Flora of Bangladesh

Shushni or 4-leaved clover ( Marsilea minuta, family: Marsileaceae) is an annual creeping herb. It is an aquatic fern of Bangladesh, found floating in the water along with Water spinach , Alligator weed and many other aquatic plants during the monsoon season. In addition, it can be seen in waterside area or wet soil. Roots from each node of stem help the plant to creep on ground. It has spectacular four leaves in each stalk. As an ornamental aquatic plant it can be planted in water-tub or lakes and ponds of gardens.  The geographical range of the plant is quite large. It is found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Leaves are light green, almost round, leaf blade (3-4 cm across) divided in to four parts. These are almost triangular or ovoid with rounded end. Petiole is narrow and long. If it grows in wet or dry places, the edges of the leaves become dented. The length of the petiole increases as the water level rises. As a...

Keteli or Creeping thistle ( Cricus arvensis , family:  Asteraceae) is an erect perennial herb, attaining a height of 40-120 cm. It grows on cropland or on the edge of lands in Bangladesh. Its stem and leaves are covered with cobwebby hairs. Spiny leaves are simple, dented, unevenly wavy, sessile, usually 7-10 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. Other name: Kanta dudhley, Kanta kandailey, Shilkanta, Logakanta. Flowers are small, pink, borne on head. Single flower is soft as a feather. Male and female flowers bloom on separate inflorescences. The infloresence bearing male flowers is round and the one bearing female flowers is oblong. The fruit is an achene, having brown pappus and looking glaucous and glabrous. Mature seeds are cotton-like fiber which can spread far and wide.  It is mostly found in the rural areas of the country. By the by, the flowering time of the plant is spring.