Flora of Bangladesh

Muktajhuri or   Indian acalypha   ( Acalypha indica , family: Euphorbiaceae) is an annual herb attaining a height of below 1 m. It is found in Tropical Africa, South and Southeast Asia.     Common names: Muktajhuri, Indian acalypha, Three-seeded mercury. Leaves are green, oval-shaped, serrated with hairs. Pedicel is 2.5-4 cm long. Flowers are very small, greenish in color, embedded in round bract.  Flower and fruit appear almost round the year.  Seeds are small and round. In Bangladesh, it is found in fallow land and road.  Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds.

Sotthi or  Zedoary ( Curcuma zedoaria , family: Zingiberaceae) is a perennial herb with underground tubers. It is the closest relative of Turmeric. Needless to say, the characteristics of the two are almost the same. The underground tuber or rhizome is Camphor -scented and white-colored, spreading like Ginger or Turmeric. It is native to South and Southeast Asia. It is found in the rural area, Sal forests and the foothills of hilly areas in Bangladesh.     Other names: Shoti, Shuvodra, Shoumya, Polashika, Shugondhomula (Bang); White turmeric (Eng). Leaves arise from the tubers. Leaves are glabrous, about1 m long, narrow at the petiole. Flower blooms in spring-summer. At this time, when it rains a little, a fairy, quite long receptacle (inflorescence stick; about 50 cm long) come out from the rhizome. The bracts in receptacle are purplish and greenish. Although the whole receptacle looks like a flower, the flowers are actually quite small, bloom in the lap of bracts. These a

Boronukha or Leaf pondweed ( monochoria hastata , family: pontederiaceae) is a water herb attaining a height of 1.5 m. It is found in ponds, diches, canals and other water bodies of South and Southeast Asia and Australia. Common names: Boronukha, Leaf pondweed, Arrowleaf falsepickerelweed, Arrow leaf pondweed, arrow-leaf monochoria. Leaves of the aquatic plant come out from stem. They are cordate or triangular, green, glabrous, apex acute, petiole long and linear. Clusters of blue flowers (20- 55) grow from leaf axil. Petals 5. Flower blooms mainly in autumn. The fruit is a capsule, 5-7 mm long, and 4-7 mm wide. It can be planted as an ornamental water plant in garden or park. In  Bangladesh, t he plant is seen throughout the water bodies of rural areas along with Lotus and Water lilies .  Its root is used in tooth pain and bark in asthma. 

Bishkatali or Pale persicaria ( Persicaria lapathifolia , family: Polygonaceae) is an annual herb attaining a height of 1-2.5 m. The plant is found throughout the tropical world. It is a very common weed in Bangladesh. It mostly grows on lowland and on the edge of ponds and canals. Common names: Bishkatali, Pale Persicaria. Leaves are green, glabrous, ovate-oblong, 7-18 cm and 5-8 cm wide, apex, acute, bottom part whitish, petiole 6-8 cm long.  Stem, leaf and inflorescence of persicaria orientalis are covered with dense hair.  Numerous small flowers grow on terminal inflorescence. The plant is propagated by seeds.  Leaves and roots are used to relieve physical pain. 

Kodom or Kadam ( Neolamarckia cadamba , family: Rubiaceae) is a tall fast growing deciduous tree with horizontal and spiral branches attaining a height of 15-20 m. The beautiful tree is native to South and Southeast Asia. This tree is closely associated with Radha-Sri Krishna. It is frequently mentioned in Bengali and Sanskrit literature. Its Sanskrit name is Kadamba. Common names: Kadam, Burflower-tree. Leaves are 12-22 cm long, elliptic oblong, dark glossy green above, alternative. Leaves have  conspicuous veins. Flower blooms in rainy season. However, sometimes it can be seen blooming even in winter. Flowers are borne on head, terimnal, single. Flower receptacle contains innumberable florets, white and yellow mixed. Flowers are strongly-scented. A kind of awkward smell comes out from the falling flowers though. It is planted in the villages for its dense shade. Its timber is soft and used as firewood. It is also used to make match and p