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This is a species, which is native to Sri Lanka and Southwest India. It is a commonly found in dry and moist deciduous forests and also in the lowland plains.
The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).
Two species of butterflies known as Small Grass Yellow and the Spotless Grass Yellow lay their eggs on the leaves of this species. The tiny green caterpillars that emerge from these, less than pinhead sized eggs, are very well camouflaged and will feed on the leaves during the early stages of their life cycle.
This species grows from a woody base and producers beautiful yellow flowers between November and March. The whole plant is used in Ayurveda and sidda medicine to treat eye deceases.
In Wilpattu I observed this species flowering in early January close to Walas Wala.