Braziler Paat or Brazil jute, Malachra capitata

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Braziler Paat or Brazil jute (Malachra capitata, family: Malvaceae) is a useful tropical erect herb or undershrub with hairy body. Stem is slender and reddish. The leaves have also reddish marks at the edge. It can get a height of up to 2 m. The annual (or perennial) is found throughout the tropical regions of the world.

  
Other name: Bon vingdi.


The size and shape of the leaves may vary. It can be orbicular to suborbicular or ovate, many-lobed, cordate at base, blunt or acute at tip, edge serrated, alternate, 6-16 cm in diameter; long-petioled, almost the half of the length of leaf. Both sides of the leaf is hairy. The petiole is not directly connected to the blade but connected by creating angles to the bottom. 


Flowers usually in axillary heads, often also in terminal heads. Each head contains 2-5 bright yellow-colored flowers with white eye. There are 3-4 leafy bracts surrounding the flowers. Short-petioled flowers are cupular, 5-petaled. Petals are 2-3 times larger than sepals. Fruit is indehiscent, subglobose. Flowering and fruiting occur in April-December.


The plant is found in fallow lands, roadside areas and near the water-bodies of Dhaka and the neighbouring districts of the country. 


Strong and soft silky fiber is made from its stem, which has been recommended as a substitute for Jute. The plant is considered as an emollient and pectoral.

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