Flora of Bangladesh

Daadmordon or Ringworm bush ( Senna alata , family: Caesalpiniaceae) is a tall erect shrub, attaining a height of 2.5 m. Stem is thick and yellowish. It is native to the West Indian Islands. From there it came to the country through the Portuguese. It is found in fallow lands and beside roads in Bangladesh. It is also found in the tropical areas round the world. The plant is unique to bring the royal splendor of yellow color to gardens.   As an ornamental plant it is planted in gardens and parks. The bushy shrub is a very popular medicinal plant in the country as well as Indian subcontinent.  Leaves compound, 25-60 m long, leaflets 6-10 pairs, oblong, opposite, 6-10 cm long 4-5 cm wide, sometimes slightly orcordate at the tip, sessile.  Flowers are borne on upward terminal raceme, from bottom to top, 15-20 cm long. Flowers are brilliant yellow with brownish shade, 2-5 cm wide, petals 5, several different-sized stamens in the middle...

Kathali-chapa or Climbing lang lang ( Artabotrys hexapetalus,  family : Annonaceae) is a bushy shrub, native to South and Southeast Asia. Its stem is woody. Immatured flowers are whitish green, matured are deep yellow in color; petals 6, leathery, open. Calyx is curved, like a hook.  Leaves are alternate, shiny green, oblong-lanceolate, 5-14 cm long, 2-5 cm wide. Propagation is caused by cutting and seed. Group of fruits (usually 6) grow together at the end of long peduncle. Fruits are ovoid, smooth, pointed at the end, 2.5-4 cm long. Flowers are well scented. They scented like ripe Jackfruit. In Bangla, the flower is named after this reason.  Flower blooms from summer to rainy season. 

Mom golap or Rose cactus ( Pereskia bleo , famiy: Cactaceae) is a bushy shrub or small tree from Cactus family with deep green foliage and spiny stems. Rose cactus is one of the most attractive flowers of the tropical world. The plant can reach a height of 3 m. It is native to Central America. Common names:  Rose cactus, Wax r o se, Leaf cactus, Desert rose. Flower has spreading petals, vivid orange in color, 4-6 cm in diameter. Numerous stamens surrounded the pistil at the center of the flower.  The fleshy and shiny leaves are elliptic-oblong or lanceolate, 16-20 cm long and 2-7 cm broad. The edible fruits are spherical. It turns yellow when ripe. If snapped, its stem emits a kind of white sap.  In Bangladesh, it is planted in parks and gardens and road-islands as a decorative flowering plant. It is propagated by cutting or grafting. It is sometimes called the Cactus rose.

Mehedi or Henna ( Lawsonia inermi , family: Lythraceae) is an evergreen bushy shrub or small tree with profuse branches, attaining a height of 2-8 m.  It is a very common homestead plant in Bangladesh.  The historical plant is native to differnt parts of Asia, Africa and Australasia.                            Common names:  Henna, Hina, Mignonette tree, Egyptian privet. It is used in jaundice, leucorrhoea, shoulder pain, burning sensation in body, dandruff and insomnia.   Leaves are  elliptical, lanceolate, acuminate at the top and are sub-sessiled;  3-5 cm long and about 1 cm wide. Flowers are white, small, borne on terminal inflorescence. Petals 6. Flowers bloom  from late summer to autumn. Fruits are small, granular, deep purple or black-colored when ripe. Seeds are numerous, smooth, pyramidal. In Indian subcontinent including Banglade...

Koromcha or Karonta Fruit ( Carissa carandas , family: Apocynaceae) is a hardy medium-sized bushy shrub, attaining a height of 2-3 m. This drought-tolerant and spiny flowering shrub is native to Indian subcontinent and adjacent areas.  Common names: Koromcha, Karonta Fruit, Crane berry. Leaves are green, ovate-oblong, thin, glabrous. Branches have thorns in pairs. As a homestead plant the thorny shrub is planted for its attractive looking and extremely sour fruits. The fruit contains a lot of Vitamin C.  It is used in bilious trouble. It is expectorant and useful in fever, cold, worm and tastelessness. Rainy season is the planting time. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds.  Plants raised from seed start bearing two years after planting.  The roots of the plant are heavily branched. Flowers are showy, white and bloom in spring (March-April). F ruit is berry, green when raw and red when ripe. It ripens in the summer.  ...