Question 1

What is Torenia travancorica used for in traditional medicine?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic tradition, herbs of the Torenia genus have been associated with treatments for skin conditions and inflammatory complaints. The specific applications of Torenia travancorica vary between practitioners. Formal scientific research into this species remains limited, and its use is best understood within the framework of traditional knowledge.

Question 2

Where does Torenia travancorica grow naturally?

Accepted Answer

Torenia travancorica is native to the Western Ghats of southern India and the wet zone of Sri Lanka. It grows in moist, shaded habitats such as stream banks, paddy-field margins, and the edges of lowland forests. It favours consistently humid soils and partial shade.

Question 3

Is Torenia travancorica endemic to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

No, the species is not endemic to Sri Lanka. It has a shared distribution across the Western Ghats of southern India and the wetter parts of Sri Lanka, reflecting the biogeographic connection between these two regions. The species name travancorica refers to the historical Travancore region of southern India.

Question 4

What family does Torenia travancorica belong to?

Accepted Answer

Torenia travancorica belongs to the family Linderniaceae, though it was formerly classified within Scrophulariaceae before modern molecular taxonomy reorganised that broader group. The genus Torenia is known for its two-lipped tubular flowers and is found across tropical and subtropical Asia.

Question 5

Are there other medicinal plants similar to Torenia travancorica in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia includes a large number of native wild herbs alongside more commercially known species. Plants like Acacia chundra and Pongamia pinnata are catalogued alongside lesser-studied species such as Torenia travancorica. The island's wet zone in particular supports a high density of medicinal plant species.

Question 6

Can visitors see Torenia travancorica during a trip to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The plant is small and inconspicuous, and it is not a typical attraction for general visitors. Travellers interested in ethnobotany or medicinal plants may encounter it along moist roadsides, paddy edges, or on guided nature walks in the wet zone. Botanical gardens and Ayurvedic research institutes occasionally maintain collections of indigenous medicinal plants.

Question 7

Is Torenia travancorica endangered or threatened?

Accepted Answer

No widely cited conservation assessment currently lists Torenia travancorica as endangered. However, like many small herbs of disturbed and edge habitats, it faces pressure from agricultural expansion, drainage of wetlands, and general habitat loss in Sri Lanka's wet zone. Documentation and habitat conservation are considered important for its long-term persistence.