Flora of Bangladesh

Mahogany  ( Swietenia mahagoni , family: Meliaceae)  is a medium-sized semi-deciduous tree   attaining a height of 30-35 m. It has  short but strong base, large canopy, many heavy branches and dense shade. It is native to United States and the Caribbean islands. It is grown as an ornamental tree in tropical regions of the world. Its wood is the first choice for making high-quality furniture throughout the world. The bark is  furrowed and dark  gray in color.  In Bangladesh, it is planted as ornamental tree beside roads, in parks and is planted by name of social forestry.   Common names: Mahagni, Mahogany, West Indian mahogany. The leaves  are compound, 60 cm long,   leaflets   4-10 pairs,  each lance-shaped leaflet 20 cm long and 5 cm wide; terminal leafletless. Young leaves are blood red, quickly becoming a bright, light green and darkening as they mature. The flowers are  very fragrant, g...

Toon or  Indian cedar   ( Toona ciliata , family: M eliaceae)  is a medium-sized fa st growing deciduous tree with large branches. The tree from the  Mahogany family  is found throughout South and southeast Asia and Australia.  Common names: Toon, Toona,  Red cedar,   Indian cedar, Indian mahogany . Leaves are compound ( 10-14 pairs of leaflets),  lanceolate with sharp end. Leaflet is 5-25 cm long and 3-5 cm wide with slightly wavy edges. Flowers are small,  tubularin-shaped,  white and terminal. There are orange-red gland at the centre of every flower. Flowers are  pentamerous,  bisexual.  Flower blooms in February-March. The fruit is a capsule. Seed has five wings. Leaf,  bark,  stem,  f ruit  are  used in bronchitis, gastric troubles, dysentery, burning sensation, headache and leucoderma.  Powder of bark is used for dysentery and fever. A kind of mixtu...

Neem ( Azadirachta indica , family: Meliaceae)  is a hardy quick growing and much branched deciduous tree with grey, vertically fissured, rough bark. The nice looking tree is native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar.  It can reach a height 30-40 m.  Common names: Neem, Margosa tree, Indian Lilac. Leaves are impair-pinnate; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, serrate marginated, oblique at the base, glabrous, acute at apex. Its nice looking blood-red new leaves appear in the summer. Flowers are small, white and sweet scented in axillary bunch of panicles. Flower blooms in March-April. Neem tree is andromonoecious. Neem is very important medicinal plant. Its leaves are antiseptic and antipuritic, hence very effective in scabies, itching and other skin diseases. Brnnches are used as brushes of teeth and cure gum diseases. Recently birth control pills have been made from its seeds. P ropagated of the plant is caused by seeds. The fruit ...

Ghora-neem or China berry tree ( Melia azedarach , family: Meliaceae) is a medium-sized deciduous tree from the family of Neem ( azadirachta indica ). New shoots come out from mutilated bare trunk. This blackish barked tree is native to South and Southeast Asia and Australia. This short-living but fast growing tree abounds in Bangladesh, especially in the northern region.  Common names: Ghora-neem, Bokain, Moha-neem, China berry tree, White cedar, Cape lilac, Persian lilac Flowers are small and lilac in color. Plethora of flowers bloom on axillary inflorescence. The number of sepals and petals in a flower is 5.  Fruit a drupe, globose, dry fruits are brown in color. Propagation of plant is caused by seeds. Leaves are dark green, compound, ovate-lanceolate and serrate.  Flowers are fragrant and bloom in the summer in Bangladesh. It is a good herbal plant. Branch, leaf and bark are used as medicine to relieve tooth and g...