Spiranthes sinensis

Binomial Name: Spiranthes sinensis
English: Chinese Spiranthes

Spiranthes sinensis is a wildly distributed species of wild orchid found in many parts of the world including Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka it has been distributed in montane and sub-montane zone. Above photographs were taken in December.

Sri Lanka tree nymph (Idea iasonia)

Binomial Name: Idea iasonia
English: Sri Lanka Tree Nymph/Ceylon Tree Nymph

An endemic butterfly found in wet zone and dry zone forests of Sri Lanka. It has a  unique slow floating flight with very slow wing beats. In the wet zone this butterfly can be seen flying in the canopy layer of the forest. In IUCN Red list it is categorized as 'Near Threatened'. Deforestation has become the major thread for this butterfly.

Purple Adrorhizon (Adrorhizon purpurascens)

Binomial Name: Adrorhizon purpurascens/Pleione purpurascens/Coelogyne purpurascens/Dendrobium purpurascens
English: Purple Adrorhizon

A small sized endemic wild orchid found in highlands(Montane and sub-montane) of Sri Lanka. Can be seen on mossy stems of trees. Above photographs were taken in December. In IUCN Red List, this is listed as 'Vulnerable'

Oberonia wightiana

Binomial Name: Oberonia wightiana Lindley

O. wightiana is a wild orchid found in highland forests of Sri Lanka. Most of the time it grows on mossy stems of trees. Also this orchid grows naturally in South India. Above photos were taken in December. IUCN Red List status is ''Near Threatened'.

Sharp-snouted shrub frog (Pseudophilautus cuspis)

English: Sharp-snouted shrub frog
Binomial name: Pseudophilautus cuspis / Philautus cuspis
Sinhala: තියුණු හොඹු මැඩියා [Thiyunu hombu madiya]

An endemic frog found only in wet zone rain forests of Sri Lanka with a good canopy layer. Can be found mostly with leaf litter. This frog is given the Latin name 'Cuspis' due to its sharp snout. Habitats are limited to few places specially in Sinharaja forest. Habitat loss is the major threat for this frog and the IUCN status is 'Threatened'.

Shield sundew (Drosera peltata)

Binomial Name: Drosera peltata
English: Shield sundew / pale sundew
Sinhala: අඩහඳ ඇස්ස[Adahanda assa]

A carnivorous plant found in highlands of Sri Lanka. It can be seen in many other Asian countries also. Shield shaped leaves given it the name 'peltata'. This plant is used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine. Above photos were taken in the month of December in a grass land close to Haputhale.

Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak)

English: Barking Deer / Red Muntjack
Binomial Name: Muntiacus muntjak
Sinhala: වැලි මුවා / ඕලු මුවා [Weli muwa/Olu ouwa]

Population of this mammal has been distributed thorough the Sri Lanka. Can be seen as pairs or alone close to forests. They feed on grass and tender leaves. Its call resembles the barking of a dog and due to that reason it is given the name "Barking deer".

Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae)

English: Common Rose
Binomial Name: Pachliopta aristolochiae

A butterfly belongs to  Papilionidae family and the population has been distributed across South and South East Asia. Sub species P. a. ceylonicus is endemic to Sri Lannka. Population of Sri Lanka has been distributed in all environmental regions. But difficult to find in areas where elevation above the sea level is greater than 1200meters.