Rediscovery of Critically Endangered Mangrove Lumnitzera littorea (Jack) Voigt (Combreataceae) from Bentota Estuary, Sri Lanka

Lumnitzera littorea is a critically endangered true mangrove species in Sri Lanka. Although this species was observed in several localities in the past, it was only found in Madu Ganga Ramsar site. Even there, the population is considerably low with low regeneration potential. We have recorded a new population of L. littorea from Bentota estuary which was believed to be disappeared a long ago. This population is a considerably large and young. Hence, this new population would be the key to the future conservation of this highly threatened species in Sri Lanka. However, it is currently facing numerous threats from people thus proper conservation actions should immediately be taken.