Polyspora gardneri

Last updated

Polyspora gardneri
Gordonia speciosa.jpg
Status iucn3.1 CR.svg
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1) "Rathu Mihiriya". Global Trees. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Theaceae
Genus: Polyspora
Species:
P. gardneri
Binomial name
Polyspora gardneri
Orel, Peter G.Wilson, Curry & Luu
Synonyms
  • Carria speciosaGardner 1847
  • Gordonia speciosa(Gardner) Choisy 1855
  • Lasianthus speciosus(Gardner) Kuntze 1891
  • Nabiasodendron speciosum(Gardner) Pit. 1902

Polyspora gardneri or previously known as Gordonia speciosa [1] , is a species of plant in the family Theaceae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka [2] . It is red in colour, which gives it the name 'rathu mihiriya', meaning 'red beauty' in Sinhala. [3] It has oval shaped leaves. Polyspora gardneri is at high risk of extinction, as it is found in only one location, which contains fewer than 100 individual trees. This species was once more common in forests above Ramboda in Sri Lanka, but has undergone severe population declines. [4] These species is only seen in mountains at altitudes exceeding 1,270 meters above sea level. It was discovered in 1847. [4]

Contents

Uses

It can be ordamental, or it can be used for bark. And with the branches, you can use that as wood for contruction. [ citation needed ]

References

  1. "Gordonia speciosa (Gardner) Choisy — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  2. "Polyspora elliptica (Gardner) Orel, Peter G.Wilson, Curry & Luu | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  3. "Flora of Sri Lanka". www.floraofsrilanka.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  4. 1 2 "Rathu Mihiriya - Global Trees". Global Trees. Archived from the original on 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2025-10-17.