Question 1

What is Dipterocarpus zeylanicus used for in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

The tree produces an oleoresin traditionally used in Sri Lankan Ayurvedic medicine as an external treatment for skin disorders, joint pain, and wound healing. It is included in the official Sri Lankan Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. The resin is typically applied as an oil or balm rather than taken internally.

Question 2

Is Dipterocarpus zeylanicus endemic to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is endemic — meaning it is native to and found only in Sri Lanka. The species is primarily distributed in the lowland wet-zone rainforests of the island's southwestern region. Its restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat loss.

Question 3

Where can I see Dipterocarpus zeylanicus in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Mature trees can be found in protected lowland rainforest areas such as the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, which is accessible via guided walks. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya may also have labelled specimens. Fruiting season offers the best opportunity to identify the tree by its distinctive winged seeds.

Question 4

Is Dipterocarpus zeylanicus a threatened species?

Accepted Answer

The species is considered threatened due to significant historical deforestation and the conversion of its wet-zone forest habitat. Conservation efforts include protection within gazetted reserves and ex-situ programmes involving seed banking and nursery propagation run by Sri Lanka's Forest Department.

Question 5

What does the fruit of Dipterocarpus zeylanicus look like?

Accepted Answer

The fruit is a nut equipped with two elongated, wing-like sepals — a characteristic feature of the Dipterocarpaceae family. When the fruit drops, the wings cause it to spin and glide, dispersing the seed away from the parent tree. This winged fruit is one of the easiest field identification markers for the species.

Question 6

What family does Dipterocarpus zeylanicus belong to?

Accepted Answer

It belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family, a group of large, resin-producing tropical trees found across South and Southeast Asia. The family includes many commercially and ecologically important species. The genus name Dipterocarpus refers to the two-winged fruit that characterises the group.

Question 7

How is Dipterocarpus zeylanicus resin harvested traditionally?

Accepted Answer

The oleoresin is extracted from the trunk using traditional tapping techniques, similar in principle to rubber or pine resin tapping. The resin flows into a collection vessel and is then processed into oils or balms. Sustainable harvesting from living trees has been practised for generations in Sri Lanka's forest communities.

Dipterocarpus zeylanicus

Other species in this genus