Flora of Bangladesh

Ashwagandha or Winter cherry ( Withania somnifera , family: Solanaceae) is an erect and almost branchless or terete herb, reaching a height of 1-1.5 m. It is a herb of high quality medicinal properties. Root is long and goes deep in soil. The plant is mainly originated in Mediterranean region. As a medicinal plant it can be found in any herb garden of Bangladesh.  Leaves are green, elliptic-ovate, curved, keel, 5-10 long & 2-5 cm wide; tip sub-acte to acute; margin undulate.  Flowers are axillary, small, campanulate, greenish, lobes 5-6. Fruit is berry, small; green when raw and yellow or red when ripe. Fruit is covered with inflated callyx, which is papery, granular, chinese lantern-like. When dry it get dark brown color. Like many other members of Solanaceae family, its fruit also produces numerous seeds.  Flowering and fruiting occur in September to December. The plant is propagated by seeds. It is favored for its herbal q...

A pang or Prickly chafflower ( Achyranthes aspera , family: Amaranthaceae) is an annual herb with woody base, 1-1.5 m height. Terete to quadrangular stem is straight, hairy and not much-branched. It is considered as a crop weed in the country. Other names : Biral achra, Bilai-khami, Chirchita, Upot lyangra, Bilai-khamchi (Bangla); Snake tail (English). Leaves are green, simple, ovate-oblong, 10-12 cm long and 6-7 cm wide, opposite, short-petioled.  Flowers are small, green, on terminal spike inflorescence. Stamens 5, pistils 5. The inflorescence is 10-40 cm long, hard with stipules. Flowering occurs in late autumn.  Fruit is nutlet, hard with wings. Seeds are brown, sub-cylindrical. It is propagated by seeds. Dry seeds can spread in other ways besides the help of wind. By touching human or animals body they spread far beyond too. The erect herb is a well-known folk medicinal plant in Indian subcontinent. It is mentioned in the anc...

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...

Tridhara or Coatbuttons ( Tridax procumbens , family: Compositae) is a perennial herb with soft, hairy and weak stem. It can get a height about 1 m. The plant grows on fallow land and roadside areas as weed in Bangladesh. It can be planted in garden as an ornamental flowering herb. Leaves are light green, opposite, short petioled, ovate-lanceolate with divided or dented and hairy edge. Flowers are beautiful, showy, yellow in color, head, set on very long pedicel. In the head there are five ray florets and the centre there are closely-knit small round disk florets. Flowering occurs round the year. Flower and fruit can be seen in same plant at a time. Fruit is cotton-like. The propagation of the plant is caused by seeds; those can be spread far and wide through the air. It is a medicinal plant. It is used in different kinds of diseases. Other common names: Tunaki, Tridaxa, Tridokkho.

Dhutra or   Thorn apple  ( Datura metel , family: Solanaceae) is a n an erect and stout herb with b ranches, attaining a height 1-1.5 m. The stem is hollow, green with strong odor. It is native to Bangladesh as well as Indian sub-continent, East African area and some Oceanic islands. In Bangladesh it grows everywhere and planted as an ornamental plant. Leaves are simple, alternate, ovate, glabrous, 7-15 cm long and 5 cm wide, apex acute. Petiole 5-7 cm long.  Fragrant flowers are solitary, single or double, large, greenish-white, funnel-shaped, bisexual, s epals 5, petals 5.  Flower blooms mainly in summer. Fruit is globose, pale green and spiny. The plant is propagated by seeds. Common names: Dhatura, Dhutra, Thorn apple, Devil's trumpet, Cornucopia. For thousands of years the poisonous herb has been used as an Ayurvedic medicinal plant. The flower and fruit contains many stimulating substances. Medicines made from it are used to cure...

Ashok  ( Saraca asoca , family: Caesalpiniaceae) is one of the most beautiful flowering trees in Bangladesh. The tree is widely distributed in the hilly area of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Malaya area. It gives fragrant flower profusely in the months of February-May, though it may be found round the year. This is as an avenue & garden tree in Bangladesh. It grows well in partial shade and rich porous soil. Common names: Asoka, Ashok. To watch video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv-ML6Lq4yc It is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree with dark brown, rough bark and spreading, drooping branches. Leaves are compound, leaflets alternate, 3-5 pairs, oblong-lanceolate, glabrous, coriaceous, petiolate, 15-39 cm long. 3-7 cm wide. The tree is regarded as a sacred one to the  buddhist  community of   Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, & Nepal. Emperor Ashoka was born under the tree. The  plant has many folkloric, religio...