Question 1

What is Sphenoclea zeylanica used for in ayurvedic medicine?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lanka's ayurvedic tradition, Sphenoclea zeylanica is primarily used for treating skin conditions, inflammatory complaints, and topical infections. The leaves and stem are prepared as fresh juice, poultices, or dried powders depending on the application. Diuretic and analgesic properties are also attributed to the plant in some regional traditions, though rigorous clinical studies are limited.

Question 2

Where does Sphenoclea zeylanica grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

It is most commonly found in waterlogged and marshy habitats such as rice paddies, irrigation channels, and flooded riverbanks, particularly in Sri Lanka's wet and intermediate zones. Because it thrives in the same conditions as cultivated rice, it frequently appears at the edges of paddy fields throughout the agricultural lowlands.

Question 3

Is Sphenoclea zeylanica native to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sphenoclea zeylanica is native to tropical Asia and is widely distributed across the region, including Sri Lanka. The species epithet 'zeylanica' reflects its historical association with the island, which was known as Zeylania in Latin botanical nomenclature. It has since spread as an introduced species to parts of Africa and the Americas.

Question 4

What does Sphenoclea zeylanica look like?

Accepted Answer

It is an erect annual herb typically growing between 30 and 80 centimetres tall, with hollow, fleshy stems that branch freely. The leaves are simple, alternate, and lance-shaped. Its most distinctive feature is the dense, cylindrical spike of small white or pale-green flowers it produces during the flowering season.

Question 5

What family does Sphenoclea zeylanica belong to?

Accepted Answer

It belongs to the family Sphenocleaceae, placed within the order Solanales. The genus Sphenoclea is monogeneric, meaning Sphenoclea zeylanica is effectively the sole representative of its family. It was formally described by the botanist Joseph Gaertner.

Question 6

Is Sphenoclea zeylanica considered a weed?

Accepted Answer

In agricultural contexts, particularly in rice cultivation, Sphenoclea zeylanica is frequently classified as a weed because it colonises flooded paddy fields and competes with crops. Despite this reputation in farming, traditional medicine systems throughout Sri Lanka and tropical Asia have long recognised its therapeutic value, illustrating how the same plant can serve very different roles depending on context.

Question 7

What is the Sinhala name for Sphenoclea zeylanica?

Accepted Answer

The plant is sometimes referred to as Katu-andara in Sinhala, though vernacular names can vary by district and community across Sri Lanka. As with many traditionally used plants, local names often reflect specific regional knowledge and may differ from those used in formal ayurvedic texts.