Question 1

What family does Meliosma pinnata ssp. barbulata belong to?

Accepted Answer

Meliosma pinnata ssp. barbulata belongs to the family Sabiaceae. It is a woody plant — typically a small to medium tree or shrub — distributed across parts of tropical and subtropical Asia, including Sri Lanka.

Question 2

Is Meliosma pinnata ssp. barbulata used in ayurvedic medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the plant is formally listed in Sri Lanka's catalogue of ayurvedic medicinal plants under the reference LK94005818. While clinical documentation in widely available literature is limited, related species in the Meliosma genus have ethnobotanical records across South and Southeast Asia for conditions such as fever and inflammation.

Question 3

Where can Meliosma pinnata ssp. barbulata be found in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The subspecies typically occurs in moist tropical forest environments, particularly in the wet zone and mid-elevation forest zones of Sri Lanka. It is not commonly cultivated commercially but may be found in natural forest understories, riverine margins, and occasionally in traditional home medicinal gardens.

Question 4

Who documents and regulates medicinal plants in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda, under the Ministry of Health, maintains the official catalogue of ayurvedic medicinal plants. Each catalogued species, including Meliosma pinnata ssp. barbulata, receives a unique reference number used by practitioners and researchers alike.

Question 5

How many medicinal plants are catalogued in Sri Lanka's ayurvedic system?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalogue encompasses several hundred native and naturalised species. The exact figure is periodically updated as new botanical surveys are conducted, but the island's biodiversity hotspot status means the number is substantial relative to its land area.

Question 6

Can tourists learn about Sri Lanka's medicinal plants during a trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ayurvedic wellness centres in Kandy, Galle, and Colombo typically maintain herb gardens with guided explanations. Guided forest walks in protected areas such as Sinharaja or Horton Plains also offer opportunities to observe medicinal flora in their natural habitat.

Question 7

What is the difference between Meliosma pinnata and its subspecies barbulata?

Accepted Answer

Meliosma pinnata is the parent species, found across a wide range of tropical Asia. The subspecies barbulata is distinguished by specific morphological details — typically minute barbule-like structural features — and represents a localised variant recognised in the botanical classification relevant to Sri Lanka and nearby regions.

Meliosma pinnata ssp. barbulata

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