Question 1

What is Pometia pinnata used for in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lanka, Pometia pinnata is catalogued as an ayurvedic medicinal plant. Various parts of the tree — bark, leaves, and fruit — are traditionally used by indigenous medicine practitioners for applications including skin care and wound treatment, though specific preparations vary between regional traditions.

Question 2

Is Pometia pinnata the same as lychee?

Accepted Answer

Pometia pinnata belongs to the same botanical family as lychee (Sapindaceae) and produces a similarly fleshy fruit, but it is a distinct species. It is sometimes called 'island lychee' colloquially in parts of the Pacific, though it is not the commercially cultivated lychee (Litchi chinensis).

Question 3

Where does Pometia pinnata grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The tree grows primarily in Sri Lanka's wet and intermediate zones, favouring lowland and submontane rainforest conditions with high humidity and fertile soils. It appears in remnant forest patches, home gardens, and along waterways in the southwestern part of the island.

Question 4

What family does Pometia pinnata belong to?

Accepted Answer

Pometia pinnata belongs to the family Sapindaceae. This is the same family as lychee, rambutan, and longan, though Pometia pinnata is a separate genus and species native to tropical Asia and the Pacific.

Question 5

Is Pometia pinnata edible?

Accepted Answer

The fleshy fruit pulp of Pometia pinnata is edible and mildly sweet. In areas where the tree grows naturally or in home gardens, the fruit is eaten fresh. The seed is not typically consumed directly but has been explored for its oil content.

Question 6

How can I learn about medicinal plants in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Visitors can engage with Sri Lanka's botanical heritage at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, through ayurvedic wellness centres, or via specialist guided tours arranged by a destination management company. Some rural communities also offer ethnobotanical walks with knowledgeable local guides.

Question 7

Is Pometia pinnata the same as Pongamia pinnata?

Accepted Answer

No. Despite the similar-sounding species name, these are entirely different plants from different families. Pongamia pinnata (now often reclassified as Millettia pinnata) belongs to the legume family Fabaceae, while Pometia pinnata belongs to Sapindaceae. Both appear in Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalogue but have distinct uses and morphology.