Vesak Mal

 Vesak Mal

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

Special Features:

• Yellow to orange-colored flowers blooming around the time of Vesak festival, hence the name.  
• Thorny shrub with oval leaves and small clusters of flowers.  
• Can grow in dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka.  
• Hardy plant that survives with minimal

Uses:

• Used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating cough, fever, and wounds.  
• Ornamental use due to bright flowers.  
• Also used as a natural fence because of its thorny structure.
  

Importance:

• Medicinal and ecological importance.  
• Culturally symbolic flower during Vesak.  
• Contributes to biodiversity as a native shrub.

Conservation:

• Not critically endangered, but awareness is low.  
• Promoting cultivation in home gardens.  
• Protection in dry zone forest reserves.  
• Inclusion in biodiversity awareness programs.

Beautiful plants like this are part of our heritage - protecting them is our responsibility

📑Reference:

• "Flora of Sri Lanka", Department of National Botanic Gardens. 
• "A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon" – M.D. Dissanayake & F.R. Forsberg.
• "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