Question 1

What is Drymaria cordata ssp. diandra?

Accepted Answer

Drymaria cordata ssp. diandra is a subspecies of a pantropical creeping herb in the family Caryophyllaceae. In Sri Lanka, it is recognised as an ayurvedic medicinal plant and documented in the national catalogue of indigenous and traditional herbs. It has small heart-shaped leaves and tiny white flowers.

Question 2

What are the traditional medicinal uses of Drymaria cordata?

Accepted Answer

Traditional ayurvedic and Sinhala medicine have used Drymaria cordata for its reported cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. Recorded uses include topical application for skin conditions, relief of minor fevers, and poultice preparations for headaches. These uses are rooted in ethnobotanical tradition and should be practised under guidance from a qualified ayurvedic physician.

Question 3

Where can Drymaria cordata ssp. diandra be found in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The plant grows in moist, disturbed habitats such as forest margins, paddy field borders, and shaded garden edges. It is most common in the wet zone lowlands and the foothills of the central highlands, where consistent moisture supports its creeping growth habit.

Question 4

Which plant family does Drymaria cordata belong to?

Accepted Answer

Drymaria cordata belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, the same family that includes carnations and chickweeds. The genus Drymaria contains around 50 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Question 5

Is Drymaria cordata ssp. diandra endemic to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

No, the species Drymaria cordata is pantropical and found across South and Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The subspecies diandra is the specific form recorded in Sri Lanka's botanical inventories, but it is not exclusive to the island.

Question 6

How is Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalogue organised?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda maintains an official catalogue of medicinal plants used in traditional healing systems. Plants are typically recorded with their scientific names, Sinhala and Tamil vernacular names, documented traditional uses, and ecological notes. Drymaria cordata ssp. diandra is one of many herbs listed across this register.

Question 7

What does the subspecies name diandra mean?

Accepted Answer

The epithet diandra comes from Greek, meaning 'two stamens,' referring to a floral characteristic that distinguishes this subspecies from other forms of Drymaria cordata. Such morphological details are used by botanists to classify and differentiate subspecific taxa within a species.