Flora of Bangladesh

Maila aam or Burmese Plum ( Bouea oppositifolia , family: Anacardiaceae) is a large evergreen tree with dense canopy and shortened trunk, almost similar characteristics of Mango . Trunk is huge and cylindrical. Bark is dark grey. New shoots are slightly hairy. It can get a height about 30 m. The is found only the Southeastern part of Asia. In Bangladesh it is found in the forests of Chottogram and Chottogram Hill Tracts. It is marked as a rare tree. Several of its trees are preserved in Ramna Park, Dhaka.   Common names: Mailla aam, Moilla aam, Moya aam, Miri aam, Bellum, Bhallam (Bang); Marian Plum (Eng). Leaves are scented, simple, entire, dark green, look alike Mango, but much smaller and narrower than that; lanceolate, 8-20 cm long and 3-6 cm wide, pointed at the end, opposite; petiole 1-3 cm long.  Flowers appear in terminal inflorescence, 8-12 cm long. Florets are tiny,  brownish color, petals 4. Flowering occurs in end of winter.  Fruit  is drupe,...

Ashoth, Ashwatha or   Bodhi tree   ( Ficus religiosa , family: Moraceae) is a gigantic and very aggressive tree. This deciduous tree holds well-spread crown & has irregularly shaped trunk.  T h e tree is originally found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand. It is introduced to Israel and USA.       Common names:  Pippala, Peepal, Ashwattha Formation o f  l eaves In Ramna Park (Dhaka) a centennial Oshoth tree is the center of attraction of the festival of Pohela Boishakh (Bangla new year) arranged by Chhayanaut.  During the festival of Pohela Boishakh Deciduous ficus religiosa gives reddish new foliage in the spring (March). Fruits are fig, develop in pair on leaf axil, sessile, sub-globose, depressed & pink when ripe. Small unisexual   flowers remain inside fig.  It can grow everywhere in Bangladesh. It can be found on roof or window-shade of a building, in watersi...