Wild Orchids ‹‹ Go Back
This is a ground orchid that is found in the dry zone under the shade of trees. There are ten species of orchids that belong to this genus and four of them are endemic. The above species, which is an indigenous plant, is also found in tropical Himalayas, India and Myanmar. The conservation status of the species under reference is regarded as Near Threatened (National Red List 2012).
Habenaria plantaginea is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.
In Wilpattu I have seen the flowers of this species in mid December at Percy Bendi Wewa and Kuveni’s Palace at Kali Villu.
Other than in Wilpattu National Park I have seen this species in bloom in Gomarankadawala, Yala National Park and Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve.