Batapalaa, not a health risk - official

Priyanka KURUGALA

Batapalaa or walmukunuwenna has been found to be a major invasive species threatening the eco - system of wetlands, Environment Conservation Trust Director Sajiva Chamikara said.

Batapalaa is not poisonous and only an invasive plant

"However there is no threat from batapalaa - walmukunuwenna (Alternanthera Philoxeroides) to one's health and it is only an invasive plant," he said.

Chamikara said a few years ago, wrong information was spread that walmukunuwenna could pose a huge health problem if consumed and the authorities too were unable to disprove these arguments.

"Nevertheless, it has now come to light that the plant has the ability to absorb heavy metal as well as mercury, copper and cadmium to maximum levels. Can such a plant be called poisonous," Chamikara asked.

He said however wrong information has surfaced again surrounding the plant.

"This plant is similar to mugunuwenna but certain features can be identified to separate it from mugunuwenna. The plant is thick green in colour while the leaves are 'fleshy'. It has branches with cavities. Leaves have a shiny surface. The plant is certainly not a poisonous plant, but only an invasive plant," he said.

According to Dr Lalith Gunasekera, research officer at the Natural Resources and Environmental Department in Melbourne, Australia, this plant absorbs and stores heavy metals as some other plants and is not harmful to the human body.

" Therefore we have to fear this plant only as an invasive plant," Dr Gunasekera said.

This plant can be spotted along Bolgoda river, Bellanvila- Aththidiya and Nuwara-Eliya.

This plant is an invasive plant in 30 countries including the US, India, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand and Australia.