Question 1

What is Actinodaphne stenophylla used for?

Accepted Answer

Actinodaphne stenophylla is catalogued as an ayurvedic medicinal plant in Sri Lanka, indicating it has been documented within the country's traditional healing system. Specific therapeutic applications are typically determined by trained ayurvedic practitioners rather than general guidance. The plant belongs to the Lauraceae family, members of which are broadly known for aromatic and medicinal properties.

Question 2

Where does Actinodaphne stenophylla grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The species is associated with humid forest habitats, including the wet zone lowland forests and montane forests of Sri Lanka's hill country. It tends to favour shaded, moisture-rich environments similar to those found in protected forest areas in the south and central highlands of the island.

Question 3

What family does Actinodaphne stenophylla belong to?

Accepted Answer

It belongs to the Lauraceae family, which also includes economically important plants such as Sri Lankan cinnamon, camphor, and avocado. Members of this family are typically characterised by aromatic bark, leaves, and wood, and many have traditional medicinal applications across tropical Asia.

Question 4

What does the name Actinodaphne stenophylla mean?

Accepted Answer

The genus name Actinodaphne combines Greek roots suggesting a ray-like or star-like form reminiscent of the laurel (daphne). The species epithet stenophylla means narrow-leaved, referring to the slender leaf shape that distinguishes this species from some related members of the genus.

Question 5

Is Actinodaphne stenophylla endangered or threatened?

Accepted Answer

Detailed conservation status data for this specific species is limited in widely available sources. Like many forest-dependent plants in Sri Lanka, its well-being is closely tied to the health of intact humid forest habitats, which face ongoing pressure from land use change. Conservation of Sri Lanka's wet zone and montane forests is therefore important for plants like this one.

Question 6

How is Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalogue organised?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's Department of Ayurveda and related institutions have worked to assign reference codes and document indigenous medicinal plants systematically. Actinodaphne stenophylla carries the catalogue reference LK94006278, placing it within a formally structured registry of plants recognised in Sri Lanka's traditional medicine system.

Question 7

Are there other Actinodaphne species in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The genus Actinodaphne contains numerous species distributed across tropical Asia, and Sri Lanka's diverse forest habitats support several members of the broader Lauraceae family. Botanical surveys of the island's forests continue to refine understanding of the diversity and distribution of genera like Actinodaphne within Sri Lankan flora.