Traditional Food Plants in Sri Lanka PDF

Traditional Food Plants Traditional Food Plants
in Sri L a n k a in Sri L a n k a
Udaya Rajapaksha
Out of a large number of edible plants explored since the beginning of civilization, only
about 150 species have so far been considerably exploited. According to the FAO, only nine crops
- wheat, rice, maize, barely, sorghum/milet, potato, sweet potato/yam, sugar cane and soyabean
- are being exploited to provide human dietary energy - almost three quarters of human energy
provided by the plant kingdom. The wealth of crop varieties built over thousands of years is being,
lost at an alarming rate.
In thecurrent scenario of ever increasing population pressureand fast depletion of natural
resources, continued dependence on a few selected crops has become risky because failure of one
or another crop can end with a disaster when no replacement crops are available.
In this context, a large number of traditional food plants can be successfully used tf ensure
food security and better nutrition in rural mass in the developing countries since they are locally
available, tasty and nutritious but rather cheap compared to socialy accepted fo<xl varieties.
This monograph fulfils a long • felt need for a resource book on traditional food plants. It
compiles useful information on 152 traditional food plants useful for academics, researchers,
agriculturists, policy makers, teachers, students and the general public who are interested in the
subject or involved in the promotion and utilization of traditional food plants.
ISBN 955-612-031 - 9
Cover Design Karunasrii Wjiesn

igha
romftnieo Samayawardhona
HECTOR KOBBEKADUWA AGRARIAN RESEARCH & TRAINING INSTITUTE

Traditional Food Plants in Sri Lanka
Udaya Rajapaksha
M . S c . A g r i c , P h . D . (Moscow)
Research Study : 100 April 1998
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute

P . O . B O X 1522
Colombo 7
Sri L a n k a .
j5 3.
ISBN 955 - 612 - 031
To plan for a year, sow rice;
to plan for ten years, plant trees;
to plan for hundred years, educate people
- A Proverb
FOREWORD
In the current scenario of ever increasing population pressure and fast depletion of
natural resources, continued dependence on a few selected major crops under modern
agriculture have become risky. Real food security relies on the diversity of food
plants since the failure of one or another major crop can end in a disaster when the
food base is narrow and no replacement crops are available.
But, our ancestors knew about the ecosystem in which they lived and practiced ways
of ensuring the sustainable utilization of the natural resources. Not only did they use
a large amount of plant species, but also developed a large number of varieties with
qualitative and quantitative traits and adaptive to the different climatic conditions and
resistant to pest and diseases. They knew how to prepare meals deliciously and
nutritionally and store safely the rest of the food for future consumption. They had
the knowledge to destroy the toxic compounds of some foods during the preparation.
They also identified some food varieties that are not eaten together since they may
be harmful to the humans. They knew food varieties which were good for various
ages of the life and physical conditions.
This knowledge and skills related to traditional food plants, agriculture, food
preparation post-harvest technology and nutrition are rapidly disappearing. Therefore
traditional food plants and indigenous knowledge should be taken care of by adopting
sustainable agricultural systems in order to ensure food security and improve the
nutritional status of the population.
It is also important that traditional food plants and indigenous knowledge to be

protected as they are valuable resources which will decide the fate of future
agriculture. Therefore it is absolutely necessary to see that our right to these genetic
resources, traditional food plants is protected in international trade agreements.
Therefore it is important to explore the potential of the traditional food plants and
document all invaluable information for the future generation. In the context of
increasing attention paid to the traditional food plants, Dr. Udaya Rajapaksha a Senior
Researcher attached to the HARTI on whom the task of researching and compiling
a monograph was entrusted has taken pains to compile this resource book I believe
the monograph is valuable and informative and carries timely and forward looking
significance.
S.G. Samarasinghe, Ph.D

Director - HARTI.
PREFACE
Considering the importance of low input agriculture and biological diversity for
sustainable development, traditional food plants earn global attention in agricultural
and food production programmes. Attempts are being made to identify, evaluate,
conserve and use the traditional food plant species in a meaningful way all over the
world.
In this context, there is a longlasting necessity of a resource book on traditional food

plants with their various characteristics and the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian
Research and Training Institute has undertaken the task of compiling a book on the
above subject. I believe that I have been privileged to coordinate and carry out this
task in a useful way. I wish to record my sincere thanks to following personalities
w h o directly and inderctly helped to accomplish this task.
Words can't express my deep sense of gratitude to Mr D . G . P . Seneviratne, former

Director of Agrarian Research and Training Institute ( N o w Hector Kobbekaduwa
Agrarian Research and Training Institute) for his untiring help, deep interest in the
subject and meticulous guidance right through the course of the project. I recall with
special thanks how he first sowed the interest of this research in me.
I am thankful to Dr. S.G. Samarasinghe, Director, Hector Kobbekeduwa Agrarian

Research and Training Institute, for providing all facilities to carry out the project,
stimulating my interest in traditional plants and constant encouragement.
I deeply acknowledge the assistance rendered by my research assistants Mr. T . N .

Kumara, Mr. M. Nagahawatta, Mr. A. Rathnasiri, Mrs. Kshanika Mendis and Miss.
A. Shantha Dayaseeli.
M y special thanks are due to Mr. Upali Dhanasekara, Mr. Lai Jayarathne and Mrs.
Ranjani Edirisinghe, National Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya and Dr.
Upali Pilapitiya, Director Bandaranayake Memorial Aurveda Research Institute,
Nawinna for his assistance during the course of the study.
M y colleagues, Messers L.P. Rupasena, T . A . Dharmaratne, Ananda Samarakoon,

R.L.N. Jayatissa, J.K.M.D. Chandrasiri, K.K. Kumara, Dr. Gamini
Wickramasinghe, Dr. Dhanawardana Gamage and Messers L. Jayakody, D.M.
Kuruwita, Thilakaratne Bandara, Sunil Karunaratne, Ranjith Dissanayake and Dr.
Danister Perera deserve special thanks for their assistance in collecting much needed
specimens, information and words of encouragement .
My indebtedness for the extra-ordinary support rendered by rural farmers and other
grassroot informants on various aspects o f the study.
Particular mention must be made of the suggestions and valuable comments made by
Prof. M. Karunanayake and D r . A . A . M Jayasuriya in the course of their review of
this edition.
The assistance provided by Mr. K . A . S . Dayananda, Head, Publication Unit, HARTI

is gratefully acknowledged. M y sincere thanks are also due to Mr. Palitha Gunaratne
for his help to scan the line drawings of this book. I thank Mr. Siriwardena and his
printing staff for their speedy and dedicated work.
It is my pleasure to express appreciation of act of kindness by Mr. Wilfred

Ranasinghe and Mr. M . S . Sri Gowri Sanker for providing editorial assistance often
at the cost of personal convenience.
Finally I thank Mrs. Kaman Karunaratne and Mrs. Pushpika Ranaweera for speedy
type setting.
Udaya Rajapaksha
CONTENTS
I Foreward V
II Preface VII
III Introduction 1
IV Anthology of selected species of traditional food plants 15
Family Botanical Name

ACANTHACEAE Asteracantha longifolia
AIZOACEAE Trianthema decandra
AIZOACEAE Trianthema portulacastrum
AMARANTHACEAE Aerva lanata
AMARANTHACEAE Alternanthera sessilis
AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus paniculatus
AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus polygonolides
AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus spinosus
AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus viridis
ANACARDIACEAE Anacardium occidentale
ANACARDIACEAE Mangifera indica
ANACARDIACEAE Mangifera zeylanica
ANACARDIACEAE Spondias pinnata
ANNONACEAE Annona muricata
ANNONACEAE Annona reticulata
ANNONACEAE Annona squamosa
APOCYNACEAE Carissa carandas
APOCYNACEAE Carissa spinarum
ARACEAE Alocasia indica
ARACEAE Alocasia macrorrhiza
ARACEAE Amorphophallus campanulatus
ARACEAE Colocasia esculenta
ARACEAE Lasia spinosa
ASCLEPIADACEAE Dregea volubilis
ASCLEPIADACEAE Hemidesmus indicus
BASELLACEAE Basella alba
BOMBACACEAE Durio zibethinus
BROMELIACEAE Ananas comosus
CARICACEAE Carica papaya
CLUSIACEAE Garcinia cambogia
CLUSIACEAE Garcinia mangostana
CLUSIACEAE Garcinia terpnovhylla
CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea aquatica
CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea batatas
CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea obscura
CRUCIFERAE Brassica alba
CRUCIFERAE Brassica integrifolia
CRUCIFERAE Brassica nigra
CUCURBITACEAE Benincasa hispida
CUCURBIT ACEAE Colocynthis citrullus
CUCURBITACEAE Cucumis melo var conomon
CUCURBIT ACEAE Cucumis sativus
CUCURBITACEAE Cucurbita maxima
CUCURBITACEAE Lagenaria siceraria
CUCURBITACEAE Luffa acutangula
CUCURBITACEAE Luffa cylindrica
CUCURBITACEAE Momordica charantia
CUCURBITACEAE Momordica dioica
CUCURBITACEAE Trichosanthes anguina
CYCADACEAE Cycas circinalis
DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea alata
DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea bulbifera
DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea esculenta
DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea pentaphylla
DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea spicata
DIPTEROCARPCEAE Shorea megistophylla
DIPTEROCARPCEAE Vateria copallifera
EBENACEAE Diospyros malabarica
ELAEOCARPACEAE Elaeocarpus serratus
EUPHORBIACEAE Antidesma bunius
EUPHORBIACEAE Baccaurea metleyana
EUPHORBIACEAE Drypetes sepiaria
EUPHORBIACEAE Manihot esculentus
EUPHORBIACEAE Phyllanthus emblica
FABACEAE Arachis hypogaea
FABACEAE Cassia auriculata
FABACEAE Cassia occidentalis
FABACEAE Cassia tora
FABACEAE Cynometra cauliflora
FABACEAE Dialium ovoideum
FABACEAE Dolichos biflorus
FABACEAE Phaseolus mungo
FABACEAE Phaseolus aureus
FABACEAE Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
FABACEAE Sesbania grandiflora
FABACEAE Tamarindus indica
FABACEAE Vigna catiang
FABACEAE Vigna marina
FLACOURTIACEAE Flacourtia cataphracta
FLACOURTIACEAE Flacourtia ramontchi
LAMIACEAE Solemostemon rohindifolus
LAURACEAE Cinnamomum zeylanicum
LAURACEAE Neolitsea cassia
LILIACEAE Allium ascalonicum
LILIACEAE Allium sativum
LILIACEAE Asparagus racemosus
MALVCEAE Hibiscus esculentus
MARANTACEAE Maranta arundinacea
MORACEAE Artocarpus altilis
9
MORACEAE Artocarpus heterophyllus
MORACEAE Artocarpus nobilis
MORACEAE Ficus racemosa
MORINGACEAE Moringa oleifera
MUSACEAE Musa sapientum
MYRTACEAE Eugenia caryophyllata
MYRTACEAE Psidium guajava
MYRTACEAE Syzygium aqueum
MYRTACEAE Syzygium caryophyllatum
MYRTACEAE Syzygium cumini
MYRTACEAE Syzygium jombos
MYRTACEAE Syzygium malaccensis
NYMPHAEACEAE Nelumbo nucifera
NYMPHAEACEAE Nymphaea lotus
OXALIDACEAE Averrhoa bilimbi
OXALID ACEAE Averrhoa carambola
OXALIDACEAE Oxalis corniculata
PALMAE Borassus flabellifer
PALMAE Caryota urens
PALMAE Cocus nucifera
PALMAE Corypha umbraculifera
PALMAE Nypa fruticans
PALMAE Phoenix zeylanica
PEDALIACEAE Sesamum indicum
PIPERACEAE Piper nigrum
POACEAE Eleusine coracana
POACEAE Oryza sativa
POACEAE Panicum miliaceum
POACEAE Paspalum scrobiculatum
POACEAE Saccharum officinarum
POACEAE Setaria italica
POACEAE Zea mays
PUNICACEAE Punica granatum
RHAMNACEAE Zizyphus mauritania
RUTACEAE Aegle marmelos
RUTACEAE Citrus aurantifolia
RUTACEAE Citrus aurantium
RUTACEAE Citrus medica
RUTACEAE Citrus sinensis
RUTACEAE Feronia limonia
RUTACEAE Murraya koenigii
SAPINDACEAE Cardiospermum microcarpum
SAPINDACEAE Euphoria longan
SAPINDACEAE Nephelium lappaceum
SAPINDACEAE Schleichera oleosa
SAPOTACEAE Chrysophyllum roxburgii
SAPOTACEAE Madhuca longifolia
SAPOTACEAE Manilkara hexandra
SAPOTACEAE Manilkara zapota
V
SAPOTACEAE Mimusops elengi

SOLANACEAE Capsicum annuam
SOLANACEAE Lycopersicon lycopoersicum
SOLANACEAE Solatium indicum
SOLANACEAE Solarium melongena
SOLANACEAE Solarium nigrum
SOLANACEAE Solanum surattense
SOLANACEAE Solanum trilobatum
SONNERATIACEAE Sonneratia caseolaris
UMBELLIFERAE Centella asiatica
UMBELLIFERAE Coriandrum sativum
UMBELLIFERAE Hydrocotyle javanica
ZINGIBERACEAE Curcuma domestica
ZINGIBERACEAE Elettaria cardamomum
ZINGIBERACEAE Zingiber officinale
V References 516
VI Index to Sinhalese Names 521
VII Index to Tamil Names 524
VIII Index to English Names 527

INTRODUCTION
1. Background
Food plants are "traditional" in that they are accepted by rural communities through
their customs, habits and tradition as appropriate and desirable foods: people are
used to them and they know how to cultivate and prepare them for consumption.
These preparations are agreeable to their taste. They have opinions as to their
nutritive and therapeutic values. Further, these plants are grown in a particular
ecosystem operating in a particular locality, or are gathered as wild or semi wild
products. The wealth of traditional food plants available to a particular community
is related to its particular food and farming system. The geographical location of the
community and its proximity to the original sources of food varieties is obviously
a positive factor, where the plant diversity of a particular locality is considered .
Located in the humid tropics, Sri Lanka is a country with a rich plant diversity.
About 3 3 6 8 plant species belonging to 1294 genera and 132 families have been
identified in Sri Lanka. About 800 of these are endemic to Sri Lanka, while the rest
species have been brought to Sri Lanka from the various regions at different times.
The other reason for the rich diversity is the early native civilization. It is
acknowledged that Sri Lanka has been the home of one of the earliest civilizations in
the world. Archaeological evidence indicates that about the 10th century B . C there
were people who knew how to make a fire and make pottery (Daraniyagala, 1992).
Before the consolidation of agriculture, these hunter-gatherers used a wide range of
plant species for food and medicine. In this process, they enhanced their knowledge
in edible plants and learned about those which were toxic (Querol, 1992). This
knowledge was transmitted from generation to generation.
The development of agriculture in Sri Lanka, as in any other country, has been
gradual starting first with the planting of a few seeds of the most useful plants in the
area surrounding the gatherer's camp and later around the settlements of settled
populations. Although it is difficult to state with certainty when agricultural practices
began in Sri Lanka, there is no doubt that the history of agriculture is as long as the
history of the Sri Lankan people. The people developed cultural practices and
farming systems according to the requirements of the plants with the improvement of
knowledge on the environmental responses of each plant cultivated. According to
historical evidence, three major types of farming system? have been adopted by the
Sri Lankans from the earliest times (Siriweera, 1993).
The most widely practised farming system in Sri Lanka is paddy cultivation. Being
the staple food, paddy has been cultivated from ancient times in the valleys of the
Mahaweli Ganga and the Malvathu Oya. More areas were brought under cultivation
with the construction of tanks and canal systems for irrigation. Short and long
duration varieties of paddy were selected for cultivation in both Yala and Maha
seasons, respectively. According to the Mahavamsa, not only was Sri Lanka self-
sufficient in rice during the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great (1159-1186 A . D ) ,
rice was also exported to other countries.
The second farming system was shifting cultivation or slash and burn cultivation,
more popularly referred to as "chena cultivation". In the chenas, coarse grains and
vegetables were cultivated under rainfed conditions. A m o n g the coarse grains were
Kurakkan (finger millet), which was considered as the second staple, Meneri (millet),
Thanahal (Italian millet), Amu (Kodo millet), mustard, gingelly (sesame), green
gram and black gram. Vegetables such as luffa (ridge gourd), ladies fingers (okra),
snake gourd, bitter gourd, ash pumpkin, yellow pumpkin, melons and brinjal (egg
plant) were also cultivated as mixed crops in chenas.
The third farming system maintained by the Sri Lankans from early times was the
home-garden. Traditional root and tuber crops, jak, coconut, arecanut, winepalm
(kithul), banana, sugar cane, ginger and turmeric, citrus species and other important
food and medicinal plants were commonly cultivated in home-gardens (Siriweera,
1993).
In addition, it is very well known that the forest played a vital role in the food system
of our people. It provided a wide range of food varieties. Wild yams such Katuala
(Dioscorea pentaphylla), Hiritala (D. oppositifolia), Gonala (D.spicata) were a good
source of carbohydrate during lean seasons. Seeds of Hal {Valeria copallifera),
Beraliya (Shorea megistophylla) and Madu (Cycus circinalis) and the plant heart of
Kitul, (Caryota urens), Indi (Phonenixzeylanica) and Thala (Corypha umbraculifera)
were ground as flour and used for various preparations. Wild bread fruit and banana
have been used from the prehistoric era (Daraniyagala, 1992 ). A large number of
forest plants such as woodapple (Feronia limona), Indi (Phoenix zeylanica), Weera
(Antidesma bunius), Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Mora (Ephoria longan), velvet
tamarind (Dialium ovoideum), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Timbiri {Diospyros
malabarica) and Ulkenda (Polyalthia korinti) has been used as fruits.
A large number o f green leafy vegetables grown in the forest were used for human
consumption, Palms such as Kitul {Caryota urens) and Thala (Corypha umbraculifera)
provided starch, particularly Kitul was a very important tree which provided palm
sugar. Trees such as mi (Madhuca longifolia) provided both oil and sugar.
Sri Lankan farmers used not only a large number of plant species to fulfil their
dietary requirements but also utilized and developed many varieties and land races of
food crops. B y trial and error they selected varieties best suited to specific
environmental conditions. Robert Knox (1983) provides in his "An historical relation
of the Island Ceylon" evidence to show that the people of Sri Lanka cultivated a large
(is
number of rice varieties. "They had several sorts, and called by several names
g, according to different times of their ripening, however, in taste little disagreeing from
one another. Some will require several months before they c o m e to maturity, called
Mauvi; some six Hauteal; while others will ripen in five Honorowal; others in four,
Hinat; and others in three, Aulfancol". According to the Poojavaliya, written in the
10th century A . D . , more than 200 rice varieties were cultivated in Sri Lanka at the
time.
In 1902 the Nugawela Disava exhibited a collection of more than 300 rice varieties
at the Kandy Agri-horticultural and Industrial Exhibition (Senadira et al, 1985). At
present more than 3 1 9 4 rice varieties have been collected and preserved by the Plant
Genetic Resources Centre at Gannoruwa (Wijesinghe et al. 1993). According to the
Administrative Report 1996 of the Department of Agriculture 9783 crop samples
were collected at the Plant Genetic Resource Centre and out of which 3 7 6 9 are rice
samples. A large number of these are traditional varieties. It is clear that our people
have, over many generations, utilized nature's gifts and developed varieties with
desirable traits which were appropriate to the particular climatic conditions. Even
today w e come across traditional varieties, some of which can g i v e a stable yeild even
under unfavourable soil and climatic conditions.
2. F o o d P l a n t Diversity is Jeopardized
Out of 8 0 0 0 0 edible plants explored by man since the beginning of civilization only
about 150 species have s o far been exploited considerably. Today less than 3 0 plant
* species meet about 9 0 percent of the world food requirement (Mai, 1994). Wheat,
rice, maize, barely, sorghum/millet, potato, sweet potato/yam, sugar cane and
soyabean provide three quarters of the plant kingdom's contribution towards human
dietary energy requirements (FAO, 1993). The wealth of crop varieties built over
thousands of years is being lost at an alarming rate.
It is known that both natural and human factors influence the erosion of plant
diversity. Plants become extinct or are transformed into new species in the process
of evolution, but the rate of extinction is much higher due to human factors.
Political, economic and social factors directly influence genetic erosion, particularly
the erosion of food plants. Some of these factors are described below.
Our traditional subsistence agriculture, farming systems, food systems and food
culture were challenged for the first time during the British Era in the 19th century.
The emphasis then was on plantation agriculture, which included the cultivation of
tea, rubber and coconut on a large scale. Three botanical gardens were established
in different ecological zones of the country, Peradeniya, Gampaha (Henerathgoda)
and Haggala. Trials were to be conducted to check on the adaptability to the soil,
climatic conditions and yeild potentials of the economically important plants before
taking up their cultivation on a large scale. The British brought in South Indian
3
Tamils to Sri Lanka to work as estate labourers and to fulfil their dietary
requirements rice was also imported. Thus, as a result of the promotion of
plantation agriculture, traditional agriculture suffered.
The unsuccessful Uva Wellasa uprising in 1918, just three years after the British
captured power in Sri Lanka, also influenced traditional agriculture adversely. The
British rulers who managed to suppress the uprising nevertheless realised that the
strength of the "rebels" lay in the prosperity of Uva Wellassa ("Wellassa" means one
lakh of paddy fields). In order to prevent a further uprising, peasant families were
annihilated, paddy fields and grain silos were burnt and tanks and other irrigation
systems destroyed. In a short time the whole of the Magama and Uva Wellassa
regions were ruined. The British did not encourage traditional farming for a
considerable length of time, hoping to break the backbone of the traditional farmers.
This seriously affected traditional food varieties and farming systems.
European food habits also had serious implications on our traditional food and
farming systems. The aliens introduced food plants familiar to them in Europe in
order to satisfy their food requirements. Consequently, vegetables such as cabbage,
potatoe, carrot, beans, beet root and leeks were grown in the hill country areas where
the agro-ecological conditions were favourable for such crops. The Sri Lankan elite
imitated the British, and with time these varieties of vegetables became popular
among the common people too. These vegetables are popularly known as "upcountry
vegetables" even today, as they are cultivated in the highlands of Sri Lanka.
Although the Portuguese and the Dutch, who ruled before the British introduced
certain crops of the New World such as chillies, sweet potato, tobacco and potato,
they did not hamper or uproot our own food systems; instead they were incorporated
into our food systems. Even now European vegetables are more popular and
considered prestigeous. Although one can argue that the introduction of these crops
enriched the crop diversity in Sri Lanka, the damage done to the traditional food plant
diversity is greater due to the cultivation of few crops on a large scale in order to
meet the high demand for exotic varieties created by high social acceptance.
Some policies and strategies adopted by successive governments before and since
independence have also been responsible for the decline in useful traditional food
plants. For instance, the Green Revolution launched in the 1960's had as its motto
the increase in productivity using high yielding varieties and high inputs. Existing
traditional varieties were deemed unsuitable for the new situation and only a few new
varieties were bred and cultivated. Monocropping is the accepted farming system in
modern agriculture. As a result of the cultivation of selected varieties of a few cash
or market oriented crops, thousands of food crops grown in farmers fields have been
seriously threatened At the same time, the government policy of achieving self-
sufficiency in rice and of converting the uplands, where the coarse grains were
cultivated, to paddy fields under various irrigation schemes in the country has had
a negative impact on other cereals such as finger millet and other millets. This led to
a serious erosion of traditional food plant varieties.
Traditional tubers and yams and also jak and breadfruit are becoming less important
in the Sri Lankan diet due to certain social factors. Only a limited number of green
leaves are consumed by the people, and hundreds of leafy vegetables are being
neglected, while others are being discarded as weeds due to lack of knowledge of
their nutritive and therapeutic value. Fruits of the temperate zone such as orange,
mandarin, apple, grapes and pomegranate began to appear in urban markets. Urban
groups go for instant foods and many fast food outlets have been opened in the cities,
popularizing pastries, burgers and pizzas.
Deforestation has also a serous impact on plant genetic erosion and food security of
the local people. Some 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 square kilometers are disappearing every year. In
Sri Lanka, the land area under forest cover has decreased from about 7 0 % at there
turn of the century to about 2 2 % today.
Considering the importance of conservation of natural habitats, the Sri Lankan

government has declared some forests as protected areas. Although protection of
forests is extremely important from environmental point of view, it has limited the
access to the people w h o live around the forests and rely on them for survival.
• 3. W h y Traditional F o o d Plants are Important?
In the current scenario of ever increasing population pressure and fast depletion of
natural resources, continued dependence on a few selected major crops has b e c o m e
risky. In Sri Lanka, the diversity of edible plant spices, varieties, and landraces is
under serious threat. For example, grains such as kodo millet, millet and Italian
millet which contributed significantly to carbohydrate intake early this century, are
hardly cultivated anywhere. This situation has become more crucial due to cash
cropping. The comparative advantage in commercial agriculture has resulted in
replacing a large number of crop varieties grown in farmers' fields for their dietary
needs by a few crops which have a commercial significance. In modern agriculture,
a large number of food varieties is being destroyed as "weeds".
Let us consider the reasons why a wide range of the traditional food plants are
important for the survival of humans.
3.1 F o o d Security
Real food security relies on the diversity of food crops. Therefore the failure of one
or another major crop can end in a disaster when the food base is narrow and no
replacement crops are available. Further, it is now widely accepted that the increase
«• of food plant varieties may result in short and long term benefits to the community.
5
It has, therefore, become extremely necessary to look for new alternative or non-
conventional plant resources for diversification of present day agriculture. In this
context, underutilized traditional food plants assume special significance. Various
International Organizations, GOs, and N G O s are now involving themselves in
collection and evaluation of plant varieties and collecting and dissemination of
knowledge on underexploited food varieties. For instance, the International Board
for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) has selected more than fifty crops to be
concerned with. In this, the IBPGR considers the following facts: the level of risk
to the crops and their wild relatives; the economic and social importance of crops;
the materials that need collecting; the needs of plant breeders, and the quality of the
present collection (Fowler et al., 1990).
In the case of Sri Lanka, collection of plant genetic resources is in progress. For
instance, the Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) has collected a large number
of both local and imported varieties and land races of rice, coarse grains, and
vegetables. Collection of root and tuber crops and horticultural crops is handled by
the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) of the Department of Agriculture
(DOA). A valuable collection of spices and economically important crops is
maintained by the Department of Export Agriculture (Wijesinghe et, al., 1993).
Further, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands has identified 21 vegetable varieties
and 12 fruit varieties for intensive cultivation in order to ensure the availability of
food throughout the year. The list of vegetables and fruits is given below:
(Vegetables)
A s h plantain, Ash melon, Bitter gourd, Carrot, Tomatoes, Winged beans, traditional
seeds and yams, Cucumber, Ladies fingers, Brinjals, Sweet potatoes, Mushrooms,
Beet, Beans, Sweet chillies, Drumstick, Raddish, Leeks, Pumpkins, Fence gourd,
(Fruits)
Pineapple, Mango, Banana, Rambutan, Pomogranate, Woodapple, Orange, Lime,
papaw, Guava, Passion fruit.
Most of the fruits and vegetables listed above are considered "traditional" by the Sri
Lankans. This reflects the growing necessity for promotion of crops, particularly
traditional, which are now underexploited, in order to satisfy the food requirements
of the increasing Sri Lankan population.
T o safeguard the real food security, the increase of the number of food plant species
alone is not adequate, but also the genetic diversity within the species or varietal
diversity should be conserved and improved. Genetic uniformity is a part of modern
agriculture. Agricultural crops are plant populations that are typically uniform,
because uniformity is essential in modern crop husbandry. Uniformity has a great
advantage for modern agriculture, for instance, crops are of the same height, they
mature at the same stage and therefore it is easy to harvest and have desirable
qualitative and quantitative characteristics. There is a further advantage when all the
crops in one region are identical, because the harvest can be stored and transported
in bulk (Robinson, 1996).
Despite the said advantages there is a main disadvantage of the modern varieties in
that they are not resistant to pests and diseases mainly due to the use of one gene for
resistance. Unlike modern varieties, resistance of land races provided by set by genes
and that is much more suitable for survival in the evolutionary process carried out by
nature.
Agricultural crops have faced a disastrous situation due to lack of resistance in the
recent past. Potato blight in Ireland in 1840s and coffee rust in Ceylon in 1870s have
destroyed whole cultivations and provided unique examples for negative impacts of
genetic uniformity (Flower et al. 1990). Both Ireland and Ceylon are rather
secondary centres for those crops respectively and they were introduced to these
countries with a narrow genetic base. Corn leaf blight in Florida, U S A in 1970 and
the failure o f Besostaja wheat variety in Ukraine are recent examples. Wild relatives
of potatoes that occurred in Mexico helped to come out from potato blight in Europe.
Therefore, for sustainable use of agricultural crops a large number of crop varieties
and their wild relatives should be maintained and conserved.
3.2 Traditional F o o d Plants a n d Nutrition
In terms of quality of life indicators, the development of Sri Lanka was no less
spectacular to that of the economic growth of East Asian economies in the recent
past. The crude death rate declined from 38 per thousand in 1900 to only 6 in 1987,
a level no country in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America could achieve in their
history of development, excepting Korea and Taiwan. Infant mortality declined to
21 from about 70 within the short span of the last 25 years. Similar high standards
have been achieved in life expectancy, literacy, child mortality and maternal mortality
(outcome indicators) as well as immunization against childhood diseases.
Despite improvements in many public health indicators, problems of malnutrition

persist in Sri Lanka, particularly among women and pre-school children. Inadequate
dietary intake and suffering from illness are two major causes of malnutrition. These
problems include poor growth of children, high rates of L o w Birth Weights ( L B W ) ,
poor maternal nutrition status and deficiencies of micronutrients. In the long term,
poor nutrition has an adverse impact on the productivity of the country because it
leads to lethargy and reduced work capacity among the population.
N o w it is realized that malnutrition is an outcome of a number of factors. Food

insecurity at household level is one of the major factors which contribute to
7
malnutrition. Ensuring food security at global, regional or country level does not
necessarily reflect the household food security, since accessibility to food plays a vital
role, particularly among poor people. Therefore, introduction of alternatives to rural
poor with low purchasing capacity has a vital significance in this regard.
Introduction of low cost food varieties affordable to the family budget and increasing
the household food production are two effective strategies to ensure the household
food security.
The seasonal availability of food makes changes in food prices. Families have to
make food choices within their budgets in planning an appropriate family diet. The
knowledge and practice of preparing diets with a variety of foods and the use of
local seasonal foods are important for improving the nutrition status of the family
(MPP&I e t a l . 1 9 9 4 ) .
Traditional food varieties can be effectively used as low cost food sources for low
income groups o f underdeveloped countries such as Sri Lanka. In this context,
traditional food plant varieties have some distinct advantages due to the simple reason
that they are common, popular and still contribute significantly to the dietary needs
of the rural poor. They adopt well to unfavourable environmental conditions and
some of them can even be grown in marginal lands which have good resistance to
pests and diseases. Therefore they require low attention and little or no inputs.
They are nourishing and have a value similar to socially accepted food varieties and
can perform the function of either staple or supplementary foods. Since most of them
are gathered fresh from the surrounding or are with application of lesser amounts of
agro-chemicals compared with commercially grown crops, they can be considered
fresh and healthy foods. The use of a large number of food plants varieties in the
diet ensures availability o f all the nutrients required by the human body. They also
provide food during the lean seasons and provide additional incomes to the farming
community. Most of the plants are also used as medicine, timber, firewood and can
be useful as to domestic utensils.
3.3 Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Agriculture
Some traditional food plants may be directly promoted in the future as main crop
varieties by including them in agricultural development programmes. Since they have
useful traits in terms of nutritional and therapeutic value, resistance to unfavourable
soil conditions, drought tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases, they can be
used as plant genetic material to be used in future crop improvement programmes.
There is an invaluable body o f indigenous knowledge associated with cultivation,

preparation, nutrition and storage of traditional food plants which can be
incorporated in future agricultural programmes with or without modification. The
traditional food plants have now been improved due to the years of hardwork and
practice o n wild species by our ancestors. Traditional farmers had a vast and unique
knowledge o n plants and their agricultural practices and utilization.
Our ancestors knew about the ecosystem in which they lived, and practised ways of
ensuring the sustainable utilization of the natural resources. Not only did they use
a large range o f plant species, but also developed a large number of varieties adaptive
to the different climatic conditions. They knew h o w to prepare meals deliciously and
nutritionally and store safely the rest of the food for future consumption. Culinary
is one of sixty four noble arts of ancient Sri Lanka. People ate a large number of
food varieties. Rice was the staple food and that was prepared in many ways
(Sannasgala, 1989). The supplementary food was prepared according to seven
methods (Hathmaluwa) to be served with rice. They had the knowledge to destroy the
toxic compounds o f some foods during the preparation. They also identified some
food varieties that are not eaten together since they may be harmful to the humans
(Wickramarachchi, 1988). They knew food varieties which were good for various
ages and conditions. This vast knowledge on cultivation, preparation, post-harvest
technology and nutrition accumulated particularly with women. This knowledge was
transmitted from generation, to generation from mother to daughter. Most of this
knowledge is fast disappearing, but thanks to the aurvedic system of traditional
medicine, knowledge on nutritional and therapeutic values are still remaining. This
knowledge was transmitted from one generation, to another orally and by practice.
Unfortunately this knowledge and skills related to traditional farming are rapidly
disappearing, along with the people themselves. Therefore traditional food plants and
indigenous knowledge should be taken care of by adopting sustainable agricultural
systems.
3.4 Intellectual Property Rights a n d Future of Agriculture
Traditional food plants should be protected as they are a valuable genetic resource,
which will decide the fate of future agriculture. Therefore it is absolutely necessary
to see that our right to these genetic resources, traditional and indigenous food plants
is protected in international trade agreements. The Uruguay Round of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) concluded with a big question mark on the
sovereignty of future third world agriculture. The unpopular Dunkels Draft suggested
that n e w varieties are to be patented under Trade Related Intellectual Property
(TRIPS), which permit the developed countries to monopolize the genetic material
and agriculture in the world and control third world agriculture (Shiva, 1995).
Article 2 7 : 3 (A) of the Final Act signed at the Ministerial Meeting of the Trade
Negotiational Committee on 15th April 1994 in Marakesh, Morocco, provides patent
rights over plant varieties and animal breeds. The World Trade Organization (WTO),
established after dissolution of GATT oversees the programme.
Big corporations from the North, particularly T N C s are involved in a worldwide

scramble to appropriate and patent the genetic resources of the South. The rush to
9
patent these genetic resources may be viewed as part of the drive by global capital
to acquire monopolies, for the essence of a patent is that it confers a monopoly of the
product on its guarantee. However, it is clear that a number of recent developments
on the world scene have also given a big impetus to this drive to patent. The
emergence of the biotech industry in the North as potentiality, the most lucrative of
industries is clearly one of these factors. Related to this is the push by the North
through the W T O , to bring down the barriers which stand in the way of such
patenting. By successfully engineering the inclusion of intellectual property rights
within the framework of G A T T , the North has ensured the adoption of a uniform set
of intellectual property laws which will facilitate such patenting.
It is very well known that food crops originated in specific places in the world as a
result of a unique piece of work done by our ancestors. They are called centres of
plant origin and diversity. At the early stages these crops had spread only slowly
outside of the centres. Failure of the first agricultural systems may have led to their
spread. People moved to more prosperous areas with the seeds which were used by
them for agriculture. For the spread of agricultural crops there might have been
various reasons, but it had spread at a much higher level due to traders and travellers.
It increased from 16th to 19th centuries when Europeans dominated the plant
explorations. Economically important crops were introduced to their territories and
colonies. These crops have been removed over the years to Northern countries and
their colonies without making any payment or compensation for intellectual property
of the farmers of the country of origin and diversity. A large number of plant genetic
resources has been already collected and being maintained by seed laboratories and
cell libraries of developed countries. Moreover, by claiming the exclusive proprietary
right to a product which was hitherto the patrimony of a whole community and
civilization, and which was freely available to all, the T N C s are challenging the very
foundations of traditional societies in the South and their social and ethical norms.
There is a growing worldwide opposition to the granting of patents on biological

materials. Farmers and indigenous peoples are outraged that plants that they
developed are being "hijacked" by companies. Groups as diverse as religious leaders,
parliamentarians and N G O s are intensifying their campaign against corporate
patenting of living things, (Khor, 1995).
Unfortunately Sri Lankan people are more or less silent regarding plant patenting.
Therefore, creating an awareness among various groups of people is essential. Also,
developing countries like Sri Lanka should have a very firm policy to conserve our
genetic resources, particularly food and medicinal plants and their wild relatives and
to eradicate biopiracy.
10
4. Conservation of Agricultural Biodiversity
Scientists all over the world now widely accept that there is an urgent need to adopt
remedial measures to slow down the extrication of biological diversity, particularly
diversity of food plants. All the efforts of biological conservation s o far have been
centered mainly on ex-situ ( off-site) conservation of germplasm collections and
maintenance of research stations and plant genetic resource centers. Integrated and
consolidated efforts should be made in order not only to preserve, maintain and
handle genetic resources, but also to utilize this valuable diversity for the betterment
of mankind. N o w it is accepted that diversity of food plants cannot be saved only
through one strategy. Flower et al. (1990) suggest five laws o f genetic conservation
the first of which describes that agricultural diversity can be saved only through the
use of diverse strategies. Therefore, along with ex-situ (off-site) conservation through
gene banks and active community participation in collecting, maintaining and utilizing
traditional food plants should be promoted. Concerned authorities should adopt
conservation strategies to strengthen their sustainability. Traditional food plants are
not conserved unless they are used. Therefore, it is important to make traditional
food plants useful to ordinary people and profitable to cultivate. While promoting
cultivation, agro-based industries have to be introduced. Modern and traditional
technologies to improve the storage and processing of traditional foods should also
be introduced. N e w market avenues for the traditional products also have to be
identified.
4.1 Community Participation in Plant Genetic Conservation
In the conservation and sustainable use of traditional food plants, it is very necessary
to identify the correct persons to be consulted since the diversity saved depends on
who will be consulted (Flower et al., 1990). Also, how much of diversity is saved
depends on h o w many people are involved. Farmers, rural people, traditional
doctors, and particularly w o m e n should be involved in this conservation process to
ensure that the total needs of the community are met. The more involvement, the
will be greater the potential to conserve.
Women's participation is essential in conservation of traditional food plants, since our

elderly generation has the unique knowledge of traditional yams, vegetables and
green leaves which are g r o w n in their surroundings. They can identify the plants as
they know h o w to cultivate and prepare them nutritionally and agreeable to the table.
They have been educated by their parents not only to consume but also to store the
additional food for off-seasons. The vast knowledge of traditional methods of food
preparations, as well as preservation, has been passed down from generation to
generation and mostly accumulated with the housewives.
Therefore, womens participation is extremely essential in collecting important

information on food plants and their cultivation, utilization and storage. It is also
accepted that w o m e n must be involved in conservation and promotion processes.
Therefore, first of all information should be collected and documented for future
agricultural programs. Considering the importance of women's involvement in
traditional food plant promotion, various agencies, particularly N G O s should launch
programs for conservation and introduction of agro-based industries related with food
and medicinal plant varieties with women's participation.
4.2 Awareness as an Important Factor
Awareness programs are particularly important in community participation in

agricultural diversity and conservation. The new generation (so called educated) is
unaware of the importance of what their parents ate, how they prepared their meals
from locally available valuable foods, the nutritional values of food varieties and how
they used natural resources in a sustainable manner. Therefore proper education,
which includes Knowledge-Attitude-Practice, is a prerequisite in promoting traditional
food plants. Traditional and modern recipes and modern food technologies have to
be introduced to increase the consumption of traditional food plants. In Sri Lanka,
various organizations, particularly NGOs, are attempting to educate the general
public on the importance of biological and agricultural diversity, conservation and
sustainable use of indegious knowledge, introduction of traditional nutritious diets to
low income families. This attempt should be acknowledged and further enhanced.
The respective institutions should get together to create an awareness among the
people about traditional food plants and the conservation of biological diversity.
Therefore, both formal and informal education systems should be adopted to cover
the areas such as conservation and importance of natural habitats and biological
diversity, role of traditional food plants in food security, nutrition, medicine etc. and
preparation of traditional meals must be introduced to school and university
curriculum. Model school gardens and field genebanks have to be established in
schools and higher academic establishments for both educational and research
purposes.
In-service training for officers in GOs, NGOs and the private sector should be
organised. Public lectures, symposia and workshops have to be organised to reach
a wider audience. Both printed and electronic media can be successfully used in the
education of the general public. Publications such as books, monographs, brochures,
leaflets should be prepared targeting various groups of people. Electronic media have
to be adequately used to address the population. Documentary films, video films,
slides have to be produced to educate the people in the conservation of biological
diversity, particularly diversity of food and medicinal plants.
12
5. Objectives, A r e a a n d Methodology of this Study
A s discussed before, conservation and sustainable use of traditional food plants have
become a responsibility of the human beings. This task should started be with a
good assessment of the situation and a data base on traditional food plants. Various
publications, articles and research papers have been published on traditional food
plants of Sri Lanka . Yet there is a long-felt need for a resource book, which covers
all the aspects of traditional food plants. The objective of the present study is to fulfil
that need and provide the information of important traditional food plants in Sri
Lanka. This monograph will be useful for academics, researchers, agriculturists,
nutritionists, policy makers, teachers, students and the general public who are really
keen and involved in the promotion and utilization of traditional food plants.
Some 152 plant species traditionally used as food are included to this monograph.
Classification of "Traditional" has been done according to the belief and acceptance
o f the c o m m o n people, since other criteria such as plant origin, age of the plant's
introduction to Sri Lanka or the level of the exploitation of particular plant have no
relationship with the "tradition". For instance, cereals such as finger millet, millet,
Italian millet, which played a vital role in our traditional food system originated not
in the territory of Sri Lanka but were introduced in the early periods. Most of the
gourds such as pumpkin, ash melon which originated in Tropical America have been
cultivated and enjoyed by our people over the past centuries. Our people consider
them as traditional food varieties.
Let us consider the age o f introduction. According to our people's belief, different
values and perception are attached to the plants which were introduced in the same
period. A s an example, the Dutch introduced potatoes, sweet potatoes, manioc,
chillies, tomatoes, and tobacco in the 17th century. They originated in Tropical
America, but our people consider sweet potato, manioc, chillies and tomato as our
traditional plant varieties; yet potato is not. The main reason for this confused
perception is that potato was promoted by the British for their food needs which was
very much prestigeous at the early stage compared to our traditional food system.
It entered our food system later in a different form. Our people prepared potato
curry or stake instead of mashed potatoes or french fries.
The plants discussed in this monograph are not evenly exploited or tapped by our
people. S o m e of the traditional plants are well exploited while most of them are
underexploited and are vanishing from the farmers' fields and forests. Therefore,
plants for the sample were selected in consultation with the rural people representing
different agro-ecological zones, according to their importance as food plants.
L.'
Plants mentioned in this monograph grown in various soil and climatic areas in Sri
Lanka were selected according to the opinion of rural people. Further, these were
discussed with intellectuals, researchers, ayurvedic physicians, farmers, and rural
villagers in order to clarify certain facts.
Information was collected mainly from the following three sources:-

(i). Available data, (ii). Field visits, and (iii). Informal discussions.
The following information was collected for each plant species,

(i). Family, (ii). Botanical name including common synonyms , (iii). Vernacular
names, (iv). Description, (v). Centre of origin and distribution, (vi). Edible parts,
(vii). Food use, (viii). Nutrition and Therapeutic values, (ix). Other uses, (x).
Environmental response, (xi). Cultivation, and (xii). Storage
The plants discussed in this monograph are arranged according to alpherbathal order
of the family, the genera of the plants of the family. In the genera, plants are finally
listed in alphabetical order of the species.
14
ANTHOLOGY OF PLANTS
FAMILY:- ACANTHACEAE
B O T A N I C A L N A M E : - Asteracantha longifolia
Syn :- Barleria longifolia, Hygrophila longifolia
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA : Katu-ikiriya, Neera mulliya.

TAMIL : Neremulli, Nirmalli.
DESCRIPTION :-
A perennial herb with an ascending rhizome, stems numerous, 6 0 - 1 2 0 c m tall, erect,

nearly unbranched, somewhat compressed, thickened at nodes and hispid with long hair
between nodes.
L E A V E S : - Simple, sessile, whorled to a whorl, two opposite large ones 9-12 c m long,
1.3-2 c m broad, the four each having a slightly arched, sharp, yellow spine.
FLOWERS:- Large, irregular, bisexual, purplish-blue in a cluster o f eight round each

node in four pairs. Flowers in September, October and January.
FRUIT:- A loculicidal linear capsule with a few seeds (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows throughout India and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, it is common in the dry zone and
in the low-country in ditches and marshy places (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Whole plant
FOOD USE:-
Tender leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Infusion of dried Neera Mulliya is used as a
beverage.
15
<3)D
Asteracantha longifolia
(A) Branch with whorled leaves, flowers and spines of the nods. (B) Lateral view of a flower. (C) Longitudinal Section
of a flower. (D) Corolla spread out showing the didynamous stamens.
16
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E :-
The plant contains alkaloids lupoeol in the roots and hentriacontane in the leaves.The
root also contains a trace of a volatile oil, a yellowish-green wax, a sticky gum,
maltose, hygrosterol and a crystalline substance. The seeds contains a semi-drying
oil.
The burnt ashes of the plant with cow urine is given for oedema and dropsy. A
decoction of the root is a diuretic and administered for stones in the kidney, hepatic
derangements and as an antidysenteric. The seeds are given for gonorrhoea, jaundice,
anasarca and to serve as an aphrodisiac. In the Muslim system of Ayurveda, the plant
is used externally as a poultice or embrocation for rheumatism. (Jayaweera, 1981).
S T O R A G E :-
Stem and leaves are sun-dried.
17
<9
FAMILY:- AIZOACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Trianthema decandra
Syn:- Zaleya decomdra
V E R N A C U L A R N A M E S :-
SINHALA : Maha sarana

TAMIL : Vellaisharunnai, Charanai.
DESCRIPTION :-
A prostrate, succulent, glabrous herb with slightly branched, long, angular stems and
internodes 2 . 5 - 9.5 c m long.
L E A V E S : - Simple, exstipulate, opposite, somewhat unequal, 2 - 3 . 7 cm long, 0 . 8 - 2 . 2

cm broad, oblong- oval, rounded and apiculate at the apex.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, 4 mm diameter apetalous, short-pediculate in dense

sub-umbellate, axillary clusters.
FRUIT:- A membranous, 4-seeded capsule, 4.5 m m long with a hard thick truncate
cap which is detached by a transverse dehiscence carrying away two of the seeds with
Seeds orbicular reniform, 1.5 mm diameter, black and somewhat flat on the side
(Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Timor and Java. In Sri Lanka it is grown well in
the wet zone. It is cultivated in the dry zone under irrigation (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Whole plant.
FOOD USE:-
Eaten as a vegetable.
18
19
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E : - *
Moisture - 9 1 . 3 g, Energy - 2 4 kcal, Protein - 2 . 0 g, Fats - 0 . 4 g, Carbohydrates - <m

3.28 g, Calcium - 100 mg, Phosphorus - 30 mg, Iron - 3 8 . 5 mg, Vitamin C - 70 mg.
The root of the plant is an aperient and is useful in hepatitis and asthma. Given with
milk, it is supposed to be specific for orchitis. The juice of the leaf is dropped into
the nostrils to relieve migraine (Jayaweera, 1981).
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation- can be grown in all regions of the country. Loamy and sand
soils with a high humus content are preferred.
Planting season- Throughout year. However, for good crop establishment, plant
during the rainy season.
Land preparation - The land has to be worked to a depth of about 20 cm in order to

attain a fine condition which can be done by mammoty.
Planting material- Seeds and cuttings
Irrigation - Adequate soil moisture must be made available for establishment and good
growth of the crop.
Fertilizer- Add organic matter at the rate of 1.5 kg/sqm at planting and every 6
c
months there after.
S T O R A G E :-
In room temperature, it lasts only a few days and can not be kept beyond this length
of time.
20
FAMILY:- AIZOACEAE
* B O T A N I C A L N A M E : - Trianthema portulacastrum
SINHALA : Hin sarana

TAMIL : Sharunnai.Shavalai
ENGLISH : Horse purslane
DESCRIPTION :-
A prostrate, much branched, succulent herb with rather angular stems.
L E A V E S : - Simple, obliquely opposite very unequal, succulent, glabrous,the upper

ones larger.
F L O W E R S : - Small, light pink, regular, 4 mm diameter, bisexual, apetalous, sessile,

axillary, almost inside the pouch of the petioles of the smaller leaves.
FRUITS:- Capsule 7 mm long, 5 m m broad, obconical, truncate, somewhat like the

. cusp of a molar tooth at apex with 1 -4 seeds in the upper portion at dehiscence.
Seeds - Reniform, black, muriculate, 1.5-1.7 mm diameter (Jayaweera, 1981).
f DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows throughout India, Sri Lanka, and most tropical countries. In Sri Lanka, it
grows in the low country especially on the coast and in the Dry Zone near tanks
(Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Whole plant.
FOOD USE:-
Eaten as a pot herb.
Moisture - 9 3 . 4 g, Energy - 2 1 . 0 Kcal , Protein -2.1 g, Fat - 0 . 3 g, Carbohydrate -

2 . 3 g, Calcium - 5 0 m g , Phosphorus-28 m g , Iron Fe-2.4 mg, Vitamin - A - 4 9 5 m g ,
0 Thiamine - 9 3 0 m g , Riboflavin 130 m g , C-10 mg ((Weerakoon, 1993).
21
Trianthema portulacastrum
(A) Branch
The root contains a glucoside similar to saponin. The plant is a good source of
calcium, iron and phosphorus. The powdered bitter and nauseous root is given in
combination with ginger as cathartic. A decoction of the root is an abortifacient and
emmenagogue. According to Nadkarni, an infusion of the roots is given for
constipationjaundice, strangury, dropsy, turbid liver and asthma. In Ghana the plant
is applied as a dressing or poultice (Jayaweera, 1981).
CULTIVATION:-
See Maha Sarana (Trianthera decandra).
STORAGE:-
It lasts only two days under normal conditions.
23
FAMILY:- AMARANTHACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Aerva lanata
Syn :- Aerva bans, Aerva floribunda, Aerva brachiasa
VERNACULAR NAMES :-
SINHALA : Polpala,Polkudupala.
TAMIL : Sirupulai.
DESCRIPTION :-
Annual herb. 60-75 cm tall, often woody at base. Stem green erect or prostrate, with
numerous, slender, cylindrical,more or less cottony, hairy branches.
LEAVES:- Simple, alternate, 1.2-3.5 cm long, 0.9-2.5 cm broad, oval or

spatulate-oval, tapering to base rounded or subacute at apex.
FLOWERS:- Greenish white, very small, regular, bisexual, sessile in dense, axillary
heads or spikes, bracts shorter than sepals, (period- throughout the year)
FRUIT:- In dehiscent, somewhat flattish, 0.8 mm long, 0.6 mm broad. Seeds only
one to a fruit and black in colour (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Widespread in the drier parts of the tropics and subtropics of the old World
(Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980). Grows throughout India, Sri Lanka, Malaya, Java,
Sumatra, and in Tropical Africa (Jayaweera, 1981). In Sri Lanka,it is a common
weed in the mid and low-country especially in the Dry Zone both in waste and
cultivated ground.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Whole plant.
FOOD USE:-
Tender leaves are used for vegetable and infusion of whole plant (wet and dried) is
drunk as a beverage.
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D T H E R A P E U T I C V A L U E :-
A decoction of the plant is a reputed diuretic and considered of great value in lithiasis.
The plant is also used for coughs and as a vermifuge for children. The roots are used
in the treatment of headaches. (Jayaweera, 1981).
STORAGE :-
It is normally sun-dried and kept in dry containers for longer periods.

B O T A N I C A L N A M E : Alternanthera sessilis
SINHALA : Mucunuwenna.
TAMIL : Pounanganni, Ponnankani.
DESCRIPTION:-
A prostrate herb with numerous, sub-quadrangular, glabrous stem, 15-60 c m long,

often rooting at nodes; internodes 1.5-7 c m long, younger ones with t w o opposite
lines of hairs, often purplish red.
L E A V E S : - Simple, opposite, 1.5-5 cm long 0.7-1.7 cm broad.
FLOWERS:- White, regular, bisexual in densely crowded, small, axillary heads,

sometimes slightly spicate, bracts membranous, 0.7 mm long, 0 . 4 m m broad, ovate,
acute, (period- all the year round).
FRUITS:- Flat, kidney-shaped 2 mm long and as broad .enclosed in the persistent

perianth segments. Seeds, 1.2 m m diameter, glabrous and shining (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in humid places, throughout the warmer parts of India, Sri Lanka and other
tropical countries Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980). In Sri Lanka this plant is very
common growing in wet places especially around tanks and ponds (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Whole plant.
FOOD USE:-
This plant is a popular pot herb. Frequently eaten as a vegetable.
NUTRITIONAL A N D THERAPEUTIC VALUE:-
Moisture - 7 7 . 4 g, Energy - 72 kcal, Protein - 5 . 0 g, Fat - 0 . 7 g, Carbohydrate - 11.6

g, Calcium - 5 1 0 m g , Phosphorus - 6 0 mg, Iron-16.7 m g , Vitamin - A - 9 6 5 m g ,
Riboflavin-140 m g , Thiamin - 1 . 2 m g , Vitamin C-17.0 mg. (Perera et. al, 1979).
27
I
Altemanthera sessilis
(A) Branch with leaves and flower heads. (B) Lateral view of a flower. (C) Fruit.
28
The vegetative and reproductive parts of this plant are said to contain traces of
hydrocyanic acid. It is a cholagogue laxative and is useful for chronic congestion o f
the liver, biliousness and dyspepsia associated with sluggish liver. Owing to its
diuretic and diluent properties, it may be used with advantage in acute and chronic
pyelitis, cystitis, gonorrhoea and strangury. It is also said to increase the flow of milk
in nursing mothers. The expressed juice of the plant is given with c o w ghee for the
treatment of snake bite. In West Tropical Africa it is used as a poultice for boils,
abortifacient and remedy for indigestion, while in Madagascar it is often used as a
galactagogue (Jayaweera, 1981).
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - Wet zone
Planting season - Throughout the year. However, for good crop establishment, plant
during the rainy season.
Land preparation - The land has to be worked by mammoty in order to make a seed
bed with fine condition.
Planting material - Steam by cuttings.
Planting and space - 15 cm long stem cuttings are planted in beds. Space between
two plants is 30 cm and it can be grown as a pot herb.
Irrigation - Normally stem cuttings are planted in rainy season, therefore special
irrigation is not necessary. In dry periods watering increases the productivity.
Fertilizer - Normally it is grown without fertilizer, but application of organic matter

will increase the yield.
Pests /Diseases - Insects damage the leaves.
Time of harvesting - Harvesting begins about 2 months after planting.
Harvesting - Plants are cut to above two leaves from the bottom
STORAGE:-
In wet places the harvest can be stored for 2-4 days.
29
FAMILY :- AMARANTHACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Amaranthus paniculatus
Syn : A. speciousus, A. caudatus
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Rana- tampala.

TAMIL Nut Keerai
ENGLISH Inca Wheat, Quinoa, Grain Amaranth
DESCRIPTION:-
A tall annual, 1.2-1.8 m high with stout, grooved and striate, glabrous, or slightly
pubescent stems.
LEAVES:- Simple, alternate, 5-15 cm long, 2.5-7.5 cm broad, elliptic lancelot, acute
or acuminate, base cuneate, nerves slender, numerous, prominent beneath.
FLOWERS:- Small, unisexual, monoecious or polygamous, numerous in dense,

thyroid, gold coloured or red spikes, the central spikes the longest.
FRUIT:- Capsule 3 mm long ovoid, narrowed at the tip, seeds 1.2- 1.5 mm long, 1
mm broad subglobose, white, red or black (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Centre of origin is the Indian region of South America. It was the staple of Incas and
cultivation was prohibited by Spaniards in the 16th century. Grows as an escape or
cultivated in Peru, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Tropical Asia, Africa and Philippine
Islands (Tindall, 1993). In the dry zone of Sri Lanka it is cultivated as a chena crop.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Seeds and tender leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The seed and tender leaves are eaten in Iran and Iraq. Certain hill tribes in India and
Africa use the grain as a staple food. Seeds are ground into flour and Roti is
prepared from it. Pop seeds are mixed with honey and given to children. Tender
leaves are eaten as a green vegetable and may be added to soup.
30
31
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E : -
Moisture - 7 8 . 6 g, Energy - 67 kcal, Protein - 5 . 9 g, Fat 1.0 g, Carbohydrates 8.6

g, Calcium - 5 3 0 m g , Phosphorus - 6 0 m g , Iron - 18.4 mg, Carotin - 14.90 m e g ,
Thiamine - 0 . 0 1 m g , Riboflavin - 0 . 2 4 m e g , Niacin - 1.1 meg, Vitamin C -81 m g .
(Perera et al., 1979).
The seed contains carbohydrate and protein. The plant is used as a diuretic for
strangury. It is given for scrofula and applied topically to scrofulous sores. It is also
said to be useful for piles and purifies blood. The extract of the leaves relieves pains
and congestion in the chest (Jayaweera, 1981).
E N V I R O N M E N T A L RESPONSE:
Soil with a high organic content, with adequate mineral reserves is required for
optimum yield. Optimum pH range is 5.5-7.5 but some cultivars will tolerate more
alkaline conditions. Although it is tolerant to high temperatures, optimum is 23-30°C,
lowland areas up to 8 0 0 m altitude are more suitable for cultivation.
CULTIVATION:-
Rana tampala can be grown in home gardens or on small plots using labour-intensive
practices. It may be sown direct or transplanted. It requires finely prepared soil s o
that small seeds can be firmly packed with good soil contact for optimum water
absorption.
Spacing /Seed rate - The very small seeds are mixed with dry sand to ensure uniform
distribution. They are sown broadcast on to prepared beds at a rate of 1.5-2 kg/ha.
Irrigation - Increases yield but uneconomic. It is normally grown as a rainfed crop.
Fertilizer - It responds well to fertilizers with a high Potassium content.
Time to harvest - First harvest may be taken at 2 weeks, but true harvesting starts
3 0 - 5 0 days from sowing, when plants are 15-20 c m high.
Harvesting- Either whole plant is uprooted when it is about 2 0 c m high, in 3-4 weeks
after transplanting, or established plants are cut above the bottom two leaves, which
encourages growth of side shoots
Yield - (Green harvest) Entire plant harvested- 20-25 t/ha; shoots only (successional
harvesting)- 30-60 t/ha.
32
STORAGE:-
In wet places the green harvest can be stored for 2-4 days. Seeds can be kept well.
Moisture content of seeds should be 8-11 % for longer storage.
33
BOTANICAL NAME:- Amaranthus polygonoides
SINHALA : Walu tampala

TAMIL : Araikkirai, Punniyaku
DESCRIPTION :-
A prostrate, glabrous herb with many spreading branches.
L E A V E S : - Small, 0.7-1.5 cm long, 0.5-1 cm broad.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, small, unisexual, monoecious 2 mm long, numerous in

axillary clusters, bracts subulate, sharply acuminate. Flowers all the year round.
FRUIT:- A membranous, urceolate, indehiscent capsule, 1.5 mm long, 1.2 m m

broad. Seed lenticular, 1 m m diameter, dark brown with raised border (Jayaweera,
1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Widespread in the warmer temperate regions and tropics. Grows throughout India
and Sri Lanka and in all tropical countries. In Sri Lanka, it is a common weed
growing in dry waste places and roadsides in the dry zone. (Dassanayake and
Fosberg, 1980).
EDIBLE PARTS A N D F O O D U S E : -
Tender leaves are eaten as green vegetables.
Moisture - 9 0 . 0 g, Energy - 33 kcal, Protein - 2.8 g, Fat 0.3 g, Carbohydrates 4 . 8

g, Calcium -251 mg, Phosphorus - 4 0 mg, Iron - 2 7 . 3 mg.
The seed contains carbohydrate and protein. The plant is used as a diuretic for
strangury. It is given for scrofula and applied topically to scrofulous sores. It is also
said to be useful for piles and purifies blood. The extract of the leaves relieves pains
and congestion in the chest.
•
*
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE:
Soil with a high organic content, with adequate mineral reserves and required for
C U L T I V A T I O N :-
Walu tampala can be grown in home gardens or on small plots using labour-intensive
practices. It may be s o w n direct or transplanted. It requires finely prepared soil so
absorption.
distribution. They are s o w n broadcast on to prepared beds at a rate of 1.5-2 kg/ha.
30-50 days from sowing, when plants are 15-20 cm high.
Harvesting- Either whole plant is uprooted when it is are about 2 0 cm high, in 3-4
weeks after transplanting, or established plants are cut above the bottom two leaves,
which encourages growth of side shoots.
Yield - Entire plant harvested- 20-25 t/ha; shoots only (successional harvesting)- 30-60
t/ha.
STORAGE:-
In wet places the green harvest can be stored for 2-4 days.
36
F A M I L Y :- AMARANTHACEAE.
BOTANICAL NAME:- Amaranthus spinosus
N A M E S IN OTHER L A N G U A G E S :-
SINHALA : Katu tampala

TAMIL : Mullukkirai
ENGLISH : Prickly Amaranth
DESCRIPTION:-
A n annual herb, stem 0 . 3 - 1 . 0 2 m tall, green, stout glabrous and shining, much
branched, cylindrical with a pair of very sharp divaricate spines in leaf axils at the
base of the bud or branch.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 3-8 cm long, 1.3-4.3 cm broad.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, pale green, unisexual, monoecious, very small, numerous,

sessile, in dense clusters both axillary and terminal interrupted spikes, male flowers
fewer then female. Flowers and fruits from September to December.
FRUIT:- 1.2-1.5 m m long, very thin, circumscissile with persistent perianth

segments. Seeds or bicular 1mm diameter, black and polished (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows as a weed in waste ground throughout India, Sri Lanka and other tropical
countries. In Sri Lanka it is very common on waste ground (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The young leaves are often eaten as a pot herb.
Moisture - 8 5 . 0 g, Energy - 4 3 Kcal, Protein - 3 . 0 g, Fat - 0 . 3 g, Carbohydrate - 7 . 0

g, Calcium - 8 0 0 m g , Phosphorus -50 m g , Iron - 2 2 . 9 m g , Carotene - 3 5 6 4 m e g ,
Vitamin C - 3 3 .
38
Both vegetative and reproductive parts of the plant contain traces of hydrocyanic acid.
^ The fresh tender leaves contain vitamin C and mucilage. The plant is used as a
sudorific and febrifuge and is recommended for eruptive fevers. The leaves are
considered a good emollient, lactagogue and a specific for colic. Externally, the
bruised leaves are applied locally on eczema. The root is considered for gonorrhoea
as it is a mild diuretic and demulcent to the urinary tract. In Ghana, an enema
prepared from the plant is given for piles (Jayaweera, 1981).
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE:-
Soil with a high organic content, with adequate mineral reserves are required for
CULTIVATION;-
Katu tampala can be grown in home gardens or on small plots using labour-intensive
practices. It may be s o w n direct or transplanted. It requires finely prepared soil s o
absorption.
distribution. They are sown broadcast on to prepared beds at a rate o f 1.5-2 kg/ha.
30-50 days from sowing, when plants are 15-20 cm high.
Harvesting- Either whole plant is uprooted when it is about 2 0 c m high, in 3-4 weeks
after transplanting, or established plants are cut above the bottom t w o leaves, which
encourages growth of side shoots.
t/ha.
STORAGE :-
39
F A M I L Y :- AMARANTHACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Amaranthus viridis.
SINHALA : Kura-tampala
TAMIL : Araikkirai.
DESCRIPTION :-
A much branched erect annual stem 30-56 c m tall, cylindrical, glabrous and shining,
purplish.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate 3-6.3 cm long, 1.6-4.7 cm broad.
F L O W E R S : - Small, unisexual monoecious, sessile in clusters on slender, tapering,

interrupted, terminal and axillary paniculate spikes. (period-Oct-Dec).
FRUIT:- 1.5 m m long, compressed, rugose, glabrous, indehiscent with a membranous

pericarp enclosed in persistent perianth leaves. Seed blackish, lenticular, 1 m m
across, glabrous and shining (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in all tropical countries including India and Sri Lanka. It is a very common
gregarious weed in Sri Lanka along roadsides and waste ground (Dassanayake and
Fosberg, 1980).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
Tender leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The tender leaves are eaten as a green vegetable.
Moisture - 81.8 g, Energy - 38 kcal, Proteins - 2 . 2 g, Fats - 0 . 3 , Carbohydrates - 3.8

g, Calcium - 330 mg, Phosphorus - 52 m g , Iron - 18.7 mg.
40
9
41
It contains an alkaloid and is rich in calcium and iron. It is a good source of vitamins
B and C. The powdered leaves yield a tannin, s o m e reducing sugar and resin. This 9
plant is a cholagogue, mild diuretic and demulcent to the urinary tract and is used
with good results in chronic congestion of the liver, in irritable conditions of the
bladder and in gonorrhoea when there is burning sensation in passing water. It is
largely used as a hemostatic in hematuria, menorrhagia and bleeding from
hemorrhoids. It is also used as an antidote for snake-bite, stings o f wasps and bites
of centipedes. The leaves are applied as a poultice to inflammations, boils and
abscesses with beneficial effects. In Brazil, an infusion of the plant is used as a
diuretic and galactagogue (Jayaweera, 1981).
E N V I R O N M E N T A L RESPONSE:-
Soil with a high organic content, with adequate mineral reserves is required for
alkaline conditions. Although it is tolerate for high temperatures, optimum is 2 3 -
30°C, lowland areas up to 800 m altitude are more suitable for cultivation.
CULTIVATION:-
Kura tampala can be grown in home gardens or on small plots using labour-intensive
practices. It may be sown direct or transplanted. It requires finely prepared soil s o »
absorption.
distribution. They are sown broadcast on to prepared beds at a rate of 1.5-2 kg/ha.

3 0 - 5 0 days from sowing, when plants are 15-20 cm high.
Harvesting- Either whole plant is uprooted when it is about 20cm high, in 3-4 weeks
after transplanting, or established plants are cut above the bottom two leaves, which
encourages growth of side shoots
t/ha.
STORAGE:-
42
FAMILY:- ANACARDIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Anacardium occidentals.
SINHALA : Kaju
TAMIL : Andima, Kallarma, Kottaimundiri, Saram, Palamundiri
ENGLISH : Cashew Nut
DESCRIPTION :-
A medium sized tree with crooked trunk and terete, glabrous branches.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, ceraceous, 8.5-24 cm long, 5.8-14.5 cm broad, oblong,

obovate or elliptic, rounded or somewhat retuseat apex, glabrous, firmly reticulately
veined, base cuneate, margin wavy, lateral veins 10-15 pairs, prominent beneath;
petioles 1-2.5 cm long.
F L O W E R S : - Small, regular, polygamous in terminal, (bracteate) panicles longer than

leaves.(period-November and Jan to March)
*
FRUIT:- Nut-reniform 2.5 cm long on a swollen, fleshy, yellow or red pedicel,
pericarp cellular,full of acrid oil.seed reniform, ascending, exalbuminous, testa
membranous, cotyledons semilunar with a milky taste (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
The Cashew nut is a native of Tropical America from Mexico to Peru, Brazil and
West Indies. It was introduced to India from Brazil by Portuguese in the 16th
century (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1983). In Sri Lanka it is commonly found in
village gardens and waste lands along the sandy western coast of the Island and in the
dry zone (Purseglove, 1968; Jayaweera, 1981).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
Kernel of the seed and fruit apple.
FOOD USE:-
Cashew is one of the best nuts in the world. Matured seed kernels are eaten fresh,
fried or roasted. It is also added into ice creams and fruit salads and used in the
• confectionery industry. Immatured kernels are prepared as a curry. Cashew apple
is eaten fresh as a fruit and can be used in preparing pickles and salads. The
43
44
extracted juice from cashew apple can be canned as a drink and used in vinegar
preparations.
(Cashew Nut)
Moisture - 4 0 g, Energy - 568 Kcal, Protein - 18.4 g, Fats - 4 6 . 3 g, Carbohydrates -

2 8 . 7 g, Calcium 28 mg, Phosphorus - 4 6 2 mg, Iron - 3.6 mg, Carotene - 5 meg,
Thiamin - 2 5 0 meg, Riboflavin - 340 mg, Niacin - 2 . 4 m g , Vitamin C - 1 mg.
(Cashew Apple)
Moisture - 88 g, Protein - 0.2 g, Fat-0.1 g, Carbohydrate - 11.6 g, Vitamin

C-234-371 mg (Perera et al, 1979).
The pericarp o f the nut of this tree contains a toxic principle, cardol, anacardol,
cardanol and anacardic acid. The kernels yield a fixed oil which contains linoleic,
palmitic, stearic and lignoceric acids and sitosterin. The exudation from the bask is
a mixture of gum-arabic and bassorin. A decoction of the bark of this tree is used as
a remedy for diarrhoea, syphitiric swellings of joints and for diabetes. The juice of
the ripe receptacle is recommended for scurvy, uterine troubles and dropsy. The oil
of the pericarp is useful as an anaesthetic in leprosy and psoriasis. It is a powerful
vesicant, vermicide and insecticide. The kernel of the fruit is used extensively in the
confectionery trade. The oil extracted is a mechanical and chemical antidote for
irritant poisons. In the Congo, the bark is used as an arrow poison and the oral
administration of the tincture of the bark is supposed to lower blood sugar level
(Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER U S E S : -
The shell or pericarps yield cashew shell oil which is a vesicant and is used as a
waterproofing agent and as a preservative.
A drought tolerant plant. Adopted to a large range of soils. Requires a rainfall of

1000-2000 mm. Grown well at the altitudes below 1000 m.
Cashew is normally propagated from seeds sown directly in the field at the beginning
of the rainy season, it does not transplant well. High density seeds are selected from
those which sink in a solution of 150 g salt per litre of water. These seeds are placed
in each hole about 23 cm apart and 5-7.5 cm deep. Under good conditions
germination occurs in 2-4 weeks. Subsequently seedlings are thinned to have one per 9
hole. Various methods of vegetative propagation are now available, including
air/ground layering, grafting and inarching.
Spacing - Depending on soil type, spacing is of 9 x 9 m to 15 x 15 m.
Time to harvest - Fruit production begins 3-5 years after planting, depending on
conditions and variety. The period from flowering to nut fall is 50-77 days. The
apple takes 2-3 months to ripen fully.
Harvesting - The cashew apple should be picked before it drops, but the nuts can be
left on the ground without damage if conditions are dry.
STORAGE:-
Cashew apple may be preserved as Jam or Canned. Matured dried nut can be
preserved in dry places.
46
FAMILY:- ANACRDIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Mangifera indica
SINHALA : Amba
TAMIL : Adishelarayam, Ambiram, Amiram, Mampalam
ENGLISH : Mango
DESCRIPTION:-
A large spreading tree, about 15-20 m in height with a rough grooved bark and
glabrous stems and branches.
LEAVES:- Simple, alternate, crowded at the ends of branches, 12-40 cm long,

4 . 5 - 1 3 cm broad.
FLOWERS:- Small, yellowish green, polygamous, monoecious with a pungent odour

arranged in large, many flowered, pubescent panicles longer than leaves, pedicles
short, thick and jointed.
FRUIT:- A large fleshy resinous drupe, 7.5-20 cm long with a compressed,fibrous

stone inside. Seeds large,exalbuminous, ovoid-oblong, compressed, testa papery with
plano-convex, often unequal and lobed cotyledons (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It probably originated in the India-Burma region and grows wild in the forests of
India. Mango has been cultivated in India over 4 thousand years and is probably one
of the oldest cultivated fruits (Purseglove, 1980; Raketin and Durmanov, 1989; Bose
and Mitra, 1990). According to Buddhist literature, Mango juice was offered to Lord
Buddha 2 5 0 0 years ago. Grows in the Himalayas, Sikkim, Khasia, along Western
Ghats and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka it has a long history as it is g r o w n as a cultivated
plant in almost every village garden. According to Mahawamsa, mango occurred in
Sri Lanka when Mahinda Thero came (In 307B.C) to Sri Lanka. In the history it is
found that King Kassapa grew mango orchards in Sri Lanka (Siriweera, 1993). A
large number of varieties are cultivated in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
48
F O O D USE:-
Riped fruit is one of the best fruits in the world. The less fibre, turpentine flavour
free, rosy-yellow skinned varieties are considered the best in the world market.
Mango is eaten fresh, used for preparation of jams, cordials, juice and fruit salads.
Mango layers are prepared from juice of riped fruits. Unriped fruits are used in
pickles, chutney and culinary preparations. They are also sliced, sun-dried and used
in off seasons.
OTHER U S E S : -
The timber is used in many ways.
(100 gr of edible portion)

Moisture - 8 1 . 0 g, Energy - 74 Kcal, Protein - 0.6 g, Fat - 0 . 4 g, Carbohydrates -
16.9 g, Calcium - 14 mg, Phosphorus - 16 mg, Iron - 1.3 mg, Carotene - 2 7 4 3 meg,
Thiamine-80 meg, Riboflavin - 90 meg, Niacin - 0.9 mg, Vitamin C-16 mg. (Perera
et al., 1979).
The leaves of this tree contain euxanthin acid, euxanthon, hippuric and benzoic acids,
mangiferin and margin while the bark contains tannin and the exudation from it yields
resin and gum. The fruits which are consumed contain saccharose,levulose, dextrose
and citric, tartaric and malic acids in addition to vitamins A , B , C , ascorbic acid and
carotene. The seeds possess a fixed oil with oleostearin, starch, gallic acid and
tannin. The juice of the leaves of this tree is given for bleeding dysentery. While an
infusion of the young leaves is prescribed for chronic diseases of the lungs, coughs,
and asthma. An infusion or expressed juice of the bark is used in menorrhagia,
leucorrhoea, bleeding piles and hemorrhages of the lungs and intestines. A cold
infusion of the barks of Mangifera indica, Syzygium cumini and Terminalia arjuna
with bees' honey is given for bleeding from internal organs. A decoction of the dry
flowers is used with beneficial effects on diarrhoea, chronic dysentery and gleet
(Jayaweera, 1981).
It is well adopted to many types of soils. However deep well drained, sandy loams
with a pH of 5.5-7.5 would be ideal for mangoes. Optimum temperature is 24-30°C
while the required rainfall is 5 0 0 - 2 5 0 0 mm.
49
Mangoes are usually propagated by seed, but this is not recommended. It is preferable
to produce planting stock by vegetative propagation of selected varieties. Germination
takes about 2 0 days and is hastened by the removal of the fibrous seed husk.Seeds are
planted at a depth of about 2 cm and seedlings reach a height of about 15 cm by 6-8
w e e k s . They are transplanted in the nursery, or in pots, when the first reddish leaves
turn dark green and the cotyledons are still attached to the root collar. Selected
mango cultivars are usually propagated by grafting, using various techniques of
inarching, veneer and spile grafting, or budding into a seedling rootstock.
Planting - Planting holes 0.75 -1 m deep and wide should be prepared 6 months
before planting with farmyard manure, w o o d ash and binomial mixed into the soil.
Planting should take place with the onset of the rains. Young trees should be
mulched, shaded and a weed-free circle maintained around each.
Spacing - Varies according to variety, vigor of trees and climate. Seedlings 10-12 m,
grafted mangoes closer, 7 x 7 m.
Irrigation - Usually supplied during the first 4-5 years, but not always necessary
where rainfall is greater than 700 mm/year and well distributed.
Fertilizer - Manuring is important during establishment. Nitrogen fertilizer applied

to leave-bearing trees stimulates vegetative growth necessary for the next year's crop.
Time to harvest - seedling tress start to bear 4 -5 years after planting, with economic
returns by the 8th year. Grafted trees start bearing in 3-4 years. From flower
fertilization to fruit maturity takes 2-5 months, depending on cultivar and temperature.
Harvested fruits are usually allowed to fall to the ground if too high to reach, but for
marketing it must be carefully picked to avoid bruising. They are ready for
harvesting when the ground colour of the area around the fruit stalk begins to change
from green to yellow. They should be cut with scissors or a sharp knife, leaving a
small stalk on the fruit.
S T O R A G E :-
Riped fruits should be washed properly before storing. Fruits are plucked in mature
stage for prolonged keeping. Riped fruits are used in the manufacture of jams, jellies,
juices and sundries, mango layers etc. Mango slices and juices are canned. Salted
sun-dried mango slices can be stored for a number of months in dry and dark places.
50
BOTANICAL NAME:- Mangifera zeylanica
SINHALA : Atamba
TAMIL : Katuma
DESCRIPTION :-
Large tree, bark rather rough, slightly cracked-fissured, brownish-grey, with dispersed
corky lenticulas.
L E A V E S : - Stalks-2 c m long, leaf blades ceraceous, 7-13 cm (in saplings up to 2 0 )

long, lancelot or ovate oblong.
FLOWERS:- Panicles glabrous. Petals twice as long as the sepals, obtuse, clawed
reflex Flowering-February, March and September (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Mangifera zeylanica is a plant endemic to Sri Lanka. It is a tree of the lowlands in

the moist and dry regions up to 1000 m altitude.
E D I B L E PARTS :-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Riped fruits are eaten fresh.
O T H E R USES:
It is a good stock for mango budding. Timber is used in many ways.
b
51
Mangifera zeylanica
(A) Branch. (B). Fruit.
BOTANICAL NAME:- Spondias pinnata
N A M E S IN O T H E R L A N G U A G E S :-
SINHALA Ember ella.

TAMIL Ambalam, Egin, Kattuma, Malai, Sudam
ENGLISH Bile Treejndian Hog Plum, Traveller's Delight, Wild
Mango.
DESCRIPTION :-
A small or moderate-sized,deciduous tree, with a straight trunk, pale bark and

glabrous young parts.
L E A V E S : - Large,imparipirmate compound, 30-45 cm long, rachis thickened at base,

cylindrical, striate, glabrous;
FLOWERS:- Regular, pale pinkish green, polygamous, 4 - 6 m m across, sessile in

small clusters, (period -In January).
FRUITS:- A n ovoid edible drupe, about 5 cm long smooth, yellow with a firm flesh
and milky juice,stone woody and fibrous (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Polynesia. It was introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in the second
half of the 18th century. Grows throughout India, Sri Lanka, Burma and the
Andaman Islands. It is common in Sri Lanka, often planted in the moist low-country
(Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Matured fruits are eaten fresh. Jams, chutney, pickles and dosi (candied)
are prepared from the fruit. Delicious curry is prepared using fruits.
53
54
Moisture - 8 6 . 9 g, Energy - 4 6 Kcal, Protein -0.2 g, Fat -0.1 g, Carbohydrates -

12.8, Calcium - 56 m g , Phosphorus - 67 mg, Fe-0.3 m g , Carotene - 2 0 5 m e g ,
Thiamin -50 meg, Riboflavin - 2 0 meg, Niacin - 1.4 m e g , C - 3 6 m g (Perera, et at.,
1979).
The bark of this tree is used for treating dysentery. Among certain Indian tribes, the
bark ground into a paste with water is rubbed for both articular and muscular
rheumatism. The juice of the leave is used for earache. The fruit is an antiscorbutic
and the acidic and astringent pulp is used for bilious dyspepsia (Jayaweera, 1981).
S. pinneta is propagated by seeds. It is budded with mango in order to get better

Amberella plants. Plants start bearing of fruits at the age of 4-5 years. It is not
cultivated in Sri Lanka commercially, but in home gardens.
STORAGE:-
Ripen fruits can be kept for a few days. It can be used for preparing pickles and
chutney, which can be kept for several months.
55
FAMILY:- ANNONACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Annona muricata
VERNACULAR NAMES :-
SINHALA : Katu-attha, Katu-anoda, Rata-attha

TAMIL : Sitha-Seetha palam
ENGLISH : Soursop
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree about 4-10 m tall. Branches pubescent with appressed fulvous hairs
when young, soon glabrate. Axillary buds narrowly conical, very acute.
LEAVES:- Leaf blade 8-11 cm long, 3-7 cm wide, obovate or narrowly obovate,
rounded but short-decurrent at base, glabrous above, sparsely pubescent beneath.
FLOWERS:- Greenish-yellow, terminal or leaf-opposed.
FRUITS:- It is about 10-25 cm long, up to 15 cm in diameter. Ovoid or irregularly

ovoid, dark green, covered with soft spines about 6 mm long and usually curved pulp *
white.
Seed-Blackish-brown (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Probably it is a native of the West Indies (Querol, 1992). It could have been
introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese. They are now widely distributed
throughout the humid tropics.
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The fruit
FOOD USE:-
Riped fruits are eaten fresh, sap of the fruit is used to prepare drinks and ice creams.
Matured fruits are cooked as breadfruit.
0»
56
Moisture - 8 1 . 7 g, Energy - 65 kcal, Proteins - 1.08 g, Fats - 0.39 g, Carbohydrates -

16.3 g Calcium - 14 mg, phosphorus - 27 mg, Iron - 0 . 6 8 , Vitamin, Carotene - 1
meg, Thiamine - 7 0 meg, Niacin - 6 0 meg, Vitamin C-20 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
Leaf infusion used as sudorific; antipasmodic; emetic flowers are antispasmodic. The
ripe fruit is antiscorbutic; unripe fruit for dysentery. Seeds and green fruit astringent
( D e Pauda et al., 1997).
E N V I R O N M E N T A L RESPONSE: -
The soursop can be grown in a wide variety of soils, although well drained soils are
more suitable. It require an annual rainfall of 100 cm or more. Adopted only to
lowland areas, the soursop is widely planted in the tropics below an altitude of 100m.
CULTIVATION:-
It grows in low land of wet zone up to 670 m . It is propergated by seeds. Spacing -

should be planted 5 m apart. It starts to bear fruits at the age of three years. In good
years it bears 2 5 - 3 0 fruit in a season.
STORAGE:-
Riped fruits can be stored 3-5 days. Fruits are picked while immature for prolonged
keeping. Cordials are made in commercial scale.
QIP
58
FAMILY:- ANNONACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Annona reticulata
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Attha, Weli-attha

TAMIL Ramsitha
ENGLISH Bullock's heart.
DESCRIPTION:-
A small tree 5-10 m tall. Branches grayish sericeous when young, glabrate with age.
Axillary buds ovoid, obtuse.
LEAVES:- Leaf blade about 10-20 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, lancelot, acute or obtuse
and shortly decurrent at base, gradually long acuminate at apex, pubescent on both
sides when young, glabrate on upper side at maturity.
FLOWERS:- Green, several from internodal cymes, rarely leaf-opposed.
FRUIT:- It is up to 10 cm in diameter. Spherical or ovid,'turning yellow or reddish,

smooth. Pulp-yellowish. Seed-black brown (Macmillan, 1956).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It originated in the West Indies and is grown as a fruit in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit
FOOD USE:-
Riped fruit is eaten fresh. Juice is also used as a drink.
NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC VALUE
Moisture - 76.8 g, Energy - 70 Kcal, Proteins - 1.4 g, Fats - 0.2 g, Carbohydrates -

15.7 g, Calcium - 10 mg, Phosphorus - 10 mg, Iron - 0.6 mg.
59
Annona reticulata
(A) Branch with leaves. (B) Fruit.

Fresh leaves used as topicals applied to the stomach of children suffering from
indigestion. Fresh leaves and fruits are anthelmintic. Green fruits and bark astringent
in dysentery and diarrhea (De Pauda et al., 1987).
CULTIVATION:-
Occurs in wet zone home gardens of Sri Lanka. Propagated by seeds. In a season
a tree bears 100-150 fruits and the weight of each fruit is about 4 0 0 - 7 0 0 g.
61
FAMILY:- ANNONACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Annona squamosa.
SINHALA Anona, Sini-atta

TAMIL Sittapan, Sitapalam
ENGLISH Sugar Apple, SweetSop, Custard apple
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree, about 3-8 m high, leafy branches, pubescent or glabrate, hairs
grayish-white, appressed or erefo-patent
LEAVES.- Simple, alternate, stipulate, 3 . 7 - 7 . 5 c m long, 1.8-3.7 cm broad,

oblong-lancelot or elliptic, obtuse or subacute, entire, pellucido-punctate. glabrous
above.
FLOWERS:- Solitary, bisexual, leaf- opposed, or 2-4 on short extra-axillary

branchlets (period-May to July).
FRUITS:- Globular,cordate-ovoid or conical,6-9 cm in diameter, yellowish green,

glucose, comprised of loosely cohering rounded pistils that fall apart quite easily, the
pulp white, sweet, soft and juicy, having a very mild agreeable flavour. Seeds
brownish-black and smooth (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Originated in tropical America and West Indies (Querol, 1992) and is frequently
cultivated in India, Sri Lanka and other tropical Asiatic countries (Bose and Mitra,
1985).
EDIBLE PART:-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
The riped fruit is frequently eaten.
62
63
Moisture - 7 0 . 5 g, Energy -104 Kcal, Protein -1.6 g, Fat - 0 . 4 g, Calcium - 17 mg,

Phosphorus - 4 7 m g , Iron - 1.5 mg, Thiamine - 10 meg, Riboflavin -170 meg, Niacin
-1.3 meg, Vitamin C-37 meg. (Perera et al., 1979).
The leaves and seeds of this tree contain an alkaloid. The seeds in addition contain
a neutral resin and a fixed oil with an irritant poison. The bark contains the alkaloid
anonaine. Hydrocyanic acid has also been found in the leaves, bark and roots. The
seeds, crushed into a paste with water, are applied to the scalp to destroy lice or used
as an abortifacient if applied to the uterus in pregnant women. The bruised leaves of
the riped fruit, applied with salt, induce or hasten suppuration of malignant tumors.
The unriped fruit is given for diarrhoea, dysentery and atonic dyspepsia. (Jayaweera,
1981).
CULTIVATION:-
Areas of cultivation - occurs in home gardens in low and mid-country wet zone.
Planting material - seeds.
Spacing - 5 m apart.
Fertilizer - Compound N P K and Mg at rates up to 1 kg/tree every 3 months.
Harvesting - Best picked immature and ripened by storage in a dark, warm place.
STORAGE:-
Fruits once riped can be kept only for a few days.
64
FAMILY:- APOCYNACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Carissa carandas
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Mahakaramba
TAMIL Kala, Kalakkay, Perungala
ENGLISH Sri Lankan Damson, Malaysian Karanda
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree or a large shrub, with numerous, divaricate branches and very sharp
horizontal spines, often branched.
L E A V E S : - Simple, opposite, oblong-oval or oblong-lancelot, 2 . 5 - 6 . 2 cm long,

subacute at base, obtuse at apex, glabrous, thin.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual in threes, shortly stalked in clusters at the ends of

short, axillary and terminal peduncles (period-during March)
FRUITS:- A smooth, ovoid, bluntly pointed, raddish-pufple berry, 1.8-2.5cm long

with 4 seeds (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in the drier sandy and rocky soils throughout India, Sri Lanka, Burma and
Malaysia. It is rare in Sri Lanka and can be found in Jaffna, Kurunegala and other
dry districts.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Fruits
FOOD USE.-
Riped purple colour fruits are eaten fresh. They are used for making excellent tarts
and puddings, pickled in vinegor when green, they are used for making jelly.
66
The bark contains an alkaloid. The roots contain traces of a volatile oil, salicylic acid
and an alkaloid. In India, the leaves are used for diarrhoea, earache, soreness of the
mouth and throat and syphilitic pains. A decoction of the leaves is often used at the
commencement of remittent fevers. The root has a reputation of being a bitter
stomachic and used as a remedy for itch along with other ingredients. The riped fruit
possesses antiscorbutic properties (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER USES:-
It is planted as an exotic plant in Sri Lankan home gardens.
67
FAMILY:- APOCYNACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Carissa spinarum
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA : Heen karamba, Karamba

TAMIL : Chiru-kila,Kilatti
DESCRIPTION :-
An intricately branched, erect or occasionally slightly scandent tree. Spines simple

or forked, 1.2-6 c m long.
L E A V E S : - Short-petioled, the blade 1.5-5 cm long and 1.2-4 cm wide, broadly ovate
or rhomboid, widest in or below the middle, as long as wide to twice as long as wide,
acute or rounded at the base, acute and apiculate at the apex ceraceous.
FLOWERS:- Scentless.(Flowers throughout all the year)
FRUITS:- It is about 0 . 7 - 1 . 2 cm long, shining, dark radish black. (Jayaweera,

1981). 9
DISTRIBUTION:-
It grows in India, Burma and Sri Lanka (Jayaweera, 1981). In Sri Lanka it is
common in the dry zone, especially over-grazed and otherwise disturbed vegetation
along roads and at the edge of forests.
EDIBLE P A R T S : -
Fruits
FOOD USE:-
Riped dark radish black fruits are eaten fresh
68
•
Carissa spinarum
(A) Branch.
FAMILY:- ARACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Alocasia indica.
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA : Desa-ala, Rata-ala

ENGLISH : Alocesia
DESCRIPTION :-
A robust herb with bright green,large,triangular-sagittate, slightly repand leaves with

strongly marked, whitish mid rib and 6-8, strong, pale, secondary nerves, petioles as
long as or longer than the leaves, round and tapering upwards.
FLOWERS:- Female inflorescence yellow, narrowly ovoid, about 2.5 c m long, fertile
male inflorescence white, 3.8-5 cm long.
FRUITS:- Berry red, 7.5-10 mm diameter (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION.-
Centre o f origin is South East Asia. It is a much cultivated species in the tropics
including India and Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PART:-
The tubers
FOOD USE:-
A s a food the tubers are prepared in various ways. It can be boiled and eaten as
staple prepared curries.
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E :
Moisture - 7 0 g, Energy - 111 kcal, Protein - 0.5 g, Carbohydrate - 27 g, Calcium -

150 m g , Iron - 1.0 g, Thiamin 0.03 mg, Riboflavin - 0.1 mg, Niacin 1.0 mg.
(Perera et al, 1979).
70
«
Medicinally, the plant is regarded as useful in treating anasarca. The boiled tubers
frequently act as a mild laxative and diuretic and are beneficial for piles and chronic
constipation. The ash of the rootstock mixed with honey is used for cases of
aphthae (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER U S E S : -
Leaves are used as wrapping materials.
E N V I R O N M E N T A L RESPONSES:-
Fertile lands with good water readoption are preferable; requires a well distributed
rainfall of 2 0 0 0 mm per year. Elevations below 1000 m are generally suitable.
Area for planting - This is quite suited to high rainfall areas, and can be expected to
do well in the low-country and mid-country wet zone. Some of the relatively short-
aged varieties can also be grown successfully in the dry zone, without irrigation.
Planting season - It can be planted almost throughout the year except during the very
dry months.
Planting material - They consist of either crowns, or tubers. Crowns have to be

planted almost immediately after harvest. Small sized tubers could be planted fully.
Large ones should be cut into two or three pieces, each containing two or three eyes.
It is usual to smear the cut surface with w o o d ash to prevent rotting.
Land preparation - The land should be worked to a depth of about 20-25 cm. The
application of well rotted compost or cattle manure ai this time gives beneficial
results. Planting is usually done in individual planting holes. The tubers are buried
7 . 5 - 1 0 cm deep.
Spacing - 1.-1.5 m x 1-1.5 m.
Fertilizer - This responds well to manuring. Heavy application of well rotted cattle
manure or compost, at planting, can double the yield of tubers. Preliminary weeding
may be necessary till the plants grow up and shade the soil.
Time to harvest - Depending on variety, the crop may be lifted from three months
onwards.
Harvest - The tubers are lifted carefully by digging the whole plant out, without
injuring the tubers.
S T O R A G E :-
Uninjured tubers store relatively well.
73
9
FAMILY:- ARACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Alocasia macrorrhiza.
SINHALA Habarala, Kiri habarala, kiri ala

TAMIL Parum sembu
ENGLISH Giant Taro
DESCRIPTION :-
A large herb; rootstock tuberous, creeping and ascending, 60-90 c m high, annually
scarred;
L E A V E S : - Simple, large, very stoutly and long petioled, 60-120 c m long, 15-45 cm
broad, peltate, broadly sagittately ovate, margins sub-undulate, basal lobes rounded
and incurred. Petioles; 60-120 cm long.
FLOWERS:- Male and female parts of the inflorescence distant, separated by

neuters. (Period- During February).
FRUITS:- Berries 2 cm diameter, red when ripe (Jayaweera, 1981; Tindall, 1993).
0°
DISTRIBUTION :-
Indigenous to India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia (Tindall, 1993). Grows in all tropical
countries including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Philippine Islands. In Sri Lanka,
it is a common herb in all village gardens.
E D I B L E PARTS:-
Tender leaves and tubers.
FOOD USE:-
The stem is peeled and used as a cooked vegetable and added to soups and stews. A
very easily digested starch can be prepared from the stem. Leaves are eaten as a
green vegetable.
O
74
Alocasia macrorrhiza
(A) Inflorescence. (B) Inflorescence with spathes and spadix. (C) Leaf.
75
9
Moisture - 84 g, Energy - 61 kcal, Protein - 0.6 g, Fat - 0.3 g, Carbohydrate - 15 g,

Calcium -30 mg, phosphorus - 5 0 mg, Iron - 1.0 mg, Thiamine - 0.05 meg, Vitamin
C - 5 mg. ( F A O , 1968).
The stems, leaves and petioles contain stinging crystals of calcium oxalate which are
destroyed by boiling or roasting. Hence the starch in the stem can be used as a source
of food. The acid juice of the leaves of this plant gives instant relief to stings of the
giant nettle. The chopped up leaves and roots are used as an application on painful
joints. The cut surface of the stem is smeared with lime and water applied for dog
bites. The dried stems along with other ingredients are given for piles and chronic
fevers (Jayaweera, 1981).
E N V I R O N M E N T A L R E S P O N S E S :-
Fertile land with good water retention are preferable. A well distributed rainfall of
2 0 0 0 mm per year is required elevations below 1000 m are generally suitable.
Area for planting - This is quite suited to high rainfall areas, and can be expected to •
do well in the low-country and mid-country wet zone. Some of the relatively short
aged varieties can also be grown successfully in the dry zone, without irrigation. M
Planting season - It can be planted almost throughout the year except during the very
dry months.
Planting material - They consist of either crowns, or tubers. Crowns have to be

planted almost immediately after harvest. Small sized tubers could be planted fully.
Large one should be cut into two or three pieces, each containing two or three eyes.
It is usual to smear the cut surface with wood ash to prevent rotting.
Land preparation - The land should be worked to a depth of about 20-25 cm. The
application of well rotted compost or cattle manure at this time gives beneficial
results. Planting is usually done in individual planting holes. The tubers are buried
7.5 - 10 cm deep.
Spacing - 1.-1.5 m x 1-1.5 m.
Fertilizer - This responds well to manuring. Heavy application of well rotted cattle
manure or compost, at planting, can double the yield of tubers. Preliminary weeding
may be necessary till the plants grow up and shade the soil. *
76
Time to harvest - Depending on the variety, the crop may be lifted from three months
onwards.
Harvest - The tubers are lifted carefully by digging the whole plant out, without
injuring the tubers.
STORAGE:-
Uninjured tubers store relatively well.
77
FAMILY:- ARACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Amorphophallus campanulatus
SINHALA : Kidaran, Wal-kidaran, Raja ala

TAMIL : Karunaikkalangu.
ENGLISH : Elephant yam.
DESCRIPTION :-
A herb up to 1.25 m in height. Tubers of corms large, yellow or brown, 20-25 cm

in diameter with central depression. Cormes are also formed underground, 5-10 being
produced from the main corm or tuber.
L E A V E S : - Single leaves large, tripartite, each part subdivided into numerous lobes,
30-80 cm long, with red markings.
FLOWERS:- Spathes 20-25 cm in length, with strong unpleasant odour, borne on a

terminal inflorescence produced by the tuber (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native to tropical Asia (Tindall, 1993). It is cultivated in Indonesia, Sri Lanka,

Philippines and Pacific Islands.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The tubers, young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The boiled or roasted corms are eaten as a staple. Occasionally curries are also
prepared from corms and leaves. The corm is useful in periods of food scarcity.
Moisture - 7 8 . 9 g, Energy - 7 9 kcal, Protein - 1.2 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrate - 1 8 . 4

g, Calcium - 5 0 m g , Phosphorus -34 m g , Iron - 0 . 6 m g , Carotene - 2 6 0 m e g ,
Thiamine -60 m e g , Riboflavin - 7 0 meg, Niacin - 0.7 mg (Gopalan et al., 1971).
78
The corm is used externally to relieve pain in acute rheumatism. The corm and roots
are good for hemorrhoids (Jayaweera, 1981).
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE: -
Fertile, deep alluvial soils are preferable. Temperature between 25-35°C and
rainfall of 1000-1500 m m are considered suitable for elephant yams. Mostly
productive at elevations below 1000 m.
Areas for cultivation - In Jaffna as well as in other locations of the low

country wet z o n e .
Planting season-Planting is generally done with the rains either in the Maha or
Yala.
Land preparation-It involves making planting beds or ridges.
Planting and space-Small corms or portions of 3-year old corms are planted on
flat beds or ridges at a depth of 10-15 cm at a spacing of 30-100 cm x 30 60
c m , depending o n the age and size of the c o r m s . Mulching or shading may
be required in the early stages of growth. The corms usually are dug and
replanted over a 3-year cycle.
Time to harvest-Trie crop matures in 220-350 days after planting and the
corms are excavated when the leaves become sencecent. After 3 years of
growth, the c o r m s weigh 7-9 kg each and are considered marketable.
Harvesting- Tubers are lifted carefully without injuring the tubers.
STORAGE:-
The corms are carefully cleaned and stored in heaps, preferably in well-ventilated
sheds. They may lose up 25% of their weight during the first month of storage, but
may be successfully stored for 7 months at 10°C
80
«
F A M I L Y :- ARACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Colocasia esculenta.
Syn. C. antiquorum.
SINHALA Gahala, Kandala, Tadala, Dehiala

TAMIL Shamakkilangu, Shemakkalengu
ENGLISH Taro, cocoyam.
DESCRIPTION :-
A large herb with no stem above ground, but the base slightly swollen, arising from
a tuberous rhizome, giving off sheathed, bulbiferous suckers.
L E A V E S : - Simple, large, 15-48 cm long, ovate-cordate or heisted, dark ashy-green,

bifid halfway from the base to the insertion of petiole, it is 90-120 cm long.
F L O W E R S : - Male flowers densely packed,anthers cubical with immersed cells

opening by terminal slits, female flowers crowded, globose, style very short
(Jayaweera, 1981).
FRUITS:- Berries oblong.
DISTRIBUTION:-
A native of South East Asia. From India, it was taken to Egypt 2 0 0 0 years ago, from
where it was introduced to Europe (Tindall, 1993; Querol, 1993.). Spaniards
introduced it to the new world. Cultivated throughout the tropics including India
and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka it is grown in most village gardens for it is tuberous
suckers which are eaten.
Tender leaves and tubers.
FOOD USE:-
Tubers are boiled and eaten and it is used to prepare curries. Leaves are eaten as a
green vegetable.
81
82
(Tuber)
Moisture -73 g, Energy - 102 kcal, Protein - 1.8 g, Fat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 2 3 g,
Calcium - 51 mg, Phosphorus - 88 mg, Iron - 1.2 mg. thiamin - 0.1 m g , Riboflavin -
0 . 0 3 mg, Niacin - 0.8 mg, Vitamin C - 8 mg (FAO, 1968).
(Leaves)
Moisture - 93 g, Energy - 24 kcal, Proteins - 0.5 g, Fats - 0.2 g, Carbohydrates - 6
g, Calcium - 4 9 mg, Phosphorous - 25 mg, Iron - 0.9 mg, Carotene - 180 meg,
Thiamine - 0 . 0 2 mg, Riboflavin - 0 . 0 4 mg, Niacin 0.4 mg, Vitamin C - 1 3 mg ( F A O ,
1972).
The corms have a high content of starch and protein. The colocasia starch contains
amylase and the mucilage contains D-galactose, L-arabinose and uranic acid. The
whole plant is a source of vitamin B. Besides being a starchy food, the tubers of this
plant are laxative, diuretic, lactagogue and styptic. The pressed juice of petioles is
used to arrest arterial hemorrhage. It is also used for earache and otorrhoea and also
as an external stimulant and rubefacient, antidote for stings of wasps and insect. The
ash of tuber mixed with honey is applied for aphthae in the mouth (Jayaweera, 1981)
a OTHER U S E S . -
Leaves are used as wrapping materials.

*
A fertile soil with water retention capacity is ideal. Good drainage is required. A
temperature of 21-27°C and well distributed rainfall of 1000-1500 m m is good for
taro. Mostly production occurs at altitudes below 1000 m.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - Low-country and mid country wet zone
Planting season - Almost throughout the year except during the very dry months.
Land preparation - The land should be worked to a depth of 20-25 cm.
Planting material - It consists of either the crowns, or tubers
Planting and space- Planting is usually done in individual planting holes. The tubers
$ are buried 7.5 - 10 cm deep.
83
Fertilizer - Respond well to manuring. Heavy application of cattle manure for
compost, at planting, can double the yield of tubers.
T i m e to harvest- Depending on the variety, the crop may be lifted from 3 months
onwards.
Harvest- The tubers are lifted by carefully digging the whole plant out without
injuring the tubers. Yields - 15-20 t/ha
STORAGE :-
The storage behaviour of different forms of Taro is very viable. Tubers must be
cleaned properly before storage; corms can be stored up to four months in shaded
pits.
84
FAMILY:- ARACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Lasia spinosa
SINHALA : Kohila, Kohowila

TAMIL : Kohila
DESCRIPTION:-
A shutout, spiny, marshy plant with a creeping spiny rootstock 2-3 cm diameter;
L E A V E S : - Simple, long petioled, 15-45 cm long, 5-32 cm broad;
F L O W E R S : - Spadix 3 cm long, 0.9 cm diameter, cylindrical, blunt at apex, Orange

red in colour, densely clothed in bisexual, sessile.
F R U I T S : - Not seen. (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in marshy places in tropical India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Malay, Peninsula and
China (Jayaweera, 1981). In Sri Lanka, it is cultivated in the moist low- country for
it is young leaves and rhizomes which are eaten.
E D I B L E PARTS:-
Young leaves and rhizome
FOOD USE:-
Both young leaves and rhizomes are eaten as a vegetable.
(Tubers)
Moisture - 8 5 . 9 g, Energy - 53 Kcal, Protein - 1.7 g, Fat - 0.1 g , Carbohydrates -
11.3 g, Minerals - Calcium - 2 1 . 0 mg, Phosphorus - 7 4 . 0 mg, Iron - 0 . 4 mg, Thiamin
100 meg, Vitamin C - 22 mg.
85
86
(Leaves)
* Moisture - 89.8 g, Energy - 3 4 . 0 Kcal, Protein - 4 . 0 g, Fat - 0.6 g, Carbohydrate -
3 . 2 g, Calcium - 155 mg, Phosporus - 2 6 . 0 mg, Iron - 16.3 mg, Vitamin A - 1311.0
m g , Thiamine - 3 0 mg. (Weerakoon, 1993).
The leaves, stems, roots are used as a common remedy for piles (Jayaweera, 1981)
E N V I R O N M E N T A L RESPONSE :-
A temperature of 25-35°C is required. It is grows well in marshy places in the

Tropics. Fertile, alluvial soils are required for an optimum development.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for planting - In the low country wet zone.

Planting season - Planting is generally done with the rains either in the Maha or Yala.
Planting material -The tuberous outgrowths of the fully developed corms are planted.
Planting holes are prepared in the same way as for dioscorea yams.
Time to harvest - The corms can be dug out for use about 12 months after planting.
S T O R A G E :-
The corms can be stored for long periods if stored dry in a well ventilated room.
Leaves can be stored in moist place for three days.
87
FAMILY:- ASCLEPIADACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Dregea volubilis
SINHALA Kiri-anguna, Titta-anguna

TAMIL Kamal, Kodippalai, Kurinja
DESCRIPTION :-
A very large, twining shrub with long, glabrous branches
L E A V E S : - Simple, opposite, 7.5-11.2 cm long, 3.5-6.5 cm broad. Petioles 1.5-3.5

cm long .
F L O W E R S : - Numerous, regular, bisexual, green or yellowish green, sweet scented,

(period during March and April).
FRUITS:- Follicles 7.5-10 cm long, slightly tapering to a blunt point, cylindrical,

shallowly grooved, glabrous and dull yellow (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in Bengal, Assam, Deccan, Madras and from Concan southwards in India, Sri
Lanka, Java and Philippine Islands. It is rather common in Sri Lanka up to about
1000 m altitude (Jayaweera, 1981).
Tender leaves
FOOD USE:-
Tender leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
Moisture -85.7 g, Energy - 4 5 . 0 Kcal, Protein - 4 . 0 g, Fat -0.5 g , Carbohydrates

- 6 . 1 g, Calcium - 3 9 7 . 0 mg, Phosphorus - 8 3 . 0 mg, Iron - 2 5 . 0 mg, Vitamin A -
2 7 6 0 . 0 meg, Thiamine 3 0 . 0 meg, Riboflavin 3 0 0 . 0 meg, Niacin - 1.2 mg, Vitamin
C - 9 9 . 0 mg (Weerakoon, 1993).
88
89
The plant and seeds contain an active principle. The roots and young stalks of this
plant are considered to have emetic and expectorant properties. The leaves are used, ^
ground in to a paste, as an application on boils and abscesses (Jayaweera, 1981).
90
FAMILY:- ASCLEPIADACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Hemidesmus indicus
SINHALA : Iramusu
TAMIL : Arakkam,Aritinviyachi
ENGLISH : Sarsaparilla
DESCRIPTION :-
Perennial, semi-shrubby twiner with a woody rootstock and numerous, very long,
prostrate or ascending, whip-like stems, slightly twining cylindrical, thickened at
nodes.
L E A V E S : - Simple, opposite, exstipulate, very variable from oblong-oval to linear,

3 . 7 - 6 . 5 c m long, 3 . 5 - 8 m m broad.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual on very short pedicels crowded in axillary cymes.
o» FRUITS:- 2 , distinct, divaricated follicles, linear, falcate, terete, smooth, 10-12.5 c m

long, dehiscing along the ventral suture; Seeds, oblong with long coma (Jayaweera,
1981).
C E N T R E O F ORIGIN A N D DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in the northern parts of India extending eastwards as far as Bengal and Sikkim
and southwards to Travancore and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka it is very common in
the low-country up to 8 0 0 m feet or higher,in grassy places (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The infusion of tender leaves is drunk as a beverage, and leaves extracted are added
for preparing porridge. It is used to prepare tonics and sherbets.
9
91
c
Moisture - 92.1 g, Energy - 2 6 Kcal, Proteins -2 g, Fats -0.7 g, Carbohydrates -2.9

g, Calcium - 73 mg, Phosphorus - 21 mg, Fe - 10.9 mg, Carotene - 5 . 5 8 6 meg,
Thiamine - 30 meg, Riboflavin - 260 meg, Niacin - 0.5 mg, Vitamin C -28 mg
(Perera et at., 1979).
The root of this plant contains a volatile oil and hemidesmine. The root is a substitute
for sarsaparilla. It is used in treating loss of appetite, fever skin diseases, leucorrhoea
and inflammation of urinary passages. The plant is used in the preparation of snake
bite cures.
FAMILY BASELLACEAE
BOTANICAL :- Basella alba
VERNACULAR NAMES: -
SINHALA : Niviti, Rat-nivithi

TAMIL : Pasalai, Shivappluvaslakkira,
ENGLISH : Indian Spinach, Ceylon Spinach, Vine Spinach,
Malbor Nightshade
DESCRIPTION:-
Perennial, straggling, succulent climber with very long, slender, glabrous, much
branched succulent stems.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 10-18 cm long 6.5-17 cm board, broadly ovate, sub-

cordate or obtuse at base.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, few, sessile, about 4 m m long in short, lax

pedunculate spikes. (Flowers September to December).
FRUITS:- A membranous, somewhat globose, about 5 mm long, embryo coiled in

a i l a t spiral (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Centre o f origin is Tropical Asia (Tindall, 1993). Grows in India, Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, Tropical Asia and Africa.
E D I B L E P A R T S :-
The whole plant
FOOD USE:-
The green leaves and unmatured stems are prepared as a vegetable.
Moisture - 9 2 . 1 g, Energy - 26 kcal, Proteins - 2 g, Fats - 0 . 7 g, Carbohydrates - 3 . 2

g, Minerals - Calcium - 73 mg, Phosphrus - 21 m g , Iron - 10.9 mg), Carotene - 5 . 5 8
m e g , Thiamine 3 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 2 6 0 m e g , Niacin - 0.5 mg, C-28 mg (Perera
et al., 1979).
94
95
The entire plant is an excellent source of calcium, iron and vitamins A l , A 3 , B, B3
and C. The leaves contain saponin. Medicinally, the roots are used as a poultice to
reduce swellings. A decoction of the leaves is a good laxative for pregnant women
and for children (Jayaweera, 1981).
Most cultivars are tolerant to wide range of soil conditions and grows well in fertile
soils with high contents of organic matters. Well adopted to high temparetures and
high humidity. Grows well at altitutes below 500 m. Normally Basella is a short day
plant. Flowering does not occur in daylength longer than 13 hours. Basella has a C 4
- cycle photosynthetic pathway.
Propagation is by seed, root or long tip cuttings. In Asia cuttings are favoured for
growing, whereas seed is more commonly used in Africa. Plants grown from seed
are more productive than those grown from cuttings. Seed rate/spacing - short-term
crop 300 seeds/m x m in rows 10 cm apart, thinned to 100/m x m at 15 day cotyloid
on stage.
Long-term crop 3-4 seeds/hole, shown directly into beds, in double lines either side
of supports 1.2-1.5 m high, with 6 0 cm between plants in the row.
Irrigation - Watering should be liberal until seeds and cuttings are well established.
There after only during dry periods.
Fertilizer - Grows without fertilizer, but production is greater when well supplied with
organic manure.
Time to harvest - Short-term crop harvesting begins about 3 weeks after sowing. The
tips are pinched out weekly for a period of about two months. Long-term crop-first
leaf harvest in 5-6 weeks from seed, less for cutting. For transplanted seedlings, 5 5 -
7 0 days after transplanting, counting at regular intervals for upto 6 months.
Field - Commercially grown cultivers yeild 5 0 T/ha and more.
STORAGE:-
Leaves do not keep well. At 20-30°c they will last for 1 day.
96
FAMILY :- B O M B A C A C E A E
BOTANICAL NAME :- Durio zebethinus
SINHALA : Durian
ENGLISH : Durian, Civit Fruit
DESCRIPTION:-
Durian is a tree reaching 4 0 cm high. The bark is grey, long itudinally furrowed and
rough.
FLOWERS: They are golden yellow and arranged incymes. It flowers from June to
September and bears ripe fruits from October to February.
FRUITS:- They are large 25-30 cm, spherical, ellipsoid or ovoid, densely convered
with long or short and pointed or blunt spines. The ails which cover seeds are white,
bright yellow or yellowish white. It tastes sweet of somewhat bitter sweet and is
strongly odourous (Jensen, 1985).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is native to Malaysia, now a days it is widely cultivated throughout Indonesia, Sri

Lanka, India, Burama, Malaysia and Philippines ( F A O , 1982).
EDIBLE P A R T S : -
The fruit, seeds.
FOOD USE:-
The ails are usually eaten fresh. They are also sometimes made into a kind of dish
prepared by first keeping them in brine, adding spices and then fermenting them. The
fruits are also commonly used for flavoring ice-cream, candy and pastry. Nearly
riped fruits may also be eaten as a vegetable. The seeds can be eaten after been
boiled, or thinly sliced and fried.
Moisture - 5 8 . 0 g, Energy - 183 kcal, Protein - 2 . 8 g, Fat - 3 . 9 g, Carbohydrates -

3 4 . 1 8 g, Calcium - 2 0 m g , Phosphrus - 5 0 m g , Iron - 1.0 m g , Carotene - 12 m e g .
(Perera et. al., 1979).
98
Leaves are utilized in medicinal baths for jaundice. Leaves and roots are used in a
compound for fevers. The fruit has depurative and vermifuge properties, and is also
considered tonic. Fruit walls are used externally for skin complaints ( D e Pauda et al.,
1987).
D e e p silt or clay loam soil with high organic matter is suitable for durian. Soil should
also have a high content of sulpher. Temparatures below 8°C are harmful for durian.
Grows well mid-country and upcountry areas. Generally propagated by seeds. Plants
raised from seeds will produce fruits with different taste from those of the parent
plants. Propargation of desirable plants can be better effected by bud-grafting.
Properly cultivated plants will fruit after 7-8 years.
FAMILY :- BROMELIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME :- Ananas comosus
Syn : A.Saliva, Bromalia comosus
VERNACULAR NAMES:
SINHALA Annasi
TAMIL Annasi
ENGLISH Pineapple
DESCRIPTION:-
A terrestrial herb with rosettes of long and strong, spiny-serrate, linear-lanceolate.
L E A V E S :- 1-1.5 m long, 5-7 cm broad, acuminate, green and shining on the upper
surface, paler, beneath, stem erect, central, bearing at it is apex a simple, dense,
cone-like spike.
FLOWERS:- Sessile, bisexual, (sterile in cultivated forms)
FRUITS:- A syncarplium formed by the coalescence of thickened rachis, spiny-

toothed bracts, abortive ovaries and adhering parts into one large globose or elongated
fleshy fruit called the "pineapple" (Purseglove, 1972).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Tropical America (Purseglove, 1972; Bose and Mitra, 1985; Querol,
1992). It was introdcued to Asia in the 16th century and now cultivated for it is fruit
in all tropical countries. It is one of widely cultivited fruits in Sri Lanka (Department
of Agriculture, 1993).
EDIBLE P A R T S :-
The fruit
FOOD USE:-
Tender portion o f the riped fruits is eaten in fresh and can be used for preparing
salads, jams, pickles and beverages. Unriped fruits are eaten as a vegetable.
100
Ananas Comosus
(A) Plant. (B) Fruit.
101
Moisture - 87.8 g, Energy - 4 6 kcal, Proteins - 0 . 4 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates -

10.8 g, Calcium - 20 mg, Phosphrus - 9 mg, Iron - 1.2 mg, Carotene - 18 meg,
Thiamine - 200 meg, Riboflavin - 120 meg, Niacin - 0.1 mg, Vitamin C - 39 mg
The flesh of the pineapple contains the sugars sccharose, glucose, fructose and
mannite, citric acid traces of vanillin and the enzyme, bromelin, which has the same
properties as trypsin. The fruit is also a good source of vitamins A . B , C and Calcium
and Iron. The fruit as well as the juice of the leaves are a powerful anthelmintic and
vermicide. The immature pineapple contains a poisonous substance which brings
about violent purging and hence the juice is given as a vermifuge to children and as
an abortifacient to woman (Department of Agriculture, 1993). Leaf juice is regarded
as anthelmintic, purgative, and anti-inflammatory. The unripe fruit is considered to
be diuretic, anthelmintic, expectorant and abortifacient, and is also credited with
emmenagogue properties, bruised plant is applied to burns, itches and boils (De
Pauda et al., 1987).
OTHER U S E S : -
Fresh pineapple flesh and juice contain a protein-digesting protein. Annasi leaves are
used for ola leaf seasoning. A variegated form with green yellow and pink stripes,
is grown as an exotic plant. In Southern Asia the young immature fruits are used as
an abortifacient.
Sandy loams or laterite soils are more suitable for pineapple. Best pH range would
be 5 . 5 - 6 . 0 . Temparature of 24-32°C is suitable. Rainfall of 1500 - 3 0 0 0 m m is
required. Grows in elevations up to 1500 m.
Areas for cultivation - Colombo and Kurunegala Districts and parts of the Puttalam
and Badulla Districts around Hali-Ela, and Deegala.
Land preparation - Land has to be ploughed and harrowed, trenches are dug across
the countour 2 . 0 cm wide and 2 . 0 cm deep. The dug out earth is placed on the lower
side of each trench to form a small bund.
Planting material - Ratoons, suckers, slips, crowns.
102
Planting space - Suckers, crowns or shoots are placed in these trenches 3 5 - 4 0 inches
apart with the tops leaning towards the bund. A little soil is scooped from the upper
side of the tree and used to cover the suckers to a depth of 7.5 cm. The rest of the
trench is allowed to fill in naturally with soil which is usually washed in during the
rains.
Fertilizer - it must be heavily fertilized, starting at two months after planting and
every four months thereafter.
Time to harvest - It depends on the planting material used. For prolonged storage it
is advisable to harvest at the stage when 25-50% area o f skin becomes yellowist. The
natural fruiting season for pineapple in the low-country wet zone is from May to July
and again in November to January.
S T O R A G E :-
Ripe fruits deteriorate soon and must be eaten 4-5 days. If harvested before full
ripening, it is sucessfully stored for two weeks.
103
FAMILY:- CARICACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Carica papaya
SINHALA Gas-labu, Pepol

TAMIL Pappali
ENGLISH Papeta, Papaya, Papaw.
DESCRIPTION :-
An erect tree, 6.9 m tall, with an unbranched, hollow, soft trunk, 10-60 cm diameter,
marked with the scars of fallen leaves.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, spreading together forming a terminal crown, petiolate,

subpeltately palmate, lamina 30-44 cm long, deeply cut into 5-7 segments more or less
lobed, petiole 58-83 c m long, hollow, shorter in the younger leaves, trunk and leaves
contain a milky juice.
FLOWERS:- Regular, dioecious or polygamous, white, yellow or greenish, unisexual

or a few in the inflorescence bisexual, male and polygamous inflorescences pendulous
with long peduncles, female very short, male flowers 2-3.5 cm long.
FRUITS:- Large shortly stalked, ovoid, roundish, pear-shaped or ellipsoidal, 20-35

cm long, 10-15 cm diameter, pendulous (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Indigenous to Tropical America and West Indies but cultivated throughout the Tropics
(Purseglove, 1968; Querol, 1992). It was introduced to Sri Lanka in the second half
of the 19th century. It is a common fruit tree planted in almost all village gardens in
the midland low-country in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruits.
F O O D USE:-
The iiped fresh fruits are eaten throughout the Tropics. They are used to produce soft
drinks, jams, icecreams and fruit salads. Flavoured and crystallized fruits are caned
in a syrup. Unriped fruits are cooked and eaten and also used in making pickles and
in meat tendering preparation.
104
105
(Ripe)
Moisture - 9 0 . 8 g , Energy - 32 Kcal, Proteins - 0 . 6 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates -
7.2 g, Calcium - 17 mg, Phosphorus - 13 mg, Iron - 0.5 m g , Carotene - 666 meg,
Thiamine - 4 0 meg, Riboflavin - 250 meg, Niacin - 0 . 2 mg, Vitamin C - 57 mg.
(Unriped)
Moisture - 9 0 . 8 g, Energy - 32 kcal, Protein - 0.6 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrate - 7.2
g, Calcium - 17 mg, Phosphorus - 13 mg, Iron - 0.5 mg), Carotene - 666 meg,
Thiamine - 4 0 meg, Riboflavin - 250 meg, Niacin - 0 . 2 mg, Vitamin C 5 1 . (Perera,
et al., 1979).
Matured fruits contain a digestive enzyme papain. It is styptic, vermifuge,

anthelmintic and sometimes used to cause abortion. The Caribbeans used the riped
fruit as a cosmetic. There remarkable complexion o f those people is attributed to the
use of the pulp of the riped fruit as a skin soap. It also removes freckles. The seed
is used as condiment,carminative, emmenagogue, counter-irritant and as an
abortifacient. In the Philippines, the bruised papaya leaves are used for rheumatism
and roots are used for yaws and piles. A decoction of the leaves is given for asthma.
In East Africa, the root is used as an anthelmintic and as a remedy for syphilis and
gonorrhoea. In Java, leaves, roots and barks are given for beriberi, kidney and
venereal diseases respectively (Jayaweera, 1980).
OTHER U S E S :-
Both leaves and immature fruits are used in seasoning of ola leaves. Immature fruits
are tapped for latex which is used in preparing papain.
Grown well in neutral, sandy or loam soils. Atmospheric temperature of 25-30° C is

suitalbe for papaya. A well distributed rainfall of 1000-1500 mm is required. Grows
at altitues below 2 0 0 0 m.
Generally propagated by seed from fully riped fruits. Seeds may be sown directly at
final site, as 6-10 seeds are sown at each plant position and later thinned. Usually
seedlings are prepared in the nursery and then transplanted. After one week, the
germinated seedlings are transferred into polythene bags. Three to four weeks later,
when the seedlings are 15-20 cm high, they can be moved to the field. The planting
holes should be 0.5 x 0.5 m and enriched with well-rotted manure. Three seedlings
should be planted per hole, 25 cm apart. Male plants, which normally produce
106
flowers within 3 months, can then be removed to leave a high proportion of female
plants.
Spacing- 2 . 5 - 3 . 5 m apart. In direct planting, a seed rate of about 10,000/ha is

required.
Irrigation- Necessary in the dry season in most areas.
Fertilizer- Inorganic and organic.
Time to harvest- Flowering occurs in 6 months, and fruits begin to ripe after 9
months.
Harvest season-Fruits are produced throughout the year.
Harvesting- Fruits are picked when they are half ripe. Once picked, fruits ripe
rapidly within 1-3 days and should be transported to the market before they become
soft.
STORAGE:-
Fruits once picked, can be kept for 6-10 days under normal conditions. Unriped
fruits may be pickled.
107
FAMILY:- CLUSIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Garcinia cambogia
Syn . - Mangostana cambodia
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Rata goraka, Goraka, Kana Goraka

TAMIL Goraka
ENGLISH Goraka
DESCRIPTION:-
Tree up to 15 m high, usually much smaller with a dense, pyramidal crown.

Branches patent (upper once erect-patent), the ends sometimes dropping. Wood
yellowish brown, rather hard, moderately heavy.
L E A V E S : - All parts glabrous. Bark blackish or dark grey, peeling off in small
pieces. Live bark white with white sticky, thick lates, turning yellowish after
exposure,leaves coriaceous, linear-oblong to - lanceolate (rarely ovate) 4 x 1 2 - 10x35
cm apex somewhat rounded and tip sharply apiculatel, base rounded to acute midrib
hardly prominent above, prominent on lower surface, laterals conspicuous both sides,
15-20 pairs, irregular, erect-patent slightly curved towards margin, in between
somewhat shorter laterals, reticulation lax, obscure, pedicels 1.5-2.5 c m long with
a large of ovale with high margins.
F L O W E R S : - Flowers axillary, polygamously dioecious. Male flowers with 5

(rarely 4) greenish white, suborbiculas concave sepals, margin fimbriate, the two
outer ones 4-6 mm, inner ones thinner up to 7 mm long. Petals 5, orbiculares,
shortly clawed, thin, white. Somewhat climate, veined, upto 9 mm long. Female
flower larger than male, 1-3 from axils of terminal pair of leaves, sepals and petals
as in the male; stamens 10-20 in rayed.
FRUITS:- Sub-globose, pointed (obligue), dark yellow up to 9 cm diam. The point

2-3 m m , bearing the stigma with long branches, pericarp with plenty of dark yellow,
sticky, thick later, endocarp forming a sweet to sweet-acid, pleasant juicy arilloce;
seeds oblong brown testa veined (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Occurs in the Western India (Jayaweera, 1980). It is common in Sri Lanka in the
moist low country upto 500 m altitude.
108
Garcinia cambogia
(A) Branch with leaves and flowers. (B) Fruit.
109
E D I B L E PARTS:-
The fruits.
FOOD USE:-
Dried rind of fruit is used for preservation purposes. It is also used to flavour
curries instead of tamarind in Sri Lanka. Further it is used in vinegar preparation.
Inner portion is sweet and acidic which can be eaten as Mangosteen.
A decoction of the dried fruit is used as a medicine for bilious conditions. The gum
of the bark is an inferior kind of gamboge. (Jayaweera, 1980).
OTHER USES:-
Seedling of one year are good for grafting in Mangosteen.
STORAGE:-
Sun-dried rinds can be stored for a long time in dry and cool places.
110
FAMILY:- CLUSIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Garcinia mangostana
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Mangus, Mangosteen

TAMIL Sulambali, Mangus-kai
ENGLISH Mangosteen
DESCRIPTION :-
A slow-growing compact tree, 6-9 m tall with a smooth bark but a yellow latex;
L E A V E S : - Simple,opposite, 15-25 cm long, 6.3 -10.5 cm broad, elliptic-oblong,

acute, base cuneate, thickly corioaceous, deep, shining green with numerous nerves
curving and fusing with a double, extra marginal nerve; Petioles 20-25 m m long ;
FLOWERS:- Axillary or terminal, solitary, paired or fascicled; Staminate flowers not

seen and probably male flower is extinct; Female flowers solitary or paired, 5 cm
diameter, terminal on stout pedicels 1.3 cm long, yellowish;
FRUITS:- Globular, 7.5 cm across, reddish purple, the large leathery sepals
persistent,rind thick and tough enclosing 5-7 white segments, seeds 6-8 formed
apomictically enclosed in a white juicy ail.
DISTRIBUTION :-
Indigenous to Malaysia (Purseglove, 1968; Bose and Mitra, 1990; Querol, 1992 and
cultivated in the west coast of the India and Sri Lanka. It is a common fruit tree in
most of the village gardens in Sri Lanka, both in mid and wet low-country
(Department of Agriculture, 1993). Introduced to Sri Lanka in 19th century
(Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
The tender portion is eaten and considered as a one of most delicious fruits.
Ill
Moisture - 8 4 . 9 g, Energy - 60 Kcal, Proteins - 0.5 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates

- 14.3 g, Minerals - Calcium - 10 mg, Phosphorus - 2 0 mg, Iron - 0,2 mg (Perera et
al., 1979).
The rind of the fruit contains tannin, a resin and a bitter principle called mangostin
(Department of Agriculture, 1993). The edible oil contains saccharose, dextrose, and
kerrelose. The rind of the fruit which contains resin is used in diarrhoea and
dysentery. The bark and young leaves are also used for the same purpose and for
ailments of the genitourinary tracts and as a wash for aphthae of the mouth. A
decoction of the roots is drunk for dysmenorrhoea. In Cambodia the bark and the
rind of the fruit are used for diarrhoea and dysentery as astringents. (Jayaweera,
1980).
E N V I R O N M E N T A L RESPONSES:-
Well drained 1-15 m deep soils are ideal. Well distributed rainfall of 1500-2000 mm
is required for mangosteen. Optimal range of tempartature in 27 - 32°C. High relative
humidity of 75-80% is important for normal growth.
Areas for cultivation:- Wet zone lowlands of Sri Lanka, specially Kalutara, Colombo,
Galle, Gampaha, Ratnapura and some areas of Kandy districts.
Mangosteen is propagated by seeds. Since seeds have short and low viability they
must be planted within few days after removal from the fruit . In a nursery: At the
age of 4-6 months plants are transfered to a secondary nursary. Plants are
transplanted in the field at the age of two years about six metres apart. Plants bear
fruits when they are 10-15 years old. The average yeild is around 2 0 0 - 5 0 0 fruits
per tree but in some occasions it may g o up to 1000-1500 fruits per plant.
STORAGE:-
It is possible to store up to two weeks in thin layers in room temperature.
113
FAMILY:- CLUSIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Garcinia terpnophylla
SINHALA - Koketiya, Gokatu

ENGLISH - Indian Gamboge
DESCRIPTION :-
A moderately tall handsome tree with drooping branches. Bark pale, grayish or
yellowish-gray, rather thing, smooth, affording a turgid, yellowish-green resin in
small quantity.
L E A V E S :- Very variable in size and shape, opposite, about 3-8 inches long, oval
or narrowly oval, or lanceolate, much tapered at base abruptly, or gradually acute at
open, or acuminate. Stiff, dark above, much paler below, a entire. Petiole, thick,
short, 1/2 inch or less. Midrib distinct, prominent. Lateral veins parallel. An inter-
marginal veins run between the arching ends of the lateral veins and the leaf margin
is conspicuous. When very young, the leaves are tinged with pink.
FLOWERS:- Scented, pale yellow in axillary clusters make flowers have sepals and
petals, the latter much longer than the former, stamens in spreading bundles. Female
flowers larger than male flowers. Stigma irregularly lobed.
FRUITS:- About 1 inch, ovoid, smooth, pointed.
W O O D : - The outer sap-wood very pale-yellowish or grayish white, soft. Hent-wood

yellowish brown. Becoming a rich mahogany brown with age; smooth, close-grained
and intensively hard. With water - seasoning, the wood is much improved in general,
but owing to its extreme hardness it is not a favourite in general, but owing to its
extreme hardness it is not a favourite with sawyers (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
This endemic tree is irregularly distributed in Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike and

Sultanbawa, 1991). It is mainly confined to the wet forests from 3 0 0 to 1200 m
altitude, but is nowhere very abundant, it is occasionally sub-gregarious (Dassanayake
and Fosberg, 1980).
114
2
EDIBLE PARTS:-
Inner segments and seeds.
FOOD USE:-
Inner segments are eaten as mangosteen. Oil extracted from seeds called "Kokum
butter" is edible.
N U T R I T I O N A L A N M D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E : -
Oil is used for preparation of remedy for piles. Oil is also applied to burns, itchas
and boils (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980).
OTHER USES:-
Since the use of timber is very popular in Sri Lanka, it is widely used in many
occasions.
116
FAMILY:- CONVOLVULACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Ipomoea aquatica
Syn :- I. reptans, I. repens
SINHALA : Kankun
TAMIL : Koilangu, Sarkareivalli, Kankun
ENGLISH : Kang kong, Swamp cabbage, Water convolvulas, Water
Spinach.
DESCRIPTION :-
Annual or biennial herb with long prostrate stems rooting at nodes, thick, hollow,
glabrous, internodes 7-14 cm long.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate without stipules, 5-12 cm long, 4 . 5 - 7 c m broad,

ovate-oblong, the base usually dilated and hastate with rounded or acute lobes,
glabrous, petioles as long as or longer than leaves.
F L O W E R S : - Regular,bisexual, rather large, dull purple on long glabrous pedicels,

usually solitary, often 2 , peduncle much shorter than the petiole. (period-August to
November) (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in damp places throughout India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Philippines. Often
cultivated as a pot herb. It also grows in Africa and Australia. In Sri Lanka it is
c o m m o n in shallow water and moist places in dry regions. There are two forms in
cultivation - 1, semi aquatic form, 1.aquatic a var, aquatica, ii. land form.
aquatica var.raptans (Rice et al., 1993; Tindall, 1993).
The leaves and part of the prostrate stem.
FOOD USE:-
The leaves and the parts of the prostrate stems are used as a cooked vegetable.
117
Moisture - 9 0 . 3 g, Energy -28 kcal, Proteins -2.9 g, Fats - 0 . 4 g, Carbohydrates -3.1

g, Minerals - Calcium - 110 mg, Phosphorus - 4 6 mg, Iron - 3.9 mg - Carotene 1.98
meg, Thiamine 5 0 meg, Riboflavin 130 meg, Niacin - 0.6 mg, Vitamin C-137 mg
It is an excellent source of Iron, Calcium, Vitamins B and C. The plant is mildly

laxative and owing to the presence of insulin-like principle, it is used against diabetes
mellitus. The bud is applied on ringworm (Jayaweera, 1985; Pauda et al., 1987).
OTHER U S E S : -
The wine is used as fodder for cattle and pigs.
Adopted to a wide range of soil conditions but clay soils with high temparatures are
more suitable. Requires high moisture content of the soil. Normally grows in
lowlands and short day lengths.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - Wet zone and moist places closer to irrigated tanks in the dry
zone; the semi-aquatic form is after grown in places which are subjected to flooding.
Planting season - Almost throughout the year.
Land preparation - Land has to be worked to a fine condition and make seed beds.
Planting material - Stem cuttings.
Planting and space - Stem cuttings are planted in rows. Distance between two plants
is around 40-45 cm.
Irrigation - Proper irrigation during day periods increases the yield of land form.
Fertilizer - Organic manure will increase the harvest
Time to harvest - The first harvest is 50 days after planting. Then harvesting can be
done through the year if irrigation is available.
Harvest - Cut back to the two leaves above the bottom.
119
Yield - 4-6 ha given by semi-aquatic forms, the land form gives approximately 50%
less.
STORAGE:-
Harvest is kept for 1-2 days under normal conditions.
120
BOTANICAL NAME:- Ipomoea batatas
Syn :- Batatas edulis
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Bathala
TAMIL Wattalakklangu
ENGLISH Sweet potato
DESCRIPTION :-
Perennial plant grown as an annual under cultivation. The vines are either green or
red or purple in colour and about 4-16 feet long. The vines may be hairy, especially
at the nodes. The roots vary according to the colour of the outter skin, as well as the
colour of the inner flesh, depending on the varieties.
L E A V E S : - They are heart shaped, with the margins either toothed or entirly or deeply
lobed. In some varieties the leaves may be tinged with a slight purple.
FLOWERS:- They are funnel shaped, and either bluish or purple (Dassanayake and
Fosberg, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Sweet potato is endemic to Central America (Querol, 1992; Tindall 1993) from where
the Dutch brought it to Sri Lanka in the 17th century. Sweet potatoes can be grown
from sea level up to an elevation of about 1,000 m. It is well adoptable to high
rainfall areas.
When we talk about the origin or this plant, there is a famous folktale a Sinhala.
Once upon a time, a mother visited her son's residence where he lives with his wife.
When the mother visited her son, her daughter-in-law did not feed her and the
mother was ill-treated by her daughter-in-law. Having felt himilated, mother went
back to her home. A s soon as mother-in-law disappeared from daughter-in-law's
vicinity, she went to the kitchen to eat her lunch. To her dismay and surprise, she
found blood in the container in which she had cooked rice. It is widely believed that
the rice became blood due to her mother-in-low's carse. The daughter-in-law then
threw the rice because of the blood outside. After some time, she was wonder-
stricken to see a plant growth in the place where she threw the rice. The plant has
swallowed roots which was found to be an edible food. Since then it was widely
believed that the origin of this plant is rice and blood, it was named as "Bathala" in
121
Ipomoea batatas
(A) Plant (B) Tuber.
122
Sinhala where "Batha" and "Lay" stand for rice and blood respectively. Bathalay
then customarily came to be pronounced as Bathala in recent times.
The roots and tender leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Roots are boiled or baked or roasted and eaten. They can be used in preparing
curries and pastries. Dried chips of sweet potato are fried and eaten as a snack.
Tofees are also made from roots. Tender leaves and stem are eaten as green
vegetables.
(Roots)
Moisture - 6 8 . 5 g, Energy - 1 2 0 Kcal, Proteins - 1 . 2 g, Fats -0.3 g, Carbohydrates
- 2 8 . 2 g, - Calcium - 4 6 mg, Phosphorus - 5 0 m g , Iron - 0.8 m g , Carotene - 6 m e g ,
Thiamine - 8 0 meg, Riboflavin - 4 0 m e g , Niacin - 1 . 2 mg, Vitamin C -1 m g .
(Greens)
Moisture 8 0 . 7 9 , Energy- 63 kcl, Protein - 4 . 2 , Fat - 0 . 8 , Carbohydrates - 9 . 7 , -
Calcium - 3 6 0 m g , Phosphorus - 6 0 m g , Iron - 1 0 m g , Carotene - 7 5 0 m e g , Thiamine
- 7 0 , Riboflavin - 2 4 0 meg, Niacin - 1.7 mg, Vitamin C - 27 mg (Perera et al.,
1979).
Sweet potato tops, particularly the purplish ones, are used for diabetes. Leaves are
applied for boils, carbuncles and pimples. Boiled sweet potato is good for diarrhea
( D e Pauda and Pancho, 1989).
Medicinally, paste of roots or leaves is applied to scorpion-bite with benefit.
O T H E R USES:-
Tubers are used as a source of starch, glucose, and alcohol. Leaves are fed to
livestock.
Well drained soil is required. Optimal temperature is 24-25°C and the rainfall should
be in the range of 750-1250 m m . Daylength does not affect the yeild.
123
CULTIVATION :-
Areas for cultivation - Sweet potatoes can be cultivated successfully in the low-country
and mid country wet zone in Sri lanka.
Planting season - Can be grown during the Maha and the Yala seasons. Planting is
usually commenced with the early rains.
Land preparation - It involves ploughing and dishing the soil to break down the clods
and remove all trash and stubble. The land is then ridged with a ridger.
Planting material - It consists of stem cuttings, about 1 5 - 2 5 inches long. Cuttings

maybe taken when the vines begin to run from a newly established field or at harvest
time.
Spacing - The cuttings are planted in such away as to bury about 2-3 nodes. The
planting is done about 4 5 cm apart on the ridge.
Irrigation - Irrigation is required during drought seasons.
Fertilizer - Application of fertilizer will increase the yield of tubers. Application of

NPK is generally recommended
Time to harvest - depending on the variety, the crop can be harvested between 3 5-5
months from planting.
Harvesting - It involves lifting of the tubers, which is usually done manually with the
mamoty.
Yeild - One plant may produce 4 0 - 5 0 tubers, weighing from 100 g to 1.0 kg. A
yeild of 0 8 - 10 t/ha to normally obtained.
STORAGE :-
The harvested tubers should be stored in a cool and dry place with good ventilation.
124
BOTANICAL NAME:- Ipomoea obscura
SINHALA : Tel kola

TAMIL : Chirudali, Kuruguttali
DESCRIPTION :-
Vines, the stem slender, twining or less commonly glabrescent, perennial.
L E A V E S : - Ovate to cordate, 2.7-9 cm long, cordate baselly, acute,

acuminate or apiculate apically, pubescent or glabrescent on both surfaces.
F L O W E R S : - Inflorescence 1 or less commonly several flowers, the peduncles 3 . 5 - 4

cm long. Corolla yellow, orange, green or white, usually with a white limb and
yellowish.
FRUITS:- Capsular, globose, glabrous 8-12 mm long. Seed ovoid 1 black appressed
pubescent or velvety, 5-5.5 mm long (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Found in Tropical Africa, throughout Tropical Asia including Queensland and Fiji,
China, Taiwan and Polynesia (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980).
EDIBLE P A R T S :-
Leaves
FOOD USE:-
Leaves are eaten as a green vegetable.
The leaves are used as an application on aphthous affections. The latex is used for
treatment of gangrenous sores and for the preparation of medicinal oils used for some
purposes. Internally, they act as a cardiac, stomachic, expectorant and diuretic and
are useful for chronic dyspepsia, bronchitis and revel and hepatic dropsy (Jayaweera,
1980; Department of Aurveda, 1985).
125
1
Ipomoea obscura
(A) Branch with leaves and flower. (B) Side view of flower. (C) Fruit capsule.
126
FAMILY:- CRUCIFERAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Brassica alba
N A M E S IN OTHER L A N G U A G E S : -
SINHALA Ela-aba
TAMIL Kagudu, Venkaduku
ENGLISH White Mustard.
DESCRIPTION :-
An erect, annual herb, about 60 cm high with a few ascending branches, stiff, bright
green, bristly with reflexed hairs throughout.
LEAVES:- Simple, alternate, petioled, pinnatifid, rough with hairs.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, yellow in corymbose racemes, pedicels longer then

the calyx, ebracteate. Seeds- Sub-lobular, 2.5 mm diameter, pale yellow, testa smooth
(Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in east Syria and throughout southern Europe. It is a frequent weed in

cultivated ground in England, Minor Asia, Algeria and China (Jayaweera, 1980).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Seeds, young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Used as an ingredient for many varieties of curries and pickles. Seed oil is edible and
used for verious preperations. Young leaves are eaten as a green vegetable.
The seeds on grinding, yield a fixed oil and myrosin. They also contain a crystalline
principle called sinalbin. Mustard is a powerful stimulant and a valuable rubefacient.
It is used as an emetic in narcotic poisoning and diuretic for dropsy. A s a poultice,
it is applied on the chest for bronchitis pleurisy and for alleviation of neuralgic pains.
The powdered seeds are added to warm water and used to bathe the feet in cases of
high fever (Jayaweera, 1980).
127
Brassica alba
(A) Plant (B) Fruit (C) Longitudinal section of fruit.
128
Mustard is adopted to widely different climatic conditions. Requires low or moderate

rainfall. Grown in all classes of soils except very heavy clays.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas of cultivation - Dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Planting season - Maha season.
Planting material - Seeds
Planting and spacing - normally cultiated in chenas as mixed crop with finger millet.
When grown as a pure crop, seeds may be drilled in row, 2 0 cm apart.
Harvesting - Harvest can be obtained after 90-100 days.
Yeilds - Pure crop will give about 200-250 kg to 400-500 kg/ha.
S T O R A G E :-
Seeds can be stored for a long time in dry containers.
129
FAMILY:- CRUCIFERAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Brassica integrifolia
SINHALA Aba
TAMIL Kadugu
ENGLISH Indian Mustard
DESCRIPTION :-
Erect annual herb with a stem 0 . 4 - 1 . 0 m high, glabrous or with a few bristles at the
base, much branched, often purplish up to the pedicels.
L E A V E S : - Large, pinnatifid without basal lobes,terminal lobe much the largest basal
leaves long, persistent, 5-10 cm long, broadly obovate.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, yellow, 6-8 m m long, in long rasemes. Seeds-beak

narrowly conical, seedless nearly 1.2 cm long, 1-1.3 m m diameter (Jayaweera, 1980)
DISTRIBUTION:-
It grows from Egypt to China and is often cultivated in India. In Sri Lanka, it grows
as a weed in vegetable plantations (Jayaweera, 1980).
Seeds, young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
They are used as an ingredient for pickles and seed oil is used in food preparation.
Mustard sauce is made from seeds. Seed oil is used as a cooking oil. Leaves are
eaten as a green vegetable.
Moisture - 8.5 g, Energy - 541 kcal, Proteins - 2 0 g, Fats - 3 9 . 7 g, Carbohydrates -

2 3 . 8 g, Calcium - 4 9 0 meg, Phosphorus - 7 0 0 m g , Iron - 17.9 m g , Carotene - 162
m g , Thiamine - 6 5 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 2 6 0 m e g , Niacin-4.0 m g , Vitamin C-0 g
0%
130
The pale yellow oil extracted from the seed contains sinigrin. The leaves contain
Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Vitamin B. A plaster of ground mustard seed applied
externally relieves pain due to pleurodynia, pleuritis, hepatitis, gastralgia, lumbago
and is used as a counter-irritant in inflammatory conditions of the viscera. Applied to
the nape of the neck, it prevents cerebral congestion. To check convulsions in
children, the patient is immersed in a mustard bath (Jayaweera, 1980).

rainfall. Grows in all classes of soils except very heavy clays.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas of cultivation - Dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Planting and spacing - normally cultiated in chenas as a mixed crop with finger
millet. When grown as a pure crop, seeds may be drilled in rows, 2 0 cm apart.
Yeilds - Pure crop will give about 2 0 0 - 2 5 0 kg to 400 - 500 kg/ha.
S T O R A G E :-
132
FAMILY:- CRUCIFERAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Brassica nigra.
VERNACULAR NAMES :-
SINHALA Gan-aba, Kalu aba

TAMIL Kadugu
ENGLISH Black mustard.
DESCRIPTION :-
A large, branching, annual herb, 0.5-1.5 m tall, hispid, internodes 4-5 cm long.
LEAVES:- Irregularly lobed or pinnate with a large terminal lobe and 1-3 pairs of
progressively smaller ones below, 11.6-17.3 cm long, terminal lobe 8.7-12.5 cm long,
5-10 cm broad, margin serrate, glabrous above and hispid along veins beneath.
FLOWERS:- Regular.bisexual in a terminal panicle of branched racemes, ebracteate,

bracteoles foliar, lanceolate, 1.4-5.5 cm long, 0.3-1.9 cm broad.
FRUITS:- A fusiform, glabrous siliqua, 1-2.5 cm long; seed round and brown, 1.5-2
mm in diameter and minutely pitted (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Centre of origin is Euroasia. It is a weed in waste and cultivated ground in England,

Asia Minor, North-western India, South Siberia, North Africa and the Mediterranean
regions. It is frequently cultivated in India,Tibet and other tropical countries
(Jayaweera, 1980).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The seeds and young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
They are used as an ingredient of pickles and seed oil is used in food preparation.
Mustard saurce is made from seeds. Edible seed oil is used in various preparations.
Young leaves can be eaten as a fresh vegetable.
133
Brassica nigra
(A) Plant (B) Flower (C) Fruit (D) Dehiscing fruit.
134
8»
Moisture - 8.5 g, Energy - 541 kcl, Proteins - 20 g, Fats - 3 9 . 7 g, Carbohydrates -
2 3 . 8 g, Ca -490 meg, Phosphorus - 700 mg, Iron - 17,9 m g , Carotene - 162 m g ,
Thiamine - 650 meg, Riboflavin - 2 6 0 meg, Niacin - 4 . 0 mg, Vitamin. C-0 g (Perera
et al., 1979).
Besides the alkaloid sinapine, the seeds contain myrosin, sinigrin, inosite, albumins,
gums, colouring matter and fixed and volatile oils of mustard. A poultice of the
ground seed is very useful for cases of febrile and inflammatory diseases, internal
congestions spasmodic, neuralgic and rheumatic affections. A paste of the seed along
with other ingredients is applied on pimples and urticaria. The oil extracted from the
seed is a stimulant and a mild counter-irritant when applied externally. Hence it is
useful against sore throat, internal congestion and chronic muscular rheumatism.
Ground mustard is eaten with roast meats as it promotes digestion (Jayaweera, 1980).

rainfall. Grows in all classes of soils except very heavy clays.
• C U L T I V A T I O N :-
^ Areas of cultivation - Dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Planting and spacing - normally cultivated in chenas as a mixed crop with finger
millet. When grown as a pure crop, seeds may be drilled in rows, 2 0 cm apart.
Yeilds - Pure crop will give about 2 0 0 - 250 kg 400 - 500 kg/ha.
S T O R A G E :-
f
135
FAMILY:- CUCURBITACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Benincasa hispida
SINHALA Alupuhul, Puhul

TAMIL Kalyanappushinikkay, Pusanikkai, Wattakkai, Sambal
Pusanikkai
ENGLISH Ash Pumpkin, W a x gourd, White gourd, Ash gourd
DESCRIPTION :-
A large trailing or climbing plant with stout angular, hispid stems, tendrils 2-fid.
L E A V E S : - 10-25 c m diameter, reniform-orbicular, cordate, more or less deeply 5-

lobed, hispid, beneath petioles 7.5-10 cm long without glands.
F L O W E R S : - Large yellow monecious, all solitary without bracts.
FRUITS:- 30-45 c m long broadly cylindric, not ribbed, hairy, ultimately covered
with a waxy bloom; seeds many,oblong, compressed and margined (Jayaweera, 1980)
DISTRIBUTION:-
Benincasa hispida grows wild in Java and cultivated throughout India, Sri Lanka and
other tropical countries (Tindall, 1993). In Sri Lanka it is mostly cultivated in the dry
zone during the rainy season and elsewhere throughout the year.
EDIBLE PART:-
The fruit, seeds, young leaves and flower buds.
FOOD USE:-
The young and matured fruits are eaten as a vegetable. Grated inner portion is
boiled with sugar to prepare sweets. Seeds are roasted and eaten. Young leaves and
flower buds are eaten as green vegetables.
Moisture - 9 6 . 5 g, Energy -10 kcal, Proteins - 0 . 4 g, Fat -0.1 g, Carbohydrates - 1.9

g - Calcium - 3 0 m g , Phosphorus - 2 0 m g , Iron - 0 . 8 m g , Carotene - 0, Thiamine
- 6 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 10 meg, Niacin 0 . 4 m g , C - 1 m g (Perera et al., 1979).
136
137
The fruit contains a fixed oil, starch,cucurbitine, resin, proteins, myosin and vitellin,
sugar and Vitamin B and C. The fresh juice is a specific antidote for mercuric, ^
alcoholic and snake bite poisoning. It is used for insanity, epilepsy and other nervous
diseases. The cortical portion of the fruit is given for diabetes. A decoctions of the
leaves with rock salt is given for cholera. Decoction of the stem and fresh juice of
the fruit are also antidotes for many vegetable poisons. In Indo-China, the leaves and
seeds are given as a purgative (Jayaweera, 1980).
Elevation below 5 0 0 m, with relatively high temperature and moderate rainfall is

good for ash melon. The demand for water is very high during the early period of
vegetation. Relatively low temperature and short daylength stimulate the development
of female flowers.
Propagation is by seeds. Five seeds are normally planted together, 2-4 cm deep on
ridges, mounds or in prepared beds or holes. Alternatively, container-sown seedling
may be transplanted when they are 10-15 cm high. The ideal time for sowing is at
the beginning of the rains. Seed rate is 5-7 kg/ha. Spacing rows 2 0 cm apart with
6 0 - 1 0 0 cm between plants, ridges or mounds 75-90 c m apart each way. ^
Irrigation- is required at regular intervals particularly during dry periods.
Fertilizer-NPK before sowing or planting.
Time of harvest-Leaves are ready to be picked in 3 5 - 6 0 days, fruits 80-140 days

from sowing or planting.
Harvesting-As soon as the plant vines are about 60 c m length, fruits before the seeds
begin to ripen, and when the skin begins to harden.
Yeild - About 2 0 T/ha.
STORAGE:-
Undamaged fruits are hung and kept around 6 months and more.
138
FAMILY:- CUCURBIT ACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Colocynthis citrullus
Syn: Citrullus lanatus Citrulls valgaris.
SINHALA Komadu, Peni-Komadu

TAMIL Pitcha
ENGLISH Water Melon
DESCRIPTION :-
A n extensively climbing annual with thick, angular, branching stems; young shoots
villous;
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 7.5-20 cm long, ovate to ovate-oblong in outline,

cordate at base, deeply or moderately 3-7 lobed; Petioles a little shorter than the limb,
villous;
FLOWERS:- About 2-3.5 cm diameter, monoecious, yellow, solitary and axillary,

consist of male and female flowers.
FRUITS:- About 25 cm diameter, sub-globose or ellipsoid, smooth greenish with a

glaucous waxy coating, flesh juicy red or yellowish white: seeds black margined
(Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION.-
Indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical Africa ( F A O , 1980; Querol, 1993), but

cultivated in most of the eastern countries. It is of ancient cultivation in
Mediterranean region and reached India in pre-historic time. In Sri Lanka it is
cultivated mostly in the dry zone during the rainy season.
E D I B L E PART:-
The fruit and seeds.
FOOD USE:-
Riped fruits are eaten fresh and are a good substitute for drinking water in desert
areas. It is used in preparations of salads, juices and ice cream. Roasted seeds are
used as a snack.
139
Colocynthis citrullus
(A) Fruit (B) Leaf (C) Apical portion of a branch.
1
140
Moisture - 9 5 . 8 g, Energy - 16 Kcal, Proteins -0.2 g, Fat -0.2 g, Carbohydrates -3.3

g, Calcium - 11 mg, Phosphorus - 12 mg, Iron - 7 . 9 mg, Thiamine - 2 0 meg,
Riboflavin - 4 0 m e g , Niacin 0.1 m g , Vitamin C - 1 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
Contains ascorbic acid oxidase, while the flesh of the fruit contains saccharose,
dextrose, citrulline, carotin etc. The peel contains a fixed oil. The seed yields an
oil,proteins, cucurbitol and an active principle of cucurbocitrin. The juice of the root
is used to arrest hemorrhage after abortion.
Soils well drained, high in organic content, with a good water holding capacity are
good for water melon. Growth and fruit production in most areas are rapid during
dry and sunny periods. Elevations up to 1000 m provide suitable conditions for
growth.
CULTIVATION:-
Generally watermelons are cultivated or grown semi-wild. They are often inter
cropped with maize, sorghum and millet. Seed is planted at the beginning of the
rains, where rainfall is limited or at the end of the rainy season on good
moisture-containing soils. Seeds, in groups of 1-3, are sown 2-4 c m deep in trenches,
on mounds, or in widely spaced planting holes. Alternatively seedlings may be raised
in containers and transplanted when 10-14 cm high.
Spacing-2 m x 70 cm up to 3.5 x 3.5 m, depending on the cultivar.
Seed rate - 2.5 -3 kg/ha.
Irrigation - Rainy season crops may not require watering, but dry season crops may
need a good soaking once a week to keep the soil moist.
Fertilizer - NPK is applied before sowing or transplanting.
Time to harvest - 80 - 1 0 0 days from sowing, continuing for 4 0 - 5 0 days.
Harvesting - Maturity is indicated by withering of tendrils and increasing fruit density.

Fruits give a dull hallow sound when tapped.
141
STORAGE :-
Fruits should not be left too long in the field after ripening. When picked carefully
at the proper stage of maturity, and stored in a cool, dry place water melons can be
kept for 2-4 weeks.
142
FAMILY:- CUCURBIT ACE A E
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cucumis melo var conomon
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Hen-Kekiri
TAMIL Vellarikkai
ENGLISH Chinese White Cucumber, Oriental Pickling melon.
DESCRIPTION :-
A n annual, tendril climber with long, bluntly angular stems, rough with hooked
prickly hairs on ridges, tendrils simple.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 7 . 5 - 1 1 . 2 cm long, broadly cordate ovate with the basal

lobes rounded, usually shallowly cut into 3 or 5 acute lobes, slightly dentate, very
roughly hairy on both sidesjpetioles stout, often as long as the leaves, deeply sulcate
above, often much twisted.
FLOWERS:- Regular, yellow, unisexual, monoecious, small; male flowers in small

clusters, female flowers solitary, 1.8 cm wide.
^ FRUITS:- Ovoid - globose, slightly trigonous in section, small, glabrous, obscurely

striped with dark and light green, solid, fleshy; seeds numerous, horizontal, narrowly
ovoid, compressed and smooth (Jayaweera, 1980; Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in South-east Asia (Tindall, 1993). It is common in waste ground in the low
country in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PART:-
The fruit is cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
FOOD USE:-
Fruit pulp is usually eaten raw as a dessert, often with a little sugar. Seeds may be
roasted and eaten as a snack.
143
Cucumis melo
(A) Branch with male flowers (B) fruit (C) Female flower.
144
Moisture - 9 6 g, Energy - 13 kcal, Proteins - 0.4 g, Carbohydrate - 2.5 g, Calcium

10 mg, Phosphorus - 25 mg, Iron - 0.5 m g , Thiamine - 30 m g , Riboflavin - 0 . 0 3
meg, Niacin - 0 . 2 meg, Vitamin C - 7.0 mg (Weerakoon, 1993) .
The juice of the fruit after being impregnated with impure carbonate of potash and
steamed in hot ash, is used as a diuretic for cases of difficulty in passing urine and
other urinary complaints (Jayaweera, 1980; Wickramarchchi, 1988).
Tolerant to a wide range of environmental conditions. Soils with high organic

contents and good water retaining capacity are ideal for melon. Grows well in
altitudes below 5 0 0 m.
CULTIVATION:-
General propagation is by seed. 2-3 seeds are sown 1-2 cm deep in prepared holes
or on mounds or ridges and later thinned to 1 plant per site. If seedlings are used
they should be transplanted when 10-15 cm high.
Spacing - R o w s 1.3-2 m apart, 60-90 cm between plants.
Irrigation - Generally grown under irrigation.
Fertilizer - Plants respond well to organic manuring, main requirements of inorganic

fertilizers are Ca, N and K.
Time of harvest - 3-4 months after planting when some fruits are indicated by an
abscission crack where the fruit is attached to the fruit stalk.
STORAGE:-
Fruits may be stored at low temperatures. Removal of field heat immediately after
harvesting is essential.
145
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cucumis sativus
SINHALA Pipingna
TAMIL Pipingkay-Peerkangkai
ENGLISH Cucumber
DESCRIPTION:-
A medium-sized, hairy, tendril climber
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 11-16 c m long, 10-14 c m broad, broadly ovate-cordate,

acuminate, 5 veined, shallowly 3-5 lobed, hairy on both sides, veins prominent below.
Petioles 5-8 c m long, cylindrical, hairy.
FLOWERS:- Unisexual on the same plant, bright yellow, male flowers in axillary,
clusters. Female flowers solitary, about 3 cm in diameter.
FRUITS:- Pendulous, variable in shape and size nearly globular to oblong and
elongated with scattered spinous lubercles and warb, particularly when young, flesh
pale green with characteristic cucumber odour, many seeded seeds flat, white, 8-10x3-
5 m m . 5 0 seed per g (Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It has been believed that Cucumis Sativus originated in Northern India. Cultivated
throughout India, Sri Lanka, Indo-China and Philippine Islands (Tindall, 1993).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Fruit and Young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Fruit is eaten as a vegetable. Small unriped fruits are pickled. Young leaves are
occasionally eaten as a green vegetable.
146
(Fruit)
Moisture - 9 6 . 5 g, Energy - 1 3 . 0 Kcal, Proteins - 0 . 4 g, Fat - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates
- 2.5 g, Calcium - 10 m g , Phosphorus - 2 5 . 0 mg, Iron - 1.5 m g , Thiamine - 3 0 m e g ,
Niacin - 0 . 2 m g , Vitamin C - 7 . 0 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
The fruit contains dextrose, saccharose, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid oxidase and fixed
oil. Seed kernels contain approximately 4 2 per cent oil and 4 2 percent protein. The
fruit is a good source of iron and calcium containing very little vitamins B, C and G.
The leaves contain urea.
Sandy looms with high organic contents are suitable for vigorous growth optimal
temperature range is 21-28°C. Water requirement is high but under the humid
conditions leaf diseases are increased. Elevations below 1200 m are good for normal
growth.
CULTIVATION.-
Areas for cultivation - Can be grown in the wet zone and dry zone in Maha season.
Planting season - In the wet zone throughout the year and in Maha season in the dry
zone.
Land preparation - Remove weeds and make plant holes 3 0 x 3 0 cm, add 3 kg of
organic manure per hole, mix with soil and heap to about 10 c m above ground.
Trellises should be
1.5 m high, when vines are trained and inverted trellises, leave only eight laterals.

Planting and spacing - Monocroping - Dibble 3-4 seeds to a depth of 2-3 cm in
planting holes placed in 1 m x 1 m. Intercroping can be intercroped with Okra in
the same planting hole, spacing should be 120 x 9 0 cm.
Irrigation - Keep soil moisture at field capacity. Water should flow between beds
along the drains and soak only the planting holes.
Fertilizer - N P K should be applied before planting.
Time to harvest - when fruits turn yellow or dark green.
148
Harvest - Avoid pulling of vines by using a sharp implement to remove fruits.
Yield - 5-8 T/ha.
S T O R A G E :-
Fruits normally remain fresh for about 1 week, after which dehydration leads
shrinking, low quality and bad taste.
149
FAMILY: - CUCURBITACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cucurbita maxima
SINHALA Wattakka, Ratalabu

TAMIL Pushanikkai
ENGLISH Pumpkin, Winter Squash, Squash Gourd
DESCRIPTION :-
A large climbing or prostate, annual, hispid herb, tendrils 4-fid
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, large, a little broader, orbicular in outline, cordate with

very deep sinus, faintly 5-lobed, hairy, shallowly serrate. Petioles about 20 cm long,
hispid.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, large, yellow, about 12 cm long, monoecious. Peduncles

longer in male flowers, male flowers calyx campanulate at base segments 5, linear,
corolla campanulate. Female flowers, calyx and corolla almost the same as in the male
flowers (period almost throughout the year) (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is a native of South America. India is the secondary centre of diversity. Cultivated

throughout India, Sri Lanka and in most region of the world. In Sri Lanka, it grows
best in the dry zone especially after the rains (Tindall, 1993).
Fruits, young shoots, flowers and seeds.
FOOD USE:-
Fruit is a famous vegetable among the Sri Lankans specially among villagers. Young
leaves and flowers are used as spinach. Seeds are added to soups, cearial breakfast
and also roasted and eaten as a snack.
150
(Fruit).
Moisture -90 g, Energy -35.0 kcal, Proteins - 1.2 g, Fat - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates - 7.0
g, Minerals, Calcium - 2 0 . 0 mg, Phosphorus - 4 0 mg, Iron - 0.8 mg, Thiamine -50
meg, Riboflavine -80 meg, Niacin - 0 . 6 mg, Calcium - 10 mg.
(Leaves)
Moisture - 8 1 . 9 g, Energy - 57 kcal, Proteins - 4 . 6 g, Fats - 0.8 g, Carbohydrates -
7 . 9 g, Calcium 392 mg, Phosphorus - 112 mg.
(Seeds - dry)
Moisture - 3.7 g, Energy - 543 kcal, Proteins - 29 , Fats - 4 0 . 4 g, Carbohydrates -
2 5 . 1 g, Calcium 33 mg, Phosphorus - 714 m g , Iron - 9 . 9 mg, Vitamin - Carotene -
235 meg, Thiamine - 4 0 0 meg, Riboflavin - 140 meg, Niacin - 3.2 mg (Perera et al.,
1979).
The fruit contains fat, protein, vitamin A, sugar, two pigments cucurbitene and
cucurbitaxanthin, niacin, riboflavine. The young shoots are good sources of calcium,
iron, phosphorus, vitamin B and also contain hydrocyanic acid and ascorbic acid,
ascorbic acid oxalate. The seeds contain a fixed oil, saponin, a protein called edestin
and an active principle. The seeds are employed as a vermifuge, given with sugar for
tape worm (Jayaweera, 1980).
OTHER USES:-
In some countries, pumpkin is used as an animal feed.
Requires high temperature of 25-30°C, and low humidity. Soils with high organic
contents and p H of 5.5 - 6.8 are ideal for normal growth. Grows well in altitude
below 2 0 0 0 m.
CULTIVATION:-
Propagation is by seeds. Five seeds are normally planted together, 2-4 cm deep on
ridges, mounds or in prepared beds or holes. Alternatively, container-sown seedling
may be transplanted when they are 10-15 cm high. The ideal time for sowing is at
the beginning of the rains. Seed rate is 5-7 kg/ha. Spacing rows 2 0 cm apart with
6 0 - 1 0 0 cm between plants, ridges or mounds 75-90 cm apart each way.
Irrigation - It is required at regular intervals particularly during dry periods.
152
Fertilizer - NPK before sowing or planting.
Time of harvest - Leaves are ready to pick in 35- 6 0 days, while harvesting of fruits
can be done 80-140 days from sowing or planting.
Harvesting - As soon as the plant vines are about 6 0 cm length, fruits before the seeds
begin to ripen, and when the skin begins to harden.
Yeild - Up to 15 t/ha.
STORAGE:-
Fruit can be stored for up to 6 months depending on the variety.
153
FAMILY:- CUCURBIT A C E A E
BOTANICAL NAME:- Lagenaria siceraria
Syn: L. Vulgaris, L. Leucantha
SINHALA Diya-labu
TAMIL Surakkai
ENGLISH Bottle Gourd, Calabash Gourd, Trumpet Gourd.
DESCRIPTION :-
A moderate-sized, softly tomentose, tendril climber with 5 angled stems.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, petiolate with tendrils and flowers at their axils, lamina
13-20 cm long and as broad, broadly ovate or orbicular, faintly 5-lobed, acute, deeply
cordate at base, dentate, softly hairy on both sides, veins prominent below.
Petioles 8-13 c m long.
FLOWERS:- Large, brownish white, unisexual, regular, solitary,both male and

female flowers on the same plant.
FRUITS:- Large, dumbbell-shaped, indehiscent. Seeds many, white, horizontally

compressed with a marginal groove (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION.-
Indigenous to tropical Africa. It is one of earliest crops grown in tropics.

Archaeological remains in M e x i c o date from 7000 BC (Tindall, 1993). It is
frequently cultivated in India, Sri Lanka and Philippine Islands.
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The fruit, young leaves and shoots.
FOOD USE:-
Young fruits are eaten as a cooked vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are eaten
as a pot herb.
154
(Fruit)
Moisture - 9 6 , 1 g, Energy - 12 kcal, Proteins - 0 . 2 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates -
2.5 g, Calcium - 2 0 m g , Phosphorus - 10 g, Iron - 0.7 m g , Thiamine - 30 meg,
Riboflavin-10 meg, Niacin- 0.2 g (Perera et al., 1979).
(Leaves)
Moisture - 83 g, Energy - 43 kcal, Protein 4 . 4 g, Fat - 0.3 g, Carbohydrate - 8 g,
Phosphours - 88 m g , Iron - 7 . 4 mg (FAO, 1968).
The fruit contains Niacin, Riboflavine and Aneurin. It is a good source of Iron,
Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin B. The seed contains a fixed oil and saponin. The
pulp is useful for cough and as an antidote to certain poisons. The oil from the seeds
is an emollient and applied on the head for relief from headaches (Jayaweera, 1980).
OTHER U S E S : -
Hard shells of the fruits, which are of many shapes, are used for various domestic
utensils such as b o w l s , bottles and containers of many types. They were used before
invention of pottery in many regions.
Soils with high organic matters and natural pH values. Well drainage is essential.
Requires moderate rainfall. Grows normally at altitudes below 500 m.
Propagated by seed. It is usually cultivated near the house on mounds of well

manured soil. 2-4 seeds are sown per mound later thinned to one. Alternatively,
seeds may be s o w n in the nursery and transplanted at the 3-leaf stage.
Spacing - Ridges or holes, 120-180 cm apart. Seed rate 4-5 kg/ha.
Irrigation - Required at regular intervals to maintain moist soil conditions, particularly

during dry weather.
Fertilizer - Plenty of farmyard manure and NPK before planting.
Time to harvest - Immatured fruits 70-90 days, mature fruits 100-120 days or more.
Harvesting as a vegetable, gather while still young and tender, as a gourd, when
totally ripe. The neck of the fruit is cut and the flesh is bored out as completely as
possible.
156
Yeild - A plant produces about 2 0 gourds. Normal yeild is about 25 T/ha.
STORAGE:-
Y o u n g fruits, if undamaged can be kept in cool at a relative humidity of about 6 0 % ,

for 7-14 days. It should be possible to dry them.
157
BOTANICAL NAME:- Luffa acutangula
SINHALA Daravetakolu, vetakolu

TAMIL Peeram, Pekunkai
ENGLISH Ridged Gourd, Fence Gourd, Angled Loofah
DESCRIPTION:-
A stout annual, climbing by means of tendrils, stems 5 angled, glabrous often scabrid,
tendrils 3-fid and the young parts slightly pubescent;
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, large, pale green, 6-23 cm long and as broad, orbicular
in outline, very cordate at the base,usually more or less palmatifid. lobes acute,
distantly denticulate, finely scabrous on both sides.
FLOWERS:- Male flowers many in axillary, 12-20 flowered racemes, each flower
carrying a small, fleshy bract near the base bearing 3 or 4 large immersed (glands);
female flowers solitary in the same axils as the males or separate; (period- throughout
the year).
FRUITS:- 15-30 cm long, clavate oblong tapering to the base, very obtuse, smooth
longitudinally ribbed or almost winged with 10 sharp angles or ridges; Seeds
numerous, 1.2 cm long,oblong - ovoid, much compressed, slightly corrugated on the
sides and black in colour. Both fruit and seeds are toxic to fish (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Indigenous in India and in Malay Archipelago (Jayaweera, 1980; Tindall, 1993;

Querol, 1993). It is frequently cultivated in Sri Lanka in the mid and low country and
also in other tropical countries.
E D I B L E PART:-
Young fruits and young shoots.
FOOD USE:-
Young fruits are eaten as a vegetable. Young shoots are also edible.
158
V
Moisture - 9 4 g, Energy - 19 Kcal, Proteins - 1.1 g, Fats - 0.2 g, Carbohydrates -

4 g, Calcium - 2 mg, Phosphorus - 3 0 m g , Iron - 0.7 mg, Riboflavin - 140 meg,
Niacin-0.3. (Tindall, 1993).
The fruit contains an amorphous bitter principle, luffeyine and it is a good source of
Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin B. The seeds contain a fixed oil which
consists of the glycerides of palmitic,stearic and myristic acids. Both vegetative and
reproductive organs contain hydrocyanic acid. The bruised leaves are applied locally
to splenitis, hemorrhoids and leprosy and the expressed juice dropped into the eyes
of children for granular conjunctivitis. The fruit is used in combination with other
drugs in the treatment of snake-bites. The dried fruits are powdered and made into a
snuff for treating jaundice. The oil extracted from the dry seeds is used in skin
diseases. The root is used as a purgative in Russia and in India, while in the latter
country it is used for dropsy as well (Jayaweera, 1980; Wickramarachchi, 1986).
Moderate rainfall is required for optimal growth and can be cultivated in dry periods
under irrigation. Soil with a high content of organic matter and good drainage are r
essential. Grows well at the elevation below 5 0 0 m. «
CULTIVATION:- ^
Planting material is seeds which are s o w n on mounds, ridges or in prepared holes,

and later thinned to leave single seedlings.
Spacing - Mound 75-100 cm apart or 6 0 - 9 0 x 60-90 cm. Seed requirement is 4 . 0 -

5 . 0 kg/ha, hand pollination of female flowers are normally required.
Irrigation - Required during dry periods.
Fertilizer - NPK is applied before planting which is followed by application of

nitrogen fertilizer till flowering.
Harvesting - Harvesting varies from 4 0 - 7 0 days from sowing.
Yeild - Plant may produce 15-20 fruits.
160
BOTANICAL NAME:- Luffa cylindrica
Syn .- L. aegyptiace
SINHALA Niyan-wetakolu
TAMIL Pichuknu
ENGLISH Sponge Gourd, Smooth loofah
DESCRIPTION :-
Annual, tendril, clamber with 5-angled, stout, twisted stems, young parts slightly
pubescent;
L E A V E S : - Simple,alternate, large 10-20 cm long, orbicular in outline, often broader

than long, very cordate at base, usually more or less 7-lobed, lobes acute,distantly
denticulate, finely scabrous on both sides; petioles 2 . 5 - 7 . 5 c m long, angular, slightly
scabrous.
FLOWERS:- Regular, yellow, unisexual, monoecious. Male flowers numerous in

racemes 10-20 cm long. Female flowers solitary,over 5 cm long on peduncles 7.5-10
cm in length, calyx segment lanceolate, acute; Flowers in July
FRUITS:- Very large 15-30 cm or more long, cylindrical or somewhat trigonous, not
ribbed, blunt at the end. Seeds oval about 1.2 cm long, much compressed,narrowly,
winged, gray, rough on the sides (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Centre of origin is possibly India (Tindall, 1993). Cultivated throughout India, Sri
Lanka and Philippine Islands. It is common in native gardens in the low-country up
to an altitude of 1000 m.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Young fruits and young shoots
FOOD USE:-
The fruit is eaten as a vegetable.
161
(Fruit)
Moisture - 9 5 . 2 g, Energy-17 kcal, Proteins - 0.5 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates - 3 . 6
g, Calcium - 18 m g , Phosphorus - 26 mg, Iron - 1.5 mg, Riboflavin - 10 m e g ,
Niacin-0.2 meg, Vitamin C - 5 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
(Leaves)
Moisture - 9 0 g, Energy - 27 kcal, Proteins - 5.1 g, Fat - 0 g, Carbodydrate - 4 g,
Fibre 1.5 g, Calcium - 56 mg, Phosphours - 140 m g , Iron -11.5 mg, Carotene - 9 2 4 0
meg, Thiamine 0.05 mg, Riboflavine - 0 , 0 6 mg, Vitamin C - 95 mg ( F A O , 1972).
Weather records that the fruit fibre contains cellulose,xylene, manna, galactan and
lignin. The seeds contain a fixed oil and the fruit, saponin and abundant mucilage.
The leaves are prescribed in skin diseases and orchitis. In Java the juice of the leaves
is given for amenorrhoea. The fresh fruit is considered and cooling beneficial to the
intestines and tonic to the genital organs. The seeds are said to be emetic and
cathartic. A n infusion of the seeds is a drastic purgative and useful anthelmintic. In
Cambodia, the fruit is used as a diuretic (Jayaweera, 1980).
O T H E R USES:-
Loofah sponge, which is the fibre vascular network of ripe fruit is used as bath
sponges and for cleaning purposes and in the manufacture of pot holders, sabber mats,
bath mats etc.
Soils with a moderate content of organic matter, well drained soil is suitable for
optimal growth. Soils of pH 5.5-6.5 are favourable. Tolerant to day temperature
25°C. Grown at altitudes below 1000 m.
Propagation is by seed taken from riped fruits. Seeds are sown direct, 2-3 cm deep
on mounds or ridges or seedlings may be raised in containers and transplanted.
Supporting poles or trellis are required for the vines.Hand pollination of the female
flowers in the early morning is recommended.
Spacing - Mounds 75-90 cm apart, 4 5 - 6 0 cm between plants, or 90-120 cm each way,

depending on the vigor of the cultivar.
rows - 1.5 - 1.8 m apart, with plants 20-25 cm on the row.
seed rate - 3-5 kg/ha for a plant population of 3 0 0 0 - 5 0 0 0 plants/ha.
163
Irrigation - A fairly high level of soil moisture needs to be maintained throughout the
growing period.
Fertilizer - NPK before planting or sowing, followed by the application of liquid N

fertilizer until flowering.
Time to harvest- Immature fruits in 70-80 days from sowing or transplanting, when
15-20 cm in length. Mature fruits in 100-150 days.
Harvesting- Young fruits are picked while still green and less than 2 0 cm in length.
Yeild - An individual plant gives 20-25 fruits.
STORAGE:-
Undamaged and immature fruits can be stored for a week at normal room conditions.
They can be stored for 10-14 days in a refrigerator.
164
BOTANICAL NAME:- Momordica charantia L.
Syn :- M. Muricata
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Kariwila
TAMIL Pavatkai, Pakal
ENGLISH Bitter Gourd, Bitter Cucumber, Balsam Pear.
DESCRIPTION :-
An annual tendril climber with somewhat twining, much branched, 5 - angled,

roughly pubescent stems, young parts hairy.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 6-12.5 cm long almost circular in outline,very deeply

cordate at base, palmately cut to beyond the middle into 7 or 9 lobes, lobes acute,
apiculate coarsely spinous-dentate, pubescent on veins on both sides, petioles 2.5-5
cm long, channelled above and narrowly bordered with decurrent leaf-bases.
FLOWERS:- Regular, lemon yellow, unisexual, monoecious, solitary, axillary on

slender, peduncles 5-7.5 cm long, usually with a large, sessile, rotundate, entire bract
on the lower half and often close to the base.
FRUITS:- Large, 7.5-15 cm long, pendulous, fusiform, usually pointed or

beaked,orange coloured when ripe, enclosed in a red pulpy envelop (Jayaweera,
1989).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Place of origin is not known, expect that it was in the old world. Cultivated
throughout India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China and Tropical Africa. In Sri Lanka it is
cultivated in the low country up to 330 m altitude (Jayaweera, 1980; Tindall, 1993).
EDIBLE PART:-
The fruit, tender leaves and shoots
165
V
FOOD USE:-
The green fruit is used as a vegetable in spite of it is bitterness. Tender leaves and
shoots are eaten as a green vegetable.
Moisture - 9 2 . 4 g, Energy - 25 Kcal, Proteins - 1.6 g, Fats- 0 . 2 g, Carbohydrates -

4 . 2 g, Calcium - 2 0 m g , Phosphrus - 70 mg, Iron - 1.8 mg, Carotene - 126 meg,
Thiamine - 70 meg, Riboflavin - 90 meg, Niacin - 0.5 m g , Vitamin C - 88 mg
The whole plant including unriped fruit, contains probably two alkaloids one of which
is momordicine, glucoside-like substance an aromatic ethereal oil, a fixed oil traces
of a fatty acid and carotene. The fruit is a good source of Iron, Calcium,
Phosphorus and Vitamin B. The seeds yield a purgative oil high in saponin content.
The fruits and leaves are anthelmintic and used as a vermifuge. They are also useful
for piles, leprosy and jaundice. The leaves are used in the treatment of colic. The
fruit is a tonic and stomachic and useful for rheumatism, gout and diseases of the
spleen and liver. In large doses it is a drastic purgative and is considered
abortifacient. In Cuba the whole plant is used in the treatment of diabetes and chronic
ulcers in the stomach. The seed is administered as an anthelmintic in Brazil and
Congo. Juice of the leaves is given for children's coughs in the Philippines
(Jayaweera, 1980; Wickramarachchi, 1986; Tindall, 1993).
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE: -
Grown in hot climates. Adapted to a wide variation of rainfall. Soils with high
organic content are ideal. Grows well below the altitude of 5 0 0 m.
Areas of cultivation - mostly cultivated in lowlands of wet and intermediate zones.

Propagated by seed. Seeds sown direct on well prepared beds, ridges or in small pits.
Plants require supporting poles or trellis. 2-3 seeds are s o w n per site, later thinned
to one. Seeds are viable for up to 4 months.
Spacing - 6 0 -75 cm apart with 30-38 cm between plants or 5 0 x 5 0 cm each way.
Seed rate - 4-4.5 kg/ha.
Irrigation - Required during dry periods to maintain adequate soil moisture.

Fertilizer - NPK before sowing, followed by applications of fertilizer at intervals
during the growing period.
167
Time to harvest - Flowering occurs in 30-35 days and young fruits are ready in 50-70
days from sowing.
Yeild - Normal yeild would be 8-10 t/ha.
STORAGE :-
Immature, undamaged fruits can be stored for 4-5 days. Under the temparature of 1 -
2°C, and in a humidity of 85-90%, fruits can be stored for up to 20-30 days.
168
BOTANICAL NAME:- Momordica dioica
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA : Thumbakariwila, Tumba

TAMIL : Palupalagakalungai
DESCRIPTION :-
A dioecious, perennial, tendril,climber with tuberous roots, stems slender, somewhat

compressed and 2-edge or cylindric and furrowed striate;
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, variable, 5-10 cm long 4-7 cm broad, broadly ovate in

outline very cordate at base, acute entire or more or less deeply cut into 3 or 5 lobes,
distantly dentate or denticulate, thin, quite glabrous and shining on both sides.
FLOWERS:- Regular, unisexual pale lemon yellow, dioecious, solitary, peduncle 3-5
cm long, slender, glabrous or finely pubescent at the top, in the male with a large
hooed bract a little below the flower and enclosing it, in the female with a minute
bract below the middle. Flowers from June to August.
FRUITS:- Oblong-ovoid 5-6.3 cm long, beaked, glabrous, evenly covered with

equal-pointed papillae, many seeded, seeds broadly oblong, compressed, slightly and
irregularly corrugated, enclosed in a red pulp (Jayaweera, 1986).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows throughout India, Sri Lanka and Singapore. In Sri Lanka it is naturally grown
in low-country-dry zone and is famous among Sri Lankans as a seasonal vegetable
(Jayaweera, 1980).
EDIBLE PART:-
The fruit .
FOOD USE:-
Fruits are eaten as a cooked vegetable
169
The leaves of the female plant are used as an aphrodisiac, anthelmintic and in asthma,
bronchitis, hiccough and piles. The tuberous root is an expectorant and used in
urinary complaints. The roasted root is applied to stop bleeding from piles. The fruit
is stomachic, laxative and cures asthma,leprosy, bronchitis, excessive salivation and
heart ailments. The root of the male plant is useful in all kinds of poisoning,
including snake-bites, and for elephantiasis (Jayaweera, 1980).
171
BOTANICAL NAME:- Trichosanthes anguina
Syn: T. Cucumerina
SINHALA Pathola
TAMIL Podalangai, Padivilangu
ENGLISH Snake-gourd
DESCRJPTION:-
An annual tendril climber with long, slender, furrowed,slightly hairy leafy stems,
tendrils 3-fid;
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 10-12.5 cm long, broadly ovate, more or less 3-5 lobed,
lobes broad, acute, glabrous or nearly so above, more or less pubescent;
FLOWERS:- Regular,white, unisexual, monoecious, male flower in axillary 8-15,

flowered racemes, female flower solitary and axillary, male flower peduncles of
racemes 10-15 cm long, slender striate;
FRUITS:- About 0 . 3 - 0 . 9 m long, green striped with white changing to bright orange
colour when ripe (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Centre of origin is India (Purseglove, 1968, Tindall, 1993; Rice et al; 1993).
Snakegourd widely distributes in Tropics from India to Australia. Widely cultivated
in the hotter parts of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and China, but never found in a wild
state. In Sri lanka it is extensively grown in the mid and low-country.
EDIBLE PART:-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
The fruit is eaten as a vegetable.
172
Moisture - 9 4 . 6 g, Energy -18 Kcal, Proteins - 0.5 g, Fats - 0.3 g, Carbohydrates -

3.3 g, Calcium - 2 6 mg, Phosphorus - 20 mg, Iron - 0.3 mg, Carotene - 96 meg,
Thiamine - 4 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 60 meg, Niacin - 0.3 mg (Perera et al; 1979).
In Indo-China, the plant is used as a purgative and vermifuge. The fruit is considered
an emetic and anthelmintic in the Philippine Islands (Jayaweera, 1980).
Areas for cultivation - In the wet zone and in Yala season in the dry zone.
Planting season - Following heavy rains.
Land preparation - Wet zone - Prepare the land free of weeds. Dry zone - Plough to
a depth of 2 0 - 3 0 cm and harrow to a fine tilth. Prepare planting holes 30 x 30 x 30
cm. Mix 3 kg of organic manure in the planting holes with soil and heap it about 10
cm above the ground level.
Planting material - Seeds 4-6 kg/ha of seeds is required.
Planting and spacing - Distribute 3 seeds /hole, well spaced to a depth of 2 cm 3

weeks after germination, and vines are tied with strong horizontal trellis about 2 m
high.
Time to harvest - 0-75 days after planting. When colour of fruits is green to
powdery white.
Harvest - A v o i d pulling fruits by using a sharp instrument to remove pods from vines.
Yeild - One plant produces 6-10 fruits per year.
STORAGE:-
Fruits remain fresh for 7 10 days if handled carefully.
174
FAMILY:- C Y CA D A C E A E
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cycas circinalis
SINHALA : Madu
DESCRIPTION :-
A palm like tree with a cylindric trunk about 5 m tall, simple or forked, clothed with
the compacted woody bases of petioles.
L E A V E S : - In a terminal crown of two kinds, simple short sessile subulate, woolly

prophylla 5-7.5 c m long and long petioled pinnate leaves 1.5-2.7 m long. Petioles
4 5 - 6 0 cm long with short deflexed spines near the base, leaflets 25-30 cm long, 1.2
cm wide; linear- lanceolate,acuminate, subfalcate, bright green, glabrous and shining,
mid-rib prominent beneath, inflorescence, dioecious, male cone 30-60 cm long,
shortly peduncled, erect, woolly, cylindric-ovoid consisting of short axis, female
inflorescence consists of a whorl of long, spreading, woolly carpophylls each about
30 cm long, 2 . 5 - 3 . 7 cm wide, narrowed into a long stalk, clothed with buff
tomentum, crenate or spinous-serrate,bearing 3-5 pairs of naked or othotropous ovules
above the middle (Jayaweera, 1980).
FRUITS:- Orange red, each containing a large seed with copious endosperm.
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka, Java, Sumatra, Madagascar and East Tropical Africa. In
Sri Lanka it is found in the moist regions upto 150 m attitude (Jayaweera, 1980).
E D I B L E PART:-
Young leaves and the seeds.
FOOD USE:-
Young leaves are prepared as a green vegetable while edible seed flour is used in
many ways as rice flour.
The young leaves are cooked and eaten for piles and hemorrhoids. The leaves and
seeds are useful for chronic constipation (Jayaweera, 1980).
175
176
OTHER USES:-
• It is planted in home gardens as a exotic plant.
STORAGE:-
Sun-dried endosperm can be kept for a long time in dry and cool places.
> 177
FAMILY:- DIOSCOREACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Dioscorea alata
Syn :- D. atropurpurea, D. sativa
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Raja ala, Rata ala, Kiri kondol

TAMIL Rasavalli, Kannai
ENGLISH Greater yam, Water yam, Winged yam and Asiatic yam
DESCRIPTION:- >
A glabrous climbing vine, growing to 15 m, exceptionally to 30 m. Stems square in

cross-section, occasionally thorny, winged, membranous, twining in a clock-wise
direction, adventitious roots sometimes formed.
L E A V E S : - Petiolate, winged at base, variable in size and shape, rounded or ovate

with acute apex, phyllotaxy normally opposite, alternate on juvenile stems.
FLOWERS:- Plants dioecious , unisexual, male flowers 1-2 mm in diameter, in

panicles produced in leaf axills up to 3 0 cm in length, female flowers on shorter
axillary racemes.
FRUIT:- 3 winged capsules 20-30 mm in length, 3 - locular, 2 seeds/locale (Tindall,

1993).
DISTRIBUTION:-
It originated in South East Asia, possibly in the Assam - Burma region, distributed
at an early date throughout many parts of the tropics, including Indonesia, Papua N e w
Guinea and the Pacific Islands, reaching Africa and tropical America in the 16th
century (Ustimenko, 1989; Querol, 1992; Tindall, 1993; Rice et al,,, 1993). It is
cultivated in South-East Asia (Southern India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines,
Papua N e w Guinea), West Africa and most tropical countries. In Sri Lanka it grows
in the wet zone up to 1500 m
The tubers.
178
Dioscorea alata
(A) Plant. (B) Tuber.
179
F O O D USE:-
In Sri Lanka mature tubers are boiled, roasted or fried and eaten. It is a good
substitute for potatoes. Frequently, water yams are used to make curry.
Moisture - 76 g, Energy - 87 kcal, Protein - 1.9 g, Fats - 0.2 g , Carbohydrates - 2 0

g, Calcium - 38 m g , Phosphorus - 28 mg, Iron - 1.9 mg, Carotene -5 meg, Thiamine
- 0.1 mg, Riboflavin - 0 . 0 4 , Niacin - 0.5 mg, Vitamin C - 6 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
Cultivated in both wet and dry areas. For optimal growth well distributed rainfall of
1000-1500 m m is required. Well drained soils with high organic content are suitable
for water yam. Photosensitive and day length less than twelve hours are needed for
tuberization, grown at altitudes below 1000 m.
Area for cultivation - Although it can be grown in both wet and dry zone, in most
cases it is cultivated in mid-and low country wet zone.
Planting season - generally the Yala season is suitable. When planting is done in
April or mid- that May, harvest can be obtained in December and January .
Planting materials - It is propagated vegetatively by means of tuber cutting, small

tubers and aerial tubers, but normal method is cutting of tubers.
Land preparation - It involves clearing of land and making either planting holes or
trenches. If planting holes are used, it should be 60 x60x 6 0 cm and 9 0 cm apart.
When trenches are used for planting the width and depth should be 6 0 cm and 9 0 c m
between two trenches.
Planting and space - The usual practice is to plant one sprouted seed set or yam, per
pit, at a depth of about 15 cm. In trenches, sprouted seed yams or sets are planted
at a spacing of 75 cm, to a depth of 6 inches. After emergence, the vines are stalked.
Bamboo to 4 m feet tall can be used for stalking.
Fertilizer - It responses well to organic manures. Farmyard manure at the rate of up

to 20 t/ha is applied.
Irrigation - Since yams are normally planted at the beginning of the rains, they mature
towards the end of the wet season, irrigation is not normally required.
180
Time to harvest - The crop is usually ready for harvest around December -January.
About this time the leaves begin to wither and finally drop
Harvesting - The yams are lifted by digging them out.
STORAGE: -
The tubers should be firm and free of obvious defects such as bruises or cuts incurred
during harvesting since several post-harvest fungi can invade the damaged tubers.
Generally they are kept for a reasonably long period if they are stored in a cool dry
place.
181
BOTANICAL NAME:- Dioscorea bulbifera
Syn :- D. crispata, D. heterophylla
SINHALA Udala
TAMIL Kodi
ENGLISH Lesser yam, Asiatic yam, Chinese yam
DESCRIPTION :-
A climbing, glabrous vine, stem up to 10 m in length, twining in an anti-clockwise

direction. Stem cylindrical normally spineless, 1-8 mm in diam, edible aerial tubers
or bulbils freely produced in the leaf axils.
T U B E R S . - Underground tubers are smaller than those of most other Dioscorea spp.,
sometimes absent, when produced, tubers are often in pairs, outer covering hard, flesh
bitter and unpalatable, underground tuber skin red or brown, flesh white, aerial tubers
large, liver shaped. Normally 0.5 kg, sometimes up to 1.2 kg.
L E A V E S : - Simple, pale green, either alternate or opposite, rarely stipulate, cordate

at the base, acuminate, up to 30 cm in length, petiole and large at the base, often with
projections encircling the stem.
FLOWERS:- Dioecious, unisexual, larger than those of most cultivated yams, sessile,
perianth green, white or pink, spreading, male spikes slender, up to 2 0 cm in length,
female spikes usually paired, ovary inferior.
FRUIT:- Elongated, 3-locular, winged, 2-5 cm in length, 1-5 c m in diam. Seeds

surrounded by membranous wing, flattened rarely formed under normal cultural
conditions (Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION.-
Origin is Asia in the Indo-Malaysian region and spreading later to the South Pacific
and the West Indies. Wild forms grow in both Asia and Africa and it appears
possible that a centre of diversity also existed in Africa. It is cultivated in South-East
Asia (India, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines), Pacific Islands, China,
West Africa, South and Central America (Tindall, 1993).
182
The tubers
FOOD USE:
Tubers are boiled and eaten.
Moisture - 74 g, Energy - 102 kcal, Protein - 1.5 g, Fat - 0.2 g, Carbohydrate - 2 4

g, Calcium - 12 mg, Phosphorus - 35 m g , Iron - 0.8 m, Thiamine - 0.1 mg,
Riboflavin - 0 . 0 1 mg, Niacin - 0.8 mg, Vitamin C - 15 mg (FAO, 1972).
Cultivated in both wet and dry areas. For optimal growth well distributed rainfall of
1000-1500rom is required. Well drained soils with a high organic content are suitable
for water yam. Photosensitive and day length less than twelve hours are needed for
tuberization, grows at altitudes below 1000 m.
CULTIVATION-

tubers and aerial tubers, but the normal method is cutting of tubers.
Area for cultivation - Although it can be grown in both the wet and dry zones in most
cases it is cultivated in mid-and low-country wet zone.
April or mid May, harvest can be obtained in December and January .
trenches. If planting holes are used, it should be 6 0 x 6 0 x 60 cm and 9 0 cm apart.
When trenches are used for planting the width and depth should be 6 0 cm and 9 0 cm
at a spacing of 9 0 cm, to a depth of 5 cm. After emergence the vines are stalked.
Bamboo to 4 m tall can be used for stalking.

to 2 0 t/ha is applied.
184
Irrigation - Since yams are normally planted at the beginning of the rains, they mature
towards the end of the wet season, irrigation is not normally required.
About this time the leaves begin to wither and finally drop
STORAGE:-
place.
185
BOTANICAL NAME:- Dioscorea esculenta
Syn: D. crispata, D. heterophylla, D.S. sativa
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Kukulala, Katukukulala, Javala

TAMIL Mothakavalli
ENGLISH Potato yam, Aerial yam, Air potato
DESCRIPTION :-
A climbing vine, up to 2-3 m, stems climbing in an anti-clockwise direction. Roots

fibrous, roots near the soil surface often spiny. Stem cylindrical, spiny, relatively
weak, 1-3 m m in diameter, sometimes purple at base.
T U B E R S : - Small, ovoid separate, 5-20 per plant, almost cylindrical, up to 10 cm in

diameter, 10-20 cm in length, skin sometimes covered in fine root hairs, otherwise
smooth, flesh yellow or white with sweet flavour, no toxic alkaloids, little fibre.
L E A V E S : - alternate, smooth textured, 10-12 cm in length, 10-15 cm across, apex

acute, petioles hirsute, often with 4 spines at base.
F L O W E R S : - Dioecious, unisexual plants disecious, male flowers in spike like

racemes, female flowers also in spikes, flowering is rare in most cultivars. Seeds are
rarely produced (Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Native of Indo-China (Ustimenko, 1989), possibly Burma and Assam (Tindall, 1993)
and now widely grown in Tropical Asia, Oceanic, West Indies and Africa.
EDIBLE P A R T S :-
The aerial bulbils and tubers.
FOOD USE:-
Aerial bulbils and tubers are boiled and eaten.
186
9
Dioscorea esculenta
(A) Portion of the stem.

(Tuber)
Moisture - 70 g, Energy - 112 Kcal, Protein - 3.5 g, Fat - 0.1 g, Carbohydrate - 25
g, Calcium - 62 mg, Phosphorus - 53 mg.
(Bulbil)
Moisture - 79 g, Energy -78 kcal, Protein 1.4 g, Fat - 0.2 g, Carbohydrate - 18 g,
Calcium - 4 0 mg, Phosphorus - 58 mg, Iron - 2 mg (FAO, 1968).
Pounded tubers are used on swellings; the decoction is given for rheumatism and as
a diuretic. Tuber is a fair source of Vitamin B (De Pauda and Pancho, 1989).
Cultivated in both wet and dry areas, for optimal growth well distributed rainfall of
1000-1500tom is required. Well drained soils with high organic content are suitable
for water yam. Photosensitive and day length less than twelve hours needed for
tuberization, grown at altitudes below 1000 m.

tubers and aerial tubers, but the normal method is cutting of tubers. Area for
cultivation - Although it can be grown in both wet and dry zone in most cases it is
cultivated in mid- and low country wet zone.
April or mid May, harvest can be obtained in December and January .
trenches. If planting holes are used, it should be 60 x60x 6 0 cm and 9 0 cm apart.
When trenches are used for planting the width and depth should be 6 0 cm and 9 0 cm
at a spacing of 9 0 cm, to a depth of 15 cm. After emergence the vines are stalked.
Bamboo to 4 m tall can be used for stalking.

to 2 0 t/ha is applied.
188
Irrigation - Since yams are normally planted at the beginning of the rains and they
mature towards the end of the wet season, irrigation is not normally required.
About this time the leaves begin to wither and finally drop.
STORAGE:-
place.
189
FAMILY :- DIOSCOREACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Dioscorea pentaphylla
SINHALA Katuala, Katavala

TAMIL Allai
ENGLISH Buck yam.
DESCRIPTION :-
Root-tubers 5-6 feet long, stem slender, glabrous, more or less prickly, especially
towards the base, often tuberiferous in the leaf axils.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, 3-5 foliate, glabrous or sparingly pubescent beneath, petiole 1-4

inches, leaflets 2-6 inches, shortly petiolate, oval obovate or lanceolate, acuminate,
suspidate or sub-caudate, membranous, base acute, lateral oblique at the base.
FLOWERS:- Male flowers in very slender racemes 0.5 -1.5 inches, long which are
solitary or binet on a slender flexuous tomentose rhachis 6-12 inches long, female
flowers in axillary, flexuous, pendulous, tomentose spike 2-6 in long. Flowers in
August. Pale greenish fragrant.
FRUITS:- 3/4 inches long, quadrantly oblong, refuse at both ends, glabrous. Seeds
0.5 inches long wing terminate, longer and broader, the short oblique nucleus
(Dassanayake et al., 1995).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Native of South-East Asia. It is not cultivated, grows naturally in the warmer, moist
areas in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The tubers.
FOOD USE:-
Steam boiled tubers are eaten.
190
Dioscorea pentaphylla
(A) Branch. (B) Tuber.

BOTANICAL NAME:- Dioscorea spicata.
SINHALA : Gonala
DESCRIPTION :-
Root-tubers 0 . 6 - 1 . 0 m long, by 6 cm diameter, or more, pale brown, stem very long,

upto 7 m very slender. Sparingly prickly glabrous, green, nottled with brown, not
tuberiferous.
LEAVES:- Alternate, 5-25 cm long polymorphous from linear-oblong or lanceolate

to oval, or orbicular, acute, acuminate, cuspidate, or caudate, 3-5 really 7 veined base
cuneate or rounded. Petiole 2 cm stout, often prehensile.
FLOWERS:- Male spikes 8-20 cm, long, axillary or clustered very slender, quite
glabrous really branched. Flowers sessile, 0 . 1 2 0 2 . 0 c m in diameter, female flowers
distant in solitary,axillary, pendulous spikes 15-30 cm long, glabrous. Flowers in
September to January.
FRUIT:- Transively oblong, 3.7-5 cm diam, refuse at both ends coriaceous, carpels
0.5 circular or broader than long. Seeds broadly winged all round (Dassanayake et al.,
1995).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Tubers
FOOD USE:-
It is boiled or steamed and eaten.
192
FAMILY:- DIPTEROCARPCEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Shorea megistophylla
SINHALA : Mahaberaliya, Honda beraliya, Kana beraliya
DESCRIPTION :-
Medium sized tree to large tree 4 0 m tall, 3 m girth, with dense hemispherical
growth. Bark surface towny brown.
LEAVES:- Lamina (10,5)13 - 23 x (4)5 -15 c m , large, oblong- elliptic, thickly

coriaceous, drying chocolate to reddish brown.
FLOWERS: Panicle 13 long, 3 m m diameter, at base, with prominent bract scars,

regularly alternately branched, erect, the branchlets 3 cm long and bearing 6 flowers.
Flowers are white as also the inflorescence, calyx and overy. Flowering between
February and April.
FRUITS:- Pedicel 8 m m long, stout, broadening into the fruit, 3 longer sepals 6 x 2
cm, broadly speculate, obtuse, tapering to 8 m m broad above the 1 3 x 5 mm broadly
elliptic saccone thickened base 2 shorter leaves 15 -12 m m , ovate, subacuminate. 3
X 1,8 cm ovoid, prominently apiculate (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980)
DISTRIBUTION :-
Shorea megistophylla is an endemic plant to Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike and Sultanbawa,

1991). It is widely distributed in rainforests in Sabaragamuwa and Western parts of
the Southern Province (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruits.
FOOD USE:-
Dried fruit ground into flour is used in traditional preparations such as pittu.
194
Shorea megistophylla
(A) Branch.
OTHER U S E R S : -
Resin oozed out from the bark is used in traditional festivals.
STORAGE:-
Dried fruits are kept for a long time. Parboiling will increase the storage period of
the seed.
196
FAMILY:- DIPTEROCARPCEAE.
BOTANICAL NAME:- Vateria copallifera
SINHALA : Hal
DESCRIPTION :-
A large tree, 4 0 m tall, 4 m girth under forest conditions, but never s o large in
cultivation branches dense, ascending. Twigs and panicles densely persistently draw
fulvous tufted tomentose.
L E A V E S : - Lamina 11-50 x 5 x 18 cm large, broadly to narrowly oblong, thickly

coriaceous, drying to dull towny - brown, with obtuse to cordate base and 8 m m long
short abrupt tapering acute acumen.
F L O W E R S : - Panicles 25 cm long, 4 c m diameter, at base, stout, with 12 c m long

branches bearing 8 more or less seasonal flowers; bracts 10 x 6 mm, ovate, concave,
acute. Flower bud 12 x 8 mm, lanceolate, relatively large, sepals hastate, subequal,
imbricate at base only, subacute, petals cream, oblong, stamens 4 5 - 5 5 , anthers y e l l o w .
FRUITS:- Nut 1 1 1 x 7 cm, very large, ovid, apiculate, with 2.5 cm thick fibrous
spongy pericarp and deeply imprened base (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Vateria copallifera is endemic to Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike and Sultanbawa, 1991).

Widespread in the wet zone, below 1000 m altitude from Colombo to Matara and
Kandy (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1980).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit
FOOD USE:-
The fruit is scraped and washed properly to remove the bitter taste (In villagers,
scraped fruit is put into a gunny bag and kept in a water steam for one day to remove
the bitter taste). Thereafter it is mixed with rice flour and the mixture is used in
various traditional preparations.
197
OTHER U S E S : -
Resin is used for preparation of paints. W o o d can be used in many ways, and
specially used to manufacture tea boxes. Bark of the tree is added to pots which
collect sap in coconut and kitul tapping to avoid the fermentation of the sap.
199
FAMILY:- EBENACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Diospyros malabarica
Syn: D.glutenifara, D.embryopteris, D.peragrina, D.glutivosa, Embryototeris

glutanifera, Garainia malabarica
SINHALA : Thimbiri
TAMIL : Tambilik-kay, Panichchai
ENGLISH : Riber Ebony
DESCRIPTION :-
A moderate-sized or large tree with a blakish bark, flaking off in pieces and many
spreading branches, forming dense, wide head, young parts silkay.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, without stipules, numerous, 12.5-17.5 cm long, 2 . 5 - 9 . 0

cm long broad, oblong or oblong-lanceolate.
F L O W E R S : - Small, regular, unisexual, yellow, sweet-scanted, dioecious, male

flowers rather small, 2-5 together. Female flowers solitary, much larger than male,
2.5 c m diameter on short pedicels.
FRUITS:- Large, 3.7-8.7 cm diameter, subglobose, very thick, covered with a hard,
rushy mealieness, readily detached, yellow, pericarpthia, pulp viscid and glutiaous
seeds 4-8 oblong, flattened, smooth, reddish brown, embedded in the pulp
(Jayaweera, 1980)
DISTRIBUTION:-
It orgiginated probably in South and Southeast Asia. Grows in India, Sri Lanka,
Burma, Thailand, Malay Archipelago and Java. In Sri Lanka, it is common in the dry
zone lowlands, specially by streams and lakes.
Fruits.
FOOD USE:-
Tender portion around the seed is eaten as mangosteen.
200
A poultice of the bark can be applied to boils and tumours; a decoction of the bark
mixed with ghee is a very efficacions dressing for burns. A powder of the root bark
can be given like coffee for coughs. A n extract of the fruit in doses o f one to fine
grains with water, three times a day is an excallent remedy for chronic diarrhoea and
dysentry (Jayaweera, 1980).
The fruit juice is an efficacions agent which checks bleeding. A n infusion o f the fruit
is an excellent gargle for sore throats.
In the past, labour rooms in village houses were made out of thimbiri which gave
darkness and this has been found to be good for the new born baby. Therefore the
labour room was called "Thimbiri Geya". This was also the wood used for making
furniture for the labour room since the w o o d contains antiseptic properties. The oil
extracted from the seeds called Tunika oil is used with success in diarrhoea and
dysentery (Fernando, 1993).
OTHER USES:-
The viscid juice of the fruit is used for daubing the bottoms of boats and an infusion
of it for staining fishners. Timber is used in many ways.
202
FAMILY:- ELAEOCARPACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Elaeocarpus serratus
Syn: Canarium album
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Veralu
TAMIL Veralikkai
ENGLISH Ceylon Olive
DESCRIPTION :-
A moderate sized tree, with a rather broad or irregular crown. Branches-crowded,

leaves scarred. Bark gray or grayish brown, rather smooth.
L E A V E S : - Crowding, about 2-4 inches by 1 to 1.5 oval, tapering at base often

slightly bladed on petiole, glabrous, dark green above, pale below, becoming dull
yellow before falling.
FLOWERS:- Numerous, small about 1.5 inches diameter, white of an offensive sickly
odour. Inflorescence in axillary racemes the flowers hanging and alternatively
arranged.
FRUITS: A drupe, ovoid, smooth, about 1 or 1.5 inches long, with fleshy pulp of a
sub acid flavour (when ripe), very astringent (when unripe) (Dassanayake et al., 1995).
DISTRIBUTION:-
A common tree in the dump forests in the West and center of the Island up to 8 0 0 m
especially in the intermediate zone. Some of it is relatives - Gal veralu, Thiththa
veralu - are endemic to Sri Lanka which grows in Sinharaja forest.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruit is eaten fresh matured fruits either eaten boiled or fresh. It is used in
preparation of salads. A delicious drink can be made with blended fruit pulp, milk
and sugar.
203
Elaecarpus serratus
0 Branch. (B) Fruit.
204
Moisture - 8 0 . 2 g, Energy - 72 kcal, Protein - 1.2 g, Fats - 1.2 g, Carbohydrate -

1 6 . 2 g, Calcium - 18 mg, Phosphorus - 2 9 mg, Iron - 2.1 mg, Carotene - 3 3 0 m g ,
Thiamine - 2 0 mg, Riboflavin - 110 meg, Niacin - 0.4 mg, Vitamin C - 2 0 mg
The fruit of the species has been used as a cure for tapeworm. Leaf juice is good for
drandruff (Department of Ayurveda).
CULTIVATION:-
It is grows in a wild and semi-wild state and also in home gardens.
S T O R A G E :-
Undamaged mature fruits can be stored for one week. Ripe fruits are not suitable
for storing due to their soft skin.
205
FAMILY:- EUPHORBIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Antidesmaa bunius
SINHALA : Karawala Keballa
DESCRIPTION :-
Small tree, with grayish-brown bark, young parts pubescent.
L E A V E S : - Rather large, 4-6 inches, lanceolate or obovate- lanceolate, tapering at

base, slightly acuminate, apiculate, glabrous and shining.
FLOWERS:- Numerous, rather lax, male sessile, female slightly stalked. (Trimen,
1974)
DISTRIBUTION :-
Sri Lanka, India, Burma and Malaysia (Trimen, 1974).
Fruit
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruit is eaten fresh
Young leaves are used to treat for piles. Fruits are used to prepare a medicine for
eyes.
206
FAMILY: - EUPHORBIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Baccaurea metleyana
VERNCULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA : Gadu Guda, Muna Mudakkan

ENGLISH : Rambeh, Rambai
DESCRIPTION :-
A handsome tree up to 20 cm high.
L E A V E S : - Large oval leaves.
FRUIT:- Smooth velvety berries, 3-4 cm in diameter and become yellow when ripe.
The flesh is whitish translucent, the segments containing the seeds and has a sweet
acid taste (Macmillan, 1956).
D I S T R I B U T I O N :-
Native to South East Asia. It was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1883. It grows well in
the wet zone (Macmillan, 1956).
The fruit
FOOD USE:-
Sour, sweet inner portion of ripe fruit is eaten fresh.
Propergated by seed. It is cultivated in homegardens.
208
F A M I L Y :- EURPHORBIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Drypetes sepiaria
SINHALA Wira
TAMIL Virai, Weerapalam
DESCRIPTION: -
A moderately large tree with very grooved stem, more or less buttressed at the base.
Bark pale gray, and dull white, smooth, rather thin, branches very irregular, often
clustering and sending up erect shoots, twigs numerous.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, very variable in size, about 5 cm long by 3 cm wide, ovate or

broadly oval, subcordate at base, rounded at apex, entire, stiff, dark glossy-green
above, dead green below.
F L O W E R S : - Small, pale yellowish-white, opetalous. Males in axillary clusters,

females nearly stalkless.
FRUIT:- Small, bright red, very sweet much eaten by bears(Trimen, 1974).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Endemic to Sri Lanka (Trimen, 1974).
The fruit
FOOD U S E : -
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh.
210
Drypetes sepiaria
(A) Branch.
211
BOTANICAL NAME:- Manihot esculentus
Syn: M. utilissima, M. aipi, M. dulais, M. palmer a
SINHALA Mangnokka, Maiyokka

TAMIL Maravalliklangu
ENGLISH Cassava, Manioc
DESCRIPTION:-
The manioc plant is also called tapioca plant or cassava. It has tall thin stems which
show along their length leaf scars. The stem displays a range of colours varying from
green, greenish white light red or deep red, depending on the variety. The plant
possesses large edible roots rich in starch, and it is for these tubers the plants are
cultivated.
L E A V E S : - The colour of the petioles, as well as the veins of the leaves, correspond
to the colour of the stems in each case. The leaves are either 5 or 7 lobed depending
on the variety .
F L O W E R S : - The plants do not flower under cultivation. The family is characterized

by the possession of unisexual flowers, which may occasionally undergo abortion
(Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION:-
It is a plant of the N e w world. It originated from two centers in America, i.e. (i)
M e x i c o and parts of Guatemala, (ii) North-Eastern Brazil. Cassava was taken from
Brazil to Re'umon in 1739 and then to Madagascar. It was brought to Sri Lanka from
Mauritius in 1786 and to Calcutta in 1794 (Tindall, 1993).
The roots and young leaves
212
FOOD USE:-
Mature roots can be prepared in various ways. It is either boiled and eaten or cooked
as a curry. In Africa, a paste is prepared using manioc flour. Boiled tubers are
sliced into chips and sun-dried. They can be used during food scarcity. Young leaves
are used as a green vegetable.
(Root)
Moisture - 5 9 . 4 g, Energy - 157 Kcal, Proteins - 0.7 g, Fats - 0 . 2 g, Carbohydrates
- 38.1 g, Calcium - 5 0 m g , Phosphorus - 4 0 mg, Iron - 0 . 9 mg, Thiamine - 5 0 meg,
Riboflavin - 100 meg, Niacin - 0 . 3 m g , Vitamin C - 25 m g .
(Leaves)
Moisture - 9 1 . 0 , Energy - 28 kcal, Protein - 2 . 0 g, Fat - 0.3 g, Carbohydrates - 4 . 0
g, Calcium - 8 0 mg, Iron - 2 . 5 m g , Carotene - 300 meg, Thiamine - 8 0 meg,
Riboflavin - 2 0 0 meg, Niacin - 0 . 5 m g , Vitamin C-50 mg. (Perera et al., 1979).
Pounded leaves are applied as a compress to the head in fevers and headaches.
Decoction of the bark of the trunk is considered antirheumatic. Bark decoction is
anthelmintic. The pounded tuber is applied to ulcerated wounds; also considered
antiseptic, and is used to preserve meat. Starch from tuber is used for rash of
children (Pauda et al., 1987).
Tolerant to a wide variation of environmental conditions. Sandy or sandy loam soil

is preferable. Optimal temperature for ideal growth is around 25°C. It is a short day
plant. Required rainfall is between 500-2500. Grows well altitudes below 1500 m.
CULTIVATION:
Areas for cultivation - The crop can be grown successfully in the low-country and
mid-country wet zones and in drier areas.
Planting season - In the drier areas the crop is planted during Maha. In the
low-country and mid-country wet zone, it can be planted both during the Maha and
Yala seasons.
Land preparation - Land preparation involves the loosening of the soil to a depth of
about 3 0 cm, as the roots of manioc g o deep into the soil. The land should be
ploughed and the soil well prepared by breaking down the colds, removing stubble
and roots etc., and bringing the soil to a loose condition.
214
Planting material - It consists of stem cuttings obtained when harvesting a previous
crop. A cutting of about 2 0 cm and having 4-6 nodes from the middle portion of the
stem constitutes the best planting material. The cutting should have a slanting cut to
enable the cuttings to be pushed into the soil.
Spacing - The cuttings should be planted erect, into the moist soil so that about 3
nodes show above ground. There are other ways of planting where cuttings are laid
flat and pushed into the soft mud, and slanted planting. Manioc cuttings are best
spaced 1 m each way.
Irrigation - Rarely necessary since the crop is generally established before the end of
the wet season.
Fertilizer - NPK may be applied before planting to ensure early and adequate leaf
production.
Time to harvest - Maturity of the roots can be determined by digging a few trees
before harvest. In general, yellowing of the leaves, and the development of brown
layers of cork on the stem are signs of maturity of the roots.
Harvest - Manioc is harvested by carefully digging round the plants, so as to avoid

damaging the roots.
STORAGE:-
It is not advisable to store harvested manioc for more than 2 4 hours. A s such, the
harvest should be so staggered to lift only quantities as immediately required at any
one time.
215
BOTANICAL NAME:- Phyllanthus emblica
Syn: Embilica Officinalis
SINHALA Ambula, Awusada-Nelli, Nellika

TAMIL Amalagam, Nellikkai
ENGLISH Emblic Myrobalan Tree, Indian Gooseberry, Anola
DESCRIPTION :-
A small or middle-sized tree, about 10 m high, with a crooked trunk and spreading
branches, bark thin, grey with numerous bosses whence arise the leaf-bearing
branchlets, young parts pubescent.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate very numerous, closely placed distichous, overlapping

spreading, nearly sessile, about 1.2 cm long, linear strap-shaped, rounded at base,
subacute, glabrous paler beneath.
FLOWERS:- Unisexual, small, greenish yellow, monoecious, apetalous and axillary;

male flowers very small, numerous on slender pedicels in axillary fascicles; female
flowers few nearly sessile; Flowers during October
FRUIT:- Globose 1.2-1.6 cm diameter, fleshy, pale green or yellow of 3

sub-dehiscent, 2-seeded, crustaceous cocci enclosed in a thick fleshy coat; seed 6,
trigonous (Jayaweera, 1980).
DISTRIBUTION-
Indian gooseberry is said to be indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical parts of India,

Sri Lanka, Malay, Peninsula and China (Firminger, 1947). In Sri Lanka it is very
common in exposed places on patana land in the moist regions upto 1300 m altitude.
EDIBLE PART:-
The fruit
FOOD USE:-
Riped fruit is eaten fresh. Various syrups are made from fruits.
216
Phyllanthus emblica
(A) Branch. (B) Male flower. (C) Female flower. (D) Fruit. (E) Longitudinal section.
of
217

- 13.7 g, Calcium - 5 0 mg, Phosphorus - 2 0 m g , Iron - 1.2 mg - Carotene - 9 meg,
Thiamine - 3 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 10 meg, Niacin - 0 . 2 mg, Vitamin C - 600 mg
The pericarp of the fruit is often used in decoctions along with other ingredients and
externally on boils with cow ghee to promote suppuration. The root bark and fruit are
astringent. The unripe fruit is cooling, laxative and diuretic. Exudation from incisions
on the fruit is applied externally on inflammation of the eye. The juice of the bark
with honey and turmeric is given for gonorrhoea. A n infusion of the leaves with
fenugreek seed is given for chronic diarrhoea. The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and A.
A decoction of the fruit with stems of Tinospora cordifolia is a well-known remedy
for various urinary diseases (Jayaweera, 1980).
218
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Arachis hypogaea
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Kaju-Kadala, Kirikaju, Ratakaju.

TAMIL Nilakkadalai, Verkkadalai
ENGLISH Ground nut, Peanut, Earth nut.
DESCRIPTION :-
A n annual herb about 3 0 cm high with a thick, erect, angular more or less hairy, pale
green stem and several elongated prostrate branches.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, long stalked with large, stiff, erect, linear, attenuate stipules
agnate for about half their length to the petioles, abruptly pinnate with two pairs of
opposite leaflets, leaflets 2.5-5 cm long, broadly oblong-oval or obovate with a small
mucro at apex.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, golden yellow, sessile several densely crowded,

together in the axils of the lower leaves or solitary, each subtended by a stipule-like
eared bract about 1.2 c m long very acuminate, and each with two small opposite
linear smaller bracts beneath the calyx.
FRUITS:- Pod about 2.5 cm or more, below the surface of the ground at the
extremity of a stiff decurved stalk 5-7.5 cm long, which has g r o w n beneath the ovary
after the fall of the flower. Flowers during July and August (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Tropical America (Tindall, 1993 and Querol, 1992). and now widely
distributed and cultivated in tropical and sub tropical regions of America, Africa and
Asia including India and Sri Lanka.
The nut.
FOOD USE:-
Fried or roasted nuts are eaten as a snack. Edible seed oil is widely used in culinary
purposes. It is used for confectioneries. Pea nut butter is popular since it is
cholostrol free.
219
Arachis hypogaea
(A) Whole plant. (B) Flower. (C) Fruit. (D) Fruit opened. %
%
220
Moisture - 3 g, Energy - 5 6 7 Kcal, Proteins - 2 5 . 3 g, Fats - 4 0 . l g , Carbohydrates -

2 6 . 1 g, Ca - 9 0 m g , Phosphorus - 3 5 0 mg, Iron - 2 . 8 m g , Carotene - 37 m e g ,
Thiamine - 9 0 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 130 meg, Niacin - 19 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
The oil extracted from the seed contains glycerides of palmitic, oleic, stearic,
lignoceric, linoleic and arachidic acids. The peanut meal contains sugar, starch and
nitrogenous and fatty matter. Three alkaloids, betaine, choline and arachine are found
in the seed (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER USES:-
As it belongs to the family Fabaceae it can fix atmospheric nitrogen. Therefore it is

widly used in crop rotation and mixed cropping.
E N V I R O N M E N T A L R E S P O N S E S :-
Well drained, loose in texture soils are suitable. Required high organic matters,
calcium, potassicum and phosphorus content. Although ideal soil pH is 6 . 5 , most
varieties are tolerent to wide range of pH.
Average temperature should be 22-27°C. Rainfall of 7 5 0 - 1 2 5 0 m m is required for

optimal growth. A dry period is required for the ripening of the underground fruits.
All types of ground nut are daylength neutral.
Areas for cultivation - Soils suitable for ground nut cultivation are present extensively
in the Northern, North-Central and Eastern Provinces in Sri Lanka.
Planting season - Ground nuts can be grown in the Yala, anywhere in the dry zone
provided irrigation facilities are available. Under rainfed conditions in the Northern,
North-Central and Eastern Provinces, ground nuts are cultivated in the Maha, where
the planting commences around mid-October with the first Maha rains.
Land preparation - Thorough preparation of the seed bed is essential for ground nuts.
A properly prepared soil helps in the penetration of the pegs. For this purpose
several tillage operations become necessary. Groundnuts may be planted on the flat
or on ridges. T w o or three weedings become necessary till the plants produce
sufficient foliage to shade out the weeds.
Spacing - The usual spacing adopted for creeping varieties is 3 0 c m between rows.
In the case of erect varieties a spacing of 2 0 - 25 c m between rows is common.
221
Seed rate - The seed rate in the case of erect varieties is around 80 kg of shelled nuts
per hectare.
Irrigation - In the dry-zone it is suitable to water in Yala season but a heavy rate of
watering will reduce the yield.
Fertilizer - If the soil is adequaltely supplied with the major nutritionts, no additional
fertilizer is generally required.
Time to harvest - In erect varieties flowering commences in 6 0 days and the bulk of
the flowering is completed in a fortnight. Harvesting can be commenced in about 100
days.
Harvest - Samples should be pulled out of the ground to see whether the pods have
matured. All the plants can be pulled out with the pods, by tugging from the base.
With creeping varieties however,other difficulties arise since these varieties set pods
all along the creeping stem, and the whole field has to be dug up during harvest.
Yeilds - Yeilds vary according the duration of life cycle, climate and crop density
from 5 0 0 - 1 5 0 0 kg seeds per hectare.
222
F A M I L Y :- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cassia auriculata.
Syn :- Senna auriculata
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Ranawara
TAMIL Avarai
ENGLISH Tanner's cassia
DESCRIPTION:-
A large, much branched shrub with smooth cinnamon brown bark and closely
pubescent branchlets.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, stipulate, paripinnate compound, very numerous, closely placed,

rachis 8.8-12.5cm long,narrowly furrowed, slender, pubecent, with an erect linear
gland between the leaflets of each pair, leaflets 16-24, very shortly stalked, 2-2.5 cm
long, 1-1.3 cm broad.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, large, bright yellow nearly 5 cm across. Flowers

from February to March. (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Origin is India. Grows in the dry regions of India and Sri Lanka and is naturalized
in Tanganyika. It is common along the see coast and the dry zone in Sri Lanka
(Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The leaves and flowers.
FOOD USE:-
Leaves and flowers are eaten as a vegetable. Infusion of flowers is occasionally used
as a drink.
223
This plant is said to contain a cardiac glucoside, sennapicrin and saponin. The leaves
and bark yield oxymethylanthraquinone, while the latter contains tannin in addition.
The root is used in decoctions for fevers, diabetic diseases of the urinary system and
constipation. The leaves have laxative properties. It is also supposed to improve
complexion in women. The powdered seed is also used for diabetes and applied to
the eye, in cases of chronic purulent conjunctivitis. In Africa, the bark and seeds are
used for rheumatism, eye diseases, gonorrhoea, diabetes and gout (Jayaweera, 1981).
S T O R A G E :-
Flowers are sun-dried.
225
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cassia occidentalis
SINHALA Penithora
TAMIL Nettandagarai, Peyavirai
ENGLISH Fetid cassia
DESCRIPTION:-
A coarse annual, 3 0 - 9 0 cm high, stem slightly branched nearly glabrous, furrowed,

purplish.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, stipulate, paripinnate leaflets 8 or 10, on very short stalks, 5-10

cm long, narrowly ovate-lanceolase, rounded or unequal at base, gradually attemuasea
to a very acute apex, glabrous, very shin dark green above.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, large, bright orange,yellow, 3 cm or more across,

pedicel 1.2 cm long; usually in pairs at the axils of leaves. Sepclss pete is 5.
FRUITS:- A legume 8.8-11.5 cm long 6 cm wide, erect, stiff, linear, slightly

compressed between the seeds. Seeds 20-30, compressed ovoid, polished at one end,
shining, very hard olive green. Flowers in March, June etc (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is a native of Tropical America and grows in the Tropics including India, Sri Lanka
and Philippine Islands. It is very common in the low country in Sri Lanka
(Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Leaves
FOOD USE:-
Young leaves are eaten as a green vegetable
226
Cassia occidentatis
(A) Terminal portion of branch. (B) Fruit pod. (C) Flower lateral view. (D) Flower with the perianth removed
showing the stamns and the pistil.
227
Moisture - 8 4 . 9 g, Energy - 4 9 . 0 kcal, Protein - 5.0 g, Fat - 0.8 g, Carbohydrates -

5.5 g, Calcium - 3 3 0 . 0 mg, Phosphorus - 52 m g , Iron - 12.7 mg, Vitamin C - 17.9
mg. (Gopalan et al., 1971).
The plant is purgative, tonic and febrifuge. It is used for rheumatism, fever and
dropsy. Externally, it is used in the form of an ointment for ringworm, eczema and
other silicon diseases. The root is used in intermittent fevers and as a tonic and
diabetes in dropsy and liver complaints. The plant is a snakebile remedy.
228
FAMILY:- FABACEAE.
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cassia tora
Syn :- Senna tora
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Peti-tora.
TAMIL Senavu.
ENGLISH Fetid cassia.
DESCRIPTION :-
An annual fetid herb, 30- 90 cm high with spreading glabrous branches.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, stipulate, paripinnate compound, rachis 2.5-5 cm long, stout,

furrowed, slightly pubescent with a linear, yellow gland above between the leaflets
of the lower one or two pairs of leaflets, leaflets three pairs in all, very shortly
stalked, 2.5-3.7 cm long, the terminal pair the largest.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, pale orange, yellow, about 1.8 c m across solitary
or in pairs axillary, pedicels slender, 1.8 cm long, flowers from January to August
(Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows throughout the tropics generally including India, Sri Lanka and Philippine
Islands. It is found in the low country in Sri Lanka by roadsides and is very common
in the waste grounds of the dry regions (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PART:-
Leaves
F O O D USE:-
Young leaves are eaten as a green vegetable.
229
Cassia tora
(A) Branch. (B) Lateral view of flower. (C) Longitudinal section of flower.
230
The seeds contain a glucosidal substance somewhat similar to emodin in composition,
phytosterine and glucosenine. The leaves contain a principle similar to cathartic. The
leaves are laxative and are useful in habitual constipation and hemorrhoids. The seeds
have antiparasitic properties and are applied on ringworm and scabies. In the
Philippine Islands the entire plant in decoction is given as a vermifuge and purgative.
In Indo-China the pods are used for dysentry and ophthalmia. In China the seeds are
used both externally and internally for all types of eye diseases, liver complaints and
boils (Jayaweera, 1981).
Moisture - 85.7 g, Energy - 4 5 . 0 kcal, Protein - 4 . 0 g, Fat - 0.5 g, Carbohydrates -

6.1 g, Calcium - 3 9 7 . 0 mg, Iron - 83.0 mg, Carotene - 2 5 . 0 meg, Thiamine - 3 0 . 0
m e g , Riboflavin - 3 0 0 . 0 meg, Niacin - 1.2 mg, Vitamin C - 9 9 . 0 mg (Gopalan et al.,
1971).
231
F A M I L Y :- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cynometra cauliflora
SINHALA Naminan, Nan-nan

ENGLISH Num-num
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree about 15 m tall.
L E A V E S : - Leaves with 1 pair of leaflets, leaflets obovate to obovate-oblong or

obovate-lanceolate, about 5 . 5 - 1 6 . 5 cm long, 1.6-5.6 cm wide, obtuse or brevicuminate
at the apex, glabrous on both surfaces, sometimes pubescent on the petiolules.
FLOWERS:- Inflorescences cauliflorous, usually on the trunk, sometimes on the

roots, bracts 10 mm long, bractelts 1,5 mm long, inserted on the pedicels about 3-3-6
m m long.
FRUITS:- The fruit is a large, wrinkled, thick, fleshy seeded pod , rather semi
circular shape in large numbers on trunk near the ground or on the lower most
portitions of the branches, cheifly in May and June (Macmillan, 1956).
DISTRIBUTION:-
A native of Malaysia and India (Macmillan, 1956; Wickramarachchi, 1988) introduced

in to Sri Lanka in the early period, apparently before mid- 18th century.
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The fleshy fruit .
FOOD USE:-
The fleshy fruit is eaten fresh. It is also cooked and eaten.
232
NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC VALUE :-
The seeds yield a medicinal oil.
234
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Dialium ovoideum
SINHALA Galsiyabala
TAMIL Kaduliem Palam, Kallu-pullium
ENGLISH Velvet Tamarind.
DESCRIPTION :-
A moderately large tree, with pale brown or light reddish gray bark. Branches
slender, smooth.
L E A V E S : - Rather small, imparipinnate, rachis from 2 to 3 inches, thin, cylindrical,

smooth. Leaflets 2 pairs, and a terminal one alternate about 1 inch on short talks,
lanceolateorovate, rounded base, bluntly acuminate, dark glossy green.
F L O W E R S : - Very small, white, arranged in erect many forked pyramidal terminal

panicles.
FRUITS:- Pod nearly an 2.5 cm in diameter, and nearly round, densely coated with
velvetty brown hairs. Seed solitary, coated with a fine spongy matter of a
sweetish-acid flavour (Trimen, 1984).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Can be found in Moneragala in Uva, and on the summit of "Westminster Abbey" and
Trimen records from the East of Kandy.
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh as a fruit.
235
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Dolichos biflorus
Syn :- D. uniflorus
SINHALA Kollu
TAMIL Kollu
ENGLISH Horse Gram, Madras Gram
DESCRIPTION :-
An annual hairy herb with nearly erect stems and climbing branches.
L E A V E S : - Compound, trifoliate, leaflets nearly equal, often lobed, 2.5-5 cm long,

ovate-lanceolate, entire, acute, lateral leaflets nearly sessile and the terminal one
stalked;
F L O W E R S : - Y e l l o w 1.2-1.8 cm long, solitary or in small, axillary, nearly sessile,

clusters, bracts lanceolate, calyx-tube very short. Flowers in August and September.
FRUITS:- Pod flat curved, scimitar-shaped, 3-5 cm long, 0.6 cm broad, hairy, tipped
with persistent hook-like style base; seeds 5-7, compressed, uniform, gray or reddish
brown (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A plant of the old world. Cultivated in all tropical countries including India and Sri
Lanka. N o w its cultivation is extreamly neglected and limited to dry zone areas in
Badulla and Digamadulla Districts of Sri Lanka (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The seed
FOOD USE:-
It is boiled and eaten. It is also made into curries.
Moisture - 11.8 g, Energy - 321 Kcal, Proteins - 22 g, Fats -0.5 g.
237
A n infusion of the seed is used in rheumatic complaints, enlargement of the spleen
and pain in the liver. A decoction of the seed is given in menstrual derangements and
to promote the discharge of lochia. The flour obtained from the seed is applied on
the body to relieve profuse sweating (Jayaweera, 1981).
STORAGE:-
Seeds should be cheaved and sun-dried to 10% moisture or less before storage.
239
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
B O T A N I C A L N A M E :- Phaseolus aureus
Sign: Vigna radiata, V.auraus
SINHALA Mun, Mun-eta

TAMIL Passippayaru
ENGLISH Green Gram, Mung bean.
DESCRIPTON:-
An annual herb with an erect branching stem of about 6 0 cm covered with spraeding
deflexed hairs.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, stipulate, 3-foliate with stipels, rachis long, hairy, leaflets 5-7.5
cm long, ovate, acute more or less hairy on both sides, thin, the lateral ones dilated
on lower side, stipules peltately attached near the base, ovate, acuminate;
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, pale yellow, about 1.2 cm long, shortly stalked, 4-6
crowded at the end of stout hairy peduncles shorter than leaves.
FRUITS:- A legume, 5-6.2 cm long, linear, nearly cylindricle, shortly stalked, more
or less hairy with spreading hairs; seeds 8-12, small, 3-4 mm long, oblong-ovoid,
truncate or blunt at the ends, green or blackish (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is a native of India, introduced to Southern China, Indo-China and Indonesia at an

early date (Ustimenko, 1980; Tindall, 1993). This herb is extensively cultivated in
India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China and Philippine Islands. It thrives in the dry regions
of Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Seeds.
FOOD USE:-
Seeds are boiled and eaten, and also used for curries. Seed flour is used for making
of traditional sweet meats. Mun dhal is a good substitute for lentil.
240
241
Moisture - 10.1 g, Energy - 3 4 8 Kcal, Proteins - 2 4 . 5 g, Fats - 1.2 g, Carbohydrates

- 5 9 . 9 g, Calcium - 75 mg, Phosphorus - 405 m g , Iron - 8,5 mg, Carotene - 4 9 m e g ,
Thiamine - 7 2 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 2 1 0 meg, Niacin - 2 4 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
The seed contains a high percentage of carbohydrates and protein. It is a fair source
of vitamin A and B . When the seed is sprouting, it is an excellent source o f vitamin
C, which is absent in the unsprouted condition. Medicinally it is used externally and
internally for paralysis, rheumatism, affection of the nervous system, piles and liver
complaints. T h e root is said to be a narcotic. In Africa, the powdered bean is applied
on tumours and abscesses to promote suppuration. It is also a remedy for scorpion
sting (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER U S E S : -
It is used in crop rotation as it enriches the soil in nitrogen.
Well-drained, fertile, fairly dry soils are preferable grows well even in high
temparatures such as 3 0 - 36°C. Crop is drought-resistant. A rainfall of 7 0 0 - 9 0 0
m m is adequate for normal growth. It grows at an altitute below 2 0 0 0 m. Both long
and short day varieties are in cultivation, but day length neatral varieties are also in
cultivation.
Areas for cultivation - The unirrigated highlands which would otherwise lie fallow
during the Yala season offer possibilities for green gram cultivation. The main
districts o f cultivation are Jaffna, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, Badulla, Colombo and
Ratnapura.
Planting season - It can be planted mid-season in the Maha after the heavy rains have
ceased. Yala planting is usually around April, with the first light showers, in dry
zone areas. In the low country wet zone, mid-season planting is the best.
Land preparation - Land preparation for green gram is similar to that for cereals,
except for the fact that most often, a very fine tilt is not attempted, and only a rough
tilt is secured. About two cultivations are usually necessary, the first about 2 0 days
after germination, and the second a fortnight later.
Spacing - Green gram can be sown as a pure crop, or as a mixed crop.
When s o w n as a mixed crop, it becomes usually subordinate to a taller, and longer
aged crop. When drilled in rows, a spacing of 25 c m between rows is common.
Seed rate - The seed rate for a pure crop is about 15 kg per ha.
Irrigation - It is grown under irrigation in the Yala season and can obtain better
harvest than in Maha, grown under rainfed conditions.
Fertilizer - Well responds to mineral fertilizer.
Time to harvest - Green pods can be picked for vegetable about 7 0 days from
planting. After a month's time the pods are dry, and the crop is ready for harvest.
Harvest- Plants may be harvested by pulling them out with their roots. They are then
stacked for about a week on a threshing floor,after which they may be threshed either
by beating with sticks, or trampling with the feet o f oxen.
STORAGE:-
Dried, cleaned seeds are stored in a dry place.
243
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Phaseolus mungo
Syn :- Vigna mungo
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Undu
TAMIL Pani-payir, Ullundu
ENGLISH Black gram
DESCRIPTION :-
An annual herb with stems 30-60 cm high, clothed with brownish silky hairs.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, pinnately trifoliate, leaflets dark green, membranous, 5-10 cm

long, stipules persistent and striate.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, yellow.
FRUITS:- Pod subcylindric, 3.8-6-3 cm long, hairy with 10-15 green seeds
(Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
A native of India and cultivated throughout India ( Ustimenko, 1980; Tindall, 1993).
It is also cultivated by communities in South East Asian Countries. It has been
cultivated from early times.
Seeds
FOOD USE:-
It occupies a prominent place in Tamil culinary. Seeds are ground into flour and
mixed with rice flour and used in various traditional preparations.
Moisture - 10.9 g, Energy - 347 Kcal, Proteins - 24 g, Fats - 1.4 g, Carbohydrates

- 5 9 . 6 g, Calcium - 154 mg, Phosphrus - 385 mg, Iron - 9.1 mg, - Carotene - 38
meg, Thiamine -420 meg, Riboflavin - 2 0 0 meg, Niacin - 2 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
244
9
The seeds are frequently used medicinally, both externally, and internally for
paralysis, rheumatism and ailments of the nervous system. They are used in the
treatment o f fever, piles, cough and liver diseases. The root is said to be a narcotic.
The grain is a nourishing food and promotes bowel movement (Jayaweera, 1981).
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE.-
Soils with a relatively high texture are suitable. The plant resists drought and requires
about 8 5 0 m m of rainfall. Grows well at high temparatures such as 25-35°C. It can
be grown at an elevation up to 2 0 0 0 m.
Areas for cultivation - The unirrigable highlands o f the dry zone, offer possibilities
for black gram cultivation during Maha. In the low country and mid-country wet
zone, it should be possible to raise successful crops during Yala.
Planting season - Black gram is a three-month crops and should be planted

immediately after the heavy monsoon rains in Maha, around the middle of November.
For Yala planting, sowing should commence around the middle of April.
Land preparation - The land is prepared with one ploughing, followed by working
with a blade harrow or cultivator. Only a rough tilt is attempted. About t w o inter-
cultivations are given in the first 2 0 days after planting, and the second one is given
a fortnight later.
Spacing - The seeds are generally sown broadcast, and ploughed in or drilled in rows
25 c m apart.
Seed rate - The seed rate is about 15 kg per hectare.
Irrigation-In Yala season it is grown under irrigation and can obtain better yields than
in Maha season grown under rainfed conditions.
Pests/ Diseases - Similar to green gram.
Time to harvest - Flowering commences in about 7 weeks after planting, the pods
being ready for gathering, in about 3 months from the planting date.
Harvest- The green pods used as a cooked vegetable can be harvested within 6 0 - 8 0
days after sowing. Pods become ready for gathering, about 3 months from planting
of seeds. The plants are pulled by the roots, stacked on a threshing floor for about
a week and threshed by flailing or treading under the feet of oxen.
Yield - Average yeild 500-650 kg/ha.
246
STORAGE :-
The seeds are dried, cleaned and stored.
247
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Dambala
ENGLISH Winged Bean, Goa Bean
DESCRIPTION :-
The winged been is twining, glabrous, perennial herb, treated as an annual crop in
cultivation. A n important feature of the root system is the production of long lateral
roots which run horizontally close to the soil surface and which become thickened and
tuberous. Stems are produced each year from the rootstock, which reach a length of
2-3 m and ridged.
L E A V E S : - Trifoliate, petioles long and grooved on upper surface, pulvinus at base,

stipeles small, lanceolate, leaflets broadly ovate, entire, acute glabrous beneath up to
15 x 12 cm.
FLOWERS:- Inflorescence an axillary raceme up to 15 c m long with up to 10

flowers, white or purple colored, and they are self-pollinated .
FRUITS:- Pods are four sided, with characteristic wings, vary in length from 6-36
cm, and contain from 3-20 seeds each. The globular-shaped, shining seeds may be
white, yellow brown, black and vary in weight 300 mg (Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Origin is probably from Tropical Asia. It is cultivated in Tropical Asia, West and
East Africa, the Caribbean and in many tropical areas (Querol, 1993).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The flowers, pods, roots and seeds.
FOOD USE:-
The immature pods, leaves and flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The tubers, roots of
some varieties are also eaten.
248
(Seeds)
Moisture - 10 g, Energy - 405 kcal, Protein - 32.8 g, Fats - 17.0 g, Carbohydrate -
36 g, Calcium - 8 0 mg, Phosphrus - 250, Iron - 2.0 mg, Thiamin - 0.08 mg (Perera
et al., 1979).
(Fresh pods)
Moisture - 92 g, Energy - 25 kcal, Protein - 2. l g , Fats - 0.3 g, Carbohydrate - 4 g.
(Roots)
Moisture - 75 g, Energy - 91 kcal, Protein - 2 . 8 9 , Fats - 0.6 g, Carbohydrate - 2 0 g
(Weerakoon, 1993).
Requires a well distributed rainfall of 1500-2500 mm. Elevation up to 2 0 0 0 m is

considered suitable for satisfactory growth. Good drainage is essential. Medium
loam soils are generally suitable.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for planting - Except hill countries in well distributed rain fall areas of high and
low - country wet zone winged bean can be cultivated.
Planting season - In early October
Land preparation - Land should be worked in order to attain fine tilt and weed free
land.
Planting material - seeds.
Planting and spacing - Soaking of seeds for 12-24 hours in water will increase
germination of seeds and watering becomes necessary if there is no rain after planting.
Seeds are planted at the rate of 3 in each hole in 3 cm deep and after germinating 2
plants are thinned 1 leaving healthy plant in each hole.
Time to harvest - The first green pods are ready for picking about 10 weeks after
sowing. About 2 weeks after pollination the succulent pod reaches its full length and
can be used as a green vegetable. After 6 weeks the seeds are mature and can be
harvested. Tubers are harvested 4-8 months after sowing when they reach 2-4 cm in
diameter, and 8-12 cm in length.
250
S T O R A G E :-
1 In a relative humidity of 9 0 % , storage up to three weeks is possible, with a weight

loss up to 2 0 % .
9
251
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Sesbania grandiflora
Syn :- Aeschynomena grandiflora
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Kathuru-murunga
TAMIL Acham, Agatti, Muni, Peragatti
ENGLISH Agathi
DESCRIPTION:-
A slender tree, 6-9 m tall.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, paripinnate compound, 15-30 c m long, leaflets 16-30 pairs,

linear-oblong, sessile, 3 cm long, 1 cm wide, dark green above, lighter below,
scantily pubescent on the lower surface.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, white, 2-4 inpendulous axillary racemes, 9 cm long.
FRUITS:- Pod about 5 0 cm long with numerous seeds. Flowers almost throughout
the year (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in Malaysia and North Australia and is cultivated elsewhere. In Sri Lanka it
is a common garden plant grown in humid and lowcountry (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Leaves, flowers.
FOOD USE:-
Leaves and flowers are eaten as a green vegetable.
252
Sesbania grandiflora
0 (A) Branch with leaves and flowers. (B) Flower lateral view. (C) Fruit.
ft
253
(Leaves)
Moisture - 7 3 . 1 g, Energy - 93 Kcal, Proteins - 8.4 g, Fats -1.4 g, Carbohydrates -
11.8 g, Calcium - 1130 mg, Phosphrus - 80 mg, Iron - 3 . 9 mg, Carotene - 5 4 0 0 meg,
Thiamine - 2 1 0 , Riboflavin - 9 0 meg, Niacin - 1.2 mg, Vitamin C - 169 m g (Perera
et al., 1979).
(Flowers)
Moisture - 9 2 . 9 g, Energy - 26 kcal, Proteins - 1.0 g, Fats - 0.5 g, Carbphydrates -
4 . 4 g, Calcium - 9 mg, Phosphorus - 5 mg, Vitamin C - 73 mg (Weerakoon, 1993).
The flowers o f this tree are rich in Calcium, Iron and Vitamin B. The root bark
contains tannin and gum. The root bark of the red flowered variety is made into paste
with water and applied on rheumatic swellings. The juice of the flowers is dropped
into the eye to clear dimness of vision. The expressed juice of the tender leaves and
flower is a popular remedy for nasal catarrh and headache and is blown up the nostrils
to bring out mucus to relieve pain in the frontal sinuses (Jayaweera, 1981).
254
FAMILY:- F A BA C E A E
BOTANICAL NAME:- Tamarindus indica
Syn :- T. occidentalis
SINHALA Siyambala
TAMIL Ambilam, Egin, Indam, Kinjam, Palap, Puli
ENGLISH Tamarind
DESCRIPTION :-
A large tree, 20-25 cm tall with wide-spreading branches, bark very rough and dark
brown.
L E A V E S : - Alternate with small, linear,very caducousstipules, abruptlypinnate, 7.5-10

cm long, leaflets 10-20 pairs, opposite, 1.2-2.5 cm long, sessile, articulated, seton
obliquely and overlapping, oblong, usually very blunt, unequal bases, entire, rather
thick, veined beneath.
F L O W E R S : - Irregular, bisexuai, white or pale yellow, stalked, readily articulating,

arranged in lax, fewflower dracemes which are axillary or terminal on short lateral
branches shorter than leaves. Calyx narrowly funnel-shaped below, divided in to 4
ovate-lanceolate, acute.
FRUITS:- A pendulous pod, slightly compressed, 7.5-15 cm long, somewhat curved,

nearly smooth, pale chocolate brown, pericarp thin. Seeds 2-8, each lodged in a
carrity in the pulp lined with a tough membrane (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Tropical Africa but grown extensively in the hotter parts of India, Sri
Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippine Islands, Java and Pacific Islands (Bose and
Mitra, 1985). In Sri lanka it is not commercially cultivated, grows naturally,
especially in the dryzone.
The fruit, leave and flowers.
255
4
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruit pulp is used for flavouring curries. Ripe fruits are eaten fresh as a fruit and
also used in preparation of cordials and toffees. Tamarind soup, called puliyanam is
famous among the Tamil community. Young leaves and flowers are eaten as a
vegetable.
(Pulp)
Moisture - 2 0 . 9 g, Energy - 2 8 3 Kcal, Proteins - 3.1 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates
- 6 7 . 4 g, Calcium - 170 m g , Phosphrus - 110 mg, Iron - 10.9 m g , Carotene - 6 0
meg, Riboflavin - 7 0 m e g , Niacin - 0.7 meg, Vitamin C -3 meg.
(Leaves)
Moisture - 7 0 . 5 g, Energy - 115 Kcal, Protein - 5.8 g, Fats - 2.1 g, Carbohydrates -
18.2 g, Calcium - 101 m g , Phosphorus - 140 mg, Iron - 5 . 2 m g , Carotene - 2 5 0
meg, Thiamine - 2 4 0 m e g , Ribofglavine - 170 meg, Niacin - 4 . 1 m e g , Vitamin C -
3 meg (Perera et al., 1979).
The pulp of the fruit contains citric, tartaric, oxalic, malic and succinic acids,
bitartrate of potash, sugar and pectin while the seeds contain albuminoids, fats,
carbohydrates, tannin and much mucilaginous material. The leaves ground into a
paste with lime juice and heart wood of Acacia chundra are applied on boils to
prevent suppuration and inflammatory swellings. A decoction of the leaves is used
as a formentation o n boils and abscesses. The testa o f the seed macerated with
vinegar or lime juice is applied on the face to prevent formation of pimples.
Internally the leaves and pulpactas cholagogue laxatives are often used for congestion
of the liver, habitual constipation and hemorrhoids. The ripe fruit is regarded as a
refrigerant digestive, carminative and laxative. The powdered seed is used to dress
boils and the flower is given internally as a remedy for jaundice. It is externally
applied on eye diseases and ulcers (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER USES:-
The heart wood is very durable and used in furniture-making as it takes on a good
polish.
Adapt to various soil types. Ideal pH range is 5.5 to 6 . 8 . Optimal temperature is 2 0 -

30°C. A rainfall o f 7 0 0 - 3 0 0 0 mm is required. Grows at altitutes below 1500 m.
257
It is cornmonly grown by seed, but can also be propagated vegetatively. Germination

is more rapid after pretreatment, methods include soaking in cold water for 4-5 days
and soaking in warm water for 24 hours. Seed may be sown directly in the field into
pits which have been previously prepared with well-decomposed manure that has had
time to settle. Alternatively, seedlings may be raised in the nursery, either in beds
or in containers, using light porous soil. Seedlings should be transplanted in the field
at least 2 0 cm apart when they are 6 0 - 7 0 cm tall, during the rainy season.
Spacing - 7-10 m apart each way, or wide spacing on fertile soils.

Vegetatively produced trees are smaller and spacing can be reduced.
Irrigation - If possible, tamarind should be irrigated during the first dry season.
Fertilizer - It is required for good production.
Time to harvest- Under favourable conditions trees start to bear fruits at about 5
years, but 8-12 years are more usual. Fruiting can be continued for 6 0 - 1 2 0 years.
Harvesting - This should not take place before the pods are fully ripe. If picked too
young they are acid and fibrous. Pods are usually cut with a knife or scissors as they
are firmly attached to the tree. The tree should not be shaken to release fruits, as it
damages branches will reduce yield.
STORAGE:-
Stored as a salted, sun-dried pulp.
258
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Vigna catiang
Syn : Vigna synensis, Phaseolus, cylindricus, V. cylindrica.
SINHALA Cowpea
TAMIL Cowpea
ENGLISH Cowpea
DESCRIPTION :-
It is an annual, somewhat erect plant, which in certain types requires stakes for
support, while others generally spread on the ground as a low bush. The stems are
thin and rounded, and glabrous except at the nodes.
L E A V E S : - They are pinnately trifoliate with a long petiole. The leaflets are large,
dark green in colour, and ovate in shape.
FLOWERS:- Inflorescence is a raceme with a long peduncle. The flowering part is

nodose, and depending on the variety bears white, light pink or light blue conspicuous
flowers.
FRUITS:- The pods are rounded and thin and again depending on varieties vary in
length, from 1.5 to 2 . 0 cm inches on the one hand and 8-10 cm on the other. Seeds
too vary in size and colour (Senewirathne and Appadurai, 1966).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Centre of origin could be India or China. Cowpea is cultivated in Tropical Asia,

Africa, Tropical America and Carribbean (Senewirathne and Appadurai, 1966).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Fresh pods and seeds.
FOOD USE:-
Cowpea pods and seed are boiled and eaten.
259
<3»
Vigna catiang
(A) Branch.
260
(Dried seeds)
Moisture - 11 g, Energy - 338 kcal, Protein - 2 2 . 5 g, Fat 1.4 g, Carbohydrate - 61
g, Calcium - 5.4 m g , Phosphrus - 1 0 4 m g , Thiamine - 0 . 0 8 mg, Riboflavin - 0 . 9 m g ,
Niacin - 4 . 0 mg, Vitamin C - 2 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - Dry zone conditions are definitely more favourable and the
crop may be raised successfully anywhere in the dry zone during Maha, and in those
areas of the dry zone during the Yala.
Planting season - Yala and Maha.
Land preparation - The land should be worked to a depth of about 2.5 to 3.5 c m
repeatedly, in order to attain a fine tilth.
Planting Materials - Propagated by seed
Planting and space- Plant manually on ridges or flat beds, depending on field drainge.
There should be 1 plant/hill with spacing 3 0 c m between rows and 15 cm between
plants.
Irrigation - The frequency of application of water is every 4 days during the first 3
weeks and then every 7 days.
W e e d control- Weeding is usually manual,but chemical weed control is practicable.
Pests and diseases - This can be attacked by bean and cowpea pod bores, sap sucking
bugs, plant lice and base collar rot, fungal wilt, anthracnose, cowpea yellow mosaic
virus and stem rot are the common diseases.
Time to harvest - When pods are straw colour .
Harvest - When the crop matures uniformly it can be harvested in one operation by
cutting the plants close to the ground, when uneven maturity occurs it has to be taken
in several picks.
STORAGE:-
Seeds should be cleaned and sun-dried to 10% moisture or less before storing.
261
FAMILY:- FABACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Vigna marina
Syn: V. Lutea, Dolichos gangeticus, D Lutecus, Phaselous marinus.
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Lima karal, Mekaral

TAMIL Kodeppayam, Pudalangai
ENGLISH Lima bean
DESCRIPTION :-
A perennial herb with trailing, prostrate branches which are quite glabrous.
L E A V E S : - Alternate,3-foliate with stipels, rachis 5-7.5 cm long, swollen at base,

leaflets stalked, equal, glabrous, stipules small, lanceolate.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, yellow,about 1.2 cm long on slender pedicels, in

short racemes at the end of the stiff, axillary peduncles usually exceeding leaves.
FRUITS:- Legume 5-6.2 cm long, rather broadly linear, sub-cylindrical, turgid with
thickened sutures, slightly curved, apiculate, glabrous or nearly so, seeds 5-8, black,
nearly globose, 0.3 cm long. Flowers in July (Jayaweera,. 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka and Burma. It is rare in Sri Lanka and confined to the
moist regions on or near the coast of Colombo, Galle, Matara etc (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PART:-
The immature pods and seeds.
FOOD USE:-
Tender pods are eaten as a vegetable and seeds are boiled and eaten.
262
Vigna marina
(A) Portion of a branch with leaves and flowering racemes. (B) Fruit.
01 263
(Seeds)
Moisture - 12.0 g, Energy - 326 kcal, Protein - 20 g, Fats 1.5 g, Carbohydrate - 5 8 . 0
g, Calcium - 90 mg, Iron - 6 mg, Thiamine - 500 meg, Riboflavin - 140 mg, Niacin -
1.5 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
The seed is considered a diuretic. It is antibilious and used for liver complaints and
jaundice (Jayaweera, 1981).
264
F A M I L Y :- FLACOURTIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Flacourtia cataphracta
Syn :- F. jangomus
SINHALA : Rata-uguressa
TAMIL : Saralu, Talisam
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree about 9 m high with a fairly smooth, pale brown bark, stems up to 75
cm in girth often armed low down with stout, compound spines.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 5-10 cm long, 2.3-3.8 c m broad, oblong or ovate,

acuminate, crenate-serrate, glabrous, 3-5 nerved at base dark green above and shining
on both surfaces, petioles 3.5-5 m m long, minutely pubescent.
FLOWERS:- Small, dioecious 2.5-3.8 mm diameter in glabrous, few flowered

racemes 7.5-25 mm long.
FRUITS:- An indehicent berry, fleshy, 1.8-2.3 c m long obovoid, green turning

purplish brown when ripe. Flowers during June (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in India, Malaysia; and Burma. It is cultivated in Sri Lanka (Jayaweera,

1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The berries
FOOD USE:-
The ripe berries are eaten fresh as a fruit. Jams are also made out of this
Moisture - 7 7 . 7 g, Energy - 83 Kcal, Proteins - 0.5 g, Fats - 0 . 1 g, Carbohydrates

- 19.9 g, Calcium - 4 3 m g , Phosphorus - 85 mg.
265
The leaves and young shoots possess astringent and stomachic properties and are
prescribed for diarrhoea. A decoction of the bark is given for biliousness and is also
used as a gargle for sore throat. The fruit is in useful bilious condition, relieves
nausea and checks purging.
It grows in homegardens
STORAGE:-
Undamaged fruits are kept as a layer for 3-4 days.
267
FAMILY:- FLACOURTIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Flacourtia ramontchi
Syn :- F. sapida
SINHALA Uguressa, Katulovi

TAMIL Katu-Kali, Sottaikala
ENGLISH Sapida, Govemers plam, Ramontchi
DESCRIPTION :-
A shrub or small tree, deciduous, armed with auxiliary spines and often with tufts of
branched spines on the stem.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, variable 2.9 cm long, 2.5 cm broad, ovate, broadly

elliptic, obovate or suborbicular, crenate or serrate, acute, acuminate or rounded at
apex, glabrous or pubescent above, petioles 5-8 mm long.
FLOWERS:- Dioecious, greenish yellow in short, simple or branched, usually

tomentose racemes, sepals 4-5, imbricate, about 2 m m long, ovate or orbicular, hispid
and ciliate. Petals absent.
FRUITS:- A globose, red or dark brown or dark purple berry, 0 . 8 - 1 . 2 cm diameter

with 8-13 hard seeds. Flowers in January and July (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in the dry forests of the Indian Peninsula and Burma. It is cultivated in Sri
Lanka in the mid-low country Kandy, Bibile and Nilgala (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruits
F O O D USE:-
The ripe berries are eaten fresh as fruits. Jams, jellies and fruit drinks can be
prepared from the fruit.
268
Moisture - 7 4 . 2 g, Energy - 94 Kcal, Protein - 0.5 g, Fats - 0.6 g, Carbohydrates -

2 4 . 2 g , Calcium - 10 m g , Phosphrus - 30 mg, Iron - 0.5 mg, Carotene - meg, Vitamin
- 6 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
The fruit is a cholagogue and astringent and is used for internal hemorrhages and
bleeding from hemorrhoids. The root is an expectorant and diuretic and is useful for
fevers accompanied with congestion of the liver, for acute laryngitis, bronchitis,
pyelitis, cystitis and gonorrhoea. The fruits are given for jaundice and enlarged
spleen. In Dacca, the seeds are ground into a paste with turmeric and applied on
women after child birth to prevent rheumatic pains. The gum forms an ingredient of
mixtures given for the treatment of cholera. In Madagascar the root is prescribed for
nephritic colic (Jayaweera, 1981).
It regenerates naturally from seeds and coppies. Propagation is usually by means of

root suckers or budding on root-stocks of related species. The seed coat is hard, so
pretreatment by soaking or scarification might improve germination.
Spacing - The trees have a branching habit and should be spaced about 12-16 m apart.
Harvesting - fruits are strongly attached to the tree, so they are usually picked from
the tree on ripening.
STORAGE:-
Ripe fruits can be stored for 4-5 days when they are kept in thin layers.
270
FAMILY:- LA M I A C E A E
BOTANICAL NAME:- Solemostemon rohindifolius
syn: Colors rotundifolius, c.dyseataricus, Plectranthus tuberosus, Plectranthus

tuberosus, P. tuberoses.
SINHALA : Innala, Ratala

ENGLISH : Hause potato, Country potato, Coleus potato
DESCRIPTION:- A n annual herb, with prostrate or ascending habits, shem is

succulent, 15-30 c m in length.
L E A V E S : - Some forms with a central purple making on lamina, aromatic.
FLOWERS:- Borne on elongated, terminal racemes, small, violate in colour.
ROOT T U B E R S : - Small dark brown, formed in clusters around the base of the stem
(Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Possibly of Ethiopian origin, now distributed in South East Asia and Tropical Africa
(Tindall, 1993). In Sri Lanka it is cultivated in various areas like Matara, Galle,
Ratnapura, Colombo, Matale, Kurunegala and Kalutara districts.
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The tubers.
FOOD USE:-
Innala is eaten as potatoes and is a good substitute for potatoes.
Moisture - 76 g, Energy - 9 4 Kcal, Protein - 1.3 g, Fats - 0 . 2 g, Carbohydrates - 22

g, Calcium - 17 m g , Phosphrus - Iron - 6 , 0 m g , Thiamine - 0 . 0 5 m g , Riboflavin -
0 . 0 2 mg, Niacin 0 m g , Vitamin C-1.00 mg (Tindall, 1993).
271
Solemostemon rohindifotius
(A) Branch with inflorescence. (B) Tubers.
272
Well drained sandy soils are good. Adapted to high rainfall, but well distributed
rainfall is ideal for good yeild, low night temperatures promote tube development.
CULTIVATION:-
Area for cultivation - It is grown largely in the low and mid country wet zone. It is
a common crop in the river banks of the Kandy district.
Planting season - It is cultivated in the Yala season. Tubers commence germinating

about end of March.
Land preparation - It is usually planted on ridges. The land is ploughed about two
weeks prior to planting and harrowed to break up the clods and make the ridges.
Planting and space - There are three general methods in planting Innala. In these
three methods, cuttings are used for planting. In ordinary planting, cuttings about 1.5
cm long and having 3-4 leaves at the top end, are used. They are planted in rows
down the ridges, 2 . 0 cm from each other. Planting depth is usually about 2.5 cm.
In coiled method, cuttings about 2 . 0 cm long are used. A length of about 12.5 c m of
the more mature portion is coiled and planted in holes made along ridges. In
horizontal planting, cuttings are placed horizontally across the ridge, t w o at a time in
opposite directions and almost touching each other.
Irrigation - During dry periods plants should be irrigated.
Fertilizer - Liberal application of organic manure to the ridges or mounds before

planting followed by NPK.
Time to harvest - harvest is commenced by the end of December or early January

when the plants begin to die.
Harvest - Harvest commences by the end of December or early January, when the
plants begin to die. The tubers can be easily lifted from the soil using hand forks or
other simple implements as they are formed very near the surface.
Yeild - Yeild of Innala varies between 6-12 tons per ha.
STORAGE:-
Tubers deteriorate rapidly if left in the soil after they have become mature. Ventilated
storage has been found to be successful if the tubers are packed in dry sand in cool
shaded conditions.
273
FAMILY:- LAURACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Syn :- C. aromaticum
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Kurundu
TAMIL Cannalavangapattai, Karuva Pattai
ENGLISH Cinnamon
DESCRIPTION:-
A moderate-sized or large tree with a rather thick, reddish bark, glabrous young parts
and finely silky buds.
L E A V E S : - Simple, opposite or sub-opposite without stipules, variable in s i z e , 7 . 5 - 2 5

cm long, oval or lanceolate-oval, subacute at base, slightly acuminate, obtuse,
glabrous, stiffly coriaceous, strong, 3 or 5 nerved with fine, reticulate venation,
shining above, bright pink when young, petioles 1.2-2.5 cm long, stout, flattened
above.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual or monoecious, pale yellow, small, numerous or

rather long, slightly pubescent pedicels in sub-terminal panicles longer then leaves.
FRUITS:- About 1.2 cm long, oblong-ovid, surrounded by much enlarged perianth,

dry or fleshy, dark purple. Seed without endosperm (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Indigenous to Sri Lanka, commonly cultivated in most parts of the low-country. It is

also cultivated in India, Burma, Malaysian Peninsula.
The bark, bark oil, leaves oil.
FOOD USE:-
The bark is used as an ingredient for culinary purposes. Oil extracted from bark and
leaves is used for food and medicine.
274
Cinnainomum zeylanicum
t
(A) Branch with leaves and infloresoence. (B) Flower lateral view. (C) Fruit.
275
N U T R I T I O N A L V A L U E A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E :-
(Cinnamon bark)
Moisture - 12 g, Energy - 2 2 9 Kcal, Proteins - 12 g, Fats - 7.8 g, Carbohydrates -
2 0 0 g, Calcium - 4 4 0 mg, Iron - 17 mg, Thiamine - 100 meg, Riboflavin - 4 0 0 meg,
Niacin - 24 mg (Perera et al., 1979).
The chief component of cinnamon is the essential oil which consists of cinnamic
aldehyde in variable proportions of hydrocarbons. The bark contains besides the oil,
sugar, mannite, starch, mucilage and tannic acid. The oil from the leaves contains
eugenol which is useful in the perfume and flavouring industries. The oil from the
roots contains camphor, eucalyptol and safrot. The seeds contain fat. The bark of
the tree is used for dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, bronchitis,
gangrene of the lungs and phthisis. The bruised bark is steamed and used externally
as a fermentation on boils and abscesses to prevent suppuration. The oil is a
rubefacient, crystaline cinnamic acid and is anti-tubercular and used as an injection
in phthisis. Cinnamon is also given for cramps of the stomach, toothache and
paralysis of the tongue and used in massive doses in the treatment of cancer
(Jayaweera, 1981).
STORAGE:-
Dried bark can be stored for a long time in dry containers.
276
FAMILY:- LAURACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Neolitsea Cassia
Syn :- N. involucrata
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA : Davulkurundu, Kudu-Dawula, Wal-Kurudu
DESCRJPTION:-
A small tree with a thick, smooth gray bark, slender branchlets and minutely
puberulous small buds.
L E A V E S : - Simple,alternate, without stipules, numerous, closely placed at the end of

branches, 7 . 5 - 1 2 . 5 c m long, lanceolate, tapering to both ends, obtuse or subacute,
petioles 0 . 8 - 1 . 8 cm long and slender.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, dioecious in small sessile clustered, 4-5 flowered umbels,

bracts 4 forming an involucre of two pairs.
" FRUITS:- Globose or oblong-ovoid, dark purple. Flowers in April (Jayaweera,

1981).
I
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It is very common in the moist regions in
Sri Lanka up to 1300 m altitude (Jayaweera, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS:-
Leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The juice of the leaves is used in the preparation of certain sweetmeats.
The bark and leaves are used for treatment of fractures.
277
Neolitsea cassia
(A) Branch with leaves and clusters of flowers. (B) Cluster of flowers with bracts. (C) Group of male flowers.
(D) Female flower -lateral view.
278
OTHER U S E S : -
<*• The powdered leaf is used for dusting the cut surface of coconut inflorescences in the
process of toddy tapping.
279
FAMILY:- LILIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Allium ascalonicum
Syn: A. Cepa L. variety aggregasum
SINHALA Ratu-lunu.
TAMIL Irravengayam, lrulli, Sinna Vengayam
ENGLISH Shallot, Red Onion.
DESCRIPTION:-
A perennial herb usually grown as an annual, 15-50 cm high with ovoid, red sub-
teranean bulbs, 1.5-2.5 cm diameter, with accessory bulbs giving off slender fibrous
roots below.
L E A V E S : - 3-5 to a bulb, hollow, linear, 20-30 cm long, 0.4-0.8 cm broad, fistulae,

terete, glucose, bases sheathing, papery, conical, fleshy above the stem forming the
bulb.
FLOWERS:- Regular,bisexual,white 6 mm diameter, many in terminal,

long-peduncled, rounded, umbels 2.5-3.5 cm diameter. (period-During March).
FRUIT:- Flat, Kidney-shaped. 2 cm long and as broad enclosed in the persistent

perianth segment; 1-round seeded, 1.2 mm diameter, glabrous and shining, depressed
at the hilum (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Centre of origin is Western Asia. (Jayaweera, 1981 and Tindall, 1993). Cultivated
in many tropical countries including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Java and Philippine
Islands. In Sri Lanka, it thrives best in the Jaffna Peninsula Vavuniya, Kurunegala,
Matale, Wellawaya and Kalpitiya areas.
Bulbs and green leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Onion bulbs take a great place in Sri Lankan culinaries. It is eaten fresh or used for
salads, curries and pickles. Green leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
280
(100 g of leaves)
Moisture-87.6 g, Energy-41.0 Kcal, Protein - 0 . 9 g, Fat -0.2 g, Carbohydrate -8.9 g,
Ca-50 mg, P-50 mg, Fe-9.5 mg, Vitamin-A-297 mg, Thiamine-0 mg, Riboflavin-30
m g , Niacin-0.3 mg, C-17mg.
( 1 0 0 g of bulbs)
Moisture - 84.3 g, Energy - 59 kcal, Protein - 1.8 g, Fats - 0.1 g, Carbohydrate -
12.6 g, Calcium - 4 0 mg, Phosphorus - 60 m g , Iron - 1.2 mg), Carotene - 15 meg,
Thiamin - 80 meg, Riboflavin - 20 meg, Niacin - 0.5 mg, Vitamin C-2 mg (Perera
et al., 1979)
The bulbs are useful as an anthelmintic, stomachic, tonic and for asthma. They are
diuretic, carminative and aphrodisiac. They are also used for diarrhoea, choleraic
attacks, headaches, amenorrhoea, inflammation and pains in the body, loins and the
joints. A small piece of a bulb placed in the meatus cures earache. In Malaysia, the
juice of the bulbs with turmeric juice is a remedy for stomach ache in children. In
tropical Africa the juice is rubbed on the body in cases of fever. In Ghana, a mixture
of the bulb with palm oil and capsicum, heated in the sun, is given for fever
(Jayaweera, 1991).
L o o s e , sandy soils with a high organic matter contents are preferable. Tolerant to
high temperature up to 30°C and below 20°C the bulbs are not formed. As a long day
plant it gives higher yields when the day length is longer.
CULTIVATION:-
Red onions have been traditionally grown in the Northern Province under irrigation.
It can be grown successfully in the dry areas where irrigation facilities are available.
N o w it is cultivated in Kalpitiya area.
Planting season-In Jaffna it is not uncommon to grow red onions three times a year.
The main planting times are January, April and July. April-May planting gives the
highest yields, and hence the largest area is planted during this time.
The land for onion cultivation should be prepared so as to provide a loose and fine
seed bed. In areas subject to heavy rainfall during the growing period, the land could
be prepared into ridges and furrows and planting could be done on the ridge. For
irrigation 3 x 3 beds are satisfactory.
282
Propagation is by seed bulbs. When seed bulbs are used, about 750 - 800 kg would
be required for a hectare. When seed bulbs are used for planting, the usual practice
is to cut off the apex of the bulb, to promote shoot growth, prior to planting. The
bulbs are planted in rows 15 cm apart, at a spacing of 10 cm within the row.
Irrigation - For irrigated onions, square basins about 4 x 4 m are common in Jaffna.
Prior to planting, water is impounded into the basins, just enough to wet the soil for
planting of the bulbs.
Fertilizer - Red onions reponed well to manuring. Prior to planting cattle manure at
the rate of 2 tons/ha is forked into the soil.
Inter-cultivation - Inter-cultivation in the case of red onions is aimed at controlling the

w e e d s , and in the case of basin irrigated onions, at loosening the soil; inter cultivation
will tend to form a crust at the surface.
Time to harvest - The onion crop matures in about 2.5 to 3 months from planting.
Harvest - Yellowing of the leaves is an indication of maturity of the crop. Harvesting

should be done in dry weather, and harvested onions left to dry in the shade, before
storing.
Yield - About 25 tons per hectare.
S T O R A G E :-
Red onions should not be stored in heaps, as this results in sweating. They should be
stored in well ventilated storage houses in thin layers, or in onion baskets.
283
FAMILY:- LILIACEAE
B O T A N I C A L N A M E : - Allium sativum
SINHALA : Sudu lunu, Hela lunu

TAMIL : Vellavengayam, Vellaippudu, Ulli.
ENGLISH : Garlic
DESCRIPTION:-
A bulbous herb with a short, flat axis giving off slender and very thin papery scales
which are enlarged and dilated below and bear at their axils large, oblong-ovoid,
sessile bulbs pressed together with the outer ones curved to form collectively a lobed
white tapering bulb. Flowering stem terminal.
L E A V E S : - 7 or 8 all from the root-stock, each of which is continued upwards as a

complete cylindrical membranous tube, obliquely truncated the mouth with a
short,annular ligule, blade broadly linear, flat, spreading, glabrous and bright glucose
green.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, very long stalked, projecting beyond the bulbil
(Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Originated in the Mediterranean Genetic Centre (Querol, 1993), where it grows in a

semi-wild state. Garlic appears to have been cultivated in all parts of the world from
the earliest times. In Sri Lanka, it is cultivated in the up-country districts.
(Jayaweera, 1981).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
Bulbs, Tender leaves.
FOOD USE:-
It is widely used for flavoring dishes and also eaten as a vegetable curry. It is an
important ingredient of Sri Lankan pickles. Both bulbs and leaves are marinated and
eaten.
284
(Bulbs)
Moisture - 6 6 g , Energy - 122 kcl, Protein - 7 . 0 g, Fat - 0.3 G, Carbohydrate - 2.5

G, Calcium - 2 6 mg, Phosphorus - 109 mg, Iron - 1.2 mg, Thiamine - 0 . 2 3 mg,
Riboflavin - 0.08 mg, Niacin - 0 . 4 mg, Vitamin C - 7 mg.
(Leaves)
Moisture - 87 g, Energy - 12 kcal, Protein - 2.1 g, F a t - 0 . 5 g , Carbohydrate - 9 g,
Calcium - 116 mg, Phosphorus - 56 mg, Iron - 0.4 mg, Thiamine - 0 . 0 8 mg,
Riboflavin - 0 . 1 6 mg, Niacin - 0.7 mg, Vitamin C - 38 mg (Knott and Deanon,
1967).
The uninjured bulb contains calories, water soluble amino acid, allicin. The bulb
contains a volatile oil,allin, allisin, allyl disulphide, allyl propyl-disulphide, inulin,
choline and myrosinase. Medicinally, it is a stimulant, carminative, anthelmintic,
diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant. It is gastric stimulant and aids the digestion and
absorption of food. It has a special influence in controlling the bronchial and
pulmonary secretions. As a diuretic, it is used in dropsy. Externally, as a liniment
it is used in infantile convulsions, asthma facial paralysis, gout and sciatica. With
mustard, it is used for paralytic and rheumatic affections. Garlic is also employed as
a specific for leprosy. In the Philippines, the bulbs are prescribed for high blood
pressure (Jayaweera, 1981).
Fertile, well drained sand, with good moisture retaining properties give good results.
Relatively high temperatures (about 30°) is required. Grows well at the elevation
between 5 0 0 - 2 0 0 0 m, long days favour bulb development.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation- The most suitable areas for garlic cultivation are the higher and
cooler elevations in Sri Lanka, like Welimada, Palugama, Haputale, Ohiya, parts of
Walapane and Uda Hewaheta. It can be grown also in the mid-country areas, but here
the environmental conditions are not s o suited to the cultivation of garlic and generally
poor yields are obtained.
Planting season - Planting of garlic in the areas mentioned above usually commence
around the middle of May, during the intermediate phase of the South West monsoon.
286
Land preparation - Since garlic is a deep rooted crop, it needs a certain amount of
deep tillage. The usual practice is to work the soil to a depth of at least 2 0 cm.
Planting material - Planting material in garlic consists of the little bulbs or cloves
which can be separated from the compound bulbs.
Spacing - Spacing is in rows 30-40 cm apart, with 10-15 cm between plants.
Seed rate - about 5 0 0 - 7 0 0 kg are required to plant 01/ha.
Time to harvest - When planted in May, garlic can be harvested around September.
The crop takes about 5 months from planting to reach harvesting stage.
Harvest - Harvesting usually involves digging the bulbs out, or pulling the plants out
by hand when the soil is loose and friable, after which the plants are tied together by
the leaves and left out to dry. Later the roots may be washed, the leaves trimmed and
the bulbs dried before marketing.
STORAGE:- Dried bulbs are kept in well aerated bags.
When required for storage of seeds, leaves of the bulbs should not be trimmed.
Bundles of about hundred can be tied together and hung till required. Bulbs may
be stored at 0°C for 150 days or at 25-30°C for 90 days at the humidity of 70% or
less. Good air circulation is essential. In Russia and Eastern European countries,
both leaves and bulbs are marinated and kept for a long time.
287
FAMILY:- LILIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Asparagus racemosus
Syn :- A. volubilis
SINHALA Hathawariya
TAMIL Kilavari, Nirmittan, Sadamulam
ENGLISH Wild asparagus.
DESCRIPTION:-
A tall, rambling and scandent, spinous, excessively branched under the shrub with a
tuberous root stock, branches triquetrous, spines 0 . 6 - 1 . 2 cm long, straight or
sub-recurved.
L E A V E S : - Reduced to minute scales bearing at their axils tufts of slender, trigonous

cladodes which are 2-6-nate, 1.2-1.8 cm long, 6 mm broad in the middle, acicular,
falcate, finely acuminate at both ends.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, white, fragrant, very minute in solitary or fascicled

many-flowered racemes 2.5-5 cm long, rarely branched, pedicels very slender, 4 mm
long, jointed at or about the middle.
FRUITS:- A berry, globose or didynamous, 1-2 seeded, 4-6 mm diameter. Flowers

in February (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India, Sri Lanka, Tropical
Africa, Java and Australia. (Jayaweera, 1981; Warrier et al., 1993). It is common in
Sri Lanka in the low-country, mostly in the dry regions like Trincomalee, Puttalam,
Jaffna, Mihinthale, Bintenna etc.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The leaves, tubers.
FOOD USE:-
Juice extracted from leaves is added for the preparation of a porridge. Tubers are
boiled and eaten.
288
Asparagus racemosus
(A) Branch with cladodes and racemes. (B) Tuberous roots. (C) Flower, lateral view.
289
The tuberous roots of this plant are used as are fragrant, demulcent, diuretic,
aphrodisiac, alterative, anti-diarrhoeic and anti-dysenteric. They are used in chronic
rheumatism, dyspepsia and diarrhoea. In India the tubers are used as an aphrodisiac
and as a cure for barrenness in women and to increase sexual vigour. They are also
are used for urinary and kidney diseases, strangury and retention of urine. The leaves
boiled and applied on boils and swellings (Jayaweera, 1 9 8 1 , Department of Aurveda,
1985; Warrier et al., 1993).
290
F A M I L Y :- MALVACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Hibiscus esculentus
Syn : Abelmoschus esculentus
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Bandakka
TAMIL Vendal, Vandikkai
ENGLISH Ladies finger, Okra
DESCRIPTION :-
A large annual herb reaching a height of 1-2 m, stem thick, erect, stiff, cylindrical,
rough with long spreading hairs, sparingly branched.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate on very long Hispid petioles, stipules linear-subulate,

hairy, deciduous, blade large variable, often 2 0 cm or more long, palmately veined,
deeply cut into 3-5 acute lobes which are broad and shallow in the lower ones and
deep and narrow in the upper ones.
F L O W E R S : - Large, regular, bisexual, solitary in axils of leaves on short, thick hispid

peduncles much dilated at the summit.
FRUITS:- Capsule 7.5-25 cm long, narrowly oblong or fruit form tapering to a blunt
point at apex, cylindrical with short scattered hairs, pericarp dry, chartaceous,
dehiscing loculicidally into 8-10 valves with a single row of seeds in each chamber.
Flowers all the year round. Seeds nearly round, large smooth, brown exalbuminous
(Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is probably a native of Africa (FAO, 1981 and Querol, 1992) and cultivated
throughout the tropical countries.
The fruit
FOOD USE:-
The tender capsules are used as vegetables either boiled or sliced and fried.
»
291
Hibiscus esculentus
(A) Upper portion of a plant. (B) Bud showing the calyx and epicaln. (C) Transverse section of fruit.
292
Moisture - 8 9 . 6 g, Energy - 35 Kcal, Proteins - 1.9 g, Fats 0.2 g, Carbohydrates -

6.4 g, Calcium - 66 mg, Phosphorus - 56 mg, Iron - 1.5 mg, Carotene - 52 meg,
Thiamine 7 0 meg, Riboflavin - 100 meg, Niacin - 0.6 meg, Vitamin C - 13 mg
(Perera, et al., 1979).
The leaves, roots and fruits contain much mucilage. The green fruit abounds in
mucilage, pectin and starch. Fruits are boiled in milk and given for coughs. They
are also useful in the form of a decoction for catarrha ailments, gonorrhoea, painful
micturition and dysuria. The oil extracted from the seed is edible (Jayaweera, 1981).
Grown in a wide range of soil types. Optimal temperate for normal growth is
between 20-30°C. Watering is necessary in dry periods. Normally cultivated in
lowlands below 5 0 0 m altitude.
Areas for cultivation - Common vegetable in both wet and dry zone lowlands in Sri
Lanka.
Planting season - Grown in the main rain season.
Planting materials - Seeds.
Planting and space - Seeds should be sown in deeply cultivated soil on ridges or beds,
1.5-2.5 cm deep, 2-3 seeds/hole, and later thinned to one. Alternatively seeds may
be sown in nurseries and later transplanted. Rows 60-80 cm apart, with 20-40 cm
between plants
Seed rate - 8-10 kg/ha
Irrigation - In arid areas, or in the dry season extra water may be required till the
fruiting period.
Fertilizer - NPK fertilizer is applied for planting. Dressing of N fertilizer is

recommended at pod set periods.
Time to harvest - Young pods can be harvested, two months from the sowing,
continuing for a period of about 1-2 months.
Harvesting - Successional harvesting of young pods is recommended.
293
Yield - 2-3 t/ha.
STORAGE:-
Fruits may be stored dry, as whole or sliced or powdered. Alternatively they can be
canned or pickled. For storing fresh, bright, green and firm fruits which are free
from injury are selected and stored by placing them in the shade under damp sacking.
If they are stored at 7-10°C with a relative humidity of about 9 5 % , they could be
kept for up to ten days.
294
FAMILY:- MARANT ACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Maranta arundinacea
Syn :- M. romossima
SINHALA Hulankiriya, Araluk

TAMIL Aruruttukkilangu
ENGLISH Arrowroot Plant.
DESCRIPTION :-
A herbaceous perennial with a creeping, definite rootstock giving off (beneath the
terminal buds) lateral, solid, fleshy, cylindrical thickened branches (rhizome) curving
upwards, covered with large, imbricated, thin, pale brown or white scales and
afterwards ringed with their scars. Plant height is 1-1.5 m.
L E A V E S : - Numerous with long sheaths splat completely down one side, and either
enveloping the stem or standing a little away from it.
FLOWERS:- Shortly stalked, slightly nodding, pedicels somewhat thickened beneath

the flower, arranged in pairs at the ends of rather long ones.
FRUITS:- Small, crowned with the remains of the sepals, smooth, oblong-ovoid,
pericarp leathery (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Tropical America (Purseglove, 1972; Querol, 1993) and now frequently
cultivated in all tropical regions of the world including India, Sri Lanka, Java,
Philippine Islands and the West Coast of Africa.
Roots.
FOOD USE:-
The boiled tubers are eaten directly. Arrow root flour is especially used as a infant
food. Arrow root starch which has a high viscocity can produce a very smooth jelly
or paste.
295
Maranta arundinacea
(A) Base of flowering stem and rhizome branch. (B) Top portion of a branch of flowering plant. (C) Portion of
mature rhizome.
296
Moisture - 15 g, Energy - 340 Kcal, Proteins - 0 . 2 g, Fats - O.g, Carbohydrates - 85

g, Calcium - 7 mg, Phosphorus - 0 m g , Iron - 1.0 mg.
The tubers of the plant contain starch, fibre, fat, albumin, sugar and gum. In the
West Indies, they are often used for poulticing wounds. The starch is a nutrient,
emollient and demulcent for bowel complaints and diseases of the urinary organs.
The extracted juice of the rhizome is an antidote for food poisons and bites of
venomous snakes (Jayaweera, 1982).
CULTIVATION:-
Area of cultivation - Mid and low country wet zone.
Land preparation - The land is ploughed.
Planting material - bites (selected tips of rhizomes)
Spacing - They are planted 5-7.5 cm deep and about 30 cm apart.
Harvesting - The rhizomes mature at 10-12 months when the leaves turn y e l l o w .
Yield very enormously and range from 7.5-37 tones of rhizomes per hectare.
297
FAMILY:- MORACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Artocarpus altilis
Syn: A. communis, A. incisa
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Rata Del

TAMIL lirapilakai
ENGLISH Bread fruit, Breadnut
DESCRIPTION :-
A handsome striking monoecious evergreen trees stout twigs and large pinnatifid
leaves Twigs 10-20 mm thick, tipples 10-25 cm long. Lamina up to 60 x 2 0 cm with
1-5 or more pairs of pinnate leaves. Petiole 30-60 mm long, stout. Male head 12-30
x 1, 2-3 cm, cylindric to cloves, pendent becoming yellow. Female head stiffly
upright, stigma simple or bified, exerted, green to yellow, set with conical processes
1 5 x 5 mm, varying simply aureoles in seedless varieties, fruiting perianth not fleshy.
Peduncle 4-13 c m long. Seeds 25 x 20 15 mm, cylyledous somewhat unequal
(Purseglove, 1968).
DISTRIBUTION :-
The breadfruit is believed to be a native of Indonesia, (Purseglove, 1968; Rakitin and

Durmanov, 1989), but it is now widely distributed in the low land tropics. In Sri
Lanka it grows in the costal line of the wet zone.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Boiled fruit is used as a starchy staple in the Pacific Islands and in the Caribbean area.
It is boiled and eaten as a staple or supplementary food. Breadfruit curry is also
made. Dried bread fruit slices are fried and eaten mixing with salt and either chilli
powder or sugar (honey).
298
Artocarpus altilis
£ (A) Branch. (B) Fruit.
• 299
Moisture - 7 0 . 0 g, Energy - 113 Kcal, Proteins - 1.5 g, Fats - 0.4 g, Carbohydrates -

2 6 . 0 g, Calcium - 25 mg, Iron - 1.0 m g , Carotene - 0 meg, Thiamine - 100 meg,
Riboflavin - 6 0 meg, Niacin - 1.2 mg, Vitamin C - 2 0 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
Grows well in low altitudes of the humid tropic. Requires a rainfall of 1500-2500
mm. Optimal temperature is 22-30°C.
It is usually propagated vegetatively. This is normally done by root cuttings of 3 cm

diameter and 2 0 cm length. They are planted in seed beds horizontally and 10-15 m
apart. Plants bear fruits 2-6 years depending on the variety. Fruits are harvested
before fully ripe. Mature trees bear 7 5 0 fruits per year each weighing 0 . 7 5 - 2 kg.
STORAGE:-
Undamaged fresh fruits can be stored for 5-6 days. Dried and sliced breadfruits are
normally kept in dry containers for prolonged storage.
300
FAMILY:- MORACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Artocarpus heterophyllus
Syn : A. Integra A integrifolia
SINGHALA Kos, Herali, Pana

TAMIL Murasabalam, Pilaka
ENGLISH Jak fruit tree
DESCRIPTION :-
A large evergreen tree glabrous except the young shoots, bark red-brown containing
a milky latex inside.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate 10-20 cm long elliptic or obovate, acuminate entire or

those of the young shoots sometimes lobed, dark green and shining on the upper
surface, rather rough beneath, base narrowed, main nerves 7 or 8 pairs, petioles 1.2-
2.5 cm long, stipules large, glabrous soon caduceus.
FLOWERS:- Unisexual, monoecious, densely crowded on globose or oblong axillary

receptacles often mixed with scales, male flowers perianth 2-4 lobed or partite.
FRUITS:- Large, globose or cylindrical 30-75 cm long 15-30 c m broad, hanging on

short stalks from the trunk and lager branches. Seeds pendulous, large, oblong,
exalbuminous, testa membranous, cotyledons unequal. Bearing of fruits is from
October to January (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Western parts in India (Bose and Mitra, 1985) and cultivated in moist
tropical countries including Sri Lanka, where it flourishes mostly in the mid and low-
country.
The fruit and young leaves
301
Artocarpus helerophyttus
(A) Stem with leaves and female inflorescence. (B) Male inflorescence. (C) Mature fruit.
302
FOOD USE:-
It is called "rice tree" due to its vast importance as a source of food. Fruits are a
valuable food item which are eaten at various stages of their maturity. They are
called by different names in Sinhalese at different stages of their maturity. Young
immetive fruits are called "Polos", mature fruits as "Kos" while ripe is called as
"Waraka" or Wela. Tender portion and seeds of the mature fruit is boiled and eaten
especially in the villages during the season. Unmature fruit (polos) is used to prepare
polos mallum or polos ambula (curry). Tender segments of ripe fruits (wella and
Waraka) have an aromatic flavour and are sweet in taste.
Sun-dried segments and seeds are eaten during the off-season. Young leaves are eaten
as a green vegetable.
(Jak, tender portion)

Moisture - 84 g, Energy - 51 kcal, Proteins - 2 . 6 g, Fats - 0.3 g, Carbohydrates - 9 . 4
g, Calcium - 3 0 m g , Phosphorus - 4 0 m g , Iron - 1.7 mg, Thiamine - 5 0 m e g ,
Riboflavin -40 m e g , Niacin - 0 . 2 m g , Vitamin C - 14 mg.
(Jak, ripe portion)

Moisture - 7 7 . 2 g , Energy - 84 kcal, Protein - 1 . 9 g , F a t - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates - 1 8 . 9
g, Calcium - 2 0 mg, Phosphorus - 3 0 m g , Iron - 5 0 0 mg, Carotene - 5 4 m e g ,
Thiamine - 30 mg.
(Jak seeds)
Moisture - 6 0 . 9 g, Energy - 151 g, Proteins - 4 . 3 g, Fats - 0.4 g, Carbohydrates -
3 2 . 6 g, Calcium - 35 mg, Phosphorus - 126 m g , Iron - 1.2 mg, Carotene - 2 5 m e g ,
Thiamine - 180 m e g , Riboflavin - 5 0 m e g , Niacin - 0 . 5 mg, Vitamin C - 17 m g
The fruit contains a high carbohydrate content but is deficient in calcium and iron.
The seeds are rich in starch. The pulp of the fruit is rich in vitamin C. The leaves
are used in skin diseases and the root for diarrhoea and fever. The roots are also used
for skin diseases and as an antiasthmatic. The milky and juicy stuff mixed with
vinegar is applied on swellings and abscesses. The starch from the seeds is given in
bilious colic and the roasted seeds have an aphrodisiacal action. A n infusion of the
mature leaves and bark is given for stones in the bladder and for diabetes (Jayaweera,
1982; Wikramanayake, 1996).
303
OTHER USES:-
The leaves are used to feed livestock, especially goats. The yellow heart wood is
valuable timber and also yields a yellow dye.
Well drained, deep alluvial soil is more suitable. Grows at altitudes below 1500 m.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - Can be grown under various agro-ecological conditions. In

Sri Lanka it is grown specially in wet zone areas.
Land preparation - It consists of merely of digging holes large enough to

accommodate the bole of soil that goes with the planting material.
Planting material - It is commonly grown from seeds which are obtained from mother
trees. After extraction seeds should be planted fresh since they do not retain viability
for long periods of time.
Planting and space - The plants should be set in the prepared holes 10.0 x 9.0 m apart
from each other and the roots are covered with the top soil mixed with compost or
well decomposed manure if available. The soil around the base of the plant is pressed
down to remove large air spaces and to make the plant stand erectly and firmly in the
ground.
Time to harvest - The stage of maturity at which fruits are harvested depends on the
intended use. When used as a vegetable, immature fruits are picked when they are
rather dark green. The production of a dull, hallow sound, when tapped, is
considered as the most reliable indicator that the fruit is mature but not ripe.
Harvesting at this stage permits fruit to be handled and distributed to distant markets
or held for longer periods before consumption.
Harvest - Harvesting is done at various levels of maturity as immature or mature or

ripe according to the need of the people.
Yield - A good tree yields 400 - 700 kg per annum.
STORAGE:-
Sun-dried segments and seeds (Atukos) can be stored more than a year. It is a very
good source of food for off-season. Heaping seeds covering with a dry layer of sand
{welikos eta) can be kept for more than six months. Mature (kos) and ripe (waraka)
segments are canned and stored for a long time.
304
FAMILY:- MORACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Artocarpus nobilis
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Bedi-Del, Wal-Del, Sinhala Del

TAMIL Aresini-pilaka, Asiri-pillakai
ENGLISH Wild breadfruit
DESCRIPTION :-
A large tree with immense crown, stem, stout, cylindrical, with large wide spreading
roots and boughs. Bark thick, dull-brown, often much coated with lichenous
growths, irregularly furrowed, exfoliating in an unequal scale of flakes.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, large, 25-45 cm by 17-30 cm wide, broadly ovate, oblique or

abruptly tapered at base, rounded at apex to an abrupt deflexed tip, dark green above,
much paler below.
F L O W E R S : - Monoecious, males spikes, females dense, on a terminal or axillary club

like in receptacle 15-20 cm long. Seeds many, globose, about 1.25 cm in diameter,
pale chestnut brown (Macmillan, 1956).
DISTRIBUTION:-
It is an endemic plant to Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike and Sultanbawa, 1991). In Sri

Lanka it is found in the low-country up to 800 m altitude, but much less common in
the dry zone.
EDIBLE P A R T S :-
Fruit, seeds
FOOD USE:-
Excavations done in Kitulgala indicate that the prehistoric men used to eat roasted
seeds of wild breadfruit 12,500 years ago. Tender portion and seeds are boiled and
eaten. Since the seeds contain a higher percentage of oil, they are roasted and eaten
as a snack.
305
Artocarpus nobilis
(A) Branch. (B) Fruit.
Latex is used to treat warms. Seeds are good for Asthma patients. Seed oil is used
in traditional medicine.
OTHER U S E S : -
Timber is hard which can be used in many ways.
STORAGE:-
Dried seeds can be stored for a long time in a dry and cool container.
307
FAMILY:- MORACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Ficus racemosa
Syn .- F. glomerata
SINHALA Attikka
TAMIL Adam, Anai
ENGLISH Fig
DESCRIPTION:-
An evergreen tree 18-20 m high with glabrous, pubescent or scaberulous shoots.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 10-17.5 cm long, oblong-ovate or lanceolate.
F L O W E R S : - Unisexual, of 3 kinds, males, females and imperfect females of gall

flowers crowded along with bracteoles on the inner walls of a fleshy, short peduncled,
subglobose, pyriform or subturbinate receptacle 3.1 cm diameter, glabrous or
pubescent, umbilicus depressed, basal bracts 3 , triangular-ovate.
FRUITS:- Reddish about 3.5 cm long. Flowers in November( Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka and Burma (Jayaweera, 1982). It is common on banks of
streams in the moist low-country in Sri Lanka up to an altitude of 800 m. It is a plant
known to people in very early times, and one of the trees frequently mentioned in the
Bible.
EDIBLE PARTS:-
Fruit
FOOD USE:-
Fruits are sliced and cooked as a vegetable.
308
Ficud racemosa
(A) Branch with leaves. (B) Branch containing fruits.
309
A n infusion of the bark or the expressed juice of the unripe fruit is given for
menorrhagia, haempotysis and urinary diseases. The milky juice is administered for
piles and diarrhoea. The powdered leaves are used for bilious ailments. The root is
useful for dysentery and the sap of the root for diabetes and hemorrhoids. The juice
of the root is a tonic and given for gonorrhoea. The bark is also used to extract
poison from wounds caused by cats and also given to cattle suffering from rinderpest.
Figs make a good hair wash.
310
FAMILY:- MORINGACEAE
BOTANICAL N A M E : - Moringa oleifera
Syn :- M. pterygosperma
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Murunga
TAMIL Achuram, Murangai
ENGLISH Drumstick Tree, Indian Horse Radish
DESCRIPTION:-
A small tree with a corky bark and soft wood, young parts tomentose.
LEAVES:- Alternate, usually 3-pinnate, 4.5 cm long, rachis slender, thickened,

articulated at the base, pinnae and pinnules opposite, deciduous, rachided very-
slender, articulated and with a gland at the articulations, ultimate leaflets opposite.
FLOWERS:- irregular, bisexual, white in large puberulous panicles, calyx cup-

shaped, 5-cleft, segments unequal, petiolate, deciduous from above the base.
FRUITS:- Pods (capsules) 45 cm long, 9-ribbed, 1-chambered, beaked, loculicidaily

3-valved. Seeds many, 3-angled, angles winged, exalbuminous (Jayaweera, 1982 and
Ekanayake and Chandrasekera, 1989).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in the forests of Western Himalayas and frequently cultivated in India, Sri
Lanka, Burma, Philippine Islands and East Africa. In Sri Lanka it is often grown in
the dryzone, especially in Jaffna, Mannar and Puttalam. (Jayaweera, 1982).
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The fruit, leaves and bark.
FOOD USE:-
Unmatured capsules and leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Leaves and antidote bark of
the tree are used in food preparation. Leaves are used when ghee is melted, one
preparation of Tamil traditional cultivation. Bark is used in preparation of prawns,
crabs and pickles and it is believed that the bark protects users from possible
poisoning.
311
(Fruit)
3.7 g, Calcium - 30 m g , Phosphorus - 110 mg, Iron - 5.3 mg, Carotene - 110 meg,
Thiamine - 5 0 meg, Riboflavin - 7 0 meg, Niacin - 0 . 2 m g , Vitamin C - 120 mg.
(Leaves)
Moisture - 7 5 . 9 g, Energy - 92 kcal, Proteins - 6.7, Fats - 1.7 g, Carbohydrates -
12.5 g, Calcium - 4 4 0 mg, Phosphorus - 70 mg, Iron 7 . 0 m g , Carotene - 6 7 8 0 meg,
Thiamine - 6 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 50 meg, Niacin - 0.8 meg, Vitamin - 220 mg
The bark contains alkaloids moringine and moringinine, two resins, mucilage and an
inorganic acid. The root yields an essential oil and the seeds contain traces of an
acrid acid, a pungent alkaloid and bean oil. The bark exudes a gum with the
properties of traganth and used for tanning. The leaves and fruits are rich in calcium,
iron and are good sources of phosphorus. The fruit is also rich in protein (Jayaweera,
1982).
Tolerant temperature up to 48°C. Requires less moisture and a rainfall of 300-500 mm

is enough for normal growth. Grows in lowlands below 5 0 0 m.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - In Sri Lanka it is common in the dryzone.
Planting season - It is planted just before the onset of the rains.
Planting material - Propagated by cuttings or seeds.
Seeds are collected from mature and well-developed pods. They are soaked in
cowdung water for a day and sown direct at site, or on a raised seedbed.
Spacing - For hedges: plant at close spacing, about 30 cm apart, for trees: 4-5 m
either way.
Time to harvest - Jaffna: After two years. Flowering occurs during the dry season
or at the same time as the new leaves appear. Branches of the thickness of a walking-
stick on bearing trees are selected and cut into 1 m lengths. They are planted erect,
about 30 cm deep.
313
S T O R A G E :-
Leaves are dried and crushed for storage. Seeds or whole pods are dried and stored
for short periods of time.
314
FAMILY:- MUSACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Musa sapientum
SINGHALA Kessel, Ramba

TAMIL Vaalai
ENGLISH Banana, Plantain
DESCRIPTION:-
Rootstock stoloniferous, stem erect, 8-12 feet long.
L E A V E S : - The fully developed stem carrying 10-12 functional leaves, very stoutly
petioled, 1.3 -1.6 m long, oblong, bright green above, paler beneath, spike decured,
about as long as the leaves, or shorter, glabrous. Peduncle about 1.5 inches diameter,
below the inflorescence, green, glabrous.
FRUITS:- The fruit is a berry, 10 cm long, obovate-oblong, slightly curved, suddenly

constricted at the apex and the base into a stout pedicel 0 . 6 - 1 . 2 cm long (Simmonds,
1970).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Centre of origin is probably Assam, Burma and Thailand (Simmonds, 1970;

Purseglove, 1972; Querol, 1992). In Sri Lanka it grows in the dry zone, Intermediate
and Wet zones. It is one of first food items of man. According to the exavations wild
banana was eaten by prehistoric men. King Alexander, the Great found bananas
growing in the valley of Indus river as early as 327 BC. The banana was perhaps
transported into the Pacific by the migration of Polynesians about the time of Christ.
N o w it is widely cultivated all over the tropics.
The fruits, inner portion of the psedostem and inflorescence.
315
FOOD USE:-
One of most popular and widely cultivated fruits all over the world. Wild types of
banana were used as a source of food by prehistoric men. The ripe fruits are eaten
fresh, used for preparation fruit salads, drinks, sweet meets and desserts. Cooking
types are used for preparation of curries. Inner portion of the pseudostem and flowers
(inflorescence) are cooked as a vegetable. A dried ripe banana product called banana
figs is famous in some countries.
(Banana -ripe)
Moisture - 70.1 g, Energy - 116 kcal, Protein - 1.2 g, Fats - 0.3 g, Carbohydrate -
2 7 . 2 g, Calcium - 17 mg, Phosphorus - 36 g, Iron - 0.9 mg, Carotene - 78 meg,
Thiamine - 5 0 meg, Riboflavine - 80 meg, Niacin - 0.5 mg, Vitamin C - 7 mg.
(Plantain)
Moisture - 8 3 . 2 g, Energy - 64 kcal, Protein - 1.4 g, Fat - 0.2 g, Carbohydrate -
14.0 g, Calcium - 10 mg, Phosphorus - 29 g, Iron - 0.6 mg, Carotene - 30 meg,
Thiamine - 5 0 meg, Riboflavin - 20 meg, Niacin - 0.1 mg, Vitamin C - 12 mg.
(Plantain flower)
Moisture - 8 9 . 9 , Energy - 34 kcal, Protein - 1.7 g, Fat - 0.7 g, Carbohydrate - 5.1
g, Ca - 3 2 mg, P - 4 2 g, Fe - 1.6 mg, Carotene - 27 meg, Thiamine - 50 meg,
Riboflavin - 2 0 meg, Niacin - 0.4 mg, Vitamin C - 16 mg.
(Plantain stem)
Moisture - 8 8 . 3 , Energy - 42 kcal, Protein - 0.5 g, Fat - 0,1 g, Carbohydrate - 9.7
g, Calcium -10 mg, Phosphorus - 10 g, Iron - 1.1 mg, Carotene - 0 meg, Thiamine -
2 0 meg, Riboflavin - 10 meg, Niacin - 0.2 mg, Vitamin C - 7 mg (Perera, et al.,
1979).
According to Ayurveda, some cultivars of banana are hot while some are cool. Corm
of the plant is used in snake bytes. Fruit paste is applied on burns and sores.
(Department of Agriculture, 1995).
Grows well in fertile soils with a pH 5 . 5 - 7 . 0 , temperature of 24-29°C is considered

optimal. Wind speed more than 18 m/s will destroy the banana plants specially at the
stage of fruiting.
317
Areas for cultivation - In wet, intermediate and dry zone depending on suitable
varieties.
Land preparation - It should be prepared in order to get a good texture, depth and
drainage.
Planting holes are dug 4 0 cm square and about 35 cm deep and filled with a mixture
of soil and organic matter.
Planting materials - There are three types of planting materials, suckers, buts and bits.
Usually suckers are used for propagation.
Planting and space - Suckers are removed from the mother plant when they are 3
months old and 9 0 - 1 0 5 cm in height. Cut the leaves of young suckers prior to
planting. The but or bit should be so placed in the holes that the top is about 15 cm
below the surface after the soil is filled in and tamped down. Spacing between holes
is 2.4-3 m and wider spacing is for fertile soils.
Fertilizer - Banana needs considerable amounts of mineral nutrients, specially

nitrogen and potash. Nitrogen should be applied at short intervals; phosphates and
potash may be applied in the planting hole and thereafter twice yearly.
Harvesting - The time from planting to harvesting for the plant crop is 9-18 months,
depending on the cultivar and agro-climatic conditions.
STORAGE:-
Ripe fruits can be stored for 3-4 days. Therefore it is harvested unripe and stored.
Ripe fruits mixed with honey and dried (figs) can be kept for a long time. Plantains
can be stored more than banana and around 2 weeks after which it would wither and
lose its eatable quality. Sliced and sun-dried plantains can be stored for quite a long
time. It can be sliced and fried and kept alone or as pickle.
318
FAMILY:- MYRTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Eugenia caryophyllata
Syn :- Caryophyllaus aromaticns, E. aromatic ; E. caryophyllus, Syzygium

aromaticum
SINHALA Karabu-neti, Lamanga

TAMIL Ilavangappu, Karuvappu, Kiramb
ENGLISH Clove
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree about 10-13 m height with numerous, horizontally spreading slender
branches forming a dense pyramidal crown, bark pale yellowish gray, smooth with
glabrous buds.
L E A V E S : - Opposite, numerous, 7.5-15 cm long including the petioles, dark green

and shining on the upper surface, paler beneath with the mid-rib and parallel lateral
veins prominent.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, jointed to short stalks, arranged in groups of three

at the extremities of the short articulated branches of small terminal paniculate cymes,
bracts small, non-deciduous. Calyx about 1.2 cm long, glabrous, somewhat rough
with numerous immersed glands, whitish at first, then green and finally crimson, the
lower part cylindrical-compressed oblong, solid fleshy, concave, spreading teeth.
FRUITS:- Fleshy about 2.5 cm long, obovoid-oblong, crowned by the persistent

inflexed calyx teeth and the style, smooth purple, pericarp 3 mm thick. Seed solitary,
large, occupying the whole of the interior of the fruit, testa thin and membranous,
cotyledon large. Flowers from January to March (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION. -
A native of Moluccas, five islets lying off the coast of the larger island of Dilolo,
North-East of Celebres. It is no longer found there as the trees have been wilfully
destroyed but it is now largely cultivated in the neighboring islands of the Amboyna
group. It was introduced to China by 2 2 0 B.C. when, it is recovered, courtiers held
cloves to their mouths in order to sweeten their breath when addressing the emperor.
319
Eugenia caryophyllata
(A) Branch. (B) Flower bud. (C) Longitudinal section of flower. (C) Fruit.
320
It is also grown in Sumatra, Malaysia, Penang, Mauritius, Bourbon, Guiana, Brazil
and in West Indian Islands and Zanzibar. In Sri Lanka it is g r o w n in the mid-
country, up to an elevation of700 m.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Dried unopened flower buds.
FOOD USE:-
Cloves is used as a spice. It is also used in manufacturing of sauces and pickles.
Moisture - 23 g, Energy - 293 Kcal, Proteins - 5 g, Fats - 9 g, Carbohydrates - 4 8

g, Calcium - 740 m g , Iron - 5 m g , Thiamine - 100 meg, Riboflavin - 2 0 0 m e g ,
Niacin - 2 meg (Perera, et al., 1979).
The principal constituent of cloves is the volatile oil, caryophyllin, a neutral tasteless
substance and eugenic, a considerable proportion of gum, tannic acid and salicylic
acid. The clove is regarded as a carminative, stomachic and stimulant. It causes
thirst and nausea in children suffering from worms and indigestion. Along with other
ingredients, it cures colic, diseases of the chest and throat, cough, hiccough, asthma,
diarrhoea and urinary diseases. Clove oil is used for toothache (Jayaweera, 1982;
Wikramanayake, 1996).
OTHER USES:-
Clove oil, produced by the distillation of cloves, stems and leaves is used in the
manufacture of perfumes and as a flavoring in medicine and dentistry.
Areas for cultivation - Wet zone upcountry areas in Sri Lanka.
Planting materials - seeds.
Spacing - 10 x 10 m, 1 0 x 5 , 5 x 5 m. Shade and windbreaks are necessary in the

early stage of growth. They may be obtained by interplanting or cutting leaves from
the forest. Trees begin to flower in about 6 years and production of healthy trees
continues until 70-80 years or even longer.
321
STORAGE:-
Sun-dried cloves can be kept for a long time in dry and cool places.
322
F A M I L Y :- MYRTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Psidium guajava
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Pera
TAMIL Koyya, Sengoyya
ENGLISH Guava
DESCRIPTION :-
A shrub or small tree 3-7 m high, the bark scaly and greenish brown, young
branchlets 4-angled.
L E A V E S : - Simple, opposite, oblong-elliptic to oval, 7.5-15 cm long 3.5-5 cm broad,

acute or rounded at apex, finely pubescent below, the veins conspicuously impressed
on the upper surface and raised below, petioles 5-8 mm long.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, white, about 2.5 cm across. Solitary and axillary or

2-3 altogether on slender peduncles, pedicels 1.2-1.8 cm long and stout.
FRUITS:- A globose, ovoid or pyriform berry 2 . 5 - 1 0 cm long commonly yellow with

white, yellow or deep pink flesh, glabrous and crowned with the persistent calyx
lobes.
Flowers and fruits almost throughout the year (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Mexico (Purseglove, 1968; Bose and Mitra, 1985). but it is now often
cultivated and naturalized in most tropical countries. It thrives in medium and high
elevation up to 1500 m in Sri Lanka. A wild form of this variety grows as a common
weed in waste ground bearing small round berries which are pale yellow when ripe,
used for making jelly.
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Matured and ripe fruits are eaten fresh. Nectar and jam is prepared from Guava.
323
Psidium guajava


11.2 g, Calcium - 10 mg, Phosphorus - 28 mg, Iron 1.4 mg, Thiamine - 30 meg,
Riboflavin -30 m e g , Niacin - 0 . 4 meg, Vitamin C - 2 1 2 mg. (Perera, et al., 1979).
The leaves of this tree contain a fixed oil and a volatile oil. The fruit contains
"glycosen" saccharose and protein. The bark and roots are rich in tannin and the fruit
in vitamin C content, particularly in the skin and outer flesh. The leaf yields 3
antibacterial substances namely avicularin, guaijaver in and another. The bark of the
tree is used in the form of decoction for diarrhoea and dysentery and also as a
mouthwash for swollen gums. The leaves are chewed for toothache. An infusion of
the leaves is recommended for cerebral ailments, nephritis and cachexia in West
Indies, while the pounded leaves are applied to rheumatism and an extract used for
epilepsy and cholera. The water in which the fruit is soaked is beneficial for diabetes.
The juice of the fruit and leaves is an antidote for manioc and cannabis poisoning
(Jayaweera, 1982).
Adapted to a wide range of soils and temperatures. Favourable temperature is 15-

30°C. Requires annual rainfall of 1000-3000 mm. Grows at altitudes below 1700 m.
Areas for cultivation - It is cultivated both in wet and dry zone lowlands.
Planting material - Usually propagated by seed, but it is preferable to propagate by

vegetative means. A variety of methods can be employed; cuttings under closed
conditions, or root suckers, patch budding, side veneer and approach grafting, and
marketing. Seeds may be planted in boxes at a depth of 1.2 cm. When 5-6 cm high,
the seedlings are transplanted into a bed at 20 cm spacing, or into polythene bags.
Spacing 4.5-7 m, depending on variety and soil conditions, is required
Time to harvest - Normally , trees bear fruits 2 years after transplanting. They are
in full bearing at 8 years and cropping may continue for 30 years or more. The fruits
mature 5 months after flowering.
Harvest - Fruits are normally hand-picked while still firm, when the skin colour starts
to change from green to yellow. During the season, picking every 2-4 days is usually
required.
325
STORAGE:-
Ripe fruits keep for less than one week at ambient temperatures (out of the sun). If
picked while immature, they can be kept for about 4 weeks at 8-10°C.
326
FAMILY:- MYRTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Syzygium aqueum
Syn:- Eugenia aqueum
SINHALA Wal Jambu, Pini Jambu

ENGLISH Watery rose apple
DESCRIPTION :-
2 0 m long, 4 m girth short crooked ribbed trunk. Tawny brown flaky bark and dense
dark irregularly oblong crown. Parts entirely glabrous. Twigs stout, much branched
pale rust-brown, at first buntty quadrangular.
L E A V E S : - Young brilliant crimson, lamina 4.5-23 x 1.5-11 cm, elliptic-oblong,

coriaceous, drying dark red brown beneath.
FLOWERS:- 10, in short terminal or sub-terminal axillary c y m e s , subsessile or

shortly pedicellate calyx tube 1,5-3 cm long, funnel, 5 leaped, segments, pale pinkish
white.
FRUITS: - 2 cm diameter, globose, red-coloured with a prominently 8 mm diameter,

persistent cymes ring (Jasen, 1985; F A O , 1990).
DISTRIBUTION-
It is a native of Southern India. Wild form grows commercially in Indonesia under

humidtropical conditions. In Sri Lanka, watery rose apple trees grows in
homegardens of wet zone.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Fruit
F O O D USE:-
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh. It may be prepared as a syrup or a fruit drink.
327
Syzygium aqueum
328
Moisture - 89.1 g, Energy - 39 kcal, Proteins - 0.7 g, Fats - 0.2 g, Carbohydrate

8.5 g, Calcium - 10 mg, Phosphorus - 30 mg, Iron - 0.5 mg, Thiamine - 10 meg
Riboflavin - 5 0 mg, Niacin - 0.4 mg, Vitamin C - 3 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
OTHER USES:-
Timber is hard and durable.
329
FAMILY:- MYRTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Syzygium caryophyllatum
Syn :- Myrtus caryophyllata, Eugenia corymbosa
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Dan, Heen-dan

TAMIL Marungi
DESCRIPTION:-
A brush or shrubby tree with a smooth gray bark, slightly compressed young twigs
scurfy and orange brown.
L E A V E S : - Simple, opposite, exstipulate, 6 . 2 - 8 . 7 cm long, ovate-oval, acute at base,

rounded, obtuse or very shortly and bluntly acuminate, glabrous, shining and bright
apple green on the upper surface, rather pale beneath, lateral, veins numerous, fine
but rather conspicuous beneath, petioles 0.6 cm long.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, white, small, numerous, nearly sessile, cymes

terminal, corymbose, trichotomies, buds ovoid-globose.
FRUITS:- A depressed-globose, inky purple black, berry juicy, shining and 1-1.2 cm
long. Period of flowering February to May (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in South India, Sri Lanka and Borneo. It is very common especially in open
sandy places in the low-country, both in the moist and dry regions of Colombo and
N e g o m b o in Sri Lanka (Jayaweera, 1982).
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe berries are eaten fresh.
330
Syzygium caryophyllatum
(A) Branch with leaves and flowers. (B) Flower, lateral view. (C) Twig bearing fruits.
331
Moisture - 70.5 g, Energy - 104 kcal, Proteins - 11.6 g, Fats - 0.4 g, Carbohydrates -
2 3 . 5 g, Calcium -17 mg, Phosphorus - 47 mg, Iron - 1.5 mg, Thiamine - 7 0 meg,
Riboflavin - 170 meg, Niacin - 1.3 meg, Vitamin C - 37 mg.
The leaves and bark of this tree are applied on burns, boils and ulcers and are given
internally for diabetes. The seeds are used as a purgative (Jayaweera, 1982).
STORAGE:-
Ripe fruits are barely stored.
332
F A M I L Y :- MYRTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Syzygium cumini
Syn :- Eugenia cumini
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Madan, Maha-dan

TAMIL Arugadam, Kottainagam, Naval
ENGLISH Black Plum, Jambolan, Java plum
DESCRIPTION :-
A large tree with a thick rough gray bark and cylindrically compressed exfoliating
twigs.
L E A V E S : - Simple, Opposite, exstipulate, 7.5-8.7 cm long, oval or oblong-oval,

tapering to the base, acute or subacute at apex, glabrous, not shining, rather thin, light
bright green.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, white, honey-scented, small, on short pedicels,

cymes about 7.5 cm long, lax, pedunculate with slender divaricate branches.
FRUITS:- 1-1.2 cm long, ovoid, often lop-sided, crowned with the truncate calyx
limb (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
The original home of Jambolan is India or East Indies (Singh, 1969). Grows in India,
Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Philippine Islands. It is common in both wet and dry regions
up to 1,000 m in Talaimannar, Jaffna, Maturata, Trincomalee etc. in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
333
Syzygium cumini
(A) Branch. (B) Flower lateral view.
334

14 g, Calcium - 15 mg, Phosphorus - 15 mg, Iron - 1.2 mg, Vitamins - Carotene -
4 8 , Thiamine - 30 meg, Riboflavin - 10 meg, Niacin - 0.2 m g , Vitamin C - 18 mg.
The bark contains tannins, gallic acid and a crystalline substance called jambosine. A
decoction of the bark is given internally for diarrhoea and dysentery. Externally, it
is used for cleaning ulcers and as a mouth wash for spongy gums. A fine paste of the
bark with cow's milk cures bloody discharge in dysentery. A syrup prepared from
the juice of the ripe fruit is useful for enlarged spleen and chronic diarrhoea. The
ripe fruit or the pulverized seed is taken as a remedy for diabetes as they check the
conversion of starch in to sugar. (Jayaweera, 1982).
Jambolan requires a deep loam and well draind soil. It is successfully g r o w n under
tropical and sub-tropical conditions; early rains are beneficial to proper growth,
development and ripening fruits.
STORAGE:-
It is poorly stored due to its thin skin and they must be kept in thin layers.
335
FAMILY:- MYRTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Syzygium jombos
Syn: Eugenia jambos
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Veli Jambu

TAMIL Seeni Jambu
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree 10 m tall, 5 0 cm grith, with defuse branch bark gray brown, smooth all
parts glabrous. Twigs red-brown, terete, smooth.
L E A V E S : - Lamina 9-20 x 1.5-5.5 cm, narrowly, lanceolate, thickly coriaceous, semi-

pendent, base, a cumen to 3 cm long, slender, nerves C 14-20 pairs.
FLOWERS:- 10 in short terminal or subterminal axillate cymes, subsesile or shortly

pedicellate, clays tube 1.5-3 cm long, 5 leped, segments 6 cm long and petals 12 x
8 mm, oblong, obtuse, pale pinkish white.
FRUITS:- 2,5 x 2 cm obturbinate, white shortly pedicellate, prominently crowded by

a 1.5 cm diameter, ring or persisting level (Jasen, 1985; F A O , 1990).
DISTRIBUTION:-
West Malaysia ( F A O , 1990)and lowlands of Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The fruit.
F O O D U S E :-
Fruits can be eaten fresh, but it is rather insipid and not popular. It is preferred
cooked, in preserues, and in this form it is greatly appreciated.
Moisture - 89.1 g, Protein - 0.7 g, Fat - 0.2 g, Cabohydrate - 9.7 g, Minerals -

0.3 g (FAO, 1982).
336
18
OTHER U S E S : -
Timber is good for construction purposes. It is also good for both firewood and
charcoal.
CULTIVATION:-
Cultivated in homegardens in Sri Lanka.
»
338
FAMILY:- MYRTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Syzygium malaccensis
Syn:- Eugenia malaccensis
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Jambu
TAMIL Peria Jambu
ENGLISH Malay rose apple
DESCRIPTION :-
A medium sized tree 2 0 c m tall, with smooth grey-brown lenticellate patchily flaked
bark and dense oblong shiny leaved crown. Twigs stout, pale brown, terete.
L E A V E S : - Lamina 16-30 x 5-13 cm, elliptic, subcoriaceous, base narrowly cuneate,

qelman 1-2 c m long, slender, tapering.
FLOWERS:- 1 c m long short axillary cymes, bright pence, calyx 15 x 18 m m ,

funnel-shaped with 4 . 5 x 4 m m sub-orbicular rotate segments. Petals 10 x 8 m m ,
elliptic, obtuse, cupped, stamen 2 cm long.
FRUITS:- 4 x 3.5 cm, obtarbinate, pale pinkish white, succulent, with 1.5 c m
diameter terminalring of persisting segments. The seed is known to be poli-embryonic
(Jasen, 1985; F A O , 1990).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Indigenous to Malaysia but it also grows in India, Indonesia, Java, Sri Lanka.
Commonly cultivated in homegardens of wet zone lowlands of Sri Lanka (Jasen,
1985; F A O , 1990).
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Fruits are eaten fresh. Fruits excluding seeds are boiled with sugar to prepare sweet
meets, called as Jambu dosi.
339
Syzygium malaccensis
340
It is cultivated in homegardens.
STORAGE:-
It can be stored 3-5 days in fresh.

9>
FAMILY:- NYMPHAEACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Nelumbo nucifera
Syn :- Nelumbium nuciferum
SINHALA Nelum, Tamburu, Padma, Aravinda

TAMIL Ambal, Sivapputamarai
ENGLISH Chinese Water-lily, Lotus
DESCRIPTION:-
A large aquatic herb with a slender, elongated, branched, creeping stem with tufts of
roots at notes.
L E A V E S : - Very large, some erect, others horizontal and floating at the ends of very
long, rough, prickly petioles, 30-60 c m diameter, concave or flat, rotundate, entire,
radially veined, glabrous, and glucose.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, white or rose-coloured, sweet-scented, solitary,

9
large, 10-25 c m diameter, at the ends of very long, erect, asporous pedicels coming
off from the nodes of the stem and sheathed at the base. Period of flowering
February to August (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in stagnant water throughout the warmer regions from Persia to Australia.
(Jayaweera, 1982).It is common in tanks in the dry zone in Sri Lanka.
Rhizome and seeds.
FOOD USE:-
The rhizome is frequently used as a vegetable and the seeds divested of their testa are
roasted or ground into flour and eaten. Unripe seeds can be eaten fresh.
342
343
(100 g of root portion)

11.3 g, Calcium -21 mg, Phosphorus - 74 mg, Iron - 0.4 mg, Thiamine - 100 meg,
Vitamin C -22.
(100 g of seeds)
Moisture - 10 g, Energy - 324 Kcal, Proteins - 17.2 g, Fats - 2 . 4 g, Carbohydrates -
64 g, Calcium - 36 mg, Phosphorus - 294 mg, Iron - 2.3 mg. (Perera, et al., 1979).
The seeds of the plant contain alkaloid, nulumbine, while the leaves have nuciferine
and an alkaloid. The seeds contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamin C and
asparagine. The stamens of the flowers are used for bleeding piles and debility and
weakness in children. An aqueous extract of the fresh rootstock of the white flowered
variety is given internally for snake-bite poisoning, especially that of the cobra.
The flower is also made into syrup and given for coughs, dysentery and to check
hemorrhages from bleeding piles. The seeds are made into a paste and applied on
leprosy and other skin diseases. The milky juice of the leaves and flower stalk is
given for diarrhoea (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER U S E S : -
Flowers are used for religious ceremonies. Leaves are used for wrapping purposes
as well as for lunch sheets.
STORAGE:-
Undamaged rhizomes are kept for 5-7 days in shady places. Dried seeds are kept well
in dry and cool places.
344
FAMILY:- NYMPHAEACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Nymphaea lotus
SINHALA Olu, Et-olu

TAMIL Ambal, Allitamarai
DESCRIPTION:-
A n aquatic herb with a short, erect roundish, tuberous rootstock.
L E A V E S : - Very long, cylindrical, submerged petioles leaf blades horizontal, floating,

petlate, 15-20 cm diameter. Sagittate-rotundate, glabrous on the upper surface, finely
velvety tomentose beneath, veins very prominent.
F L O W E R S : - Solitary, regular, bisexual, white, pale or dark rose-coloured, fragrant,

open only in the morning, very large, 12.5-17.5 cm diameter, on very long, usually
pubescent peduncles.
FRUITS:- Globular, 3.2 cm diameter, spongy berry, green crowned with erect
connivens still appendages. Seeds ovoid globular, ribbed with vertical lines of little
tubercles and very minutely and transversely striate, aril white, transparent. Flowers
throughout the year (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A common aquatic herb which grows throughout Tropical Asia, Africa, Java and
Philippine Islands (Jayaweera, 1982). It is very common in streams, ponds and tanks
throughout the low-country upto 1000 m altitude in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The seeds and stem.
345
FOOD U S E : -
Husked seeds are boiled and eaten as rice. Often it is mixed with rice and boiled.
The seed converted into flour is used for making bread in China and East Indies while
it is boiled and eaten in the Philippine Islands. Young leaves stem is prepared as
vegetable.
The plants contain an alkaloid and glucoside. The powdered rootstock is given for
dyspepsia, diarrhoea, piles and urinary ailments. A decoction o f the flower is given
for palpitation of the heart. It is also supposed to be a blood purifier and aphrodisiac.
The seeds are eaten by diabetic patients. The juice of the fruits made in to a cunjee
with grains of setaria italica is given with salt for snakebite poisoning followed by
blood in the urine. The rhizome is prescribed for cystitis, nephritis, fevers and
insomnia. In Africa it is given for jaundice, urinary troubles and hemorrhoids
(Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES:-
Flowers are used in religious ceremonies.
STORAGE :-
Seeds should be stored in air tight containers for prolonged storage.
347
FAMILY:- OXALIDACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Averrhoa bilimbi
SINHALA Bilin, Bilimbi

TAMIL Kochittamarattai
ENGLISH Bimlimbi, Cucumber Tree
DESCRIPTION:-
A small tree 5-7 m tall, rusty pubescent on young parts and petioles, bark reddish
brown.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, imparipinnate, exstipulate, each containing 11-35 leaflets,

pinnae entire, 3.7-5 cm long, 1.8 cm broad, oblong, more or less pubescent on both
surfaces, base usually rounded.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, small fragrant, arising from the trunk and branches
in villous panicles.
F R U I T S : - Fleshy, large drooping, oblong berry 5-10 cm long furrowed lengthwise,

indehiscent. Seeds flat and exarillate. Flowers from March to May and during
November (Jayaweeera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in India and Malaysia; known only as a cultivated and naturalized plant in
tropical countries. It is a common garden plant in the mid and low-country in Sri
Lanka (Jayaweera, 1982).
The fruits.
FOOD USE:-
Fresh fruits are eaten in fresh. It can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Jams,
Chutney, Pickles are made from the fruit. Candied Bilin is added as raising to the
fruit cakes and pies.
348
349
Moisture - 9 4 . 4 8 g, Energy - 19 kcal, Proteins - 0.5 g, Fats - 0.3 g, Carbohydrates -

3 . 5 g, Calcium - 15 mg, P-10 mg, F e - 1.2 m g , Vitamins - Carotene - 18 m e g ,
Thiamine -90 meg, Riboflavin 4 0 meg, Niacin - 0.6 mg, Vitamin C - 32 mg (Perera,
et al., 1979).
The fruit of this plant contains potassium oxalate. A decoction of the leaves of this
tree is given for inflammation of the rectum in Java. A paste of the leaves is applied
for mumps, rheumatism and pimples. The juice of the fruit made into a syrup is used
in cases of hemorrhage from bowels, stomach and internal hemorrhoids (Jayaweera,
1982).
OTHER USES:-
It is used in cleaning brass ware.
C o m m o n in homegardens in the wet zone of Sri Lanka.
STORAGE:-
Bilin fruits contain a lot of water and soft skin. Therefore it can not be stored
effectively. Sun-dried salted fruits are stored in dry containers for prolonged keeping.
350
BOTANICAL NAME:- Averrhoa carambola
Syn :- A. pentandra
SINHALA Camaranga, Cambaranka

TAMIL Kandasagadam, Sisam
ENGLISH Carambola, Chinese Gooseberry, Star Fruit
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree about 10 m tall, with close drooping branches, young parts finely
pubescent or glabrate.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, imparipinnate compound, exstipulate, leaflets 5-11, irritable to

the touch, 3.7-6.2 cm long, 1.8-3 cm broad.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, in short axillary racemes, sometimes spraining from

the bark. Flowering from May to August and in November.
F R U I T S : - 7.5-12.5 cm long, ovoid, ellipsoid or oblong, acute angled with 3-5 deep
ribs, y e l l o w , very pulpy, fragrant. Seeds arillate (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Carambola is believed to be a native of Malaysia or Indonesia (Querol, 1992). Grows

in the Malaysian region and widely cultivated in the tropics. It is somewhat c o m m o n
in Sri Lanka often planted in the mid and low-country.
Fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh. Jellies and jams can be prepared from the fruits. It is
also used in fruit salads, preserves and drinks.
351
352
Moisture - 8 7 . 4 g, Energy - 45 kcal, Protein 0.4 g, Fats - 0.3 g, Carbohydrates -

11.5 g, Calcium - 6 m g , Iron 0.9 mg, Carotene - 3 6 0 meg, Thiamine - 3 0 mg,
Riboflavin - 2 0 g, Vitamin C - 35 mg (Rice et al., 1993).
The fruit of this tree is a good source of iron and contains vitamin B and C in addition
to oxalic acid and potassium oxalate. The seeds contain an alkaloid harmaline. A
decoction of the leaves and fruit is given to arrest vomiting. The fruit is a good
remedy for internal bleeding piles. It is a laxative, antiscorbutic, sialogogue and
antiphlogistic. The seed is regarded as a narcotic and a good anodyne for asthma,
colic and jaundice.
Grows in a wide range of soil types. However, it grows well in well drained and
nutritious soils. Optimal pH is 5.2-6.2. Grows in tropics at altitudes below 9 0 0 m.
OTHER U S E S : -
It can be used in cleaning brass ware.
It is a homegarden plant. It should be propagated clonally by grafting or air layering

for reliable consistent fruit quality.
STORAGE:-
As fruits contain a lot of water, they cannot be stored in fresh for a few days. Cool
storage at 5-10°C extends the post-harvest life at least for three weeks.
353
BOTANICAL NAME:- Oxalis corniculate
Syn .- O. repens
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Embul-Embiliya, Embulpala

TAMIL Paliakiri, Puliyarai
ENGLISH Indian Sorrel
DESCRIPTION:-
A perennial herb with a long slender subterranean creeping stem rooting at nodes and
giving slender, ascending, much branched, pilose branches, roots tuberous.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, trifoliate, stipulate, on very long slender, hairy petioles, leaflets

sessile, over 1.2 cm long, broadly obcordate, glabrous, ciliate, stipules small agnate
to petiole.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, yellow 1 cm long in little umbels of 1-3 on erect

axillary peduncles greatly exceeding the leaves. Flowers throughout the year.
FRUITS:- 5-chambered loculicidal capsule 1.8 cm long, linear-oblong, pubescent, 5-

angled with a short beak. Seeds surrounded by a white, fleshy aril, testa strongly
transversely ridged, brown (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows throughout the warmer regions of the world. It is a very common need in Sri
Fruits
F O O D USE:-
354
Oxalis corniculata
(A) Branch with leaves, flower and fruit. (B) Flower lateral view. (C) Longitudinal section of fruit.
355
The plant contains acid oxalate of potassium. It is a cure of scurvy. The juice of the
leaves boiled in c o w ghee and curd is given for piles, strangury, prolapse, etc. The
juice is also used for cleaning wounds and applied on itches. It is an antidote for
mercurial, arsenic and Datura poisoning. The bruised leaves applied as a poultice on
inflamed parts relieve pain (Jayaweera, 1982).
356
FAMILY:- PALMAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Borassus flabellifer
Syn . - B. flabelliformis
SINHALA Tal, Talgaha

TAMIL Panai
ENGLISH Palmyra Palm
DESCRIPTION:-
A tall dioecious palm with a straight trunk 20-23 m tall and 60-70 cm diameter, black,
scarred above swollen above the middle and again contracted upwards.
L E A V E S : - Palmately fan-shaped 2-3.3 m diameter. Rigidly coriaceous, many-cleft

into lanceolate or linear 2-fid lobes 0 . 6 - 1 . 3 m long with spinulose margins.
FLOWERS:- Bisexual male flowers in small scorpiod spikelets, densely clothed with
imbricating and mixed with scaly bracteoles, exerted seriatim from the bracts as the
spikes lengthen. Female flowers large, globose, about 2.5 cm diameter. Perianth
fleshy.
Period March to April.
FRUITS:- A broadly obovoid drupe, 2 0 cm diameter. Seated on greatly enlarged

perianth, mescocarp fleshy and fibrous, pureness 1-3, 6.2 cm broad, obordate,
compressed, black. Seeds compressed testa adherent to the endocarp, apical in the
hollow endosperm (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India and Burma. It is very common in the dry regions especially in the
desert and sandy tracts near the coast in Sri Lanka (Purseglove, 1972; Jayaweera,
1982)
Fruit and germinating seed root.
357
Borassus flabellifer
(A) Full grown palm. (B) Male spadix with spikes. (C) Fruits. (C) Male flowers.
358
FOOD USE:-
The inflorescence is tapped for toddy, vinegar and jaggery. The orange colour juice
extracted from mesocarp is sun dried as layers and eaten. Young nut water (liquid
endosperm) is drunk. The germinating seeds are eaten either sun-dried or boiled.
(Fruit)
Moisture - 7 7 . 2 g, Energy - 87 kcal, Proteins - 0.7 g, Fat - 0.2 g, Carbohydrates -
2 0 . 7 g, Calcium - 9 mg, Phosphorus - 33 mg.
(Root)
Moisture - 7 4 . 7 g, Energy - 97 kcal, Protein - 1.76 g, Fat - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates
2 2 . 6 g, Calcium - 10 mg, Phosphorus - 4 0 m g , Iron - 0.7 mg, Carotene - 24 meg,
Thiamine 100 meg, Riboflavin - 10 meg, Niacin - 1.2 mg, Vitamin C - 17 (Perera,
et al., 1979)
The sap of the plant contains sugar and ascorbic acid, while the pulp of the ripe fruit
is rich in vitamins A and C. The toddy is beneficial for inflammatory ailments and
dropsy. It is diuretic and is prescribed for chronic gonorrhoea and amoebiasis. The
jaggery turned out from the sweet toddy is used for making remedies for cough and
phlegm in the chest and is an antidote for food poisoning. The root is used for
cholera and externally for exhaustion and difficult labour (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES:-
Dry leaflets have been used for writing by ancestors. Dried leaves are used to
prepare hats, mats, purses etc. Palmyrah fibre is obtained from the base of the leaf
of stalks.
STORAGE:-
Product of sap such as trickle, jaggery, vinegar can be stored for a considerable time.
Juice of the mesocarp is sun-dried and stored. Dried germinating seeds can be stored
for more than one year in dry places.
359
FAMILY:- PALMAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Caryota urenes
SINHALA Kitul
TAMIL Tippilipana
ENGLISH Wine Palm, Fish Tail Palm, Toddy Palm, Indian
Sago Palm
DESCRIPTION:-
A single stemmed monocarpic monoecious palm, 13-20 m tall, with pronounced

internodes, growing in the wetter moisture parts of India, Sri Lanka, Burma and
Thailand. C.spp. are unic among palms.
L E A V E S : - Kitul has bipinnate leaves, which Coner (1966) regards as the primitive
of the palm leaf (Purseglove, 1972). Leaves about 6 m long, may have pinnate ends
in terminal leaflet, crowded fish tails, wedge-shaped, with no distinct midrib, but
several prominent veins, tips broadly toothed.
F L O W E R S : - It begins at the top of the stem when the palm is fifteen years old and
downwards for several years, during which time the leaves die and break off. When
flowering and fruiting has finished the trunk dies. Inflorescence subtended several
bracts about a single peduncle, terminating in many simgle branches. Flowers
arranged in groups of three with single female between 2 males, the later opening first
and filling, male flower switch numerous stamens.
FRUIT:- Globular, about 2 cm in diameter red or yellow, 1-2 seeded, pericarp acrid
and full of raphides (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Centre of origin is hotter moisture places of India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand.
In Sri Lanka it grows both in lowlands and uplands up to 1,000 m. (Jayaweera,
1982).
Sap from the inflorescence and palm cabbage.
360
361
FOOD USE:-
The inflorescence is tapped in India and Sri Lanka for the sap, which is used to
prepare toddy, vinegar, trickle and sugar (jaggery). It is said that a single
inflorescence yields 7-14 litres per day, and if several inflorescences are tapped on
one palm, 20-27 litres may be produced. Trunk is ground into flour which is used
to prepare porridge and Talapa. Grod, matured trees yield 3 0 - 4 0 kg o f flour.
(100 g of Kind flour)

Moisture - 13.1 g, Energy - 3 3 9 Kcal, Proteins - 2 . 4 g, Fats - 0 . 3 g, Carbohydrates -
81.7 g, Calcium - 130 m g , Phosphorus - 6 0 mg, Iron - 2 0 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
The root bark and cabbage of this palm are used for treatment o f rheumatic swellings
and snakebite poisonits (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES:-
Leaves are used to feed elephants. Fibre obtained from the leaf sheaths is used for
brooms. Hard wood is used in constructions.
STORAGE.-
Dried Kitul flour (sago) can be kept in dry and cool containers for a long time.
Trickle can be stored for a long time in dry and clean containers. Traditionally trickle
is kept in bags made from the leafbase of arecanut palms.
362
FAMILY:- PALMAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cocus nucifera
Syn :- C. nana
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Pol
TAMIL Tengai
ENGLISH Coconut
DESCRIPTION :-
A tall erect, monoecious, unarmed palm, trunk 13-28 m tall, 30-60 cm diameter,
thickened and ascending at base, inclined, rarely forked.
L E A V E S : - Compound, pinnate, 4-6 m long, leaflets 60-90 cm long, linear-lanceolate,

acuminate, flaccid, bright green, petioles 1-1.6 m long, stout, unarmed.
FLOWERS:- Spadix at first erect, simply panicled, branches drooping, 1.3-2 m long,
straw-coloured, upper parts of branches with numerous male flowers and the lower
with 1 or 2 female flowers, male flowers small, yellowish, female flowers few, 2 -
bracteate.
FRUITS:- Large trigonously obovoid, oblong or subghlobose drupe, 15-25 cm long,

1-seeded, pericarp thick, endocarp bony, endosperm forming a thick white layer of
fleshy fibrous oily substance adherent to the membranous testa which again is adherent
to the stony black endocarp (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Polynesia, (Purseglove, 1972) now cultivated in India. Cultivation of

coconut in, Sri Lanka has a long history and according to Mahawansa, coconut
cultivated by King Agrobodhi II about 589 A . D . ( Child, 1974; Siriweera,
1993).Grows in Sri Lanka, Burma, Pacific Islands and other tropical countries. It is
n o w universally cultivated in the mid and low-country in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The fruit, sap, palm cabbage
363
4>
Cocus nucifera
(A) Plant. (B) Inflorescence. (C) Male flower. (D) Female Flower. (E) Fruit.
364
FOOD USE:-
Coconut milk is a very important ingredient in Sri Lanka culinary. Milk is added to
curries and preparation of various meals. Desiccated and grated coconut is also used
in food preparations and confectionery. Coconut oil is the main oil source of Sri
Lankan diet.' Sap obtained from the tapping of infroluence is used for trickle,
jaggery, toddy, liquor and vinegar production. Palm cabbage is also eaten fresh.
Liquid endoiperum of young fruit is a famous drink. Coconut apple (haustorium) a
soft spongy growth inside the fruit cavity, which is developed as nut germinates is
eaten fresh for refreshment.
(Coconut kernel mature).

Moisture - 5 1 . 7 g, Energy - 312 kcal, Protein - 5.2 g, Fats - 2 8 . 2 , Carbohydrates -
16 0. g, Calcium - 23 mg. Phosphorus - 112 mg, Iron - 2.5 mg, Thiamine - 4 0 m e g ,
Riboflavin - 30 met, Niacin - 0 . 8 mg, Vitamin 6,
( 1 0 0 g of coconut milk prepared without water).

Moisture - 4 2 . 8 g, Energy - 4 3 0 Kcal, Proteins - 3 . 4 g, Fats - 4 1 . 0 g, Carbohydrates
- 11.9 g, Calcium - 15 mg, Phosphorus - 140 m g , Iron - 1.6 mg, Vitamin - C-3 m g .
(Coconut oil)
Moisture - 0, Energy - 882 kcal, Protein - 0 g, Fats - 9 9 . 9 g, Carbohydrates - 0 g,
Calcium - 2 . 0 m g , Phosphorus - 3 . 0 m g , Iron - 0 mg.
(Coconut jaggary)
Moisture - 10.3 g, Energy - 3 4 0 kcal, Protein - 1.0 g - Fats - 2 . 0 , Carbohydrates -
8 3 . 5 , Minerals - Calcium - 1638 mg, Phosphorus - 6 2 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
Medicinally coconut water is useful as a diuretic and anthelmintic and was used as
a substitute for saline during the war. The pulp of the young fruit is given for sun
stroke. The coconut milk obtained from the grated kernel is an aperient, diuretic,
anthelmintic and used as a cure for diarrhoea, anaemia and for allaying urinary
irritation. The oil is extensively used in the preparation of medicinal ointments and
inflorescence of the palm is tapped for toddy in East Africa, India, Sri Lanka and
other countries (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER U S E S : -
It is called as "The Kapruka" - (according to the Hindu legends, the Kapruka is the
tree which gives every thing that person wishes) for its multiplicity of uses. Leaves
are used to cover roofs, while the trunk is used for construction purposes. Coconut
is very close to Sri Lankan culture. Therefore young leaves are used to decorate the
365
pandals in cultural and religions ceremonies. Oil is widely used in soap industry. It
is used in cosmetics, and as an unguent Coconut cake (poonak) is used to feed
animals. Coconut shell is used as a cup, or container. Buttons and combs are made
from the shell. Charcoal is made from the shell which along with leaves are used
as firewood. Coir obtained from the masocarp of the fruit is used to make chains,
brushes and mattresses. Dried leaves, spathes of inflorescence, sheaf are used as
firewood.
Grown in a vast range of soils, but well drained deep sandy or loam soils are best.
Optimal rainfall is 1300-2300 mm. Rainfall below 1000 m m disturbs normal growth.
Temperature of 27°C is good for coconut. Grows well in lowlands.
Area for cultivation - Sandy, coastal wet zone lowlands in Sri Lanka.
Planting material - Nuts. At the first stage nuts are planted in nurseries. The nuts
start to germinate in 11-12 weeks after planting. In general seedlings of 9-18 months
are transplanted in the field.
Land preparation - In slopy areas, terracing and anti-erosion measures should be

taken.
Spacing - In Sri Lanka it is planted 8-9 x 8-9 m apart in the holes of 1.0 x 1.0 x 1.0
m. At the time of planting organic and chemical fertilizers are also put into the holes.
Fertilizer - N P K , Ca and Mg fertilizer should be applied in order to get a good

harvest.
Harvesting - Harvesting is done by climbers or (by using a) knife attached to a long
bamboo pole. In Sri Lanka the usual practice is to harvest the nuts once in every two
months.
Yield - Yield 5 0 - 1 8 0 nuts per plant.
366
FAMILY:- PALMAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Corypha umbraculifera
SINHALA Tala gas

TAMIL Thalapanai
ENGLISH Thalipot palm
DESCRIPTION:-
An unbranched annulate palm with a huge, erect cylindric, straight trunk 10-25 m
high, 6 0 - 9 0 cm diameter and trunk upto 1 m thickness after about 12 years and is
covered with persistent leaf bases and dying after flowering and fruiting when about
4 0 years old.
L E A V E S : - Very large brone at the crown, 2.6-5.3 m diameter, plicate, palmately

cleft to about the middle in to 80-100 linear-lanceolate acute or bifid lobes, petioles
1.6-3.3 m long very stout, margins armed with short compressed dark spines.
F L O W E R S : - Inflorescence, premedical, much branched with about a million flowers

up to 7 m in length, it is the largest in the plant kingdom and it produces after 30-40
years. Flowers regular, bisexual, small.
FRUITS:- A shortly stipitate, globose drupe 3.7 cm diameter. With two small
arrested carpels at its base, grayish olive-coloured. Flowers between November and
January when it has reached full maturity (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grown in Sri Lanka and some parts of India. Rather common in most regions in Sri
Lanka below 800 m altitude (Jayaweera, 1982).
Palm cabbage.
367
368
FOOD USE:-
The palm trunk is cut before flowering and sun-dried. Thereafter cabbage is ground
into flour which is used to prepare paste (thalapa) and sweet meets. It is told that if
the palm is cut after flowering, the flower tastes bitter. In drought and lean seasons,
the villagers used to cut d o w n the palm and distribute the flower among them. There
was a belief that flowering of the palm was a bad sign; it brings disaster to the village
and therefore palm is cut down before flowering. Robert Knox states that flowers
give bad smell; therefore people used to the cut the tree before flowering. However,
the truth is after flowering the stored food in the trunk is reduced; therefore it is
necessary to cut d o w n the plant to get a high yield of palm cabbage.
The starch extracted from the pith is given as a gruel for stomach disorders.
OTHER USES:-
Leaves are used to prepare "Ola leaves" which were widely used as writing materials
before the introduction of paper. Leaves are also used to prepare fans, umbrellas,
baskets, handbags, and purses.
369
FAMILY:- PALMAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Nypa fruticans
Syn . - Nipa fruticans
SINHALA Ginpol
ENGLISH Nipa Palm, Water Coconut
DESCRIPTION :-
A brackish water palm with a prostrate, branched rootstock, about 45 cm diameter,

rooting along the lower surface, clothed with sheaths of old leaves, leafing and
flowering at the ends of branches.
L E A V E S : - Many, pinnatisect, erect and recurred, 5 m long and upwards, petioles

1.3-1.6 m long, leaflets. Innumerable, linear-lanceolate, shortly decurrent on the
rachis, 1.3-1.6 m long, bright green above.
F L O W E R S : - Unisexual, monoecious, spadix 1.3-2.3 m long, peduncle 1.3-1.8 m

long, males in catkin-like branches of the spadix females crowded in a terminal head,
male flowers small, surrounded by setaceous bracteoles, female flowers much larger
than the males.
FRUITS:- A large globose syncarp, about 30 cm diameter, pericarp fleshy and

fibrous, endocarp spongy and floury, seed erect as large as a hen's egg, grooved on
one side, hilum broad, endosperm horny. Flowers in October (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaysia, Queensland, but not in India. It is being
found in the mouths of rivers in the South West coast of Sri Lanka (Purseglove, 1992;
Jayaweera, 1982; Pinto, 1986).
The sap, palm cabbage and fruit.
370
FOOD USE:-
Underexploited palm in Sri Lanka. The inflorescence is tapped for sap from which
vinegar, sugar and toddy are made. It is usually tapped at it is second flowering at
about five years of age. It is estimated that one hectare of Nipa palm can yield 3000
kg of palm sugar. The ripe cotyledons are separated and eaten as a snack.
OTHER U S E S :
The leaves are used for thatching mats and making baskets.
Medicinally, the juice o f the young leaves with coconut milk is given for herpes. In
Borneo, the ash of the roots is used for toothache and the fresh leaves in the treatment
of ulcers. It is also used as a remedy for centipede bites (Jayaweera, 1982).
A mangrove plant.
372
FAMILY:- PALMAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Phoenix zeylanica
Syn :- P. sylvestris
SINHALA Indi, Wal-indi

TAMIL Iichchampalam
ENGLISH Wild Date
DESCRJPTION:-
A dioecious palm with a trunk 2-7 m in height.
L E A V E S : - Pinnatisect, sides of leaflets in duplicate in venation, leaflets many

quadrifariously inserted, sub-equidistant, 17.5-20 c m long, linear-lanceolate,
coriaceous, concave spreading at right angles, bright green. Spathe 20-35 cm long,
keel ferocious.
F L O W E R S : - Spadix about 30 cm long, peduncle stout, rachis flattened, branches of

male 10-15 c m long, of female longer.
FRUITS:- About 1.2 cm long, 6 mm diameter, obovoid oblong, apiculate, red at

length violet-blue, pericarp fleshy. Seed nearly as long as the fruit, ventrally
grooved. Flowers during February (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is endemic to Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike and Sultanbawa, 1991). Very common in

the moist low-country, especially along the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. It is endemic
and very similar to phoenix pusilla which grows in the dry regions (Jayaweera, 1982).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
Fruit, palm cabbage.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh. Palm cabbage is a good snack.
373
374
^ The cabbage of this plant is used for gonorrhoea and gleety and externally as poultice
along with other drugs on fractures. It is an antidote for poisons. The fruit is used
as a vermifuge and the roots for toothache (Jayaweera, 1982; Department of Aurveda,
1985).
9
375
FAMILY:- PEDALIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Sesamum indicum
Syn :- S. orientate
SINHALA Thala
TAMIL Ellu
ENGLISH Gingelly, Sesame
DESCRIPTION:-
An annual herb with erect stems 30-60 c m high, puberulous with long ascending
branches from base, stems and branches obtusely quadrangular in the upper part,
furrowed.
L E A V E S : - Opposite below, the upper ones usually alternate, very variable, the upper
lanceolate, entire, 3-6 cm long, short petioled.
F L O W E R S : - Irregular, bisexual, on very short erect puberulous pedicels, solitary and ^

axillary. Flowers from May to August and sometimes throughout the year. „
FRUITS:- A loculicidally dehiscent 2-valved capsule 1.5-2.8 cm long, bluntly

quadrangular, shortly beaked. Seeds about 2 m m long, slightly compressed, glabrous, do
pale y e l l o w , brown or black, exalbuminous, testa smooth (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION-
It is considered that sesame is a native o f Tropical Africa and cultivated from

prehistoric times (Ustimenko, 1980; Querol, 1992; Wikramanayake, 1976). Nayar
(1979) has summarized early history of sesame and according to him there is
archaeological, prehistoric and literacy evidence of sesame to the effect that it
originated in Middle East, Egypt. Sesame has been identified at Harappa. It has
grows in India from 4 3 0 0 B.C. Cultivated in all warmer parts o f the world, including
India, and Sri Lanka. It is widely grown and naturalized in the dry zone, especially
along roadsides, abandoned fields and waste areas in Sri Lanka.
The seeds.
376
y 377
FOOD USE:-
It was the main oil crop when the population was concentrated in dry zone of Sri
Lanka. Later, when the people shifted to the wet zone, coconut was replaced to play
the role of gingelly. Still gingerly oil has a big demand among the Tamil community
of the country. Seeds are used for confectionery purposes while the oil is used as an
edible oil.
(Seeds)
Moisture 5 . 3 g, Energy - 561 K.cal, Proteins - 18.3 g, Fats - 4 3 . 3 g, Carbohydrates -
2 5 g, Calcium - 1450 mg, Phosphorus - 5 7 0 m g , Iron - 10.5 m g , Carotene - 6 0 m e g ,
Thiamine -1010 meg, Riboflavin - 340 meg, Niacin - 4 . 4 mg.
(Oil)
Moisture - 0.1 g, Energy - 881 kcal, Proteins - 0.2 g, Fats - 9 9 . 7 g, Carbohydrates -
0.1 g, Calcium - 10 mg, Phosphorus - 5mg, K - 0.1 m, Carotene - 0, Thiamine -
10 meg, Riboflavin - 7 0 meg, Niacin - 0.1 mg, Vitamin C - 0 mg (Perera, et al.,
1979)
The seeds of the herb contain a fixed oil, saccharose, pentosan, lecithin choline,
phytine, conglutine, globulinel, legumin, etc. The leaf has much gum, tannin and
chlorogenic acid. The oil consists of sesamolin and sterols. The leaves are used as
a vermifuge and the stems for stomach ailments. The leaves mixed with water from
a mucilage which is given for diarrhoea, dysentery, catarrh, bladder troubles, acute
cystitis and strangury. The seeds are nourishing, diuretic and lactagogue and much
used for making sweet meats. A plaster made of the seeds is applied on burns and
scaldings. The oil is used for all purposes for which olive oil is used, such as lime
liniments, oil-dressings of ulcers, suppurating wounds, etc. It is taken internally for
gonorrhoea. The roots and leaves made into a lotion blackens and promotes the
growth of hair. In other parts of Africa a decoction of the plant is drunk for malaria
and the leaf chewed. (Jayaweera, 1982; Department of Aurveda, 1985).
OTHER USES:-
Gingelly oil is a hair oil and applied on skin too.
Although it is cultivated in various soils, the soils most suited for the cultivation of
gingerly are the sandy loams. Temperature required is high, above 25°C. It is
moisture requirements are not exacting and in fact minimal.
378
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - Gingelly is cultivated as a rain-fed crop in the dry zone of Sri
Lanka.
Planting season - Yala season.
Land preparation - Land should be cleaned and ploughed.
Planting materials - seeds
Seed rate - 5 kg/ha.
Planting space - It is broadcast in normal practice.
Irrigation - A s a chena crop it is not irrigated but under irrigation it may give a g o o d
harvest.
Harvesting - It is ready to be harvested when the bottom capsules are turning in to

yellow. Plants are cut near ground level bound and stocked in the field to ripen.
When the harvest is dried, heeps of plants are beaten with a stifle. It yields up to
1000-1200 kg/ha.
STORAGE:-
Seeds should be stored in air tight containers for prolonged storage and the moisture
content must be reduced to less than 13% to prevent the growth of mould.
379
FAMILY:- PIPERACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Piper nigrum
SINHALA Gammiris
TAMIL Aguttam, Arisu
ENGLISH Black Pepper
DESCRIPTION :-
A climbing perennial with cylindrical, dichotomously branched stems much thickened

at nodes, glabrous, rooting, sparingly, shining.
L E A V E S : - S i m p l e , alternate, 12.7 - 1 7 . 5 cm long, ovate-oval, broadly-ovate or ovate-

oblong to nearly orbicular, rounded or more or less cordate at base and oblique,
acuminate acute, 5-9 veined.
FLOWERS:- Bisexual, sessile in axils of fleshy bracts with 2 lateral bracelets

arranged in leaf-opposed spikes 5 cm long.
FRUITS:- Nearly globose, at first dark green about 6 m m long passing through
orange-yellow to dull red when ripe in pendulous spikes 10-15 cm long, bracelets
connate above forming the upper margin of a shallow nearly circular cup round the
fruit (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Peper is a native of the Western Ghats in India. It is one of oldest and the world's
most important spice. It has been reffered to as an item of commerce in the treatises
of Hippocrates and Theophrates.
Pepper appears to have been introduced to Africa in the 15th century (by the
Portuguese) and the Americas in the 18th Century (by the French) respectively. Sri
Lanka is one of the earliest locations of pepper.
It is also cultivated in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, West Indies and South
America (Purseglove, 1968; Jayaweera, 1981; Jansz et at., 1983 and Wikramanayake,
1996).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
380
J
FOOD USE:-
Seeds are used as a condiment. They was widely used to taste foods before the
introduction of chillies. Still Sri Lankans use very much of Black pepper to taste their
preparations better. White pepper the fruit from which the mesocarp has bean
removed, is used almsot exclusively as a direct spice.
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E . -
Moisture - 13.2 g, Energy - 3 0 4 kcal, Proteins - 11.5 g, Fats - 6.8 g, Carbohydrates -

4 9 . 2 g, Calcium - 4 6 0 m g , Phosphorus - 198 m g , Iron - 16.8 m g , Carotene - 1.080
m e g , Thiamine - 9 0 meg, Riboflavin - 1 4 0 meg, Niacin - 1.4 mg (Perera et al., 1983).
The quality of the spice is assessed on the contants of the aromatic steam volatila oils
and the pungent alkaloids. The major pungent principle is piperine which constitutes
9 5 % of the total pungent alkaloids. Black pepper contains an acrid resin, an
oleoresin, a volatile oil, starch, gum, a fatty oil and piperovatine. Internally, pepper
is a stomachic, carminative and induces secretion of bile. It is used in dyspepsia,
flatulence, cough, hemorrhoids, intermittent fevers, piles and elephantiasis. It has
been successfully used to stop vomiting in cases of cholera, and for paralytic and
arthritic disorders. It is an antidote for shell-fish and mushroom poisoning. A
liniment prepared out of black pepper it is useful for chronic rheumatism (Jayaweera,
1982; Jansz, 1983).
E N V I O R N M E N T A L RESPONSE:-
Pepper can be grown at all elevations up to 1000 meters above sea level. Adequate
rainfall is, however, critical (a minimum of 175 cm) s o as to ensure both flowering
and pollination. Pepper cannot tolerate continuous strong wind. It thrives on loamy
soils, rice in organic matter and well drained.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - The crop is suited for wet and inter mediate zone.
Planting season - Field planting is carried out at the begining of the rainy seasons.
Planting meterials - Young stem cutting. Pepper in Sri Lanka is rearly cultivated as
a mono crop Normally mixed or intercropping are practised. They are grown o n live
supports such as Gliricidia species, Erythrina indica and Erythina lithosperma.
Coconut, jak, mango and arecanut are commonly used for supports in homegardens.
Regular pruning to promote branching is recommended.
382
Time to harvest - Pepper beigins to yeild within 4 years of planting. Main peaks of
pepper harvests in Sri Lanka are in October-January and June - July. Pepper is
mature and ready for harvest 6.5 to 7.5 months after flowering.
Harvest - Yeilds of pepper in Sri Lanka is reported to be low (1340-2500 kg/ha).
STORAGE:-
Sund-dried seeds can be stored in dry containers for a long time. On storage, it
gradually loses oil and after 6 months storage 10-20% of the oil could be lost. Green
(unripe) pepper can be dried canned or pickled and stored.
383
FAMILY:- POACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Eleusine coracana
Syn :- Conosurus coracanus
SINHALA Kurahan, Kurakkan

TAMIL Kayur, Kelvagaru
ENGLISH Finger Millet, Ragi
DESCRIPTION :-
An annual grass, 6 0 - 1 2 0 cm high with long leaves often over topping the stem, 5-7
m m broad with compressed loose sheaths and ligule of hairs. Spikes 4 - 7 , interrupted
with their ends frequently incurred, rhachis often pubescent at base, somewhat
3-gonous. Spikelets much congested, awnless, 3-6 flowered.
FLOWERS:- Bisexual in volucral glumes 2 , sub-equal, persistent membranous,

strongly keeled, flowering lumes similar.
GRAIN:- Oblong or globose, pericarp loose, delicate, breaking up irregularly, seed

globose, dark brown, smooth with a depressed black hilum and slightly flattened on
one side (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
It is centre of origin is Africa. It was taken to India probably over 3000 years ago
(Purseglove, 1972). In Sri Lanka, Kurakkan has been cultivated from earliest times
and is considered as the second staple after rice (Siriweera, 1993).
The grains.
FOOD USE.-
The grain is the main source of food when rice is in short supply. The grains are
ground into flour which is used for Pittu, Roti, Thalapa and sweet meats.
384
Moisture - 1 3 . 1 g, Energy - 328 Kcal, Proteins - 7 . 3 g, Fats - 1 . 3 g, Carbohydrates -

7 2 g, Ca - 3 4 4 m g , Phosphorus - 288 m g , Iron - 6 . 4 m g , Carotene - 4 2 meg,
Thiamine - 4 2 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 190 meg, Niacin -1.1 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
The seed of the grass contains eleusinin, an alcohol soluble protein and vitamins. In
South Africa it is used with Plumbago zeylanica as an internal remedy for leprosy.
The juice of the leaves is given to woman at child birth. In Indo-China, it is given
as a vermifuge. It is a popular diuretic among the Vietnamese. The Indonesians eat
it as a vegetable. In Goa, the flour is used as a remedy for chest conditions
(Jayaweera, 1981).
Well drained fertile soils are suitable. Drought resistant. Requires a rainfall of
500-880 mm; grows in altitudes below 1200 m.
CULTIVATION.-
Areas for cultivation - Kurakkan has been grown traditionally as a chena crop in the
dry zone. In small holdings, it can be grown also in the l o w country wet zone. The
main area for cultivation, however, lies in the unirrigable highlands of the dry zone.
Planting season - Kurakkan is a Maha crop. A s such planting should commence with
the first rains in October during this season. In the Jaffna Peninsula the crop is
planted at different times during the dry season from February to September, under
irrigation.
Land preparation - Seed bed preparation should be fairly intensive as this is a small
seeded grain. The soil should be worked to a fine tilt, by repeatedly working the soil.
Spacing - Often grows in pure stands or in a mixture with sorghum, maize or

vegetables. It is often grown as a first crop after clearing the land. Seeds are sown
as early as possible, often well before the main rains start. Previously seeds were
usually broadcast, but drilling is increasingly popular as it makes weeding and
thinning easier.
Seed rate - About 22-35 kg/ha if broadcast, only 5.5 - 1 0 kg/ha if drilled. Inter-
cultivation for the purpose of weed control should commence about the 15th day.
Irrigation - Generally in the Dry zone it is cultivated under rain-fed conditions though
in Jaffna it is cultivated under irrigation.
386
Fertilizer - Very little fertilization is done in chena cultivation.
Pests/Diseases - Comparatively pests and diseases attacks are very l o w .
Time to harvest - The crop is generally ready for harvest in about 4 months from
sowing. Late varieties take about 5.5 months to mature. Since ripening is uneven at
least two harvests should be taken at about 10 day intervals.
Harvesting - Generally hand harvested, the heads are cut off with a knife and often
stored as heads, being threshed as required. Unthreshed heads produce 80-85 percent
grain.
STORAGE:-
Earheads should be dried thoroughly in the sun prior to threshing. The earheads
could then be stacked,and threshed for grains as required. In rural areas millet seed
is stored on a heap, without threshing. The seeds dry quickly and are so small that
insects cannot live inside them. Traditionally Kurakan was stored in the 'Kurahan
Bisse' (Traditional Silos) where it can be stored without loosing quality for several
years. It is believed that keeping of whole panicles is effective than storing of grains.
Millet can be stored on the head for up to 10 years without the use of insecticides, but
fumigants are commonly used in commercial storage.
387
FAMILY:- POACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Oryza sativa.
SINHALA Goyam, Wee

TAMIL Arishi, Nellu
ENGLISH Paddy, Rice
DESCRIPTION :-
A tall annual grass, stem 0.6-3 m tall, erect or with a long stout creeping or floating
base rooting at nodes, internodes long, smooth, nodes glabrous.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 30-60 cm long, 0 . 6 - 0 . 8 c m broad, linear, acuminate,

scabrid on both surfaces and on margins, base narrow, sheath 10-15 cm long, loose,
smooth mouth with ciliate auricles.
F L O W E R S : - Spikelets 1 - flowered 0 . 6 - 0.8 c m long, erect, sessile or very shortly

pedicelled; glumes 2 very small, pale as 2 , equal about 3 or 4 times the length o f the
glumes, the lower palea somewhat gibbous above,blunt,acute or terminating in a sharp
and articulating at base, the upper palea 3-veined,coriaceous with membranous
margins beneath the palea, the rhachis is expanded into a small knob or callus,
lodicules t w o , collateral, thick, fleshy, entire or 2- lobed, stamens 6 hypogynous.
FRUITS:- Grain - oblong, angular enclosed in the persistent pale not clear however
are not adherent to it, pericarp very thin, adherent to testa (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
T w o species of rice are cultivated Oryza sativa which originated in South East Asia.
While O. glaberrima originated mostly in Africa. (Grist, 1975; Ustimenko, 1980)
One of the earliest cultivated crops. According to scientists paddy cultivation
probably dates back to the earliest age of man. In China it was cultivated about five
thousand years ago. Earliest archaeological evidence of rice from India goes back to
2 5 0 0 B . C . (Grist, 1975). Excavators at Mahenjdaro found rice grains in eartharn
vessels. In Sri Lanka paddy has been grown from times immemorial. Before the
establishment of tank irrigation systems in the 5th century B . C . , probably rice was
cultivated in river valleys of the dry zone of Sri Lanka as a highland crop. History
of rice cultivation in Sri Lanka is as long as the history o f Sri Lankan civilization.
In Sri Lanka it is cultivated at an altitude of 1300 m from the sea level.
388
E D I B L E PARTS:-
The grain.
F O O D USE:-
Being the staple food of the Sri Lankans, rice is boiled and eaten with curries. Rice
flour is used for preparation of various food items as Rotti, Hoppers, String hoppers
etc,. In such countries as Japan, Vietnam, Korea and China, beer, wines and the
alcohols are manufactured from the grain.
Moisture - 13.3 g, Energy - 346 Kcal, Proteins - 6.4 , Fats - 0 . 4 g, Carbohydrates

- 7 9 g, Calcium - 9 mg, Phosphorus - 143 mg, Iron - 4 mg, Thiamine - 2 1 0 meg,
Riboflavin - 50 meg, Niacin -3.8 m g (Perera, et al., 1979).
Starch is the main constituent of the seed. It also contains globulin, albumen,
oryzagenin and Vitamin B. The leaves contain alkaloids, hardenine, and the seeds
contain alkaloids, stachydrine and trigonelline. Medicinally, a decoction of the root
is given for absence of urinary secretion (anuria). Water in which rice has been
boiled or cunjee is an excellent demulcent refrigerant drink for febrile and in
flanmmatory conditions of the intestines. A poultice of soft rice applied to the chest
relieves chronic bronchitis and coughs. Popped rice with other ingredients is
recommended for hiccough and vomiting (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER VALUES.-
Rice bran is nutritious which is given as poultry feed while straw is used as a cattle
feed also used in paper manufacturing.
Adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions. Cultivated in tropics, sub tropics and
in warm temperate climate. Although it is cultivated in a wide range of soils, heavy
soils with a pH of 5.5 - 6.5 are preferable. Rice in adapted to regions of high
temperature and prolonged sunshine. Rice varieties can be grouped as sensitive and
non-sensitive to the day length. The average temperature required throughout the life
ranges from 2 0 - 38°.
Rice can be cultivated at different altitudes such as 3500 m in Himalayas and at l o w

altitudes at sea level.
390
CULTIVATION:-
Area for cultivation - Rice is grown in all districts in Sri Lanka. The smallest acreage
is grown in the Nuwara Eliya and Monaragala districts and the highest in the
Kurunegala district.
Planting season - It differs in various parts of Sri Lanka. Generally the crop is grown
in the Maha season in all districts and during the Yala in the wet zone or under
irrigation in the dry zone. A n intermediate season after Maha known as the"meda"
season is recognized in the Kurunegala district.
Land preparation- It can be done either by manual labour or buffaloes. This includes
several steps like ploughing, flooding the field, levelling, draining the water, etc. All
these are done to get a weed free fine tilth . H o w a days tractors are been used for
the tillage operation.
Planting and space - The common methods of sowing or planting the rice crop are
broadcast sowing, row sowing or transplanting. Broadcast is the most popular method
of sowing. Transplanting is popular in the up country where skilled labour is
available.
Irrigation - It is customary practice in Sri Lanka to flood the paddy fields.
Fertilizer - Traditionally green manure, compost and farmyards manure have been
widely used in paddy fields and at present a large amount of mineral fertilizers are
used.
Pests and Diseases - Losses of pre harvest and postharvest is considerable.
Time to harvest - When grain is mature and the panicles turn yellow the crop is ready
for harvest.
Harvesting - On most small farms the ripe rice is harvested by hand using sickles.
STORAGE:-
Traditionally paddy is stored in traditional silos called "Bissa" or "Atuwa". Moisture

content of grains should be less than 14% which should be kept in bags in dry and hot
places.
391
FAMILY:- POACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Panicum miliaceum.
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Meneri
TAMIL Chamai
ENGLISH : Millet
DESCRIPTION:-
An annual grass with a tufted, erect stem, 30-60 cm high, rather slender, simple or
sparingly branched leafy up to near the panicle, internodes 5-10 c m long, nodes
glabrous.
L E A V E S : - 30-45 c m long, 0 . 4 - 0 . 8 cm broad, erect, narrowly linear, finely

acuminate, smooth, glabrous or very sparsely hairy, base narrow, not cordate,
margins smooth, sheaths long, eciliate sometimes with a few tubercle-based hairs.
FLOWERS:- Panicle oblong, 5-25 cm long, inclined, rhachis filiform, quite smooth,
branches distant, beneath or solitary, spikelets, bisexual, 2 . 5 - 3 mm long, dorsally
compressed.
GRAIN:- Free but tightly embraced by the hardened glum and palea (Jayaweera,
1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Centre of origin is Central Asia (Purseglove, 1972). Millet is cultivated throughout

the tropical region o f the world including India and Sri Lanka. It is a chena crop in
the low-country in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE P A R T -
The grains.
FOOD USE:-
All food preparations made of rice flour can be made with Meneri and Meneri flour.
In the preparation of flour the row grain is first soaked in water for 8 hours and
grounded.
392
Moisture - 11.9 g, Energy - 341.7 Kcal, Protein - 2.5 g, Fats - 1.1 g, Carbohydrates
- 7 0 . 0 4 g, Calcium - 14 mg, Phosphorus - 2 0 6 mg, Iron - 5 . 0 mg, Carotene - 0.0
meg, Thiamine -200 meg, Riboflavin 180 meg, Niacin - 2.3 mg (Perera,et al., 1979).
Medicinally, the grain made into a conjee is given for acidity and biliousness. It is
also used for the treatment of snake bite poisoning (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER USES:-
Straw is highly nutritions for cattle.
Sandy loam soils are preferable. Requires a little rainfall. Even rainfall of 200 - 2 5 0
m m is adequate for normal growth.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - The crop is suited to the dry zone chenas.
Planting season - During the Yala season.
Planting material- Propagation is by seed, which is broadcast or drilled.
Land preparation - Preparatory tillage is generally limited to one operation. The soil
is lightly tilled and prepared for sowing.
Spacing - R o w s 2 2 cm apart,or broadcast.
Seed rate - 8-11 kg/ha.
Irrigation -Usually grown as a rainfed crop, heavier yields are obtained with
irrigation.
Fertilizer - Not usually applied.
Pests/Diseases - N o pests or diseases harmfull to the crop, but very high rate of
bacteria attack the leaves compared to other crops.
Time to harvest - 6 0 - 9 0 days.
394
Harvest - Yields 2 2 5 - 5 6 0 kg/ha in a good season. Harvesting is done either with
sickles, or by pulling the plants out whole. The sheaves may be stocked for a week,
after which they are threshed by trampling under the feet of bullocks.
395
FAMILY:- POACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Paspalum scrobiculatum
Syn:- P. commersonnl, P. kora
SINHALA Amu
TAMIL Varagu
ENGLISH Kodo millet
DESCRIPTION:-
Perennial grass with stems 60-90 cm high, tufted, erect or sub-erect rather stout, leafy
from the base upwards.
L E A V E S : - Bifarious, erect or sub-erect, 15-22.5 cm long, 0 . 2 - 0 . 8 cm broad, flat,

finely acuminate, mid-vein slender margins, scaberulous, sheath 10-20 cm long,
compressed, loose, mouth hairy, ligule very short, membranous.
F L O W E R S : - Spikes 2-6, sessile, usually distant and spreading 2.5-15 cm long,

rhachis filiform or broad and concave margins ciliolate. Spikelets closely imbricate
in 2-3 series, sessile or shortly pedicelled nearly orbicular to glumes, 3 palea
orbicular, tumid, thickly coriceous, strongly inflexed below the middle forming 2
broad, membranous auricles that embrace the grain, stamen 3, hypogynous one at the
base of the flowering glum and one opposite each vein of the palea.
FRUITS:- Grain - biconvex, free but tightly enclosed within the hardened glum and
palea (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Centre of origin is India, and its a minor grain crop throughout India. Grows in the
tropics of the world including India, Malaysia and Philippine Islands. It is very
abundant in the warmer parts of Sri Lanka up to Nuwara Eliya (Senewiratne and
Appadurai, 1966; Purseglove, 1972).
EDIBLE P A R T S :-
The grains.
396
397
FOOD USE:-
Grains are boiled and eaten as rice and milk-rice.
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPUTIC V A L U E :-
Moisture - 11.6 g, Energy - 2 8 0 . 6 Kcal, Protein - 10.6 g, Carbohydrates - 5 2 . 2 g,

Fat - 4 . 2 g, Fibre - 1 0 . 0 g, Ash - 4 . 4 g.
It is recommended for diabetic patients, in the same way as Kurakkan. This plant is
styptic and useful for inflammation and diseases o f the liver. The expressed juice of
the stem is applied o n corneal opacity. The juice of the leaves is given to women at
childbirth. The camphor-like substance in the internodes of the stem is used in the
treatment of snake-bite poisoning (Jayaweera, 1981).
Amu is remarkably drought resistant. It has the capacity to struggle on in spite of a

lack of moisture and can be related to the poorer soils.
CULTIVATION:-
Kodo millet is hardy and drought resistant, and is grown on gradually soils.
Therefore good for marginal lands.
Areas for cultivation - Kodo millet is a cereal crop of minor importance in Sri Lanka.
It is cultivated only in very small extents, as a chena crop in the dry zone and in the
Jaffna Peninsula.
Land preparation - The soils may be prepared as for other minor millets. The seed
may be either s o w n broadcast, or under better culture, drilled in rows.
Seed rate - The seed rate amounts to about 2 0 kg to the hectare.
Time to harvest - The crop takes 5-6 months to mature. T h e crop is ready for harvest
about 6 months after sowing.
Harvest- T h e crop is harvested by hand and the grain is threshed by trampling under
the bullocks. Grain yield varies from 2 5 0 - 1 0 0 0 kg.
398
STORAGE:-
V Should be stored at the moisture content of 14% or less.
399
FAMILY:- POACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Saccharum officinarum
SINHALA Uk-gas
TAMIL Angarigai
ENGLISH Sugarcane
DESCRIPTION :-
A very large perennial herb with a thick, solid, jointed rhizome giving off-root fibers
above each joint, stems many, erect 2 - 4 m high, cylindrical, solid, succulent within,
with numerous joints at a distance of 3.5-7.5 cm, internodes shorter at the base,
slightly swollen, about 3.7 cm diameter, smooth, shining, polished, yellow, purple
or striped, not branched but with a bud at each nod and with numerous scar-like dots
arranged in 3 irregular rings above each node.
L E A V E S : - Very large numerous distichous, closely placed, deciduous from the lower
part of the stem. Sheaths about 3 0 c m long, rather close, striate smooth or with
farinose pubescence which is easily removed, ligule very short, entire leaf blade 9 0
cm or more long, at first erect, then spreading, 7.5 cm wide acute very finely
serrulate on the margin, smooth on both surfaces, ciliate on the back.
F L O W E R S : - Spikelets very small, very numerous 1-flowered all hermaphrodite,

arranged in pairs, one being sessile, the other stalked, each surrounded by a dense
ring of long white, straight, spreading, silky hairs, arising immediately below and
coming away with the spikelet, the couples placed rather distantly on alternate sides
of the very long , slender, erect or curved, straight or flexuose, smooth branches o f
greatly elongated narrow panicles, gray inflorescence about 6 0 c m or more in length,
pale yellow, ovary superior (Jayaweera, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:-
It is probably indigenous to India (Purseglove, 1972). It has been cultivated in dry

zone chenas of Sri Lanka as long ago as the 7th century A . D . (Siriweera, 1993).
N o w it is cultivated throughout the tropics.
Stem.
400
F O O D USE:-
From the earliest time sugarcane is used to chew and sweetening foods. The juice of
the stem is the main source of sugar in tropical countries. It is also used for making
honey, jaggery and spirits.
The juice of the stem contains sucrose, while the leaf has vitamin C. The root is
considered demulcent, emollient, diuretic and stimulant. It has antiperiodic properties
and frequently used in chronic malarial affections. A cunjee made out of the pounded
leaves is used for coughs due to heat. The fresh juice of the stem with c o w s milk and
king coconut water is given to women in labour.In Cambodia, sugarcane enters into
the composition of remedies used for treatment of ulcers in the skin and mucous
membranes. A decoction of the stem is given for diarrhoea in children. Sugar in
addition to being a food is an antidote against copper and arsenic poisoning.
Powdered sugar is used externally as an antiseptic and sprinkled upon ulcers. It is
often used for preserving meat and fruits. The treacle is slightly laxative and along
with molasses is used for the preparation of rum (Jayaweera, 1981; D e Pauda and
Pancho, 1989).
OTHER USES:-
Molasas is given to animals.
Well drained deep reddish or brown loams are suitable of sugarcane. Being a tropical
crop, it requires high temperatures above 26° C for optimal growth. A well
distributed rainfall of 100-130 cm is necessary.
Areas for cultivation - In Sri Lanka this can be cultivated throughout the country but
due to the low temperature above 2 0 0 0 m altitude, it grows badly. It is mostly
cultivated in areas o f the dryzone under irrigation.
Planting season - The best time for planting cane in Sri Lanka is between March to
May. Too early a planting results in growing (flowering) of the cane. T o o late a
planting, on the other hand, retards the growth of the cane during its grand period of
growth due to the cloudy weather during Maha.
Land preparation - Deep tillage is practiced.
402
Planting material - The planting material used in sugarcane cultivation is a cutting of
the stalk containing one or more buds.
Spacing - Seed sets having 3 eye buds are placed end to end in a furrow and covered
lightly with soil.
Seed rates - In furrows 1 meter apart this would require about 2 2 , 0 0 0 sets per hectare.
Weed control during the first few months is essential. After that the cane would close
in sufficiently to control weeds automatically. Manual weeding can be expensive.
Pre-emergence weedicides have been tried out and are proving successful.
Irrigation - It can be grown under rain-fed conditions though it is cultivated under

irrigation.
Fertilizer - It responds well to mineral fertilizer.
Time to harvest - Harvest time should coincide with the dry season to enable a long
period for crushing.
Harvesting - In Sri Lanka harvesting is done by hand. The cane is cut d o w n to ground
level, trimmed and loaded for transport to the factory.
Yield - About 100 tons millable cane to the hectare.
• 403
FAMILY :- POACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Setaria italica
Syn:- Panicum italica, Chaetocholoa italica
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Thanahal
TAMIL Thinai
ENGLISH Italian millet, Foxtail millet
DESCRIPTION :-
An annual herb with tufted, erect, smooth stem 0.6-1.6 m tall, sometimes decumbent
near the base and rooting at the lower joints.
L E A V E S : - Flat, linea-lanceolate, long-pointed, 4 5 - 6 0 cm long, 2.5 cm broad, rough,

sheaths softly hairy.
FLOWERS:- Spikelets on branches about 2.5 cm long, crowded in a compact, nearly

cylindrical, interrupted, nodding panicle 10-25cm long and 1.2.5 cm diameter.
Spikelets usually 3 , membranous, the lowest small, second and third nearly equal,
uppermost sometimes containing a male or rudimentary flower, palea deeply concave
containing a bisexual flower.
FRUITS:- Grain-free, enclosed within the hardened glum and palea. (Jayaweera,
1981).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is a native of East Asia (Purseglove, 1972; Querol, 1992) and is cultivated in most
tropical and temperate countries. N o w it has become a cereal crop.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The Grains.
FOOD USE:-
It is boiled and eaten as rice. It can be used in many preparations as rice. In Russia
it is used for brewing beer.
404
Moisture - 12.8 g, Energy - 353 Kcal, Protein - 12.95 g, Fats - 2.9 g, Carbohydrates
- 6 8 . 7 7 g, Calcium - 37 m g , Phosphorus - 2 8 0 mg.
The leaves of this plant contain an alkaloid, a popular remedy to alleviate labour
pains. It acts as a diuretic and astringent. It is used externally for rheumatism. In
China, the grain is considered an emollient and astringent in diarrhoea and choleraic
ailments (Jayaweera, 1981).
OTHER U S E S : -
It is an important fodder crop in some countries.
Italian millet can be grown on a wide range of soils. Well drain, high in org,
content loam soils are more suitable. Requires less water. It grows up to 2 0 0 0
Areas for cultivation- The crop is suited to areas of low rainfall although it does well
even in the higher rainfall areas. It can be cultivated even at high altitudes of about
2 , 0 0 0 m. It is essentially a crop for the dry zone.
Planting season - When grown as a chena crop in the dry zone, it is sown with the
first Maha rains. In the wet zone it could be planted in both Yala and Maha seasons,
the crop being s o w n in both cases with the first rains.
Land preparation - Thorough preparation of the soil is essential and this is usually
achieved by one or two preparations of the soil with a plough and disc harrow. At
least one inter-cultivation is necessary for the purpose of weed control and should be
given a fortnight after sowing.
Spacing- Close spacing is advocated as this helps to suppress weeds. The spacing
between plants should not be more than 5 c m in a r o w , with rows 3 0 c m apart.
Seed rate - T h e seeds may be either sown broadcast or drilled in rows. When drilled
in rows, the three countered seed drills may be used. The seed rate amounts to about
7-10 kg to a hectare.
Fertilizer - It shows application of fertilizer will increase the yield.
Time to harvest - Depending on the variety, it takes 7 5 -95 days to get matured.
406
Harvest - When the crop is mature, harvesting is done by cutting off the earheads.
The earheads are heaped on the threshing floor for about a week, before being
threshed under the feet of bullocks, or by a stone thresher.
STORAGE:-
Seeds can be stored for a long time. Moisture content should be less than 12%.
407
FAMILY:- POACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Zea mays
SINHALA Bada Iringu, Iringu, Bada Inguru

TAMIL Cholam
ENGLISH Corn, Maize
DESCRIPTION :-
It is an annual crop. The height of the plant varies from more than 15 feet to 3 feet
or less. The diameter of the stalks varies from 1.2 - 6.2 cm. The salk is made up
of nodes and internodes, usually 10-15 per salk. The longer internodes are found
toward the top of the stalks, towards the base the internodes are very short.
L E A V E S : - The leaves are similar to those of sugar cane. The leaves are borne
alternately. The leaf blades are long, broadly linear.
F L O W E R S : - The male and female flowers are borne in different parts of same plants.
The male flowers are borne in a cluster (called a tassel) on the top of ends of the stem
as terminal panicles while the female flowers are borne inside the young cobs which
spring from one of the nodes on the stem.
FRUITS:- Grain rounded, flattish and disk-like and are of varying colours such as
y e l l o w , red, orange, purple and white.
DISTRIBUTION :--
It originated in South America (Purseglove, 1972) and presently has become a second
crop among the cultivating crops. It is cultivated in America, China, Russia, M e x i c o
and Argentina (Ustimenko, 1980). It was introduced to Sri Lanka by the Dutch and
cultivated in the dryzone.
The grains.
408
FOOD USE:-
It is eaten in many ways. Unripe cobs are boiled and eaten. Unripe seeds are
prepared as a curry. Ripe seeds are ground into flour to make Roti, Pittu and other
preparations. Alcohol, glucose and high quality edible and technical oil are made
from the seed. Maize is used for an infant food called "Triposha" which is given to
low income families in Sri Lanka.
Moisture - 1 2 . 0 g, Energy - 363 Kcal, Protein - 10.0 g, Fats - 4 . 5 g, Carbohydrates -

7 1 . 0 g, Calcium - 12 m g , Iron - 2.5 m g , Carotene - 0 meg, Thiamine - 3 5 0 m g ,
Riboflavin - 130 meg, Niacin - 2 . 0 m g , Vitamin - 0 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
OTHER USES:-
In many countries zea mays is used in rotation as a green manure. Seeds are used as
poultry feeds. Green maize is used in making cyledge.
Can be g r o w n in a range of soil types while well drained, loam soils with a high
organic content and pH of 5 . 6 - 8 . 0 are more suitable. Resistant to drought
conditions. Optimal temperature is 2 1 - 26°C.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas for cultivation - In the dryzone of Sri Lanka.
Planting season - In the unirrigable high lands of the dry zone, where maize is grown
under rain-fed conditions, planting should be commence with the first Maha rains in
October.
Land preparation - The first 10 c m of the soil must be worked down to a fine tilth,
and pulverized to provide a soil-free large air spaces in which to plant the seeds.
Planting and space - The seeds are usually planted in rows, being either dibbled by
hand or drilled using seed drills. The seed is buried to a depth of about 5 cm. The
rate amounts to 15 kg per hectare. Spacing when the seed is drilled in rows is 1 m.
between rows and 15 - 2 0 cm within the rows. With dibbled seed, spacing is 5 0 x
25 cm with one seed per hole.
Irrigation - Under irrigation it can be cultivated even in dry periods.
410
Fertilizer - Maize responses well to application of fertilizers.
Time to harvest - Depends on the variety. Harvesting is done by snapping the ear
from the standing stalk.
Yield - 1000 - 1500 kg/ha.
STORAGE:-
Seeds are removed from the cob and dried. Optimal moisture content for longer
storage is below 14%. In the dry zone in Sri Lanka maize is stored in cobs in a dry
place as over the burners.
411
FAMILY:- PUNIC ACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Punica granatum
SINHALA Delum
TAMIL Kalumal
ENGLISH Pomegranate
DESCRIPTION :-
A large shrub or small tree 3.3-5 tall with slender, somewhat angular branches often
with spiny ends, bark pale brownish gray.
L E A V E S : - Usually opposite, sometimes alternate, often fascinated on the older

branches, shortly stalked, without stipules, 2.5-5 cm long, oblong-ovate or lanceolate,
tapering at both ends, entire, rather thick and stiff, smooth and shining, often
persistent.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, large, solitary or 2 or 3 together in the axils of the

leaves near the ends of branches, very shortly stalked.
FRUITS:- As large as an orange, 6-7 cm or more diameter, hard depressed globose,

bluntly, 5-8 angled, abruptly contracted at the top into a short neck terminated by the
thick calyx lobes and containing the withered stamens. Seeds very numerous, entirely
filling the fruit attached to the upper chambers on all sides of thick, strong, spongy
placentae, seed 1.2 cm long, polygonal, composed of a thick translucent, pink, juicy
coating, inner coat hard, white, cotyledons foliaceous, convolute, exalbuminous
(Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is a native of Iran (Bose and Mitra, 1985) and is cultivated in most tropical and
temperate countries including Africa, India and Sri Lanka (Bose and Mitra, 1985).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruit is eaten fresh. Fruit juice extracted from the pulpy cover of seeds is full
of vitamins.
412
Moisture - 78 g, Energy - 65 K.cal, Proteins - 1.6 g, Fats - 0 . 1 g, Carbohydrates -

14.5 g, Calcium - 10 m g , Phosphorus - 7 0 mg, Iron - 0.3 m g , Thiamine - 6 0 meg,
Riboflavin 100 meg, Niacin - 0.3 mg, Vitamin C - 16 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
The bark o f this plant contains the alkaloids pelletierine, isopelletierine, methyl-
pelletierine and pseudopelletierine in addition to tannin, a blucoside, granitic and
gallic acids. The fruit contains invert sugar, saccharose, the enzyme invertin and
citric and malic acids. It is also rich in vitamin C and is a good source of iron. The
root bark is specific for cases of tapeworm, and tuberculous diseases in children. It
is also used in diseases of the eye, painful micturition and catarrh. The rind of the
fruit is excellent for diarrhoea and dysentery and the bark of this stems a good
anthelmintic (Jayaweera 1982; Aluwihare, 1993).
A drought tolerant plant. Naturalized easily in semi-arids can be grown in poor soils.
Requires a rainfall of 7 5 0 - 1 0 0 0 mm. Grows in at altitudes below 1000 m.
Planting material - Usually propergated by hardwood cuttings, of pencil thickness,

more than 6 months and less than 2 years of age, taken from sucker at the base of
the main stem. Air layering and the use of root suckers are other possible vegetative
methods. Cutting should have the leaves removed. They are ready for transplanting
after 9 months, but it is common practice to leave them 1-2 years before planting out
in the field.
Spacing - Recommendation varies from 4 to 7 m.
Time to harvest - The bushes bear fruits in the 4th year and fruit takes six months to
ripe after flowering.
Harvest - Vigorous tree gives 15 - 2 0 fruits at a time and 7 0 - 8 0 fruits per year.
S T O R A G E :-
If harvested at certain points of ripeness, pomegranate can be stored for 5-6 months,
during which it will ripen and improve it is quality. The skin becomes thin and fade,
the flesh loses its acidity, and seed pulp becomes softer.
414
FAMILY :- RHAMNACEAE
B O T A N I C A L N A M E :- Zizyphus jujube
Syn :- Z. jujuba
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Masan, Debara

TAMIL Adidaram, Attiram
ENGLISH Indian Cherry, Indian Jujube
DESCRIPTION:-
A large shrub or small much branched tree with dark green, longitudinally fissured
bark and elongated, flexuase, wooly pubescent branches.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 3 veined with or without stipular spine, 2 . 5 - 3 . 7 cm

long, broadly oblong-oval or rotundate, rounded at both ends.
FLOWERS:- Small regular, bisexual, greenish, while on hairy pedicles in small

axillary clusters or very shortly pedunculate cymes.
FRUITS:- A globose drape, 1-2 cm long, fleshes smooth, yellow (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Tropical India and now grows in tropics (Bose and Mitra, 1985). In Sri Lanka it
grows wild or semi wild.
EDIBLE PARTS:
Fruit.
F O O D USE:
Moisture - 7 5 . 5 g, Energy - 87 kcal, Protein - 1.6 g, Fat - 0 . 4 g, Carbohydrates -

2 1 . 8 g, Calcium - 32 m g , Phosphorus - 21 mg, Iron 2 . 2 mg.
415
The root and bark of this plant contain tannin, the latter with ziziphic acid in addition.
The leaves and bark contain an alkaloid. The fruit is rich in mucilage, sugar and
other fruit acids. A decoction of the leaves and bark is used as an effective remedy
for dysentery and diarrhoea. The root is a purgative and used for fever. The
powdered root is applied to ulcers. The riped fruit purifies the blood and relieves
coughs (Jayaweera, 1982).
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE:
Resistant to drought and unfavourable soils. Grows in various type of soils, but
sandy loam of pH 7 is ideal for Masan. Optimal temperature is 22-30°C, requires a
rainfall of 150-900 m. Grows in elevations below 1000 m.
417
FAMILY:- RUTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Aegle marmelos
SINHALA Beti
TAMIL Aluvigam, Iyalbudi
ENGLISH Bael Fruit, Bel fruit, Slime Apple.
DESCRIPTION :-
A tree about 10-13 m in height with short, strong, sharp, spiny branches, 2 . 5 c m or
more long in axils of leaves, bark bluish-grey with irregular furrows.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, compound with one pair of shortly stalked opposite leaflets and
a larger long-petioled terminal one, leaflets 2.5-5 cm long, ovate or oval-ovate, abrupt
or tapering at base.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, pale greenish white 1.8 cm wide, sweet-scented,

stalked, solitary or in few flowered, lax, erect, axillary or terminal cymes; (Flowering
in May).
FRUITS:- Globose, 5-12.5cm, diameter, pericarp smooth, greenish-yellow, about 3

m m thick, hard, filled with soft mucilaginous tissue; seeds numerous, compressed,
surrounded by slimy, transparent mucous, testa white, covered with woolly hairs,
immersed in the mucous, exalbuminous (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
It is native of India. The leaves of the tree are traditionally used as sacred offering
to "Lord Siva" according to Hindu custom (Bose and Mitra, 1990). The centre of
origin of Beli fruit is Australia. It grows in dry hilly places throughout the warmer
parts of India and Burma, and often cultivated in the mid and low-country in Sri
The fruit and flowers.
418
419
FOOD USE:-
The flesh of ripe fruits is eaten fresh or a drink is made from it. Jams, cordials are
made from the flesh. Immature fruits, shell of the fruit and flowers are boiled with
water to make a delicious beverage.
NUTRITIONAL A N D T H E R A P E U T I C V A L U E : -
Moisture - 61.5 g, Energy - 136 Kcal, Protein - 1.8 g, Fat - 0 . 3 9 g, Carbohydrates -

3 1 . 8 g, Minerals - 1.7 g, Carotene - 55 mg, Thiamine - 0.13 mg, Riboflavin - 1.19
m g , Niacin - 1.1 mg, Vitamin C - 8 mg (Bose and Mitra, 1990).
j
The leaves of this tree contain the alkaloids, aegelenine, aegelin and skimmianine.
The wood contains dictamina and the bark-figurine. The active principle in the fruit
pulp is marmelosin. The fresh leaves on distillation yield a faint yellowish green
volatile oil with a peculiar aromatic odour and slightly bitter taste. The dried pulp of
the unripe fruit is given along with other ingredients for dysentery, piles, dyspepsia,
jaundice, scrofula, indigestion and chronic fever. The root bark is used in the form
of a decoction for intermittent fever, hypochondria, melancholia and palpitation of the
heart. It checks diarrhoea and gastric troubles in children. The fresh juice of the
leaves is given for jaundice and anasarca. The ripe fruit is a laxative and prevents the
growth of piles (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES:-
It is a pale aromatic w o o d and it takes a fine polish. The wood is used in carving.
In the villages of Sri Lanka, people make beautiful walking sticks and handles for
tools. In Pakistan yellow dye is obtained from the rind of the unripe fruit and is used
in calico painting. Boiled pulp of unripe fruits is used as a thick paste to cover the
space of the winnower.
Grows even in poor dry soils. N o damage by a temperature as low as - 7°C. Grows
up to altitudes of 1220 m.
Area of cultivation - Lowlands of Sri Lanka. Planting Beal is usually propagated by

seeds. Seedling are transplanted a year later. It can be propergated through root
stocks. It is common in homegardens and is not cultivated in large scale. However,
general methods adopted to citrus can be successfully followed.
420
STORAGE:-
Ripe fruits can be kept for five days. Mature fruits are plucked for prolonged
keeping. Sun- dried flowers can be kept for more than one year. Beli cream is
canned, and made as juice and cordials.
421
FAMILY:- RUTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Citrus aurantifolia
SINHALA Dehi, Hindehi

TAMIL Ambu, Arunam, Thesikkai
ENGLISH Acid Lime, Sour Lime, Lime
DESCRIPTION:-
A small glabrous tree with stiff sharp spines which are simple by the side of buds.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, glandular dotted, elliptic-oblong, 5-7.5 cm long blunt

or sometimes rounded at apex, petioles short, narrowly winged, articulated at the top.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, solitary or mostly clustered in the axils of leaves,

usually about 1.2 c m long, white, fragrant throughout.
FRUITS:- Round-oval to oval and small 3.7-6.5 cm diameter; exceedingly sour

Q
(Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
A native of Northern India and it was introduced to the Europe in the 13th century
by the Spaniards (Purseglove, 1968). It is widely cultivated in India, Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, W.Indies and Florida.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Juice of the fruit is extensively used for flavouring foods. The fruit is often salted,
dried in the sun and preserved in its o w n juice as a pickle. Juice, jelly, james,
cordials and marmalades can be made out from this.
422
*
Citrus aurantifolia
(A) Twig with leaves and spines. (B) Fruit. (C) Flower lateral view.
423
Moisture - 8 4 . 6 g, Energy -59 Kcal, Protein - 1.5 g, Fats -1.0 g, Carbohydrates -

10.9 g, Calcium - 90 mg, Phosphorus - 2 0 mg, Iron - 0,3 mg, Carotene - 15 meg,
Thiamine - 2 0 meg, Riboflavin - 30 meg, Niacin - 0.1 mg, Vitamin C - 63 mg
The juice of the fruit contains citric acid, malic acid and tartaric acids in small
quantities and pectin, sugar and traces of other salts. The juice of the lime checks
bilious vomiting and is an antiseptic particularly for cleaning wounds and is applied
externally for snake bites. In Malaysia, the root of the tree is given in the form of
a decoction for the dysentery while the pounded leaves are applied for headaches and
the juice of the fruit is given for coughs and stomachache (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER U S E S : -
Boiled fruits are usually used in Sri Lanka as shampoo. It is used as a rootstock for
other citrus spieces. Dried leaves are put in traditional grain silos to reduce the insect
attack. Lime is used in cleaning of brasswear.
It can grow in a range of soil but it thrives well in deep, loose, well drained soils.
Ideal pH range is 5.5-7.5 for citrus. Temperature 5°C and below is considered to be
injurious to young trees. It grows at altitudes below 2 0 0 0 m.
CULTIVATION:-
Area for cultivation - Cultivated in both wet zone and dry zone in Sri Lanka.
Planting season - Seeds should be planted 5-6 months before the rains.
Planting material - Propagation is either by seeds or budding on to rootstock.
Planting and space - Seeds should be obtained from fully matured fruits from adult
trees. They are planted at a depth of 2.5 cm and as a spacing of 15-23 cm x 2,5 cm
in well drained, shaded and mulched beds. Strong plants with good roots are
transplanted from the seed bed to the nursery at a spacing of 1 m x 30 cm, or into
plastic bags. Budding takes place about 6 months later. Buddings are ready for
planting out 12-18 months after budding, depending on the area. Planting distance
depends on the nature and fertility of the soil.
Irrigation - For high yields of good quality fruit in arid and semi-arid regions where
rainfall is less than 800 mm, irrigation is essential specially during the dry periods.
424
Fertilizer - Responds well to fertilizer.
Time to harvest - It reaches full bearing in ten years, but should start producing some
fruits 3-5 years from planting.
STORAGE:-
Fresh fruits can be stored in a cool place for a short time. In homes they are kept
under sand. Fruits can be salted and dried in the sun and preserved in its o w n juice
for prolonged keeping. Occasionally salted, sundried juice is made for use in
offseason.
425
FAMILY:- RUTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Citrus aurantium
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Embul-Dodan
TAMIL Kadarai,Nandam
ENGLISH Seville, Sour orange
DESCRIPTION:-
A glabrous tree of medium size, 7-10 m high with long but not very sharp spines.
L E A V E S : - Medium size, ovate-oblong, 7 . 5 - 1 0 cm long, shortly or bluntly acuminate,

sinuate or crenate, petioles broadly winged.
F L O W E R S : - Medium size, single or several in the axils of leaves, regular, bisexual,

white and very fragrant.
FRUITS:- Globose or slightly flattened endwise, about 7.5 cm in diameter; rough,

pulp acid and membranes bitter, core hollow at maturity, segments 10-12 (Jayaweera,
1982)
D I S T R I B U T I O N :-
It originated in Cochin-China (Purseglove, 1968) and cultivated in India, Sri Lanka,

Africa and Philippine Islands. It was introduced to Europe in the 11th century
(Purseglove, 1968).
EDIBLE PARTS.-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Fruit juice is given as a folk medicine, and used in making of marmalade and in
flavouring of liqueurs.
Moisture - 8 7 . 6 g, Energy - 4 8 Kcal, Proteins - 0 . 7 g, Fats - 0.2 g, Carbohydrates

- 10.9 g, Calcium - 26 mg, Phosphorus - 2 0 m g , Iron - 0.3 mg, Carotene - 1140
meg, Vitamin C - 30 mg.
426
427
The oil distilled from the flowers of this tree contains limonene, geraniol and methyl
anthranilate. The rind of the fruit yields an olatile oil, a gum-resin, a fixed
oils-limonene and three glycosidase hesperidin, isohesperidin, aurantiamarin,
pentamenthoxy flavone, auranetin and tannin. The juice of the fruit contains
mucilage, sugar, citric acid and inorganic salts, while the leaf has ascorbic acid and
1-stachydrine. The mature fruit is used with pepper and rock salt as a throat wash for
inflamed glands and tonsils to draw out phlegm. The juice mixed with sugar of
Borassus flabellifer and sugarcane juice is given for chronic cough.
OTHER USES:-
Hence it is resistant to gummosis, it is used as a rootstock for lemon and sweet

orange. Leaves, flowers and fruits yield volatile bigarade oil used in perfume
industry.
It can grow in a range of soil but it thrives well in deep, loose, well drained soils.
CULTIVATION:-
Planting and space - Seeds should be obtained from fully mature fruits from adult
trees. They are planted at a depth of 2.5 c m at a spacing of 15-23 c m x 2.5 cm in
well drained, shaded and mulched beds. Strong plants with good roots are
transplanted from the seed bed to the nursery at a spacing of 1 m x 3 0 c m , or into
plastic bags. Budding takes place after 6 months. Buddings are ready for planting
out in 12-18 months after budding depending on the area. Planting distance depends
on the nature and fertility of the soil.
rainfall its less than 8 0 0 mm, irrigation is essential, specially during the dry periods.
Fertilizer - Responds well to fertilizer

Harvesting - Under regular irrigation, or in humid conditions.

Fruiting is seasonal.
428
STORAGE:-
4 Fresh fruits can be stored for a few days.
429
FAMILY:- RUTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Citrus medica
SINHALA Lapnaran, Maha-ratadehi, Sideran

TAMIL Kogilacham
ENGLISH Citron
DESCRIPTION:-
A small tree or shrub about 3 m high with irregular, straggling, short, thick
branches,bark whitish gray, young shoots purplish to violet coloured.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, large, lamina 12.5-15 cm long, broadly oblong or

oval-oblong, tapering to the base, bluntly crenateserrate, stiff but not thick,
gland-dotted, dark green above, pale beneath, petioles very short.
FLOWERS:- Unisexual, regular, usually in clusters (3-10), pink flowers, buds

purplish.
FRUITS:- Very large, oblong, blunt, not mammillate at apex, surface usually
lobulated and rugged, pale or dark bright yellow, rind very thick and hard, pulp
scanty and pale.
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India along the foot of the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Khasia mountains and
Chittagong (Jayaweera, 1982). It was the first citrus to be introduced to Europe. It
is cultivated in S.Europe and Mediterranean regions. It is commercially cultivated in
Greece, Italy and Corsica (Purseglove, 1968). It grows in the hill country gardens
in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruits.
FOOD U S E : ~
Fruits can be eaten fresh. Candied peal is used for flavouring cakes and
confectionery.
430
431
The oil extracted from the rind of the fruit contains limonene and citral while the pulp
of the fruit contains the glucoside hesperidin. The juice of the fruit with crude
potassium carbonate and bee's honey is given for pleurodynia, sciatica, lumbego and
pain in the hip, joints, etc. The leaves, bark and fruit in combination with other
drugs are prescribed for snake bite. The rind of the fruit is made into a preserve and
used for treating dysentery.
CULTIVATION:-
It is commercially cultivated in Greece, Italy and Corsica. In Sri Lanka it grows in

homegardens.
432
FAMILY:- RUTACEAE
B O T A N I C A L N A M E : - Citrus sinensis
SINHALA Dodan, Peni Dodan

TAMIL Narangam, Thodam
ENGLISH Orange, Sweet Orange
DESCRIPTION:-
A small tree with an upright trunk, much branched above and spreading out to form
a spherical head, bark grayish brown.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, often with short, solitary, sharp spines in the axils, oval
or ovate-oblong, acute, articulated on the petiole.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, usually solitary, sometimes 2-6 flowered in axillary

peduncles shorter than the petioles, white, fragrant. (Flowers in April to May).
9
FRUITS:- A large rounded berry 9-11 chambered, the loculi packed with soft tissue
of large, irregular, fusiform, horizontal, loosely connected cells or vesicles, filled with
sweet juice, the dissepiments very thin, membranous, the axis spongy, pericarp thin,
spongy, externally smooth, slightly irregular due to the numerous projecting oil cysts
below the epidermis.
Seed- Several in each chamber, horizontal, oblong-ovoid, somewhat compressed with
a blunt pointed apex and somewhat truncate at the hilum, testa soft, pale yellow, veiny
and exalbuminous (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of China or Cochin-China. It was taken to Europe in the second half of the
15th century. Columbus in 1493, took orange seeds to Haiti from where it spreaded
to the West Indies, Mexico and Florida (Purseglove, 1968). It is a common tree in the
village gardens in Sri Lanka. It grows best in the dry zone where low atmospheric
humidity and a definite dry period aids growth and maturity of fruits. According to
the literature, orange has grown in Sri Lankan homegardens from long ago (Siriweera,
1993).
The fruits.
433
434
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh. The fruit juice is a delicious drink which is rich in
Vitamin C. It is used for preparation of jam, cordial and confectioneries.
Moisture - 8 7 . 6 g, Energy - 4 8 kcal, Protein - 0.7 g, Fats - 0 . 2 g, Carbohydrates -

10.9 g, Calcium - 2 6 m g , Phosphorus - 2 0 mg, Iron - 2 0 mg, Carotene - 1104 meg,
Vitamin C - 3 0 (Perera, et al., 1979).
The rind of the fruit contains a volatile oil, a gum resin, a fixed oil which consists of
terpene, d-limonene, three glycosidase namely herperid in isoherperidin and
aurantiamarin and tannin. The flowers and the fresh rind yield a volatile oil called oil
of neroli used in perfumery. The leaves and unripe fruits possess a volatile oil which
consists of limonene, nerolol, nerolyl-acetate and geraniol. The juice of the orange
contains p-sitosterol, d-glucoside, b-sitosterol, sugar, citric acid, inorganic salts,
enzymes and vitamins A , B and C. The juice of the orange is extremely beneficial
to invalids suffering from coughs, bronchitis, diabetes and liver and heart ailments.
It is a blood purifier and antiscorbutic. The oil extracted from the rind is given
internally as a stomachic and applied externally as a liniment on gout and rheumatism.
In Ecuador, an extract from the seed is used in the treatment of malaria which brings
about a contraction of the enlarged spleen (Jayaweera, 1982).
It can grow in a range of soils but it thrives well in deep, loose, well drained soils.
Planting and space - Seeds should be obtained from fully ripe fruits from adult trees.
They are planted at a depth of 2.5 cm and a spacing of 15-23 cm x 2.5 cm in well
drained, shaded and mulched beds. Strong plants with good roots are transplanted
from the seed bed to the nursery at a spacing of 1 m x 30 cm, or in plastic bags.
Budding takes place after 6 months. Buddings are ready for planting out in 12-18
months after budding depending on the area. Planting distance depends on the nature
and fertility of the soil.
435
rainfall is less than 800 mm, irrigation is essential, specially during the dry periods.
Fertilizer - Responds well to fertilizer.
Harvesting - Under regular irrigation, or in humid conditions. Fruiting is seasonal.
436
FAMILY:- RUTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Feronia limonia
SINHALA Divul, Jool

TAMIL Velambalam
ENGLISH Elephant Apple, Wood Apple
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree with numerous branches, smooth whitish bark and sharp straight
ascending spines 1.2-3.7 cm long.
L E A V E S : - Compound, alternate, exstipulate, pinnate, 7.5-10 cm long, rachis and

petiole flat, very narrowly winged, glabrous, leaflets opposite in 2 or 3 pairs and a
terminal one, nearly sessile, 2.5-3.7 cm long oval or obovate.
FLOWERS:- Regular, polygamous, pale green stained with red purple and anthers,
dark red. Flowers in February and March.
FRUITS:- Large 5-9 cm diameter, globose, hard, pericarp w o o d y , rough, whitish,

1-chambered with many seeds immersed in the pulp. Seeds oblong, compressed
(Jayaweera, 1982)
DISTRIBUTION :-
Native of India and Sri Lanka. N o w it is cultivated throughout the tropics. Grows
naturally and it is very common in the dry zone in Sri Lanka (Jayaweera, 1982).
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit.
FOOD U S E : -
Mature and ripe fruit is eaten fresh and a sweet drink is made from the inner portion
of ripe fruits mixing with sugar and water. Occasionally, coconut milk which
enriches the taste and the nutritious value is also added. It is used to prepare of jams,
juices etc. Inner flesh of unripe fruits is made in to salads.
437
Moisture - 6 4 . 2 g, Energy - 134 kcal, Proteins - 7.1 g, Fats - 3.7 g, Carbohydrates

- 18.1 g, Ca-130 mg, Phosphorus - 110 mg, Iron - 0.6 mg, Carotene - 61 meg,
Thiamine - 170 meg, Niacin - 0.8 mg, Vitamin C -3 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
The fruit of this tree is an aromatic stimulant and a stomachic. The pulp of the unripe
fruit along with other ingredients is used in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. The ripe
fruit is useful in hiccough, ailments of the gums and throat and applied externally on
bites of venomous insects. The gummy exudation from the trunk with bees' honey
also cures diarrhoea and dysentery (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES:-
It is used as rootstock in orange budding for its high drought resistance. W o o d apple
yeilds a gum which is used for mixing of water colours, dyes, varnishes. The wood
is used for various purposes. Handycrapts are made from the hard fruit shell.
S T O R A G E :-
Ripe fruits can be stored for a week.
439
FAMILY:- RUTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Murray a koenigii
VERNACULAR NAES:-
SINHALA Karapincha
TAMIL Karuvembu, Karuvepillai
ENGLISH Curry-Leaf Tree
DESCRIPTION :-
A small tree with dark gray bark and pubescent branchlets
LEAVES:- Compound, alternate, exstipulate, imparipinnate, somewhat crowded,

spreading 15-25 cm long, rachis pubescent, leaflets 15 - 2 5 , shortly stalked, 2.5-5 cm
long, oval or oblong-lanceolate, very oblique at base.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual white, fragrant, about 1.2 cm long on short pedicels
and is much branched, flat-topped.
FRUITS:- A globular berry 0.6-1 cm long, apiculate, black, 2- seeded, rough with
glands.
(Flowers in December and August) (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India and Sri Lanka. It is very common in the low-country dry zone. It
is a common plant almost in every homegarden (Jayaweera, 1982).
EDIBLE PARTS:-
Leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The leaves are used in flavouring curries. Leaves are roasted and ground with other
spices to make curry powders. Young leaves may be eaten as salads or extract of
leaves is added to porridge.
440
Moisture - 6 3 . 8 g, Energy - 108 Kcal, Proteins - 6.1 g, Fats - 1.0, Carbohydrates -

830 g, Calcium - 57 mg, Phosphorus - 7 mg, Iron - 7.5 m g , Carotene - 80 meg,
Thiamine - 80 meg, Riboflavin - 210 meg, Niacin - 2.3 mg, C - 4 mg. (Perera, et
al., 1979).
The fruit of this plant yields an oil and the leaves contain a glucoside called koenigin.
The leaves, bark and roots are tonic and stomachic. The leaves with other ingredients
are roasted and made into a powder and given for constipation, abdominal colic and
diarrhoea. The boiled leaves are given for hiccough and hoarseness. The juice of the
fresh leaves are given for diarrhoea and dysentery (Jayaweera, 1982).
STORAGE:-
Under the normal conditions in 4-5 days, young leaves will dry. Fully sun-dried or
powdered leaves can be kept for several months in dry containers.
442
FAMILY: SAPINDACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Cardiospermum microcarpum
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Penela, Wel-Penela

TAMIL Kottavan
ENGLISH Ballon vine, Leaved heart pea
DESCRIPTION:-
A n annual, sub-scandent climber with a slender, strongly furrowed, glabrous stem and
puberulous young parts.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, exstipulate, biternate, petioles 5-7.5 cm long, spreading or

diflexed, furrowed, leaflets sessile or shortly stalked, ovate, tapering at base, acute,
deeply incised-serrate, glabrous thin and flaccid.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, polygamo-dioecious, white, very small, 4 m m long on slender

pedicels 7 . 5 - 1 7 . 5 cm long, a very small cyme terminating a stiff, slender, horizontal
axillary peduncle 10 c m long, and provided beneath the c y m e with 2 opposite reflexed
circinate or hooked tendrils.
FRUITS:- An inflated, 3-chambered, membranous, loculicidal capsule on a short,

slender stalk, bladder-like, 1.2-1.8 cm wide, depressed pyriform, trigonous, truncate
at top, winged at the angles, valves papery, veiny, finely pubescent. Seed 4-6 mm
long, globular glabrous, black, the aril heart shaped and white (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows irl India, Malacca and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka it grows wild or semi-wild
in the mid and low-country (Jayaweera, 1982)
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The leaves and whole plant.
FOOD USE:-
Leaves are eaten as a green vegetable. Extract of the whole plant is added to the
porridge.
443
444
Moisture - 83.3 g, Energy - 61 kcal, Protein - 4.7 g, Fats - 0.6 g, Carbohydrates -

9.1 g (Perera, et al., 1979).
This plant contains saponin and an alkaloid, a glucoside, resins and tannins. The
seeds possess an essential oil. The whole plant is used both internally and externally
on cases of rheumatism, nervous diseases, dropsy and orchitis. The juice of the plant
is used as ear drops for ear-ache and discharge from the meatus. It is also used for
piles, bronchitis and phthisis.
The root is an emetic and laxative and is also considered as an aperient. The leaves
are boiled in castor oil and applied externally on rheumatic pains, swellings and
tumors. The root is a laxative, demulcent, diuretic and used in nervous diseases
(Jayaweera, 1982).
STORAGE:-
Once plucked, the leaves should be used within two days since they will dry in a short
time.
445
FAMILY SAPINDACEAE
B O T A N I C A L N A M E :- Ephoria Longan
SINHALA : Mora, Pent Mora .

ENGLISH : Longan, Dragon Eye
DESCRIPTION:-
The longan is a medium to large (10 to 2 0 m tall) evergreen tree with dense canopy,
brittle wood and corky bark which splits and peels.
L E A V E S : - The compound leaves are arranged alternately on the branches and are
narrow, large (8 to 14 cm long) and dark glossy green on the upper surface and paler
green on the lower surface. The young flesh is red brown, changing to light green
with maturity.
FLOWERS:- The inflorescence are large (30 to 50 cm long), multi-branched and

leafless. Flowers are small, inconspicuous and yellow-brown. T w o types of flowers
occur in succession on the same branch of a panicle, usually which overlap on
branches and panicles on any tree. They are alternately hermaphrodite with an
abortive ovary.
FRUITS:- Fruits are small (about 1.5 to 3 . 0 cm diameter), globose to round-shaped,

sometimes with distinctive shoulders. Fruit appearance is round to obtuse. The fruit
skin is thin leathery and changes from green-yellow to yellow-brown with advancing
maturity (Manzel et al., 1989).
DISTRIBUTION :-
The longan originated either in Sub-Tropical China (Bose and Mitra, 1985) or in the
area between Burma and India (Manzel et al., 1989). Grows wild in the forests in Sri
Lanka and Hainan Islands (Zhong, 1983). Commercially cultivated in China,
Thailand and Taiwan (Bose and Mitra, 1985).
EDIBLE PARTS:-
Fruit.
446
447
FOOD USE:-
Longan can be eaten fresh, dried or quick frozen. Thawed fruit can be used in the
same way as freshly picked fruit, without any loss of colour or flavour. Fruit can be
peeled, pitted and canned. Juice can be produced without adding sugar since most
cultivars are sufficiently sweet.
Moisture - 7 2 . 4 g, Energy - 109 kcal, Protein - 1.0 g, Fat - 0.5 g, Carbohydrates -

2 5 . 2 g, Fibre - 0 . 4 g, Calcium - 2 mg, Phosphorus - 6 mg, Iron - 0.3 mg, Vitamin
A - 0.7 meg Thiamine - 0 . 0 4 mg, Riboflavin - 0.07 mg, Niacin - 0.6 mg (Menzel et
al., 1989)
Longans are adapted to tropical and sub-tropical areas with high rainfall. The best
growth and cropping of longan is achieved on deep, well-drained fertile soils with a
pH of 5.5 to 6.0 and low salinity.
Although it is cultivated commercially in some countries like China, Thaiwan and

Thailand, in Sri Lanka it grows wild in forests.
448
FAMILY:- SAPINDACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Nephelium lappaceum
SINHALA Rambutan
TAMIL Rambutan
ENGLISH Rambutan, Hairy Litchi
DESCRIPTION:-
This is one of the best known tropical trees. It may grow upto 2 0 m high with a
bushy and open crown.
F L O W E R S : - Flowers are greenish yellow arranged in panicles. It flowers in July to

September and bear fruits in November to February.
FRUIT:- Fruits are oblong to almost round, covered with hairy soft pericles, yellow,
light red or red depending on cultivars. It is flesh is white, juicy, sweet or sour (Bose
and Mitra, 1990).
DISTRIBUTION :-
This plant is native to West Malaysia, but now it is cultivated in many tropical areas
(Bose and Mitra, 1990; Department of Agriculture, 1993).
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
The fruits are eaten fresh or mixed with other fruits in syrups. It can also be used for
decorating Cakes and other sweet meats.
Moisture - 8 2 . 0 g, Energy - 6 4 kcal, Protein - 1.0 g, Fat - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates -

16.5 g, Calcium - 2 0 mg, Phosphorus - 15 mg, Iron - 1.9 mg, Carotene - 0 meg,
Thiamin - 10 m e g , Riboflavin - 2 - mg, Niacin - 0 . 4 m g , Vitamin C - 5 3 mg (Perera
et al. 1979).
Many parts of this plant are used for medicinal purposes.
449
OTHER USES:-
Young leaves are used as a dye for silk.
E N V I R O N M E N T A L R E S P O N S E :-
Requires a well distributed rainfall; optimal temperate and humidity are 27-30°C and
75%--79% respectively. Grows at altitudes below 4 5 0 m.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas of cultivation - In Sri Lanka it is cultivated in the wet zone, especially Colombo
and Gampaha districts.
Planting materials - Although it is propagated by seeds, in normal practice seedlings

are used.
Spacing - Plants are planted 10 m apart or 100 plants per ha. Young plants should
be provided shading and watered in the first 2 or 3 years during the drought season.
Harvesting - Plants bear fruits in 3-4 year after transplanting. But it takes 7-8 years
to give a good yield.
STORAGE:-
They can also be processed into jam or even be fermented into wine.
451
FAMILY:- SAPINDACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Schleichera oleosa
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Kon
TAMIL Kolama, Konji
ENGLISH Ceylon Oak
DESCRIPTION :-
A large tree with close branches and corrugated rough and cracked bark.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, compound, paripinnate, rachis 7.5-18 cm long, bearing 4-6

leaflets, leaflets oblong, 7-18 cm long, 3.5-8 cm broad, opposite, coriaceous, truncate
or marginate at apex, dark green and shining on the upper surface, veins prominent
beneath, margin curved.
F L O W E R S : - Small, green, polygamo-dioecious, pedicellate, in lax, slightly branched,

spicate panicles 5-12.5 c m long, from the young shoots below the new leaves.
FRUIT:- Globular, apiculate, corky brown berries 1.7-2.2 cm diameter 1-2

chambered with a single seed in each chamber covered with an orange brown acid
aril. Seed exalbuminous, 1.3-1.4 cm long with a brittle brown testa. (Flowers in
February) (Jayaweera, 1982)
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in the dry forests of India, Burma and Sri Lanka (Jayaweera, 1982).
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Fruit is eaten as a fruit. A traditional ketch-up called "Kon-anuga" is made from acid
aril, adding salt and Kochchi (small type of chillies). It is boiled till it becomes thick
as ketch up.
452
453
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E . - *
The bark of the tree is an astringent. The oil extracted from the seed is applied on 9
the head to promote the growth of hair. In different parts of India it is used for
different purposes such as a purgative, prophylactic against cholera, rheumatism,
headaches and skin diseases (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES:-
Timber is used in many ways.
CULTIVATION:-
Propagated by seeds. It grows naturally especially in dry zone. The number of trees
are reducing at an alarming rate due to the destruction of forests.
STORAGE:-
Undamaged ripe fruits can be stored for 4-5 days. Ketch-up made from Kon can be
kept for quite a long time in clean containers.
454
FAMILY:- SAPOTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Chrysophyllum roxburgii
VERNACULAR NAES:-
SINHALA : Lawulu
TAMIL : Mansal Palam
ENGLISH : Star Apple
DESCRIPTION :-
Slender erect tree of moderate size. Branches horizontal, bark smooth, grey, young
parts with dense fulvais pubescence.
L E A V E S : - Numerous, spreading distichously, 3-7 inches, lanceolate-oblong acute and

somewhat unequal-sided at base.
FRUIT:- Subglobes, smooth-skinned, 6-10 c m diameter. When unripe the fruit

contains a sticky, astringent latex but on ripening a yellow translucent pulp with a
sweet and pleasant flavour is formed around dark seeds. Seeds about 2-3 cm about
somewhat compressed, brownish yellow, highly polished, very hard (Trimen, 1984).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Indigenous to Central America and West Indies and in Sri Lanka, South India and
Assam in North India, Burma and Indonesia. Grows in homegardens ( F A O , 1992).
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh and unripe mature fruits are cooked and eaten. Ripe
fruits is used to prepare jams, jelly and syrups.
Energy - 7 4 kcal, Protein - 0.6 g, Fat - 0 . 4 g, Calcium - 14 m g , Iron - 1.3 m g ,

Vitamin a 2 0 0 0 I . U . , (Department of Aurveda).
455
9
FAMILY:- SAPOTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Madhuca longifolia

Syn :- Bassia longifolia
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Mi, Meek.

TAMIL Illuppai, Kuligam
ENGLISH Honey Tree
DESCRIPTION :-
A very large tree, much branched, bark thick, dark yellowish gray, slightly furrowed,
young parts pinkish white, silky pubescent.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, stipulate, crowded at end of one year's growth on

slender petioles, 8 . 7 - 1 1 . 2 cm long, linear-lanceolate, tapering to both ends.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, pale yellow, appearing with the young leaves and
below them, solitary in axils of small deciduous bracts, pedicels 5-6.2 cm long,
slender, rather thickened at the upper part, glabrous, erect, afterwards drooping.
FRUITS:- Obliquely ovoid, pointed, glabrous. Seed solitary 3 . 7 - 4 . 2 c m long, ovoid,

slightly compressed, straight on one edge and curved on the other with a stout curved
beak, hilum linear extending the whole length of the straight edge, testa thin, hard,
brittle, shining, ocre-yellow. Flowers in February and May (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Grows in India and Sri Lanka. It is common in the dry forest region in Sri Lanka,
but mostly planted in the moist low-country.
Seeds, flowers and fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Brown-coloured oil extracted from seeds is highly recognized for food preparation
specially in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Flowers (anthers should be removed) are
boiled with water to prepare honey, which according to the dry zone villagers is as
good as bee-honey. It is reported that immature fruits are cut into pieces and prepared
as vegetables.
457
9
458
The seed yields a fixed oil. The bark is a good remedy for itches, swellings,
rheumatism and other skin diseases. The heartwood made into a paste is applied on
the throat for glandular swellings in the neck and throat (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES:-
Timber is used in many ways.
STORAGE:-
Seeds and dried flowers can be stored for several months in dry containers.
459
FAMILY:- SAPOTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Manilkara hexandra
Syn :- Mimusops hexandra
VERNACULAR NAMES.-
SINHALA Palu
TAMIL Palai, Sivandi, Sukkilam, Paal Palam
DESCRIPTION:-
A large tree with a non-branched main trunk and a few branches, bark blackish gray
deeply furrowed vertically and young parts glabrous.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, exstipulate, numerous, small, 3.7-7.5 cm long, broadly
obovate, acute at base, truncate, marginate or bilobate at apex, glabrous, sub-
coriaceous, venation pellucid, inconspicuous, petioles 1 c m long, channelled above.
FLOWERS:- Small, regular, bisexual, pale yellow, numerous on slender curved rusty
pedicels about 1 cm long, 1-3 together in axils of leaves.
FRUITS:- A small ovoid, smooth red berry about 1.2 cm long. Seeds solitary, ovoid,
reddish brown and shining. Flowers in February and March (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Centre of origin is South and South-East Asia. Grows in India and Sri Lanka. It is
very common in the forests of the dry zone in Sri Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruits.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe berries are eaten fresh. Having added some sugar to ripe berries, they are put
into a pot. They become black sticky mass after t w o months and is eaten off-season.
The bark of the tree has astringent properties (Jayaweera, 1982).
460
461
CULTIVATION:-
Propagated by seeds. It is not cultivated in Sri Lanka, but grows in the dry zone *
forest.
462
FAMILY:- SAPOTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Manilkara zapota
Syn:- Achras zapota
SINHALA Sapodilla
ENGLISH Sapodilla, Sapot, Neseberry
DESCRIPTION:-
Tree up to 15 m, or rarely more high the foliage usually rather dense and dark green,
branchlets and young leaves beneath brownish-pubescent, sap milky.
L E A V E S : - Partly arranged in clusters at the branch tips, elliptical, rather broad at the
tip and then shortly pointed up to about 13 cm long and 5 cm broad.
F L O W E R S : - Solitary in the axils, the calyx rusty-pubescent about 1 cm long, the

corolla white a little longer.
FRUITS:- Subglobose, brown, rough-skinned, 5-8 cm diameter, the pulpsweet. Seed

rather flat ( F A O , 1990).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Sapodilla is a native of Central America (Purseglove, 1968). It is widely cultivated

in humid tropics.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
Fruit and young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh. Ripe fruits are also used for making jams and jellies. The
young leafy shoots can be eaten as a vegetable after steaming.
Moisture - 7 3 . 7 g, Energy - 9 8 kcal, Fat - 1.1 g, Protein - 0 . 7 g, Calcium - 2 8 mg,

Iron - 2.0 mg. Thiamine - 0 . 0 2 meg, riboflavin - 0 . 0 3 meg, Niacin - 0 . 2 mg, Vitamin
C - 6 mg (Gopalan et al., 1971).
463
464
Decoction of bark is given for diarrhea and fever; also tonic. The astringent fruit is
antidysenteric; prevents biliousness and febrile attacks. The seeds are known to be
aperient and diuretic ( D e Pauda et al., 1987).
OTHER U S E S : -
The unripe fruit and bark yeilds a milky white latex which solifies on exposure to air
and this forms the base for making chickle.
465
F A M I L Y :- SAPOTACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Mimusops elengi
SINHALA Munamal
TAMIL Alagu, Magil, Vegalam
DESCRIPTION: -
A large tree with an erect trunk and a compact leafy globular head, bark reddish
brown, branchlets drooping, young parts silky with fine depressed hairs.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, stipulate, numerous, distant, large, 11.2-15 cm long,

oval sub-acute at base, acuminate, obtuse at apex, undulate, glabrous, dark green and
shining on the upper surface.
FLOWERS:- Small, regular, bisexual, white becoming cream coloured,

sweet-scented, in axillary fascicles of 1-4, pedicels 0.6-0.8 cm long, depressed
pubescent often deflexed.
FRUIT:- A fleshy berry, over 2.5 c m long, ovate-ovoid, or ovoid apiculate, pubescent
when young, afterwards glabrous, orange-yellow, seed solitary, ovoid, compressed,
brown and shining (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka, Malay Peninsula and Andaman Islands (Jayaweera, 1982).
It is rather common in the low-country in Sri Lanka.
E D I B L E PARTS:-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
The ripe fruit is made into pickles and preserved.
466
&
The bark and flowers contain an alkaloid, while the bark has in addition a tannin and
saponin. The seed contains a toxic principle and saponin, mimusops-saponin. A
decoction o f the bark of this tree is used as a gargle for diseases o f the gums and teeth
and taken internally for discharges of the mucous membranes of the bladder and
urethra. It is useful for treating fever and is supposed to increase fertility in women.
Along with the flowers, it is given for diarrhoea. The young fruit is used as a gargle
for treating sprue and is chewed for strengthening gums. The pulp of the ripe fruit
cures chronic dysentery (Jayaweera, 1982).
OTHER USES :-
The flowers serve as a cosmetic owing to their fragrance.
468
FAMILY:- SOLANACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Capsicum annum
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Miris, Malu Miris

TAMIL Milagai
ENGLISH Chilly, Capsicum, Red Pepper
DESCRIPTION :-
Annual or short-lived perennial herb, up to 1.5 m in height.
L E A V E S : - Alternate, simple, ovate to lancelot margins, entire tip pointed up to 12

cm long, 7.5 c m wide.
F L O W E R S : - Single, sepals 5, petals 5 or 6, white-green in colour, up to 15 m m in

diameter, anthers 5-6, style with capitate stigma.
FRUITS:- A many seeded berry, 1-15 cm long, 1-4 cm in diameter. Seeds flattened
and kidney shaped. 5-5 mm length, pack yellow (Warrier et al., 1993).
DISTR1BUTION:-
Probably M e x i c o , widely known in Central and South America prior to the 15th
century (Purseglove, 1968; Querol, 1992). It was introduced into Europe in the 15th
century (Tindall, 1993). It was brought to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese
(Wikramarachchi, 1988). It is now widely cultivated in Tropical Asia, Africa, South
America and Caribbean. In Sri Lanka, it is mainly cultivated in the dry zone
(Department of Agriculture, 1993).
Fruits, leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Used in curries, soups and stews or eaten row in salads. Sometimes preserved in
brine or vinegar. Sun-dried chillies (var. acuminatum) is an important spice in Sri
Lankan culinary. Leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable.
469
470
(Fruit)
Moisture - 8 5 . 7 g, Energy - 2 9 kcal, Protein -2.9 g, F a t - 0 . 6 g , Carbohydrates - 3 . 0
g, Calcium - 3 0 m g , Phosphorus - 80 mg, Iron - 1.2 m g , Carotene - 175 meg,
Thiamine - 190 m e g , Riboflavin - 390 meg, Niacin - 0 . 9 mg, Vitamin C - 11 mg.
(Leaves)
Moisture - 8 2 . 1 g, Energy - 53 kcal, Protein - 5.8 g, Fat - 1.0 g, Carbohydrates - 8 . 0
g, Calcium - 8.5 m g , Phosphorus - 2 4 6 m g , Iron - 1.4 m g , Carotene - 6 2 1 0 m e g ,
Thiamine - 4 0 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 330 meg, Niacin - 1.9 m g , Vitamin C - 68 mg
The fruits are acrid, bitter, thamogenia, digestina carminative, laxative, expectorant,
sialagogue, stimulant, cardiotonic. They are useful in cephalalgia gout, arthritis,
sciatica, hoarseness, amorexid cough, cardiac debility, malarial and intermittent
fevers, dropsy, cholera and indolent ulcers (Warrier, et al., 1992).
Fertile loam soils are preferable. Good drainage is important and a pH of 5.5 - 5.6
is ideal for chillies. Tolerant to a wide range of temperatures. Rainfall levels from
6 0 0 - 1 2 0 0 m m are generally considered adequate, but excessive rainfall affects
flowering and fruit set. A water deficit may also result in bud and flower abscission.
Grows well in lowlands but up 2 0 0 0 m altitudes can be grown.
Areas for cultivation - Both wet and dry zone.
Planting season - Yala and Maha
Land preparation - In dry zone ploughing the land to a depth of 15-20 cm and
followed by t w o harrowings and a levelling are necessary.
Spacing - 15-40 x 30-40 cm.
Seed rate - 0 1 - 1 . 7 5 kg/ha depending on the variety.
Irrigation - Frequency of irrigation should be every 5 days, but may be extended to

7 days if sufficient organic matter is incorporated into the soil.
Fertilizer - N - 1 4 0 kg /ha, P 0 5 - 1 7 5 kg/ha, K 0 - 105 kg/ha.

2 2
471
Yield - In wet zone 6-8 t/ha, while in dry zone - 10-15 t/ha.
Cultivation o f C. annum var acumination
Area o f cultivation- Capsicum annum Var. acuminatum fingeth are best adapted to
the dry zone. Dry chillies are usually grown in the dry zone and green chillies in the
wet zone.
Planting season- It is cultivated as a rainfed crop in Maha season or as an irrigated

crop after heavy Maha rains.
Planting materials- Seeds.
Seed rate- 1 kg of seeds to get seedlings to plant in 1 ha land.
Spacing- 3 0 beds 3 m x 9 0 cm are required for planting 1 ha.
Land preparation- One ploughing and two harrowings provide good tilth. Planting
can be done either on ridges or flat beds. During Yala season, the basin system can
also be adopted on well-drained soils.
Irrigation- Irrigate at 4-5 days intervals during the first two months, then reduce to
one irrigation per week. However irrigation depends on the rainfalls.
Fertilizer- 9-12 kg of decomposed manure per bed. Recommended doses by the

Department of Agriculture for chillie cultivation- Ammonium sulphate - 100 kg/ha.
T S P - 100 kg/ha, Muriate of potash - 5 0 kg/ha.
Harvesting- [a] Green chillies are harvested at full size and green,
(b) Dry chillies pods should be red ripe.
Harvesting can start 75-80 days after planting and continue for 2-3 months at 8-10 day
intervals.
Yield- Under irrigation 2500-3500 kg o f dry chilli can be obtained while rainfed yield
would be 1500-2000 kg/ha.
Storage- S u n dried pods can be stored for a long time in dry containers. Green pods
can be stored for 4-5 days in normal conditions.
472
FAMILY:- SOLAN ACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Lycopersicon lycopoersicum
Syn:- L. esculantum, solarium lycopersicum
SINHALA Thakkali
TAMIL Takkali
ENGLISH Tomato
DESCRIPTION:-
A herb, up to .2 m in height, stem solid, hairy rooting at nodes.
L E A V E S : - Spirally arranged, 15-20 cm x 10-25 cm; petiole 3-6 cm long, often

divided into unevenly shaped pine, mainly oval, irregularly toothed, often with small
pinnae between larger leaflets.
FLOWERS:- About 2 cm in diameter, calyx tube short, hairy, sepals persistent, petals
usually 6, up to 1 cm in length, yellow, stamens 6, anthers bright yellow.
FRUITS:- A fleshy berry with 2-9 locus, orange, yellow or red when ripe. Usually
round, smooth or furrowed, 2-15 cm in diameter. Seed kidney or pear-shaped. Light
brown, 3-5 mm x 2-4 mm (Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Probably the Peru-Ecuador area (Purseglove, 1968; Querol, 1992)from where it was
distributed to many parts of Tropical America. N o w it is widely distributed all over
the world (Tindall, 1993).
EDIBLE PARTS:
Fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Tomato is used in many ways. Ripe fruits are used fresh or cooked, sauces, ketch
ups, purses, juices are made from ripe fruits. Mature fruits are preserved in brine.
473
Lycopersicon lycopoersicum
474
(Tomato green)
Moisture - 93.1 g, Energy - 23 kcal, Protein - 1.9 g, Fat - 0.1 g, Carbohydrates - 3.6
g, Calcium - 20 mg, Phosphorus - 36 mg, Iron - 1.8 mg, Carotene - 192 meg,
Thiamine - 70 meg, Riboflavin - 10 meg, Niacin - 0.4 mg, Vitamin C - 31 mg.
(Tomato ripe)
Moisture - 9 4 . 0 g, Energy - 2 0 kcal, Protein - 0 . 9 g , F a t - 0 . 2 g , Carbohydrates - 3.6
g, Calcium- 4 8 mg, Phosphorus - 2 0 mg, Iron - 0 . 4 mg, Carotene - 351 meg,
Thiamine - 120 meg, Riboflavin - 6 0 meg, Niacin - 0.4 mg, Vitamin C - 2 7 mg
Fruits good source of iron, vitamin A & B and excellent source of Vitamin C; useful
as mild aperient, intestinal antiseptic; to promote gastric secretion and flow o f bile,
for bronchitis and asthma; for diarrhea and dysentery; dermatitis and fungal infection
( D e Pauda and Pancho, 1989).
Well drained, fertile soils with a good moisture-retaining capacity and a high level of
organic material are preferable although many cultivars are tolerant to a wide range
of soils. pH of 5.8 - 6.8 is more suitable for tomato cultivation. Optimal day and
night temperatures of 21-27°C and 16-20°C are adequate. Excessive rainfall and high
relative humidity can be harmful, due to the proliferation of leaf diseases during
humid conditions. Elevations up to 2 0 0 0 m are suitable for tomato plants. Modern
tomato varieties have been selected and bred for daylength neutrality.
Areas of cultivation - It is grown in low-country, mid-country dry zone and up

country intermediate zones.
Time of planting - Establish nurseries in March or August and transplant in April to

September.
Land preparation -
i Nursery - Deep ploughing and turning the soil is important.
ii Field - Deep ploughing and two harrowings are recommended to promote

extensive root growth. Proper leveling and field drainage are important.
Land cropped in the previous season with solanaceous crops should be
avoided.
475
Seed rate - 85-200 g/ha.
Spacing - Monocroping - 8 0 x 50 cm on fertile soils with 1-2 plants/hill.
Intercropping - When tomato is the main crop it should be spaced at 80 x 5 0 cm.
Fertilizer - N-135 kg/ha, P 05-90 kg/ha, K O-90 kg/ha.

2 2
Irrigation - Frequent light irrigation is preferable.
Harvesting - Fruits can be harvested when the colour changed from green to yellow.
Fruiting can be continue for 125 days in intermediate varieties and about 10-12 picks
can be obtained.
Yield - 20-30 t/ha.
STORAGE:-
Pack in ventilated wooden boxes with less ripe fruits in the bottom layer to avoid fruit
damage. Fruits can be processed for ketch-up, sauces, juice, jam etc.
476
FAMILY:- SOLANACEAE.-
BOTANICAL NAME:- Solanum indium
Syn .- S. violaceum
SINHALA Tibbatu
TAMIL Kandal, Karimullu
DESCRIPTION :-
A semi shrub by perennial with stout, much branched, often purple stems with many
scattered,large, slightly curved, sharp prickles with long compressed base, covered
(including prickles) with a scurry coating of minute white stellate hair, denser on the
young parts.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, 10-15 cm long, ovate in outline, caudate or rounded,

often unequal-sided at base, acute, with a few large, oval-triangular, sub-acute lobes,
rough above with stalked stellate hair, white-tomentose beneath with the same veins,
with a few large, straight spines on both sides, petioles 1.2-5 cm long armed with
prickles.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, violet or purple, large, numerous, on short

stellate-hairy and prickly pedicels, 1.2 cm long, cymes racemose extra-axillary,
peduncle short.
FRUITS:- A berry 1 cm long, surrounded at base by the large spreading calyx,

smooth but with a few stellate hairs on the summit, dark yellow. Flowers in April and
May (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in Tropical India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Philippine Islands and Africa
(Jayaweera, 1982).
The fruit.
477
478
F O O D USE:-
The half mature berries are cooked and eaten as a vegetable in Sri Lanka and
Malaysia.

4 . 8 g, Calcium - 100 m g , Phosphorus - 909 mg, Iron -1.2 m g (Weerakoon, 1993).
The fruit contains solanine and solanidine. The oil extracted from the seeds contains
glycerides of lauric, palmitic, stearic, arachidic, oleic, linoleic acids together with
phytosterol and carpesterol. The fruit contains carbohydrates which hydrolyze into
maltose, melibiose, sucrose, raffinose, etc. This plant is an astringent, resolvent and
aphrodisiac. It is used in dysuria, colic, coughs, and asthma. The root is a diuretic
and is useful for dropsy, coughs and catarrhal ailments. The vapour of burning seed
is a remedy for toothache (Jayaweera, 1982).
479
FAMILY:- SOLANACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Solanum melongena
Syn :- S. esculantum
SINHALA Vambatu
TAMIL Kattarikkai
ENGLISH Egg Plant, Brinjal, Melongena
DESCRIPTION :-
A short and w o o d y perennial which sometimes grows as an annual, with hairy stem
and leaves. It grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet.
L E A V E S : - Large and alternate on the stem.
F L O W E R S : - The inflorescence is sessile, the outer side of the flowers is bright

purplish blue, dark purple inside.
FRUITS:- The fruits vary in shape, size and colour. The seeds are small, flat and
light brown (Tindall, 1993).
DISTRIBUTION:-
The place of origin of the egg plant is probably India, while the second centre of
diversity is China. Later it was introduced to Spain and Persia and to Africa. It is
commonly cultivated in the Malaysia, Peninsula Indonesia, Central East-West Africa,
South America and Sri Lanka (Tindall, 1993).
The immature fruits and leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Fruits are used in preparing curry as a vegetable, and making salads and pickles.
Leaves can be eaten as a pot herb.
480
481
Moisture - 9 2 . 7 g, Energy - 24 kcal, Protein - 1.4 g, Fats - 0.3 g, Carbohydrates -

4 . 0 g, Calcium - 18 mg, P - 47, Iron - 0 . 9 , Carotene - 74 meg, Thiamine - 4 0 meg,
Riboflavin 110 mg, Niacin - 0.9 mg, Vitamin C 12 mg (Weerakoon, 1993).
(Leaves)
Moisture - 8 7 . 4 g, Energy - 4 0 kcal, Protein - 3 . 9 g, Fat - 0.7 g, Carbohydrates - 4 . 6
g, Calcium - 3 3 4 mg, Phosphorus - 52 m g , Iron 5 . 0 mg.
Decoction or infusion of the leaves is a remedy for throat and stomach troubles; also
used as anodyne. The leaves, roots and dried stalk are used in decoction for washing
sores. Decoction of roots is taken internally as an anti-asthmatic and as a general
stimulant. The fruit is antiphlegmatic, for coughs and loss of appetite; bruised with
vinegar, it is used as poultice for abscesses ( D e Pauda et at., 1987).
Sandy, well drained soil with a pH 5.5-6.8 and high water retaining capacity is
suitable. Optimal temperature range is 25-30°C. Grows well at altitudes below 1200m.
CULTIVATION:-
Areas of cultivation - It is cultivated both in wet and dry zone lowlands of Sri Lanka.
Planting time - Maha season.
Planting materials - Seeds. They are sown in the seed bed and transplanted
15 cm high.
Spacing - 90 x 90 cm.
Irrigation - Is required in first two months of its life.
Fertilizer - NPK fertilizer is applied to soil before planting. At the stage of flowering
and fruiting N and K fertilizer is normally applied.
Harvesting - After three months of planting and that is continued for one year.
STORAGE:-
Brinjal can be stored in dark places up to seven days. Sun-dried brinjal slices can be
kept for a long period. Pickles and brinjal moju are other ways of prolonged keeping.
482
FAMILY:- SOLANACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Solanum nigrum
Syn :- S. rubrum
SINHALA Kalukanberiya
TAMIL Manattakkali
ENGLISH Black Nightshade
DESCRIPTION :-
A n annual herb, 60-90 cm high, branching and extending to 120 cm. Stem cylindrical
glabrous or more or less hispid-pubescence, much diversicately branched.
L E A V E S : - Simple alternate, numerous, ovate-lancelot.
F L O W E R S : - Regular, bisexual, white, small, petals 5, fused, 9 mm in diameter,

calyx 1 m m in length.
FRUITS:- A berry, purple, 1.2-1.8 cm in diameter in clusters of 4-7, falling

prematurely when approaching maturity. 20-30 flattened seeds are in a fruit
(Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION:-
Centre of origin is probably tropical West Africa (Tindall, 1993). Cultivated in West
Africa and tropical Asia when it has become naturalized and is often regarded as a
weed.
E D I B L E PARTS:- Leaves, young shoots and half ripe berries.
FOOD USE:-
Leaves and young leaves are eaten as a green vegetables. Berries are cooked and
eaten as a vegetable in Sri Lanka.
483
Solatium nigrum
(A) Branch with fruits.
484
(Leaves)
Moisture - 8 7 . 0 g, Energy - 38 kcal, Protein - 4 . 3 g , F a t - 0 . 8 g , Carbohydrates - 5.5
g, Calcium - 4 4 2 mg, Phosphorus - 75 mg, Iron - 1.0 mg, Carotene - 3660 meg,
Vitamin C - 2 0 m g (FAO, 1968).
Fruit contains solanine and solanidine. The fruit also contains carbohydrates which
hydrolight into maltose, melibiose, sucrose, rafimose etc. The plant is used for
dysuria, colia, coughs and asthma. (Jayaweera, 1982).
Plants grow well in soils which are high in organic content and thrive during wet
seasons. Exposure to full sun is generally beneficial to growth but plants will also
tolerate a reasonable level of shading. Elevations up to 2 0 0 0 m are generally suitable.
485
FAMILY:- SOLANACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Solanum surattense
Syn:~ S. sodomacum
SINHALA Ela-batu
TAMIL Vaddu Vattu
DESCRIPTION :-
A perennial herb, erect, 3 0 - 9 0 cm high with numerous divaricately spreading branches

set with scattered straight, compressed, yellow prickles, younger parts covered with
dense stellate tomentum.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, exstipulate, 6.2-10 cm long, oblong-oval, rounded at

base, shallowly pinnately lobed, stellate hairy on both sides, especially beneath with
a few straight erect prickles on mid-rib above and beneath, petioles 1.2-1.8 cm long.
FLOWERS:- Regular bisexual, bright mauve purple, large.
FRUITS:- A globose berry, 2.5 cm long, yellow or whitish with green veins, pedicel
thickened upwards. Seeds numerous. Flowers all the year round (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka Tropical Asia, Australia and Polynesian Islands
(Jayaweera, 1982). It is a very common roadside weed up to 8 0 0 m altitude in Sri
Lanka.
EDIBLE PARTS :-
The fruit and young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
The mature fruit is cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Leaves are eaten as green
vegetable.
486
4
Solanum surattense
(A) Twig with leaves, flower and fruit. (B) Flower, lateral view.
487
(Fruit)
- 4 . 8 g, Calcium - 100 m g , Phosphorus - 9 0 m g , Iron - 1.2 m g (Weerakoon, 1993).
The root of this plant is used for various lung ailments, diarrhoea, coughs and
rheumatism. The leaves and stems made into a cunjee, is given to convalescing
patients (Jayaweera, 1982).
Areas of cultivation - It is cultivated both in wet and dry zone lowlands of Sri Lanka.
Planting time - Maha season.
Planting materials - Seeds. They are sown in the seed bed and transplanted when 12-
15 cm high.
Spacing - 9 0 x 9 0 cm.
Irrigation - Is required in first two months of its life.
Fertilizer - NPK fertilizer is applied to the soil before planting. At the stage of
flowering and fruiting, N and K fertilizer is normally applied.
Harvesting - After three months of planting and that is continued for one year.
STORAGE :-
Brinjal can be stored in dark places up to seven days. Sun-dried brinjals slices can
be kept for long periods. Pickles and brinjal moju are other ways of prolonged
keeping.
488
FAMILY:- SOLANACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Solanum trilobatum
VERNACULAR NAMES
SINHALA Wel-tibbatu
TAMIL Kudalam, Nittidan
DESCRIPTION:-
A small sub-scandent under shrub with numerous hooked prickles, stems slender with
long divaricate branches with a few stellate hairs on the young shoots, otherwise
glabrous.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, small, 1.8-3.7 cm long, rotund-ovate in outline,

irregularly 3 or 5 lobed, glabrous, petioles as long as leaves and prickly.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, rich, violet-purple, large on long divaricate or

reflexed glabrous pedicels cymes extra-axillary, short racemose, 3-9 flowered, nearly
sessile.
FRUITS:- A globose berry, 0 . 8 c m long smooth and scarlet in colour. (Flowers from
December to February) (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka and Malay Peninsula. It is very common in waste ground
in the dry regions in Sri Lanka (Jayaweera, 1982).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
The leaves.
FOOD U S E -
The leaves are a common pot herb given to children suffering from prolonged cough.
The roots and leaves of this plant are given in the form of a decoction to consumptive
patients. The berries and flowers are used for coughs (Jayaweera, 1982).
489
Solatium triblobatum
(A) Branch with leaves and prickles. (B) Inflorescence. (C) Fruit.
490
FAMILY:- SONNERATIACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Sonneratia caseolaris
SINHALA Kirala, Kirilla
DESCRIPTION:-
A shrub or small erect tree with pale bark, reaching 12 m and quadrangular twigs.
L E A V E S : - Opposite, from 2 to 3 inches long, nearly round, or oblong- oval, tapered

at base, obtuse or apiculate at apex, entire, rather thick. Petiole very short rather
stout.
F L O W E R S : - Large, about two inches in diameter. Solitary, deep rose pink, placed
at ends of branches on thick stalks. Calyx tube smooth, dividing into six narrow
acute lobes longer than the tube.
FRUITS:- Broadly ovoid or sub-globose, supported on enlarged calyx which forms

a shallow cap, about 6 cm wide, rounded and slightly depressed on top. Flowers in
September, probably all the year (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1981).
DISTRIBUTION:--
A fairly c o m m o n tree found in mangrove swamps and Western streams around

Southern and Western shores. Also it grows in India, Burma and Andaman
(Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1981).
EDIBLE PARTS:-
The fruit.
FOOD USE:-
Ripe fruit is eaten fresh. Creamy edible part is eaten with sugar. A drink is also
prepared from the fruit.
N U T R I T I O N A L A N D THERAPEUTIC V A L U E S : -
Fruits are used for bleeding piles.
491
Sonneratia caseolaris
492
OTHER U S E S : -
It is used as firewood. Aerial root is used as cork.
A mangrove plant.
STORAGE: -
Undamaged fruits can be kept for 2-4 days.
493
FAMILY:- UMBELLIFERAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Centella asiatica
Syn :- Hydrocotyle asiatica
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Hin-gotukola
TAMIL Babassa, Vallarai
ENGLISH Indian Pennywort
DESCRIPTION:-
A prostrate perennial herb with a short vertical rootstock and glabrous axillary stems
with long internodes.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, stipulate, several from the root stock and 1 to 2 from
each node of the runners, petioles 7.5-15 cm long, erect, glabrous.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, dark pink, nearly sessile, usually three together at
ends of short, erect, pubescent peduncles 1-3 from the nodes opposite the leaves,
bracts 2 , close beneath the umbel, ovate, obtuse.
FRUITS:- About 0.3-0.4 cm long, ovoid, hard. (Flowers from May to October)
(Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION.-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka and other tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is a very
common weed in Sri Lanka growing in waste grassy places from sea level to the
highest elevations.
The leaves and young stem.
FOOD USE:-
It is eaten as a green vegetable either cooked or as a salad. It is boiled and drunk as

a beverage. Extract of whole plant is used for preparation of porridge.
494
Centella asiaaca
(A) Portion of stem with leaves and fruit. (B) Flower lateral view. (C) Fruit.
495

6.0 g, Calcium - 2 2 4 m g , Phosphorus - 32 mg, Iron - 6 8 , 8 mg.
This herb contains the alkaloid, hydrocotyline and a volatile oil vellarine obtained
principally from the roots. It is a good source of phosphorus, iron, calcium and other
mineral constituents. It has a high percentage of vitamin B. A yellow neutral gum,
centelloside is isolated from local material. The herb is said to have a direct action
on lowering the blood pressure and is often referred to as a rejuvenating medicament.
The leaves are eaten row or finely cut and roasted with scraped coconut. It is
believed to purify the blood and cure indigestion, nervousness and dysentery. The
plant is useful both in externally and internally for skin diseases, chronic and
obstinate eczema, secondary and tertiary syphilis with ulceration, enlargement of
gland, leprosy, abscesses and chronic rheumatism. It has a special influence on the
urino-genital tract and set up urinary and ovarian irritation (Jayaweera, 1982).
CULTIVATION:-
Area for cultivation- It can be grown in all regions of the country.
Planting season - Planting can be done throughout the year. H o w e v e r for good crop
establishment, planting during the rainy season is more advisable.
Land preparation - Plough the land to a dept of about 2 0 c m and bring the soil to a
good fertile condition . On a small scale this could be done with a mammoty or a
mammoty fork. U s e sunken bed to conserve moisture.
Planting and space - Before planting the soil of the seed bed is mixed with organic
matter at the rate of 1.5 kg/sq m at planting time and one month later. Depending on
the planting type, planting space varies. Bush type 3 0 cm x 2 5 cm, 2-3 suckers/hill
and creeping type 15 cm x 15 cm.
Irrigation- Adequate soil moisture must be made available for establishment and good
growth of the crop.
Fertilizer - Organic fertilizers are used.
Time to harvest - If moisture is not limited the first harvest can be obtained in 90
days. Subsequent harvests can be taken at 60 day intervals. The crop can be
harvested over a periods of 2 - 3 years.
Harvesting- Leaves are thinned by pulling out or cutting by a sharp knife or sickle at
the bottom of leaves.
496
%>
STORAGE:-
Harvested leaves can be kept for 4-6 days in a shady cool place.
497
BOTANICAL NAME:- Coriandrum sativum
Syn :- Cuminum cyminum
SINHALA Kottamalli
TAMIL Kotamalli
ENGLISH Coriander
DESCRIPTION :-
A glabrous herb 15-45 era high emitting a very disagreeable odour when rubbed.
L E A V E S : - Pinnately divided, segments of the lower leaves broadly ovate or cuneate,

lobed and toothed.
FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, small, white in compound umbels, the outer flowers
of the umbellets with enlarged ray-like petals.
FRUITS:- Small, ovoid or subglobse, ribbed, less than 5 mm long (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia and Greece, (Querol, 1992) but it is now
cultivated throughout India and Sri Lanka. It was known to ancient Israelites and
also used in Ayurveda. It. was one of the drugs used by Hippocrates
(Wikramanayake, 1996). In Sri Lanka it is a popular pot herb
EDIBLE P A R T S :-
Seeds and young leaves.
FOOD USE:-
Seeds are used as a spice. Leaves are eaten fresh and added to salads and curries.
Seeds are boiled and drunk as a beverage.
498
499
(Seeds)
Moisture - 11.2 g, Energy - 288 kcal, Proteins - 14.1 g, Fats - 16.1 g, Carbohydrates
- 2 1 . 6 g, Calcium - 6 3 0 mg, Phosphorus - 3 9 3 m g , Iron - 17.9 mg, Carotene - 9 4 2
m e g , Thiamine - 2 2 0 meg, Riboflavin - 3 5 0 , Niacin - 1.1 mg (Perera, et al., 1979).
(Leaves)
Energy - 7 9 kcal, Protein - 6.7 g, Fats - 1.7 g, Calcium - 4 4 0 mg, Iron - 7 . 0 m g ,
Carotene - 6 7 8 0 meg, Thiamin - 0.06 meg, Riboflavin - 0.05 meg, Niacin - 0.8 m g ,
Vitamin C - 2 2 0 mg (Gopalan et al., 1971).
The fresh plant contains a volatile oil which consists of coriandrol, d-ilinalool,
licariol, d-d-pinene, p-cymol, trepinene, dipentene, geraniol, 1-borneol,
b-phellandrene, terpinolene, n-de-cylaldehyde, acetic acid and decyl acid. The fruit
contains volatile oil, pentosan, furfural, pectin, vitamin C, fat, protein, starch and
potassium malate. The fruit of this herb is universally used with dry ginger as a
decoction for colds, influenza, fever etc. It is a flavouring agent for curries in the
East. It is a refrigerant, diuretic, tonic and aphrodisiac. A n infusion o f this fruit is
g i v e n for dyspepsia, sore throat, catarrh and bilious complaints. The oil is useful for
flatulent colic, rheumatism, neuralgia etc (Jayaweera, 1982; Wikramanayake, 1996).
Grows well in soils with good moisture retaining capacity. Requires cool
temperatures.
CULTIVATION:-
Planting season - Yala.
Land preparation - Involves ploughing with the first rains. The land is then
repeatedly worked with a blade.
Planting materials - Seeds.
Seed rate - 10-15 kg/ha. Sowing is done either broadcasting or in rows. Space
between rows is 25 cm apart.
Fertilizer - 12 t/ha of cattle mannure may be incorporated into the soil when land is
prepared.
Harvest - 4 1/2-5 months after sowing.
500
Yield - 1.8-2.0 T/ha.
STORAGE:-
Dried seeds can be kept for a long time in dry containers.
501
BOTANICAL NAME:- Hydrocotyle javanica
Syn :- H. hispida
SINHALA Maha-Gotukola
TAMIL Vallari
DESCRIPTION:-
A prostrate perennial herb with very long succulent, slightly pubescent (especially
beneath the nodes) stems sending up erect, stout, flexuose branches to about 30 cm
high.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, stipulate, 7.5 - 10 cm long, orbicular in outline, rather

broader than long, very deeply cordate
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, very small pale green, sessile, 2 0 or more crowded
in globular head on short hairy peduncles 2-6 together from nodes of upright
branches. (Flowers from May to October).
FRUITS:- T w o separate mericarps attached at summit to slender central axis,

indehiscent, much compressed, smooth, mericarps with primary ridges (Jayaweera,
1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Grows in India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaysia, Sumatra and Tropical Australia. It is
c o m m o n in moist places in the hill-country in Sri Lanka up to 8 0 0 m altitude
(Jayaweera, 1982).
E D I B L E PARTS:-
The leaves.
FOOD USE:-
It is used as a green vegetable either cooked or as salads. It is boiled and drunk as

a beverage. Extract of the whole plant is used for preparation of porridge.
502
This plant contains an oily non-volatile liquid called vellarin. This herb is an
altenative, tonic, diuretic, and local stimulant, especially for the cutaneous system.
The leaves are used for indigestion, nervousness and dysentery (Jayaweera, 1982).
CULTIVATION:-
Area for cultivation - It can be grown in all regions of the country.
Planting season - Planting can be done throughout the year. H o w e v e r for good crop
establishment plant during the rainy season.
Land preparation - Plough the land to a depth of about 20 cm and bring the soil to a
good fertile condition. On a small scale this could be done with a mammoty or a
mammoty fork. Use a sunken bed to conserve moisture.
Planting and space - Before planting the soil of the seed bed is mixed with organic
matter at the rate of 1.5 kg/sq m at planting time and one month later. Depending on
the planing type planting space varies. Bush type 30 cm x 25 cm, 2-3 suckers/hill and
creeping type 15 cm x 15 cm.
Irrigation - Adequate soil moisture must be made available for establishment and good
growth of the crop.
Fertilizer - Organic fertilizers are used.
Time to harvest - If moisture is not limited the first harvest can be obtained in 9 0
days. Subsequent harvests can be taken at 60 day intervals. The crop can be
harvested over a periods of 2-3 years.
Harvesting - Leaves are thinned by pulling out or cutting by a sharp knife or sickle
at the bottom of leaves.
STORAGE:-
Harvested leaves can be kept for 4-6 days in a shady cool place. Sun-dried leaves
may be used for preparation of a drink.
504
FAMILY:- ZINGIBERACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Curcuma domestica
Syn :- C. longa
SINHALA Ath-Kaha, Kaha

TAMIL Manjal
ENGLISH Turmeric
DESCRIPTION :-
A biennial herb, 1-1.5 m tall with a tuberous rootstock provided with tuberiferous
root fibers, rootstock and rhizomes orange-yellow, annular, cylindrical, rhizomes
distichous, placed fan-wise on rootstock, 3-4 on each side, 5-7.5 cm long, obfuciform
each terminating in a bud with several lateral branchlets.
L E A V E S : - Large, lamina 28-60 cm long, 9-15 cm broad, oblong, acuminate,

aristate, tapering to the petiole, glabrous on both sides bright green on the upper
surface, paler below, petioles 11-22 long.
F L O W E R S : - Bilaterally symmetrical, bisexual, yellowish-green, 5 cm long, 1.5 cm

broad (Jayaweera, 1982).
FRUITS:-
Not seen.
DISTRIBUTION :-
A native of Southern Asia (Jayaweera, 1982; Querol, 1992; Wikramanayake, 1996).

and now largely cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, China, Java and other tropical
countries. It is grown in the mid and moist low-country in Sri Lanka.
The rhizome.
505
Curcuma domesUca
(A) Plant. (B) Ryzome.

FOOD USE:-
Turmeric has been used as a spice in South East Asia and Indonesia since early times.
Turmeric powder is added to for flovouring and colouring of curries. Turmeric is
used for colouring butter, cheese, margerine, liqueres, fruit drinks, confectionery,
cakes and jellies. It may be used in alcholic solution.
(Dry root)
Moisture - 13.1 g, Energy - 349 kcal, Protein - 6.3 g, Fats - 51 g, Carbohydrates -
6 9 . 4 g, Calcium - 150 mg, Phosphorus - 212 mg, Iron - 14.8, Carotene - 30 meg,
Thiamine - 3 0 mg, Riboflavin - 0 mg, Niacin - 2.3 mg) Vitamin C - 0 (Perera, et al.,
1979).
Turmeric was used in magical rites intended to promote fertility. The major pigment
is curcumin (about 8%) which probably accounts for the high anti-oxident activity of
turmeric ( Wikramanayake, 1996). The dried rhizome is much used as a condiment.
The fresh rhizome is crushed and applied externally on bruises, sprains wounds and
leech-bites. Internally, it is given as an anthelmintic and in disorders of the blood.
It is administered for diarrhoea, dysentery, flatulence, dyspepsia, colic jaundice and
amenorrhoea. In Sri Lanka, a paste of it is applied on prurigo, urticaria, boils,
sprains and bruises and also given internally for rheumatism, bronchial ailments and
snake-bites (Jayaweera, 1982).
Turmeric oil has antiinflammatory, antiarthritic and feeble antiseptic properties. Paste
made of the flowers is used in ringworms and other parasitic skin diseases.
OTHER U S E S : -
Tumeric water made by adding turmeric powder into water is used as a germ killer.
Turmeric is said to give a glow to the skin. It is used in cleaning the skin and as a
prevention of skin infections. Turmeric water is used as a cosmetic lotion. Turmeric
water is rubbed over the body after a bath, or the powder dust over children after
bathing.
Well drained sandy loam soil is good for turmeric. Requires a high moisture content
in the soil and therefore it is normally grown as a mixed crop. Normal rainfall of
2 0 0 0 - 2 5 0 0 mm is required for vigorous growth.
507
CULTIVATION:-
Areas of cultivation - The mid and low country of Sri Lanka.
Planting season - Around the middle of April.
Land preparation - Required good cultivation and manuring.
Planting materials - Fingers.
Seed rate - 1500 kg/ha of fingers.
Spacing - Fingers are planted in rows 30 cm apart. Space in the rows is 18 cm.
Fertilizer - Cattle manure of 25 t/ha is added at planting.
Shade - Normally shade is provided in turmeric growing. It is normally cultivated

under coconut, banana and other perennial crops.
Harvesting time - When the corms ripen and are ready for harvest, the leaves of the
plants become yellow and dry up one by one.
STORAGE:-
Boiled and sun-dried fingers can be stored powdered or whole.
508
F A M I L Y :- ZINGIBERACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Elettaria cardamomum
Syn :- E. repens
VERNACULAR NAMES:-
SINHALA Ensal, Karadamungu

TAMIL Ella-kai, Yelakkai Alum; Periyayalam
ENGLISH Cardamom
DESCRIPTION:-
A perennial herb with a fleshy, branching, anmulate rootstock, stem 2-3 m tall,
clothed below with spongy sheaths.
L E A V E S : - Simple, subsessile, distichous, 30-90 cm long, 7.5-15 cm broad, caudate-

acuminate, glabrous or more or less pubescent above.
FLOWERS:- Irregular, bisexual, in short 3-4 flowered racemes.
FRUITS:- Oblong -avoid, 1.2-1.8 cm long, bluntly triangular, pale yellowish-grey.

Several seeds in the fruit dark brown closely packed (Jayaweera, 1982).
DISTRIBUTION :-
Cardamom occur wild in everygreen forests of the Western Ghats and in Sri Lanka.
Cardamom has a long histrory as a spices. In 1 century A . D Rome imported
cardomom. In 180 A . D . , cardamom was included the list of spices issues by the
Royal Customs House, Alexandria, as biable to payment of duty. Purposeful planting
has been done in Sri Lanka since 1800. In Sri Lanka, it is widely cultivated in the
hill ranges and slopes of the districts Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya (Wijesekera
and Nethsingha, 1975).
Seeds.
FOOD USE:-
The seeds are used as a spices. Seeds and oil is used in bread, cakes and
confectionery. Cardamom Coffee is popular in the Middle East. In Indonesia,
cardomom is blended with tobacco to prepare ciggerattes.
509
¥
Elettaria cardamomum
(A) Small racemose portion of a flowering branch. (B) Leaf. (C) Flower. (D) Seed.
510
It is given internally for diseases of the liver and uterus and applied exterally on
tumours of the uterus. The seed is diuretic and used to relieve the retention of urine.
It is administered to children to prevent excessive vomiting (Jayaweera, 1982;
Wikramanayake, 1996).
OTHER USES:-
Cardamom are used to sweeten the breath. Cardamom oil is used in perfumery and
dentistry.
Well distributed rainfall of 250-400 c m is required. Well driained, fairly deep, moist,
rich lomy soils of pH 5-5.5 are preferable for cardamom. Grown at altitudes from
6 0 0 - 1 3 5 0 m that is depends on the variety.
CULTIVATION:-
Propagation is by sees of rhizomes of the mature plant. In the first methods, seeds
from fully matured fruits, air dried, soaked in water for two hours and s o w n in
nursery beds. The nursery beds must be protected from excessive heat and from
direct rain, by a good overhead covering. The last period for sowing is September,
October.
The preferred methods is propagation by rhizomes. The rhizomes should be 18

months to 2 years old and should contain at last 2 growing stems.
Planting distance - 2.4-3.6 m under light shade. Pits for rhizomes 60 cm, wide, 30-
45 cm deep, 210 cm apart. Rhizomes are buried up to their collars.
Weeding is neccesary during th first two years.
Harvesting - The plant bears in 2 years at lower elevations, in three years at higher
elevations. From the 5th years, full crop. Plant must be renewed after 12 years.
Fruits mature 3-4 months after flowering at lower elevations and 5 months after
flowering at higher elevation. Fruits are harvested before they reach full maturing
when still firm and just beginning to turn yellow. They are picked at at 3 weeks
intervals. Fruits are cut with a pair of cut with a pair of scissors, without damaging
the raceme.
Yield:- 300 kg per hectare.
511
FAMILY:- ZINGIBERACEAE
BOTANICAL NAME:- Zingiber officinale
Syn :- Amomum zingiber
SINHALA Inguru
TAMIL Allan, Sigaram, Inngy
ENGLISH Ginger
DESCRIPTION:-
A perennial herb with a large, solid, tough, horizontal rhizome, consisting of a series
of many persistent roundish joints, pale yellow within, covered with a pale silvery
brown skin, ringed with leaf scars, and each marked at the summit by a large,
circular, flatsear, much branched, the new joints coming off below the terminal scars,
roots numerous, large, cylindrical, fleshy, thick, brittle, semi-transparent, yellow.
L E A V E S : - Simple, alternate, distichous, sheaths long, lax, standing away from the
stem, terminating in two small, rounded auricles, smooth, pale green, blade absent
or nearly so in the lower leaves, in the upper about 20-30 cm long, spreading
lanceolate-linear, tapering at both ends often much so at the apex.
FLOWERS:- Stem shorter than the leafy ones, 15-30 cm high, erect, slender,
surrounded with a few loose, blunt leaf sheaths, the upper ones sometimes with a
short blade (Jayaweera, 1982).
FRUITS:
Not seen.
DISTRIBUTION:-
Widely cultivated in tropical countries and is probably a native of South East Asia
(Querol, 1992) where it has been cultivated from ancient times. Only in the ninth
century, the Europeans knew about ginger. It was introduced to East Africa in the
13th century, while the Portuguese had taken it to West Africa. It was probably
introduced to the new world in the 16th century (Purseglove, 1972).
512
The rhizome.
FOOD USE:-
Dried rhizomes are added into curries for flavouring and it is a constituent of curry
powder. Occasionally it is ground into flour and used in biscuits, ginger beer, cakes
and pickles. Crystallized ginger (Inguru dosi) is prepared by boiling tender peeled
rhizomes with sugar and dried later.
Moisture - 8 0 . 9 g, Energy - 67 kcal, Proteins - 2.3 g, Fats - 0 . 9 g, Carbohydrates

- 1 2 . 3 g, Calcium - 2 0 m g , Phosphorus - 6 0 m g , Iron - 2 . 6 m g , Carotene - 4 0 m e g ,
Thiamine - 6 0 m e g , Riboflavin - 30 m e g , Niacin - 0 . 6 mg, Vitamin C -6 mg (Perera,
et al., 1979).
The rhizome of this plant contains a pungent principle, mainly zingerone and shogaol,
while the aroma is due to a volatile oil containing camphene, phellandrene,
zingiberene, cineol and borneol. (Jayaweera, 1982). Ginger is used in medicine as
a carminative and aromatic stimulant to the gastro-intestinal tract and as a rebefacient
and counter-irritant (Wikramanayake, 1996).
Cultivated in a large variety of soils. Good drainage is essential. Acidic soils are
more favourable for ginger. Requires a good rainfall of 2 5 0 0 mm and considerable
shade. Grows in elevations of 1500 m.
Areas for cultivation - Mainly in Central and Western Provinces of Sri Lanka.
Planting season - March-April.
Land preparation - Fine tilth up to depth of 12 cm is necessary. Preparatory tillage

commence about two months before planting and the soil turned over at least three
times.
Planting materials - Fingers.
Seed rate - 2 . 5 - 3 t/ha. Cultivated on the beds or the ridges, 2 5 - 3 0 c m apart.
514
Fertilizer - Chemical and organic manure will increase the yield.
Harvesting time - December - January. When leaves are becoming yellow and
ultimately drying.
515
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520
INDEX TO SINHALESE NAMES
Aba 130 Embul-Embiliya 354

Alupuhul 136 Embulpala 354
Amba 47 Ensal 509
Ambula 216 Et-olu 345
Amu 396 Gadu guda 208
Annasi 100 Gahala 81
Anona 56 Galsiyabala 235
Araluk 295 Gammiris 380
Aravinda 342 Gan-aba 133
Atamba 51 Gas-labu 104
Ath-kaha 505 Ginpol 370
Attha 59 Gokatu 114
Attika 308 Gonala 192
Awusada-Nelli 216 Goraka 108
Bada Iringu 408 Goyam 388
BadaInguru 408 Habarala 74
Bandakka 291 Hal 197
Bathala 121 Hathawariya 288
Bedi-del 305 Heen-dan 330
Beli 418 Heen karamba 68
Bilimbi 348 Hela-lunu 284
Bilin 348 Hen-kekiri 143
Camaranga 351 Herali 301
Cambaranka 351 Hin dehi 422
Cowpea 259 Hin-gotukola 494
Dambala 248 Hin sarana 21
Dan 330 Honda beraliya 194
Daravetakolu 158 Hulankiriya 295
Davulkurundu 277 Indi 373
Debara 415 Inguru 512
Dehi 422 Innala 271
Dehiala 81 Iramusu 91
Delum 412 Iringu 408
Desa-ala 70 Jambu 336
Divul 437 Javala 186
Diya-labu 154 Jool 437
Dodan 433 Kaha 505
Durian 97 Kaju 43
Ela-aba 127 Kaju-kadala 219
Ela-batu 486 Kalu-aba 133
Emberella 53 Kalukanberiya 483
Embul-Dodan 426 Kana beraliya 194
0
Kana goraka 108 Lima karal 262
Kandala 81 Madan 333
Kankun 117 Madu 175
Karabu-neti 319 Maha sarana 18
Karadamungu 509 Maha-dan 333
Karamba 68 Maha-gotukola 502
Karapincha 480 Maha-ratadehi 430
Karawala Keballa 206 Mahaberaliya 194
Kariwila 165 Mahakaramba 65
Katavala 190 Maiyokka 212
Kathuru-murunga 252 Malu Miris 469
Katu-ala 190 Mangnokka 212
Katuatta 56 Mangosteen 111
Katuanoda 56 Mangus 111
Katuikiriya 15 Masan 415
Katu-tampala 37 Meek 457
Katukukulala 186 Mekaral 262
Katulovi 268 Meneri 392
Kessel 315 Mi 457
Kidaran 78 Miris 469
Kirala 491 Mora 446
Kirianguna 88 Mucunuwenna 27
Kiri Habarala 74 Mun 240
Kiri kondol 178 Muneta 240
Kiriala 74 Muna mudakkan 208
Kirikaju 219 Munamal 466
Kirilla 491 Murunga 311
Kitul 360 Naminan 232
Kohila 85 Nan-nan 232
Koketiya 114 Neeramulliya 15
Kollu 237 Nellika 216
Komadu 139 Nelum 342
Kon 452 Nivithi 94
Kos 301 Niyan-wetakolu 161
Kottamalli 498 Olu 345
Kudu-Dawula 277 Padma 342
Kukulala 186 Palu 460
Kura-tampala 40 Pana 301
Kurahan 384 Pathola 172
Kurakkan 384 Penela 443
Kurundu 274 Peni dodan 433
Lamanga 319 Peni-komadu 139
Lapnaran 430 Peni mora 446
Lawulu 455 Peni-thora 226
9
522
Pepol 104 Udala 182
Pera 323 Uguressa 268
Peti-tora 229 Uk-gas 400
Pini-jambu 327 Undu 244
Pipingna 146 Vambatu 480
Pol 363 Veli Jambu 339
Polkudupala 24 Veralu 203
Polpala 24 Vetakolu 158
Puhul 136 Wal-del 305
Raja-ala 7 8 , 178 Wal-indi 373
Ramba 315 Wal-jambu 327
Rambutan 449 Wal-kidaran 78
Rana tampala 30 Wal- kurudu 277
Ranawara 223 Walu tampala 34
Rata-ala 7 0 , 178 Wattakka 150
Rata-atta 56 Wee 388
Rata-del 298 Wel-Penela 443
Rata goraka 108 Wel-tibbatu 489
Rata-nivithi 94 Weli-attha 59
Rata-uguressa 265 Wira 210
Ratakaju 219
Ratal a 271
Ratalabu 150
Ratu-lunu 280
Sapodilla 463
Sideran 430
Sinhala-del 305
Sini-atta 62
Siyambala 255
Sudu-lunu 284
Tadala 81
Takkali 473
Tal gas 367
Tal 357
Talgaha 357
Tamburu 342
Tel kola 125
Thala 376
Thanahal 404
Thimbiri 200
Thumbakariwila 169
Tibbatu 477
Titta-anguna 88
Tumba 169
523
INDEX TO TAMIL NAMES
Acham 252 Cowpea 259

Achuram 311 Egin 5 3 , 255
308 Ella-kai 509
Adam
415 Ellu 376
Adidaram
Adishelarayam 47 Goraka 108
252 Iichchampalam 373
Agatti
380 Iirapilakai 298
Aguttam
466 Ilavangappu 319
Alagu
190 Illuppai 457
Allai
512 Indam 255
Allan
345 Inngy 512
Allitamarai
418 Irravengayam 280
Aluvigam
216 Irulli 280
Amalagam
342, 345 Iyalbudi 418
Ambal
53 Kadarai 426
Ambalam
255 Kaduliem Palam 235
Ambilam
47 Kagudu 127,130,133
Ambiram
422 Kala 65
Ambu
47 Kalakkay 65
Amiram
308 Kallarama 43
Anai
43 Kallu-pullium 235
Andima
400 Kalumal 412
Angarigai
100 Kalyanappushinikkay 136
Annasi
34, 4 0 Kamal 88
Araikkirai
91 Kandal 477
Arakkam
305 Kandasagadam 351
Aresini-pilaka
388 Kankun 117
Arishi
380 Kannai 178
Arisu
91 Karimullu 477
Aritinviyachi
Karunaikkalangu 78
Arugadam 333
422 Karuva Pattai 274
Arunam
295 Karuvappu 319
Aruruttukkilangu
305 Karuvembu 440
Asiri- pillakai
415 Karuvepillai 440
Attiram
223 Kattarikkai 480
Avarai
494 Kattuma 4 6 , 53
Babassa
274 Katu-kali 268
Cannalavangapattai
392 Katuma 51
Chamai
18 Kayur 384
Charanai
68 Kelvagaru 384
Chiru-kila
125 Kilatti 68
Chirudali
408 Kilavari 288
Cholam
524
Kinjam 255 Nirmalli 15
Kiramb 319 Nirmittan 288
Kochittamarattai 348 Nittidan 489
Kodeppayam 262 Nut Keerai 30
Kodi 182 Paal Palam 460
Kodippalai 88 Padivilangu 172
Kogilacham 430 Pakal 165
Kohila 85 Palai 460
Kolama 452 Palamundiri 43
Kolangu 117 Palap 255
Kollu 237 Paliakiri 354
Konji 452 Palupalagakalungai 169
Kotamalli 498 Panai 357
Kottaimundiri 43 Pani-payir 244
Kottainagam 333 Panichchai 200
Kottavan 443 Pappali 104
Koyya 323 Parum sembu 74
Kudalam 489 Pasalai 94
Kuligam 457 Passippayaru 240
Kurinja 88 Pavatkai 165
Kuruguttali 125 Peeram 158
Magil 466 Peerkangkai 146
Malai 53 Pekunkai 158
Mampalam 47 Peragatti 252
Manattakkali 483 Peria Jambu 336
Mangus-kai 111 Periyayalam 509
Manjal 505 Perungala 65
Mansal Palam 455 Peyavirai 226
Maravalliklangu 212 Pichuknu 161
Marungi 330 Pilaka 301
Milagai 469 Pipingkay 146
Mothakavalli 186 Pitcha 139
Mullukkirai 37 Podalangai 172
Muni 252 Ponnankani 27
Murangai 311 Pounanganni 27
Murasabalam 301 Pudalangai 262
Nandam 426 Puli 255
Narangam 433 Puliyarai 354
Naval 333 Punniyaku 34
Nellikkai 216 Pusanikkai 136
Nellu 388 Pushanikai 150
Neremulli 15 Rambutan 449
Nettandagarai 226,229 Ramsitha 59
Nilakkadalai 219 Rasavalli 178
525
Sadamulam 288 Vandikkai 291
Sambal Pusanikkai 136 Varagu 396
Saralu 265 Vegalam 466
Saram 43 Velambalam 437
Sarkareivalli 117 Vellaippudu 284
Seeni Jambu 339 Vellaisharunnai 18
Seetha palam 56 Vellarikkai 143
Senavu 232 Vellavengaym 284
Sengoyya 323 Vendal 291
Shamakkilangu 81 Venkaduku 127
Sharunnai 21 Veralikkai 203
Shavalai 21 Verkkadalai 219
Shemakkalengu 81 Virai 210
Shivappluvaslakkira 94 Wattakkai 136
Sigaram 512 Wattalakklangu 121
Sinna Vengayam 280 Weerapalam 210
Sirupulai 24 Yelakkai Alum 509
Sisam 351
Sitapalam 62
Sitha 56
Sittapan 62
Sivandi 460
Sivapputamarai 342
Sottaikala 268
Sudam 53
Sudam Andima 46
Sukkilam 460
Sulambali 111
Surakkai 154
Takkali 473
265
Talisam
200
Tambilik-kay
363
Tengai
367
Thalapanai
422
Thesikkai
406
Thinai
433
Thodam
360
Tippilipana
289
Uli
244
Ullundu
315
Vaalai
486
Vaddu Vattu
494
Vallarai
502
Vallari
526
INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES
Acid Lime 422 Chinese Water-lily 342

Aerial Yam 186 Chinese White Cucumber 143
Agathi 252 Chinese Yam 182
Air Potato 186 Cinnamon 274
Alocesia 70 Citron 430
Angled Loofah 158 Civit Fruit 97
Anola 216 Clove 319
Arrowroot Plant 295 Coconut 363
A s h gourd 136 Cocoyam 81
A s h Pumpkin 136 Coleus Potato 271
Asiatic Yam 178, 182 Coriander 498
Bael Fruit 418 Corn 408
Balloon Vine 443 Country Potato 271
Balsam Pear 165 Cowpea 259
Banana 315 Cucumber 146
Bel Fruit 418 Cucumber Tree 348
Bile Tree 53 Curry-Leaf Tree 440
Bilimbi 348 Custard Apple 62
Bitter Cucumber 165 Dragon Eye 446
Bitter Gourd 165 Drumstick tree 311
Black Gram 244 Durian 97
Black Mustard 133 Earth Nut 219
Black Nightshade 483 Egg Plant 480
Black Pepper 380 Elephant Apple 437
Black Plum 333 Elephant yam 78
Bottle Gourd 154 Emblic Myrobalan Tree 216
Bread Fruit 298 Fence Gourd 158
Breadnut 298 Fetid Cassia 226, 229
Brinjal 480 Fig 308
Buck Y a m 190 Finger Millet 384
Bullock's Heart 59 Fish Tail Palm 360
Calabash Gourd 154 Foxtail Millet 404
Capsicum 469 Garlic 284
Carambola 351 Giant Taro 74
Cardamom 509 Gingelly 376
Cashew Nut 43 Ginger 512
Cassava 212 Goa Bean 248
Ceylon Oak 452 Goraka 108
Ceylon Olive 203 Governers Plam 268
Ceylon Spinach 94 Grain Amaranth 30
Chilly 469 Greater Yam 178
Chinese Gooseberry 351 Green Gram 240
527
Ground Nut 219 Nipa Palm 370
Guava 323 Num-num 232
Hairy Litchi 449 Okra 291
Hause Potato 271 Orange 433
Honey Tree 457 Oriental Pickling melon 143
Horse Gram 237 Paddy 388
Horse purslane 21 Palmyra Palm 357
Inca Wheat 30 Papaw 104
Indian Cherry 415 Papaya 104
Indian Gamboge 114 Papeta 104
Indian Gooseberry 216 Peanut 219
Indian Hog Plum 53 Pineapple 100
Indian Horse Radish 311 Plantain 315
Indian Jujube 415 Pomegranate 412
Indian Mustard 130 Potato Yam 186
Indian Pennywort 494 Prickly Amaranth 37
Indian Sago Palm 360 Pumpkin 150
Indian Sorrel 354 Quinoa 30
Indian Spinach 94 Ragi 384
Italian Millet 404 Rambai 208
Jak Fruit Tree 301 Rambeh 208
Jambolan 333 Rambutan 449
Java Plum 333 Ramontchi 268
Kang kong 117 Red Onion 280
Kodo millet Red Peper 469
396
Ladies Finger 200
291 Riber Ebony
Leaved-heart Pea 388
443 Rice
Lesser Yam 158
182 Ridged Gourd
Lima Bean 268
262 Sapida
Lime 463
422 Sapodilla
Longan
446 Sapot 463
Lotus
342 Sarsaparilla 91
Madras Gram 237 Sesame 376
Maize 408 Seville 426
Malay Rose Apple 336 Shallot 280
Malaysian Karanda 65 Slime Apple 418
Malbor Nightshade 94 Smooth loofah 161
Mango 47 Snake-gourd 172
Mangosteen 111 Sour Lime 422
Manioc 212 Sour orange 426
Melongena 480 Soursop 56
Millet 392 Sponge Gourd 161
Mung Bean 240 Squash Gourd 150
Neseberry 463 Sri Lankan Damson 65
528
Star Apple 455 Vine Spinach 94
Star Fruit 351 Water Coconut 370
Sugar Apple 62 Water Convolvulas 117
Sugarcane 400 Water Melon 139
Swamp Cabbage 117 Water Spinach 117
Sweet Orange 433 Water Yam 178
Sweet Potato 121 Watery Rose Apple 327
Sweetsop 62 Wax gourd 136
Tamarind 255 White gourd 136
Tanner's Cassia 223 Wild Asparagus 288
Taro 81 Wild Breadfruit 305
Thalipot Palm 367 Wild Date 373
Toddy Palm 360 Wild Mango 53
Tomato 473 White Mustard 127
Traveller's Delight 53 Wine Palm 360
Trumpet Gourd 154 Winged Bean 248
Tumeric 505 Winged Yam 178
Velvet Tamarind 235 Winter Squash 150
Wood Apple 437
529

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Traditional Food Plants Traditional Food Plants

Cover Design Karunasrii Wjiesn

HECTOR KOBBEKADUWA AGRARIAN RESEARCH & TRAINING INSTITUTE

Research Study : 100 April 1998

Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute

It is also important that traditional food plants and indigenous knowledge to be

S.G. Samarasinghe, Ph.D

In this context, there is a longlasting necessity of a resource book on traditional food

Words can't express my deep sense of gratitude to Mr D . G . P . Seneviratne, former

I am thankful to Dr. S.G. Samarasinghe, Director, Hector Kobbekeduwa Agrarian

I deeply acknowledge the assistance rendered by my research assistants Mr. T . N .

M y colleagues, Messers L.P. Rupasena, T . A . Dharmaratne, Ananda Samarakoon,

The assistance provided by Mr. K . A . S . Dayananda, Head, Publication Unit, HARTI

It is my pleasure to express appreciation of act of kindness by Mr. Wilfred

Family Botanical Name

SAPOTACEAE Mimusops elengi

VI Index to Sinhalese Names 521

VII Index to Tamil Names 524

VIII Index to English Names 527

Considering the importance of conservation of natural habitats, the Sri Lankan

• 3. W h y Traditional F o o d Plants are Important?

3.2 Traditional F o o d Plants a n d Nutrition

Despite improvements in many public health indicators, problems of malnutrition

N o w it is realized that malnutrition is an outcome of a number of factors. Food

3.3 Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Agriculture

There is an invaluable body o f indigenous knowledge associated with cultivation,

3.4 Intellectual Property Rights a n d Future of Agriculture

Big corporations from the North, particularly T N C s are involved in a worldwide

There is a growing worldwide opposition to the granting of patents on biological

4.1 Community Participation in Plant Genetic Conservation

Women's participation is essential in conservation of traditional food plants, since our

Therefore, womens participation is extremely essential in collecting important

4.2 Awareness as an Important Factor

Awareness programs are particularly important in community participation in

Information was collected mainly from the following three sources:-

The following information was collected for each plant species,

Syn :- Barleria longifolia, Hygrophila longifolia

SINHALA : Katu-ikiriya, Neera mulliya.

A perennial herb with an ascending rhizome, stems numerous, 6 0 - 1 2 0 c m tall, erect,

FLOWERS:- Large, irregular, bisexual, purplish-blue in a cluster o f eight round each

FRUIT:- A loculicidal linear capsule with a few seeds (Jayaweera, 1981).

Stem and leaves are sun-dried.

BOTANICAL NAME:- Trianthema decandra

Syn:- Zaleya decomdra

SINHALA : Maha sarana

L E A V E S : - Simple, exstipulate, opposite, somewhat unequal, 2 - 3 . 7 cm long, 0 . 8 - 2 . 2

FLOWERS:- Regular, bisexual, 4 mm diameter apetalous, short-pediculate in dense

Moisture - 9 1 . 3 g, Energy - 2 4 kcal, Protein - 2 . 0 g, Fats - 0 . 4 g, Carbohydrates - <m

Land preparation - The land has to be worked to a depth of about 20 cm in order to

Planting material- Seeds and cuttings

SINHALA : Hin sarana

A prostrate, much branched, succulent herb with rather angular stems.

L E A V E S : - Simple, obliquely opposite very unequal, succulent, glabrous,the upper

F L O W E R S : - Small, light pink, regular, 4 mm diameter, bisexual, apetalous, sessile,

FRUITS:- Capsule 7 mm long, 5 m m broad, obconical, truncate, somewhat like the

Eaten as a pot herb.

Moisture - 9 3 . 4 g, Energy - 2 1 . 0 Kcal , Protein -2.1 g, Fat - 0 . 3 g, Carbohydrate -

See Maha Sarana (Trianthera decandra).

It lasts only two days under normal conditions.