Flora of Bangladesh

Ashari-lota or Asaria ( Capparis zeylanica , family : Capparaceae) is a thorny woody profusely branched creeper. The plant grows on fallow land, especially in damp jungle in Bangladesh. Other Bangla names : Kalokra, Kalkeya, Kelekra. Leaves are simple, green, petioled, alternate, ovate, 4.5-7.5 cm and 3-4 cm wide. Flowers are white to pink, borne on axillary lateral inflorescence. Sepals 8, arranged in two layers. Stamens numerous, look like a cat's mustache, gradually change color from white to pink to deep pink. Flower blooms in February-March. Fruit is a berry, smooth, 5-7 cm long. The seeds remain inside in circular form. It gives fruit in the rainy season. The propagation is caused by the seeds. The fruit is edible. Crow likes it. There are hard and curved spines on its body. Leaves are used in piles, blister and tumour. Roots are used in pain, jaundice, tuberculosis, bone fracture and liver diseases.  The plant has been mentioned in Charak-Sushru

Kajubadam  or Cashew nut ( Anacardium occidentale , family: Anacardiaceae) is an evergreen medium-sized (30-40 feet) leafy tree with spreading branches. Stem is crooked. It is not indigenous in Bangladesh, though it has been planted in different parts of the country. Other names: Kaju, Hijli badam. Leaves are simple, green, 10-18 cm long and 6-10 cm wide, obovate, rough, entire, round at he end and narrow at the base. Flowers are small, yellowish brown, on terminal inflorescence. each cluster contains 400-1200 tiny flowers. Flower blooms in April-May. Male and bisexual flowers can be seen in a tree. Fruits are born from the bisexual flowers. Fruit is nutty drupe, kidney-shaped, about 2.5 cm long, grey, with hard cover. Immatures fruits are green, turns yellow and red when ripe. Seeds are found naked below the hanging fruits. Propagation is caused by sees and air layering. It is cultivated for its fruits. Ripe fruit is juicy and tastes good. It is com

Gaab or Indian persimmon ( Diospyros peregrina , family : Ebenaceae) is a short to medium-sized evergreen tree with spreading branches and dense leaves. Bark is blackish. The nice canopy-holder tree can be seen from Southeast Asia to Australia. It is found everywhere in Bangladesh. At the end of spring, the extraordinary red-brown leaves appear. This is one of the main characteristics of the plant. The entire tree looks great at that time. Leaves are simple, dark green, hard, smooth on upper side, petioled, alternate, lanceolate, 10-20 cm long and 4-7 cm wide. Leaves grow thickly on black branches. Flowers are white, scented, with 4 thick petals; sepals 4. The plant produces flowers in March-April.  Male and female flowers bloom separately. Female flowers usually grow singly from leaf axil while the male ones bloom in cluster on cyme inflorescence. 2-7 male flowers bloom together, while female ones bloom as singles on leaf axil. Male flowers are bigger and whiter than t

Dholshomudro or Elephant ear ( Leea macrophylla , family : Vitaceae) is an annual rhizomatous herb with large green leaves. The height of the plant is barely a meter. It can be usually seen in the edge of the forest, especially in Chottogram and Chottogram Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Dented leaves are gigantic, beautiful to see; simple, ovate, cordate at base, apex acuminate, 20-60 cm long and 10.16-45 cm wide, edge undulated. Veins and midribs are clearly visible. Petioles are thick and hollow, 10-15 cm long.   It blooms in June-July.  At the tip of the twig is borne large cyme inflorescence with huge number of flowers.  Peduncle 30 cm tall.  Flowers are small, soft, whitish, sepals 5, petals 5. Fruits are also small, globose, tapered, .smooth, 4-6-lobed, 6-1 cm in diameter. Juveniles are green, matures are blackish.  Young leaves are eaten as vegetables. Color can be made from the roots. Power of roots is antiseptic and cures sores. It also destroy

Buno Joba or Jongli Ghagra ( Urena lobata , family : Malvaceae) is an erect branched plant with about 1.5 m height. The plant is covered with tiny hairs all over the body. Other names: Gamera, Bon-okra, Altera, Nageji, Jongli khagra, Kongo pat. Leaves are ovate, round or 5-7 lobbed, 3.5-12 cm long, irregularly toothed, covered with rigid hair. Petiole 2-8 cm long. Flowers are small, violet or pinkish, clustered or solitary, about 1 cm across. Calyx 5-cleft, petals 5, stamens many. The fruit is globose with 5 carpels and is covered with short stiff spines. It blooms almost in all seasons. It is found everywhere in Bangladesh. It grows in abandoned places. Root is used as diuretic and useful in neurological disorder. The flower is called Buno Joba (wild hibiscus) In Bangla.

Joggodumur , Jagdumur ( Ficus racemosa , family : Moraceae) is a  medium to large deciduous tree (15-16 m) with branches. The florets of the tree remain inside fruit or fig and cannot be seen from outside. Figs are good vegetables. The good looking plant can be easily detected by its brilliant red fruits which grow in cluster on trunks or branches. Leaves are slightly hairy, green, elliptical-ovate, 14-18 cm long, petiole 1.5-2.5 cm long. Mid-rib and veins are clearly visible. Figs are hairy also, big, 2-4 cm across. Immature fruits are light green, bright red when ripe. They are nutritious.                               Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds. The plant grows in wilderness and on fallow lands. It is found everywhere in Bangladesh. Fruits, roots, leaves and bark are used in cut wound and different tooth diseases. Its latex is used to prevent blood dripping. Indian subcontinent is the original home of the plant. The genus name racemosa is der