Flora of Bangladesh

Shagor nishinda or Simpleleaf chastetree ( Vitex trifolia , family: Lamiceae) is a shrub or small-sized tree with profuse branches. The plant get a height up to 4 m. Stem of the deciduous plant is stout. Young shoots are reddish and pubescent.  It is found mainly in the islands and coastal regions of Cox's Bazar and Teknaf in Bangladesh. It is also found in the coasts of East Africa and South Asia. The plant is very similar to Nishinda (Vitex negundo) . Photographed in Chera-dip, Saint Martin's Islands Leaves are scented. These are usually trifoliate but sometimes single; ovate-oblong; 2.5-7 cm long, sessile; upperside green and glabrous, lowerside whitish and hairy. Terminal leaf is larger than others. Flowers are small, terminal, tomentose, purplish blue; sepals 5, petals 5. Flowering occurs throughout the year. Fruit is round, 1.5-2 cm in diameter. It get blackish or deep purple when ripen. Seeds number 4. The plant is propagated...

Koronja or Pongam tree  ( Pongamia pinnata , family: Fabaceae) is a moderate-sized deciduous tree, attaining a height of 10-12 m, with spreading branches. Bark is soft and grey, covered with tubercles. It is suitable for roadside plantation and for parks and gardens.  The indigenous tree is found in the forests of Chittagong & Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet & Khulna. The water-loving tree is also found in lowlands of the country. During the rainy season, the tree is seen standing in the water at those places like  Hijol (Indian oak,  Barringtonia acutangula ). English name of the plant is Indian Beech Tree. By the by, the other local name of the plant is Titgila. Leaves are compound, 15-25 cm long, leaflets 5-7, shinny, dark green, opposite, ovate or elliptical, 10-15 cm long, 6-8 cm wide.  The beautiful, reddish n ew leaves arrive in the month of March.  Flower is pinkis...