Flora of Bangladesh

Bandorhola or Ramdalu ( Duabanga grandiflora , family: Lythraceae) is a large evergreen or semi-deciduous tree with dwarf drooping branches and erect trunk. The tree can grow up to 45 meters tall. It can be easily identified from other trees in the forest by its innumerable hanging branches. It is mostly found in Sylhet, Chattogram and Chattogram Hill Tracts. It is also found in several countries in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Andaman Islands. Other names: Bandormula, Kocha, Lampati. Leaves are big, dark green, coriaceous (leathery), oblong, cordate at base, 15-30 cm long and 7-12 cm wide, glabrous, opposite. Flowers are big, white, 5-8 cm across, having unpleasant odor borne on drooping branches, stamens many. Sepals 5, green and thick; petals 5, wrinkled, short-lasting. Flowering occurs in spring. Fruit is globose capsule, coriaceous, about 8 cm wide, with many seeds. It is edible to local people. The tree is propgated by seeds.   ...

Jhika or Indian ash tree ( Lannea coromandelica , family: Anacardiaceae) is a deciduous medium-sized tree with profuse branches. Bark is grey. It emits a kind of gum. It can grow easily when branches are planted in the ground. It is found everywhere in Bangladesh. Perhaps the plant is originated from the arid region of India, Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka. Other names: Jiol, Jial, Jigor, Jiga, Jhiga, Jika, Kafila, Kamila, Bialdi, Bhadi. Leaves are compound; leaflets 5-11, lanceolate, 7-15 cm long and 5-8 cm wide, opposite.  Flowers are small, yellowish, on terminal inflorescence, arising on leaflet branches. Male flowers downward, females pubescent. Flowers bloom in spring. Flruits are small, juicy, in a bunch, reddish. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds and cuttings.   The leafy tree looks beautiful all the year round. But in winter it becomes a completely leafless tree. Leaves and bark are used in heart disease...

Buddho narikel or Buddha coconut ( Pterygota alata , family: Sterculiaceae) is a large erect tree with branches, reaching up to 50 m in height. Trunk is huge and stout. Bark is smooth and  grey in color.  The deciduous mighty tree is found in the hilly forests of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet of Bangladesh.  The tree is also found in South India, Sikkim and Andaman Islands. In Bangladesh it is planted in parks and botanical gardens as an ornamental plant.  Leaves are dark green, big, cordate, glabrous, 10-25 cm long and 7-20 cm wide, alternate; long-petioled: 10-14 cm long. Midrib and veins are clearly visible. Flowers are reddish inside, outside brownish yellow, scented, petals 5. It produces flowers in spring. Fruit is big, round, hard, dehiscent, dark brown in color. Seeds are winged, numerous. Fruit pulp tastes almost like Coconut.   The native plant is propagated by seeds. Seed is edible too. It...