Flora of Bangladesh

Polash or Flame of the Forest ( Butea monosperma , family : Fabaceae) is a medium-sized (12-14 m) flowering tree reaching 9-15 m height. Trunk is crooked, young shoot downy tomentose. Sanskrit name of the plant is Kingshuk. Leaves are compound, trifoliate, long petioled; leaflets leathery, turning glabrous with age, terminal leaflet obovate, 12-20 cm long and 12-16 cm wide.  Flowers are big, velvety, orange scarlet or orange, borne on 10-15 cm long inflorescence. Sepals 5, petals 5. The keel petals are united to form a beak. Flowers bloom in February. When spring comes the whole tree is filled with fire-colored flowers. This is why the flowering tree is called the Flame of the Forest. These unique flowers only lasts for two weeks. Fruit is capsule, 10-15 cm long and 3-4 cm wide, brown when mature. Propagation of the plant is caused by seed.  The beautiful tree is grown in big gardens and in roadsides. It is found in the Sal-Ban of Bangladesh. Seeds are used to c

Udal or Elephant rope tree ( Sterculia villosa , family: Sterculiaceae) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with spreading hairy branches. Bark is white, smooth and thick. It is one of the most spectacular forest trees of Ban g ladesh. It has many characteristics.  In Bangladesh it is mostly found in Chottogram, Chottogram Hill Tracts and Sylhet. Leaves are alternate, large ovate-oblong, deeply lobed, long petioled, and crowded at the end of branches. Flowers are orange-yellow with purple centre, borne on long drooping panicles. Both male and female flowers bloom in the tree. Flowers bloom in March.  Before appearing new leaves numerous hanging fruits can be seen at the end of the spring.  Fruit is 4-8 cm  long, curved, green when raw and brilliant red when ripe. Seeds are dark, rounded. The tree is propagated by seeds. It is planted along roadsides and in large public gardens. It is used as purgative. Its bark is used extensively to prepare drin

Akorkonto or Sage-leaved alangium ( Alangium salvifolium , family: Alangiaceae) is a medium-sized, usually 4-5 meters high, deciduous tree with branches. Wood is fragrant, firm and lasting. It is better as fuel. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds and cuttings. Other Bangla names: Akorkanta, Ankura. Leaves are 8-12 cm long, elliptical-lanceolate with slightly pointed apex.  Dark green leaves are hairy and they have some circular convex marks. There are some pointed big thorns, which are converted from young branches, available on the trunk of the tree. These are the main features of the tree.  Flowers are scented and creamy white with linear petals. Flowers bloom in cluster in March. Edible fruits are round and purplish black when ripe. Soft and sticky part of it is delicious. Fruits with Vitamin-C prevents scurvy. Root, leaf, fruit and bark are used in local medicine. Propagation is caused by root and seed. The beautiful leafy and flowering p

Karipata or Curry tree  ( Murraya koenigii , family: Rutaceae) is a shrub-like small tree with canopy. Bark is grey. The strong odorous tree can be seen to be 10-15 feet high. It is found everywhere in the Indian subcontinent. Other names : Curry pata, Choto Kamini , Mitha Neem, Shurovi Neem, Borshunga. Toothed and alternate leaves are compound.  Leaflets 11-25 in one foot long rachis, ovate-lanceolate, 2.5-4 cm long.  Flowers are white, scented, clustered on terminal cyme; Petal 5, stamens 5. Aromatic  oil is made from its leaves. It is stimulant, energizing. Flower and root are used in blood dysentery, nausea and fever. It is originated in India and Myanmar. Wood is used to make agricultural equipments. Fruit is oval. Immature one is green, ripe one purplish black. It is a beautiful leafy tree. Strongly scented leaves are cooked with fish to give a flavour to curry. In Bangladesh the woody tree is usually planted in gardens. If regular pr