Kurchi or Girimollika, Holarrhena antidysenterica

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Kurchi or Girimollika (Holarrhena antidysenterica, family: Apocynaceae) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with branches, attaining a height of 6-7 m. Its bark is not smooth and slightly grey in color.


The tree is one of the most beautiful flowering plants in Bangladesh. It is mainly found in the hilly areas as well as Sal forests in the country. The loving tree is native to Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh.


Leaves are simple, green, glabrous, opposite, nearly sessile, elliptic-lanceolate with pointed apex, 4-20 cm long and 8-10 cm wide. Flowers are white, 2-4 cm wide, slightly tubular at base, scented, clustered. Sepals 5, petals 5. 


Flowers bloom profusely at the beginning of spring. In this time no leaves can be found in the tree!  
 Fruits are cylindrical, borne in pair, 20-35 cm long, many-seeded.


Propagation of the plant is caused by air layering and root sucker. It is grown in garden and parks as an ornamental plant.


The tree is full with medicinal values. Its bark and seeds are used to prepare medicine for fever, strangury, worm, tumour, dysentery and sore in mouth. Its bark is used in snakebite and scorpion sting.


The species name 'antidysenterica' indicates that it gives great benefits to dysentery disease. The Sanskrit name of the plant are Kutaja, which is mentioned in Kalidasa's (The legendary Medieval Indian poet and dramatist) one of the greatest works 'Meghadut'.

Comments

  1. UnknownJune 19, 2020 at 9:50 AM

    May I know the location of this tree?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mohammad AliJune 21, 2020 at 12:08 AM

    Ramna Park, Dhaka Charukola & graveyard of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Science Library of Dhaka University...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 23, 2020 at 3:24 AM

      Hello. I didn't find it in Romna.. can you please tell me the exact location? Thanks again 😊

      Delete
  3. Mohammad AliJune 23, 2020 at 9:39 AM

    Ok. 1. You will get the tree in the middle point of the garden/nursery of Ramna Park, beside Hotel Intercontinental.
    2. It will be also found in the premise of Dhaka Charukola.
    3. If you able to get there you will see another one or some of these are standing in the premise of the graveyard of Kazi Nazrul Islam. If you not able to get the tree then call me over the phone please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 23, 2020 at 8:25 PM

      Okay.. thanks again..I have ur mail address.. actually I'm researching on plant based medicine.though I'm CA affiliated. I love to live in nature. I'm sure you can help me a lot.

      Delete
    2. UnknownJune 24, 2020 at 2:03 AM

      U r mail address please..

      Delete
    3. UnknownJune 24, 2020 at 2:04 AM

      I actually don't have ur mail address😔😞

      Delete
    4. Mohammad AliJune 24, 2020 at 2:31 AM

      monmoth76@gmail.com

      Delete
    5. UnknownSeptember 30, 2020 at 8:32 AM

      Please come to visit Basundhara R/A.. here u can find some interesting trees and herbs and Birds

      Delete

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