Sri Lanka’s national flower (Nil Manel) is under threat of extinction due to hybridizing with a foreign species.
This was reveled by Peradeniya University Botany Department Senior Lecturer Prof. Deepthi Yakandawala.
She said that the native Nil Manel flower is small and bluer than the larger purple imposter which may be either Nymphaea capensis.
Water-lilies (Nymphaea sp.) have been popular as an ornamental aquatic plant in Sri Lanka from ancient times as they produce striking flowers throughout the year.
Prof. Yakandawala said that the hybridization has been observed in several places in Sri Lanka’s natural environment.
She also added that the flower shown as Sri Lanka’s national flower in stamps and other publications is a foreign imposter.
Hybridization of invasive aliens with native flora is currently identified as a major threat where this could lead to the extinction of the native flora, Prof. Yakandawala said.
Source:http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=33032
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