Gordonia speciosa is a species of plant in the family Theaceae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is red in color which gives it the name 'rathu mihiriya' which is Sinhala for 'red beauty'. It has oval shaped leaves. Gordonia speciosa is at high risk of extinction, being found in just one location which holds fewer than one hundred individual trees. This species was once more common in forests above Ramboda in Sri Lanka but has undergone severe population declines.

Gordonia speciosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Theaceae
Genus: Gordonia
Species:
G. speciosa
Binomial name
Gordonia speciosa
(Gardner) Choisy

Uses edit

Ornamental; Bark - medicinal; Wood - light construction.

Culture edit

It is known as "රතු මිහිරිය - rathu mihiriya" in Sinhala.

References edit

Sources edit