Flora of Bangladesh

Motkila or Gin berry ( Glycosmis pentaphyll a, family: Rutaceae) is a woody shrub with branches, attaining a height of 2-5 m. Bark is yellowish. The leaves are almost like the leaves of Blackberry. In Bangladesh it is found on fallow land and in jungles of rural areas. It is also found in South and Southeast Asia and Australia.                                     Other names:  Datmajon, Ash-sheora, Daton, Atesshor. Leaflets 1-5, green, large, entire, lanceolate-oblong, alternate, petioled, aromatic. Flowers are small, creamy white, pubescent, clustered on terminal cyme.  Fruit is a berry, small, round, light pink or whitish, fleshy and juicy when ripe. Seeds 1-3. Flowers and fruits are found round the year. The evergreen plant is propagated by seeds and cuttings.  Bark, root and wood are used in the treatment of acne, itching, worms, fever, coug...

Bon-moricha or Pigeon berry ( Rivina humilis , family: Petiveriaceae) is an erect perennial herb with soft but slightly woody at base, attaining 1 m of height. The plant is easily recognizable by its brilliant red-colored fruits.  It can be planted in gardens and parks as an ornamental plant. The original home of the plant is USA (Florida to Texas). It is now naturalized in Bangladesh and India.  Leaves are dark green, simple, petioled, 2.5 cm long; alternate, ovate-oblong with narrow and elongated apex.   The hermaphrodite flowers are small, white with pedicel, on axillary, rarely terminal, many flowered racemes. Flowering occurs from August to April in Bangladesh. Fruit is berry, almost round, attractive, blood red.  

Relandi or Cinderella weed (S ynedrella nodiflora , family: Compositae) is an annual erect herb about 1 m in height with dichotomous branching. The entire plant is hairy. The plant grows everywhere, especially in damp fallow land in Bangladesh as weed.  Leaves are hairy, simple, green, petioled, opposite, ovate-lanceolate or elliptical-ovate, 6-12 cm long and 4-5 cm wide, serrate, veins 3 running from bottom to apex. The upper leaves are smaller. Flowers are small, sessile, oblong, bright yellow, stalkless, borne on lateral or terminal head  inflorescence. The plant is propagated by seeds. The fruits of Cinderella. The people of Chittagong consume its leaves as vegetables. Its original home is tropical America . 

Ashari-lota or Asaria ( Capparis zeylanica , family : Capparaceae) is a thorny woody profusely branched creeper. The plant grows on fallow land, especially in damp jungle in Bangladesh. Other Bangla names : Kalokra, Kalkeya, Kelekra. Leaves are simple, green, petioled, alternate, ovate, 4.5-7.5 cm and 3-4 cm wide. Flowers are white to pink, borne on axillary lateral inflorescence. Sepals 8, arranged in two layers. Stamens numerous, look like a cat's mustache, gradually change color from white to pink to deep pink. Flower blooms in February-March. Fruit is a berry, smooth, 5-7 cm long. The seeds remain inside in circular form. It gives fruit in the rainy season. The propagation is caused by the seeds. The fruit is edible. Crow likes it. There are hard and curved spines on its body. Leaves are used in piles, blister and tumour. Roots are used in pain, jaundice, tuberculosis, bone fracture and liver diseases.  The plant has been mentioned in Charak-Sushru...

Gaab or Indian persimmon ( Diospyros peregrina , family : Ebenaceae) is a short to medium-sized evergreen tree with spreading branches and dense leaves. Bark is blackish. The nice canopy-holder tree can be seen from Southeast Asia to Australia. It is found everywhere in Bangladesh. At the end of spring, the extraordinary red-brown leaves appear. This is one of the main characteristics of the plant. The entire tree looks great at that time. Leaves are simple, dark green, hard, smooth on upper side, petioled, alternate, lanceolate, 10-20 cm long and 4-7 cm wide. Leaves grow thickly on black branches. Flowers are white, scented, with 4 thick petals; sepals 4. The plant produces flowers in March-April.  Male and female flowers bloom separately. Female flowers usually grow singly from leaf axil while the male ones bloom in cluster on cyme inflorescence. 2-7 male flowers bloom together, while female ones bloom as singles on leaf axil. Male flowers are bigger and whit...

Dhaira or Chhoto manda ( Loranthus globosus , family: Loranthaceae) is a parasitic plant with hard and blackish violet thick and strong stem. The plant is native to Southern Asia. Common names: Dhaira, Chhoto manda, Mistletoe. Flowers are small, red-yellow, tubular, borne on long inflorescence. Flower usually blooms in summer, but It can seen throughout the year.  Fruit is round, fleshy and red or orange in color when ripe.   In Bangladesh, loranthus globosus usually chooses  Mahogany ,  Horitoki , Rubber fig  and Mango tree as host plants. Leaves are simple, green, petioled, ovate-oblong, alternate, 10-12 cm long and 5-6 wide. Leaves usually have a blunt end. Leaf veins ‍and midribs are reddish, clearly visible.  The plant sometimes weakens and kills the host.

Jhumko joba or   Fringed rosemallow   ( Hibiscus schizopetalus , family: malvaceae) is an ornamental flowering shrub with drooping branches.  The evergreen  shrub can be 3 m tall . The plant is very adorable to the amateur gardeners of Bangladesh.  Common names:   Jhumko joba,  Fringed rosemallow, Japanese lantern. Flower is big, orange to red, on oxillary long pedicel. Sepals 5, petals 5. Petals are chopped, curved downwards. About 15 inches long staminal tube rises from middle of the petals. Pistil passes through the staminal tube and stigma is divided into five parts. Leaves are deep green, petioled, ovate-elliptical, deeply serrated. Hibiscus schizopetalus  is native to tropical Africa and eventually has become popular to the most tropical and subtropical areas of the world.  The flower is very unusual than the other members of the hibiscus family. The species name 'schizo' derives from its distinctive sh...

Bhat  or   Hill glory bower  (C lerodendrum viscosum , family: Verbenaceae) is an annual shrub attaining a height of 2 -4  metre.  It grows on fallow land as weed everywhere in Bangladesh.  It is a l s o  found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world particularly in Bangladesh & India. Common names:  Bhat, Ghetu, Bhatphul, Hill glory bower Hill glory bower  flowers are white,  scented, borne on terminal panicle.  Sepals 5, light green, petals 5. Lower parts of petals are brushed with red color. Stamens are much longer than petals. F lowerin g o ccurs in spring. Leaves are bi g , dark green, petioled, ovate-lanceolate, 5-10 cm long & 2.5 -7 cm. wide, alternate.  Fruit is a drupe, purplish blue, 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter. The plant is used in malaria, chronic fever, skin disease, pain, insect bite. In worm & louse infection it is also used.