Flora of Bangladesh

Bandorhola or Ramdalu ( Duabanga grandiflora , family: Lythraceae) is a large evergreen or semi-deciduous tree with dwarf drooping branches and erect trunk. The tree can grow up to 45 meters tall. It can be easily identified from other trees in the forest by its innumerable hanging branches. It is mostly found in Sylhet, Chattogram and Chattogram Hill Tracts. It is also found in several countries in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Andaman Islands. Other names: Bandormula, Kocha, Lampati. Leaves are big, dark green, coriaceous (leathery), oblong, cordate at base, 15-30 cm long and 7-12 cm wide, glabrous, opposite. Flowers are big, white, 5-8 cm across, having unpleasant odor borne on drooping branches, stamens many. Sepals 5, green and thick; petals 5, wrinkled, short-lasting. Flowering occurs in spring. Fruit is globose capsule, coriaceous, about 8 cm wide, with many seeds. It is edible to local people. The tree is propgated by seeds.   ...

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...

Arjun or Arjuna ( Terminalia arjuna, family: Combretaceae) is a medium or large-sized deciduous tree, of about 20-25 m height, with numerous drooping branches and large canopy. Bark is thick, whitish grey, smooth and loose. Wood is hard. It has long been used as one of the most popular medicinal plants in the Indian subcontinent. The tree is native to Bangladesh as well as Indian subcontinent. It is also found in some countries of South and Southeast Asia. Common names:  Arjuna, Arjun tree. Leaves are simple, green, oblong and surprisingly conic, 10-20 cm long and 8-10 cm wide, sessile or less petioled, opposite, tip blunted. Flowers on spike inflorescence, are small and whitish yellow. Flowering occurs in April-May with the arrival of new leaves. Fruit is somewhat 5-angular and winged, woody, 2.5-3.5 cm long. Propagation is caused by seeds. Propagation is caused by seeds. Local herbalists and enthusiasts do not allow the trunk of this tree to remain intact in order to ...

Telshur or White thingan  ( Hopea odorata , family: Dipterocarpaceae) is a large semi-deciduous tree with straight trumk, usually 25-30 m high.  Telshur  is a good timber tree of forest, found in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet.  The tree is native to South and Southeast Asia. Flowers are small, fragrant, greyish white on terminal uniperous raceme.  Leaves are oblong-lanceolate with heavy and undulated margin on weak stalk; 7-10 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. This beautiful vigorous tree has been everywhere in Bangladesh along the roadside as a shade tree.  Fruit is nut, two-winged, 4 cm long.  The tree is important for timber, suitable for building construction. Its bark exudes tannin, which can be used for tanning leathers. Resin can be extracted from the tree.