Flora of Bangladesh

Babla or Babul ( Vachellia nilotica , family: Fabaceae) is medium-sized deciduous tree with profuse branches and spines, attaining a height of 15-20 m. Bark is grey. There are spines (3-4 cm long) and soft hairs in branches. Sapwood is hard and reddish white. The fast-growing tree is drought tolerant. Reddish gum comes out from its stem. Its pods also give gum. It is found mostly in the Northwest region of Bangladesh. Outside the country it is found in the tropical and suptropical areas of Africa and Asia. Other names: Thorny acacia, Gum arabic tree, Egyptian acacia, Thorn mimosa. Leaves are bipinnate, 10-20 leaflets in each pinnae, tiny, light green, pubescent. Flowers are bright yellow in axillary round head, 2.5-3 cm wide. Flowering occurs in summer. Fruits are pods (10-12 cm long) with whitish hairs. Seeds 8-12. The propagation of the plant is caused by seeds. It is used in diarrhoea, typhoid, spraining, malnutration and breast sore. Pods increase the flow of cow milk. Its sap i...

Nagesshor or Ceylon ironwood ( Mesua ferrea , family: Clusiaceae) is a medium-sized tree attaining a height of 15 m. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful ornamental trees found in Bangladesh. Angular shape has given the tree a gorgeous look. It is planted in gardens, parks, botanical gardens and in road islands in the country. New leaves and young shoots are brilliant red. As a leafy tree it gives dense shade. So it has a lot of characteristics as an avenue tree. It is originated in South and South-east Asia. It is found in Sylhet, Chottogram and  Chottogram Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. Leaves are dark green, leathery, narrower, lanceolate, opposite, 7-10 cm long, upperside shinning and lowerside whitish. It gives new leaves round the year. Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are spectacular, sweet-scented, 4-8 cm in diameter, white or pinkish white, sepals 2, petals 4, stamens numerous. Flowers are bisexual. The fruit looks a lot like Acorn. It is r...

Chalmugra or Dalmugri ( Hydnocarpus kurzii , family: Flacourtiaceae) is a small to medium-sized tree having brownish hair in young parts. The tree can be up to 15 meters tall. Bark is almost brown. Wood is very hard. It is mostly found in the hilly areas of greater Chottogram and greater Sylhet forests. The tree is also found in South and South Asia. Leaves are simple, green in color, oblong-lanceolate, 15-25 cm long 4-10 cm wide, apex acute, alternate, petioled, entire or undulate edge.  The propagation of the plant is caused by seeds. The evergreen  tree with beautiful drooping branches can be planted as an avenue tree.  The flowers are pale yellow, single or clustered, pretty fragrant. Flower blooms in the spring. The fruit is ball-shaped, uneven, grey, hard, fleshy, 5-10 cm in diametre. Seeds 2-3, 2-2.5 cm long. It  is mentioned in Ayurveda as Tubrak. Seed oil is used in intestinal gas, worm, diabetes and skin diseases like eczema and leprosy and is al...

Chatim or Devil's tree ( Alstonia scholaris , family: Apocynaceae) is a much branched tall tree. The evergreen tree gets a height of 15-20 m. Its trunk is dark grey, slightly rough.  The good looking tree  is found in South and Southeast Asia.    Flowers are greenish white, occurs in a large cluster, extreme scented. For this its presence is felt from afar at night. This is one of the main features of the tree. Leaves are narrow, obovate, 10-18 cm long and 4-5 cm wide; shiny above, pale beneath. Leaf breaks if you fold. The canopy spreads like an umbrella. Wood is white and soft. L eaves, branch, trunk─overall whole tree contains milky latex.  In Sanskrit, it is called Shopto-porni (seven-leaved tree). Though a rachis holds 4-7 plates usually, sometimes 8. It blooms in late Autumn (Sep-Oct). Fruits are light green, slender, cylindrical, 20-50 cm long. Ripe fruits burst. They remain on tree like this for a long time.  Its p...