Flora of Bangladesh

Ashphol or Longan tree ( Dimocarpus longan , family: Sapindaceae) is a medium-sized (10-15 m) evergreen tree from Litchi family. Bark is blackish grey. Its fruit is known as Kath-lichu in Bangla, because it has a similarity with litchi. Leaflets green, 2-5 pairs, elliptical, ovate or lanceolate, acute or obtuse at the end, glabrous above, Veins and midribs are clearly visible, 7-10 cm long and 3-5 cm wide.  Flowers are small, petals 5, yellowish white as Litchi's flower, soft and round, borne on terminal panicle. Male and hermaphrodite flowers can be seen in the same panicle. Flowers occur in February-Mach.  Fruit is round, brown and reddish yellow, containing one seed each like Litchi. Fruit-flesh is juicy and almost sweet as Litchi, but not thick as that. Fruits ripen in May-June.  The plant is propagated by seed and air layering. Fruits are edible and popular among the children of Bangladesh. Original home of the plant is Malay. It is fo...

Dhoincha or Prickly sesban ( Sesbania bispinosa , family: Fabaceae) is an erect and fast growing annual shrub with flexible branches. The water friendly plant can get a height of 7 m, but can be seen more than 1 to 2 meters usually.  Leaves are compound; leaflets 11-45 pairs, deep green, small, 3-4 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide.  Flowers are showy, spectacular, bright yellow, borne on 15 cm long inflorescence. Sepals 5, petals, 5. Petals are dotted with purplish marks. For this reason, they seem like orchids. It blooms in September-October. Fruit is a pod, very long, 20-25 cm. Each pod contains numerous seeds. These are brown in color. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds. The plant is filled with medicinal properties. The plant is used to increase fertility of soil and destroy insects. The nodule in its roots help to keep nitrogen in the soil firmly.  Its leaves and seeds are used to feed cattles. Organic fertilizers can be made ...

Rokto-dron or Red verticilla ( Leonurus sibiricus , family: Lamiaceae) is an annual herb from Shetodron family attaining a height of 90-110 cm with upright and quadrangular stem. It is usually found in crop fields in Bangladesh and is treated as weed. The plant is native to Indian subcontinent.  Other local names: Gumajoma, Jajura, Goma, Dibbopushpi, Shupushpa, Hejurchi, Chitropotrika. Leaves are dark green, opposite, petioled. The leaves of its upper part are simple, lanceolate and linear but in lower parts those are divided into few parts, almost palmate.  Flowers are tubular, small, pink with violet shade with permanent calyx, clustered on inflorescence verticillaster. Petals are bilipped or bilabiate. Fruits are four-seeded, 1-1.5 cm long. It is propagated by seeds.  Though the plant is not recognized as ornamental, but its flowers are very eye-catching indeed. Flowers and fruits are seen throughout the year. White-co...