In the shady gorges of Kitulgala, where the water of Mannakettha Ella waterfall flows down over mossy rocks, nature continues to present surprises even in the era of satellite maps and genetic databases. Researchers have just described a new plant species, endemic exclusively to Sri Lanka — Impatiens yakandawalarum, or the Kitulgala balsam.
The discovery began with ordinary photographs taken during a walk. Salani Gunaratne captured the plant, and researcher Peshala Pasan Karunaratne noticed that it differed from the already known Impatiens janthina. The material was passed to a specialist at the University of Peradeniya, Bhathiya Gopallawa, and field checks confirmed that what the scientists had before them was a previously undescribed species.
The Kitulgala balsam belongs to the balsam family. Its main distinguishing feature is the absence of a spur on the nectary, that is, the tubular outgrowth characteristic of many of its relatives. The flowers are dark pink, about two centimetres in diameter, and the plant prefers moist, mossy rock surfaces and tree roots. With the discovery of this species, the total number of Impatiens on the island has reached 28, of which 19 are endemics.
Sri Lanka has long been known for its high level of endemism: the island's isolation and the diversity of its microclimates have created conditions for the emergence of unique life forms. However, such finds occur against a backdrop of growing pressure on natural areas — logging, agricultural development, and even protected areas find it hard to recover. A publication in the Ceylon Journal of Science of 30 September 2026 emphasises the need to preserve intact ecosystems rather than individual species.
The tiny flower on the rock by the waterfall seems to invite us to reflect on how many invisible threads still bind the island's living communities. Every such balsam is part of a complex web of pollinators, soil processes and water regime that is easy to disrupt but hard to restore.
The researchers note that such discoveries are no accident: they are the result of the attentive eye of local naturalists and the systematic work of scientists. At the same time, they remind us that even well-studied regions can harbour new species if their natural habitat is preserved.
To protect such corners is to preserve not only rare plants but also the entire living framework on which the resilience of landscapes and the well-being of the people living nearby depend.
