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This is a rare species found predominantly in the wet lowlands with a thin distribution in dry zone forests in wet shady localities. Other than Sri Lanka Gardner’s drypetes is only found in the wet tropical forests of southern parts of western ghats in India where it is considered rare.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as “Near Threatened” (National Red list 2020).

Despite being of the same genus as “weera” which is a very common tree in Wilpattu, this species is a large shrub or a small tree with thin spread-out branches. The shape and the positioning of the fruits on the branches are somewhat like coffee. These fruits are larger than “weera” fruits and appear more elongated unlike the perfectly circular shape of the former. Birds feed on the ripe berries

The females of the endemic Lesser Albatross, the white butterflies found in large numbers flying through the forest and settled close to damp places after the rains, lays eggs on this species.

This is a rare species in the park. Anyone who is keen to observe this species should look out for the flowers in October or fruits during the month of November.