Question 1

What is Isolepis fluitans?

Accepted Answer

Isolepis fluitans is a floating or creeping aquatic sedge in the family Cyperaceae. It is catalogued as an ayurvedic medicinal plant in Sri Lanka, where it forms part of the island's documented inventory of plants used in traditional medicine. It grows in shallow fresh water such as streams, ditches, and the margins of paddy fields.

Question 2

What are the medicinal uses of Isolepis fluitans in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Within Sri Lanka's ayurvedic tradition, aquatic sedges of this type have historically been associated with cooling, soothing, and diuretic properties. Detailed clinical research on Isolepis fluitans specifically is limited, and traditional knowledge held by local practitioners remains the main source of recorded use. Any medicinal application should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

Question 3

Where does Isolepis fluitans grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The plant is associated with the island's wetter lowland zones, growing in slow-moving streams, seasonal wetlands, irrigation canals, and the edges of rice paddies. It requires shallow, nutrient-rich fresh water and a warm climate to form its characteristic floating mats.

Question 4

What family does Isolepis fluitans belong to?

Accepted Answer

It belongs to Cyperaceae, the sedge family, and is sometimes classified under the synonym Eleogiton fluitans or the older name Scirpus fluitans. The genus Isolepis includes around 70 species distributed across temperate and tropical regions worldwide.

Question 5

Is Isolepis fluitans the same as Eleogiton fluitans?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Eleogiton fluitans is the most widely used synonym for Isolepis fluitans. Some taxonomic authorities treat Eleogiton as a separate genus, while others fold it back into Isolepis. Older herbarium records, including some from Sri Lanka, may list the plant under either name.

Question 6

How is Isolepis fluitans cultivated?

Accepted Answer

The plant is usually collected from wild wetland habitats rather than formally cultivated, though it can be grown in flooded or waterlogged beds because it propagates readily from its creeping stems. Correct species identification before collection is important, as similar-looking sedges grow in the same environments.

Question 7

How many medicinal plants are listed in Sri Lanka's ayurvedic catalog?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's official ayurvedic medicinal plant catalog documents hundreds of species — both indigenous and naturalised — that feature in traditional therapeutic practice. The catalog is maintained by the Department of Ayurveda and spans plants from diverse habitats including forests, wetlands, coastlines, and cultivated land.