Heen Bovitiya

 Heen Bovitiya

• Scientific Name : Barleria prionitis
• English Name : Porcupine flower / Small Barleria
• Family :Acanthaceae

Special Features:

• A thorny, fast-growing shrub.
• Bears attractive yellow to orange flowers.
• Grows well in dry and intermediate zones.
• Often used as a hedge plant because of its thorns.
• Draught-tolerant and grows in poor soils.     

Uses:

Used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating cough, fever, and wounds Attractive flowering shrub for hedges and gardens. Prevents soil erosion; good for live fencing. Leaves and roots used in herbal remedies and poultices

   

Importance:

• Helps prevent soil erosion, supports biodiversity by attracting bees and insects.

• Used in traditional Sinhala herbal remedies.

• Recognized in Ayurveda for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

Conservation:

• Promote its use in home gardens and fences.

• Educate communities about its medicinal and ecological value.

Heen Bovitiya is a valuable plant with medicinal, environmental, and ornamental properties. Conserving and cultivating it is important for protecting Sri Lanka’s environment and promoting traditional health practices.

📑Reference:

• "Flora of Sri Lanka", Department of National Botanic Gardens. 
• "Threatened Plants in Sri Lanka: Conservation Priorities" – IUCN Sri Lanka. 
•  "Endemic Flowering Plants of Sri Lanka" – H.S. Kathriarachchi. 
• "Plant Resources of Sri Lanka" – National Herbarium, Peradeniya
• www.google.com