Plants Used in the Household

T.R. PREMATHILAKE, S. EPITA WATTE, ANURA YASAPALA, EVA MYRDAL- RUNEBJER

This is a list of plants and material of plant origin used in the household, listed in the course of the village survey. Samples were examined in situ by T.R. Premathilake of the PGIAR and identified by him. The identifications are based on the samples examined. The species are identified by their botani­ cal names. The local names are mostly ones in general use in the Dry Zone but in some cases relate only to the sample species examined.

The same name may also be applied in some instances to other botanical species, but these alternatives are not indicated here as they did not feature in the sample examined.

MATERIAL FOR TOOLS AND CONSTRUCTION ETC

1. SINHALA NAME: AND ARA WOOD FAMILY: MIMOSACEAE

Dichrostachys cinerea (L) Wight & Arn. USAGE

Village survey: Handle for katta. General: Timber used for house building.

2. SINHALA NAME: BATA FAMILY: POACEAE Ochlandra stridula Thw. USAGE

Village survey: Kollu-paha (basket for znz-oil pre­ ssing).

General: Fruit eaten, stem used for roof construc­ tion and furniture.

3. SINHALA NAME: BURUTA WOOD FAMILY: RUTACEAE

Chloroxylon swietenia DC. USAGE

Village survey: Yota (unusual material for a yota - water-lifting device in irrigation), divided buruta- log used to hold the paha (basket) for mf-oil press­ ing. Used for the pointed stick placed at the bottom of a boruvala (pit-fall) and in an uladamilla (poi­ nted stick inside chena, close to fence to trap ani­ mals jumping over the fence), vamgediya (wooden mortar).

General: Furniture, tool handles. 4. SINHALA NAME: DADUVAHA WOOD FAMILY: MYRTACEAE

Eugenia rotundata Trim. USAGE

Village survey: Pointed wooden stick placed at the bottom of the boruvala (pit-fall), uladamilla (poi­ nted sticks placed inside chena, close to fence, to trap animals jumping over the fence).

5. SINHALA NAME: DAMBA WOOD FAMILY: MYRTACEAE

Syzygium cumini (L) Sked. USAGE

Village survey: Vamgediya (wooden mortar). General: Timber used for house building.

6. SINHALA NAME: DAMUNU WOOD FAMILY: TILICEAE

Grewia tiliaefolia L. USAGE

Village survey: Handle for katta (bill-hook). General: Oars, shafts, gunstocks, root for medicine, fruit eaten.

7. SINHALA NAME: DIKKANDA (BRANCHES) FAMILY: ANNONACEAE

Artabotrys eylanicus Hook.f. and Thoms. USAGE

Village survey: Parts of karaka (a fishing device) General: Wood for plywood boxes, small resinous, seed edible, oil used for lighting.

8. SINHALA NAME: DEMATA WOOD FAMILY: VERBENACEAE Gmelina asiatica L.

USAGE

Village survey: Handle for loku katta (big billho- ok/axe) and katta.

9. SINHALA NAME: GALLAHA-PAN FAMILY: CYPREACEAS

Cyperus exaltatus Hoult. USAGE

Village survey: Panmalla (basket - for example for carrying the seeds when sowing dry grains in thechena).

General: Plaited mats.

10. SINHALA NAME: GAMSURIYA WOOD FAMILY: MALVACEAE

Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland. ex Corr. USAGE

Village survey: Mate (stirring implement for curd making).

General: For furniture, boats and carts.

11. SINHALA NAME: GATAKULA (BRANCHES) FAMILY: RUBIACEAE

Benkara malabarica (Lam.) Tir. USAGE

Village survey: Gira tonduva (parrot-trap), bow part of galdunna (stone-throwing device to scare cattle from home garden or fields).

12. SINHALA NAME: HALMILLA WOOD FAMILY: TILIACEAE

Berry a cordifolia^wM.) Burret. USAGE

Village survey: Wood for blade of the govi-poruva (hand-drawn leveller), handle of kopi pihiya (kn­ ife). Halmilla leaves: tied around honey combs to carry them home from the jungle.

General: Wood for boats, bent works, beams; uni­ versally useful.

13. SINHALA NAME: IBIKATUVAL FAMILY: CELASTRACEAE Reissaantia indica (willd.) Halle. USAGE

Village survey: Wickers used to bind the paddy straw bundles forming the cylindric vi bissa (paddy storage structure).

14. SINHALA NAME: ILUK FAMILY: GRAMINACEAE

Imperata cylindrica Var. major (Nees) C.E. Hubb. USAGE

Village survey: Roof cover material.

15. SINHALA NAME: INDI FAMILY: PALMAE Phoenix pussilia Gaertn. USAGE

Village survey: Kemana (fishing device).

16. SINHALA NAME: KALAVAL FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Derris scandens (Dalz.) Bak. USAGEVillage survey: String for gira tonduva (parrot­ trap), snare of valikukul ugula (wild fowl’s trap), snare of len ugula (squirrel-trap), string for galdun­ na (stone-throwing device for scaring away cattle from home garden or fields).

17. SINHALA NAME: KALUVARA WOOD FAMILY: EBENACEAE

Diospyros ebenum Koenig. USAGE

Village survey: Pestle to vamgediya (wooden mor­ tar).

General: Wood for masts, furniture, chopsticks, o- pium pipes, fruit as medicine and fish poison.

18. SINHALA NAME: KANDA LEAVES FAMILY: EUPHORBIACEAE Macarangapeltata (Roxb.) Muell. Arg. USAGE

Village survey: Leaves were tied around honey­ combs to bring them home from the jungle. General: Wood for temporary work.

19. SINHALA NAME: KIRI KON FAMILY: MELIACEAE Walsura piscidia Roxb. USAGE

Village survey: Branch for fixed spear (uladamil- la).

20. SINHALA NAME: KI RIVAL FAMILY: RUBIACEAE Morinda umbellata L. USAGE

Village survey: Binding of the karaka (fishing de­ vice), kudaya (basket also used for catching small fish), part of net in habaka (dead-fall trap in the chena land fence), rope for fastening snare of the kaballava trap, kude (basket used for example for holding kurakkan ears when cutting), string hold­ ing the triggering mechanism of the valikukul ug­ ula (wild fowl’s trap), binding the sticks of the mi habaka (rat-trap) together.

21. SINHALA NAME: KOHOMBA FAMILY: MELIACEAE Azadirachta indica A. Tuss. USAGE

Village survey: Leaves dug down together with ash around vi bissa wall-and-roof-carrying pillars as protection against white ants.General: Wood durable, insect-proof, used for dec­ orative works and ships.

22. SINHALA NAME: KURATIYA FAMILY: EUPHORBIACEAE Phyllanthus polyphyllus Wiild. USAGE

Village survey: Branches for rila ugula and uru- manda.

23. SINHALA NAME: LABU FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Lagenaria siceraria Mol. USAGE

Village survey: Dried fruit used as a vessel. General: Fruit eaten, oil extracted, fruit shell used as vessels, or to make musical instruments.

24. SINHALA NAME: MILLA WOOD FAMILY: VERBENACEAE

Vitex pinnata. L. F. forma Vitex altissima Mol- denke.

USAGE

Village survey: Divided milla log holding the paha (basket) for pressing mf-oil.

General: Durable wood, used for house construc­ tion in various parts of southern India; in Burma for making wooden bells.

25. SINHALA NAME: MORA WOOD FAMILY: SAP1NDACEAE

Dimocarpus longana. Lour. Euphoria longana Lam.

USAGE

Village survey: Pointed wooden post placed at the bottom of the boruvala (trap-pit).

General: Wood for building and furniture.

26. SINHALA NAME: POL ENGLISH: COCONUT PALM FAMILY: PALMAE

Cocos nucifera L. USAGE

Village survey: Pol kendi, coconut fibre used to twine a string, kohulanu, used for example as a binding around karaka orifice; pol katu, (coconut shell) for the mugaya, milk-pail; in traditional me­ dicine used for holding the burning woodapple leaf when treating poisonous hunga bites; pol kuru, le­ af-stem part of kemana; pol hanasu ("bud-cover") sieve for honey; pol kola (leaves) for roof cover, decorations in festival times and at funerals; wood used for roof construction. General: Fruit is eaten, also used to produce al­ cohol, vinegar, toddy, cooking oil, soap; leaves for thatching material; fibre for making ropes, brushes, brooms; nutshell for bowls, spoons.

27. SINHALA NAME: SERU FAMILY: RUBIACEAE Canthium dicoccum (Gaerth.) Merr. USAGE

Village survey: Branch for fixed spear.

28. SINHALA NAME: TAL FAMILY: PALMAE Borassus flabellifer L. USAGE

Village survey: Palm leaves as roof cover, umbrel­ la.

29. SINHALA NAME: TALA ENGLISH: GINGELLY FAMILY: PEDALIACEAE Sesamum indicum (L.) USAGE

Village survey: Straws covering pit-trap in home­ garden.

General: Cooking oil, for sweetmeats, soap.

30. SINHALA NAME: TANAVI, TANAHAL FAMILY: GRAMINACEAE

Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv. USAGE

Village survey: Seed is eaten, bait for the len ugula (squirrel-trap).

General: Seed is eaten.

31. SINHALA NAME: ULKANDA BRANCHES FAMILY: ANNONACEAE

Poly althia korinti (Dunal.) Thw. USAGE

Village survey: Gira tonduva (parrot trap), part of kemana (stationary fishing device), part of karaka (fishing device).

General: Fruits eaten by children.

32. SINHALA NAME: VI ENGLISH: RICE FAMILY: GRAMINACEAS Oryza sativa L.

USAGE

Village survey: Goy am piduru (paddy straw), fod­ der, bundled to form the cylindric vi bissa; seeds eaten.

General: Seeds eaten.

33. SINHALA NAME: VELAM FAMILY: STERCULIACEAE Pteros permum canescens Roxb. USAGE

Village survey: Handle of the govi-poruva (hand drawn leveller), handle of udalla (hoe), handle of porava (axe).

General: Wood for boxes, poles and spars. Fire can be produced by rotating the point of one piece of wood upon the side of another.

34. SINHALA NAME: VIRA WOOD FAMILY: EUPHORBIACEAE

Dry petes sepiaria (Wight & Arn.) Pax Hoffm. USAGE

Village survey: Handle of porava.

35. SINHALA NAME: VEVAL FAMILY: PALMAE Calamus rotang L. USAGE

Village survey: String holding the mi habaka (rat- trap) lid, kudaya (basket).

HOME GARDEN Fruits, berries, leaves

36. SINHALA NAME: AMBA ENGLISH: MANGO FAMILY: ANACARDIACEAE

Mangifera indica L. Mangifera zeylanica (BL) Hook.f.

USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten, perennial.

General: Wood for boxes, dugout canoes, plywood.

37. SINHALA NAME: BELI FAMILY: RUTACEAE Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Home garden or jungle. Collected September-October. Perennial.

38. SINHALA NAME: BILIM FAMILY: OXALIDACEAE Averrhoe bilimbi (L.) USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested year round. Perennial.

General: Medicinal plant.

39. SINHALA NAME: DELUM FAMILY: PUNICACEAE

Punica granatum L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten raw. Leaf used as med­ icine for eyes. September-October. Perennial.

40. SINHALA NAME: DIVUL ENGLISH: WOOD-APPLE FAMILY: RUTACEAE Limonia acidissima L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Home garden or jungle. Perennial

41. SINHALA NAME: DODAM, (AMBUL- and PE- NI-)

ENGLISH: SOUR ORANGE FAMILY: RUTACEAE

Citrus aurantium L. Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested in April- May. Perennial.

42. SINHALA NAME: AMBILLA FAMILY: MYRSINACEAE Embelia ribes Burm.

USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested April-May. Perennial.

43. SINHALA NAME: GASLABU FAMILY: CARICACEAE Carica papaya L.

USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Used for curry. Ripe fruit eaten raw. Plucked especially in April. Planted in rainy season. Harvesting after one month, then continuously for six months.

General: Medicinal plant.

44. SINHALA NAME: GASNIVITIYA LEAF FAMILY: BASELLACEAE

Basella alba L. USAGE

Village survey : Leaf eaten. Harvested during rainy season.

General: Medicinal plant.

45. SINHALA NAME: GATAANODA FAMILY: ANNONACEAE Annona squamosa L.

USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. End of August-Octo­ ber. Perennial.

46. SINHALA NAME: GOTUKOLA (LEAF) FAMILY: UMBELLIFERAE

Cenitella asiatica L. USAGE

Village survey: Leaf eaten. Bigger domesticated variety in homegarden. Smaller wild variety around tanks and ponds. Planted in September. Collected October-January.

47. SINHALA NAME: JAMBU FAMILY: MYRTACEAE Syzygium malaccensis (L.) Marr. USAGE

Village survey: Not so common in this Dry Zone area. Fruit eaten. Harvested in April. Perennial.

48. SINHALA NAME: JAYAM FAMILY: TILIACEAE Muntingia calabura USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested April-May. Home garden or jungle.

49. SINHALA NAME: JUMBOLA FAMILY: RUTACEAE Citrus grandis L. USAGE

Village survey: Perennial. General: Harvested May-June.

50. SINHALA NAME: KAJU ENGLISH: CASHEW NUT FAMILY: ANACARDIACEAE Anacardium occidentale L. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested March-May. Perennial.

51. SINHALA NAME: KAMARAMGA FAMILY: OXALIDACEAE Averrhoa carambola L.

USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Perennial. General: Harvested September-October.

52. SINHALA NAME: KARA VILA ENGLISH: BITTER GOURD FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Momordica charantia L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. General: July-October.

53. SINHALA NAME: KATUANODA FAMILY: ANNONACEAE

Annona muricata L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Perennial. General: Harvested June-July.

54. SINHALA NAME: KESEL ENGLISH: BANANA FAMILY: MUSACEAE Musa sapientum L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Perennial.

55. SINHALA NAME: KOS ENGLISH: JAK FRUIT FAMILY: MORACEAE Artocarcus heterophyllus Lam. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Perennial.

General: Harvested March-April. Timber used for furniture building.

56. SINHALA NAME: KOMADU ENGLISH: WATERMELON FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Colocynthis citrullus L. USAGE

Village Survey: Fruit eaten. Home garden or che- na. Planted in September-October. Harvested Feb­ ruary-May.

57. SINHALA NAME: LOLU FAMILY: BORAGINACEAE Cordia monoica Roth. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested in August. Perennial.

58. SINHALA NAME: MIDI FAMILY: VERBENACEAE Permna serratifolia L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested year round, especially in April. Perennial.

59. SINHALA NAME: NARAM FAMILY: RUTACEAE Citrus reticulata Blanco. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Perennial General: Harvested July-September.

60. SINHALA NAME: NIVITIYA FAMILY: BASELLACEAE Basella alba L.USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten Home garden or chena. Planted end September. Stem can be harvested from end November, seeds after end December.

61. SINHALA NAMES: PERA ENGLISH: GUAVA FAMILY: MYRTACEAE Psidium guasava L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested year round. Perennial.

General: Medical plant.

62. SINHALA NAME: POL ENGLISH: COCONUT PALM FAMILY: PALMAE

Cocos nucifera L. USAGE

Village survey: Fruit andpol kuru, leaf-stem, eaten. Harvested year round. Perennial.

63. SINHALA NAME: VALDODAM ENGLISH: PASSION FRUIT FAMILY: PASSIFLORACEAE Passiflora edulis. Sims.

USAGE

Village survey: Fruit eaten. Harvested year round. Perennial.

64. SINHALA NAME: VALIANODA FAMILY: ANNONACEAE Annona reticulata L.

USAGE

Village survey: Harvested April to June. Perennial. Roots.

65. SINHALA NAME: ALAKOLAALA FAMILY: DIOSCOREAE Dioscorea intermedia Thw. USAGE

Village survey: Planted in rainy season. Harvested year round except August, when it is difficult to dig.

66. SINHALA NAME: BATTALA FAMILY: CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea batatas (L.) Cam. USAGE

Village survey: Planted in rainy season. Harvested after four months, all at once.

67. SINHALA NAME: KAHATANGALA-ALA FAMILY: DIOSCORIACEAE Dioscorea oppsitifolia L. USAGE

Village survey: Around fence in home garden. Planted end-September. Harvested year round, ex­ cept August.

68. SINHALA NAME: KONDOLALA FAMILY: DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea tomentosa Herne ex Roth. USAGE

Village survey: In home garden around fence. Boiled for curry. Planted end-September. Har­ vested year round, except August.

69. SINHALA NAME: MANNOKKA ENGLISH: CASSAVA FAMILY: EUPHORBIACEAE

Manihot esculenta Crantz. Manihot utilissima Phol.

USAGE

Village survey: Planted end September to Novem­ ber. Harvested February to June, sparingly. Root, leaf, for curry.

70. SINHALA NAME: MUKUNUVANNE FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Alternanthera triandrar (L.) DC . USAGE

Village survey: Grows wild around tanks, or in home gardens. Harvested year round.

71. SINHALA NAME: RATAKAJU ENGLISH: GROUND NUT FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Arachis hypogaea L.

USAGE

Village survey: Planted in October, harvested Feb­ ruary-March. Home garden or chena.

PLANTS COLONIZING HOME-GARDEN

72. SINHALA NAME: TAMPALA FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus dubius Mart. USAGE

Village survey: For curry. Grows naturally in home garden or chena. Collected October-January.

73. SINHALA NAME: VALPENELA FAMILY: SAPINDACEAE Cardiospermum halicacabum L. USAGE

Village survey: For tea. Boiled with coconut milk and rice ("kenda"). For curry. Natural in homegar­ den or abandoned chena. Collected October-Jan­

uary.

VILLAGE AREA COMMON LAND Fruits, flowers, leaves

74. SINHALA NAME: MI FAMILY: SAPOTACEAE Bassia latifolia

USAGE

Village survey: Fruits for oil-pressing. Collected mid-September. Flowers for nectar. Collected in May and June.

75. SINHALA NAME: RANA VARA FAMILY: CAESALPIN1AE Cassia auriculata L.

USAGE

Village survey: Leaf for tea. Collected year round except in August.

76. SINHALA NAME: SIYAMBALA ENGLISH: TAMARIND FAMILY: CAESALPINIAE Tamarindus indica L.

USAGE

Village survey: Fruit boiled. Can be kept for 2-3 months.

77. SINHALA NAME: TIMBIRI FAMILY: EBENACEAE Diospyros malabarica Desr. Koskel. USAGE

Village survey: Village area or jungle. Perennial. Collected October-December.

PURANA VI: TRADITIONAL PADDY VARIETIES PREVIOUSLY GROWN IN TALKOTE VILLAGE

Ripening in 2 1/2 months Hinati

Kalu hinati Oryza sativa L. Ripening in 3 months

Panca Perumal Oryza sativa L. Sudu Hondaravala Oryza sativa L.

Ripening in 4 months

Dikvi. distinguishable by long and slender shape. Hodaravala Oryza sativa L.

Ilankalyian Oryzja sativa L. Murungakaliyan Oryza sativa L. TRADITIONAL DRY GRAINS/PLANTS CULTIVATED MIXED TOGETHER ON CHENA LAND IN THE STUDY AREA

78. SINHALA NAME: ABA ENGLISH: MUSTARD FAMILY: CRUCIFERAE

Brassica juncea (L.) coss. Brassica interfolia (we­ st.) O.E. Schulz.

USAGE

Village survey: On good soil, where forest has rec­ overed to previous burning; cash-crop often mixed with batu. Leaf used for "mixed curry" (several plant leaves used together for curry).

79. SINHALA NAME: ALUPUHUL ENGLISH: ASH PUMPKIN FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn.

USAGE

Village survey: Harvested February-March.

80. SINHALA NAME: ASAMODAGAM FAMILY: UMBELLIFERAE

Trachyspermum roxburghlanum (DC.) Craib. USAGE

Village survey: Leaf for mixed curry. Collected November-December. Atta (seeds) ground for use in "mixed curry". Boiled for tea, medicine. Har­ vested February.

81. SINHALA NAME: ATTIKA FAMILY: MORACEAE Ficus racemosa L.

USAGE

Village survey: Leaf, fruit consumed the same day as harvested. Harvested December-January.

82. SINHALA NAME: BADA IRINGU ENGLISH: MAIZE

FAMILY: GRAMINACEAE Zeamays indentata L. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested end-December.

83. SINHALA NAME: BATU FAMILY: SOLANACEAE Solanum surattense Burn. USAGE

Village survey: Cash crop often mixed with aba on good soil where forest has recovered to previous burning. Harvested from end-December to July, twice a month. 84. SINHALA NAME: IDALIRINGU ENGLISH: SORGHUM FAMILY: GRAMINACEAE Sorghum vulgare Pers.

USAGE

Village survey: Sometimes mixed. Harvested end- December.

85. SINHALA NAME: KARA VILA ENGLISH: BITTER GOURD FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Momordica charantia L. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested end-November to Feb­ ruary, every tenth day.

86. SINHALA NAME: KAKIRI ENGLISH: CUCUMBER FAMILY: CUCURBITACE

Cucumis callosa (Rottl.) Cong. Cucumis melo Var. egrestis Naud.

USAGE

Village survey: Harvested end-February to mid­ March. If the "natta\ stem, is taken with the kekiri it can be kept for two months.

87. SINHALA NAME: LABU FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standi. USAGE

Village survey: Leaf taken November-December, used for "mixed curry"). Fruit harvested from end- December-January. After that, fruits are taken to be dried for use as vessels.

88. SINHALA NAME: KURAKKAN ENGLISH: FINGER MILLET FAMILY: GRAMINACEAE Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaetn. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested mid-February.

89. SINHALA NAME: KOLLU ENGLISH: HORSE GRAM FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Dolichos biflorus L. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested end of February.

90. SINHALA NAME: KOMADU ENGLISH: WATER MELON FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Colocynthis citrullus (L.) Kun. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested February to May.

91. SINHALA NAME: MAKARAL FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Vigna cylindrica (L.) Skeels. USAGE

Village survey: Leaf for mixed curry. Collected November-December. Fruit boiled for curry before ripening. Seeds boiled after ripening. Eaten as Rice. Harvested January-February.

92. SINHALA NAME: MUM ENGLISH: GREEN GRAM FAMILY: PHASEOLUS AUREUS USAGE

Village survey: Harvested December to February.

93. SINHALA NAME: NIVITIYA FAMILY: BASELLACEAE Basella alba L.

USAGE

Village survey: Harvested from November to Feb­ ruary.

94. SINHALA NAME: PALA FAMILY: COMMELINACEAE Commelina diffusa Burm.f. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested end-December-March.

95. SINHALA NAME: RATALA FAMILY: RACEAE Alacosia indica (Roxb.) Schoott. USAGE

Village survey: Planted in October, harvested Feb­ ruary-March. Chena or home garden.

96. SINHALA NAME: RATAKAJU FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Arachis hypogaea L.

USAGE

Village survey: Planted in October, harvested Feb­ ruary to March. Chena or home garden.

97. SINHALA NAME: TALA ENGLISH: GINGELLY FAMILY: PEDALIACEAE Sesamum indicum (L.) DC. USAGE

Village survey: Mixed or separate. Harvested end of January.

98. SINHALA NAME: TANAVI ENGLISH: ITALIAN MILLET FAMILY: GRAMINACEAE Setaria italica (L) Beaur. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested end of January-Febru­ ary.

99. SINHALA NAME: TIYABARA FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Cucuruis sativus L.

USAGE

Village survey: Harvested February-March.

100. SINHALA NAME: UNDU ENGLISH: BLACK GRAM FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Phaseolus mungo L. USAGE

Village survey: Harvested in March.

101. SINHALA NAME: VANNI MIRIS ENGLISH: CHILI

FAMILY: SOLANACEAE Capsicum Var. acuminatum L. USAGE

Village survey: Especially grown in chena condi­ tions, smaller than the other variety. Harvested Ja­ nuary to March.

102. SINHALA NAME: VATTAKKA FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Cucurbita maxima Duchesn. USAGE

Village survey: Leaf used in ’’mixed curry”. Col­ lected November-December. Fruit boiled for curry. Harvested January-February. During growing se­ ason 1-2 fruits are plucked for curry. When plants die in February, before the kurakkan harvest, all remaining fruits are harvested. Can be stored 3-4 months.

TRADITIONAL DRY GRAINS/PLANTS GROWN SEPARATELY ON CHENA LAND IN THE STUDY AREA

103. SINHALA NAME: MENERI ENGLISH: PANICUM MILLET FAMILY: GRAMINACEAE Panicum miliaceum Lin. USAGE

Sown separately two weeks later in same chena as mixed crops. Only for family consumption, not for sale. Considered very tasty and especially used for "milk-rice”. Usually not more than 50-100kg har­ vested. Straw thrown away - thin, like paddy straw. Harvested all at once in February.

104. SINHALA NAME: TALA ENGLISH: GINGELLY FAMILY: PEDALICEAE Sesamum indicum (L.) DC. USAGE

Village survey: Grown separately in Ka/fl-season chena. Clearing end-April, sowing in May, harvest in August.

PLANTS NATURALLY GROWING IN OR COLONIZING NEWLY BURNED CHENA LAND

105. SINHALA NAME: GIRAPALA (LEAF)

Village survey: In waterlogged part of chena. Col­ lected December-February.

106. SINHALA NAME: KARAKOLA FAMILY: RUBIACEAE Canthium parviflorum L. USAGE

Village survey: The tree survives the burning of the chena, the new leaves that emerge after burning are plucked. Fruits are collected from December to February.

107. SINHALAN NAME: KI RIH AND A

FAMILY: AMARANTHUS Celosia argentea L. USAGE

Village survey: Colonizes newly burnt chena land. Collected from end-October to January.

108. SINHALA NAME: KURU-PALA FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus viridis L.

USAGE

Village survey: Colonizes newly burned chenas and other cleared places. Collected from October to June.

109. SINHALA NAME: LEE-KOLA FAMILY: VERBENACEAE Premna procumbens Moon. USAGE

Village survey: The tree survives the burning of the chena, the new leaves that emerge are plucked. Used in "mixed curry".

110. SINHALA NAME: TAMPALA FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus oleraceus L. USAGE

Village survey: Colonizes newly burned chena la­ nds and home gardens. Collected October to June.

111. SINHALA NAME: THELATIYA - DALU and - GEDI

FAMILY: EUPHORBIACEAE Excoecaria crenulata Wight. USAGE

Village survey: Colonizes newly burned chena la­ nd. Fruit collected August and September. Leaf, October to June.

112. SINHALA NAME: THORA-KOLA FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Cassia tora L.

USAGE

Village survey: Colonizes newly burnt places. Col­ lected October to November.

WILD PLANTS COLLECTED, TANK OR PADDYFIELD ASSOCIATED

113. SINHALA NAME: GIRAPALA (LEAF) FAMILY: COMMELINACEAE Commelina clavata Hook. f.

USAGE

Village survey: Grows wild in tanks or ponds, in waterlogged part of chena. Collected October to February.

114. SINHALA NAME: GOTUKOLA (LEAF) ENGLISH: INDIAN PENNYWOAT FAMILY: UMBELLIFERE

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. USAGE

Village survey: Grows wild around tanks and po­ nds. There is a bigger domesticated variety grown in home gardens. Collected October to May.

115. SINHALA NAME: IKIRIYA FAMILY: ACANTHACEAE Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Ness. USAGE

Village survey: Grows around tanks. Collected Oc­ tober-January. Leaf used for curry, whole plant for tea.

116. SINHALA NAME: KEKATIYA-ALA FAMILY: APONOGETONACEAE

Aponogeton echinatus, Aponogetum undulatus USAGE

Village survey: Flowers collected from tank, December to January; root in August.

117. SINHALA NAME: KIRIUDATTA FAMILY: AIZOACEAE Mallugo cerviana L. Ser. ox DC. USAGE

Village survey: Found around tanks and in other wet places. Leaf used for "mixed curry". Collected November-February.

118. SINHALA NAME: MUKUNUVANNE FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Alternthera triandra (L.) R. Br. Prodr. USAGE

Village survey: Grows on paddy field bunds, arou­ nd tanks. Collected October-January.

119. SINHALA NAME: NELUM-ALA (ROOT) ENGLISH: CHINESE WATERLILY FAMILY: NYMPHAEACEAE

Nelumbo nucifera gaertu Abw. USAGE

Village survey: Dug from tank in August when it has dried. Seed collected April to June.

120. SINHALA NAME: OLU - DANDU (STALK), G- EDI (FRUIT), ALA (ROOT), HAL (SEED) ENGLISH: LOTUS

FAMILY: NYMPHAEACEAE Nymphaea lotus L.

USAGE

Village survey: Grows inside tank. Stalk and fruit collected December-January. Root in August. Seed husked and boiled like rice, June-August.

121. SINHALA NAME: SERA ALA FAMILY: GRAMINAE Cymbopogon citratus DC.

USAGE

Village survey: Collected in August. Boiled for curry.

WILD PLANTS, ROOTS COLLECTED, JUNGLE OR ABANDONED CHENA

122. SINHALA NAME: ATTIKKA FAMILY: MORACEAE Ficus racemosa L.

USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Fruit used for curry. Col­ lected November-February. Bark dried any time of the year above the fire - used for betel.

123. SINHALA NAME: DIYAMENERI FAMILY: COMMELINACEAE Commelina benghalensis L. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf for curry. Collected November-February.

124. SINHALA NAME: GEDAPALA FAMILY: PORTULACEAE Portulaca oleraceae L.

USAGE

Village survey: In jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf for curry. Collected November-February.

125. SINHALA NAME: GEKARAL FAMILY: OCHNACEAE Ochna lanceolata Sprang. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Bark dried above fire to be used for betel. Any time.

126. SINHALA NAME: GONA ALA FAMILY: DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea spicata Roth. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle. Dug from a depth of 0.6-0.9m. Collected September-October. Boiled for curry.

127. SINHALA NAME: IRAMUSU ENGLISH: INDIAN SARSAPARILLA FAMILY: ASCLEPIADACEAE Hemidesmus indicus (L.) Ait.f. USAGE

Village survey: In abandoned chena. Collected Oc­ tober-January. For tea. Dried and stored hanging from the roof in the verandah, for example.

128. SINHALA NAME: KARAKOLA FRUIT FAMILY: RUBIACEAE

Canthium parviflorum L. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle. Collected October-Nov­ ember. Can be kept 3-4 days.

General: Leaves edible, also used for medicine, snakebite poisoning.

129.SINHALA NAME: KATU-ALA FAMILY: DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea pentaphylla L.

USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected October-January. Boiled, curry.

130. SINHALA NAME: KIRIHANDA FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Celosia argentea L.

USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf used for "mixed curry".

131. SINHALA NAME: LOLU FAMILY: BORAGINACEAE Cordia monoica Roth. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf for curry. Collected October-December. Fruit raw. Collected November-December.

132. SINHALA NAME: MULLAKOLA FAMILY: VERBENACEAE

Premna alstoni Moldenke Var. alstoni Moldenke. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf used for "mixed curry". Collected November-Feb­ ruary.

133. SINHALA NAME: POLPALA FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. USAGE

Village survey: Leaf for curry, whole plant for tea. In abandoned chena. Collected in March.

Vegetables

134. SINHALA NAME: BATU-KARAVILA FAMILY: CUCURBTACEAE Momordica spp.

USAGE

Village survey: Wild karavila, found in abandoned chena, or around chena. Only for medical pur­ poses. Collected October-January.

135. SINHALA NAME: RATA-TIBBATU, ATTIBB- ATU

FAMILY: SOLANACEAE Solanum capsicoides All. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena. Collected Dec­ ember-January.

136. SINHALA NAME: TITTA-TIBBATU FAMILY: SOLANACEAE

Solanum violaceum Ortega.Village survey: Jungle. Fruit used for curry. Col­ lected November-February. Bark dried any time of the year above the fire - used for betel.

123. SINHALA NAME: DIYAMENERI FAMILY: COMMELINACEAE Commelina benghalensis L. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf for curry. Collected November-February.

124. SINHALA NAME: GEDAPALA FAMILY: PORTULACEAE Portulaca oleraceae L.

USAGE

Village survey: In jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf for curry. Collected November-February.

125. SINHALA NAME: GEKARAL FAMILY: OCHNACEAE Ochna lanceolata Sprang. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Bark dried above fire to be used for betel. Any time.

126. SINHALA NAME: GONA ALA FAMILY: DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea spicata Roth. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle. Dug from a depth of 0.6-0.9m. Collected September-October. Boiled for curry.

127. SINHALA NAME: IRAMUSU ENGLISH: INDIAN SARSAPARILLA FAMILY: ASCLEPIADACEAE Hemidesmus indicus (L.) Ait.f. USAGE

Village survey: In abandoned chena. Collected Oc­ tober-January. For tea. Dried and stored hanging from the roof in the verandah, for example.

128. SINHALA NAME: KARAKOLA FRUIT FAMILY: RUBIACEAE

Canthium parviflorum L. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle. Collected October-Nov­ ember. Can be kept 3-4 days.

General: Leaves edible, also used for medicine, snakebite poisoning.

129.SINHALA NAME: KATU-ALA FAMILY: DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscorea pentaphylla L.USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected October-January. Boiled, curry.

130. SINHALA NAME: KIRIHANDA FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Celosia argentea L.

USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf used for "mixed curry".

131. SINHALA NAME: LOLU FAMILY: BORAGINACEAE Cordia monoica Roth. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf for curry. Collected October-December. Fruit raw. Collected November-December.

132. SINHALA NAME: MULLAKOLA FAMILY: VERBENACEAE

Premna alstoni Moldenke Var. alstoni Moldenke. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Leaf used for "mixed curry". Collected November-Feb­ ruary.

133. SINHALA NAME: POLPALA FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. USAGE

Village survey: Leaf for curry, whole plant for tea. In abandoned chena. Collected in March.

Vegetables

134. SINHALA NAME: BATU-KARAVILA FAMILY: CUCURBTACEAE Momordica spp.

USAGE

Village survey: Wild karavila, found in abandoned chena, or around chena. Only for medical pur­ poses. Collected October-January.

135. SINHALA NAME: RATA-TIBBATU, ATTIBB- ATU

FAMILY: SOLANACEAE Solanum capsicoides All. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena. Collected Dec­ ember-January.

136. SINHALA NAME: TITTA-TIBBATU FAMILY: SOLANACEAE

Solanum violaceum Ortega. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena. Collected Dec­ ember-January. Eaten but very bitter. Mixed with other plants also a medicine for treating injuries etc.

137. SINHALA NAME: TUMBA-KARA VILA FAMILY: CUCURBITACEAE Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena. Does not grow in jungle. Collected December-January. These vegetables are cut into slices, dried in the sun for 3-4 days and stored in a pan pattiya for 6-8 months. They are collected around the chena, in the jungle along the footpath towards the chena, or in last year’s chena.

Fruits, berries

138. SINHALA NAME: ATATIMBIRI FAMILY: EBENACEAE Diospyros oocarpa Thw. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected in April.

139. SINHALA NAME: ATKELIYA FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Bute a superba L.

USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Fruit eaten raw. Collected October-December.

140. SINHALA NAME: BOLPANA FAMILY: RUTACEAE

Glycomis angustifolia linoll in Wall ex Wight & Am.

USAGE

Village survey: jungle or abandoned chena. Fruit eaten raw. Collected November-December.

141. SINHALA NAME: DAMBA FAMILY: MYRTACEAE Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected in September.

142. SINHALA NAME: DAMUNU FRUIT FAMILY: TILIACEAE

Grewia tiliaefolia Vahl. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected September-Oc­ tober.143. SINHALA NAME: DEHELBATU FAMILY: SOLANACEAE Solanum capsicodes All. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena or jungle. Col­ lected year round.

144. SINHALA NAME: ERAMINIYA FAMILY: RHAMNACEAE Zizyphus oenophiloa Mill. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected in April.

145. SINHALA NAME: INDI FAMILY: PALMAE Phoenix pussilia Trim. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected in April-May.

146. SINHALA NAME: KARAMBA FAMILY: APOCYNACEAE Carissa spinarum (L.) Mant. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected September-Oc­ tober.

147. SINHALA NAME: KARUVALA FAMILY: EBENACEA Diospyros ebenum Koenig. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle or abandoned chena. Fruit eaten raw. Collected August-October.

148. SINHALA NAME: KATTAMBERIYA FAMILY: FLACCURTLACEAE Scolopia pusilia (Gaerth.) Willd. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected in April.

149. SINHALA NAME: KATUKALIYA FAMILY: LEGUMINOSAE Erythrina fusca Lour.

USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Fruit eaten raw. Collected October-December.

150. SINHALA NAME: KATUPITTU FAMILY: FLACOURTIACEAE Scolopia accuminata Clos. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena or jungle. Col­ lected in April.

151 .SINHALA NAME: MALABOTU GEDI FAMILY: SOLANACEAE

Solanum ferox L. USAGE

Village survey: In jungle or abandoned chena. Used for curry. Collected November-February.

152.SINHALA NAME: MATTANGUNA FAMILY: APOCYNACEAE Aganosma cymosum (Roxb.) G. Don. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena or jungle. Col­ lected in April and again in September-October.

153. SINHALA NAME: MIGONKARAPINCA FAMILY: RUTACEAE

Clausena indica (Dulz.) Oliver. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena or jungle. Fruit eaten raw. Collected November-December.

154. SINHALA NAME: PALU FAMILY: SAPOTACEAE Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard. USAGE

Jungle. Collected October-December.

155. SINHALA NAME: TIMBIRI FAMILY: EBENACEAE Diospyros malabarica (Lam.) Koster. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or village area. Collected October-December.

156. SINHALA NAME: VALDEHI FAMILY: RUTACEAE Citrus limon (L.) Burm. USAGE

Village survey: Abandoned chena or jungle. Col­ lected in April-May.

157. SINHALA NAME: VIRA FAMILY: EUPHORB1ACEAE Dry petes seperia Wight & Arn. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected in April-May. These fruits and berries are consumed the same day or the next.

158. SINHALA NAME: DIVUL EMGLISH: WOODAPPLE FAMILY: RUTACEAE Limonia acidissima L. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or home garden. Leaves: smoke from burning w.a.b. to treat poisonous

hunga bite. Fruit eaten. Collected September to early October.

159. SINHALA NAME: ATAMBA FAMILY: ANACARDIACEAE Mangifera zeylanica (Bl.) Hook. f. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle or abandoned chena. Col­ lected October-December.

160. SINHALA NAME: GALSIYAMBALA FAMILY: CAESALPINIAE

Dialum ovoideam Thw. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected mid-September to early October. Fruit boiled, kept 2-3 months. Bark dried above fire and used for betel. Taken any time.

161. SINHALA NAME: HIMBUTU FAMILY: HIPPOCRATEACEAE Salacia reticulata Wight. USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected in August to Sep­ tember. Can keep for 1-2 weeks.

162. SINHALA NAME: KON FAMILY: SAPINDACEAE Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Dken. USAGE

Village survey: boiled with salt. Collected August to September. Kept 1-2 months.

163. SINHALA NAME: MORA FAMILY: SAPINDACEAE

Dimocarpus longana Lour, Euphoria longana Lam.

USAGE

Village survey: Jungle. Collected August-October. Mushrooms

164. Lenairi bimmal. Agricas bisporus.

Grows on dead trees. Boiled, water thrown away; then used for curry.

165. Kotan bimmal. Lentinoas edodns.

Grows in abandoned tank beds, abandoned paddy fields and similar places. Boiled...see above.

166. Kukulbadaval bimmal. Volvaria volvaceae.

Grows on abandoned ant hills. Boiled... see above. 167. Kuttan bimmal.

Agaricus spp.

Grows on dead trees. Boiled...see above.

Mushrooms are collected from December-January. Con­ sidered very tasty. Lenairi bimmal (Agaricus bisporus) and Kukulbadaval bimmaX (Volvaria volvaceae) look very like poisonous fungus. Usually young people are not entrusted with collecting these two mushroom species.

REFERENCES

Dassanayake, M.D. and F.R. Fosberg. 1985. A Revised Han­ book to the Flora of Ceylon. Vol.5. New Delhi: Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.

De Thabrew, W.H. 1983. Water plants of Ceylon. England: Suhada Press.

De Zoysa, N. and R. Raheem. 1987. Sinharaje. A rain forest in Sri Lanka. Colombo: March for Conservation.

Dittus, P.J. 1977. The ecology of a semi evergreen forest community in Sri Lanka. Kandy: Institute of Fundamental Studies.

Dittus. P.J. 1985. The influence of cyclones on the dry zone evergreen forest of Sri Lanka. Kandy: Institute of Fun­ damental Studies.

Hettiaratchi. D.E. 1967. Sinhalese Encyclopaedia Vol. 1-3. Colombo: Publications Department of the Cultural Affairs Ministry, Government of Ceylon.

Jayasuriya, M.D.A. 1980. Medicinal Plants Used in Ceylon. Part 1-5. Colombo: The National Science Council of Sri Lanka.

Senewirathne, S.T. and R.R. Appadurai. 1966. Field Crops of Ceylon. Colombo: Lake House Ltd.

The Sri Lanka Forester. 1974. Vol. XI. Nos. 3 & 4 (New. Series)

The Sri Lanka Forester. 1984. Vol. XVI. Nos. 3 & 4 (New Series).

Worthington, T.B. 1959. Ceylon Trees. Colombo: The Colo­ mbo Apothecaries Co. Ltd.