The research team working on the ‘Taxonomy of the genus Lagenandra’, have named a new endemic Lagenandra species as Lagenandra peradeniyae Madola, D.Yakandawala & K.Yakandawala with two infraspecific taxa; Lagenandra peradeniyae var. peradeniyae and Lagenandra peradeniyae var. speciosa in the honour of the University of Peradeniya. The research publication on naming of the new plant species was published in the latest issue of the International Journal Phytotaxa Volume 567 No 1 (https://www.mapress.com/pt/article/view/phytotaxa.567.2.1).

These plants belong to the genus Lagenandra of the family Araceae, and are known by the vernacular name ‘Kethala’ in Sinhala. Lagenandra peradeniyae is confined to the wet zone of the country. Sri Lanka is home to 12 Lagenandra species and the new discovery escalates the number to 13. Out of these 13 species, 12 are endemic to the country. According to the IUCN Red Data criteria Lagenandra peradeniyae is categorized as Critically Endangered (CR). Lagenandra peradeniyae could be considered as one of the most attractive Lagenandra species with its colorful inflorescence (spathe) standing above the attractive leaves. The variety peradeniyae consists a dark maroon spathe and dark green leaves variegated with silver patches while the variety speciosa possess a light green/yellow spathe mixed with maroon/purple and light green leaves with silver colour appearing towards either side of the mid rib. As the plants are restricted to few populations, responsible authorities should initiate measures to prevent illegal collections. The research team:

• Prof. Deepthi Yakandawala
  Dept. of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya


• Prof. Kapila Yakandawala
  Dept. of Horticulture & Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka


• Mr. Indrakheela Madola
  Dept. of Horticulture & Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka