Question 1

What is Scolopia acuminata used for?

Accepted Answer

Scolopia acuminata is catalogued as an ayurvedic medicinal plant in Sri Lanka. Within the broader tradition of South Asian herbal medicine, related Scolopia species have been associated with applications for skin conditions, inflammation, and fever, though clinical research on this specific species remains limited.

Question 2

Where is Scolopia acuminata found in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The species is typically found in the moist and intermediate climatic zones of Sri Lanka, growing within lowland and mid-elevation forests. It favours undisturbed woodland environments rather than cultivated or open landscapes.

Question 3

What family does Scolopia acuminata belong to?

Accepted Answer

Scolopia acuminata belongs to the family Salicaceae, under the order Malpighiales. It was historically placed in Flacourtiaceae before taxonomic revisions reassigned much of that family into Salicaceae.

Question 4

Is Scolopia acuminata endemic to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Scolopia acuminata is not endemic solely to Sri Lanka — the species and related Scolopia plants are distributed across tropical Asia. However, it is natively present on the island and formally documented within Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalogue.

Question 5

How many medicinal plants are catalogued in Sri Lankan Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda has documented several hundred plant species used in traditional medicine, drawn from the island's exceptionally diverse flora. The total number of flowering plants on the island is estimated at several thousand, a notable proportion of which are endemic.

Question 6

What does the name 'acuminata' mean in botany?

Accepted Answer

The epithet 'acuminata' comes from Latin and means 'tapering to a sharp point'. In Scolopia acuminata, it refers to the characteristic shape of the leaves, which narrow to a distinct tip — a feature used to distinguish the species from related members of the genus.

Question 7

How is traditional botanical knowledge preserved in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's government, through the Department of Ayurveda, maintains formal registers of medicinal plant species and regulates traditional practitioners. Universities, botanical gardens, and international conservation partnerships also contribute to documenting and safeguarding the island's ethnobotanical heritage.