Question 1

What is Gironniera parvifolia used for in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

Gironniera parvifolia is listed in Sri Lanka's official catalogue of ayurvedic medicinal plants, where it is catalogued under the reference code LK94005700. Its specific traditional applications are documented by the Sri Lankan Department of Ayurveda. As with many catalogued species, it is likely used as a component within compound preparations rather than as a standalone remedy.

Question 2

Which family does Gironniera parvifolia belong to?

Accepted Answer

Gironniera parvifolia belongs to the family Cannabaceae, the same family that includes hackberries and nettles. It was previously placed within the family Ulmaceae in older taxonomic classifications. The genus Gironniera is distributed across tropical South and Southeast Asia.

Question 3

Where can Gironniera parvifolia be found in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The species is associated with humid lowland and submontane forests in Sri Lanka's wet zone. It is most likely present within intact or semi-intact rainforest patches, including the types of habitat found in and around the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. It may also occur in secondary forest areas where sufficient moisture and canopy cover are present.

Question 4

Is Gironniera parvifolia endemic to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Gironniera parvifolia is not considered endemic to Sri Lanka. Its range extends across tropical South and Southeast Asia, covering countries such as India, Malaysia, and parts of Southeast Asia. Sri Lanka represents a part of the species' broader natural distribution.

Question 5

What does the species name parvifolia mean?

Accepted Answer

The epithet parvifolia comes from Latin, combining parvus (small) and folium (leaf), meaning 'small-leaved'. It distinguishes this species from other members of the Gironniera genus by the relatively narrow, smaller size of its leaves compared to related trees.

Question 6

How is Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalogue organised?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda maintains a catalogue of native medicinal plants, each assigned a unique alphanumeric reference code for systematic identification and research. The catalogue documents plants used in traditional Sinhala and Ayurvedic medicine, supports regulatory oversight of herbal preparations, and serves as a resource for ethnobotanical researchers. Gironniera parvifolia carries the catalogue reference LK94005700.

Question 7

What kinds of animals use Gironniera parvifolia in the forest?

Accepted Answer

Like many tropical fruiting trees, Gironniera parvifolia produces small drupes that serve as a food source for fruit-eating birds and small mammals in the forest ecosystems it inhabits. Such trees play an ecologically important role in forest food webs and seed dispersal, contributing to forest regeneration and biodiversity.