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Common Name : King of Bitters     -       Scientific Name : Munronia pinnata (Acanthaceae)       -       Other Name : Bim Kohomba (S)
Ochchappu Kallu
10/27/2013
Ochchappu Kallu
10/27/2013
Ochchappu Kallu
10/27/2013
Ochchappu Kallu
10/27/2013

This is an indigenous of herb found in suitable habitat in the dry, intermediate wet zone forested areas in the country. I have always seen this plants growing close to rocky out crops in the jungles and has never found it in the higher hills. It belongs to the Meliacea family and is widely known for its medicinal value. Other than in Sri Lanka this species is found in Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Burma and Vietnam.

Bim Kohomba is a valuable medicinal plant, which is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka.

I have observed this species at Gal Oya and Yala National Parks, Monaragala Mountain, Ritigala, Dolukanda, Koka Gala in Padiyathalawa and Wellawaya in the dry zone and at Meemure, Kithulgala and Salgala in the wet zone.

In Wilpattu I have observed these plants in bloom in October at Occhappu Kallu.