Flora of Bangladesh

Pani chech or Purple spikerush ( Eleocharis atropurpurea , family: Cyperaceae) is an annual slender and short-stemmed tufted grass. It does not exceed 15 cm in length. A few stems are seen to grow in a round or crescent shape. The aquatic plant is salt tolerant. It survives by being submerged in tidal water.  It is found in the coastal regions as well as the submerged crop fields and damp places in Bangladesh. It is widespread in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Leaves are slender, light green with pointed tip. Photos are snapped in Guliyakhali beach, Sitakundo, Chottogram Each peduncle, which is long bears only single inflorescence. Inflorescence is round or ovoid, 2-5 cm long, deep brown in color, adults purple. Flowering occurs from April to November.  Fruits are nuts, triangular, whitish or yellowish, shiny, 5-7, bristled. Bristles are as long as the nuts. The herb is propagated by seeds. 

Jhajhidam  or  Bladderwort  ( Utricularia flexuosa , family: Lentibulariaceae) is a submerged and rootless herb with slender stem and branches. The aquatic plant is carnivorous It is piled down slightly below the water. Other names: Pata jhajhi, Shial-lejjur. Leaves are composite, slender or linear, light green in color. Each node of the leaf has small bladder which catch the insects. Flowering occurs in the rainy season to late autumn. At this time the flowers are seen standing on the water. Each upright stalk contains 1-7 flowers, yellow-colored, showy, petioled, petals 2, upper lip is smaller than the lower one. Stamens 2-4, bulbed. Fruits are round, capsule. The propagation of the water weed is caused by seeds and stem.  The water weed is found in the beel-jhil, canal and waterlogged areas in Bangladesh. The plant is also known as Pani saibol.