Question 1

What is Lagenandra ovata used for in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

Lagenandra ovata is documented in Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic medicinal plant catalogue. Traditional practitioners have used preparations from its roots or rhizomes in formulations associated with skin conditions and inflammatory complaints, though these uses have not been extensively validated by modern clinical research.

Question 2

Is Lagenandra ovata endemic to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The genus Lagenandra as a whole is nearly endemic to Sri Lanka and a small area of adjacent southern India. Lagenandra ovata specifically is native to Sri Lanka, making it part of the island's significant heritage of plant endemism.

Question 3

Where can Lagenandra ovata be found in the wild?

Accepted Answer

The plant grows in slow-moving freshwater habitats such as stream banks, river margins, and seasonally flooded areas in Sri Lanka's wet and intermediate zones. It favours shaded locations with clean water and substrates of sand or mud.

Question 4

What family does Lagenandra ovata belong to?

Accepted Answer

It belongs to the family Araceae, the aroid family, which also includes well-known plants such as taro and peace lilies. Like other aroids, it produces a spathe-and-spadix inflorescence and grows in damp or aquatic environments.

Question 5

Is Lagenandra ovata suitable for aquariums?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Lagenandra ovata is occasionally cultivated in tropical aquaria and garden ponds. It prefers warm water, moderate shade, and soft slightly acidic conditions. It is considered moderately challenging compared to more common aquatic plants.

Question 6

Are there conservation concerns for Lagenandra ovata?

Accepted Answer

As a plant tied to clean freshwater habitats in Sri Lanka's wet zone, it is potentially vulnerable to wetland drainage, agricultural runoff, and deforestation. Protecting lowland river corridors and forest reserves is important for the survival of wild populations.

Question 7

How does Lagenandra ovata differ from other Lagenandra species?

Accepted Answer

Lagenandra ovata is distinguished primarily by its broadly oval to egg-shaped leaves, which give it the species name ovata. Other Lagenandra species vary in leaf shape, size, and habitat preference, though all are found in broadly similar wetland environments across Sri Lanka and southern India.