Question 1

What is Cyrtosperma johnstonii used for in traditional medicine?

Accepted Answer

Cyrtosperma johnstonii is catalogued within Sri Lanka's ayurvedic medicinal plant system. Like related species in the genus, its rhizome has been referenced in traditional contexts for properties such as anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects, though it must be properly processed before use due to the presence of irritant calcium oxalate crystals.

Question 2

Where does Cyrtosperma johnstonii grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The plant is typically found in humid lowland environments, including marshy ground, riverbanks, and the edges of wetland forests in Sri Lanka's wet zone. It is a lowland species and does not generally occur at higher elevations.

Question 3

Is Cyrtosperma johnstonii edible?

Accepted Answer

Related species in the Cyrtosperma genus — particularly Cyrtosperma merkusii — have been used as food crops in Pacific Island communities after cooking. In Sri Lanka, C. johnstonii is documented primarily within the ayurvedic medicinal tradition rather than as a food plant, and raw consumption is not advisable due to oxalate content.

Question 4

Which plant family does Cyrtosperma johnstonii belong to?

Accepted Answer

Cyrtosperma johnstonii belongs to the family Araceae, a large and diverse family of flowering plants that includes familiar species such as taro, philodendrons, and anthuriums. Members of this family are characterised by their distinctive spathe-and-spadix flower structure.

Question 5

Is Cyrtosperma johnstonii endangered or protected in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Detailed conservation assessments for this specific species are not widely published. However, as a wetland-dependent plant, it is indirectly affected by the degradation of marshy lowland habitats. Sri Lanka's broader wetland conservation policies help support the survival of specialised species like C. johnstonii.

Question 6

How is Cyrtosperma johnstonii different from other medicinal plants in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Unlike many of Sri Lanka's more widely studied medicinal plants, C. johnstonii is an aroid adapted to wetland habitats, giving it a distinct ecological niche. Its documentation in the official ayurvedic catalogue marks it as part of the island's comprehensive indigenous plant knowledge, though it receives less popular attention than forest or highland species.

Question 7

Can travellers encounter Cyrtosperma johnstonii on a visit to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Travellers visiting Sri Lanka's lowland wetland areas or ayurvedic herbal gardens may encounter this or related species. Dedicated botanical and ayurvedic tours can provide guided access to the island's medicinal plant heritage, including lesser-known wetland species.