Flora of Bangladesh

Chondona  or Chandana ( Macaranga peltata , family: Euphorbiaceae) is an evergreen tree with profuse branches and nice crown. The tree usually gets 12 m height. Young parts of the tree are hairy but smooth. Its leaves are very spectacular. In Bangladesh the plant is planted on the roadside areas and parks and gardens for this reason.  Leaves are big, dark green, broadly ovate to orbicular, apex pointed, extended slightly, 15-20 cm long and 12-18 cm wide, alternate, smooth upside, glandular beneath. Veins and midribs are palmately arranged on blade. Petiole is very long and it is strangely connected to the lower part of the blade. Flowers are small, creamy white on raceme inflorescence. Male flowers (in the pic) grow from the axil of large bracts.  Fruit is capsule, round, orange-red. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds. Flowers appear in March-April and fruit in December-January.  By the by, the species name 'peltata' ...

Akondo or Crown flower ( Calotropis gigantea , family: Apocynaceae) is a perennial shrub with branches and milky latex, attaining a height of 5 m. Bark is grey. The stem is slightly wooody and much branched at the base. Some plants have been found whose trunks are quite hard and woody and those look like small-sized trees.  Common names:  Akkan, Madar. Young shoots and lower part of leaves are tomentose. The plant is an iconic one in the rural areas in Bangladesh. It is found in several countries in South and Southeast Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Branches and leaves emit milk when snapped. Leaves are whitish green, leathery, short-petioled or sessile, broadly ovate, 10-20 cm long and 6-12 cm wide, tip slightly pointed.  For video please visit :   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH5nOu16vYw&t=37s Flowers are light violet with white shade. Sepals 5, petals 5.  Flowers are seen round the ye...