Flora of Bangladesh

Shurma  or  Hophead barleria ( Baleria lupulina , family: Acanthaceae) is a thorny shrub with numerous branches, attaining a height of 1-1.5 m. Stem is glabrous. Branches and young shoots are reddish and quadrangular. The hard and pointed thorns are originated from the leaf axil. It is found in gardens, medicinal gardens and botanical gardens in Bangladesh. It is also found in the countries of tropical Asia and tropical Africa.   Other names:   Kata bishollakoroni , Katabishala, Shonomukhi, Shorno jhinti. Leaves are dark green, linear-lanceolate, 7-15 cm long and 2-4 cm wide, midrib reddish, short petioled. Flowers are yellow having overlapping bracts, borne on terminal inflorescene; corolla is tubular, 3 cm long, lobes 5. Flower blooms in autumn.  Fruit is a capsule, 2-seeded. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds and cuttings. It is used in cold, fever, weakness, pain and swelling. Leaves are used in dogbites...

Nunia or Common purslane ( Portulaca oleracea , family: Portulacaceae) is an annual herb with soft branches, attaining a height of 25-40 cm. Its stem is purplish, smooth. The succulent is found in different parts of North Africa, Middle East, South and Southeast Asia to Australasia.     Common names: Common purslane, Pigweed, Little hogweed, Redroot, Moss rose. Alternate l eaves are green, thick, small, oval, narrow at the petiole. Flowering occurs mainly in the summer and rainy season. Yellow flower  blooms early in the morning;  petals 4-5. Flowers are up to  6 mm wide . It grows as weed in fallow land, roadside and the margin of the crop field in Bangladesh. Seeds are formed in a tiny pod, which opens when the seeds are mature. Propagation is caused by seeds. It is emollient and stomachic. Leaves are eaten as vegetables.