Flora of Bangladesh

Onontolota or Coral vine ( Antigonon leptopus , family: Polygonaceae) is a tuberous rooted extensive perennial creeper with branches. Its original home is America (possibly Mexico & Guatemala). For its extra-ordinary pink flowers, it is planted in parks and gardens throughout the tropical areas of the world.                                             Common names:   Coral vine,  Mexican creeper. Leaves are pale green, alternate, cordate, 7-12 cm long, serrated, apex acute.  Its propagation is caused by cutting or ground layering. The adorable creeper is planted in garden and on arches or pergolas in Bangladesh.  Pink or white colored flowers rise from axillary raceme. Perianth segments 5, divided into two layers. The plant produces numerous flowers from April-November.  The fruit is small, triangle-shaped, brown in...

Jilapi Babul or Blackbeed tree ( Pithecellobium dulce , family: Leguminosae ) is a medium-sized evergreen tree with pofused branches and spreading crown.  The tree can reach a height of 10-15 m. Trunk is spiny. Bark is grey.  The tree is native to Americas. It is introduced to South and Southeast Asia.  Common names: Khoia babla, Jilapi babul,  Jilapi,  Dokkhini babul, Blackbeed tree, Manila tamarind. Leaves are bipinnate, each pinna has a single pair of ovate-oblong leaflets. Young leaves are brownish.  In Bangladesh  flower blooms in spring, They are small, fragrant, greenish-white, 1 cm in diameter, borne in globose head.  The edible fruit is a pod, 10-15 cm long. When ripe (in summer) it turns tightly-coiled shape and reddish-brown in color and this is the main characteristic of the tree.  Fruit tastes sweet and sour.  Seeds are shiny, black in color.  Leaves and raw fruits are used as...