Wild Flowers ‹‹ Go Back
This is an indigenous species and is found in marshes, ponds, flooded paddy fields and margins of tanks in both the wet and dry lowlands. It is characterised by its fine leaves and bushy, pine-like appearance and is widely cultivated as a popular plant used in ornamental fish acquariums. Other than in Sri Lanka, it grows naturally in Indo Malaysia, China, Bangladesh and India.
The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).
I have observed this species in the North Central Province as well as in the southern parts of the country.
In Wilpattu I have observed the flowers of this species in water bodies towards the north of the park between June and September when the water levels are low. As depicted in the photos both Kumutu Villu and Namada Wila turn in to a carpet of white during the flowering season of these plants.