The species was believed to be extinct as it had not been recorded since 1900. However, a researcher studying and sampling Cryptocoryne species discovered a new population of this species at a site in the southwest of Sri Lanka in 1999 (M. Nalinda Peiris pers. comm. 2002). The physical appearance and flower of these individuals indicated that it was distinct from the two other closest species of Cryptocoryne (as well as from all other Cryptocoryne species in Sri Lanka) while corresponding in all aspects to the original description of C. bogneri (de Wit 1975). More than 250 individual plants were recorded.
Habitat: The area is a small 75 ha patch of swamp forest on the edge of an extensive rubber estate. This forest also contains several other rare endemic species of plants that are confined to this site or have very limited distribution ranges. This forest is on private land within the heavily populated and extensively cultivated Western Province. The most recent observations were made during a relatively dry period and most of the individuals were seen on the muddy banks of a stream, although this species is recorded as being present under submerged conditions.
STATUS: ENDAMIC
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