A visit to the Royal Botanical Garden
Paradeniya near Kandy is world famous inclusive of a variety of fauna and flora.The great lawns highlight huge tropical trees.It is also famed for its Orchid House, which has more than 300 varieties of exquisite orchids from the rare indigenous Foxtail and Vesak orchids, to many natural and hybrid species laying claim to the title as one of the best known orchid centres in the world. Additionally the Spice Garden provides knowledge about the varied trees, plants and creepers that produce the special spices of Sri Lanka. The Herbarium grows many of the plants used for the traditional Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.Hakgala Gardens
near Nuwara Eliya is smaller in comparison to the aforementioned garden but it boasts of an unique blend of flora due to its elevation of 1,707 metres above sea level. The sheer rock of Hakgala which literally means Jaw Rock is linked to the Rama-Ravana legend and rises 1,500 feet from the gardens, adding character to its surroundings. Many birds and animal species can be found in the adjacent nature reserve.The Botanical Gardens in
Gampaha houses a number of ancient trees belonging to the 19th century inclusive of the remnants of the first rubber trees which are considered a national monument. It serves as a tropical low country botanical garden and is situated approximately 1km from the Gampaha town. The other features of this garden are variuos types of gardening patterns viz Japanese Garden, Fruit garden, Students Garden, Fernery etc. A visit to the above will pay rich dividends. To
the botanist, this is indeed a land
of plenty. The diversified climate allows
for the growth of tropical as well as sub-tropical
trees. The luxuriant undergrowth and
tall majestic trees of the wet-zone
tropical forest contrast with the arid
scrub land and talipot palms of the
dry north. In the hills, vegetation
varies from the almost treeless patnas
of Horton Plains to the dark cloud forests,
wreathed with the protected Old Man's
Beard Moss. From March to May, numerous
flowering trees such as the fiery Poincianan
regia, the white Mesua ferrera and the
cherry blossom-like Tebebuia burst into
bloom and flowering orchids include
endemic varieties such as the protected
Vanda and Wesak Orchids. National emphasis
has also been placed on the human-plant
relationship: official recognition has
been given to the Na Tree (Mesua nagassarium)
and the BlueWater Lily (Nymphaea stellatac),
as the national tree and flower respectively.
Along the coast bordering estuaries
and lagoons, are the mangrove habitats
which provide sanctuary for the island's
diverse coastal fishery resources.
