Hidden in the Knuckles
A vibrant addition: The rare orchid in bloom
Nature enthusiasts would be delighted to know that another attractive orchid was added to the rich floral heritage of Sri Lanka recently. After almost 25 years, it was a challenging but fascinating task to unveil this conclusively.
During 1998- 1999, we conducted a study in the northern end of the Knuckles World Heritage site (an ecological study on the flora and fauna of Knuckles range northern region – 1999) which led to the disclosure of much fascinating information. Nimal Rathnayake, Hiran Wijesinghe, Densi Rathnayake, Chinthaka Gamlath, Prabhat Samarasuriya, Sarath Wijewardane and Chamara Irugalratne who joined our study group in 1998-1999 were in the original team that found the orchid.
The study was carried out for one year in the region from Kirimetiya Kanda (Riverston) to Pallegama and from Ilukkumbura to Elagamuwa (Naula, Elahera Road) considered a very sensitive ecological zone as almost all the major vegetation types of Sri Lanka are represented here within a relatively short distance and there is high habitat diversity.
Several tributaries of the Amban ganga flow through the explored forests from Puwakpitiya, Dammanthenna to Elagamuwa with a number of streams and rivulets spreading over the terrain.
The stretch of forest that extends from the isolated hamlet of Poththatawela to Kambarawa offers an exceptionally rich vegetation. The area consists of tropical semi evergreen forests, somewhat dry in nature.
Among the orchid species, Aerides ringens, which is mostly found on the tree trunks of the area, a slightly different orchid was spotted. It was in bloom and the vibrant flower which had not been seen before aroused our curiosity. Flowers are essential to identify an orchid species distinctively.
Investigations took place to determine the species based on photographs. But it was not possible to go any further due to the scarcity of information and sources at that time.
Based on the information we presented during the ‘1999 National Red List’ preparation sessions, it was finally concluded that this could be Pteroceras viridiflorum, a rare orchid species which was recorded in former times and not found for many years.
Accordingly, this was added to our study report published in 1999 under that name and the episode came to an end. Or so we thought.
“A Naturalist’s Guide to the Flowers of Sri Lanka”, compiled by our members Dr. Darshani Sinhalage and Nadeera Weerasinghe published in the UK in 2018 contained our photographs under that name.
Later, several researchers managed to record this orchid from some other places particularly around Wellawaya, Naula and Ritigala.
However Jacob de Vlas who has published several volumes on wild flowers of Sri Lanka, titled “Illustrated Field Guide to the Flowers of Sri Lanka” included a picture of a similar orchid in his third volume under the name of Gastrochilus obliquus.
The ‘National Red List – 2020- Conservation status of flora in Sri Lanka’ also listed Gastrochilus obliquus as a new addition.
Consequently, it was confirmed that another Gastrochilus species is found in
Sri Lanka in addition to Gastrochilus acaulis which was the only species of that genus recorded in Sri Lanka until then.
Gastrochilus obliquus is found in regions like the northern Himalayas, central China, some parts of Nepal and Myanmar but a systematic study has not been carried out to confirm its occurrence in Sri Lanka. Lack of a proper taxonomic identification even after being recorded from several other places was an obvious drawback.
Concurrently, Pteroceras viridiflorum was found again in 2019 from the central hills almost after 150 years and we began our quest again.
Seeing a photograph of the newly found Pteroceras viridiflorum for the first time, which had very little information in earlier records and was limited to some illustrations, our conclusion was changed. It was confirmed that this was not Pteroceras viridiflorum but a species of Gastrochilus.
We went to the location where it was found earlier – 21 years of our first encounter.
Surprisingly, a large body of water, the Moragahakanda – Kulasinghe Reservoir, had covered the unspoiled stretch of forest. But after a few days of arduous exploration, we were fortunate enough to find it in another place nearby.
However, unaware of the proper time to observe the blooms and the difficulties in reaching the spot, further analyses were much delayed. Fortunately, we were able to see the blooms in mid- 2021.
According to the analysis done with the assistance of scholars such as Prof. Siril Wijesundara, Dr. Pankaj Kumar (India), Dr. Philip Wojtas (Germany) and Dr. Qiang Liu (China), it was confirmed as Gastrochilus flabelliformis, a new addition to Sri Lanka’s wild orchid list.
This “fan shaped orchid” had been endemic to the Western Ghats region of India until then.
Dr. Magdon Jayasuriya, Dr. Shelomi Krishnaraja (Director General – National Botanic Gardens), Dr. Tharanga Wijewickrama and the staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya and the National Herbarium contributed to make it a success.
Members of the Youth Exploration Society of Sri Lanka (YES) along with Dr. Darshani Sinhalage, Bodhi Jayakodi, Thilanka Ranatunga, Kasun Munasinghe, Lasantha Abeyratne and Bhanuka Ranasinghe (President of YES) all played their part in this process.
Author Champika Bandara also rendered exquisite line drawings and photographs.
Meanwhile, a few pods of this orchid which take about 10 months to mature were subjected to in vitro propagation and the germination was successful after many trials. This was carried out by A. H. S. Dissanayake and H. M. S. K. Herath of TC Plant Laboratories, Homagama and it will be important for the future conservation of this rare orchid species.
Wasantha Jayathilake and A. M. Upali Ranbandara and the staff of Forest Department, Illukkumbura range forest office, Matale extended their fullest support in the field work.
This discovery was published in Feddes Repertorium, an internationally renowned botanical journal based in Germany on June 28, the paper authored by Kumudu Amerasinghe, Nadeera Weerasinghe, Muditha Abeysinghe, Champika Bandara, K. Philip Wojtas and Pankaj Kumar.
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