Flora of Bangladesh

Madhobi-lota or Madhabi ( Hiptage benghalensis , family: Malpighiaceae) is a large climbing shrub with woody stem and extensive branches. The perennial leafy climber can climb up to 5 m. In Bangla literary works, the vigorous climber is very famous for its sweet-scented flowers. The deciduous climber is  found in the hilly areas of Bangladesh. Although it is rare in its original habitat, it has become popular to the gardeners of the country recently. Flower blooms in large bunches in the spring. Blooming period is very shortened, lasts only for 2 weeks.  Leaves are glossy green, petioled, elliptic, 10-15 cm long, opposite, leathery.     Flowers are strong scented, white to light yellow, 3 cm long, on axillary panicles, silky outside, pale yellow inside. Sepals 5; petals 5, four of them are equal in length and white in color, the rest one is smaller and its color is yellow. Stamens 10, one is bigger.   Dry fruits are ...

Chandmala or Water snowflake (N ymphoides indica , family: Menyanthaceae) is a fast growing floating aquatic plant. The root of the plant arises from the clay. This mother-plant expands through the roots that grow from stem-nodes. And by this the floating plant can make its length up to 3 meters. They seem to be a colony from a distance. In the colonies, when they begin to bloom, they look like stars. In Bangla, the plant is called Chandmala or Chondromala (group of stars) for this reason. Other name: Boro chandmala Heart-shaped floating leaves are simple, shinny green, wavy-edged, 3-10 cm wide; petioled, almost 4 cm long. Flowers are small, white in color with yellow mark at the centre. Petals are quite exceptional, 5-7, with fringe. Flower blooms in rainy season to late outumn. They are short-lived. They can survive only a day. Fruit is globose with many bright yellow seeds. The propagation of the plant is caused by seeds. It is found in shallow and waterlogged ar...

Roshundi-lota or Garlic vine ( Mansoa alliacea , family: Bignoniaceae) is an evergreen extensive and bushy climber with dense foliage. It is recommended as a beautiful ornamental climber in the country. The climber has come from tropical America  Leaves are opposite, bipinnate or tripinnate. Leaflets are elliptic, 4-8 cm long, leathery, pointed at the end, producing an odour of garlic. The Bangla and English name have got this type of name due to the peculiar smell of leaves. Terminal leaflet is often modified into tendril.  Flowers are mauve in color, funnel-shaped with five expanded round lobes. Lower parts of the flower (tube) is creamy white. It blooms in large panicles in autumn-spring (Oct-Feb) and a few minor flushes in the summer (April-May) months in Bangladesh.  The plant is propagated by cuttings. Saplings also grow from the roots. This dazzling flowering climber is called Lota-parul in Bangla due to match with very controversial Parul ...

Shupari , Betel nut or Areca nut  ( Areca catechu , family: Arecaceae) is an evergreen palm tree attaining a height of 45 m. It is one of the major cash crops in Bangladesh. It is cultivated extensively in the coastal areas of the country.  In Indian subcontinent, its fruit is eaten with the Betel leaf as daily food. It is found in almost every home in the village area. Like any other palm tree, it is also quite a beautiful one. The tree is planted with rows as a decorative tree in gardens and parks. The tree can survive for almost 50 years. There are many gray-colored rings in its green trunk. Its leaves are closely packed together at the top of the tree like all other palms. There are 70-80 leaves in every pinnae. The leaves fall within a year. Flowers are produced in the spadix-like particle. Numerous brown and sweet-scented flowers are gathered in this type of inflorescence. Immature fruits are of green color. Ripe fruits are yellow, orange or ...

Kew or Crepe ginger ( Cheilocostus speciosus , family: Zingiberaceae) is a rhizomatous annual or perennial shrub, attaining a height of 2 to 4 m, with clump-forming stems. It is found almost everywhere in Bangladesh. It usually grows well in damp places. The plant itself a beautiful one. The gardeners of the country cultivate this plant for its clean white large flowers. Other names : Kustha, Kiumool, Bondugi, Kura, Kedogi (Chakma). Leaves are stalkless, downy, entire, big in size (18-24 cm), leathery, ovate-elliptical, about 10-20 cm long. Flowers are short-lived, very showy, trumpet-shaped, pure white in color, and have round yellow mark in the centre. Each flower is half-covered by brilliant red bract. The flowers begin to blossom at the end of the monsoon.  Fruit is a capsule. Mature or dry fruits are brown or reddish. Propagation of the good-looking plant is caused by seed or division of rhizomes.  Stem is used in heart disease, lep...