Flora of Bangladesh

Kashipala or Largeleaf Rosemallow ( Hibiscus macrophyllus , Family : Malvaceae) is a medium-sized tree with large leaves and attractive flowers. The tree can reach a height of about 10 m. The young branches, leaves, inflorescence, fruits, seeds of the plant are too hairy. It goes without saying that the plant takes such protective measures to prevent insects or unwanted creatures from harming its body parts.  The tree can be found in Indo-Malay region (Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines) as well as Northeastern India, Myanmar, Southern China. In Bangladesh, it can be found in the forests of greater Sylhet and greater Chattogram.  Other names :  Khasia Udal (Bangla), Hibiscus, Large-Leaved Hibiscus, Large-Leaved Hao (Eng.). Downy and 5-9 nerved leaves are big, 16-45 cm long and 15-40 cm wide. Interestingly, its leaves and petioles are the same size. These are broadly ovate or orbicular, heart-shaped at the base, acuminate at apex. Upper surface is covered with ...

Dagor or Suicide tree ( Cerbera odollam , family: Apocynaceae) is a small tree with whorled branch, containing full of poison in its body. It exudes a milky latex when struck or when its leaves and stems are crushed. It can attain a height of 10-12 m. The tree is equally poisonous, like its closest members Oleander ( Nerium oleander ) and Yellow Oleander ( Cascabela thevetia ).  The bushy mangrove species is often found along the salt marshes of the Sundarbans as well as the seashore of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. It is also found in the coastline of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands and some parts of Australia. Other names:  Dhakur, Dabur (Bangla), Yellow-eyed Cerbera, Sea Mango, Grey Milkwood (Eng.). Several leaves are gathered at the tip of the branch in opposite composition. Obovate-lanceolate leaves are dark green and glossy, large, 18-20 cm long and 4-5 cm wide, glabrous and coriaceous, tapering at the base, acute at the apex, petiols 2-4 cm long.  A fe...

Ghetkochu or Bengal Arum ( Typhonium trilobatum , family: Araceae) is a soft, tuberous herb, attaining a height of 25-40 cm, found here and there in the country. it is found growing in damp or wet places, fallow lands and beside the paths. Though it is not a popular vegetable in the country, but people from different parts of the country consume its leaves, stalks and tubers. Apart from Bangladesh or Greater Bengal, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Southeast China, North Malaysia are the original habitat of the plant. It is naturalized in the Philippines, West Borneo, Singapore, West Africa and tropical America.  Other names : Ghatkol, Ghetkol, Kharkol, Kharkeli, Ghekul, Kharkun, Chamghash, (Bangla); Harbaz (Chakma); Mohras (Marmara);  Harbait (Tanchangya).  Ghetkochu is quite beautiful to look at—especially the shape of its leaves. Like other members of the Kachu (Arum) family, it has fewer leaves, mostly 5 to 6. Its leaves, however, vary—from arrow-shaped to 3-lobed; 5 lobes c...

Horgoja or Sea Holly ( Acanthus ilicifolius , family: Acanthaceae) is an evergreen spinous mangrove shrub with semi-woody base and shallow tap-roots, attaining a height of 3 m. Its green stems and branches have dark brown spots. Stems, as well as leaves, have long strong spines. In the urge of life it is sometimes seen to produce stilt roots. They live together like colonies in the brackish mud of the sea. The salt-tolerant plant can be found throughout the mangrove-habitated Southern coasts of Bangladesh. The armed plant is also found in South and Southeast Asian countries, like Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, China, Philippines, Malaysia and in Northern Australia and Polynesia. Other names: Hargoja, Horkuch kata (Bangla), Holly-leaved Acanthus, Holly Mangrove (Eng), Harikush (Sans). Having unusual pattern and vigorous, acute spines the leaves may remind us of the leaves of Creeping thistle ( Cricus arvensis ). These are strange, crooked, shiny green and unevenly multi-lobed; 6-12 cm l...

Bon-jui or Glory bower ( Volkameria inermis , Lamiaceae) is a semi-erect beautiful mangrove shrub, attaining a height of 3-4 m. The salt-tolerant plant's stem is woody. Yong shoots, petiols, leaf blades are usually glabrous but sometimes covered with minutely hairs.  Its geographical extent is quite large. It can be found in the countries of East Asia as well as South and Southeast Asia. It can also be found in Australia and Pacific Islands, such as New Guinea too. In Bangladesh, the flowering plant is found standing beside the muddy, wet and saline soils of cannals and other waterbodies of mangrove forests or edge of mangrove forests. In the country, it has long been planted as an ornamental shrub along roadsides and road islans. In some places it is also used as a hedge in gardens.        Other names:  Koklota, Bakri, Batraj, Chitka bhat (Bang); Garden quinine, Seaside clerodendron.  The shrub's richness is due to the leaves. These are quite beauti...