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Issue: Vol. 782 No. 3: 30 Oct. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-10-30
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.782.3.5
Page range: 269-281
Abstract views: 105
PDF downloaded: 4

Two New Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae) Species from Sri Lanka: Taxonomy, Distribution, and Conservation Assessment

Postgraduate Institute of Science; University of Peradeniya; Sri Lanka; Department of Botany; University of Peradeniya; Peradeniya; Sri Lanka
Postgraduate Institute of Science; University of Peradeniya; Sri Lanka; Department of Botany; University of Peradeniya; Peradeniya; Sri Lanka
Department of Horticulture & Landscape Gardening; Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management; Wayamba University of Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka
Eudicots Cryptic diversity Flora of Sri Lanka Taxonomy

Abstract

A recent taxonomic revision of Sri Lankan species of the genus Elaeocarpus has resolved previously reported cryptic species diversity and described two new species: Elaeocarpus sripadensis, confined to the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary in the Ratnapura District, and Elaeocarpus rubrovenosus from Haputale in the Badulla District and Mandaramnuwara in the Nuwara Eliya District. With these additions, the number of Elaeocarpus species recorded in Sri Lanka increases from 10 to 12. Both new species are described and illustrated, and their conservation status is assessed following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Elaeocarpus sripadensis and E. rubrovenosus are evaluated as Critically Endangered (CR), under Criteria B1ab(i, ii, iii, iv) + D and B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) +D., respectively.

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How to Cite

Silva, N., Yakandawala, D. & Yakandawala, K. (2026) Two New Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae) Species from Sri Lanka: Taxonomy, Distribution, and Conservation Assessment. Phytotaxa 782 (3): 269–281. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.782.3.5