepenthes distillatoria Margins of tracks and forest in and below Sinharaja [Climber: oblong leaves terminate in an erect pitcher with lid; spike of tiny dull orange-green flowers]

Nyctaginaceae Kadadasi-val N Bougainvillea spp/hybrids Verges and scrub around Kandy [Familiar climber with small pale flowers and startling purplish bracts] 4 o’clock Flower N Mirabilis jalapa Lankatilake, Embekke Devale and Unawatuna verges [Robust herb whose pink or white flowers have a long narrow tube and open ca 1600]

Nymphaeaceae Olu Nymphaea pubescens Pool near gate onto Horton Plains, Yala NP tanks and paddies near Ahangama [White waterlily with outer petals purple-flushed, leaves with short purplish hairs benaeth] Red Water-lily Nymphaea pubescens var.rubra Scattered records [Large emergent pink/red flowers]

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Common Water-lily Nymphaea nouchali Widespread [white flowers, leaves glabrous beneath] Blue Water-lily Nymphaea nouchali var.caerulea Pools at Gadaladeniya and Lankatilake [Blue/purple water-lily with flower held out of water on long stem]

Olacaceae Hora kara Strombosia nana Sinharaja forest understorey [Endemic tree: alternate obovate leaves; finely fissured bark; club-shaped fruit]

Oleaceae {Ash) {Fraxinus sp} Hakgala botanic garden [Typical ash tree] Wild Jasmine {Jasminum angustifolium} Dry scrub: NW Yala NP [Climbing jasmine: opposite pointed lanceolate leaves; 7-8 narrow white petals] {a jasmine} {Jasminum laurifolium} Gardens: Colombo and Kandy [Broader leaves] Bora Ligustrum robustrum Elfin forest near World’s End (Horton Plains) [Typical privet with ovate-lanceolate acute leaves]

Onagraceae Fuchsia N Fuchsia magellanica Verges: Nuwara Eliya [Familiar shrubby Fuchsia with violet petals and crimson sepals] (no common name) Jussiaea sp Peradeniya botanic garden pond, Tissamaharama tank and Ahangama paddies [Like next but herb with flowers half the size] Bera-diyanilla Ludwigia peruviana Very common [Shrub with willow-like leaves and 4-petalled yellow flowers ca 3cm across] The following Ludwigia species were present too. Ludwigia decurrens Ludwigia octovalvis Ludwigia perennis

Orobanchaceae an orobanche Christisonia lawii A fine addition to the list in 2012 was this species parasitic on Strobilanthes on Horton Plains. Also seen 2013. Not seen 2014.

Oxalidaceae (no common name) Biophytum sp By path in elfin forest, World’s End (Horton Plains), shade, Hakgala botanic garden and Rawana Ella falls [Regular small yellow perennial with pinnate leaves] (no common name) Biophytum sp By track to Boulder Garden [As latter but pink flowers and three leaflets] (no common name) Biophytum spp. Noted at various sites Barrelier’s Woodsorrel Oxalis barrelieri Koggala area

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Sleeping Beauty N Oxalis corniculata Weed in Hill Club garden (Nuwara Eliya) [From O. stricta by procumbent habit, rooting at nodes] Garden Pink Sorrel N Oxalis latifolia Weed: Hakgala botanic garden, Kande Ela reservoir and Grand Ella Motel [Typical erect oxalis with pink-purple flowers] Upright Yellow Sorrel N Oxalis stricta Weed in Peradeniya and Hakgala botanic gardens [Typical erect oxalis with yellow 5-petalled flowers, trefoil leaves]

Passifloraceae {a passion-flower} {Passiflora sp} Gardens in Kandy [Typical Passiflora but pure pink] a passion-flower Passiflora ligularis Possibly this species in Nuwara Eliya.

Pedaliaceae Ath-nerenchi N Pedalium murex Sandy shores and waste areas in Yala and Bundala NPs [Ascending herb with opposite coarse toothed leaves, yellow asymmetric tubular flowers and few-spined fruit] Wal-thala Sesamum radiatum Bank of paddies near Mahiyangana, Lankatilake and Tissamaharama tank [Tall erect strong-smelling herb: 5cm pink-purple foxglove like flowers]

Peperomiaceae (a pepper-elder) Peperomia tetraphylla Probably this species on trees at Hakgala (a pepper-elder) Peperomia sp Forest in Udawattakele [Prostrate with small fleshy leaves and dense plantain-like spikes]

Periplocaceae Indian Sarssaparilla Hemidesmus indicus Koggala area

Phytolaccaceae {American Pokeweed} {Phytolacca americana} Gardens in Nuwara Eliya [Tall herb: big lanceolate leaves, spikes of white flowers forming black berries] Pigeonberry N Rivina humilis Pathsides in Udawattakele [Low subshrub with tiny white flowers and coral-red berries]

Piperaceae Wal gammiris Piper argyrophyllum Margins of Sinharaja forest [Climber: alternate leaves with winged stalks clasping stem (contain pungent aromatic oil)]

Plantaginaceae Ribwort Plantain N Plantago lanceolata Verges in Nuwara Eliya [Familiar lanceolate plantain (ribbed leaves); anthers yellowish] Rat’s-tail Plantain N Plantago major Path in elfin forest, Little World’s End (Horton Plains) [Cosmopolitan broad-leaved weed, long spikes]

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Plumbaginaceae Ceylon Leadwort Plumbago zeylanica Sithulpahuwa temple road [Low shrub: typical white leadwort flowers i.e. calyx with glandular hairs]

Polygalaceae (a Milkwort) Polygala sp. Very small, on Horton Plains. New in 2007. Both Polygala glaucoides and P.hirsutula are endemic. (a milkwort) N Polygala paniculata Railway lines

Polygonaceae Coral Vine N Antigonon leptopus Roadsides east of Colombo, above Kandy and near Dondra etc. [Resembles a bright pink Russian Vine] (a knotweed) Persicaria sp Shallows of Tissamaharama tank [Robust, rather bamboo-like knotweed with white spikes] (a knotweed N) Persicaria capitata Walls and rocks: Nanu Oya, Horton Plains and Hakgala botanic gardens [Creeping: variegated leaves and pink globular heads] (a knotweed N) Polygonum chinense Abundant on verges and secondary scrub around Nuwara Eliya and toward Horton Plains, and Embekke Devale [Scrambling woody plant: pink stems and clusters of small white flowers. May really be a Fallopia or Persicaria] Broad-leaved Dock N Rumex obtusifolius Frequent around Nuwara Eliya e.g. Victoria Park [Familiar coarse weed with broad leaves]

Proteaceae {Silky Oak} {Grevillea robusta} As shelter in tea-estates etc toward Nanu Oya and round Nuwara Eliya [Tree with deep pinnately-cut leaves, glossy green above, woolly white below]

Ranunculaceae (a buttercup) Ranunculus sp Wet turf by path in elfin forest, Little World’s End (Horton Plains) [Like small neat prostrate creeping buttercup]

Rhamnaceae Hin eraminiya Zizyphus oenoplia Scrub in Yala NP and near Koggala [Bush with 2-ranked alternate leaves – all of which are asymmetric and opposite a prickle]

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Rhizophoraceae Weli piyanna Anisophyllea cinnamomoides Sinharaja forest [Endemic tree: 2-ranked oblong leaves (unequal base, long tip); greenish-white berry] (a mangrove) Bruguiera sexangula Koggala lake [Mangrove tree: leaves neat, ovate-elliptic, opposite and black-dotted beneath] Kadol Rhizophora apiculata Koggala lake [Similar to last but prop roots, oval leaves, brown dotted beneath; creamy white flowers and long pendulous viviparous pods] Kadol Rhizophora mucronata Koggala lake [From latter by mucronate, broader leaves (tiny red dots) and pure white flowers]

Rosaceae (a lady’s-mantle) Alchemilla indica Wet grassy margins to track on Horton Plains [Typical Alchemilla: palmately lobed leaves and clusters of small greenish flowers (each of 4 sepals)] The only species in Sri Lanka. {Loquat} {Eriobotrya japonica} Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya [Robust shrub, large (to 30cm) ribbed and brown-felted leaves] (brambles) Rubus spp Horton Plains etc and Hakgala botanic garden [Typical prickly brambles including distinctive species with neat leathery trifoliate leaves] False Blackberry Rubus ellipticus Horton Plains Wal-rosa Rubus leucocarpus Scrubby edges on Horton Plains [Raspberry with pinnate leaves (white beneath) and white stems. Var. tomentosa] (a bramble) Rubus sojurneus? Horton Plains: elfin woods and World’s End [White flowered bramble: lobed leaves like those of currant. Possibly same species on edge of Sinharaja forest, though shape of leaf rather more like hollyhock] Yellow Strawberry N Waldsteinia ternata Weed in Hakgala botanic garden [Creeping yellow-flowered trefoil herb, like strawberry]

Rubiaceae [Note: We also saw several unidentified herbs of this family with small 4-lobed flowers and opposite leaves with prominent (often leaf-like) stipules] Kara Canthium coromandelicum Sithulpahuwa temple road (Yala NP) [Shrub: leaves opposite and white beneath, many spines above axils] Panderu Canthium dicoccum Sinharaja forest subcanopy [Endemic tree: from latter by lack of spines and twigs with swollen nodes; fruit purple berries with black kidney-shaped stones] Coffee N Coffea arabica ±naturalised in Upper Water Catchment {planted in Koggala Spice Garden} [Shrub: opposite 2-ranked leaves and red coffee beans]

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Pera tambala Gaertnera vaginans Sinharaja forest floor [Endemic? shrub: large opposite oblong leaves, stipular sheath bifid; big white flowers] {Cape Jasmine} {Gardenia jasminoides} In gardens at Kandy etc [Popular shrub: dense dark glossy leaves; very fragrant white flowered] Agu-kami N Geophila repens Naturalised in Peradineya [prostrate herb, small white 5 petalled fowers and red berries] Weraniya Hedyotis fruticosa Sinharaja pioneer scrub [Shrub: opposite narrow lanceolate long-pointed leaves, whitish-green beneath] (no common name) Hedyotis lawsoniae Understorey on Horton Plains [Endemic: petals small shrub, opposite leaves on 4-angled stem; 4 hairy Scrub and in loose head] (no common name) Hedyotis lessertiana Elfin forest near Little World’s End (Horton Plains) [Endemic: shrub with opposite lanceolate corrugated leaves and large spreading white flower panicles] Pita-sudu-pala Hedyotis neesiana Koggala {Ratmal} {Ixora coccinea} Hedge-forming shrub near Colombo airport and Unawatuna [Opposite leaves and clusters of scarlet 4-lobed flowers] (no common name) Knoxia platycarpa Elfin forest, Baker’s Falls (Horton Plains) [Endemic: low herb or subshrub, opposite lanceolate leaves and clusters of tiny pink flowers] (no common name) Lasianthus oliganthus Sinharaja forest [Endemic shrub: leaves opposite, pointed (4-5 pairs of veins); tiny sessile flowers] {no common name} {Mussaenda erythrophylla} Quite frequent in gardens at lower altitudes [Medium shrub: heads of small yellow flowers dominated by large crowded salmon-pink bracts] Mussenda Mussaenda frondosa Forest edges near the Knuckles, Sorabora and by paddies near Ahangama [Scrambling shrub: small orange flowers and large white leaf-like bract] (no common name) Neanotis nummularia Horton Plains [Herb, with dense clusters of small 4 petalled mauve flowers] Pawatta Pavetta indica Tissamaharama tank [Shrub: opposite oblanceolate leaves with scattered hard warts; black berries] {Star Cluster} {Pentas lanceolata} Peradeniya botanic garden [1m high dense shrub: compact heads red or mauve starry flowers (becoming a popular flowering pot plant in UK)] (no common name) Pleiocraterium plantaginifolium Wet pantanas near World’s End (Horton Plains), not in flower 2014 [Dense rosettes of leaves like ribwort forming bowl; short stems of white heads]

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(no common name) Psychotria nigra Sinharaja forest [Shrub: rather large opposite leaves; pyramidal whorled cymes of sessile green flowers] Common Emetic-nut Randia dumetorum Sithulpahuwa temple road (Yala NP) [Small tree with opposite pear-like leaves and stout stipular spines] Brazil Pusley N Richardia brasiliensis Sorabora and Victoria Radenigala etc. (a madder) Rubia sp Path edges, elfin forest, World’s End (Horton Plains) [Typical green-flowered madder, but with long stalked leaves – may be naturalised from East Africa] Woodland False Spermacoce assurgens Sorabora etc. Buttonweed N Rawan idala Wendlandia bicuspidata Forest edge, Sinharaja. Kottawa 2012. [Small tree: leaves 3 at a node, veins below pinkish; pyramidal white flower-panicle]

Rutaceae Ankenda Acronychia pedunculata Rain forest understorey: Udawattakele and Sinharaja [Small tree: aromatic opposite elliptic leaves] Satinwood Chloroxylon swietenia Sithulpahuwa temple road [Tree: alternate pinnate leaves (small oblique leaflets, aromatic when crushed] Lunu ankenda Euodia lunu-ankenda Pioneer scrub at Sinharaja [Small tree: subopposite trefoil aromatic leaves; 4-lobed fruit] Wood Apple Limonia acidissima Scrub in Yala NP, and Kalametiya [Tree with pinnate leaves and spiny trunk; white woody fruit with brown pulp]

Sapindaceae (no common name) Dodonaea sp? Scrub by road near the Knuckles [Shrub with 3-winged fruit resembling those of a dock] Pihimbiya Filicium dicipiens Udawattakele forest; verges in Randenigala reserve and Unawatuna [Tree: crowded pinnate leaves with winged rhachis]

Sapotaceae Palu Manilkara hexandra Abundant at Bundala especially by tracks and next to lagoons [Tall tree with small alternate ovate leaves, often notched or bilobed, and yellow berries] Kiri hembiliya Palaquium grande Sinharaja forest canopy, Kottawa 2012 [Endemic tree: terminally crowded oval leaves, somewhat hairy beneath. P. petiolare almost certainly present too]

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Scrophulariaceae Gas-kotala Artanema longifolium Unawatuna lanes [Herb with opposite leaves & square stems: pale purple slightly asymmetric flowers] (no common name) Lindernia sp? Peradeniya botanic garden pool and by paddies inland from Ahangama [Small Veronica-like but pink-purple] (a lousewort) Pedicularis sp Moist patana on Horton Plain [Typical pink lousewort with pinnately lobed leaves and 2- lipped flowers] Rock Violet Torenia cyanea Damp shady turf: Hakgala botanic garden [Endemic: low herb, 2-lipped parti-coloured flower (lilac, violet with yellowish throat] (no common name) Torenia travencorica Margins by research station and path down from gate, Sinharaja NP [As latter but taller and leafier]

Solanaceae (no common name N) Browallia americana Victoria Park (Nuwara Eliya) [Small purple herb] Angel’s Trumpet N Brugmansia x candida ±naturalised on verges east out of Kandy [Shrub with velvety leaves and white vertical pendulous trumpets] Angel’s Trumpet N Brugmansia suaveolens Verges between Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains [As latter but flowers hang at slight angle] {Yesterday, today and {Brunfelsia latifolia?} Gardens in Colombo & Kandy [Shrub: obovate leaves; tomorrow] 2cm 5-petalled flowers fade to white from violet] (no common name N) Cestrum aurantiacum Nuwara Eliya [Subshrub, foetid leaves and cluster of long yellow tubular flowers] (no common name N) Cestrum parquii? Lankatilake verges [From last by more upright form and paler flowers] (no common name N) Cestrum purpureum Scrub and edges: Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains museum [Shrub: cluster of purple-red tubes, leaves stink when crushed] Thorn-apple N Datura metel Kandy area [1-2m tall, white semi-erect trumpets, prickly globose fruit] {Chalice Vine} {Solandra nitida} Gardens: Ella & Yala [Vigorous climber: golden buff large trumpets, leathery glossy leaves] (a nightshade bush N} Solanum sp. Forming secondary scrub with Polygonum chinense and Solanum mauritianum near Kande Ela reservoir [2-3m shrub: white flowered with jagged toothed leaves covered in rusty hairs] (a nightshade) Solanum americanum Lake Gregory, Nuwara Eliya {no common name} {Solanum jasminoides (album)} Gardens: Unawatuna [Climber: white potato flowers] Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 76

{Potato Tree} {Solanum macranthum} Peradeniya botanic garden [Small tree: large bristly deeply cut leaves, violet flowers 3-5cm] (a nightshade N) Solanum mauritianum Common around Nuwara Eliya e.g. Victoria Park and forest edge toward Horton Plains [5- 6m downy shrub: oval leaves and typical violet “potato” flowers] Aubergine N Solanum melongena Naturalised in Koggala area 2012 Black Nightshade N Solanum nigrum Weed by Hill Club (Nuwara Eliya) [Familiar weed, like tiny white-flowered potato] Purple Potato Vine Solanum seaforthianum By Horton Plains entrance gate Wel-thibbatu Solanum trilobatum Waste by Yala NP [Low undershrub: stems with hooked prickles and arrow-head shaped leaves; 20-25mm violet flowers (petals distinct) and prominent yellow stamens] Tibbatu Solanum violaceum Surely present too Ela-batu Solanum xanthocarpum Verges in Yala and Bundala NPs [Similar to last but prickles also on midrib and smaller polygonal (petals overlapping) flowers and short orange stamens] {Marmalade Bush} {Streptosolen jamesonii} Nuwara Eliya gardens [Small shrub: orange flowers in clusters]

Sonneratiaceae Kirala Sonneratia caseolaris Koggala lake, Bentota area [Mangrove tree: roundish leaves; upright breathing roots; big red flowers, ovoid berry with cup-like, persistent spreading calyx]

Staphyleaceae Eta hiriya Turpinia malabarica Scrub in Sinharaja NP [Small tree: opposite pinnate (bicompound) leaves (3-9 toothed leaflets) flushed pink-scarlet; purplish-black fruit (2 big stipules)]

Sterculiaceae {no common name} [Dombeya wallichii} Yala [Large shrub: pendent clusters of pink flowers; hairy cordate leaves] Screw-fruit Tree Helicteres isora Victoria Radenigala Telambu Sterculia foetida By Sorabora lake {cultivated at Yala} [Tree with palmate leaves and foetid orange flowers] Cocoa tree N Theobroma cacao Upper Water Catchment (Kandy) [Small tree: big elliptic leaves; large oval ridged pods on trunk]

Symplocaceae Bombu Symplocos cochinchinensis Sinharaja forest edge [Small tree: hairless broad elliptic leaves and compound white flower spike] (no common name) Symplocos cuneata Sinharaja forest understorey [Endemic tree: from next by adpressed hairy leaves; pinkish- white flowers]

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(no common name) Symplocos elegans Horton Plains elfin forest [Endemic shrub: leaves alternate, downrolled margin, white flower spikes]

Theaceae {Tea} {Camellia sinensis} Shaping the land between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya though only cultivated in Sri Lanka since 1867 [Small shrub: white buttercup-like flowers] Wana halu Eurya acuminata Sinharaja forest fringe [Shrub: narrow oblong toothed leaves with silky buds; small white flowers]

Thunbergiaceae (sometimes included in Acanthaceae) Black-eyed Susan N Thunbergia alata From the Nanu Oya train [Climber whose yellow trumpets have a black throat] Puneela Mal N Thunbergia erecta Pathsides in Udawattakele etc. [2m shrub with yellow tubes and purple (or white) lobed trumpets] {no common name} {Thunbergia fragrans} Gardens in Kandy [Climber: white scentless trumpets] Bengal Trumpet N Thunbergia grandiflora By paths at Udawattakele and Upper Water Catchment, and in south-west etc. [Woody climber with 6-8cm light blue trumpets] {Manjarabade Creeper) {Thunbergia mysorensis} Garden of Hotel Suisse, Kandy, not in flower. In flower in Peradineya [Large climber with pendulous racemes of yellow and red flowers]

Tiliaceae Bora daminiya Grewia rothii Upper Water Catchment (Kandy) understorey [Shrub: wavy twigs, and 2-ranked alternate leaves (3-veined)] {Jam tree} {Muntingia calabura} Widespread, e.g. temple loop [Small tree with two-ranked leaves, each with unequal base, velvety hairy beneath] (no common name) Triumfetta pentandra This species present? {no common name} {Triumfetta rhomboidea} Nuwara Eliya gardens [Subshrub: yellow flowers with spaced petals]

Tropaeolaceae Nasturtium N Tropaeolum majus Verges near Nuwara Eliya [Familiar herb: round leaves and orange irregular spurred flowers]

Ulmaceae Charcoal Tree Trema orientalis Causeway in Koggala mangroves [Tree: 2- ranked, nettle-like with unequal base, silvery beneath; clusters of small green flowers]

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Urticaceae {no common name} {Pellionia pulchra} Boulder Garden {Rock hugging creeper, brown stems light green with dark veins} (no common name) Pilea sp Wall crevices near Hotel Suisse [Small-leaved herb (foliage like Selaginella) and tiny green flowerheads. Weed under staging in some UK orchid houses!] (no common name) Pilea sp Edges of elfin forest on Horton Plains [From last by bigger 3-toothed leaves and prostrate habit]

Valerianaceae (a valerian?) Valeriana sp? Marshes on Horton Plain [Possible identity of low blue herb like Valeriana dioica]

Verbenaceae Wal gurenda Clerodendrum inerme Unawatuna (above tide line) [Low shrub: opposite aromatic leaves; fragrant white flowers] Pinna Clerodendrum infortunatum By paddies near Koggala [Low shrub: opposite cordate leaves, twigs 4-angled; open inflorescence of white flowers with reddish calyx] (no common name N) Clerodendrum nutans Verges below Sinharaja [Similar to next but nodding white flowerheads] Pagoda-flower Clerodendrum paniculatum Roadsides near Sinharaja [From Pinna by 5-7 lobed leaves and orange-red flowers] Starburst Clerodendrum Clerodendrum quadriloculare Gardens in Kandy {no common name} {Clerodendrum splendens} Planted [Sprawling shrub: clusters of bright deep red flowers] {Glory Bower} {Clerodendrum thompsonae} Gardens in Koggala & Galle [Vigorous climber: light green or white calyx setting off red flowers] {no common name} {Congea tomentose} Gardens in Kandy etc [Vigorous climber: pink leaf-like flowers. Often placed in Symphoremataceae] Asiatic Beech-berry Gmelina asiatica Sithulpahuwa temple road (Yala NP) [Spiny shrub: opposite leaves; yellow flowers, overlapping bracts] Lantana N Lantana camara Roadside weed near Kandy and in Bundala NP [Scrambling prickly shrub: oval leaves and parti-coloured heads of mauve, orange (var splendens) and yellow flowers] {no common name} {Lantana montevidensis} Gardens in Kandy [From last by pink flowers and foetid foliage; sprawling shrub] {Purple Wreath} {Petrea volubilis} Gardens in Kandy and Colombo [Vigorous climber: stiff rough leaves; 5-pointed blue- mauve flowers] (no common name N) Phyla (Lippia) nodiflora En route to Tissa and edge of paddy-field path near Ahangana [Low prostrate-ascending herb: dense pink heads]

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Bu seru Premna tomentosa Upper Water Catchment [Small tree with opposite large heart-shaped leaves] Jamaican Vervain Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Scattered records Balunakuta N Stachytarpheta urticaefolia Verges near the Knuckles etc. [Vervain-like herb with narrow spikes of appressed calyces and open largish blue bird’s-eye flowers] {Teak} {Tectona grandis} Plantations below the Knuckles and near Ella [Tree with opposite broad-elliptic leaves, silvery beneath] Milla Vitex altissima Lanes at Unawatuna and forest edge in Sinharaja. Kottawa 2012. [Small tree: opposite trefoil leaves, winged petioles] Nika Vitex negundo Yala NP scrub (road to Sithulpahuwa and Menik Ganga river) [Small tree: aromatic opposite leaves (3-5 leaflets); open branched spikes of lavender flowers]

Violaceae (a violet) Viola betonicifolia A few on Horton Plains. (a violet) Viola pilosa A small pale flowered violet on Horton Plains.

Vitaceae Veld Grape Cissus quadrangularis Bundala, Wilpattu, etc.

Zygophyllaceae Maltese Cross Tribulus terrestris Victoria Radenigala [Opposite pinnate leaves (no terminal leaflet), fruit like a caltrop and yellow flowers 10-15mm (not ca 5mm as in Europe – same species?)]

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MONOCOTYLEDONES

Agavaceae {Sisal} {Agave sisalana?} Planted in baulks in tea-estates toward Nanu Oya [Big basal grey-green sword-like leaves and tall branched inflorescence] {Torbay Palm} {Cordyline australis} Gardens in Kandy [Familiar cabbage palm] {no common name} {Dracaena deremensis} Gardens in Kandy [Popular erect garden plant: strap-shaped leaves are red tinted] {Botal gas} {Dracaena fragrans} Gardens in Kandy and Colombo [Shrub: terminally crowded leaves, long-lanceolate; unbranched stem] {no common name} {Dracaena sanderiana} Gardens in Kandy (variegata) [Popular erect plant: as last two, but long yellow variegated leaves] {no common name} {Sansevieria trifasciata} Gardens in Kandy etc [Perennial herb: pale green and yellow sword-shaped leaves (laurentii)] {Bow-string Hemp} {Sansevieria zeylanica} With latter [Pale green and dark green sword- shaped leaves. Native on Sri Lanka]

Alismataceae (an arrowhead) Sagittaria sp Channel at Sorabora, and Peradeniya pond (planted?) [Emergent aquatic with lanceolate leaves, 3-petalled white flowers]

Amaryllidaceae {no common name} {Clivia blandfordiae} Hakgala botanic garden [Bulbous plant: sword- shaped leaves and stalked cluster of orange tubular flowers] Tholabo Crinum asiaticum Coastal sands west of Dondra [Similar to C. defixum to 1m with 5-6cm narrow white spreading petals] {no common name} {Crinum kirkii} Hakgala botanic garden [Large bulbous plant with white cup-like flowers] {no common name} {Eucharis amazonica} Hakgala botanic garden [Like large white more open daffodil] Spider Lily Hymenocallis littoralis Between Victoria Radenigala and Mahiyangana [Lily-like with clusters of large white flowers, each with 6 narrow drooping petals]

Aponogetonaceae (a cape-pondweed) Aponogeton sp Pools in Bundala NP [Maybe just a form of following, but with distinctive pale lavender blue flowers] Kekatiya Aponogeton jacobsenii Pool and stream on Horton Plains [Aquatic herb: oblong floating and submerged leaves; white spikes of flowers curving at tips]

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Kekatiya Aponogeton natans Peradeniya Botanical Gardens pool (planted?). Tissamaharama area tanks. [Very similar to above (distinct?) – all leaves floating]

Araceae {no common name} {Aglaonema commutatum} Gardens in Kandy [Semi-climbing: variegated hastate leaves (Possibly also native in this area)] {a taro} {Alocasia esculenta} Cultivated plots between Colombo and Kandy [Like robust Cuckoo Pint with large long- stalked leaves] {a taro} {Alocasia macrorrhiza} As latter [From last mainly by crinkled leaves] {a taro} {Alocasia x arecmazonica} [From the food species by pronounced white veins on dark green background] {Flamingo Lily} {Anthurium x cultorum} Gardens in Kandy [Familiar hothouse plant: red waxy spathe and yellow spadix (aka A. andreanum)] Wal-kidaran Arisaema leschenaulti Elfin forest, Baker’s Falls (Horton Plains] and forest at upper edge of Hakgala botanic garden [“Cobra lily” aroid: hooded tubular spathe of green and cream; leaves are pedately divided] {no common name} {Caladium x hortulanum} Cultivated at edge of paddies between Colombo and Kandy [Like delicate Alocasia with large central red blotch on leaves; spadix has no terminal appendage] {Taro} {Colocasia esculenta} Cultivated by paddies near Mahiyangana [Like Alocasia etc, but with terminal appendage to spadix] {no common name} {Dieffenbachia spp} Gardens in Kandy [Numerous types of this Aroid with variegated leaves] False Breadfruit Epipremnum pinnatum Rain forest at Udawattakele [Ground cover or climber: glossy green yellow-streaked leaves - heart shaped when juvenile, adult cut like small Monstera] {Swiss Cheese Plant} {Monstera deliciosa} Gardens in Kandy (possibly becoming) naturalised [Popular scrambling aroid: irregular deeply cut leaves often with holes in younger leaves] {no common name} {Philodendron sp} Gardens near Bundala [Like more ornate Monstera] Water Lettuce Pistia stratiotes Tissamaharama tank etc. [Free-floating herb: dense rosette of oblong stalkless densely downy leaves] (an aroid N) Syngonium podophyllum? Shrouding fences etc at Unawatuna and Ahangama {This or related species in gardens in Kandy and toward Sorabora} [Climber with pedate leaves and small white spathes] Arum-lily N Zantedeschia aethiopica Ditches by roads near Nuwara Eliya {also in Kandy gardens} [Familiar white-spathed aroid]

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Arecaceae (formerly known as Palmae) {Betel-nut palm} {Areca catechu} Planted in Koggala spice garden [Pinnate palm: trunk slender and fruit orange drupes] Palmyra Palm N Borassus flabellifer {Planted: Peradeniya Botanical Gardens in avenue} and ±naturalised on Yala dunes [Fan- palm with spiny leaf-stalk] Thambotu wel Calamus zeylanicus Forest edges in Sinharaja [Large scrambling rattan with stems like green hosepipes] Fishtail Palm (Kitul) Caryota urens Rain forest subcanopy and edges, also cultivated: Udawattakele and Sinharaja. Widespread. [Small bipinnate palm, fishtail leaflets] Coconut Palm N Cocos nucifera Cultivated groves near Colombo, Dondra, Unawatuna etc [Familiar tall pinnate leaved palm with large fruit] {Sealing-wax Palm} {Cyrtostachys renda} Gardens in Kandy [Palm tree with red stems] {Ruffled Fan-palm} {Licuala grandis} Planted in Colombo [Tall palm like Borassus] {Coco de mer} {Lodoicea maldivica} Peradeniya botanic gardens [Double coconut palm] Katu kitul Oncosperma fasciculatum Sinharaja ridges [Endemic: pinnate palm with rhachis spiny near base; trunk spiny and thickened near base] {Royal Palm} {Roystonea regia} Peradeniya botanic gardens (forming avenues) [Pinnate palm with swollen waisted trunk]

Cannaceae {Indian Shot Plant} {Canna indica} Gardens: Colombo and Kandy [Popular tall hothouse plant: lanceolate leaves, spikes of asymmetric large flowers and warty fruit]

Commelinaceae (a day-flower) Commelina diffusa Bank at Sorabora (possibly same species at Kandy and Bundala) [Straggling herb: 3- petalled flowers, comprising two larger blue petals and a smaller pale petal, with sheathing ovate leaves] (day-flowers) Commelina benghalensis Scattered records, e.g. Mahiyangana Commelina clavata Horton Plains Commelina ensifolia Also present Commelina kurzii Also present (a tradescanth) Cyanotis tuberosa Stony slopes: by road over the Knuckles and on Horton Plains [Typical blue tradescanth with delicate feathery flower-parts] (tradescanths) Cyanotis spp. Several other species present {no common name} {Dichorisandra thyrsiflora} Gardens near Sorabora [Large erect herb: central spike of purple flowers; branches often piercing leaf-sheath] Asiatic Dewflower Murdannia spirata Sorabora 2012 {no common name} {Rhoeo spathacea (discolor)} Planted, Koggala and Kandy [Bromeliad-like rosette of leaves purple

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beneath; short spike of white flowers with overlapping bracts] {no common name} {Tradescantia pallida} Gardens in Kandy [Typical tradescanth with alternate ovate sheathing (purple) leaves (purpurea)]

Costaceae Thebu Costus speciosus Rain forest gullies: Udawattakele, Kalawana and Sinharaja (Same? species near Nuwara Eliya) [Ginger-like tall herb (not aromatic); cluster of white flowers] {no common name} {Costus spicatus} Gardens in Kandy etc [From last by red hairy bracts]

Cyperaceae (a sedge) Carex sp Elfin forest, Baker’s Falls (Horton Plains) (leaves only Sinharaja – C. indica?) [Typical tall sedge: triangular stems, separate ♂ and ♀ spikes] (annual galingales) Cyperus spp. Moist sites: Sorabora, Victoria Park (Nuwara Eliya), Sithulpahuwa road (Yala NP), paddies near Ahangama [Several dwarf spp: dense heads of flattened spikelets] (beach galingale) Cyperus sp Sandy shores in Yala NP [Short creeping perennial with clustered spikelets] (perennial galingales) Cyperus spp Channels at Sorabora, Tissamaharama tank and paddies near Koggala [Tall leafy perennial with clusters of compressed spikelets] {a galingale} {Cyperus alternifolius} Gardens in Kandy [Familiar small Cyperus] Papyrus N Cyperus papyrus Beds in shallows of Lake Gregory [Large cyperus with huge globular umbel] There are 36 species of Cyperus in the flora (a spike-rush) Eleocharis sp Quarry pools, Unawatuna [Typical spike-rush: leafless stems with sheaths, single terminal capitate spike] Floating Spike-rush Eleogiton fluitans? Puddle by path in elfin forest, Little World’s End, Horton Plains [Like grass-leaved pondweed with tiny terminal green spikelets. Certainly Eleogiton but may be species closely related to UK E. fluitans] N.B. there are no species of Eleogiton in the flora! (no common name) Fimbristylis sp Sinharaja forest wet edge [Sedge with small spikelets and feathery styles] (bristle clubrush) Isolepis sp Sinharaja moist edges [Tufted slender clubrush with apparently lateral tiny spikelets] (a clubrush) Scirpus sp Tissamaharama tank [Robust clubrush with triangular stem: cluster of stalked tiny spikelets] (no common name) Scleria sp By lanes at Unawatuna [Slender sedge: spike- like inflorescence of small distant flowers, each forming a tiny hard pearl-like fruit] Greentours Natural History Holidays www.greentours.co.uk 84

Dioscoreaceae {an air yam} {Dioscorea bulbifera} Koggala spice garden [Climber with cordate leaves]

Eriocaulaceae Kokmota Eriocaulon ceylanicum Wet roadside gutters and bogs on (and below) Horton Plains [Endemic pipewort: dense tufts of thread-like leaves and long-stalked white heads of tiny flowers] Eriocaulon spp. Others certainly present

Flagellariaceae (no common name) Flagellaria indica Rough margins: Kottawa, Koggala and Ahangama [Climber with forking stems, large grass-like leaves ending in tendril and widely branched inflorescence]

Heliconiaceae {no common name} {Heliconia spp} Plants of following five (or other) species seen in gardens while travelling [Tall herbs like slender banana, pinnate flowerheads. Only key features are given for those five distinguished] {no common name} {Heliconia bihai} Unawatuna garden [Red bracts with green margins] {no common name} {Heliconia collinsiana} Peradeniya botanic garden [Zigzag flower stem; red and yellow flowers] {no common name} {Heliconia humilis} [Crimson-tipped green boat brow-like flowers in a long head] {no common name} {Heliconia psittacorum} Journey to Sinharaja [Small bracts in terminal upright heads] {no common name} {Heliconia rostrata} Unawatuna and Koggala [Large pendant flowers of red bracts with yellow/green tips]

Hydrocharitaceae (no common name) Ottelia sp Shallow pool by paddies near Koggala lake [Like frog-bit but ovate-round submerged leaves, translucent net-veined and 3-petalled white flowers]

Hypoxidaceae Bintala Curculigo orchioides Turf by Sorabora lake [Resembles tiny yellow crocus, with folded plantain-like leaves] Not seen 2014.

Iridaceae (no common name N) Aristea ecklonii Horton Plains: verges & patana grasslands [Gladiolus like leaves; tall stems with blue starry flowers] Montbretia N Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Verges near Nuwara Eliya [Iris-like leaves; 1- sided sprays of orange trumpet flowers]

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Juncaceae (uncertain as to status of these species – very possibly naturalised) (a jointed rush) Juncus sp Marshy depressions on Horton Plains [Typical leafy rush with branched flowerhead and leaves with septa] Soft Rush Juncus effusus Wet areas by road to Horton Plains [Tufted quill-like rush (no leaves) and apparently lateral flower tassels]

Lemnaceae (a duckweed) Lemna sp Yala NP (pools) and Tissamaharama tank [Tiny floating discs bearing one root each] Greater Duckweed Spirodela sp Tissamaharama tank [Like large Lemna with several roots per frond, purple underneath - S. polyrhiza?]

Liliaceae {African Lily} {Agapanthus campanulatus} Planted on baulks of terraces around Nuwara Eliya [Popular bulb with flowers in umbel: mainly blue but some on Horton Plains road were white] {an aloë} {Aloë arborescens} Gardens near Kandy [Branched scrub: long thick spine-toothed succulent leaves; upright red flower racemes] Komarica Aloë vera Coastal scrub at Unawatuna [From last by soft hooks] (an asparagus) Asparagus sp [Arching woody spineless asparagus with fleshy “leaves” (branches)] Hatharvariya Asparagus falcatus Coastal scrub at Unawatuna [Climber with long narrow, slightly curved leaves and spines] {an asparagus} {Asparagus plumosus} Gardens in Kandy [Familiar florist’s “asparagus fern”: climber with very fine green “leaves”] (no common name) Disporum leschenaultiaum Path in elfin forest, Little World’s End (Horton Plains) [Branched perennial herb, ovate- lanceolate leaves with 3 prominent veins; white drooping 6-petalled flowers, black round fruit] Glory Lily N Gloriosa superba Trackside scrub in more frequented parts of Yala NP and Victoria Radenigala [Exotic climber (using leaf-tip tendrils) with red and yellow undulate tepals] {no common name} {Tulbaghia violacea} Gardens: Kandy etc [Bulbous: lavender blue flowers clustered at top of scape, strong- smelling leaves]

Limnocharitaceae Water-poppy N Limnocharis flava Paddies near Ahangama, and Yala [Robust aquatic herb with ovate leaves and few- flowered yellow umbels]

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Musaceae Banana N Musa sapientum Commonly cultivated but also ± naturalised near Colombo [Familiar gigantic herb with huge leaves that fray and pendulous clusters of bananas]

Orchidaceae Bamboo Orchid N Arundina graminifolia Rail cuttings in hills toward Nanu Oya, verges toward Horton Plains and by tracks in Sinharaja [Tall (1-2m) bamboo-like orchid with pink-purple flowers to 7cm] (an orchid) Calanthe triplicatis Shade in upper Hakgala botanic garden (planted?) [Tall terrestrial orchid with ovate basal leaves (paler beneath) and loose globose white spike] (an orchid) Coelogyne odoratissima In flower on Horton Plains, 2014. (an epiphytic orchid) Oberonia wightii Trees and fallen branches: elfin forest, Horton Plains. Not in flower 2014. [Small-flowered, greenish- yellow (pendulous sprays)] (a butterfly orchid?) Platanthera sp? Moist scrubby bank on Horton Plains zigzag [Pale greenish flowers like typical Platanthera, but much leafier than is usual (like a helleborine)] Hyacinth Orchid Satyrium nepalense Nuwara Eliya verges and Horton Plains. Not seen 2014. [Terrestrial orchid to 50cm, resembling a slender pink frog orchid] (an orchid) Spathoglottis plicata Rail cuttings near Nanu Oya. (a lady’s-tresses) Spiranthes sinensis Boggy slope on Horton Plains [Slender leafy orchid: tiny green flowers in spiral] {Vanilla orchid} {Vanilla fragrans} Gardens in Unawatuna [Tall terrestrial liane- like orchid: succulent leaves and white flowers]

Pandanaceae Keyiya Pandanus ceylanicus Stream bank in Sinharaja NP [Typical low screw-pine but often prostrate, leaf-bases reddish-purple] Weta keyiya Pandanus kaida? Wet gully in Udawattakele [Branched shrub with tufts of very long narrow leaves - vicious toothed margins] Mudu keyiya Pandanus odoratissimus Coastal sand at Unawatuna [Small densely branched and leafy tree: leaves drooping, with white prickles; fragrant flowers and red fruit] {Weta keyiya} {Pandanus tectorius} Koggala gardens [From next by big red & green fruits] (a screw pine N) Pandanus veitchii? By Kandy lake [Large bush: very long narrow leaves, variegated]

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Poaceae (a grass) Andropogon lividus/ Often dominant in patana grassland on Horton Plains polyptychos [Tussocky: rough, hairy (barbed) leaves, V- shaped in section; panicles of paired spikelets] Sweet Vernal-grass N Anthoxanthum odoratum Victoria Park (Nuwara Eliya) [Familiar spiked grass: tasting of new mown hay] (a dwarf bamboo) Arundinaria debilis Horton Plains (a dwarf bamboo) Arundinaria densifolia Scrubby areas and elfin woods: Horton Plains [Low-medium bamboo with many densely packed leaves] (an oat N) Avena sp? Verges below Sinharaja [Like large typical wild oat with densely hairy lemmae] (a bamboo) Calamus zeylanicus? Sinharaja forest margins [Scrambling long- leaved bamboo, forming thickets] Giant Bamboo N Dendrocalamus giganteus Forest edge: Udawattakele [Huge bamboo in clumps] (a love-grass) Eragrostis sp. Wet turf by road over Knuckles [Low grass: ligule ring of hairs; branched panicle: compressed spikelets] Illuk Imperata cylindrica Verges near Hakgala, south coast and Sinharaja [1m tall grass with silvery white spike] (no common name) Lophatherum zeylanicum? Possible identity of common non-flowering grass in Sinharaja forest [Endemic] (a bamboo) Ochlandra stridula Forest edges near Kalawana [Endemic: low branching broad-leaved bamboo, rather drooping] (no common name) Oplismenus sp? Sinharaja forest floor [Trailing ground cover with broad lanceolate leaves] (a finger-grass) Paspalum conjugatum Sinharaja rough margins [Grass with cluster of finger-like spikes] Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua Victoria Park and Kande Ela reservoir (Nuwara Eliya) [Weedy annual: branched flower-head; crinkled leaves] Water Bent N Polypogon viridis [Creeping perennial with rather dense flower- panicle of whorled branches (spikelets 1- flowered)] {Sugar Cane} {Saccharum officinarum} Locally cultivated [Familiar tall grass crop] (a spinifex grass) Spinifex littoreus Coastal sands at Yala NP [Crowded glaucous stiff leaves creeping in lines]

Pontederiaceae Water Hyacinth N Eichhornia crassipes Channels at Sorabora and Lake Gregory, Tissa area tanks [Floating: inflated leaf-stalks and spikes of lilac-purple flowers] Lesser Water Monochoria vaginalis Paddies near Ahangama [Creeping aquatic herb: long Hyacinth -stalked lanceolate leaves; spikes of blue flowers]

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Smilacaceae (a smilax) Smilax sp World’s End (Horton Plains) [Clamberer with cordate leaves: some prickles on leaves, stalks and/or stems. Resembles common Mediterranean S. aspera]

Strelitziaceae {Traveller’s Palm} {Ravenala madagascariensis} Train journey to Nuwara Eliya [Dramatic 6m tree: banana-like leaves arranged fanlike in one plane] {Bird-of-paradise flower} {Strelitzia reginae} Frequent in gardens [Familiar ornamental: banana like leaves and spray of orange flowers (red-and-green bracts and violet anthers)]

Taccaceae {Bat flower} {Tacca chantrieri} Koggala spice garden [Black ‘devil’ flower: wing-like blackish bracts and long filaments; corrugated leaves]

Typhaceae Lesser Bulrush Typha angustifolia Bundala NP (lagoons and nearby channels) and Tissamaharama tank [Typical reedmace with two-ranked greyish-green leaves and club-like head]

Zingiberaceae (no common name) Alpinia abundiflora Elfin forest, Baker’s Falls (Horton Plains) and by zigzag road up [2m herb: 60cm leaves; short stem with tiny white flowers almost hidden by red bracts] {Red Ginger} {Alpinia purpurata} Peradeniya botanic garden [From last by 20cm cone-like spikes with long crimson bracts] Shell Ginger N Alpinia speciosa (A. zerumbet) Marsh below Sorabora lake and in Yala NP [Typical ginger with pinkish-white curved spikes] Ela-mal Hedychium coronarium Forest in hills near the Knuckles [Tall ginger- like herb: open clusters of white flowers]

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