Tag Archives: Sri Lanka

Blumea angustifolia Thwaites

Tight-leaved Blumea (Blumea angustifolia)

This species was described in 1859; it was restricted to a small area at the Mahaweli River on the island of Sri Lanka where it was found growing at damp places among rocks.

The Tight-leaved Blumea was a small perennial herb, only up to 25 cm tall, very gradually tapering at the base into a long petiole with small terminal cymes with only few, nodding yellow flowers. [1]

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Depiction from: ‘Henry Trimen: A Hand-Book to the Flora of Ceylon: containing descriptions of all the species of flowering plants indigenous to the island, and notes on their history, distribution, and uses: with an atlas of plates illustrating some of the more interesting species. London: Dulau & Co. 1893-1931’

(public domain)

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References:

[1] Henry Trimen: A Hand-Book to the Flora of Ceylon: containing descriptions of all the species of flowering plants indigenous to the island, and notes on their history, distribution, and uses: with an atlas of plates illustrating some of the more interesting species. London: Dulau & Co. 1893-1931

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edited: 28.02.2024

Alsophila walkerae var. tripinnata (Hook. & Baker) Panigrahi

Tri-pinnated Tree Fern (Alsophila walkerae var. tripinnata)

While Walker’s Tree Fern (Alsophila walkerae (Hook.) J. Sm.) is the most common and widespread tree fern species in Sri Lanka, this variety, described in 1865, is only known from its type material.

The taxon is currently treated as being nothing more than part of the range of variation of the species; I will nevertheless mention it here for the sake of completeness. [1]

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References:

[1] R. H. G. Ranil; D. K. N. G. Pushpakumara; T. Janssen; C. R. Fraser-Jenkins; D. S. A. Wijesundara: Conservation Priorities for Tree Ferns (Cyatheaceae) in Sri Lanka. Taiwania 56(3): 201-209. 2011

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edited: 16.02.2024

Hedyotis evenia Thwaites

Evenia’s Hedyotis (Hedyotis evenia)

This species was described in 1859; it was collected in the forests of the Samanala Kanda (Adam’s Peak) in the central highlands of Sri Lanka

A small shrub, yellow when dry; branches acutely 4-angled. Leaves 1/2-3/4 in., coriaceous above, varnished and with a few scattered raised points. Cymes few-fld. – Fruit unknown, and hence the position of the species in the genus.” [1]

The species’ name appears in lists of extinct plant species; thus, I will mention it here briefly; unfortunately, I have no further information.

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References:

[1] Joseph Dalton Hooker: The Flora of British India. London: L. Reeve 1875-97

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edited: 28.04.2022

Thelypteris thwaitesii (Hook.) C. F. Reed

Thwaites’ Maiden Fern (Thelypteris thwaitesii)

Thwaites’ Maiden Fern is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka where it is known from only three localities.

The species has not been found since the 19th century and might be extinct. [1]

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References:

[1] R. H. G. Ranil; C. R. Fraser-Jenkins; D. K. N. G. Pushpakumara; D. S. A. Wijesundara; B. S. Parris: The endemic pteridophyte flora of Sri Lanka: Taxonomy, geographical distribution and conservation status. Indian Fern Journal 33: 1-36. 2016

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edited: 21.09.2020

Perbrinckia gabadagei Bahir & Ng

Gabadage’s Freshwater Crab (Perbrinckia gabadagei)

Gabadage’s Freshwater Crab was described in 2005 based on two male specimens that had been collected in 1996.

This is a very small species whose carapaces reach sizes of only about 1,2 by 0,9 cm; its coloration in life is not known.

Gabadage’s Freshwater Crab is known only from its type locality, a small stream along a footpath to the Samanalakanda (Adam’s Peak), central Sri Lanka, where the animals hid themselves in wet soil under stones; it was never found since the type collection, despite several field searches. [1]

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References:

[1] Mohomed M. Bahir; Peter K. L. Ng: Descriptions of ten new species of freshwater crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura: Parathelphusidae: Ceylonothelphusa, Mahatha, Perbrinckia) from Sri Lanka. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 12: 47-75. 2005

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edited: 03.05.2022

Leptochilus wallii (Baker) C. Chr.

Wall’s Leptochilus Fern (Leptochilus wallii)

This species is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka where it is known from only a single locality.

The type locality is now destroyed and thus this species is very likely extinct. [1][2]

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References:

[1] Atsushi Ebihara; Christopher Roy Fraser-Jenkins; Barbara S. Parris; Xian-Chun Zhang; Yue-Hong Yang; Wen-Liang Chiou; Ho-Ming Chang; Stuart Lindsay; David Middleton; Masahiro Kato; Titien Ngatinem Praptosuwiryo; Victor B. Amoroso; Julie F. Barcelona; Rajapaksha Haddokara Gedara Ranil; Chan-Ho Park; Noriaki Murakami; Akihiko Hoya: Rare and Threatened Pteridophytes of Asia 1. An Enumeration of Narrowly Distributed Taxa1. Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Ser. B 38(3): 93–119. 2012

[2] R. H. G. Ranil; C. R. Fraser-Jenkins; D. K. N. G. Pushpakumara; D. S. A. Wijesundara; B. S. Parris: The endemic pteridophyte flora of Sri Lanka: Taxonomy, geographical distribution and conservation status. Indian Fern Journal 33: 1-36. 2016

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edited: 02.05.2022

Thelypteris gardneri (Holtrum) Panigrahi

Gardner’s Maiden Fern (Thelypteris gardneri)

Gardner’s Maiden Fern is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka where it is known from only a single locality in the Hantane Mountain range in the Kandy District.

The species was only ever found once in the middle of the 19th century and appears to be extinct now. [1]

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References:

[1] R. H. G. Ranil; C. R. Fraser-Jenkins; D. K. N. G. Pushpakumara; D. S. A. Wijesundara; B. S. Parris: The endemic pteridophyte flora of Sri Lanka: Taxonomy, geographical distribution and conservation status. Indian Fern Journal 33: 1-36. 2016

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edited: 21.09.2020

Justicia capitata (T. Anders. ex Hook. f.) Cramer

Flower-head Justicia (Justicia capitata)

The Flower-head Justicia was found growing in wet, evergreen forest in the Ratnapura District of Sri Lanka.

It reached a height of about 1 m, it had oval-oblong to oval-elliptic, 15,5 cm long and 5 cm wide leaves, the flowers were white.

The species is now considered possibly extinct.

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edited: 22.04.2022

Hedyotis cinereoviridis Thwaites

Grey-green Hedyotis (Hedyotis cinereoviridis)

The Grey-green Hedyotis was described in 1864; it is endemic to Sri Lanka.

The species’ name appears in lists of extinct plant species, thus I will mention it here briefly; unfortunately I have no further information about it.

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edited: 28.04.2022

Cotylelobium lewisianum (Trim. ex Hook. f.) P. S. Ashton

Lewis’ Namendora Tree (Cotylelobium lewisianum)

Lewis’ Namendora Tree is, or maybe was, endemic to the island of Sri Lanka, where it was restricted to rocky ridges in highland evergreen forests.

The species was not found in the extensive forest surveys conducted for the National Conservation Review and might well be extinct.

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edited: 01.11.2020

Pseudophilautus oxyrhynchus (Günther)

Sharp-snouted Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus oxyrhynchus)

The Sharp-snouted Shrub Frog was described in 1872, it was endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.

The species is now considered extinct.

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Depiction from: ‘George Albert Boulenger: Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the collection of the British Museum. 2d ed.. London: printed by order of the Trustees 1882’

(public domain)

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edited: 14.06.2020

Sonerila firma (Thw. ex C. B. Clarke) Lundin

Rangala Sonerila (Sonerila firma)

The Rangala Sonerila was described in 1879, originally as a variety of another species, Gardner’s Sonerila (Sonerila gardneri Thwaites).

The species was endemic to the island of Sri Lanka, where it was apparently restricted to a very small area in montane forest in the Kandy District, it is now considered extinct. [1]

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References:

[1] Roger Lundin: Taxonomy of Snerila (Melastomataceae) in Ceylon. Nordic Journal of Botany 3: 633-656. 1983

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edited: 28.01.2020

Strobilanthes hypericoides J. R. I. Wood

St John’s-Wort-leaved Strobilanthes (Strobilanthes hypericoides)  

This species was described in 1995 based on material that had been collected in 1926 in the Kandy District of Sri Lanka, it is still only known from the type material and may well be extinct.  

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References:  

[1] M. D. Dassanayake; W. D. Clayton: A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon 12. CRC Press 1998 [2] MOE 2012. The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. VIII + 476 pp  

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edited: 23.03.2018

Cyathula ceylanica Hook. f.

Ceylon Cyathula (Cyathula ceylanica)

The genus Cyathula contains 28 species which are distributed in Africa, Asia, as well as North- and South America.  

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The Ceylon Cyathula is now considered most probably extinct.  

The species is also known by the synonym of Cyathula capitata Thwaites, but should not be mistaken for the still extant and quite widespread Round-headed Cyathula (Cyathula capitata Moq.).  

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References:  

[1] MOE 2012. The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. VIII + 476 pp  

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edited: 22.03.2018

Sophora zeylanica Trimen

Ceylon Sophora (Sophora zeylanica)  

This species from the island of Sri Lanka appears in lists that deal with extinct plant species and is thus mentioned here. [1]  

***

Unfortunately, I cannot say anything further about this species, it may indeed be extinct.  

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References:  

[1] The 2007 Red List of Threatened Fauna and Flora of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka. XIII+ 148 pp. IUCN Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources 2007  

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Depiction from: ‘Henry Trimen: A Hand-Book to the Flora of Ceylon. London: Dulau & Co. 1893-1931’    

(public domain)  

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edited: 20.03.2018

Strobilanthes gardneriana (Nees) T. Anderson

Gardner’s Strobilanthes (Strobilanthes gardneriana)

Gardner’s Strobilanthes was described in 1860, it is, or rather was, endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.

The species is possibly extinct.

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Depiction from: ‘Richard Henry Beddome: Icones plantarum Indiae orientalis: or plates and descriptions of new and rare plants from Southern India and Ceylon. Vol. 1. Madras, Gantz & London, Van Voorst 1874’

(public domain)

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edited: 25.05.2021

Allophylus hispidus (Thwaites) Trimen

Bristly Allophylus (Allophylus hispidus)

The Bristly Allophylus, described in 1885, was found in only a single location in the Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve in south-west Sri Lanka.

A small tree branches hispid, leaves simple 5-14 inches long by 2-5 inches broad, lanceolate acuminate rounded at the base or slightly narrowed, glabrous but hispid at the margin and on the costa and primary veins on both sides, petiole 3/4-2 inches long, racemes very short, flowers crowded, petals unguiculate, scales furnished with long villous hairs.” [1]

The species has not been recorded in recent surveys and is believed to be possibly extinct.

***

syn. Schmidelia hispida Thwaites

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Depiction from: ‘R. H. Beddome; George Bentham: The flora sylvatica for southern India: containing quarto plates of all the principal timber trees in southern India and Ceylon, accompanied by a botanical manual, with descriptions of every known tree and shrub, and analysis of every genus not figured in the plates. Madras, printed by Gantz Brothers 1869-73’

(public domain)

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References:

[1] R. H. Beddome; George Bentham: The flora sylvatica for southern India: containing quarto plates of all the principal timber trees in southern India and Ceylon, accompanied by a botanical manual, with descriptions of every known tree and shrub, and analysis of every genus not figured in the plates. Madras, printed by Gantz Brothers 1869-73

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edited: 16.02.2024

Sonerila tomentella Thw.v

Saffragam Sonerila (Sonerila tomentella)  

The Saffragam Sonerila, described in 1859, was restricted to the Ratnapura District in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka.  

The plant reached a height of up to 45 cm, the leaves were ovate to oblong ovate, and slightly hirsute on both sides, the flowers were white to light pink.  

The Saffragam Sonerila is considered most likely extinct. [1][2]

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References:  

[1] Roger Lundin: Taxonomy of Snerila (Melastomataceae) in Ceylon. Nordic Journal of Botany 3: 633-656. 1983
[2] MOE 2012. The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. VIII + 476 pp  

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edited: 28.01.2020

Pseudophilautus pardus (Meegaskumbura, Manamendra-Arachchi, Schneider and Pethiyagoda)

Panther Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus pardus)

The Panther Shrub Frog was described in 2007, like many of its congeners, this species is known from only a single specimen which in this case was collected sometimes prior to 1858 at an unknown locality on the island of Sri Lanka.

The specimen measures 3,2 cm (snout-vent length).

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edited: 14.06.2020

Pseudophilautus adspersus (Günther)

Sri Lankan Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus adspersus)

This species is known from at least two specimens, one of which was collected at Nuwara Eliya, a small town in the highlands of the Central Province.

The body reached a length of 3,3 to 4,1 cm.

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Depiction from: ‘George Albert Boulenger: Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the collection of the British Museum. 2d ed.. London: printed by order of the Trustees 1882’

(public domain)

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edited: 14.06.2020

Strychnos coriacea Thwaites

Leathery Strychnos (Strychnos coriacea)

The Leathery Strychnos appears to be endemic to the island of sri Lanka, it is known from the type collection made in 1855 in the Central Province as well as at least two additional herbarium sheets that were obtained in 1895 in the Sabaragamuwa Province but which in fact may constitute another species. 

The species is said to differ from other Sri Lankan species by its larger flowers.

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edited: 21.01.2019

Cotylelobium scabriusculum (A. DC.) Brandis

Namendora Tree (Cotylelobium scabriusculum)  

The Namendora Tree is, or maybe was, endemic to the island of Sri Lanka, where it inhabited wet lowland rainforests.

The species was not found in the extensive forest surveys conducted for the National Conservation Review and might indeed be extinct.

The local name (in Sinhala) is Namendora.

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Depiction from: ‘Henry Trimen: A Hand-Book to the Flora of Ceylon. London: Dulau & Co. 1893-1931’    

(public domain)

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edited: 01.11.2020

Asplenium disjunctum Sledge

Disjunct Spleenwort (Asplenium disjunctum)

The Disjunct Spleenwort is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka where it is known from only two localities; it was only ever collected two times, the last record dates to the year 1885. [2]

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The Disjunct Spleenwort was originally referred to by Beddome in 1892 as probably being an abnormal variety of the Furcate Spleenwort (Asplenium furcatum Thunb.).:

Asplenium furcatum. Mr. Trimen sends from Passara, 1,500 feet alt., in ceylon, a variety (probably abnormal) with the pinnae cut into filiform pinnules.” [1]

***

The Disjunct Spleenwort was subsequently recognized and described as a distinct species only in 1965 – when it probably was already extinct. 

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References:

[1] R. H. Beddome: Handbook to the ferns of British India, Ceylon and the Malay peninsula; with supplement. Calcutta, Thacker, Spink 1892
[2] R. H. G. Ranil; C. R. Fraser-Jenkins; D. K. N. G. Pushpakumara; D. S. A. Wijesundara; B. S. Parris: The endemic pteridophyte flora of Sri Lanka: Taxonomy, geographical distribution and conservation status. Indian Fern Journal 33: 1-36. 2016

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edited: 21.09.2020

Vatica lewisiana (Trimen ex Hook. f.) Livera

Lewis’ Cotylelobium (Vatica lewisiana)

Lewis’ Cotylelobium is or was a tree species endemic to the island of sri Lanka, where it was restricted to rocky ridges in highland evergreen forest, the species was not found during recent search and may be extinct.

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edited: 12.04.2019

Anisogomphus ceylonicus (Hagen in Selys)

Ceylon Clubtail (Anisogomphus ceylonicus)

The Ceylon Clubtail was described in 1878 on the basis of a single, female specimen. Another specimen, a male, was collected in 1962 (?), but was described in 1971 as a distinct species (Anisogomphus solitaris Lieftinck), the synonymy of both was only recognized in 2013. [1]

The species is endemic to Sri Lanka, it is mainly black with some yellow markings on its head, thorax and the front part of its abdomen.

The Ceylon Clubtail is apparently extremely rare or even completely extinct now.

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References:

[1] Matjaž Bedjanič; Nancy van der Poorten: On the synonymy of two endemic clubtails from Sri Lanka (Anisoptera: Gomphidae). Agrion 17(2): 44-47. 2013

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edited: 12.01.2019

Ptyssiglottis sanguinolenta (Vahl) B. Hansen

Bloodstained Ptysiglottis (Ptyssiglottis sanguinolenta 

The Bloodstained Ptysiglottis was described in the year 1791.  The plant occurred in the districts of Colombo, Galle, and Ratnapura in the south of the island of Sri Lanka, where it grew with prostrate stems on wet rocks in several rivers of the rain-soaked lowland forests.  

The species was repeatedly searched, but it could never be relocated – it is with nearly absolute certainty extinct.  

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References:  [1] M. D. Dassanayake; W. D. Clayton: A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon 12. CRC Press 1998 
[2] MOE 2012. The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. VIII + 476 pp

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edited: 16.02.2013

Pseudophilautus zimmeri (Ahl)

Rumassala Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus zimmeri)

The Rumassala Shrub Frog wass described in 1927, it is one of several species within its genus that are endemic to the island of Sri Lanka, it is known only from the holotype that was collected in the vicinity of what today is Galle, a large city at the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

The species reached a size of 3,16 cm (snout-vent length).

The Rumassala Shrub Frog is now considered extinct, it disappeared due to habitat loss caused by urbanization.

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edited: 14.06.2020

Sonerila cordifolia Cogn.

Heart-leaved Sonerila (Sonerila cordifolia)

The Heart-leaved Sonerila, described in 1891, is, or perhaps was, endemic to the island of Sri Lanka, where it appears to have been restricted to a single locality in the moist lowland forest of Sinharaja in the Galle District.

The species was a small, about 15 to 25 cm tall, ascending herb with 0,5 to 2 cm long and 0,5 to 1,2 cm wide, somewhat heart-shaped leaves, it had few-flowered cymes with red flowers.

The Heart-leaved Sonerila is most likely extinct now. [1]

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References:

[1] Roger Lundin: Taxonomy of Snerila (Melastomataceae) in Ceylon. Nordic Journal of Botany 3: 633-656. 1983

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edited: 28.01.2020

Pseudophilautus nasutus (Günther)

Sharp-snout Pygmy Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus nasutus)

The Sharp-snout Pygmy Shrub Frog was described in 1868, it was endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.

The species is considered extinct.

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Depiction from: ‘George Albert Boulenger: Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the collection of the British Museum. 2d ed.. London: printed by order of the Trustees 1882’

(public domain)

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edited: 14.06.2020

Helixanthera ensifolia (Thw.) Danser

Sword-leaved Helixanthera (Helixanthera ensifolia)

The Sword-leaved Helixanthera is, or was, restricted to the wet forests of Karawita Kanda, a mountainous region near the town of Kalawana in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka

The species is considered probably extinct.

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edited: 06.09.2020

Chaetocarpus pubescens (Thwaites) Hook. f.

Pubescent Hedoke Tree (Chaetocarpus pubescens)

This tree species was described in 1887, it is endemic to Sri Lanka.

The species is officially listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ but might in fact already be extinct.

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edited: 01.11.2020

Strobilanthes caudata T. Anderson

Caudated Strobilanthes (Strobilanthes caudata)

This species is, or maybe was, endemic to the island of Sri Lanka; it is now, however, considered extinct.

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Depiction from: ‘Richard Henry Beddome: Icones plantarum Indiae orientalis: or plates and descriptions of new and rare plants from Southern India and Ceylon. Vol. 1. Madras, Gantz & London, Van Voorst 1874’

(public domain)

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edited: 25.05.2021

Pseudophilautus extirpo (Manamendra-Arachchi & Pethiyagoda)

Blunt-snouted Shrub Frog (Pseudophilautus extirpo)

The Blunt-snouted Shrub Frog, described in 2005, is known only from the holotype that was collected in 1882, or even earlier, at some unknown locality on the island of Sri Lanka.

The single specimen is an adult female measuring 4,35 cm (snout-vent length). 

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edited: 14.06.2020

Anaphalis fruticosa Hook. f.

Bushy Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis fruticosa)

The Bushy Pearly Everlasting was described in 1881, the species was apparently restricted to Adam’s Peak, a 2243 m high mountain in the Ratnapura District of the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka.

The species is now considered likely extinct.

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edited: 26.09.2019

Hedyotis cyanescens Thwaites

Bluish Hedyotis (Hedyotis cyanescens)  

This species was described in 1859.  

The Bluish Hedyotis was a shrub that grew in the undergroth of the forests, the leaves of this species were slightly bluish to purplish colored.

The species is considered likely extinct.  

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References:  

[1] Joseph Dalton Hooker: The flora of British India. London: L. Reeve 1875-97 
[2] MOE 2012. The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. VIII + 476 pp

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edited: 24.04.2011

Sonerila wightiana Arn.

Wight‘s Sonerila (Sonerila wightiana)

This species was described in 1837, it was restricted to the montane forests at Adam’s Peak in the Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province in southern Sri Lanka.

Wight‘s Sonerila was a erect herb, reaching a size of about 30 to 50 cm, it had 1,5 to 3,5 cm long and 0,7 to 1,7 cm wide leaves and few- to many-flowered inflorescences with pink flowers.

The species is now considered as most likely extinct. [1]

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References:

[1] Roger Lundin: Taxonomy of Snerila (Melastomataceae) in Ceylon. Nordic Journal of Botany 3: 633-656. 1983

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edited: 28.01.2020