Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Shrubs by Traditional - IUCN PDF

Commonly Used Medicinal
Herbs and Shrubs by

Traditional Herbal Practitioners
Glimpses from Thanchi upazila of Bandarban
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Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners i
Commonly used
medicinal herbs and
shrubs by traditional
herbal practitioners
Glimpses from Thanchi upazila of Bandarban
Mohammad Abdul Motaleb

Dr. Mohammed Kamal Hossain
Dr. M. Khairul Alam
M. M. Abdullah-Al Mamun
Marufa Sultana
ii Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners
Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners iii
CONTRIBUTORS
Kya Shing Mong Marma
Mangchai Khumi
Philip Tripura
Kya Shwe Hla (Shwe Ting)
Ushanu Marma
Ubanu Marma
Ubathoai Marma
iv Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners
The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not
imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of
any country, territory, administration, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
The views expressed in this publication are authors’ personal views and do not necessarily reflect
those of IUCN.
This book is published with financial support received from KNCF (Keidanren Nature Conservation
Fund) under the “Conservation through Practice: conservation of medicinal plants and traditional
knowledge by involving ethnic communities (2nd phase)” Project.
Published by: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), BNKS (Bolipara Nari
Kalyan Somity) and KNCF (Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund).
Copyright: © 2013 IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources.
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial

purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright
holder provided the source is fully acknowledged.
Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is

prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Citation: Motaleb, M. A., Hossain, M. K., Alam, M. K., Mamun, M. M. A. A. and Sultana,
M. 2013. Commonly used Medicinal Herbs and Shrubs by Traditional Herbal
Practitioners: Glimpses from Thanchi upazila of Bandarban. IUCN (International
Union for Conservation of Nature), Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp i-xii + 1-294.
ISBN: 978-984-33-7732-6
Layout &
Cover Design: Sheikh Asaduzzaman
Cover Photo: Front side: (clockwise) Jatropha gossypifolia L.; Mussaenda roxburghii Hook.
f.; Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.; Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach and Typhonium
trilobatum (L.) schott
Back side: (clockwise) Acorus calamus L.; Melastoma malabathricum L.; Blumea
balsamifera DC.; Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. and Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Cover Photo by: Mohammad Abdul Motaleb
Design & Printed by: Progressive Printers Pvt. Ltd.
Available from: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Bangladesh Country Office
House 16, Road 2/3, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
www.iucn.org/bangladesh
Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners v
Preface
Plants, plant parts and plant products of all descriptions, particularly those with medicinal
properties, have been used since time immemorial as principal ingredients of various traditional
medicines. In many developing countries, traditional medicine is still the mainstay of health-care,
and most of the drugs and cures used come from plants. Even in developed countries, the raw
materials for manufacturing essential drugs are extracted from medicinal plants, using its natural
properties of healing. Increasingly, more people are turning to herbal remedies, especially for
treating minor ailments. Unfortunately, the inclination towards the revival and use of medicinal
plants has resulted in undesirable outcomes. Medicinal plants abundant in supply are not infinite and
with the widespread use have eventually caused depletion of this precious natural resource. There
are no apparent and concerted efforts geared towards the conservation and wise-use of medicinal
plants, the supply of which is dwindling given the threats of increasing demand, a rapidly increasing
human population and rampant destruction of plant-rich habitats such as tropical forests. At the
current rate of consumption and use, the status of medicinal plants is threatened, risking our own
future benefit and knowledge.
The use of medicinal plants as herbal remedy is a part of traditional heritage in many rural areas
of Bangladesh, especially among the forest inhabitants. The indigenous knowledge of use of plant
resources for the cure of various human ailments, being used since immemorial time, are still believed
to be persisted among both Bengali and tribal communities of Bangladesh living in Chittagong Hill
Tracts (CHT). The tribal communities inhabiting in the hill tracts has their own traditional system of
treatment for their primary healthcare and is still depend on it. Although, it is yet difficult to get
modern medical facilities for their day-to-day problem, the advancement of modernization including
establishment of community health service in the remote hilly areas is in rapid progress. However, it
vi Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners
is alarming that the medicinal plants, indigenous knowledge and practices are gradually disappearing
day by day. For most of the endangered species, no conservation efforts have been implemented and
a lion’s share of the knowledge on their properties and use are held by traditional healer societies,
whose existence is now under threat. The need for documentation of such knowledge system of
herbal medicine available among both Bengalis and tribal communities is being realized and in
recent years some work has been done.
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh with financial support from
Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF), Japan has taken documentation and conservation
initiative of medicinal plants and related Traditional Knowledge (TK) in the CHT. The basic notion of
this initiative was to create demand for the conservation of medicinal plants as well as associated TK
by providing healthcare services to the community. Under this initiative a documentation program of
important TK on medicinal plants was taken and this book is the outcome of this program.
The principal aim of this book is two-fold: (i) to provide detailed information on locally important
medicinal herbs and shrubs of Thanchi upazila and (ii) to preserve the TK of herbal healers on
medicinal plants use. This book describes 116 most commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs
which includes scientific name; family name; vernacular names; botanical description; ecological
adaptation; distribution; propagation and management; chemical constituents; medicinal uses;
other uses; conservation status in the study area; market potential/domestication potential/
plantation potential and photographs. We believe that this book is one of the pioneering encyclopedic
compilations in Bangladesh that can provide the reader with all the above silvicultural information
of different medicinal herbs and shrubs at a glance. We sincerely hope that this book will be useful
to the people interested in medicinal plants, especially in developing world.
Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad

Dhaka Country Representative
April 2013 IUCN Bangladesh Country Office
Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners vii
Acknowledgement
This book was embellished by the contributions of many individuals who have graciously offered
their time, expertise and knowledge in furnishing it. We would like to thank all the people who have
contributed towards project implementation and also in data collection, analysis and preparation
of this book.
IUCN Bangladesh gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from KNCF in implementing
‘Conservation through Practice’ (CTP) project and in preparing this book. Special thanks are due to
Mr. Yasunori Tatsumi, Manager of KNCF for his active support and advice during the implementation
of the project.
Thanks are also due to Ms. Hla Shingh Nue, Executive director of Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity
(BNKS) for her continuous assistance during execution of the project. We would like to express our
sincerest appreciation to all the local informants specially Mr. Kya Shingh Mong Marma, Mr. Mangchai
Khumi and Mr. Phillip Tripura who have helped a lot by organizing different events in the field to
collect information and conducting field visits. We are also thankful to all the project staffs of
BNKS namely Mr. Kya Shwe Hla (Shwe ting), Mr. Ubanu Marma, Mr. Ubathoai Marma and Mr. Ushanu
Marma who have helped in collecting the information and arranging field activities. Also thanks to
the community people, boiddos, vhantees, headmen, and karbaries of the project site who have
provided information on medicinal plants and their uses during the field data collection. Thanks
are also indebted to the officials of local and district administration and Forest Department (FD) of
Bandarban for their support during the execution of project operation.
viii Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners
We are very much obliged to Dr. Sardar Nasir Uddin for his kind help in identifying different species
recorded in this book. Thanks are also due to Mr. Sheikh Asaduzzaman for his assistance in getting
this book designed and printed, and Mr. Nasim Aziz, Mr. Ahsanul Wahed, Mr. Md. Emran Hasan, Mr.
Enamul Mazid Khan Siddique, Ms. Sharmin Akter Rahman, Ms. Shamim Ara Begum, Mr. Sultan Ahmed
and Mr. Md. Ashraful Haque for their support during preparation of this book.
Special acknowledgements are due to Mr. Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad and Dr. Istiak Sobhan for their
thoughtful insights and contributions during preparation of this book.
Authors
Dhaka
April 2013
Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners ix
Table of Contents
Preface v
Acknowledgement vii
Acronyms xi
Chapter one: Introduction 1

1.1. Medicinal plants and its perspective 2
1.2. Context of the case 4
1.3. Potentials of medicinal plant resources and TK in CHT 5
1.4. Research team and study methods 6
1.5. Major outcomes 9
1.6. Recommendation 9
1.7. Organization of species profile 10
Chapter two: Species Profile 13

Chapter three: References 217
Chapter four: Appendices 227
4.1. Index for scientific names 228
4.2. Index for vernacular names 241
x Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners
Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners xi
Acronyms
BFRI Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
Bhela Raft
BNKS Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity
Boiddo Herbal healers
CHT Chittagong Hill Tracts
cm Centimeter
CTP Conservation through Practice
FD Forest Department
FGD Focused Group Discussion
Hat Bazar
Headman Head of Mouza
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
Karbari Head of a para
KNCF Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
m Meter
mm Millimeter
Mouza Consists of several para
Para Village
PIC Prior Informed Consent
TK Traditional Knowledge
Union The smallest local Government unit in Bangladesh
Upazila The lowest tire of formal Government administration
consisting of several unions
Vhantee Buddhist Monk
*local terms in italic fonts
xii Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners
Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners 1
CHAPTER
1
Introduction
© IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
2 Commonly used medicinal herbs and shrubs by traditional herbal practitioners
1.1. Medicinal Plants and its Perspective

The plants that possess therapeutic properties or materials for drug production. They constitute
exert beneficial pharmacological effects on the a precious natural wealth of a country and
animal and human body are generally designated contribute a great deal to its health care
as medicinal plants. The history of the use of programs. Judicious and scientific exploration
medicinal plants for alleviating diseases had its of this wealth can significantly improve the
origin in the activities of the most primitive man general health of the people. Being a valuable
of the remote past (Ghani, 1998). Our ancestors item of commerce, a country can also earn a
were forced to use any natural substances that good amount of foreign exchange by exporting
they could find to ease their sufferings caused by this natural wealth to other countries. There
acute and chronic illness, physical discomforts, are many countries in the world which earn
wounds and injuries and even terminal illness. a substantial amount of foreign currency
Since that ancient time, plants with therapeutic by exporting medicinal plants and crude
properties have occupied an important place in plant drugs. India and Thailand are two
the disease treatment practices (Khan et al., glaring examples of such countries in this
2005). subcontinent which earn crores of currencies
by exporting medicinal plants and their
Medicinal plants constitute an important semi-processed products to other countries
natural wealth of a country. They play a including Bangladesh. But Bangladesh is doing
significant role in providing primary health just the opposite though it has a large number
care services to rural people. They serve of medicinal plants. Every year Bangladesh
as important therapeutic agents as well as imports a huge amount of pharmaceutical raw
important raw materials for the manufacture materials including medicinal plants and semi-
of traditional and modern medicines (Khan et processed plant products to feed its various
al., 2005). They are rich sources of bioactive drug manufacturing industries (Ghani, 1998).
compounds and thus serve as important raw
Scenic beauty of Bolipara © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

Although a small country, occupying an area of

about 147,570 sq. km, Bangladesh is endowed
with a very favorable climate for diverse flora.
A great variety of plants grow in her forests,
agricultural lands, barren lands, waste lands,
water bodies, homesteads, and also along
the roadsides. Many of these plants often
considered as weeds, contain active substances
with medicinal properties. It has been recorded
that about 450 to 500 plants growing or available
in Bangladesh have therapeutic values (Yusuf
Forest destruction for shifting cultivation © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
et al., 1994). The rich heritage of indigenous
knowledge associated with herbal medicine Unfortunately, these valuable assets have been
is considered as the basis of all systems of depleting rapidly because of unsustainable
traditional remedies in Bangladesh. Most of the exploitation and can be attributed to the
medicinal plants of Bangladesh are extensively growing number of population in the country.
used in the preparation of Unani, Ayurvedic Indirect detrimental effects include destruction
and Homeopathic medicines. These plants also of habitat of medicinal plants by converting
serve as important raw materials for many forests and other lands into agricultural lands
modern medicinal preparations. Studies on and settlements for extending urbanization
medicinal plants in Bangladesh mostly include or fast growing industries. These not only
sporadic surveys in different areas of the hamper species conservation but also threaten
country and registering of local use and related the occupation of herbal healers and the
indigenous knowledge. Since there has been knowledge they bear. A number of Acts, Rules
limited systematic phytochemical inventory of and Guidelines exist in Bangladesh for the
the medicinal plants of Bangladesh, it is quite
possible that many potential medicinal plants
in the country still remain unexplored and are
waiting to be assessed.
Traditional life in Thanchi © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

protection of natural resources, which in some treatment and only 20% people fully depend
cases include medicinal plants. But, these upon boiddo’s treatment. The study also
are apparently not succeeding in conserving exposed that there was good communication
medicinal plants as situation demands. Over among the community people since most of the
harvesting of naturally growing medicinal local people (56%) knew about a boiddo from
plants and import of medicinal plants and plant word of mouth. Most of the boiddos gained
products from other countries discourages local knowledge on medicinal plants from their
producers and manufacturers in cultivating and parents (56%) and the rest from mentor. The
trading the medicinal plant resources. knowledge transfer system among the boiddos is
limited: 63% have never shared their knowledge
Until now, few communities of Bangladesh, with others, such as, NGOs, projects, protégés
especially the tribal people of Chittagong Hill and offsprings. There is no information or
Tracts (CHT) have been traditionally using formal system for acquiring this knowledge. It
herbal medicine. It has been unequivocally was concluded from this baseline survey that
established that medicinal plants and related due to lack of documentation process of TK
Traditional Knowledge (TK), that represent a this valuable resources were diminishing day by
part of rich local heritage, play a significant day and hence the community people currently
role in the general welfare of the upland depended on the allopathic treatment.
communities of CHT (Alam, 1992
and Khan et al., 2002).
1.2. Context of the

Case
IUCN Bangladesh Country
Office in association with BNKS
(Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity)
has been working in Thanchi
upazila of Bandarban district to
conserve medicinal plants and
related TK by engaging local
herbal healers for the last six
years with support from KNCF.
In order to understand the

prevailing herbal healing
scenario, a baseline survey was
conducted in the project area.
From the survey it was revealed
that, even a decade back, 96%
people used to take boiddo’s
treatment. But now 80%
people take allopathic doctor’s
Collected information regarding the traditional treatment purposes. As we know that for
use and preparation process of the selected maintaining the records in a consolidated
herbs and shrubs is very important for the future form, ‘Documentation’ is required to store
generations as this TK is eroding day by day and manage all the relevant information. It
due to inadequate documentation and limited is expected that the documentation initiative
inter-generational transfer of knowledge. Some taken by IUCN Bangladesh will also be able
of the listed species namely, Acorus calamus, to extend health care facilities to the remote
Amaranthus spinosus, Bauhinia acuminata, areas of the country. Although few information
Breynia retusa, Blumea balsamifera, on these species are available scatteredly and
Clerodendrum indicum, Emilia sonchifolia, on piecemeal basis, we felt an urgent need to
Hoya parasitica, Mussaenda roxburghii, Solena compile these information in one volume for
amplexicaulis, Spatholobu sacuminatus, ease of reference and use by the researchers,
Tabernaemontana recurva, Tournefortia academia and practitioners.
roxburghii etc. are becoming locally rare. It
is, therefore, considered important to bring
together the existing information on these 1.3. Potentials of Medicinal
species. Plant Resources and TK in CHT
Against this backdrop, IUCN Bangladesh has Floral diversity is richer in the hill forests of
taken current initiative to document the TK Chittagong, CHT and Sylhet. In Bangladesh, we
related to the medicinal plants, especially do not have, in truest sense, any mountains but
the commonly used herbs and shrubs by we have hills. The hilly areas of Bangladesh
the local herbal healers for their regular occupy nearly 1.7 million hectare (12% of the
countries area), situated in south eastern,
eastern and northern parts of the country. Of
the total hilly areas, the biggest one is of CHT,
which is about 78% of the total hilly lands.
CHT, comprises of three hill districts namely:
Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari, is a
unique territory with mountains and beautiful
landscapes (Roy et al., 2000). Over 1.14 million
Traditional life in Bolipara © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

people (including 13 different ethnic groups)

live in CHT alone and the livelihood of over
65% of the population is based on traditional
‘slash and burn’ or shifting cultivation that
covers half of 1.7 million hectare. Improvement
of livelihood of the hill people depends on
the efficient utilization of the hill resources.
Resources in the hilly areas are wide and
diverse and there exists tremendous production
potential in respect of field crops, orchards,
medicinal plants and plantations. About 10%
land of the country is hill and hill lands that Buddhist Monks © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
offer an excellent opportunity for growing

timber, fruit, medicine, spices and bamboo healthcare. Herbal medicine prepared by the
resources. herbal healers has been the only source of
treatment of the tribal people due to their
The tribal people of the hill districts are in independent culture and also due to poor
continuous search of plants for various uses, transport system in the remote hilly areas and
and in course of time they have accumulated lack of modern treatment facilities. As the
much important knowledge of the use of wild knowledge of those herbal healers is mostly
plants. This TK of plants is connected with unrecorded, this is being lost after his/her
their culture, geographical environment and death as their inter-generational knowledge
heritage. It is the cultural tradition of the tribal transfer system is very poor. So, it needs to take
women to collect some wild plants everyday to proper measures to document this important
meet their daily needs from the surrounding knowledge that will show the alternative
forest without destroying the habitats of these livelihood options to the future generations of
plants. The inherited indigenous knowledge this region.
of plant use is transmitted orally from
generation to generation without any written
documentations. 1.4. Research Team and
The documentation of TK can ensure local
Study Methods
people’s participation and avoid adverse The study was conducted among the Khumi,
impact on local people and the environment. Marma and Tripura community of Thanchi
On the other hand, use of the TK in sustainable upazila (longitude 21°78’ and latitude 92°42’)
forest resources management could reduce under Bandarban hill dirstrict of Bangladesh.
research and development cost significantly. A team consists of a taxonomist, silviculturist,
TK on habitat, habit and use pattern of the wild forester, biologist, and local herbal healers
plants by the tribal people are essential for a were formed and extensive field surveys were
sustainable forest management plan which carried out for the last one year. Three persons
is essential for restoration and conservation from BNKS were also involved in the team who
of wild biodiversity. On top of that, majority were acted as interpreter and translated the
of the tribal communities depend largely on local language of the tribal people.
herbal treatment for their illness and primary
A group of local informants in Bolipara © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
The primary focus was on suggestions and then the information of local name, parts use,
experiences by the practicing herbal healers herbal use, preparation process, local status
of the locality as regards the species of their and conservation measures taken to conserve
choice and utility. All the described species each species were recorded. A particular plant
were used by the local herbal healers to a is picked up and queries were made as to how
varying degree and extent. The study was it is useful for them. When an interview on
based on six ‘Helpers’, that are, one plant is over, a second plant was taken up
Species identification © IUCN Bangladesh
n Who use the plants? (Social group,
gender, age etc.)
n What plants are used?
n How plants are used?
n When plants are used?
n By whom medicines are prepared and
used? and
n Why the plants are used?
Species information was collected by using

a pretested semi-structured questionnaire
through Focused Group Discussions (FGD),
one to one discussions with the local herbal
healers, local knowledgeable persons, Buddhist
monks, and elderly men and women.During
FGD, the informants were came along with
mostly used medicinal herbs and shrubs and
Sample collection and habitat assessment © IUCN Bangladesh
Information collection from local herbal practitioners © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Herbarium preparation © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
by the taxonomists of Bangladesh National

Sample collection © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Herbarium, Department of Botany of Dhaka
University, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
and so on. The investigation was very effective (BFRI), Institute of Forestry and Environmental
and informative because of the fact that the Sciences of Chittagong University. Direct filed
information were collected and recorded visit in the hills, streams and forests were also
through consultation and finally verified by conducted to know the ecology, habitat and
various informants at different spots. Once the other important issues for all the species. The
information on a particular plant was considered authenticity of information on each species
as reliable after repeated discussions, its local was confirmed through repeated interviews.
name and uses were recorded. Most of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) was taken from
species were identified by the taxonomist of the knowledge providers before collecting
the study team. The unidentified species were information and the compiled information was
preserved in the herbarium and identified shared with them in their local language.
1.5. Major Outcomes

Present investigation revealed commonly used
medicinal herbs and shrubs by the Marma,
Treditional lifestyle © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Khumi and Tripura boiddos of Thanchi upazila. A
total of 116 herbs and shrubs under 50 families
were recorded during the study. It was found 1.6. Recommendation
that species under Rubiaceae family (9 species) The traditional peoples have a well developed
were mostly used by them; followed by Fabaceae system of traditional medicine. They know
(8 species); Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, about the number of rare and important
Lamiaceae and Zingiberaceae (6 species each); medicinal plants and their application. But,
Araceae, Caesalpinaceae and Verbenaceae (5 this knowledge is gradually lost by some
species each); Apocynaceae (4 species) and reasons. With the help of new technology, the
Amaranthaceae and Menispermaceae (3 species TK on medicinal plants could be scientifically
each). It was found that some recorded species
are locally common and some are not common
or rare and local boiddos said that it needs
immediate conservation measures to protect
all these important species. Some of the
recorded species are also used as vegetables
and ornamental purposes. The propagation
methods of the species were also described in
the profile that will help in future conservation
of these important species. On top of that,
chemical constituents of these species were
also reviewed and found that they contain
important compounds that could be used in
modern allopathic medicine industires.
Beautiful Bolipara © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
proved so that the scientific world will accept knowledge of medicinal plants and
the traditional system. Nature is providing associated folk and herbal treatment
what we need and our task is to save our methods;
nature for posterity. It is very unfortunate
h) More research should be conducted
that limited work has been done so far by
to develop new medicine, method of
the natural scientists to document the TK of
cultivation, harvesting techniques,
the traditional boiddos about their healing
processing techniques and realted
practices of Bangladesh. Drawing on the
issues;
observation during field work, the following
ideas are recommended to conserve and i) Formation of a social-knowledge-
protect these priceless resources. service-network between the herbal
healers and other stakeholders for
a) Conservation of rare and important preservation of TK related to medicinal
medicinal plants through ex-situ and plants;
in-situ conservation measurese by
j) The policies regarding collection of
engaging community poeple;
medicinal plants and other non-timber
b) The land and natural resources rights forest products should be revised;
of the ethnic communities should be
k) The ethnic people’s TK and culture is
ensured;
to be conserved with active help of
c) Documentation of TK with a proper proper policy framework;
Prior Informed Consent way;
l) Engagement of local community in the
d) Development of new products from natural resources management.
local plants, and establishment of
marketing lingkage between herbal
practitioners and established institute 1.7. Organization of
for sustainability; Species Profile
e) Organized motivational and This book describes 116 commonly used
awareness rasing campaign, regarding medicinal herbs and shrubs by the traditional
importance of medicinal plants and boiddos of Thanchi upazila. The style followed in
realted knowledge at the community presenting species-annotation is as follows. All
level, could be conducted; the entries were made on botanical names with
proper author citation. The species enumerated
f) Training should be provided to the local
were arranged alphabetically. For each species
farmers about nursery and plantation
the accepted correct botanical name was
techniques on medicinal plants;
given in roman bold face followed by family,
g) The mainstream research instituions synonyms, and vernacular names occurring in
in the country, especially the forest pertinent literatures in parenthesis. The name
and agriculture research institutes of the locality or the community was given in
and universities may be encouraged parenthesis in case of most of the vernacular
to provide much needed research names.
support for proper documentation of
The taxonomic enumeration was given in the and Moldenke (1983); Oliveros (1996); Pal and
next section. The botanical names and family Jain (1998); Parkash et al. (2008); Partha and
enumerated in this book have adapted from Hossain (2007); Rahman et al. (2007); Rahman
Ahmed et al. (2009), which is the most recent (2009); Rahman and Das (2009); Rajasab and
and authentic source of information available Isaq (2004); Rao and Henry (1996); Riswan and
in Bangladesh. The general description of each Setyowati (1996); Roy et al. (2008); Sanjal
species included size, height range, bark, leaf, (1924); Saxena (1986); Srivastava and Adi
flowers and fruit characters. After general Community (2009); Srivastava and Rout (1994);
description, phenological characters, ecological Uddin et al. (1998); Uddin et al. (2006); Uddin
adaptation, distribution, propagation and (2006); Uddin (2001); van Valkenburg and
management, and chemical constituents were Bunyapraphatsara (2002); Yusuf (2008); Yusuf
described. These descriptions were based on et al. (2009); Yusuf et al. (1994) and Yusuf et
filed notes and several taxonomic treaties like al. (2006 and 2007).
Ahmed et al. (2009); Amornchi et al. (1997);
Asolkar et al. (1992); Brink and Escobin (2003); Other uses were listed from field observations.
Ghani (1998); Heinig (1925); Hooker (1892); On top of that, information was gathered from
Jati et al. (2011); Philip et al. (2011); Rastogi websites and other literatures such as, Ahmed
and Mehrotra (1993); Sengupta and Safui et al. (2009); Alam and Mohiuddin (1987);
(1997); Trivedi (1989); Uddin (2006) and Yusuf Begum (1987); Benthall (1933); Caius (1989);
et al. (2009). Besides these, information was Chopra et al. (1956); Das and Alam (2001);
also collected from different websites. de Winter and Amoroso (2003); Deb (1983);
Hasan (2009); Kirtikar et al. (1935); Kumar and
The next section describes the medicinal Sane (2003); Mia and Uddin (2000); Pal and
uses of each species. In the tabular format, Jain (1998); Partha and Hossain (2007); Uddin
the information that was collected through (2006); Vendcourt (1979); Yusuf (2009) and
consultation with the local boiddos of the Yusuf et al. (2009).
study area was enumerated. Beside this,
other medicinal uses that were found during Conservation status of each species was fully
different studies were also described that based on the herbal healers own view and field
were based on Alam (1992); Ali (1973); Ara observation. And finally the market potential is
(2007); Ashwani (2012); Begum (2008); Benthall based on the expert’s opinion.
(1933); Bhuiyan et al. (2009); Bor and Raizada
For each species, available photographs were
(1954); Caius (1998 and 1989); Chakrabarty and
provided that were collected by direct field
Gangopadhyay (1996); Chopra et al. (1956);
visit, from different sources and from internet.
Dutta and Deb (2004); Ghani (1998 and 2003);
For each species, photographs of full species,
Hasan (2008 and 2009); Hepper (1987); Hossain
leaf, stem, seeds, flowers and fruits (where
(2008); Huda (2000); Kanjilal et al. (1939);
available) were given.
Khan and Huq (1975); Khanam (2009); Khatun
(2008 and 2009); Khisha et al. (2012); Kirtikar
et al. (1935); Lemmens and Bunyapraphatsara
(2003); Mohiuddin et al. (2012); Moldenke
CHAPTER
2
Species Profile
© M. K. Hossain
Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.

Botanical description: A much-
Family: Mimosaceae branched thorny shrub or small
Synonym (s): Mimosa farnesiana L., Vauchellia deciduous tree, up to 4 m high, bark
farnesiana (L.) Wight & Arn. dark brown, smooth or fissured in old
trees, branchlets zigzag, lenticellate
Vernacular name (s): Belatibabla, Guiya Babla (Bengali);
with stipular straight spines, up
Cassie Flower, Farnesiana, Sponge Tree, Strinking Acacia,
to 3 cm long. Leaves bipinnately
Sweet Acacia (English); Waiya (Marma); Hoiaki (Khumi);
compound, rachis about 2.5-7.5 cm
Eye-ulapaing, Hada Naksaphul, Kada Naksha Phul,
long, pubescent, with a minute gland
Nakshaphul (Chakma); Awaia (Tripura) and Gosuktingbra
on the petiole, pinnae 2-8 pairs, often
(Rakhain).
up to 3 cm long with a cup-shaped
gland below the lowest and often at
the base of the uppermost pair of
pinnae, often pinnae terminated by
minute bristles, leaflets 10-20 pairs, 2-7 x 0.8-1.8 mm, sessile, oblong, opposite, glabrous, base
truncate, asymmetrically acute and mucronate at the apex, midrib excentric. Flowers bright yellow,
very sweet-scented in axillary pedunculate, globose heads, peduncles 3.5-4.0 cm long, 3-5 together
in fascicle. Fruit a pod, 3.6-7.8 x 1-2 cm, cylinderic-oblong, straight or slightly curved, subterete and
turgid, dark brown to blackish when inconspicuous, indehiscent. Seeds 12-20 per pod, embedded in
pulp in two rows, 7-8 x 5.5 mm, oblong-ellipsoid, smooth, black.
© M. K. Hossain
Flowering and fruiting: November to March, but in some areas throughout the year.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the deciduous forests or scrubs or subtropical forests on black or
gravelly or sandy soils at low altitudes, ascending to 1500 m.
Distribution: Native of tropical South America, now Pan Tropical, distributed in India, Pakistan,
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar and Andaman Islands. In Bangladesh, it is naturalized and found
frequently along railway tracks, in village thickets and outskirts or in waste fallow lands in most of
the districts. In the hill districts, the species is found under cultivation near tribal houses.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds.
Chemical constitutuents: Isorhamnetin-3, 7-glucorhamnoside, gallic acid, ellagic acie,

m-digallic acid, methyl gallate, kaempferol, aromadendrin, naringenin, kaempferol-7-diglucosie,
naringenin-7-glucoside and a new glycoside, probably naringenin-7-diglucoside acylate with gallic
acid have been isolated from flowers. Flowers also contain d-pinitol a pigment, isorhamnetin-3,
7-glucorhamnoside. Pods yield a new acylglucoside charcaterised as naringenin-7-O-β-D-(6″-O-gal-
loyl) glucopyranoside (purin-O-6″-gallate); rutin and apigenin-6, 8-bis-C-glucopyranoside (0.4%). A
novel amino acid N-acetyl-L-djenkolic acid has been isolated from seeds. Leaves contain tannins,
alkaloids; also rutin and apigenin-6, 8-bis-C-glucide; cyanogens; linamarin, lotaustralin and an
unidentified one.
Medicinal uses: The medicinal use of the species collected through FGD and one to one discussions
are shown below.
Disease name Parts use Preparation process User group
Fever and Flower, leaf Bath with leaf, flower and root Khumi and
ringworm and root boiled water twice a day for a week. Marma
The plant is also used in the treatment of rabies, spermatorrhoea, sterility, strangury ureterolithiasis
and vertigo (Uddin, 2006); bronchitis, caries of teeth, inflammation, leucoderma, stomatitis and
ulcers (Chakrabarty and Gangopadhyay, 1996); headache (Rahman et al., 2007); bronchitis, caries of
teeth, erysipelas, gonorrhea, inflammation, leucorrhoea, leucoderma, stomatitis and wounds (Yusuf
et al., 2009) and leucorrhoea (Caius, 1989).
Other uses: Flowers are the source of the famous perfume ‘Cassie’. It exudes considerable quantity
of white gum Arabic. The pods are used for tanning. The wood is used for fuel and the leaves and
pods are browsed by livestock in many countries. A black dye for making ink can be obtained from
the pods. In Bangladesh, the species is planted on embankment in some coastal areas and as a
hedge plant particularly in Chittagong. Sometimes flowers are used by the Hindu community in their
religious ceremony in India. Local people of Bandarban use flower of this species for ritual purpose.
Gum and tannin can be obtained from the bark. Lac insects are also grown in the tree.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the forest but common around the
homesteads, schools and temple premises.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Already

occurs as a garden plant in many parts of the country. The species is suitable for domestication in
the coastal areas.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Acorus calamus L.
Family: Araceae
Synonym (s): Acorus calamus var.vulnaris L.,

Acorus calamus var. verus L.
Vernacular name (s): Bach, Boch, Gharbach,

Gora-boch, Mithabach, Swetbach, Shet-Bach
(Bengali); Sweet Flag, Calamus (English);
Chainchi, Langhi, Lang Hing, Lanki, Lang Yee,
Satalanghing (Marma); Langhi (Khumi); Langhi
Gach, Lanhu, Laing Gach (Tripura); Bos, Bos-
Pada, Bospata, Komla Boj, Langyoo (Chakma);
Chisik, Phachi (Mandi) and Boch, Bospada (Ton-
chongya).
© Internet
Botanical description: A semi-aquatic perennial herb up to 80 cm tall, rootstock stout, 1-2 cm

broad, creeping, with long fibrous roots from the lower surface, stem erect, glabrous, grooved at
one side and ribbed at the opposite. Leaves ensiform or linear, tufted at the tip of the decumbent
branches, glabrous, 55-80 x 1-2 cm, midrib prominent. Inflorescence on a leaf like peduncle, 35-40
cm long, tapering and ending in a shortly acuminate tip, not enclosing the spadix. Spadix 5.0-6.5
x 1.0-1.5 cm, sessile, cylindric, slightly curved, light yellow in colour. Flowers numerous, densely
arranged, typically 3-merous. Fruit a berry with a few pendulous seeds, seeds obconical, 2 mm long.
Flowering and fruiting: April to August.

Ecological adaptation: It grows in marshy and open places at high elevations up to1800 m.
Distribution: North and Central America, Europe and Asia. In Bangladesh, it is planted in gardens of
Rajshahi, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: It can be easily propagated by seeds and rhizomes.
Chemical constituents: The dry rhizome contains 1.5-3.5% of a yellow aromatic volatile oil.
Rhizome also contains an essential oil with β-asarone as major constituent and also calamenenol,
isocalamendiol, eugenol methyl ether, palmitic acid and sesquiterpene alcohols. It also contains asaryl
aldehyde, choline, calacone, flavones, acoradin, 2, 5-dimethoxy benzoquinone, galangin, telekin,
isotelekin, 9-aristone and β-gurjunene, saponins, a bitter principle (acorin), mucilage, sitosterol and
sesquiterpenes. Three monocyclic sesquiterpernes – shyobunone, epishyobunone and isoshyobunone
and two selinane type sesquiterpenes – acolamone and isoacolamone have also been isolated from
rhizomes. Aerial parts contain alkaloid, choline and luteolin and acorin glycosides. Fresh leaves
contain oxalic acid and calcium. A new crystalline compound, calamine sesqui-terpenenol and a new
phenylpropane have been isolated form the rhizome. New sesquiterpenes – acoragermacrone, (+)
calamusenone and isocalamusenone and a new tropone (I) have been isolated from the rhizome. A
flavone diglycoside isolated and identified as leteolin-6, 8-C-diglucoside.
are shown below.
Cold and cough Rhizome Rhizome powder is kept on head to Khumi, Marma
of children inhale twice a day for 3-5 days. and Tripura
This species is also used to treat amoebic dysentery, asthma, cough, embryopathy, epilepsy, fever,
flatulence, gastric tumor, gastric ulcer, headache, heat stroke, hyper acidity, lipoma (tumor),
lumbago, lumps in the throat, mania, pneumonia, postpartum haemorrhage, stomachache, tonsilitis
and tuberculosis (Uddin, 2006); abdominal pain, asthma, bronchitis, chronic diarrhoea in children,
delirium, epilepsy, fever, general weakness, hysteria, inflammmaiton, kidney troubles, leucoderma,
pains in the liver and chest, rat-bite, toothache, tumors and worms in the ear (Ara, 2007); asthma,
bronchitis and chronic diarrhoea in children (Ghani, 1998) and asthma, bronchitis, cancer, colic
or dyspepsia, diarrhoea, dysentery, general weekness, inflamations, kidney troubles, leucoderma,
mouth diseases, pains in the liver and chest, pneumonia, remittent fevers, sore throat, stomatitis
and toothache (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Planted in the homestead garden as ornamental plant. Leaf juice of this plant is used
for children in ‘Baw-batasi’ (any physical change caused by evil spirit) diseases. The rhizomes are
chewed as an expectorant. The Chinese people believe that root of this plant is beneficial for the
treatment of cancer. The powdered rhizome also possesses insecticidal properties and is useful
against bed-bugs, moths, lice etc.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the forest. Some people plant this species
around their homestead and temple premises. Ex-situ conservation measure is essential.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Dried

rhizome is sold in market and used by traditional pharmaceutical industries as a recipe of cough
syrup. It has also good potential as a cash crop.
Adiantum caudatum L.
Family: Adiantaceae Botanical description: A fern with cylindrical
rhizome, stipes tufted, cylindrical, dark brown
Synonym: Adiantum incisum Forsk.
to black, up to 25 cm long and 3.5-4.0 cm
Vernacular name (s): Biddapata, Madhussada, wide. Pinnules 1-2 cm long and 0.5-0.8 cm
Mayurshikha (Bengali); Maiden Hair Fern wide, loosely arranged, dimidiate and sub-
(English); Achaichong (Khumi) and Jogemuchoi sessile, apex blunt and rounded, lower margin
(Marma). straight or slightly concave and smooth, upper
margin cut up into several lobes, incisions
often reaching two-thirds down from the
upper surface, primary lobes again divided into
2-3 lobes, venation prominent on the upper
surface.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in humid and shady hill sites, and moist dilapidated brick wall.
Distribution: A widely distributed fern. In Bangladesh, it is occasionally found in the eastern parts
of the country.
Propagation and management: Propagated through rhizome and spore.
Chemical constituents: The fern contains triterpenoids (including adiantone, isoadiantone) and
flavonoids (including rutin and isoquercetin), hentriacontane, 16-hentriacontanone, adiantone,
isoadiantone, β-sitosterol and fernene.
are shown below.
Stop excess bleeding Leaf Leaf juice (half cup) extracted by Khumi, Marma
after child birth smashing is given to mother thrice a and Tripura
day for 2-3 days.
It is also used in the treatment of cough, diabetes, fever and skin disease (Uddin et al., 1998) and
chest affections, cough, diabetes, fever and skin diseases (Ghani, 1998).
Other uses: The plant is used as indoor ornamental pot plant for its beautiful fronds.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found near streams in the forests. People,
especially the Buddhist monks plant this species around the temple premises, which is a good mode
of conservation. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures should be taken.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It can be

domesticated as a pot plant.
Ageratum conyzoides L. © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Family: Asteraceae Botanical description: An annual aromatic herb,

up to 80 cm tall, stem terete, erect, hispidly
Synonym: Not known.
hairy. Leaves simple, ovate, petiolate, petioles
Vernacular name (s): Dochunti, Fulkuri, up to 4 cm long, hirsute, lamina 2.0-6.5 x 1-4 cm,
Oochunti, Uchanti (Bengali); Appa Grass, palmately 3-nerved, margin dentate, crenate or
Billy Goat Weed, Goat Weed, Tropical White serrate, hirsute on both surfaces. Inflorescence
Weed (English); Dhup Murmujjey, Kise Mrak, a terminal corymb; flower pale blue in small
Monimojjahar, Monipuizza Kher, Moonimujja head. Fruit a narrowly oblong cypsela.
Gach, Moonimujja Kher, Muni Bhuiya Gach,
Flowering and fruiting: November to June.
Siang Maresh (Chakma); Achowneshhi, Achunai,
Assam Pata, Chunachu Appa, Isi Meuyee, Ecological adaptation: It grows in the open
Kisimra, Kisey Srak, Monipuri Pata (Marma); fields, road sides, secondary forests, forest
Chan Nama Gach, Channama, Fulkuri, Mukri, clearings, tea-gardens and hillocks.
Munpuria, Ochunit (Tripura); Hinor, Krah
Distribution: A native to South America, now
(Khasia); Horenba (Munda); Adhunni (Garo)
widely spread throughout the warm countries
and Khulaacha (Khumi).
of the world. In Bangladesh, it is a common
weed of waste places, especially in moist
situations.
Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds.
Chemical constituents: Herb contains friedelin, sterols, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and α-spinasterol;
flavones, hydrocarbon, caryophyllene, coumarin, quercetin, kaempferol, chromones, phenol,
essential oil and anti-gonadotropic hormones, precocenes. Leaves and stems also contain alkaloids,
stigmasterol (major) and β-sitosterol, and dotiacontene. The plant is a good source of potassium (K)
(28% soluble K salts present).
are shown below.
Paralysis Whole plant Poultice with warm plant over the area is Khumi
given once a day for a month.
Headache Whole plant Plant paste mixed with zinger is applied Khumi
over the forehead.
This plant is also used for the treatment of bleeding,

boils, bruise, cough, eczema, gastric tumor, gastric
ulcer, headache, hyper acidity, hysteria, jaundice,
leismoniasis (black fever), leucorrhoea, oedema,
painful micturition, piles, sterility, stomachache and
vertigo (Uddin, 2006); boils, colic, cuts and sore,
diarrhoea, dysentary, rheumatism, skin diseases
and tape worms (Ghani, 1998); blood dysentery,
conjunctivitis, cuts and wounds, and pain (Srivastava
and Adi community, 2009); skin diseases and wounds
(Roy et al., 2008); anal propulsion, chronic ulcers,
diarrhoea, eye troubles, flatulent colic, liver pain,
opthalmia, pheumonia, skin diseases, stomach pain,
uterine problem and wounds and sores (Hossain, 2008)
and boils, fever, headache, jaundice, skin diseases,
and wounds and cuts (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Ethnic communities, like Munda in Maulvi

Bazar district use the root against harmful effects of
perceived evil spirits in children.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally

common. People do not take any initiative to conserve
this species.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation

potential/any pharmaceutical use: It is treated as an
alien invasive species because of their profuse growth
and it does not have any such potential.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Aglaonema hookerianum Schott

Family: Araceae
Synonym: Aglaonema clarkei Hook. f.
Vernacular name (s): Chekhow, Khaichcha Parabol, Meggey (Marma); Hatharikhiethok (Tripura);
Lykho (Khumi) and Gach Petic, Shakkosala, Sikkachalal (Chakma).
Botanical description: A herb, stem erect, 40-50 cm or more tall, 1.5-2.0 cm thick, internodes 1.5-
3.0 cm long. Leaves petiolate, petiole up to 24 cm long, sheaths membranous, up to 15 cm long, leaf
blade up to 27 x 7-12 cm, ovate to elliptic or lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, base often unequal,
rounded, obtuse or broadly acute, rarely acute, apex often apiculate, acuminate, not variegated,
venation weakly to strongly differentiated into 7-13 primary lateral veins diverging from the midrib.
Peduncles usually 1-3 together, up to 21 cm long. Spathe 3-7 cm long, decurrent for 1.5 cm, stipe
absent. Spadix 2.5-4.0 cm long, thin, cylindric. Fruit up to 3 cm long and 1.4 cm broad, red.
Flowering and fruiting: June to July.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the shady areas of deep forest.
Distribution: North eastern India and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it is found in the forests of Sylhet,
Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: Propagated by rhizomes.
Chemical constituents: Not known.

are shown below.
Stomachache Spathe Extracted spathe juice (two table Khumi, Marma

spoon) taken orally twice a day for and Tripura
2-3 days.
The species is also used in the treatment of cirrhosis, flatulence, hyper acidity (gastritis) and tetanus
(Uddin, 2006) and conjunctivitis and constipation (Rahman et al., 2007).
Other uses: It is also used as vegetable. Sometimes it has been used as ornamental plants.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the forests. People conserve this species
by planting around their homesteads and temple premises. Both ex-situ and in-situ conservation
measures are essential.

domesticated as an ornamental and food plant.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Aidia pseudospicata Ridsdale

Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name (s): Chietanda Afrue (Marma) and Dikyakaling (Khumi).
Botanical description: A large shrub. Leaves simple, opposite, stipulate, stipules triangular, 5-7 mm
long, apex long acuminate, margin glabrous, petiolate, petioles up to 1 cm long, lamina broadly
elliptic, coriaceous, glabrous, 10-18 x 4-9 cm, apex acuminate, base obtuse, lateral nerves 5-8
pairs. Inflorescence cincinnoid, leaf-opposed, up to 4 cm long, usually with 3 main branches,

well developed, conspicuously branched, densely pubescent. Flowers on ultimate branches, well
developed, conspicuously branched, densely pubescent. Fruit a drupe, globose.
Flowering and fruiting: April to December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the hilly rain forests.
Distribution: India. In Bangladesh, it is found in the hill forests of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill
Tracts.
are shown below.
Body pain Leaf One table spoon of extracted leaf juice Khumi and
is mixed with same amount of honey and Marma
taken twice a day for 3 days.
Rheumatic pain Leaf Heated leaf is used over the pained area Tripura
during pain.
Other uses: Not known.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common but disappearing due to habitat loss. There
is no measure taken by the local community to conserve this species.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It does

not have any such potentials.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Alpinia conchigera Griff.

Family: Zingiberaceae
Synonym (s): Alpinia laosensis Gagnep., Languas conchigera Burk.
Vernacular name (s): Khetranga, Padagrah, Podogra (Marma); Daichikachoy (Khumi);

Gadhang, Padagra (Tripura); Deotara, Ketrengga, Khetranga, Naisang Bowa, Padogro
(Chakma) and Kettyranga, Ketranga (Tonchonga).
Botanical description: A slender rhizomatous perennial herb, 1.0-1.5 m tall. Leaves petiolate,
petioles 0.5-2.0 cm long, lamina ovate-oblong, 15-34 x 3.9-9.5 cm, obtuse acuminate at the apex
and more or less rounded at the base, hairy on either side of the midrib beneath, otherwise glabrous,
edges ciliate, ligules 2-3 mm long, obtuse, entire, ciliate. Flowers white or greenish, 12-25 cm long,
panicle rachis pubescent. Fruit a capsule, spherical, 8 mm across, glabrous, red when ripe. Seeds 3-5
in a fruit, relatively large, angular and strongly aromatic.
Flowering and fruiting: June to August.
Ecological adaptation: It grows well along the hill slopes and edges of foothill forests in partial shady
condition.
Distribution: Cambodia, Malaysia, India and Thailand. In Bangladesh, it is found in the hill forests of
Propagation and management: It can be easily propagated by rhizomes and seeds.
Chemical constituents: Fresh rhizome and leaf contain essential oil.
are shown below.
Headache Rhizome Juice, extracted by smashing, is used Marma

in eye during headache.
Abdominal Rhizome Juice, extracted by smashing, is taken Khumi, Marma
problem orally three times a day for 2-3 days. and Tripura
Cold and cough Whole plant Powder, produced from dried plant, is Khumi and
inhaled for 3-5 days. Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of duodenal ulcer, dysentery, gastric ulcer, headache, hydrocele,
menorrhea, pneumonia and typhoid (Uddin, 2006); female diseases and gastric complaints (Yusuf,
2008); abdominal pain and dysentery (Rahman et al., 2007); wounds (Roy et al., 2008); arthritis,
bronchitis, headache, metritis, rheumatism and vertigo (Bhuiyan et al., 2009) and dysentery (Khisha
et al., 2012).
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People plant this species around their
homesteads and temple premises, which is a good mode of conservation.

domesticated as a medicinal herb.
© IUCN / Ahsanul Wahed
Amaranthus spinosus L.
Botanical description: An annual, erect,
Family: Amaranthaceae spinescent herb, up to 1.2 m tall, with
Synonym: Not known. many branches from the base, stem terete,
with 2 straight spines, 1.2 cm under leaf
Vernacular name (s): Katanotey, Katadenga,
axils. Leaves 3-5 x 1.5-3.0 cm, ovate,
Katamaris, Kanta-nutia, Kanta Notey, Kanta
oblong or elliptic, base cuneate, long
Miris, Kantakhudurey, Kata Marish (Bengali);
petioled, petiole slender, equaling the
Prickly Amaranth, Spiny Pigweed, Spiny Amaranth
blade or shorter, tip obtuse or retuse with
(English); Chuang Khala, Hankhala, Hanuhuya
a distinct mucro, cuneate or alternate at
Mong Goai Gach, Mo Gooyai Apang (Marma);
the base. Flowers small, usually green, in
Apading (Khumi); Kata Marech, Maira Shak,
axillary clusters and long dense or lax-fid
Moinchu (Tripura); Hada Maresh, Kada Marech,
pseudo-spikes, 1.5-6.5 cm long. Fruit an
Kata Mresh (Chakma); Kuriakanta, Kulelhara
utricle, with a thickened 2- toothed top,
(Mandi) and Jeumara (Santal).
rugose, 1.6-2.0 mm long. Seeds biconvex,
compressed, black, shining, minutely
reticulate, 1.0-1.2 x 0.8-1.0 mm.
Flowering and fruiting: Throughout the year.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in waste places, roadsides, crop fields and gardens.
Distribution: Throughout India, Sri Lanka and common in all tropical countries of the world. In
Bangladesh, it occurs throughout the country.
Chemical constituents: Leaves and stems contain n-alkanes, hentriacontane, octacosanoate,

sterols including α-spinasterol, fatty acids, free alcohols, proteins and mixture of saponins,
composed of oleanolic acid, D-glucose and D-glucoronic acid. It is a good source of calcium, also
contains phosphorus, iron, nicotinin acid, ascorbic acid and protein. Roots contain α-spinasterol,
octacosanoate and a number of saponins, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campersterol, and cholesterol
and stearic, oleic and linoleic acids, quercetin and rutin also isolated from the plant.
are shown below.

Vomiting Root Juice, extracted by rubbing in stone, is mixed Khumi, Marma
with rice water and taken orally after vomiting. and Tripura
The species is also used to treat abdominal pain, chicken pox, dysentery, dysurea, fever (high),
hysteria, ill health, lipoma (tumor), malaria, mania infantum, menopause, painful micturation,
remittent fever, stomachache, tonsilitis and vomiting (Uddin, 2006); boils, burns, eczema,
gonorrohea, leucorrhoea, menstrual flow and menorrhagia (Ghani, 2008); chest pain (Uddin et
al., 2006); boils, menstrual problem and rheumatic pain (Partha and Hossain, 2007); malarial
fever and stop bleeding from nose and mouth (Rahman et al., 2007) and bronchitis, boils, burns,
burning sensation, constipation, eczyma, flatulence, dysentery, gonorrhoea, hallucination, leprosy,
leucorrhoea, menstrual problem, piles and toothache (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Young stems are used as vegetables in many parts of the country. The plant boiled with
pulses and fed to cattle to increase the yield of milk.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common and mostly found along riverbanks and near
the agricultural field. People do not take any measure to conserve this species.

Amorphophallus bulbifer (Roxb.) Blume

Family: Araceae
Synonym (s): Arum bulbiferum Roxb., Amorphophallus tuberculiger (Schott) Engl.
Vernacular name (s): Amla-Bela, Jongle Ol (Bengali); Voodoo Lily (English); Batyma,
Gongkhanpang (Marma); Baghadumm, Chung-muru (Mandi); Ineki (Khumi) and Batyma
(Tripura).
Botanical description: An herb with corms, corms globose, 5-10 cm broad, brown and warty with
solitary leaves. Petiole 30-120 cm long, 2-5 cm in diameter; smooth, greenish, pinkish-white, with
deep green or greenish-brown stripes or blotches. Lamina 30-50 cm in diameter, tripartite and
sometimes again bifurcating, all ultimately divided into oblong-obovate, acuminate, 5-20 cm long
decurrent lobes, margins with a transluscent pink colouration especially when young, conspicuously
pinnately veined and with sub-marginal veins. A bulbil arises at the junction of the three petiolules
(initially it appears as a convex point); more bulbils arise at other intersections and rarely along the
main veins above on the leaflets. Spadix usually longer or shorter than the spathe, stipitate for 5-8
mm long. Fruit a berry, usually 1-seeded.
Flowering and fruiting: May to October.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in shady and moist areas of hill slopes and foothills of the forest.
Distribution: India and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it is found in Sherpur, Mymensingh, Gazipur, Comilla,
Habiganj, Maulavi Bazar, Sylhet, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by bulbils and tubers.
are shown below.

Insect bite Bulbil Bulbil slice is used over the affected Khumi and
area. Marma
Insect bite Bulbil Bulbil paste is applied in the affected Tripura

area.
Other uses: The indigenous people use the petiole and young leaves as vegetable. The juice extracted
from the leaf and petiole is applied externally as a medicine to cure warts of the human body.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forest. People also plant this species
around their homesteads, temple premises and shifting cultivation areas, which is a good mode of
conservation.

domesticated as a food plant and conserved as a genetic resource.
© Internet
Angiopteris evecta (Forst) Hoffm.

Family: Angiopteridaceae
Synonym: Polypodium evectum Forst
Vernacular name (s): Dhekia Shak, Raj Dhekia (Bengali); King Fern (English); Hadibo-Muro,
Mrang Khowa (Chakma); Angkskepoi (Khumi); Asojali, Hasjalama Batasa Gach (Tripura) and
Changkathe, Chang Kisi, Saing-Bra-Siekhri (Marma).
Botanical description: A common terrestrial fern of forest floor. Rhizomes erect, often 60 cm thick.
Stipes 100-175 cm long, sometimes larger, green, and smooth with scattered white streaks. Fronds
bipinnate, generally 20-40 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, rachis is green, sparsely scaly and hairy, especially
on the lower surface. Pinnae 12-18 x 2-4 cm, bearing pinnules 2-3 cm apart, pinnules 4.5-14.0 x 1.3
cm, linear oblong, sessile or shortly stalked. Soriis submarginal, about 1 mm away from the margin,
consisting of 8-12 sporangia in each sac.
Ecological adaptation: It grows near shady streams, river banks or steep clay slopes.
Distribution: Madagascar, tropical Asia, Southeast Asia to Australia and Polynesia. In Bangladesh, it
is found in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet.
Propagation and management: By rhizome and spore, but propagation by the spore is very slow.
Vegetative propagation by adventitious buds on stipules is sometimes very effective.

are shown below.

Foot wound Rhizome Rhizome juice, extracted by stone Khumi and
grinding, is used over the wounded area. Marma
Foot tumor Rhizome Rhizome paste is used over the tumor 3 Khumi and
times a day for 3-5 days. Marma
Arthritis Rhizome Rhizome paste is taken with honey twice Tripura
a day for 2 weeks.
This plant is also used in the treatment of carbuncle, liver cancer, seminal emission and tumor
(Uddin, 2006); blood cancer (Roy et al., 2008) and beriberi and discharge of blood after a miscarriage
(Uddin et al., 1998).
Other uses: Stipules of this species contain starch which is sometimes eaten during food scarcity
and used for brewing alcohol. Young fronds are used as vegetable. The species is sometimes used as
an ornamental plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. People, especially the Buddhist monks,
plant this species around the temple premises.

propagated and domesticated as a food plant.
Atylosia scarabaeoides (L.) Baker

Family: Fabaceae
Synonym (s): Dolichos scarabaeoides L., Atylosia scarabaeoides Benth.
Vernacular name (s): Banurkalai, Thitkalai (Bengali); Noemuie, Sai Rang (Marma); Ajungmuie
(Khumi) and Wildkulthi (India).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: A perennial, slender, herbaceous twiner with densely grey-tawny stem.
Leaves 3-foliolate, 3.8-5.0 cm long, subdigitate, leaflets obovate-oblong, obtuse or subacute,
subcoriaceous, 3-nerved towards the base, thinly grey. Flowers yellow, 2-6 flowered raceme on short
axillary peduncles. Fruit a pod, straight, 2.0-2.5 cm long, clothed with fine spreading brown silky
hair, the transverse line slightly oblique, 4-6 seeded.
Flowering and fruiting: May to December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in dry but shady places.
Distribution: India, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Africa and Madagascar. In Bangladesh, it
founds sporadically all over the country, especially in Dhaka and Chittagong region.
are shown below.

Itching Leaf Leaf boiled water is used for bathing for Khumi and Marma
a week.
Abscess Leaf Leaf powder is used in the affected area Tripura

for 3-5 days.
The plant is also used in the treatment of delivery problem and swellings of leg (Kumar, 2012);
hair fall and to cure baldness (Kumar, 2012, Rajasab and Isaq, 2004); dysentery, fever, pain and
sores (Rajasab and Isaq, 2004) and anemia, burns, cholera, dropsy, dysentery, gonorrhea, gravel,
hemiplegia, night fever, rinder pest, small-pox, snake-bite, spermatorrhoea, swelling and pain in leg
during pregnancy, syphilis, venereal sores and wounds (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is also used to treat diarrhoea

of cattle. The species is also useful for green
manure.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely

found in the forests. No measure is taken to
conserve this species.
Market potential/Domestication potential

Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use:
It can be domesticated as a cover crop in the
open exposed forest areas.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Bauhinia acuminata L.
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Synonym (s): Bauhinia candida auct. non Ait., Bauhinia grandiflora auct. non Blanco
Vernacular name (s): Kanchan, Shada Kanchon, Shet Kanchan (Bengali); Mountain Ebony, White
Bauhinia, Dwarf White Bauhinia (English); Crong Kri Gra, Sadakadam, Thangba Pang, Thankhrapru
(Marma); Angbong Paing, Dhub Kanchan, Sada Kadam (Chakma); Nereng Bai (Mog); Achumiakangli
(Khumi); Magong-aphal (Garo) and Khuntaosa (Tripura).
Botanical description: An erect, small shrub,

up to 3 m high, young branches greyish
pubescent, later on glabrous. Leaves simple,
ovate to rounded, 7-14 x 5-12 cm, 9-11 nerved,
bifid with broad sinus, lobes triangular-acute,
base cordate to rounded, glabrous above and
greyish-brown pubescent beneath, particularly
on the nerves, prominently veined, petioles
3-6 cm long, grooved or angular, pubescent.
Flowers white, lateral and terminal, branched,
3-10 flowered racemes. Fruit a pod, linear,
7.0-11.0 x 1.5-2.0 cm, apiculate, rather thick,
glabrous, sutures raised, dehiscent. Seeds 5-11
per pod, flattened, 1 cm across.
Flowering and fruiting: May to July, sometimes

throughout the year.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in well drained

dry and sunny places, plains and hill slopes.
Distribution: China, India, Indonesia, Laos,

Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines,
Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.In Bangladesh,
it occurs in deciduous and hill forests and also
planted all over the country.
Propagation and management: Propagated

through seeds.

© M. K. Hossain
are shown below.

Irregular Root and Juice, prepared by smashing root and Khumi, Marma
menstruation flower flower, is taken before menstruation, and Tripura
once a day for a week.
The species is also used in the treatment of epilepsy, gout, jaundice, mental disorder, painful
menstruation and thread worm infestation (Uddin, 2006) and asthma, biliousness, bladder stone,
burns, dropsy, indigestion and leprosy (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is planted as a common ornamental plant in gardens, parks, office yards, roadsides,
even in private home stead premises. It is also valued for chemical products, environmental, food,
drink and medicine. In Bangladesh, young girls put the flowers in their hair style in special occasion
or party.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. People plant this species around
their homesteads, occasionally in the premises of schools and temples, which is a good mode of
conservation.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It has

domestication potential as an ornamental plant.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Begonia silhetensis (A. DC.) C. B. Clarke

Family: Begoniaceae
Synonym (s): Casparya silhetensis A. DC., Begonia

gigantea Wall.
Vernacular name (s): Chang-mang-kankha, Kiowkhai

(Marma); Araraipou (Khumi) and Mukhoithaichoi (Tripura).
Botanical description: A stemless herb, rootstock is thick and short, usually fibrous, scarcely
tuberous. Leaves 15 cm long, broadly ovate, finely denticulate, hardly serrate or lobed, shaggy on
both surfaces, petioles are 12-45 cm long, pubescent or hirsute. Scapes 5-10 cm long, 1-7 flowered,
inflorescence shorter than the petioles. Fruit a capsule, globose or ovoid, thick-walled, 4-celled,
more or less fleshy, densely covered with brown shaggy hairs, without angle or wings. Seeds are
many, shining brown and shortly ellipsoid.
Ecological adaptation: This plant grows in the damp and shady hill slopes.
Distribution: India. In Bangladesh it is found in Rangamati and Bandarban, hill districts.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by rhizomes.
are shown below.

Jaundice Leaf Extracted leaf juice is taken orally Khumi, Marma
twice a day for a week or leaf is and Tripura
cooked with hill crab and then taken.
This plant is also used in the treatment of headache (migrane) (Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: Local people of Bandarban use this plant as vegetable.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. People do not take any measure to
conserve this species. Both ex-situ and in-situ conservation measure is essential as the species is
categorized as endangered.

domesticated as a pot herb.
Blumea balsamifera DC.

Family: Asteraceae
Synonym: Conyza balsamifera L.
Vernacular name (s): Kakronda (Bengali);
Borneo Camphor, Nagal Camphor (English);
Kumaching, Sarakodung, Seratagun Gach
(Marma); Predangpul (Khumi); Khunnama,
Kumpala (Tripura) and Baro Tora, Bottara,
Charafundung (Chakma).
Botanical description: An aromatic shrub, tomentose-villous or silky woolly, stem branched. Leaves
alternate, petiolate, petioles up to 1.5 cm long, auricled or winged, lamina 11-15 cm long, elliptic-
oblanceolate or lanceolate, densely silky or woolly beneath, serrate, rarely irregularly shortly
pinnatifid, acute-acuminate at the tip, narrowed at the base. Flowers yellow, a capitulum, 4-5 x 3-4
mm, subsessile or peduncled, peduncles up to 3 mm long. Fruit a cypsela, up to 0.7 mm long, 5-7
ribbed.
Flowering and fruiting: December to March.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in low hills of rain forests and fallow lands.
Distribution: Tropical Himalaya, Nepal, India and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, its distribution is
restricted to the forests of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Chemical constituents: The main components of leaves oil were borneol, caryophyllene, ledol, 4,
4-dimethyl, phytol, caryophllene oxide, guaiol, thujopsene-13, dimethoxydurene and γ-eudesmol.
The essential oil from leaves contain L-borneol, D-camphor and cineol. Leaves contain 2 querecetin
derives.
are shown below.

Food poisoning, Leaf Leaf ash, prepared by burning is mixed Khumi, Marma
flatulence and with lemon and table salt, and is taken and Tripura
indigestion orally thrice a day for a week.
It is also used in the treatment of cough, gout, hook worm infestation, hyper acidity, insomnia,
jaundice, mania infantum and oedema (Uddin, 2006); bronchitis, headache, hypertension, insomnia,
leucorrhoea, rheumatism and scabies (Hossain, 2008) and bronchitis, cholera, diarrhoea, headache,
leucorrhoea and rheumatism (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Leaves yield a crystalline essential oil, containing camphor and a glue. The leaves are
also used as fish poison in the Philippines.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. Few people conserve this speices
by planting around the premises of homesteads, schools and temples. Needs in-situ and ex-situ
conservation.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It could

have good market potential as it produces oil.
© Internet
Breynia retusa (Dennst.) Alston

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Synonym (s): Phyllanthus retusus Dennst., Breynia patens (Roxb.) Benth.
Vernacular name (s): Silpati (Bengali); Rownee (Marma); Hamussa Gach, Mach Chok Bichi
Gach (Chakma); Satamsakatoma, Taipak (Tripura) and Aghkamchi (Khumi).
Botanical description: A shrub or small tree, much branched, branches arching outwards, branchlets
slender, angular spreading, almost horizontal, smooth, grey. Leaves distichous, 1.3-2.8 x 0.8-1.6 cm,
broadly elliptic, membranous, obtuse, light green above, drying brown, paler beneath, main nerves
3-5 pairs, petioles 1.6 mm long, glabrous. Male flowers are pedicellate, 1 to few in proximal leaf
axils, pedicels 4-8 mm long. Female flowers are greenish, solitary in distal axils, pedicels 3-4 mm
long, shorter than in the male, pendulous at first, becoming erect until fruit borne on upper side of
branchlets. Fruit a capsule, depressed-globose. 13-17 mm in diameter, faintly 3-lobed, orange-red,
fleshy but dehiscent, seated on the greatly enlarged colored calyx. Seeds 3, 6 mm long, persistent
on columella, blue-grey with an orange-yellow aril.
© Internet
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the scrub lands in rocky hill slopes, roadsides or clearings in sunny
places.
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, it is found in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill
Tracts and Sylhet.
are shown below.

Tooth pain, Whole Gurgle by the whole-plant boiled water. Khumi and
gum problem plant Marma
Gastritis Whole Juice prepared by rubbing in stone is taken Tripura

plant directly.
This plant is also used in the treatment of conjunctivitis, lipoma (tumor) and prickly heat (Uddin,
2006); blood diseases and inflammation (Kirtikar et al., 1935); conjunctivitis (Caius, 1998) and blood
diseases, bowels, conjunctivitis and inflamations (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Leaves employed to hasten suppuration.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forests, shifting cultivation areas and
roadsides of Thanchi upazila of Bandarban Hill district.

not have such potentials.
Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lamk.) Oken

Family: Crassulaceae
Synonym (s): Cotyledon pinnata

Lamk., Bryophyllum calycinum Salisb., © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Kalanchoe pinnata (Lamk.) Pers.
Botanical description: A tall, erect, perennial
Vernacular name (s): Gatrapuri, herb. Leaves simple, opposite-decussate,
Kaphpata, Koppata, Pathorkuchi sometimes bi or trifoliate, upper ones
(Bengali); American Life Plant, sometimes up to 7 foliate, fleshy, petiolate,
Floppers, Life Plant (English); Jeos, ovate, elliptic to elliptic oblong, crenate,
Jeus, Patharkuchi, Roah-Kapanghey apex rounded to acute. Inflorescence very
(Chakma); Aney Choilote, Jeejak- long, paniculate cyme. Flowers pendulous,
laua, Rowkyapanpow, Rokeya-Panko, pedicellate, bisexual, actinomorphic. Fruit a
Rokkapang-bang, Rokkiapumbo, follicle.
Wakheponey (Marma); Naproking
Flowering and fruiting: December to April.
(Khumi); Jeos, Naproking, Pathorkuchi
(Tripura) and Samjagi (Mandi). Ecological adaptation: This plant is found in the
arid regions. It is also planted and naturalized
in many countries.
Distribution: It has become naturalized in temperate regions of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, West
Indies, Macaronesia, Mascarenes, Galapagos, Melanesia, Polynesia and Hawaii. It is also widely
distributed in the Philippines. In Bangladesh, it occurs commonly throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by adventitious buds from detached leaf margin.
Chemical constituents: P-coumaric, ferulic, syringic, caffeic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids, quercetin
and kaempferol have been detected in leaves. Wax hydrocarbnons (C25-35), wax alcohols (C26-36)
and fatty acids are obtaine from wax of leaves. They have also been reported to contain fumaric
acid, lipids, phenolic substances and a cytotoxic bufadienolide orthoacetate. Cellular sap contains
flavonoids. The plant extract also contains n-alkane, n-alkanol, α- and β-amyrins and stosterol in its
unsaponifiable matter.
are shown below.

Headache Leaf Leaf paste applied over forehead. Marma
Cough Leaf Warm leaf juice taken twice a day Marma

with honey for 3-5 days.
Burn problem Leaf Leaf paste applied over the area. Khumi and
Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of asthma, dysurea, epilepsy, gout, hoping cough, jaundice,
nephrolithiasis, osteo-arthritis, painful micturation, pneumonia, respiratory troubles, tuberculosis,
ureterolithiasis and vertigo (Uddin, 2006); blood dysentery, boils, bronchial affections, cough,
diabetes, gout, insect bites, jaundice, kidney stones and wounds (Ghani, 1998); boils, blood
dysentery, bruises, gall bladder, kidney stones and wounds (Hasan, 2008); body inflammation
(Rahman et al., 2007); dysentery and improving sexual strength (Partha and Hossain, 2007) and
blood dysentery, boils, bronchial affections, burns, corns, cough, gonorrhea, gout, indigestions,
insect bites, jaundice, kidney stones, stomach pain and wounds (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The plant is cultivated as ornamental houseplants and rock or ‘succulent’ garden plants.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People cultivate this species within the
premises of homesteads, schools and temples.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It occurs

in planted condition.
Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Family: Bignoniaceae
Botanical description: A
Synonym (s): Bignonia radicans L., Tecoma radicans Juss. vigorous climbing shrub with
aerial rootlets. Leaves pinnately
Vernacular name (s): Golden Campsis (Bengali); Trumpet
compound, imparipinnate,
Creeper, Trumpet Vine (English); Egro (Marma); Achama
leaflets 7-9; terminal leaflet is
(Tripura) and Achachuloi (Khumi).
the largest, subsessile to sessile,
ovate-elliptic, serrate to crenate,
acute, pubescent on the under
surface, at least on the nerves.
Inflorescence is paniculate
terminal thyrse. Flowers reddish-
orange, pedicellate, bisexual,
complete. Fruit a capsule.
Flowering and fruiting: June to

August.
Ecological adaptation: This plant

is found in the garden as an
ornamental plant.
Distribution: Native to the

southern and eastern states of the
USA. In Bangladesh, it is found in
many gardens as cultivated form.
Propagation and management:

Propagation is done by cuttings.
Chemical constituents: Not

known.
are shown below.

Headache Leaf Leaf paste is applied externally over Marma
forehead.
Ear pain Leaf Warm leaf juice is given to the ear. Khumi, Marma
and Tripura
Other uses: This is planted in many gardens as an ornamental species.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not much common. People do not take any measure
to conserve this species.

potential as an ornamental plant.
Celosia cristata L.
Family: Amaranthaceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name (s): Huldimuga,

Lalmurga, Moragful (Bengali); Crested
Cock’s Comb, Cock’s Comb (English);
Chuma Phul, Mohothiho Abru Paing,
Rada Chula Phul, Radakuro Phul, Rada
Sumo Phul, Rangajat Kuro Doshchulo
(Chakma); Saiwaing (Khumi); Cram Pang
Gach, Krawmong Pai (Marma); Moragful,
Rada Chumo Phul (Tonchonga); Khongcha
(Tripura) and Sithapu (Mandi).
Botanical description: An erect, much branched, annual herb or sub-shrub. 45-92 cm tall, stem is
slender, glabrous, striped, and sometimes slightly woody. Leaves alternate, 4-13 x 0.3-4.5 cm, linear
to ovate, base attenuate, tapering into a short petiole or sessile, acute or acuminate. Flowers red
or yellow, variously branched, cock-comb like terminal and axillary spikes, 1.5-17.0 cm long. Fruit a
circumscissile capsule, thin, ovoid to almost globular.
Ecological adaptation: It is mostly found in gardens.
Distribution: This species is distributed in India, tropical Asia, Africa and America. In Bangladesh, it
is cultivated in the gardens throughout the country.
Chemical constituents: Hyaluronic acid has been isolated from the plant.
are shown below.

Abdominal pain, Dried flower Smashed flower is used over the belly Marma
sore and body and swollen area, twice a day for a
swelling week.
Piles Flower and Flower and leaf juice is taken with Marma
leaf honey twice a day for 2 weeks.
Irregular Root Paste or juice is extracted by rubbing Tripura

menstruation the root in stones and is taken orally
thrice a day for a week.
This plant is also used in the treatment of diabetes, dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhoea, headache,
leucorrhoea, measles, menorrhea and tuberculosis (Uddin, 2006); biliousness, diarrhoea, dysentery,
painful menstruation and snakebite (Kirtikar et al., 1935); menstrual problem (Partha, 2007);
wounds (Roy et al., 2008) and cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, excessive menstrual discharges, painful
urination, seminal diseases and strangury (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is used as an

ornamental plant and sometimes
used as a vegetable.
Conservation status in the study

area: Locally common. People
plant this species around the
premises of homesteads, temples
and in the shifting cultivation
areas.
Market potential/Domestication
potential/Plantation potential/
any pharmaceutical use: It is
already domesticated.
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban © M. K. Hossain
Family: Apiaceae
Synonym: Hydrocotyle asiatica L.
Vernacular name (s): Ada Gunfuni, Brahmmakuti, Brahmabuti, Brahmokuti, Takamanik, Thankuni,
Thulkuri (Bengali); Indian Pennywort, Spade Leaf (English); Achingkra (Khumi); Gaokolibos, Ki Ching
Shi, Mrang Khua, Mrangkhuikhoa (Marma); Ada Minmini, Menmeni, Melguni, Minmini Shak, Mrangkhoa,
Mrangkhoai Bang, Mingoni, Minguni, Thankuni (Chakma); Sangsota, Shakkumu Bakla (Tripura); Thorkuri
(Mandi); Ting Thai (Murong); Dolbamon (Santal) and Maimuni Sak, Menmuni Sak (Tonchonga).
Botanical description: A perennial herb, stem creeping, rooting at the nodes with long stolons,
minutely pubescent at the young stage. Leaves simple, in clusters of 1-4, reniform, 1.0-2.5 x 1.5-6.5
cm, margin repand-crenate, glabrous. Flowers minute, white, simple umbel, peduncles 1-4 cm long.
Scizocarp sub-cylindric, ovate to orbicular.
Flowering and fruiting: March to December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in wet moist lands, damp places and fallow crop fields on the plain
and foot hills.
Distribution: This species is distributed in tropics and sub tropics. In Bangladesh, it is found
throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds, sometimes vegetative as well.
Chemical constituents: The plant shows the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, sterols, tannins and
sugars. However, it principally contains triterpenes, and triterpene glycosides, thankuniside and iso-
thankuniside, asiatic and asiaticoside, of the madecassic and madecassoside, ascorbic, thankunic,
thandunic, pectic and brahmic, isobrahmic acids. It also contains small amounts of resin, tannin,
saponins, anthraquinone glycosides, sterols, sitosterol, essential oil, fatty oil, bitter principle,
vellarine and an alkaloid, hydrocotyline. Polyacetylenes (I, II, III, IV, V) and nine other acetylenes
have been isolated from subterranean parts of the plant.
are shown below.

Digestion Leaf Dried leaf powder is mixed with honey (1:1) Marma and
and taken orally after taking food thrice a Tripura
day for a month.
Less sleep Leaf Leaf juice, mixed with water and sugar, is Marma and
taken once a day. Tripura
Cut and pain Leaf Heated leaf juice is mixed with salt and Marma and
applied over the wound area in every 3-5 Tripura
minutes.
Blood Leaf Juice is extracted by smashing leaf of this Khumi and

dysentery plant and Psidium guajava and then taken Tripura
orally 3 times a day up to cure.
Conjunctivitis Leaf Extracted leaf juice is filtered and then Khumi and
applied (3 drops) in the eye before sleep. Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, blistering, blood dysentery, body
pain, boils, bronchitis, chicken pox, dysentery, epistaxis, flatulence, indigestion, mental disorder,
nervous debility, respiratory troubles, sore in mouth and throat and stomach disorder (Uddin, 2006);
convulsive disorders, dysentery, eczema, eye troubles, itching, leprosy, syphilitic skin diseases,
ulcers, and urinary and ovarian irritation (Ghani, 1998); dog bite, jaundice and rheumatic pain
(Partha, 2007); blood dysentery (Roy et al., 2008); diarrhoea, menstrual problem, stomach pain and
stimulant (Mohiuddin et al., 2012); gastric (Uddin et al., 2006); eczema (Rahman, 2010); syphilis
and ulcer (Khisha et al., 2012) and bronchitis, convulsive disorders, dysentery, eczyma, fevers,
inflamations, insanity, leprosy, leucoderma, stomach pain, syphilitic skin diseases, ulcerations and
urinary discharges (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Leaves are edible in raw and in cooked form and are used as a memory tonic. Used in
salads and in curries and also cooked as a vegetable. Extracts of the plant are added to cosmetic
masks and creams to increase collagen and firm the skin. Its leaves are also used in the sweet
‘pennywort drink’. In Vietnam and Thailand, this leaf is used for preparing a drink.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People also plant this species by planting
around the premises of homesteads, schools and temples, which is a good mode of conservation.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It is

being sold in markets and can be cultivated in small scale. It is already cultivated commercially in
some areas for medicinal purpose.
Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson

Family: Asteraceae
Synonym (s): Eupatorium odoratum L., Eupatorium conyzoides Vahl
Vernacular name (s): Assam Lata, Assam Pata, Bara Shialmuti, Germanlata, Pishab (Bengali);
Christmas Bush, Bitter Bush, Jack in the Bush, Triffid Weed, Paraffin Weed (English); Ashumabaong,
Demera Pata, Moonjava, Oelaba Gach, Ohipanea, Oyala, Pachi, Puchi Bang, Raoai Gach, Woela Gach
(Marma); Oila (Khumi); Khelaki, Marsudoiyo Bofang, Masundai (Tripura); Yi La (Murong); Randai
(Santal); Demrapata Gach (Tonchonga) and Assam Pata, Deshmara Hargaas, Elamra (Chakma).
Botanical description: An erect or straggling

herb or undershrub, up to 2 m tall, branches
striate, sparsely pubescent. Leaves petioled,
petioles up to 2.5 cm long, lamina up to 12.0
x 6.5 cm, mostly ovate, terminal ones broadly
lanceolate, strongly 3-nerved, acuminate or
acute at the apex, cuneate-truncate at the
base, sparsely dentate with few coarse teeth,
few terminal ones subentire, pubescent on both
surfaces. Flowers bluish-white, a capitulum, in
terminal corymbs, peduncled, peduncles up to
1.5 cm long. Fruit a cypsela.
Flowering and fruiting: November to May.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the open,

dry, exposed sandy places, hill slopes, banks of
the ponds and hedges.
Distribution: A native of the West Indies,

now spread widely in South Asia and tropical
America. In Bangladesh, it is found throughout
the country. It is an alien invasive species in
Bangladesh.
Propagation and management: Propagation

is done by seeds. New shoots are also coming
from the old stems.
Chemical constituents: Aerial parts contain lupeol, β-amyrin, flavones, salvigenin, flavonoids,
kaempferide, tamarixetin, sakuranetin, iso-sakuranetin, acacetin and chalcones, odoratin, sinensetin
and trihydric alcohol, ceryl alcohol, anisic acid, sterols, odoratin and other chalcones. Ceryl alcohol,
α-, β- and γ-sitosterol have also been isolated from leaves.
are shown below.

Cut and Young leaf Leaf paste is used over the cut or Khumi, Marma
wounds wounded area. and Tripura
The species is also used in the treatment of bleeding, fever, flatulence, gastric ulcer, general
weakness, painful micturation and poisonous insect sting (Uddin, 2006); bronchitis in children,
colds, coughs, diabetes, fever, influenza and stop bleeding from cuts and wounds (Ghani, 1998);
cut bleeding, headache, rheumatism, stimulant and tonsilitis (Mohiuddin et al., 2012); fever,
headache, relieve pain and stop bleeding from cut and wounds (Srivatava and Adi community,
2009); boils and wounds (Rahman, 2010, Roy et al., 2008); healing cut injury (Uddin et al., 2006)
and bronchitis in children, colds, cough, cut and wounds, diabetes, dysentery, fever and influenza
(Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The plant is considered as fish poison. Plant biomass adds nutrients in the growing sites.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forest and fallow lands. No
conservation measure taken by the local people to conserve this species as the species is becoming
vigorous weed in some areas.

© Internet
Cissus repens Lamk.

Family: Vitaceae
Synonym (s): Vitis repens (Lamk.) Wight &

Arn., Cissus cordata Roxb.
Vernacular name (s): Marmaria Pata,

Chhoto Marmaria Lata (Bengali);
Waronkoi, Rimi Owa Rih, Owa Rong Si
(Marma); Praw Ma (Murang); Arori (Khumi)
and Mukhoipape (Tripura).
Botanical description: A large glabrous herbaceous climber with quadrangular stem. Stem thickly
fleshy with white rusts. Tendrils leaf-opposed, simple or forked. Leaves simple, membranous, ovate,
cordate, acute to acuminate, 5-12 x 3-7 cm, faintly crenate-serrate at the margin, basal nerves 4
pairs, petioles up to 12 cm long, stipules about 4 mm long. Flowers greenish-red in leaf-opposed
cymes in corymbose panicle, peduncles up to 4 mm long. Fruit a berry, purplish-black when ripe,
1-seeded. Seeds globose.
Flowering and fruiting: June to December.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the hill forests of rainy areas.
Distribution: India, western Peninsula and Indonesia. In Bangladesh, it occurs in the hill forests of
Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar.
Propagation and management: Propagation through seeds and root stocks.
are shown below.

Jaundice Young shoot Young tender shoot is used to make Khumi, Marma
soup with hill crab. and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of body pain, boils, bruise, epilepsy, fever, food poisoning,
general weakness, goiter, gout, impotence, jaundice, liver cancer, paratyphoid, rheumatism,
tuberculosis and vertigo (Uddin, 2006) and boils, foetid ulceration and sloughing (Yusuf et al.,
2009).
Other uses: The roots and tender shoots are

used as vegetables. Root paste and juice are
given in dog bites.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally

common and mostly found near streams. There
is no concrete conservation measure taken to
conserve this species but few people plant this
species around their homesteads.
Market potential/Domestication potential/

It has good domestication potential as food and
medicinal plant.
Clausena suffruticosa (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.

Family: Rutaceae
Synonym: Amyris suffruticosa Roxb.
Vernacular name (s): Kalomaricha (Bengali); Changara Marich, Changra Morich Gach (Chakma);
Sagrauchong (Marma); Sangtakkhing (Tripura) and Ouichiking (Khumi).
Botanical description: An under shrub

with simple stem, 30-40 cm tall, all
the younger parts softly pubescent.
Leaves imparipinnate, 30-40 cm
long, 11-17 foliolate, leaflets 2-4 x
1-2 cm, lower ones sub-opposite,
ovate, equal-sided, margin entire,
upper ones alternate, ovate-oblong
to rhomboid-elliptic, unequal-sided,
sometimes acute, sometimes blunt
at the tip, densely soft pubescent
when young, glabrescent when older.
Flowers small, greenish-white, on
slender simple, axillary panicles. Fruit
oblong or fusiform berry, 0.8-1.0 x 2.5
cm, drooping, glandular, bright orange
when ripe, succulent, 1-seeded.

Flowering and fruiting: March to June.
Ecological adaptation: It grows as undergrowth in tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India, Myanmar and China. In Bangladesh, it is found in the forests of Sylhet, Maulvibazar,
Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar.
are shown below.

To gain sense Whole plant Powder of the dried whole plant is Khumi and
mixed with water, and that is sprayed Marma
over the face to get sense.
High fever of Root Juice, extracted by rubbing in stone, Khumi and

child is sponged by cotton and applied over Marma
the forehead.
Stomachache Root Rice water mixed with root juice is Khumi and
taken orally thrice a day up to cure. Marma
This plant is also used for the treatment of flatulence and rheumatism (Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: It is used as firewood.
Conservation status: Locally common. People do not take any intitative to conserve this species.


Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Kuntze

Family: Verbenaceae
Synonym (s): Siphonanthus indica L., Clerodendron siphonanthus R. Br., Clerodendrum

verticillatum D. Don
Vernacular name (s): Bamunhatti, Bonchat, Chokphutra, Ekdaria Gach (Bengali); Indian Tube
Flower, Indian Glory Bower, Bead Flower, Turk’s Head, Turk’s Turbin (English); Bheg Gach,
Erepaidu, Noligach, Nuli Gach (Chakma); Bamush Gach (Garo) and Bormayaja Gach, Erebaing,
Nalibaong, Naraipai, Sibrecha Gach, Taratoba, Thoipo (Marma).
Botanical description: An annual shrub,

reaching up to 3 m tall with fluted hollow
stem, branches channeled. Stem obtusely
4-angled, bark ashy-grey, smooth and shining.
Leaves simple, sessile, in whorls of 3-6, 10-
28 x 1.2-4.0 cm, narrowly lanceolate or
oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, membranous,
verticillate, glabrous on both surfaces, entire
or serrate with recurved margin. Flowers
white to creamy-white, 10-12.5 cm long,
leafy panicles, consisting of verticillate,
few-flowered cymes. Fruit a drupe, purple,
become bluish-black, enclosed partly by the
enlarged calyx.
Flowering and fruiting: April to October.
Ecological adaptation: It normally grows in

fallow and waste lands, along railway tracts,
roadsides and village thickets. Also grows in the
© Bobby Hattaway forest openings.
Distribution: India, Nepal and Myanmar extending to Malaya, Indo-China, north to south China and
Java, naturalized in Madagascar, Indonesia, and West Indies to the New Guinea. In Bangladesh, it
occurs in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Rangpur and Tangail districts.
Propagation and management: Propagation is naturally by stolon and by seeds.
Chemical constituents: Leaves contain flavonoids, scutellarein, hispidulin and their 7-O-glucuronides
and also sterol. Stems contain resin, cholesterol and β-sitosterol. Flowers contain β-sitosterol,
hydroquinone, uncinatone and flavonespectolinarigenin and cirsimaritin. Bark contains D-mannitol
and sorbitol. The flavonoid ectolinarigenin has also been isolated from the root bark.
are shown below.

Fever and Leaf and root Roots and leaves are pasted separate- Khumi, Marma
cough ly and then taken with honey twice a and Tripura
day for 3 days.
Rheumatic Leaf and root Leaves and root extracts are taken Khumi, Marma
pain directly thrice a day for 5-7 days. and Tripura
The species is also used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, cold fever, epilepsy, febric convulsion,
gastric tumor, haematuria, hysteria, impotence, lipoma (tumor), nasal polyps, painful micturation,
piles and rheumatism (Uddin, 2006); asthma, cough, rheumatism and scrofulous affections (Ghani,
2003); stop bleeding (Roy et al., 2008); asthma (Pal and Jain, 1998); pemphigus and skin diseases like
hepatic eruptions (Kanjilal et al., 1939) and asthma, atrophy, blindness, bronchitis, consumption,
cough, fever and rheumatism (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Often cultivated in the gardens as ornamental plant. Sometimes leaves are eaten as
vegetables. Resin of this plant is used as insect repellant in preserving cloths in Sri Lanka and
India. Some ethnic people of India use the seed paste for the treatment of septic wound of cattle.
The Munda ethnic people in India use the stem decoction with black pepper in the ratio 3:2 as an
antidote to snake bite.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. People plant this species within the
premises of their houses, temples and schools, which is a good mode of conservation. Needs in-situ
and ex-situ conservation.

potential for domestication as an ornamental plant.
Clerodendrum viscosum Vent.

Family: Verbenaceae
Synonym (s): Clerodendrum infortunatum Lour., Clerodendrum viscosum Pers., Clerodendrum
cordatum D. Don, Clerodendrum pubescens Wall. ex Walp., Volkameria infortunata Roxb.
Vernacular name (s) : Bhant, Ghetuphul, Ghetu (Bengali); Bake Pata, Beeg Gach, Bheg Gach,
Rening, Veg (Chakma); Bhat Gach, Bhat Phut, Khongkhabang, Khopa Che, Khumejaie, Khun
Kha Baong, Tira Bai Shak, Vegach (Marma); Bhat Gach, Khu Ung Kha, Thali Mofokma Bofang
(Tripura); Baita Gach (Garo); Samakshi, Samlhu Khuku Phang (Mandi); Haronga (Khumi) and
Khakoh (Tripura).
Botanical description: An undershrub or shrub, often gregarious, forming dense thicket, branches
obscurely tetragonal, channeled, covered with densely yellowish-brown appressed tomentose.
Leaves simple, decussate-opposite, 10-25 x 7.5-20 cm, ovate, acute-acuminate, rounded or cordate
at the base, more or less covered with rough hairs with small round glands on the lower surface,
margin denticulate or serrate, rarely entire, petioles 2.5-10.0 cm long, densely pubescent. Flowers
white, tinted with red to purplish-red, pleasantly scented, inflorescence terminal, trichotomous,
pyramid-shaped panicle, 20 cm long, peduncles 1-6 cm long, red or purplish-red, panicle branches
ended by 3 flowers. Fruit a drupe, globular, 8 mm across, at first green, become bluish-black when
mature, shining, enclosed by the enlarged fleshy red calyx.
Flowering and fruiting: January to July.
Ecological adaptation: It normally grows in the fallow lands, along roadsides, village thickets, slope
or bank of ponds, sometimes on cultivated field margin and also along railway tracts.
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Philippines. In Bangladesh, it
occurs throughout the country, often abundant as an undergrowth of Sal forests and village thickets.
Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds and old rootstocks.
Chemical constituents: The plant contains saponin, flavonoids, alkaloids, a new glycoside,
clerodendroside, lupeol, benzoic acid derivaties and β-sitosterol. The plant also contains clerosterol,
clerodolone, clerodone. Leaves contain protein, free reducing sugar, a bitter principle, clerodin, a
sterol, oleic, stearic and lignoceric acids, tannin, glucuronide and gallic acid. Roots contain lupeol
and β-sitosterol, the antifungul flavonoids, cabruvin and quercetin. The seeds contain fatty oil, in
which the major fatty acids are palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. Clerodin and hentriacontane have
been isolated from flowers.
are shown below.

Contiguous Whole plant Bath with plant and root boiled water. Khumi and
disease/itching and root Marma
Abdominal pain Leaf Leaf juice is taken thrice a day for 3-5 Tripura
of children days.
Lice in hair Leaf Hair washes with leaf boiled water. Khumi
The species is also used in the treatment of anaemia, cluster headache, diabetes, diarrhoea, fever,
food poisoning, gallstone, gastric ulcer, general weakness, gout, headache, impotence, indigestion,
itching, jaundice, malaria, obstructive labor, osteoarthritis, paralysis, piles, rheumatism (gout),
scabies, stomachache, tuberculosis and vaginitis (Uddin, 2006); chest pain and cough (Kirtikar et al.,
1935); insect bites, skin diseases, scorpion sting and tumor (Ghani, 2003); asthma, cough, malarial
fever and snake bite (Chopra et al., 1956); skin diseases (Moldenke and Moldenke, 1983); ascaris and
liver pain (Partha and Hossain, 2007); diabetes and sores (Roy et al., 2008); abdominal pain, dental
caries, pain, roundworms with indigestion and vomiting (Rahman et al., 2007); fever and healing
cut injury (Uddin et al., 2006) and asthma, chest complaint, cough, impotency, jaundice, malaria,
scabies, skin diseases and tumors (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Villagers of Bangladesh use the dry plant as fuel for cooking. Young leaves are eaten in
Thailand. Young twig is used in preparation of fermenting medium ‘Chumanti’ for traditional liquor
‘Chu’ by the Mandi people of Sherpur and Tangail district.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People do not take any measure to conserve
this species.

domesticated as an ornamental plant.
Clerodendrum wallichii Merr.

Family: Verbenaceae
Synonym: Clerodendron nutans Wall., Volkameria pendula Wall. ex Moldenke
Vernacular name (s): Dieng Julkah (Bengali); Fire Bush, Nodding Tube Flower, Wallich’s Glory Bower
(English); Gach Nirbis, Keyamusi (Chakma); Singena Mahagi, Tara Tobah, Tara Toba Gach, Tara Toba,
Teratebathoipow (Marma); Tarana Topa (Murong); Terateba (Khumi and Tripura).
shrub, up to 3.5 m high with
reddish-brown bark, branches
quadrangular, glabrous.
Leaves simple, opposite, 15-
20 x 1.5-5.0 cm, obovate-
oblong or oblanceolate or
elliptic-oblong, acuminate,
membranous, entire or
distantly toothed on the
margin, glabrous, petioles 1-2
cm long, channeled above.
Flowers white, pedicellate,
pedicels 2 cm long, slender,
with 2 minute bracts at the
base and 2 bracteoles at the
middle of pedicels. Fruit a
drupe, globose, 1.0-1.5 cm
across, smooth, shining,
seated on the enlarged calyx.
Flowering and fruiting: May to

November.
Ecological adaptation: It grows © D. Simpson

in moist and shady places.
Distribution: Native in Himalayan India, distributed in Pakistan, Bhutan, extending to the Malay
Peninsula, Indo-China, southern China, Nicobar Island; naturalized in some parts of West Indies and
Venezuela. In Bangladesh, it is found in Sylhet, Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seed and stem cuttings.

are shown below.

Dysentery Root Juice, extracted by rubbing root in Khumi, Marma
stone, is taken thrice a day until cure. and Tripura
Fever and skin Young leaf Bath with leaf-boiled water. Khumi, Marma
allergy and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, asthma, body pain, cirrhosis, diarrhoea,
duodenal ulcer, dysentery, flatulence, food poisoning, gynecological disease, gallostone,
haemorrhoids, high fever, measles and piles (Uddin, 2006) and tumor (Mohiuddin et al., 2012).
Other uses: It can be planted as an ornamental plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Not common. People plant this species around the premises
of homesteads, which is a good mode of conservation. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures
are suggested.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It is a

potential plant for cultivation in gardens and pots.
Combretum ternatum (Wall. ex Clarke) O. Lecompte

Family: Combretaceae
Synonym: Combretum chinense Roxb. var. ternatum C. B. Clarke
Vernacular name (s): Kyawnglongbai (Marma); Tancachupa (Khumi) and Mali (Tripura).

Botanical description: A large scandent shrub or woody climber, branchlets sparsely dotted with
minute scales. Leaves coriaceous or subcoriaceous, opposite and ternate, obovate, obovate-oblong,
elliptic, elliptic-oblong, 6-15 x 3-9 cm, apex shortly blunt-acuminate, apiculate, sometimes retuse
or rounded, base attenuate or cuneate, margin entire, veins 6-9 pairs, indumentum with minute
scales above, glabrous, sometimes pubescent beneath. Flowers white or yellowish, terminal or
axillary, panicled, simple, spikes at the axils of the leaves, up to 10 cm long. Fruits red, 2.3
-3.5 cm long, and nearly as broad, broadly oblong or suborbicular in outline, 4 winged, flexible,
chartaceous, glabrous.
Flowering and fruiting: August to February.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. In Bangladesh, it occurs in the hill forests of
Sylhet, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
are shown below.

Gastric Leaf Leaf infusion, extracted by boiling, is Khumi, Marma
taken orally twice a day for a week. and Tripura
Cut Leaf Leaf paste is applied over the Khumi, Marma

wounded area. and Tripura
Other uses: It is planted in front of houses as ornamental plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. People plant this species around their
houses, which is a good mode of conservation.


Commelina diffusa Burm. f.

Family: Commelinaceae
Synonym (s): Commelina nudiflora L., Commelina longicaulis Jacq.
Vernacular name (s): Kanainala, Manaina (Bengali); Climbing Day Flower, Creeping Day
Flower, Birdbill Day Flower, Spreading Day Flower (English); Kanaiya Aga, Wakrewakrai
(Marma); Andeochi, Batbatta Shak (Khumi); Moikhnai (Tripura) and Batbatto, Bat Boitta
Shak (Chakma).
Botanical description: An annual herb, diffusely branched, stem creeping or sub-scandent, up to

40 cm long or more, rooting at the nodes. Leaves simple, alternate, 2.5-6.0 x 1.0-2.5 cm, oblong-
lanceolate, acuminate, sheaths prominent, surrounding the stem, glabrous, ciliate on free margins.
Flowers blue in leaf opposed 2-fid cymes emerging from a spathaceous bract, spathes 2-3 cm long,
margin sometimes connate at the base, peduncle 1.0-1.5 cm long. Fruit a capsule, 5-6 mm long,
3-celled, two anterior loculicidal, the posterior keeled. Seeds 2-3 mm long, cylindric, black, more
or less rounded at both ends.
Flowering and fruiting: December to January.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in moist clay to sandy soils along water edge, sandy alluvial
riverbanks, swamps and grasslands. This species also occurs as a weed in cultivated fields, forests,
thickets, stream sides, humid open places.
Distribution: The species is distributed in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Singapore,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Korea, Taiwan, New Caledonia, Guyana
and South Africa. In Bangladesh, it occurs throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds and stem cuttings.
Chemical constituents: The main components of C. diffusa are ash, crude protein, neutral detergent
fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose. Protein content of this
species is higher compared to many tropical grasses and crop residues.
are shown below.

Taste disorder Young leaf Boiled tender leaves are taken as an Khumi, Marma
appetiser. and Tripura
This species is also used in the treatment of anaemia, boils, carbuncle and hordeolum (Uddin, 2006)
and boils, burns, cold, gonorrhoea, itches, leucorrhoea, sores, swellings, ulcer and urinary burning
(Ghani, 1998, Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Young leaves are cooked as vegetable in many parts of Bangladesh. In China, it is used
as a medicinal herb with febrifugal and diuretic effects.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found along the streams. There is no concrete
measure taken to conserve this species by the local people.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Though

there is no market potential but it could be domesticated as a food plant.
Costus speciosus (Koenig ex Retz.) Smith

Family: Costaceae
Synonym: Banksia speciosa Koenig ex Retz.
Vernacular name (s): Banduki, Kemak, Keumul, Keu, Khustha, Kura, Tara, Tia Tot (Bengali);
Spiral Ginger (English); Cry Tong Mui, Khayathu Moi, Kiloni Gach, Koingdo Pang, Kraingtomboi,
Prayan Chondu, Premdaba (Marma); Chitomboi (Khumi); Kagori Gaith, Maina MaraIdar Dach,
Mynomakotmai, Pekhum (Tripura); Pino Tiyen Tone (Bawm); Oal Sup (Murong); Madagong
Lak, Moth Gangath (Garo) and Fala Chingey, Hodogi, Ketoki, Khedogi, Ma Laksmi Ma,
Malikkama Ludi, Praing Daing Muk, Predemoho, Shunno Hedogi (Chakma).
Botanical description: An erect rhizomatous herb up to 3 m tall, usually unbranched, very rarely
with 2 or 3 axillary branches when terminal buds are dried or damaged, stem sub-woody at the
base, spirally twisted. Leaves 5-30 x 3.5-10.0 cm, sub-sessile, coriaceous, glabrous above and silky-
pubescent beneath, elliptic, oblong or elliptic-oblong, acuminate, often mucronate. Flowers white
in berry dense red spike, bracts brownish-red or bright-red. Fruit a capsule, 1.5-2.3 cm long, sub-
globose to ovoid, 3-gonous, red, crowned with the persistent calyx. Seeds 3-5 mm long, black with
white aril.
Flowering and fruiting: September to December.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the village shrubberies, homesteads, roadsides, margins of

forests and shady areas.
Distribution: Indo-Malaysia to Papua New Guinea and Australia. In Bangladesh, it grows naturally
almost in all districts.
Propagation and management: Propagated by seeds and rhizomes.
Chemical constituents: Rhizomes contain saponins (saponin A, B, C), diosgenin and tigogenin,
β-sitosterol glucoside, essential oil and Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Diosgenin and tigogenin are
also present in the stem and root. Roots contain aliphatic hydroxyketone and 5-α-stigmastenol.
Seeds contain diosgenin as the minor genin (2.4% dry weight). Leaves contain α-amyrin stearate,
β-amyrin and lupeol palmitates.
are shown below.

Ear disease/ Whole plant Extracted juice is used in the ear Khumi, Marma
ear pain twice a day for 2-3 days. and Tripura
This plant is also used in the treatment of catarrhal fevers, coughs, dyspepsia, skin diseases, snake
bites, urinary problem and worms (Ghani, 2003); food poisoning, gout, indigestion, jaundice,
osteoarthritis, otitis, paralysis, rabies, rheumatism, seminal emission, spermatorrhoea and
stomachache (Uddin, 2006); constipation, dog bites and stop bleeding from nose and mouth,
(Rahman et al., 2007); diabetes and high fever (Mohiuddin et al., 2012); stop bleeding (Khisha
et al., 2012) and catarrhal fever, cough, digestive troubles, dysentery, dyspepsia, earache, eye
inflammation, worms, menstrual disorder, skin diseases, snake bite and urinary inflamaiton (Yusuf
et al., 2009).
Other uses: The fresh tender stem of this plant is eaten as vegetable.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forest areas. People, especially the
Bhuddhist monks, conserve this species by planting within the temple premises.

domesticated as a food plant.
Crotalaria pallida Ait.

Family: Fabaceae
Synonym (s): Crotalaria saltiana auct. non

Andr., Crotalaria striata DC.
Vernacular name (s): Jhunjhuna, Jhun Jhuni

(Bengali); Baroparoma, Huduk Jhunjhuni,
Khudugo Jhunjhuni, Khudug Jhunjhuni, Kuduk
Jhunjhuni, Shon Phul (Chakma); Cholloi, Rati
Aapa, Tha Sin Nora Si, Tha Sim Noi (Marma);
Chowly, Pawai Bofang (Tripura); Acha Akling
Rui (Khumi); Easy Gaas (Tonchonga) and Roa
Bay (Murong).
Botanical description: An erect annual herb,

up to 2 m tall, young branches angular, sulcate,
appressed pubescent. Leaves 3-foliolate, leaflets
membranous, elliptic to elliptic-obovate, 3-8 x
2-4 cm, apex rounded or retuse, base cuneate,
petioles 3-4 cm long. Flowers yellow on terminal
and often leaf-opposed, elongate, lax, 15-30
cm long racemes. Fruit a pod, shortly stipitate,
subcylindrical, 3-4 x 0.4-0.6 cm, glabrecent
when mature, 20-30 seeded.
Flowering and fruiting: May to December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows along the roads

and in cultivated ground, also in the openings of
deciduous and evergreen forests.
Distribution: Pan tropical. In Bangladesh,

the species commonly occurs throughout the
country.

through seeds.
Chemical constituents: Seeds contain

alkaloids, mucronatine, usaramine, nilgirine,
mucronatinine and crotastriatine. Luteolin,
vitexin, its O-xyloside and chrysoeriol-7-
rutinoside have also been isolated from leaves
and stem bark.
are shown below.

To avoid Root Root is tied with the naval of the Khumi, Marma
conceiveness female during sex. and Tripura
This plant is also used for the treatment of anaemia, boils, cold cough, facial paralysis, flatulence,
gout, indigestion, irregular menstruation, paralysis, piles, prostate enlargement, skin diseases and
tuberculosis (Uddin, 2006); menstrual and urinary problem of female and vocal problem (Mohiuddin
et al., 2012); rheumatism (Khisha et al., 2012, Rahman et al., 2007); stomachache and indigestion
(Yusuf et al., 2009) and stomach pain and urination problem (Roy et al., 2008).
Other uses: The seeds are sometimes used as a substitute for coffee. It has been tried as a cover
crop in tea, rubber and coconut plantations. It yields a fibre similar to sunn hemp (Yusuf, 2009).
Conservation status: Locally common. People do not take any intitative to conserve this species.

tried as a cover crop.
Croton bonplandianus Baill.

Synonym: Croton sparsiflorus Morong
Vernacular name (s): Bondhone (Bengali);

Bonplant’s Croton, Three Leaved Caper
(English); Pai Hiya, Painujaw (Marma); Leunke
(Khumi); Khubambam (Tripura) and Nakphul
Gach (Chakma).
Botanical description: A much branched woody herb, 20-50 cm tall, branches moderately stellate-
hairy to sub-glabrous. Leaves alternate or sub-opposite, petiolate, petiole 2-6 mm long, slender,
sparsely to densely stellate-hairy, leaf blade narrowly ovate-lanceolate, 1.2-4.0 x 0.3-1.5 cm, acute at
the apex, cuneate at the base, minutely serrate, subglabrous above, sparsely stellate-hairy beneath,
3-veined at the base with 2-4 pairs of lateral veins above, 2 small glands 0.4 mm in diameter at the
base of lamina beneath. Inflorescence terminal, 5-9 cm long. Male flowers: pedicellate, pedicels 0.5-
1.5 mm long. Female flowers: present at the base of the inflorescence, pedicels 1 mm long. Fruit a
capsule, 0.5 x 0.4 cm, oblong-ellipsoid, shallowly 3-lobed, pale brown, sparsely stellate-hairy. Seeds
3.5 x 2.0 mm, ellipsoid, grey.
© M. K. Hossain
Flowering and fruiting: April to September.
Ecological adaptation: It prefers to grow in dry and sandy exposed areas.
Distribution: Tropical and subtropical region of the world. This is a native plant of America. In
Bangladesh, this species is found throughout the country.
Chemical constituents: Plant and leaves contain alkaloids, sparsiflorine, crotoflorine,

crotsparine, crotsparinine, proaprophine, isoquinoline dienone, N-methylcrotsparine and
N-methylcrotsparinine. Leaves and stem contains β-sitosterol and taraxerol, vomifoliol, ursolic
acid and tetrahydroglazievine. Leaves also contain rutin. Seeds contain phorbol diersters, phorbol
trimesters, cocarcinogen; alkaloid, 3-OMe-4, 6-di-OH-morphinandien-7-one and norshinoacutine.
The roots in addition to β-sitosterol contain phelonic quinonoid alkaloid norshinoacutine and
3-methoxy-4, 6-dihydroxy morphinan-dien-7-one. An unusul finding of this species is the hyper
accumulation of copper in it.
are shown below.

Gastric Root Root juice extracted by rubbing in Khumi and
stone is taken once a day for a week. Marma
Abdominal pain Leaf Leaf juice extracted by smashing is Tripura

of children taken orally once a day for 2-3 days.
The plant is also used in the treatment of ringworm (Uddin, 2006) and cough, cuts and wounds,
eczema and ringworm (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The plant is used as an antiseptic.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found everywhere. People do not take any
measure to conserve this species.

Curcuma longa L.
Synonym(s): Amomum curcuma Jacq.,

Curcuma domestica Valet., Kua domestica
Medic., Stissera curcuma Giseke
Vernacular name (s): Halud, Haldi (Bengali);

Turmaric (English); Halud, Holod, Jedalud,
Kacha Halud, Kagi Alud, Kehefang, Lamang
(Chakma); Chi Tulung, Chith Nu, Nanhuo,
Ranjan (Marma); Poung Nonu Nonu (Rakhain);
Ijir Gach (Tonchonga); Saloi, Sotowi, Sudai
(Tripura); Pado (Santal) and Amchi (Khumi).
© Internet
Botanical description: Leafy rhizomatous

herb, rhizome orange-yellow inside, strongly
aromatic. Leaf tuft, 1 m or more. Leaves 5-7,
suberect, base sheath green, petioles 15-24
cm long, green, lamina oblong-lanceolate or
elliptic-lanceolate, caudate, 30-84 x 10-25 cm.
Flowers slightly exserted from the bracts, 10-
© Internet
20 long spike.
Flowering and Fruiting: Flowering during August to October. Fruits are normally not found.
Ecological adaptation: It grows on highlands both in partial shade and in open sun.
Distribution: Cultivated throughout the tropics. In Bangladesh, the plant is cultivated throughout
the country.
Propagation and management: Propagated through rhizomes.
Chemical constituents: Rhizome contains curcumin (0.3-5.4%), an essential oil composed mainly
of turmerone, atlantone, zingiberone and other sesquiterpenes and sugars. It also contains
hydroxycinnamic, hydroxybenzoic acids, oleoresin, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol,
cholesterol and fatty acids. The oil contains phellandrene, cineol, borneol, zingiberene and
sesquiterpenes. More than 20 compounds have been identified in the leaf oil, of which α-phellandrene,
1, 8-cineole, p-cymene and β-pinene are the major ones. The rhizome oil also contains most of these
constituents and also car-3-ene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene and terpinolene.
are shown below.

High fever Rhizome Dried rhizome is powdered and mixed Khumi, Marma
with kerosene oil which is massaged in and Tripura
the hand and feet.
Delivery problem/ Rhizome Rhizome paste is applied over the Khumi, Marma
late delivery whole body once a day for a week. and Tripura
Stomachache Rhizome A mixture is prepared with the rhizome Khumi, Marma

paste, lime and ash, which is taken and Tripura
orally thrice a day during pain.
Cough Rhizome Extracted juice is mixed with salt, and Khumi, Marma
then heated by dipping heated iron and Tripura
which is taken once a day up to cure.
This plant is also used for the treatment of anal blister, bone dislocation, bone fracture, cough,
eczema, fever, flatulance, gonorrhoea, gout, headache, hook worm infestation, leismoniasis (black
fever), leucoderma, opthalmia, poisoning effects, scabies, septic sore, swooning, tuberculosis
and ureterolithiasis (Uddin, 2006); absces, asthama, blood disorder, boils, eczyma, eye diseases,
gonorrhoea, parasitc skin diseases, ringworm infection, scabies and urinary diseases (Ghani, 1998);
blood purifier (Roy et al., 2008); rheumatism (Khisha et al., 2012); diarrhoea (Uddin et al., 2006) and
abscess, affections of liver, asthma, biliousness, blood disorder, boils, bruises, cold, conjuctivities,
cough, cut and wounds, diabetis, dyspepsia, dysentery, eczyma, eye diseases, fever, gonorrhoea,
itches, inflamations, intestinal worms, jaundice, leucoderma, ozoena, pains, respiratory problem,
ringworm, scabies, sprains, stomachache and urinary diseases (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Dried rhizomes are used as spice

and for dying fabrics. Inflorescence is used as
curry.
Conservation status: Locally common. People

do not take any initiative to conserve this
species.

A cultivated spice plant that has a potential
market value.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume

Family: Amaranthaceae
Synonym (s): Achyranthes prostrata L., Cyathula geniculata (non Lour.) Miq., Desmochaeta prostrate
(L.) DC., Pupalia prostrate (L.) Mart.
Vernacular name(s): Uphutlengra (Bengali); Pasture Weed (English); Asumahi Chaisa Gach, Chralong,
Khimadak, Nairang, Saing Dacrilung, Ungbayoo Gach (Marma); Aring Nola Kher, Aurikurinolakher,
Bang Nala Kher, Bisalley Koroni, Gach Arsanga, Haruanludi, Huruan Ludi, Nomirang, Uphutlengra
(Chakma); Chakka, Chachuk Chauma Gach (Tripura) and Achaprue (Khumi).
Botanical description: A slender annual herb,

often gregarious, prostrate to ascending or
erect, rooting at the base, 20-45 cm long. The
stem and branches are obtusely quadrangular
to sub-terete, striate or sulcate, thickened
above the nodes; subglabrous to more or
less densely pilose, especially the lower
internodes. Leaves opposite, 1.5-5.5 x1.0-3.5
cm, mostly rhomboid to rhomboid-obovate,
sometimes rhomboid-elliptic to shortly oval
from a shortly cuneate to cuneate-attenuate
base. Flowers small, sessile densely clustered
in terminal spikes. Fruit an ovoid, membranous
utricle, enclosed in the perianth surmounted
by the remains of the style. Seeds ovoid-
oblong, shinning brown.
Flowering and fruiting: September to

November.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in shaded

localities, roadsides, forest borders and dry
grassy places.
Distribution: Tropical Asia, Africa to China and

Australia, introduced in Central America and
Malaysia. In Bangladesh, it is found in south
western and eastern parts of the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is

done by seeds.
are shown below.
Headache Root Root paste is applied over forehead. Marma

Sore Leaf or Paste of leaf or shoot is applied over Khumi and
young shoot the sore. Tripura
This plant is also used in the treatment of body pain, cardiac weakness, dysmenorrhoea, epilepsy,
febric convulsion, gout, hysteria, oedema, painful micturation, paralysis, pneumonia, poisoning
effect, remitting fever and rheumatism (Uddin, 2006); cholera, cough, dysentery and intestinal
worms (Kirtikar et al., 1935) and headache and urinary calculi (Yusuf et al., 2006).
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common and no conservation measure is taken to

Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb.

Family: Fabaceae
Synonym: Dalbergia ferruginea Roxb.
Vernacular name(s): Dadbari (Bengali); Nuwhrei (Marma); Koroi Ludi (Chakma); Dulela (Tripura)
and Youngyonking (Khumi).
Botanical description: A woody climber or erect shrub, branches glabrous or at first finely grey-
downy. Leaf imparipinnate, alternate, stipulate, 11-20 cm long, leaflets 17-23, elliptic-oblong, 2.0-
4.5 x 0.8-1.7 cm, alternate to opposite, entire, obtuse at the apex, rounded to cuneate at the
base. Flowers pale blue in axillary 6-8 cm long panicles, rarely puberulous. Fruits mostly 1-seeded,
sometimes 2-seeded pod. Seeds reniform, compressed.
Flowering and fruiting: January to March.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in mixed deciduous and evergreen rain forests.
Distribution: India, Eastern Himalaya, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Vietnam and China. In Bangladesh,
it occurs in the hill forests of Sylhet, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
are shown below.
Sore and Fruit and Fruit and leaf is used to make paste, and Khumi, Marma
wounds leaf that is used over the affected area. and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of gallstone (Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: The wood used as fuel wood and for making agricultural implements and tool handle.
Bark and root have been reported as fish poison (Chopra et al., 1956).
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common and mostly found in the forests. There is
no concrete measure taken to conserve this species but few people plant this species around their
homesteads.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Not

much potential from economic point of view.
Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC. subsp. auriculatum

(DC.) Prain
Family: Fabaceae
Synonym (s): Desmodium auriculatum DC., Pteroloma auriculatum (DC.) Desv. ex DC., Tadehagi
auriculatum (L.).
Vernacular name (s): Bugaindara Kingmiriye, Laushri Royab, Pawlogy, Pha Loy Joy (Marma);
Blongmykongda (Tripura); Chiakiniacha (Khumi) and Chaing Laing Fang, Fah Lai Jaing, Homor Sing
Harsanga, Juri Mandakher, Juri Manda, Komorsina, Kijing Siney Pata, Kising Sina Gach, Luri Madaher
Arsanga, Luri Madaher Gach, Rulimatakheri, Luri Mathakher (Chakma).
Botanical description: An erect shrub, up

to 2 m tall, branchlets sparsely puberulous.
Leaves 1-foliolate, stipulate, stipules early
caducous; leaflets simple, 2.5-7.0 x 1.0-3.5
cm, oblong, elliptic, acute to mucronate at
the apex, rounded to subcordate at the base,
entire, glabrous, dark green above, pale
beneath, petioles 7-8 mm long, pulvinate,
winged, wings 6-7 x 1-2 mm, oblong. Flowers
reddish purple with blue tings, terminal,
slender racemes. Fruit a pod, stalked,
2-seeded, jointed between the seeds, 2.8-
3.5 cm long, with a long, curved, acicular
prolongation at the apex, each segment 1.3-
1.6 cm long and 0.9-1.0 cm broad, puberulous,
finely reticulate.
Flowering and fruiting: November to May.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in open hill

slopes, up to 1000 m altitude.
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Malaysia.

In Bangladesh, it occurs throughout the
country.

through seeds.

© IUCN Bangladesh
are shown below.

Asthma and Root Juice prepared by squeezing roots is Khumi and
jaundice mixed with cold water, which is taken Marma
twice a day for a week.
Weakness Root Root is used with tea. Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of bone fracture, colic, febric convulsion, gastric tumor,
gingivitis, paralysis, piles, puerperal sickness and tuberculosis (Uddin, 2006); epilepsy and hysteria
(Rahman et al., 2007; Khisha et al., 2012); impotency and leucorrhoea (Yusuf et al., 2007) and
paralysis (Roy et al., 2008).
Other uses: Leaves are used as a substitute of tea.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. There is no conservation measure taken by
the local community.

not such potential.
Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw.

Family: Athyriaceae
Synonym: Hemionitis esculentum Retz.
Vernacular name (s): Dhekia, Dhekia Shak (Bengali);

Edible Fern (English); Dheki Shak, Mrang Khowa (Chakma);
Gain Dhagah, Gaing Dok, Graigadow, Genggadak Bang
(Marma); Angskay (Khumi); Moikhondoi (Tripura) and
Dengi Sak (Tonchonga).
Botanical description: A rhizomatous, terrestrial fern,

rhizome sub-arborescent, widely creeping, branched
but with erect, densely scaly apex, scales dark brown.
Stipe 10-45 cm long, strong, erect, tufted, pale, slightly
scaly, and more or less 4-angled, grooved. Fronds are
in a crown, up to 60-150 cm long including the stipe.
Lamina is 40-95 x 18-25 cm, occasionally simply pinnate
only with the pinnae 13-22 x 4-11 cm, alternate, rather
distant, secondary pinnae or pinnules are 3.0-60 x 0.6-
0.9 cm, alternate, subsessile, apex is obtuse-acuminate,
the edge is more or less deeply lobed, base is narrowed
suddenly.
© Internet
© IUCN Bangladesh
Ecological adaptation: It grows in moist shady places.
Distribution: This species is widely distributed in India, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and
New Guinea. In Bangladesh, it is found in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar, Rajshahi,
Rangpur and Sylhet.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by rhizome and spore.
are shown below.

Food poisoning Leaf Leaf decoction is taken thrice a day Khumi, Marma
for 2-3 days. and Tripura
It is also used in the treatment of bone sprain, food poisoning, gout, haematuria and headache
(Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: It is a very popular vegetable in Bangladesh. It is also given to the pregnant mothers
for nutrition.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally very common. People also plant this species around
the premises of homesteads and temples.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: This can

be domesticated as a food plant.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm.

Family: Polypodiaceae
Synonym: Polypodium quercifolia L.
Vernacular name (s): Chotto Pankhiraj, Garur, Pankha, Pankhiraj (Bengali); Bird
Nest Fern, Holly Fern (English); Nao Oi (Tripura); Chee Fulu, Folo Rere, Fululobah,
Fuluumang Laua, Ghuripata, Jhagi, Mango Song, Maosong, Nak Khiru Dong, Silojeyai
(Marma); Doreng Jasi (Mandi); Jhagi Bang (Rakhain); Cycunung (Khumi) and Chil Doyee,
Childuyee, Chiloba, Faiko Woa, Ghuddi (Chakma) .
Botanical description: An epiphytic or lithophytic dimorphic fern. Rhizome 1.5 cm thick, fleshy,
the young parts densely scaly, scales are dark brown to about 1.5-2.0 cm long, narrowed gradually
to form the peltate base to the very narrow apex, not stiff, edges paler and closely finely toothed.
Fronds are of two types, namely foliage leaf and nest leaf. Nest leaves to about 40 cm long, 30 cm
broad or wide, lobed to depth of 2-5 cm, rounded and of various sizes. Stipes of foliage leaves about
30 cm long. Lamina about 100 cm long and 40 cm wide, lobed to less than 1 cm from the midrib,
lobes oblique, 25 cm long and 4-5 cm wide, shortly acuminate, separated by rather narrow sinuses,
thin but stiff, leathery in texture, main veins oblique, commonly 6-8 mm apart, slightly zigzag,
cross-veins distinct, enclosing many smaller areoles with few free veins. Sori is in a regular row on
each side of the main vein, at a junction of 3-4 or more veins, round in shape, oblong at maturity.
Ecological adaptation: These are epiphytic (growing on trees) or epipetric (growing on rocks). They
can also sometimes be found in man-made structures like brick walls. They are found in wet tropical
environments, usually in rain forests.
Distribution: Malaysia to Polynesia, Tropical Australia and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, this species
commonly occurs throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by rhizome and spore.
Chemical constituents: It yields catechin, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, saponin, steroids,

tannins and triterpenes.
are shown below.

Large spleen Rhizome Pills made from rhizome powder and sugar is Khumi and
taken twice a day for seven days. Marma
Scanty Rhizome Peeled rhizome is chewed with sugar three Marma

urination and times a day for 3-5 days.
spermatorrhea
The plant is also used in the treatment of bone fracture, gastric tumor, jaundice, lipoma (tumor),
liver cancer, oedema, rheumatic arthritis, spermatorrhoea, stomach disorder, strangury and vertigom
epilepsy (Uddin, 2006) and cough, dysentery, dyspepsia, hectic fever, jaundice, swelling, scanty
urination, skin diseases, spermatorrhoea and typhoid (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: This species is used for ornamental purposes. Rhizome paste is also used to protect
children from evil spirit.
Conservation status in the study area: No major threat is observed. Usually found on large trees
and on stones with in the forest. There is no conservation measure taken by the local people to
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Does not

have any such potential.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC.

Family: Asteraceae
Synonym: Cacalia sonchifolia L.
Vernacular name (s): Mechitra, Sadimodi, Sadimudi, Sadusi (Bengali); Lilac Tassel Flower (English);
Fao Ma, Rakheibang (Marma); Sidirabaisa (Chakma); Plowi Pang (Murong); Bel Naw Nuh (Bawm);
Dandha Upon (Tonchonga) and Chamolai (Tripura).
Botanical description: An erect, branched

or diffuse, annual herb, stem up to 3.5
cm long, glaucous, glabrous rarely hairy.
Radical leaves 4.5-11.0 x 1.5-6.0 cm, upper
ones 1-8 x 0.3-2.0 cm, lanceolate-obovate,
acute or subobtuse, cauline leaves 1-few,
sessile, usually glabrous, rarely puberulous.
Flowers purple, a capitulum, peduncles 1-3
cm long, involucre 5-11 x 1.5-3.0 mm at
the base. Bracts 10.0-10.5 mm long. Fruit
a cypsela.
Flowering and fruiting: Throughout the

year.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the

uncultivated open fields, edges of fallow
lands, foot hills, loose soil and sandy moist
places.
Distribution: Asia and Tropical Africa. In

Bangladesh, it is found all over the country.

through seeds.
Chemical constituents: Plant contains

a number of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
It also contains simiaral, β-sitosterol,
stigmasterol, palmitic acid and
triacontanoic acid. Ethanolic extract
of aerial parts contain triacontane,
n-hexacosanol, ursolic acid and flavonoids
including rutin.
© Internet
© Internet
are shown below.

Abdominal Root Juice, extracted by rubbing roots in Khumi, Marma
pain the stone, is taken orally two times a and Tripura
day for a week.
This species is also used in the treatment of diarrhoea, eye inflamations, night blindness and sore
throat (Ghani, 1998); stomach tumor (Mohiuddin et al., 2012); chest pain (Prakash et al., 2008) and
bowel complaints, diarrhoea, eye inflamations, nigh blindness and sore in throat (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The leaves are edible and used as a traditional salad.
Conservation status in the study area: Though the species is not common locally, people do not
take any conservation initiative to protect this species.

Equisetum ramosissimum Desf.

Family: Equisetaceae
Synonym: Equisetum debile Roxb. ex Vouch.
Vernacular name (s): Bash-Ghas (Bengali); Equisetum, Horsetail (English); Acala (Khumi);
Pinlacha (Marma) and Shachuri (Tripura).
Botanical description: A terrestrial herb. Sub-aerial stem or rhizome long, creeping, branched, dark
brown, about 0.5-7.0 cm thick with clear nodes and internodes bearing fibrous roots. Stem lone,
may be up to 2 meters long, slender, branches 1-3 in whorls. Sporangiophore orbicular or oblong,
sporangia oblong.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in humid soils along the riverbanks, streams, forests or open grassy
places.
Distribution: North India, Nepal, Myanmar, South China, Taiwan, the Philippaines, Indonesia, New
Guinea and Fiji. In Bangladesh, it is found throughout the eastern parts of the country and in
Chittagong and Bandarban.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by spore and underground stem.

Chemical constituents: Various species of Equisetum contains flavonoids, glycosides, sterols,

phenolic acid, large amount of silicic acid and silicates. They also contain lipids, containing
triacontanedioic (equisetolic) and octacosanedioic acids, rhodoxanthin, silicon compunds and
polyphenols, polyphenolic acids including caffeic and protocatechuic acids. It also contains alkaloids
including nicotine. Silicon-containing compounds have been extracted from this plant for medicinal
application.
are shown below.

Pain in joint Stem Heated stem is bound over the joint. Khumi, Marma
and Tripura
Abdominal Stem Pill prepared by grinding the stem is Marma

tumor taken 3 times a day for 2 weeks.
Dandruff Bulb/stem Dried bulb/stem powder mixed with Tripura

coconut oil is used in head.
This plant is also used for the treatment of bone fracture, gonorrhea, nasal polypus and various
cancers (Ghani, 1998) and gonorrhea and bone fracture (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: This plant is used

for religious purposes.
Conservation status in the

study area: Locally not
common. People do not take
any initiative to conserve this
species. Needs attention for
in-situ conservation.
Market potential/
Domestication potential/
Plantation potential/any
pharmaceutical use: It
can be domesticated as an
ornamental plant.
© M. K. Hossain
Eupatorium ayapana Vent.

Family: Asteraceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name (s): Ayapan (Bengali); Ayapan (English); Mog Jayangla (Chakma); Painhuni,
Pengyoo (Marma); Shukram, Taitong (Tripura) and Shitaba (Khumi).
Botanical description: A glabrous, erect, perennial herb growing up to 60 cm or more. Leaves sessile
and lanceolate. Flowers white in peduncled, loosely corymbose, capitulum. Fruit a cypsela.
Flowering and fruiting: February to March.
Ecological adaptation: It is mostly found in the gardens.
Distribution: A native of America and introduced into different parts of India. In Bangladesh, it is
cultivated in gardens.
Propagation and management: Propagated by seeds and rootstocks.
Chemical constitutes: Not known.
are shown below.

Asthma, cough Leaf Leaf juice is taken orally thrice a day Marma
and cold for a week or two.
This plant is also used in the treatment of bone fracture, epilepsy, gastric tumour, hyper acidity
(gastritis), osteo-arthritis and rheumatism (Uddin, 2006) and diarrhoea, internal haemorrrhage and
rheumatism (Hossain, 2008).

not have any such potential.
© Internet
Euphorbia hirta L.
Family: Euphorbiaceae Botanical description: An annual, usually robust, erect
Synonym (s): Euphorbia capitata or ascending herb, hispid with long, yellowish, crisped
Lamk., Euphorbia pilulifera auct. non hair, stem up to 65 cm long, sparingly branched above
L. the base, branches ascending, often quadrangular,
unbranched at the tip, pilose. Leaves opposite, 1.5-3.6
Vernacular name (s): Bara Dhudi,
cm long, elliptic-oblong, obovate or oblong-lanceolate,
Barakarni, Bara Keru, Dudhiya,
shortly stalked, acute, dentate or serrulate, dark
Ghaopata (Bengali); Australian
green above, pale beneath, base obliquely cordate,
Asthma Weed, Snake Weed (English);
nerves few, distinct, stipules pectinate. Inflorescence
Choimanore, Kaimhai, Noma, Sai
of many male florets surrounding a solitary female,
Ma Mungye (Marma); Achakunu,
enclosed within involucres. Fruit a capsule, minute, 1
Chaimanorai (Khumi); Chingo-
mm across, globose-trigonous, shortly strigose, patently
khunjung (Tripura); Dudal (Garo) and
hairy, pale reddish. Seeds 0.6-0.7 x 0.2-0.3 mm, oblong,
Khatri-bi-phang (Mandi).
tetragonal, reddish, acute at one end with shallow
transverse furrows or wrinkles.
Ecological adaptation: It grows as weed in waste places, fallow lands, paddy fields and roadsides.
Distribution: Afganisthan, Pakistan, India and Japan. In Bangladesh, it occurs throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagated by seeds.

Chemical constituents: The plant contains flavonoids, terpenoids, alkanes, phenolic acids, shikimic
acid and choline. Aerial parts contain latex, a toxic glycoside, an alkaloid, choline, shikimic acid,
l-inositol and sugars. It also contains tannins of the pyrogallol group and flavonoids, quercetin,
quercitol, taraxerol, leucocyanindin, cyanidol, β-amyrin, friedelin, triacontane, 1-hexacosanol,
methyl nacyclo-artenol, tenol, cycloartenol and β-sitosterol, euphorbol, hexacosonate, β-amyrin
acetate, tinyatoxin, two derivatives of deoxyphorbol actetate and ingenol triacetate. Stems have
been reported to contain phorbol esters, hentriacontane, myricyl alcohol, triterpenes, sterols.
Flowers contain gallic acid and roots contain ingenol triacetate, two derivatives of deoxyphorbol
acetate and taraxerone.
Medicinal uses:The medicinal use of the species collected through FGD and one to one discussions
are shown below.

Piles All parts Pills from plant paste are taken orally Khumi and
thrice a day for a month. Marma
This species is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, asthma, blood dysentery, diarrhoea,
lip crack, otitis, pneumonia and sore on breast (Uddin, 2006); asthma, bowel complaints, cough,
diseases of genito-urinary tract, dysentery and worms (Singh and Ali, 1998); skin diseases (Partha
and Hossain, 2007); asthma, cough, diabetes, fever, skin diseases and urinary problems (Prakash et
al., 2008); head injury (Uddin et al., 2006); asthma, bowel complaints, chronic bronchial affections,
cough, diarrhoea, diseases of urogenitory tract, dysentery and worms of children (Ghani, 1998)
and abscesses, asthma, bowel complaints, chronic bronchial affections, colic, cough, diarrhoea,
dysentery, inflamed glands, oedema, phlegmons, ulcers and worms (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: For lactation,

after childbirth, root extract of
this plant is taken twice a day
and cooked leaves are eaten.
Latex is applied to warts.
Conservation status in the

study area: Locally available.
There is no measure taken to
conserve the species by the
local people.
Market potential/
pharmaceutical use: It does
© M. K. Hossain
Evolvulus nummularius (L.) L.

Family: Convolvulaceae
Synonym: Convolvulus nummularius L.
Vernacular name (s): Mringka, Tamonai Kemonai (Marma);

Dkyajuli Saiju (Khumi) and Saing Maning Kak (Chakma).
Botanical description: A perennial herb with prostrate

stem, often pilose at the nodes with short trichomes to
glabrate. Leaves alternate, 0.5-1.3 x 0.5-1.1 cm, broadly
ovate to orbicular, petioles 1-6 mm long, apex rounded to
slightly emarginate, base rounded to subcordate, glabrous
to puberulent beneath. Flowers white, 1-2 in axils, rarely
more, up to 5 mm high, pedicels 2-6 mm long. Fruit a globose
capsule, 3-4 mm across, often reflexed at maturity. Seeds 1.5
mm long, brownish to black, subglobose.
© Internet
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the hill slopes, edges of fields, roadsides and railway
embankments.
Distribution: Africa, Malaysia and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it is found all over the country.
are shown below.

Stone in gall Whole Plant portions boiled with water and Khumi, Marma
bladder, kidney plant taken as drink twice a day for 1-2 and Tripura
and urinary gland weeks.
Burn Whole Paste prepared by smashing plant is Khumi, Marma

plant used over the wound area. and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of painful micturation and ureterolithiasis (Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: It is a good soil binder.
Conservation status in the study area: Occasionally found on large stones in the forest.

Ficus hederacea Roxb.

Family: Moraceae
Synonym (s): Ficus scandens

Roxb. non Lamk., Ficus
fruticosa Wall., Ficus fruticosa
Roxb., Ficus cantoniensis
Bodinier ex Lev.
Vernacular name (s): Dumur,

Parkath, Lata Dumur
(Bengali); Climbing Fig, White
Fig (English); Atrosarchi
(Marma) and Debrechiho, Loti
Sarbo, Ludi Sarbo, Sarbo Ludi
(Chakma).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: A scandent to creeping shrub. Stem and branchlets with aerial roots at the
nodes, branchlets pubescent when young. Leaves distichous, stipulate, stipules caducous, ovate
petiolate, petioles 1-2 cm long, leaf blade elliptic to ovate-elliptic, 6-11 x 3-5 cm, thickly coriaceous,
with hairs when young, apex obtuse to occasionally rounded, base broadly cuneate to obtuse, margin
entire. Figs axillary on leafy or on leafless branchlets, solitary or paired, yellowish-green to red at
maturity. Fruit an achene, ellipsoid, dorsally keeled.
Flowering and fruiting: May to September.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the forests and village grooves.
Distribution: Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. In Bangladesh, it has been
recorded from Chittagong and Bandarban area.
are shown below.

Cut in vein Leaf Leaf paste is applied over the cut area. Marma
The plant is also used in the treatment of boils, chest pain, cutting wound, epilepsy, fever, gout,
jaundice, paralysis, remitting fever, stomachache, strangury and tuberculosis (Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: It is also used as firewood.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. No measure taken to conserve this
species. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation measures are recommended.

domesticated as an ornamental wall plant.
Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) O.Kuntze ex Merr.

Family: Fabaceae
Synonym (s): Crotalaria macrophylla Willd., Flemingia angustifolia Roxb., Flemingia congesta
Roxb. ex Ait., Flemingia nana Roxb., Flemingia prostrata Roxb., Moghania latifolia (Benth.)
Mukherjee
Vernacular name (s): Bara Salphan, Charchara (Bengali); Bara Archanga, Bulung Khukling, Chaidibey,
Gach Harsanga, Harchanga Gach, Harsanga, Khaskura, Mon Arsanga, Shak Kora, Uskura (Chakma);
Ceakenae (Khumi); Ara Lichu, Kulumangtonsen, Kulu Umaitong Saing, Lahok Woa Rok, Sangnemro,
Sailaibang, Sai Kheu, Si Pa Desha, Tong Mokka (Marma) and Blong Mikunda, Blung Khok Koilung,
Myumo Kambochoke (Tripura).
Botanical description: A suffruticose perennial

under-shrub, 15-20 cm high. Stem woody, branches
few. Leaves trifoliolate, leaflets 2.5-7.5 x 2-4 cm,
the terminal one obovate, narrowed, the lateral
obliquely elliptic, rounded at the base, acute at
the apex, 3-veined, petioles 2.5-7.5 cm long,
winged. Flowers greenish-pink, solitary or fascicled,
numerous in axillary, elongated, slender, racemes.
Fruit a pod, oblong, turgid, clothed with greenish-
grey, tomentum and covered with viscid glands.
Seeds 2, round.
Flowering and fruiting: January to March.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the forests, village

thickets and plain lands.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal,

Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Malysia, Australia and
Africa. In Bangladesh, it is found in most of the
districts.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done

by seeds and rootstocks.
© M. K. Hossain
Chemical constituents: Red

pigments- flemingins A, B, C, D
and homoflemingin have been
isolated from seed pod. Four
chromenoflavanone-flemichin
A, B, C, D and three flavanones-
flemiflavanones A, B, C have been
isolated from roots. Vicenin-2,
reynoutrin, rutin, myricitrin,
robinin and two isomeric chalcones-
homoflemingin and flemiwallichin
C have been isolated from leaves.
Tetrahydroxyisoflavone, lupeol,
α-amyrin, procyanidin, sitosterol and
its glucoside have been isolated from
wood and bark.
are shown below.

Irregular Root Root extract obtained by grinding in stone Khumi, Marma
menstruation is taken orally thrice a day for 5-7 days. and Tripura
The species is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, boils, bone fracture, epistaxis, food
poisoning, gastric tumour, insomnia, leucoderma, liver cancer, osteo-arthritis, pyorrhea, rheumatism,
skin sore, stomach disorder and ulcer (Uddin, 2006); ulcer and swellings (Kirtikar et al., 1935);
asthma and menstrual irregularities (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. No measure taken to conserve this species.

Flemingia stricta Roxb.

Family: Fabaceae
Synonym (s): Flemingia stricta Roxb. var. petropus Baker, Moghania stricta (Roxb.) O. Kuntze
Vernacular name (s): Charchara (Bangla); Krangdunaduepay, Sai Kheu (Marma); Keramkana
(Tripura); Tamatamaking (Khumi) and Harsanga, Khaskura, Uskura (Chakma).
Botanical description: A much branched tall shrub, up to

4 m high, branches triquetrous, hairy. Leaves digitately
3-foliolate, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 15-30 x 6-10
cm, gradually narrowed to a sharp apex, terminal narrowed
also to the base, lateral oblique, the outer half being
rounded at the base, sub-coriaceous, glabrous or somewhat
hispid above, pubescent along the nerves beneath; glandular
dots few, minute, black, opaque, lateral veins 12-20 pairs,
very oblique, slightly arched; common petiole 5-12 cm long,
triquetrous, very narrowly winged, furrowed. Flowers 7-10
cm long in spicate, dense-flowered racemes. Fruit a pod,
12-15 mm long, glabrescent.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in shady, damp places in the

plains as well as in the hills.
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Bhutan and China. In

Bangladesh, it occurs in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts
and Sylhet.
© IUCN Bangladesh Chemical constitutes: Not known.
are shown below.

Fever (Child) Whole plant Bath with whole plant boiled water. Marma
Fever (Child) Leaf Leaf-boiled water is used for shower. Khumi
Liver diseases Root Paste prepared by smashing roots is used Tripura

over chest for half an hour. This is practiced
for 2-3 times a day for a month.
The species is also used to treatment of bone fracture, cough, goiter and polio (Rahman et al.,
2007); asthma (Uddin, 2006) and polio (Khisha et al., 2012).

Conservation status in the study area: Locally common and mostly found in the forest areas. There
is no measure taken by the local community to conserve this species. Few people plant this species
around their homesteads and temple premises.

not have such potentials.
Geodorum citrinum Jack.

Family: Orchidaceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name (s): Chemro (Marma); Doamia

(Khumi) and Khulairu (Tripura).
© Internet
Botanical description: A terrestrial orchid, bracts hardly exceeding the ovary. Flowers are 4 cm
in diameter, yellow. Sepals and petal are very broad, acute. Lip is large, oblong, deeply saccate
with an obtuse gibbosity or spur, more or less red or purple streaked, disk smooth, yellow, tip
rounded.
Flowering: May to June.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the forest floors.
Distribution: Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. In Bangladesh, it is found in Chittagong and Bandarban.
Propagation and management: Propagated by separating the tuberous rootstocks.
are shown below.

Sore in feet Bulb Extracted juice, by rubbing bulb in Khumi, Marma
stone, is applied over the affected and Tripura
area for a week.
Other uses: The species have floricultural value for its beautiful flowers.
homesteads and temple premises for ornamental purposes.

domesticated as a garden or pot plant.
© Sarder Nasir Uddin
Gouania tiliaefolia Lamk.

Family: Rhamnaceae
Synonym: Gouania leptostachya DC.
Vernacular name (s): Anamoomia, Lananowngnamya, Luri Chibang (Marma); Ayupuwin

(Khumi); Duaurai (Tripura) and Bodu Rangasibang, Kunai Gach (Chakma).
Botanical description: A large unarmed climbing shrub with lateral tendrils. Leaves simple, alternate,
petiolate, ovate, 5-10 x 3-6 cm, subcoriaceous, crenate, acuminate, base subcordate, lateral veins
arched, stipules oblong, deciduous. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes. Fruit a schizocarp,
glabrous, 3-angled, separating from the axis as 3-indehiscent cocci. Seeds obovate.
Flowering and fruiting: July to December.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the scrub jungles and on the edges of wet deciduous and
evergreen forests.
Distribution: Tropical Himalayan, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines. In Bangladesh, it occurs
in different parts of greater Dhaka, Habiganj and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Chemical constituents: The plant contains an alkaloid.

© IUCN Bangladesh
are shown below.

Wound and Whole plant Paste prepared by smashing the whole Khumi, Marma
pain plant is used over the wounded area. and Tripura
Excessive Whole plant Plant juice is taken with water (before Khumi, Marma
menstruation meal, twice a day for 5-7 days. and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of liver cancer, pneumonia, syphilis, urticaria and vertigo
(Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: Young leaves are eaten as vegetable. Bark and root are used for washing hair.
Conservation status in the study area: Occasionally found near the streams. People do not take any
measure to conserve it.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: At

present it does not have any such potentials.
Hedyotis scandens Roxb.

Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym (s): Hedyotis volubilis Wall., Hedyotis polycarpa R. Br. ex G.

Don, Oldenlandia scandens (Roxb.) O. Kuntze
Vernacular name (s): Anuwaishoweatha, Jarbua Puishak (Marma);

Anwaichi (Khumi) and Ataiho Koga, Bans Puishak, Basachilla, Bhuitida,
Bijoma, Bisama, Bish Lata, Bisoma, Bisama Jariphul, Bishama, Bishma,
Guji, Huttiye Pujok, Jarbo Pushak, Kannya Bata, Kumbhar Dhala, Shil
Puishak, Lataguji, Latamel (Chakma).
Botanical description: A perennial branched herb with long woody rootstocks, up to 3 m tall,
erect, scandent or climbing. Stem angular or terete, grooved. Leaves opposite, stipulate, petiolate,
stipules connate, 2.0-2.5 x 2-3 mm, petioles up to 0.5 cm long, lamina lanceolate or elliptic-oblong,
1.0-1.5 x 0.2-4.5 cm, apex acuminate or caudate, base narrowed, glabrous, lateral nerves 4-5 pairs.
Flowers yellowish-white,terminal and axillary, trichotomously branched cymes. Fruit a capsule, 3-4 x
2-3 mm, globose or obscurely 2-lobed at the top, puberulous. Seeds many, angular, narrowly winged.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the forests and grasslands.
Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Indo-China, Vietnam and the Philippines. In
Bangladesh, it occurs throughout the country.

are shown below.

Fungal problem, Whole plant Warm mash of whole plant is Khumi, Marma
ringworm and skin used over the affected area and Tripura
disease twice a day for a week.
The plant is also used in the treatment of boils, bone

twisting, carbuncle, facial paralysis, gangrene, gout,
jaundice, lipoma (tumour), oedema, osteoarthritis,
paralsis, poisonous insect sting, rheumatism, snake bite,
stomachache, tetanus, tonsilitis and vertigo (Uddin,
2006); stomach pain (Rahman et al., 2007); boils and
stomach pain (Yusuf et al., 2009) and dysentary (Dutta
and Deb, 2004).
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found.

People do not take any measure to conserve this species.

potential/any pharmaceutical use: It does not have
such potentials.
Hedyotis thomsoni Hook. f.
Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name (s):

Tasowpangpai (Marma);
Angbow King (Khumi) and
Mawblaikrwma (Tripura).
© M. K. Hossain
Botanical description: An annual herb, up to 16 cm tall, much-branched from the base. Stem
suberect, 4-angled. Leaves opposite, stipulate, stipules membranous, bristly, petioles absent or very
short, lamina narrowly linear, 1.5-2.6 x 0.2 cm, apex acute, base dilated, spreading and recurved.
Flowers short pedicelled in terminal or axillary cymes. Fruit a capsule, indehiscent, ridged, with
persistent calyx. Seeds numerous, small, angular, pitted.
Flowering and fruiting: August to December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows well in open areas beside rivers and lakes in sandy and loamy soils.
Distribution: Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, it seems to occur in the bank of the river Meghna, Sylhet
and Chittagong Hill Tracts. This species perhaps is endemic to Bangladesh.
are shown below.

Wound and Leaf, root Paste of leaf, root and stem is used Khumi and
burns and stem over the wounded area. Marma
Wound on eye Leaf Juice is used to wash eyes. Tripura
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the deep forest. People do not take any
measure to conserve it.

Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook.

Family: Helminthostachyaceae
Synonym: Osmunda zeylanica L.
Vernacular name (s): Dheki Sak, Ekbir, Shada Dhekia (Bengali); Fern (English); Baringa Ludi, Chamassa,
Chamassey, Chimoho Kangkhi, Ghamassya (Chakma); Achakhunpui (Khumi); Choimakankre, Chahnah
Kangkhri, Cha Massa, Chohma Kang Khri, Simakangcree, Simakrangkhi (Marma) and Chamassey
(Tonchonga).
Botanical description: A terrestrial fern. Rhizome

fleshy, bearing numerous fleshy roots, stipe fleshy,
green or grey in colour, about 20-30 cm long. Fronds
consisting of a tripartite lamina with an erect fertile
spike, lamina almost equally trilateral ones, below it
the lateral leaflets are unstalked and often broadly
decurrent, whole lamina about 12-30 cm long, leaflets
10-18 cm long and 2-4 cm broad, narrowed to a cuneate
base and acuminate apex, edges entire or slightly
irregularly toothed. Spike with its stalks sometimes
larger than the lamina. Spike bearing crowded sessile
sporangia and a small sterile lobe at the apex.
Ecological adaptation: It grows terrestrially in moist

ground, along the bank of the stream or humus rich
slopes in the light shade from sea level up to 400 m
altitude. In the wild, it is rather difficult to find and
is not very common. Locally, it may grow gregariously.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Southern China, Taiwan,

Southeast Asia to tropical Australia and western Pacific.
In Bangladesh, it is found in Chandpur, Chittagong,
Mymensingh, Tangail, Sylhet, Chittagong Hill Tracts
and Sundarbans.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by

rhizome and spore.
Chemical constituents: Rhizome of the plant contains

4 flavonoids, ugonin A, B, C and D, stigmasterol,
fucosterol and dulcitol.
are shown below.

Headache and Rhizome and Paste mixed with honey is taken orally Khumi and
abdominal pain fronds 2 times a day for 2-3 days. Marma
It is also used in the treatment

of catarrh, dysentery, malaria,
pulmonary tuberculosis, sciatica,
syphilis and whooping cough
(de Winter and Amoroso, 2003);
abdominal pain, body pain,
diarrhoea, embrayophathy,
febric convulsion, flatulance,
gyneocological diseases, leprosy,
malaria, meningitis, menopause,
painful micturition, pneumonia,
scorpion sting, stomachache,
tuberculosis and tumor (Uddin,
2006); catarrh, dysentery,
hemorrhage, impotency,
jaundice, tongue blisters and
whooping cough (Yusuf et al.,
2009).
Other uses: Used as food and

fiber. Young leaves are cooked and
eaten as vegetable, sometimes
used as raw salad. Young petiole
can be cooked, dressed and eaten
like asparagus.

area: Locally common. Few
people plant this plant around
their homesteads as vegetables.
any pharmaceutical use: It can
be domesticated and cultivated
as a food plant.
Homalomena aromatica (Roxb. ex Sim.) Schott

Family: Araceae
Synonym (s): Calla aromatica Roxb. ex Sim., Homalomena kelungensis Hayata
Vernacular name (s): Gandhabi Kachu, Kachu Gundubi (Bengali), Pring Mahora, Sigonshak (Chakma);
Sarangkang (Marma); Nowbang (Khumi); Kamathri (Tripura) and La Bang (Murong).
Botanical description: An evergreen, aromatic,

perennial herb, rhizomatous caudex 10-30 cm
long and 2-4 cm thick. Leaf broadly ovate,
acuminate, cordate, 15-30 x 10-25 cm, basal
lobes are usually divaricate, ovate, obtuse,
about one-third the length of the apical lobe;
petioles are 30-60 cm long, and are longer than
the blade and sheathing for one-third of its
length. Flowers in a spadix, peduncles several,
shorter than the petioles, 10-15 cm long,
elongating to 30 cm in fruits. Fruit a berry,
ovoid, many seeded. Seeds are small, testa
thick.
Flowering and fruiting: June to September.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in shady places

of hill slopes and foothills.
Distribution: It is mainly found in India. In

Bangladesh, it is found in greater Chittagong,
Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet.

by seeds and fragments of rooting stems.
Chemical constituents: Rhizome yields

essential oil, which has different chemical
constituents with diversified physico-chemical
characteristics.
are shown below.

Dysentery Whole plant Plant decoction is taken orally twice Marma
a day for a week.
Dysentery Petiole Petiole is burnt with chili and eaten Khumi

with rice for 3-5 days.
This plant is also used for the treatment of gout, rheumatism and snake bite (Uddin, 2006);
rheumatism (Mohiuddin et al., 2012) and influenza (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The rhizome of the plant is used

as an aromatic stimulant. Local people of
Bandarban use this plant as vegetables.
Conservation status in the study area:

Commonly found in the forests, along roadsides
and near streams. People also plant this species
around their homesteads, temples and shifting
cultivation areas, which is a good mode of
conservation.

© IUCN / M. A. Motaleb It can be cultivated for aromatic essential oil.
Hoya parasitica (Roxb.) Wall. ex Wight

Family: Asclepiadaceae
Synonym (s): Asclepias parasitica Roxb., Hoya hookeriana Wight
Vernacular name (s): Chera Pata, Pargacha (Bengali); Anuimeba, Samapungka Lata (Marma);
Nangtho (Khumi); Chokible (Tripura) and Chagal Kan, Fessya Gaas, Paissa Mach, Passa Shuguni,
Passey Gach (Chakma).
Botanical description: An epiphytic, creeping

plant, stem and branches stout, glabrous. Leaves
petiolate, petioles 1.0-1.5 cm long, thick,
glabrous or glabrescent, lamina variable, ovate-
elliptic, lanceolate, oblong or elliptic, 10.0-
15.5 x 2.5-3.5 cm, fleshy, glabrous, tips acute
or subacute, base cuneate or obtuse. Umbellate
© M. K. Hossain
cymes, many-flowered, solitary at

the nodes, peduncles 3.0-5.5 cm
long, stout, pedicles 1.2-1.8 cm
long, slender. Fruit follicles of 1 or
2, narrow, 10-15 cm long, acute,
glabrous, brown spotted. Seeds
4-5 mm long, oblong-elliptic,
comas 3.5-4.0 cm long.
Flowering and fruiting: March to

October.
Ecological adaptation: It grows

on tall trees along the roads and
throughout the forests.
Distribution: India, Indo-China,

Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia.
In Bangladesh, it is quite common
in the forests throughout the
country.
Propagation: Propagated through

seeds.
Chemical constitutes: Not known. © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
are shown below.

Ear abscess Leaf Leaf juice is used in ear once a day Khumi, Marma
during night for 7-10 days and Tripura
This species is also used in the treatment of gout, headache, paralysis, rheumatic arthritis, tetanus
and tumour (Uddin, 2006); body pain and jaundice (Yusuf et al., 2009) and body pain and fever
(Rahman et al., 2007; Khisha et al., 2012).
Other uses: Leaves of this plant are given to cows for diarrhoea.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found on large trees and on stones with in the forest
areas. People do not take any measure to conserve this species.

domesticated as an ornamental epiphytic plant.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br.

Family: Apocynaceae
Synonym (s): Apocynum frutescens L., Echites frutescens Wall., Ichanocarpus ovatifolius A.
DC., Ichanocarpus volubilis Merr., Ichanocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. var. pubescence Kurz
Vernacular name (s): Dudhi, Dudhi Lata, Paralia Lata, Shyamalata (Bengali); Black Creeper
(English); Ree Chee, Suotalangning, Tabu Chi, Tong Noh (Marma); Borduttya, Duabotai,
Lambadori Gach, Sikamchu Aunty (Tripura); Katnayong (Khumi), Dudhnoi, Dutta Ludi
(Chakma) and Bhutta Ludi (Tonchonga).
Botanical description: A large, twining shrub. The stem is profusely branched; bark reddish-brown,
rusty tomentose. Leaves opposite, rusty pubescent beneath, petiole up to 0.5 cm long, the lamina is
7-11 x 2.5-3.0 cm, elliptic-oblong or lanceolate, cuneate or rounded at the base, acute or acuminate
at the apex. Flowers small, greenish-white in axillary and terminal, paniculate cymes. Fruit a follicle,
solitary or in pairs, straight. Seeds numerous.
Flowering and fruiting: April to December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in moist or dry evergreen and

deciduous forests.
Distribution: Australia, China, India, Myanmar, Malaysia,

Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In Bangladesh, it is commonly
found throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds

and stem or root cuttings.
Chemical constituents: Leaves contain flavonoids and

phenolic acids, and stems contain a new triterpene glycosides.
© M. K. Hossain
are shown below.

Reduced breast milk Leaf and Chicken soup prepared with leaf and Khumi and
in mother tender twig tender twig as ingredients is taken Tripura
twice a day for 3-5 days.
This plant is also used for the treatment of bone fracture, dental caries, eczema, mastopenia,
measles, strangury and tumour (Uddin, 2006); abdominal and glandular tumours, diabetes, dyspepsia,
fever, headache, skin problems, stone in the bladder and wounds (Ghani, 1998); bone fracture
(Rahman et al., 2007, Khisha et al., 2012); eye diseases (Mohiuddin et al., 2012) and dental caries,
diabetes, dyspepsia, fever, headaches, scabies, skin troubles, stone in the bladder, and wounds and
sore between fingers (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The stem can be used as binding material.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally available and no measure is taken by the community

plantation potential as a non-timber crop.
Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. var. latifolia

(Hook. f.) C. E. Hubb.
Family: Poaceae
Synonym: Imperata arundinacea (L.) P. Beauv. var. latifolia Hook. f.
Vernacular name (s): Chan, Ulu (Bengali); Cogon Grass (English); Tacrimra (Marma); Gon Chamri
(Mandi); Paditaiung (Khumi) and Chonjaru (Tripura).
Botanical description: A perennial, robust grass,

culms tufted, 90-120 cm high, erect, solid, smooth,
unbranched, nodes glabrous, rootstocks creeping.
Leaf blades 20-100 x 1.2-1.6 cm, rigid, flat, erect,
gradually tapering to a point, midrib prominent,
margin very rough with tiny teeth. Inflorescence a
cylindrical, spiciform panicle, 7-20 x 1.0-2.5 cm,
flowers white. Spikelets lanceolate or oblong, 3-4
mm long, all alike, in pairs, on unequal pedicels
from a slender continuous axis, disarticulating at
maturity.
© M. K. Hossain
Flowering and fruiting: October to January.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in dry to swampy places.
Distribution: India. In Bangladesh, the species commonly occurs in the districts of Borguna, Kushtia,
Bogra, Tangail, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Noakhali, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds and rooted tillers.
Chemical constituents: Five triterpenoids – arundoin, cylindrin, fernecol, isoarborinol and simiarenol
have been isolated from rhizome. Culms and blades contain 7 triterpenoids, Me-esters and serotonin.
are shown below.

Any disease that Rhizome Juice, extracted by rubbing rhizome Khumi, Marma
creates thirst and in stone, is taken twice a day for a and Tripura
more reaction week.
Other uses: It is used for

thatching the roofs. Other uses
include paper-making, and
weaving mats and bags. Tender,
immature fruits are eaten raw or
cooked as vegetables or are used
as an ingredient in curry sauce.

area: Locally very common.
There is no concrete measure
taken to conserve this species.
But management as thatching
material is a good mode of
conservation.
any pharmaceutical use: It
has good market potential as a
thatching material for the rural
poor people.
Ixora cuneifolia Roxb.

Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym: Not known. © IUCN Bangladesh
Vernacular name (s): Beophul, Kesua Gach

Botanical description: A glabrous shrub,
(Bengali); Bijhu Ful, Dikranga Chulley, Di Ranga
young shoots rarely minutely puberulous.
Chulla, Kamuchui, Maleng Gach (Chakma);
Leaves opposite, stipulate, stipules broadly
Chisa Ingda, Dikrangachella, Dikranga Chulley,
ovate, lamina oblong or oblong-lanceolate
Diranga Choilla, Kamu Chui, Kha Muchye,
or oblanceolate, 8-13 x 4.0-4.5 cm, shortly
Kiamchoik, Kyamoachuie, Kayah Murung Tong
acuminate, base rounded or obtuse. Flowers
Choro, Sigon Chulla (Marma) and Chi Shing Da
white in up to 3 cm long cymes, short
Keu (Khumi).
peduncled. Fruit a drupe, pea-sized, red. Seeds
ventrally concave.
Flowering and fruiting: March to July.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the rain forest as undergrowth.
Distribution: India and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it occurs in sal forests of Dhaka, Tangail and
Mymensingh and hill forests of Sylhet, Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar.
Propagation and management: Propagation is made by seeds and stem cuttings.

are shown below.

Abdominal pain Root and leaf Pills prepared from leaf and root paste Marma
are sun dried, and taken thrice a day for
7-10 days.
Irregular Root Extracted root juice is taken directly Marma

menstruation twice a day for a week.
Diarrhoea Root Juice is mixed with water and taken orally Marma
twice a day for 3 days.
Vomiting Root Root juice is taken orally after vomiting. Tripura
Tonsillitis Root Root paste is spread over the area twice a Khumi
day for 7 days.
This species is also used in the treatment of asthma, cholera, dysentery, epilepsy, gallstone,
leucorrhoea, muscular pain, piles, snake bite, stomachache, strangury, tetanus and vomiting (Uddin,
2006) and fever (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is used as an ornamental plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally available, mostly found in the forests. People plant
this species around their homesteads and temple premises.

domestication potential as ornamental and medicinal herb.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait.

Family: Oleaceae
Synonym: Nyctanthes sambac L.
Vernacular name (s): Ban Mallika, Beli, Bely Phul, Mallika, Jui Phul (Bengali); Arabian Jasmine,
Sambac Jasmine, Tuscan Jasmine (English); Kirung Paing, Lodi Maloti, Mulipai (Chakma); Malikum,
Malimish Nima (Tripura); Kyalungpai (Marma) and Tangachupa (Khumi).
Botanical description: A straggling

shrub, climbing or lax when young and
rooting at the nodes or ascending, up
to 3 m tall. Leaves unifoliolate, ovate,
2.5-9.0 x 2.0-6.5 cm, thin, base sub-
cordate to obtuse, apex acuminate,
margin sub-undulate, glabrous or
finely pubescent on the main veins.
Inflorescence a 3-flowered cyme or a
many-flowered compact cluster. Flowers
white, heavily fragrant, single or double
(in cultivated varieties). Fruit a black
berry, surrounded by the calyx.
Flowering and fruiting: March to July.
Ecological adaptation: Grows as an

ornamental plant in gardens and village
shrubberies. Grows to an altitude of 800
m. It thrives in sunshine and does better
in relatively dry condition.
Distribution: India, Malaysia and

Indonesia. In Bangladesh, it is found
all over the country under cultivated
condition.

Propagated through stem cutting.
© Internet
Chemical constituents: Flowers yield an essential oil rich in linalool, benzylacetate cis-jasmone,
sesquiterpenes. Indole, pyridine and nicotin derivatives have been reported in this plant. Tetrameric
iridoid glycosides, sambacosides A, E and F are present in the leaves. The glycosides, β-primeveroside
and β-rutinoside, have been isolated from the flower buds.
are shown below.

Abdominal pain Root Red hot iron is dipped in root juice (extract) Marma and
and taken during pain. Tripura
Urine infection Root Root paste is used in the urinary organ for Khumi
and stone infection and root juice (½ cup) mixed with
formation honey taken twice a day for a month for stone
formation.
The plant is also used in the treatment of fever, gastric tumor, hook worm infestation and urinary
infection (Uddin, 2006) and abscess, brest tumor, emmenagogoue, insanity, menstrual disorder,
ulcers and weakness of sight (Ghani, 1998 and Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The flowers are widely used for their scent and their cooling effect, either directly or
in perfumes. In China and Indonesia, flowers are used to flavor jasmine tea. In India, the plant is
commercially cultivated for its essential oil. Local people of Bolipara use this plant for ornamental
purposes.
Conservation status in the study area: No major threat is observed. Cultivation around homesteads
and temple premises is a good mode of conservation that is practiced by the people.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Market

potential is not explored. It can be domesticated and planted as an ornamental plant.
Jatropha gossypifolia L.
Synonym: Adenoropium elegans (Pohl)

Muell.-Arg., Jatropha gossypifolia L.
var. elagans (Pohl) Muell.-Arg.
Vernacular name (s): Erenda, Keron,

Lalbherenda, Laljeol, Lal Jeol (Bengali);
Bellyache Nettle Spurge, Bellyache Bush
(English); Krasuni, Karachuni, Shangb
(Marma); Balgechak, Krendagichha
(Mandi); Liabikamchi (Khumi), Lal
Verenda (Tripura) and Ranga Bhedal
Gach, Ranga Bharenda Gach (Chakma).
Botanical description: A soft-wooded erect shrub, up to 3 m tall, young shoots sparingly pubescent
to subglabrous. Leaves simple, alternate, stipulate, stipules slender, multifid, petioles 3-12 cm long
with branched stipiate glands, 3-5 palmitifid or palmiti-partite, the lobes obovate, leaf blade cordate,
3-5 nerved from the base.Inflorescence leaf-opposed, in 8-18 cm long panicle. Fruit a capsule,
rounded-trilobate, septicidally or loculicidally dehiscent. Seeds compressed, ovoid-ellipsoid, 7 x 4
mm, pale greyish-brown.
Flowering and fruiting: April to August.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in open sunny places.
Distribution: A native of South America, also found in India, Myanmar, Pakistan and the West Indies. It
is introduced into the Old World tropics. In Bangladesh, the species is found throughout the country.
Chemical constituents: Leaves contain flavonoids, a saponin, a resin, tannin and triterpenes. They
also contain flavonoids, vitexin, isovitexin and apigenin. Seeds contain fatty oil. Roots contain
antileukemic and tumour-inhibitor macrocyclic diterpenes, jatrophone and jatropholones A and B.
Barks contain β-sitosterol. Roots, stem and seeds contain arylnaphthalene lignan and the lignan
prasanthaline. Cyclogossine, a cyclic heptapeptide, had been isolated from the latex of the plant.
Stem contains a novel lignin, jatrodien.
are shown below.

Piles/fistula Leaf Extracted leaf juice (one table Khumi, Marma
and anal tract spoon) is mixed with milk and honey and Tripura
problem at the rate of I:I:I and take twice a
day after meal for 15-20 days.
The plant is also used in the treatment of excessive and irregular menstruation, liver diseases and
piles (Uddin, 2006); boils, cancer, carbuncles, eczema, itches, paralytic affections, rheumatism
and skin diseases (Ghani, 1998); boils, carbuncles, eczema and itches (Kirtikar et al., 1935); body
pain, fever, headache, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, piles and sore on the tongue of babies (Rao and
Henry, 1996; Pal and Jain, 1998); piles (Partha and Hossain, 2007); dysentery (Uddin et al., 2006)
and boils, carbuncles, dysentery, eczyma, itches, paralytic affections, rheumatism, skin diseases and
toothache (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is used as ornamental purposes. Twigs of this plant are used as toothbrush. Among the
ethnic communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts, there is a myth that it keeps them away from devil.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. People plant this species around the
shifting cultivation area to conserve, which is a good mode of conservation.

planted as a hedge plant.
Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker

Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name (s): Cepaimba, Khimodoh (Marma); Kalaholood, Kala Halud (Chakma); Kalahalood
(Tonchonga) and Cheilanki (Khumi).
Botanical description: A small rhizomatous

herb, up to 20 cm tall, rhizome small, deep
purple within, with light camphoraceous
smell. Leaves 1 to several, blades obovate
to elliptic, slightly unequal-sided, 8-16
x 6-9 cm, acute or acuminate, base
subcordate, upper surface glabrous,
lower surface hairy with appressed hairs,
leaf sheath 6-12 cm long, hairy, margin
membranous, red tinged. Inflorescence
few-flowered, arising between the 2
innermost leaf sheaths or between a leaf
sheath and a bladeless sheath, peduncles
3-4 cm long. Flower white, surrounded by
© Internet 2 involucral bracts.
Flowering: May to June.
Ecological adaptation: It grows around the homesteads in partial shade.
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Thailand. In Bangladesh, it is generally cultivated in the homesteads
by ethnic people in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: The plant can be easily propagated by rhizomes.
are shown below.

Abscess in ear Whole plant Juice extract from whole plant is Khumi, Marma
mixed with Peristylus constrictus and Tripura
juice and used in ear once a day for
a week.
It is also used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, goiter, poisonous insect bite and stop
bleeding from nose (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common in planted form but sometimes found in
forest also. Planting around the homesteads is a local mode of conservation of this species.

domesticated as a medicinal herb.
Lantana camara L. var. aculeata (L.) Moldenke & Moldenke

Family: Verbenaceae
Synonym (s): Lantana aculeata L., Lantana camara L., Lantana maxima Tourner, Lantana scabrida
Soland ex Ait.
Vernacular name (s): Chotra, Guay Ganda, Karnaphuli, Lantana, Nak Phul, Punchphuli, Urusia
(Bengali); Coronitas, English Sagebush, Lantana, Lilac Lantana, Red Sagebush, Wild Sage, Yellow Sage
(English); Achownai (Marma); Moichiacha (Khumi); Khelakhemowsugnama (Tripura) and Bangal Mila
Kher (Chakma).
Botanical description: A prickly evergreen,

rambling or straggling shrub, 1-4 m tall,
branches usually minutely or inconspicuously
pubescent, conspicuously prickly with hooked
spines. Leaves simple, opposite-decussate,
2-10 x 1.5-2.5 cm, ovate to ovate-oblong,
crenate-serrate, acute to shortly acuminate,
rugose, scabrous, petioles 5-10 mm long.
Flowers mostly yellow, turning to red, later
on scarlet, axillary to terminal compact
umbellate or peduncled heads. Flowering
head 2-3 cm across. Fruits berry-like drupes,
glabrous, 3-5 mm in diameter, fleshy, shining
dark green but nearly black when ripe,
glabrous, 2-seeded.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in waste lands,

© IUCN / M. A. Motaleb open forest areas and pastures.
Distribution: A native of tropical America and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions. In
Bangladesh, it is very common in Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts and also found throughout
the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is by seeds and stem cuttings.

Chemical constituents: Plant yields an essential oil containing camerene, isocamerene and
micranene. Leaves contain a carioactive principle, lancamarone and toxic triterpene acids,
lantadene A and Lantadene B. They also contain an alkaloid, lantanine with antipyretic and
antispasmodica properties. Roots contain oligosaccharides, stachyose, verbascose, ajugose
and latanose and iridoid glucosides, theveside, theveridoside, shanzhiside, lamioridoside and
geniposide.
are shown below.

Headache Leaf Leaf paste is used in the forehead. Marma
Arthritis, rheumatic pain Leaf Warmed leaf paste is spread over Khumi
and all types of pain the pained area.
The plant is also used in the treatment of febric convulsion (Uddin, 2006); abdominal viscera, malaria,
rheumatism and tetanus (Ghani, 1998; Khatun, 2009); colic and stomachache (Khatun, 2009);
abdominal viscera, malaria and rheumatism (Anon, 1948) and malaria, measles and rheumatism
Other uses: Commonly used as an ornamental plant in different gardens, institutes and office yards.
Leaves have been tried as a substitute for tea, where fermented leaves possess a mild odor, and
yields an inferior beverage. Sometimes used as live fence in gardens encircling the different flower
beds. It is also used as mosquito repellant. The fruits are edible. Stems are used as tooth brush and
leaves for poisoning wood. But, it has some allelopathic effects on other crops.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found. It is an alien invasive species in Bangladesh.
People do not take any measure to conserve this species. Needs measure to control its invasion.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: An alien

invasive and does not have any such potentials.
© M. K. Hossain
Botanical description: A shrub, 1.2-3.0 m high,

young shoots more of less pubescent. Leaves
Leea aequata L. bipinnate (the upper often simply pinnate
or rarely simple), rachis angled but hardly
Family: Leeaceae
winged, pubescent, leaflets 7.5-18.0 x 2.5-
Synonym: Leea hirta Roxb. 4.5 cm, oblong or ovate-oblong, acuminate,
Vernacular name (s): Kakjangha irregularly serrate, membranous, more or less
(Bengali); Dow, Sine Sa Apang (Marma); hairy on both surfaces, covered beneath with
Changklenma (Tripura) and Akley Thai numerous flat circular disks, main veins 7-12
(Khumi). pairs. Flowers white, very shortly pedicelled,
in short compact, pubescent, sub-terminal
or leaf-opposed cymes, bracts large, broadly
ovate, obtuse, caduceus. Fruit a berry, 6 mm
in diameter, depressed-globular, usually 2-6
lobbed, black when ripe.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in foot the hills of rain forests.
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. In Bangladesh, it is found in the forest
areas of Sundarban, Chittagong, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati and Bandarban.

© M. K. Hossain
are shown below.

Sore and Root and Root and leaf paste is applied in the Khumi, Marma
swollen vein young leaf affected area. and Tripura
This plant is also used in the treatment of carbuncle, gastric tumor, hydocele, rheumatism,
ureterolithiasis, vertigo and vomiting (Uddin, 2006) and anaesthesis of skin, bilious fever, bronchitis,
dyspepsia, itching, leprosy and tuberculous ulcers (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is used as firewood and making

fence around the crop fields.

Abundant in the deep forests. There is no
measure taken by the local community to

Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical
use: Could be planted around the homesteads
and crop fields as hedge plant and fire-wood
crop.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link

Family: Lamiaceae
Synonym: Phlomis aspera Willd.
Vernacular name (s): Choto-halkusa, Dondokalosh, Donkalash, Dulfi, Kusa, Shetodrone,

Swetadrone (Bengali); Gochchadalal, Ghochcha Taga, Gossadangar, Gussya Dangor,
Jangali Jangal (Chakma) and Pai Thung Sa, Paitungsa Gach, Paingsukchank, Pengsuncha,
Pi Tung Chang (Marma).
Botanical description: A stout, erect or diffuse annual herb, up to 50 cm tall, hirsute or scabrid.
Stem much branched, 4-angled, grooved, hirsute below, more or less woolly above. Leaves opposite,
petiolate, petioles 0.5-1.0 cm long, lamina 4-8 x 1.0-1.5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, often entire or
slightly serrate, acute to obtuse, base narrowed into a petiole. Flowers white, terminal and axillary
whorls, very dense and many-flowered. Fruit nutlets, 0.2 x 0.1 cm, obovoid-oblong, angular on inner
surface, rounded on outer, smooth brownish-black.
Flowering and fruiting: Almost throughout the year but abundantly during the winter.
Ecological adaptation: Usually grows in dry sandy soil. Sometimes grows around sand heaps and on
broken masonry work.
Distribution: Throughout the Indian subcontinent. In Bangladesh, it is common in Chittagong, Cox’s

Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Chemical constituents: Leaves contain glucosides, tannins, saponins and sterols, α- and
β-sitosterol. Oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, oleanolic and ursolic acids have been isolated from
this plant. Shoots contain aliphatic ketols. 28-hydroxy pentatriancon-7-one, 7-hydroxydotriacontan-
2-one, 1-hydroxytetratriacontan-4-one, 32-methyl tetratriacontan-8-ol, ditriacontanol,
5-acetoxytriacontane and β-sitosterol. Two sterols and galactose have been isolated from the plant.
Plant also contains oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, oleanolic and ursolic acids.
are shown below.

Stomachache Whole plant Decoction of whole plant is taken orally Khumi and
and headache thrice a day for three days. Marma
Cough Whole plant Boiled juice mixed with table salt and Marma and
taken 3-4 times a day up to cure. Tripura
Conjunctivitis Whole plant Juice extracted by boiling with water is Marma and
applied in the eye thrice a day up to cure. Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of asthma, bone fracture, cirrhosis, colic, embryopathy,
fever, jaundice, measles, osteo-arthritis, rheumatism, tonsilitis and vertigo (Uddin, 2006); chronic
skin eruptions, cold, psoriasis, rheumatism and scabies (Ghani, 1998); toothache (Rahman et al.,
2007); and chronic rheumatism, psoriasis and skin eruption (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Young leaves are cooked as vegetables. The plants are believed to be antidote for snake
venom.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found. No measure taken to conserve this species.

Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br.

Family: Lamiaceae
Synonym (s): Phlomis zeylanica L., Leucas

involucrata Wall. ex Benth.
Vernacular name (s): Gatta Tumba,

Kusha, Shetadrone, Swetadrone (Bengali);
Gassa Dagor, Ghotta Dangal, Gochchey
Jangal (Chakma); Achasutang (Khumi);
Paishumchawg, Paisungchang, Pangchongcha,
Pai Thung Sa, Pangkhui Thuipai, Paichangcha,
Pythunchang, Sarakao (Marma); Gachchey
Dangal (Tonchonga) and Khun (Tripura).
Botanical description: An erect, stout, aromatic annual herb, up to 50 cm high. Stem well branched,
branches quadrangular, grooved, hispidulous with scattered spreading hairs. Leaves opposite,
petiolate, petioles 0.3-1.0 cm long, lamina 4-8 x 0.5-2.5 cm, broadly elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate,
remotely serrate, acute, characteristically paler on ventral surface, hirsute on dorsal surface and on
the nerves beneath. Flowers white in terminal whorls, rarely axillary. Fruits nutlets, 0.2 x 0.1 cm,
obovoid-oblong, angular on inner surface, rounded on outer, smooth, brownish-black.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in waste places.
Distribution: Sri Lanka, India, Malay Peninsula up to China. In Bangladesh, it occurs in most of the
districts, especially in Comilla, Dhaka, Sylhet, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Chemical constituents: Plant contains an essential oil. It also contains antibacterial principles,
isopimarane rhamnoglucoside, linifolisoside, β-sitosterol, a glycoside of β-sitosterol, traces
of an alkaloid, labellenic acid,glucosides, tannins, saponins and sterols, α- and β-sitosterol,
oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, oleanolic and ursolic acids, 28-hydrosy pentatriancon-7-one,
7-hydroxydotriacontan-2-one, 1-hydroxytetratriacontan-4-one, 32-methyl tetratriacontan-8-ol,
ditriacontanol and 5-acetoxytriacontane.
are shown below.

Headache and Leaf and Leaf and flower boil extract is used Khumi, Marma
insomnia flower over the forehead. Drinking green and Tripura
leaf juice is good for sleep.
The plant is also used in the treatment of blistery, body pain, epilepsy, fever (high), mania
infantum, rheumatic fever and strangury (Uddin, 2006); cold, headache, scabies, skin diseases
and ulcers (Yusuf et al., 2009; Ghani, 1998 and Chopra et al., 1956) and burning urination (Yusuf
et al., 2007).
Other uses: Leaves are used as vegetable in curries. The juice of the leaves is sniffed up as a remedy
in snake bite.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. No measure taken to conserve this species.

Lygodium altum (Clarke) V. A. V. R.
Family: Lygodiaceae
Synonym (s): Lygodium flexuosum

var. alta Clarke, Lygodium
pinnatifidum Sw., Ophioglossum
flexuosum L.
Vernacular name (s): Dheki Shak,

Lata Dhekia, Lata Dheki (Bengali);
Climbing Fern, Fern (English);
Ashpada Gach, Baro Bandar Tola,
Huttigurpo, Huttijurgo, Kogti-
jurgo, Khut Jhurga, Kutti Jurga,
Okhmoh (Chakma); Kolomboi
(Khumi); KuttiJuba, Meomacla,
Miaumakla, Miaomakla, Miau-
maka-la, Miau Makal (Marma);
Kuttijurkha (Tonchonga) and
Mukhratala (Tripura).
Botanical description: A rhizomatous fern, rhizome short-creeping. Fronds very long, about 70-80
cm, pinnae across, each half 35 x 30 cm long, 30-40 cm broad, pinnules deltoid to oblique deltoid,
tripinnate. Sori along the margin, forming lobes. Each lobe of the fertile frond bears two lateral rows
of sporoangia. Spore pale brown, trilete.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the hilly shady forests at 100-600 m altitude.
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Australia and Pacific
Islands. In Bangladesh, the species commonly occurs throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagated by rhizome and spore.
Chemical constituents: Roots contain flavonoids, quercetin and pentahydroxyflavone-3-0-rutinoside.
are shown below.

Headache Young frond Frond extract or the raw juice Khumi and
prepared by smashing is taken orally Tripura
during headache.
Senseless Root Used as ingredients in another Marma
composition mixed with turmaric
juice @ I:I and spray over the face.
This plant is also used in the treatment of colic, dental caries, dysentery, epilepsy, fever, hysteria,
meningitis, mental disorder, mumps, poisonous insect sting, prickly heat, pyorrhoea, strangury,
tuberculosis and vomiting (Uddin, 2006); cut wounds, eczema, rheumatism, scabies, sprains and
ulcers (Ghani, 1998); sore (Roy et al., 2008) and cut and wounds, eczema, insect bites, rheumatism,
scabies, sprains, stomach pain and ulcers (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Climbing stipes used in making

fish catching nets, baskets and decoration
items. The ethnic people of Chittagong Hill
Tracts use this plant as vegetables.

Locally common. People also plant this
species around their homesteads and
temple premises, which is a good mode of
conservation. Ex-situ conservation measures
may be taken.

Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical
use: It can be planted around the homesteads
as vegetable crop.
Maesa indica (Roxb.) A. DC. Botanical description: A shrub, bark

dark grey, blaze greenish. Leaves
Family: Myrsinaceae alternate, 6-18 x 2.5-7.5 cm, elliptic,
elliptic-lanceolate or elliptic-oblong,
Synonym: Baeobotrys indica Roxb.
coarsely toothed, subcoriaceous,
Vernacular name (s): Sesu, Sirkhi (Bengali); glabrous, petioles 1.2-2.5 mm long,
Kramafruem Apang, Sain Khuing Trang, Thamong channeled. Flowers white, in racemes.
Sok, Thah Mongh Su, Towchoyapang (Marma); Fruit a berry, small, 0.4 cm across,
Dikyanang (Khumi); Balai (Tripura); Lechchasi- pinkish-white, succulent when ripe.
bang, Ludi Salak Sara (Chakma) and Chagal Ladi
Flowering and fruiting: April to January.
Bhromor (Tonchonga).
Ecological adaptation: It grows along
the margin of the forests and areas
under shifting cultivation.
Distribution: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Indonesia (Java), Myanmar, Malaysia, Indo-China and Thailand.
In Bangladesh, the species occurs commonly in the districts of Sylhet, Chittagong and Chittagong
Hill Tracts.
Chemical constituents: Sitosterol and quercetin-3-rhamnoside have been isolated from the
leaves.
are shown below.

Headache and Whole plant After child birth, vapor-bath of the Khumi and
dizziness of mothers whole plant is taken for 2-3 days. Marma
after child birth
The plant is also used in the treatment of boils, gallstone, lactopenia, paralysis and puerperalism
(Uddin, 2006); during convalescence and fever (Kanjilal et al., 1982); itching and urticaria (Lemmens
and Bunyapraphatsara, 2003) and boils and syphilis (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The leaves are used as a fish poison in India. Sometimes the leaves are eaten in curries
or as a vegetable. It is also used as firewood.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not much common. Some people plant it around
their homesteads and temple premises, which is a good mode of conservation.

planted around the homesteads as firewood and vegetable crop.
Maesa ramentacea (Roxb.) A. DC.

Family: Myrsinaceae
Botanical description: A large shrub, up
Synonym: Baeobotrys ramentacea Roxb.
to 10 m tall, branches hanging, barks dark
Vernacular name (s): Maricha (Bengali); brownish, warty. Leaves petiolate, petioles
Bol-jakhandok, Noa-maricha (Garo); up to 1.5 cm long, lamina 7.5-20.0 x 2.5-6.0
Seketia (Khasia); Chupru, Echirang, cm, ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate,
Mesa Dai (Marma); Kurua, Kurua Tethoi, entire or recurved, acuminate or acute, thinly
Lechcha Sibeng, Laipra, Moricha, Tethoi coriaceous, glabrous, lateral veins 6-9 on
(Chakma); Taiokatti (Khumi) and Khelaki each side. Inflorescence in axillary glabrous
Kotoma (Tripura). compound raceme, usually not exceeding the
leaves. Flowers small, whitish. Fruits succulent,
dull brownish-white. Seeds are angular, rugose,
dark brown or blackish.
Flowering and fruiting: January to November.
Ecological adaptation: Grows in the moist shady places in evergreen forests as undergrowth.
Distribution: China to East India, Myanmar and Thailand. In Bangladesh, it occurs in the forests of
Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet.
Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds and stem cuttings.

are shown below.

Snake bite Leaf Affected area is covered with leaves Khumi, Marma
that will remove venom. and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of heart

pain and itching (Lemmens and Bunyapraphatsara,
2003); diarrhoea (Khisha et al., 2012; Rahman et
al., 2007) and boils, bone fracture, cutting wound,
general weakness, hysteria and vomiting (Uddin,
2006).
Other uses: It is used as firewood. Dried leaves are

used as fish poison.
Conservation status in the study area: Available

in the forest and no major threat is observed.
There is no measure taken to conserve this species.

Market potential not explored. It can be planted
around the homesteads.
Maranta arundinacea L.
Family: Marantaceae
Synonym: Maranta sylvatica Roscoe

ex J.E. Smith
Vernacular name (s): Ararut,

Jakhur, Jukhur, Tikhur Aararut,
Tukhur (Bengali); Arrowroot, West
Indian Arrowroot (English); Ararut,
Pittamul, Pittapata Alu (Chakma);
Dotrucho (Khumi); Dhumpau, Fai Ruoi
Uo, Fawraiou, Napiobai, Pring Tar
Bai (Marma); Hup Roap (Murong) and
Thalairu (Tripura).
Botanical description: An herb, with a creeping rootstock, stem short, leafy. Leaves petioled on
sheaths, ovate. Flowers in terminal cyme, bracteates, narrow, spathaceous. Fruit ovoid-oblong,
indehiscent. Seed arillus, green outside.
Flowering and fruiting: May to August.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in high humid and shady places.
Distribution: South America and Zanzibar. In Bangladesh, it is
cultivated occasionally in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s
Bazar, Jamalpur and Mymensingh districts as a minor crop.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by the mature
tips of rhizome.
© S. Imhof
are shown below.

Urine infection Rhizome and Juice extracted by smashing rhizome Khumi, Marma
root and root is taken by mixing with root and Tripura
extract of mango and banana tree.
The plant is also used in the treatment of dysurea, menorrhea, painful micturation, strangury and
urinary trouble (Uddin, 2006); scanty urination along with pain in abdomen (Yusuf et al., 2007) and
burning urination and other urination problem (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The rhizomes are peeled, washed and sieved to collect starch, which is used as a baby
food. This is occasionally eaten after boiling by the tribal people of Cox’s Bazar.
Conservation status in the study area: Occasionally cultivated. People plant this species within
their home gardens and temple premises.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It is
already a domesticated plant and can be planted as a cash crop for starch.
© W. J. Hayden
Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon

Family: Asclepiadaceae
© IUCN Bangladesh
Synonym: Asclepias tenacissima
Roxb.
Botanical description: An extensive twining shrub, stem
Vernacular name (s): Chitti,
and branches slightly stout and densely tomentose. Leaves
Jitti, Siti (Bengali); Rajmahal
opposite, petiolate, lamina is broadly ovate, 10.0-12.5 x 8.0-
Hemp (English); Sakmaburo,
10.5 cm, acuminate, base is deeply cordate with rounded
Townoy (Marma); Duabotoi
lobes, with 4-5 lateral nerves, pubescent above, petioles and
(Tripura) and Ayukaethui
lower surface of lamina densely tomentose. Flowers greenish-
(Khumi).
yellow in corombose cymes. Fruit a follicles of 2, cylindric, up
to 8 cm long pubescent.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in scrub jungles of rain forests.
Distribution: China, Eastern Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. In Bangladesh, this
plant occurs in Chittagong, Bandarban, Rangamati and Tangail districts.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by stem and root cuttings.
are shown below.

Fungus on feet Leaf Sap exude from leaf base is applied Khumi
over affected area.
This plant is also used in the treatment of paralysis (Uddin, 2006).

Other uses: The bark of the young shoots yields fine silky fibers and is used for making bow strings.
The dried sticky juice of this plant is used to erase black lead marks.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common and no measure is taken by the
community to conserve this species.

Melastoma malabathricum L.
Family: Melastomataceae
Synonym (s): Melastoma affine D. Don,

Melastoma ellipticum Naud., Melastoma Botanical description: A shrub, up to 3 m tall,
polyanthum Blume, Melastoma royenii branchlets quadrangular and densely covered
Blume, Melastoma scabrum Ridl. with appressed to spreading, fimbriate,
brownish scales. Leaves opposite, elliptic to
Vernacular name (s): Ban-tezpata, lanceolate, 5-20 x 1.5-7.0 cm, acute or shortly
Datranga, Khamtak, Lutki, Phutki acuminate at the apex, acute or rounded at
(Bengali); Indian Rhododendron (English); the base, 5-nerved, with short appressed hairs
Koaoieboya, Koyi Ing Saw, Main Puti, on both surfaces, petioles 0.4-1.8 cm long.
Sayme (Marma); Chiplai (Khumi); Taitong Flowers pink to purple, compact or loose cymes
(Tripura); Bomangraja, Moha-putting- of 3-7 flowers, terminal or in the upper leaf
gulo, Pittung Gulo Gach (Chakma) and axils. Fruit a capsule, 0.5-1.3 cm long, dark
Kakku-phang (Mandi). purple. Seeds numerous.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in open places, along the edge of forests, disturbed grounds,
roadsides, thickets and river banks.
Distribution: South-east Asia, across Malysia to New Guinea, the Philippines and North Australia. In
Bangladesh, this species is commonly found throughout the country, especially in the hilly areas of
greater Sylhet, Chittagong, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Tangail and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Chemical constituents: Ethanolic extract of the leaves possesses poor antibacterial and anti fungal
properties.
are shown below.

Under arm sore Leaf Leaf paste is used over the wound Khumi and
area for 3-4 days. Marma
The plant is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, body pain, boils, flatulance, gynecological
diseases, oedema, snake bite, stomachache and sore in tongue (Uddin, 2006); apathe, catarrhal
pharyngitis, leucorrhoea and post childbirth problems (Rahman, 2009); stomachache (Roy et al.,
2008) and aphthae, catrrhal pharyngitis, diarrhoea, dysentery, leucorrhoea, scabies and ulcer (Yusuf
et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is used as an ornamental and firewood plant. The fruit is edible, the stem is used as
toothbrush and the fruit causes shining of teeth. The tribal people offer the fruit to God for better
yield of paddy. Natural occurrence of the species indicates the site suitable for tea growth.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found along roadsides, near agricultural fields
and open forests. People do not take any measure to conserve this species.

domesticated as an ornamental and fruit plant.
Merremia umbellata (L.) Hallier f.

Family: Convolvulaceae
Synonym (s): Convolvulus umbellatus L., Ipomoea cymosa (Desr.) R. Br. & Sch.
Vernacular name (s): Shada Kalmi (Bengali); Ekaroy, Komrangjoinui, Thamangnoway, Toil Lata,
Toino Luri Lata (Marma); Apheajong (Khumi); Khut Toring (Chakma); Bangphenophu (Tripura) and
Haruamar (Santal).
Botanical description: An
herbaceous or woody twiner,
sometimes prostrate, young parts
with milky juice. Stem softly
pubescent to glabrous. Leaves
alternate, 3-7 x 0.8-5.0 cm, ovate,
oblong or lanceolate, base is usually
cordate or rounded to truncate.
Flowers white, axillary, umbelliform
cymes. Fruit a capsule, 10-12 x 7-8
mm, more or less glabrous, 4-valved
splitting from the base.
Flowering and fruiting: February

to March.
Ecological adaptation: It grows

in the edges of forest and village
thickets.
Distribution: From tropical East

Africa and Seychelles through the
Indian subcontinent and extending
to China, Thailand and Malaysia.
In Bangladesh, it is found in Cox’s
Bazar, Dhaka, Jamalpur, Rangamati,
Sylhet and Bandarban districts.

Propagated through seeds.
are shown below.
Rheumatic pain (women) Flower Flower is touched in pained area. Marma
This plant is also used in the treatment of boils, bone fracture, gangrene, hyper tension and irregular
menstruation (Uddin, 2006) and indigestion (Uddin et al., 2006).
Other uses: Leaves are cooked as vegetables.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found everywhere. No measure is taken by the
community to conserve this species.

© IUCN Bangladesh
Mikania cordata (Burm. f.) Robinson

Family: Asteraceae
Synonym (s): Eupatorium cordatum Burm. f., Mikania volubilis Willd., Mikania scandens
auct. non L.
Vernacular name (s): Assamlata, Refuzi Lata, Tarulata, Toofainna Lata (Bengali); Climbing
Hempweed, Heartleaf Hempvine (English); Assam Ludi, Sheikh Mujib Atak (Chakma); Assam
Lata, Debaloti, Khainkhambo, Mrakhawbow, Ripujinui, Rifuji Nuiyee, Shushelanway, Wainya
(Marma); Bainyachu (Khumi); Asamlata (Tonchonga); Athisaheph (Mandi) and Rajjamara,
Dukhelaki (Tripura).
Botanical description: A glabrous or sparsely puberulous, twining perennial herb. Leaves petiolate,
petioles up to 5 cm long, lamina up to 9 x 6 cm long, usually cordate, sometimes deltoid-ovate,
acuminate or acute at the apex, margin entire-sinuate or crenate-dentate, usually glabrous, rarely
sparsely pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers white, inflorescence a capitulum. Fruit a cypsela, up
to 1.2 mm long, narrowly oblong, glabrous, pappus white, up to 2.2 mm long.
Flowering and fruiting: October to February.
Ecological adaptation: It grows along roadsides, bank of ponds, open areas in the hills and bushy
jungles.
Distribution: Tropical Asia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and tropical Africa. In Bangladesh, it
is found all over the country.

Chemical constituents: The plant contains mikanin, friedelin, epifriedinol, epifriedelinol,

some sesquiterpene dilactones including dihydromikanolide, deoxymikanolide, mikanolide
and scandenolide, three diterpenic acids knows as kaurenic acid, butyryloxykaurenic acid
and benzoyloxykaurenic acid, stigmasterol, β-sitosterin, glucose, fructose and fumaric acid. A
chlorinated germacarnolide and mono-and di-epoxygermacranolides having one or two lactone
rings have been isolated from the plant. The plant is also a rich source of vitamins A and C, also
contains vitamin B. Three new labdanic acid derivatievs (I-III), two kaurenic acid derivatives
(IV-V) and four new germacranolides (VI-IX) have also been isolated from the plant.
are shown below.
Bleeding due Young and Leaf paste is applied over the Khumi, Marma
to cut and fresh leaves wounded area to stop haemorrhage. and Tripura
bullet wound
This species is also used in the treatment of bleeding from cut, cutting wound, bullet wound, foot
mud sore, gastric ulcer, jaundice, scabies and septic sore (Uddin, 2006); dyspepsia, dysentery,
gastric ulcers, haemorrhages from cuts and wounds, itches and poultiching wound (Ghani, 1998);
gastric pain (Partha and Hossain, 2007) and dysentery, dyspepsia, gastric ulcers, to stop and cure
haemorrhages from cut and bruises, itches and wounds (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Leaves are used as vegetables. It is also used as a remedy for snakebite and scorpion
sting.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the local areas. No measure taken by
the local people to conserve this species. In secondary forests, the species becomes as an alien
invasive species by suppressing the growth and development of native regenerating species.

domesticated as food plant.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Mimosa pudica L. Botanical description: A low, spreading

and prostrate annual or perennial herb, up
Family: Mimosaceae to 1 m tall, sometimes sub-shrubby herb,
Synonym: Mimosa aspirata Blanco erect or scrambling; prickly, prickles curved,
compressed. Leaves subdigitately pinnately
Vernacular name (s): Lojjabati, compound, very sensitive to touch, stipulate,
Lajjabati, Lajjabati Lata, Lajanti, stipules linear-lanceolate, 7-8 mm long, rachis
Lajak, Sarminda, Sarminda Pata 2.5-3.0 cm long, sometimes up to 5 cm long,
(Bengali); Sensitive Plant, Humble pinnae 1-2 pairs, about 2.5-5.0 cm long, sessile,
Plant (English); Hrapaing, Lajuri at the end of the rachis, leaflets 12-25 pairs,
Gach, Lajuri Kher (Chakma); Ange, sessile. Flowers pink in axillary pedunculate
Ungi (Khumi); Hrak, Hrapaing, Kak globose heads. Fruit a pod, 15-18 x 2-4 mm,
Pine, Lajjaboti, Lajulla, Rhyapai, oblong, flat, straight or recurved wavy margin
Thrapayeng (Marma); Japhi (Santal); on both sides, dark brown with bright brown
Lasjuk Gaith (Tonchonga); Ambi- prickly bristle margin when dry.Seeds 3-5 per
michhum, Sammachup (Mandi) and pod, light brown, smooth, glossy.
Chanachi, Changlachi (Tripura).
Flowering and fruiting: September to
December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in dry open grassy

fields, pastures, roadsides and fallow lands.
Distribution: Pan tropical weed of South American

origin, distributed to all the tropical countries of
the world. In Bangladesh, it is a common weed
growing throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation

through seeds and vegetative propagules.
Chemical constituents: Leaves and stems contain

an alkaloid, mimosine. Leaves also contain an
adrenaline-like substance. Seeds contain mucilage
and roots contain tannin. Plant also contains
turgorins. Mucilage of seeds contains galactose
and mannose in ratio 1:1.
Medicinal uses: The medicinal use of the species

collected through FGD and one to one discussions
© M. K. Hossain are shown below.
Abscess Leaf and whole Leaf or whole plant paste is used Khumi, Marma
plant over the sore. and Tripura
Swollen legs and Leaf, root and Boiled water with leaf, root and Marma
ankles/lyphedema flower flower is used for bathing for 3-5 days.
The plant is also used in the treatment of piles, fistula, sore and convulsions of children (Ghani,
1998); amoebic dysentery, boils, bronchitis, dysentery, gastric tumour, gonorrhea, gout, hysteria,
measles, piles, pyorrhea, rheumatic arthritis, rheumatism, septic sore, skin disease, sore on breast
and stomachache (Uddin, 2006); fever due to spleen enlargement and stomachache (Srivastava and
Rout, 1979); aphrodisiac and impotence (Uddin et al., 2006); inflamation of breast and women’s
infertility (Partha and Hossain, 2007); cut wounds, large boils and piles (Mohiuddin et al., 2012) and
asthma, burning sensation, dysentery, eczema, fever, fistula, inflamations, jaundice, leprosy and
piles (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Due to the sensitivity of leaves it is valued as an interesting ornamental plant. It is a
good soil binder and is used as a cover crop along roadside.
Conservation status in the study area: Very common. No measure taken to conserve this species.
It is an invasive species.

© Ahsanul Wahed
Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.
Family: Fabaceae Botanical description: An annual or perennial,

large, climbing herb; glabracent at maturity.
Synonym (s): Dolichos pruriens L.,
Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, membranous,
Mucuna prurita Hook.
ovate, rhomboid, green, glabrescent above,
Vernacular name (s): Al-Kushi, lustrous with fine grey sliky pubescence
Alkushi, Bichchoti, Bilaiachara, beneath, 15-20 cm long, stipels deciduous,
Khamach, Soash Guri (Bengali); and stipules subulate. Flowers purple, in
Common Cowitch, Cowhedge, Cow- elongate 6-30 flowered pendulous racemes,
Witch Plant, Velvet Bean Plant 15-30 cm long. Fruit a pod, 5.0-7.5 cm long,
(English); Eng Rhi Noi, Yang Khrenua, turgid, falcately curved on both ends, densely
Nuifasey (Marma); Bandoenri (Santal); clothed with dark brown, persistent, irritant
Bamphe (Tipura) and Likuajong bristles. Seeds orbicular with long linear hilum,
(Khumi). stropheole absent.
Flowering and fruiting: October to March.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in village

thickets and deciduous forests.
Distribution: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,

Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines. In Bangladesh,
the species occurs frequently in the districts of

done by seeds.
Chemical constituents: The plant contains resin,

tannin and fat. Seeds contain mucuadininine,
prurieninine, prurieni-dine and small amount
of nicotine. They also contain a plant growth-
inhibiting allelochemical candidate, L-3,
4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine. Seeds also contain 4%
reddish viscous oil and the alkaloids, mucunine,
mucunadine, mucuadine.
Medicinal uses: The medicinal use of the species

collected through FGD and one to one discussions
are shown below.
Cut Leaf and young Leaf and shoot paste is applied over Marma
shoot cut area.
The plant is also used in the treatment of rheumatism (Uddin, 2006); cholera, dropsy, elephantiasis,
kidney diseases and ulcer (Ghani, 2003); eye diseases (Srivastava and Adi community, 2009); waist
pain (Uddin et al., 2006) and cholera, fever, kidney problem and ulcer (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found. People do not take any measure to
conserve it.

domesticated as a green manure and cover plant.

Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem.

Family: Cucurbitaceae © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Synonym (s): Cucumis maderaspatana L., Bryonia scabrella L. f., Mukia

scabrella (L. f.) Arn., Melothria maderaspatna (L.) Cogn.
Vernacular name(s): Agmukhi, Bilari (Bengali); Na Khongbu Nuai

(Marma); Medha Tida (Chakma); Mukhra Khangkkha (Tripura) and
Nakhonbu (Khumi).
Botanical description: A perennial climbing herb. Stem scandent, much branched, sulcate. Tendrils
slender elongate. Leaves simple, alternate, somewhat rigid, ovate or ovate-cordate, 4-15 x 3-12 cm,
entire, angulate or 3-5 lobed. Male flowers are fascicled, pedicles short, calyx tube campanulate.
Female flowers are solitary or 3-5 fasciculate. Fruit a berry, globose, brownish-yellow, juicy. Seeds 4
x 2 mm, 1.5 mm thick, turgid, ovoid-oblong.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the grasslands, fallow lands, and river margins and forest outskirts.
Distribution: Africa, Australia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand and the Philippines. In
Bangladesh, the species is found in almost all over the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation through seeds.

are shown below.
Bleeding from Leaf Paste, prepared by smashing the Khumi, Marma

nose leaf, applied in nose directly. and Tripura
This plant is also used in the treatment of dysurea (Uddin, 2006) and biliousness, cough, toothache
and vertigo (Rahman, 2009).
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forests, streams and roadsides. No
measures taken by the local community to conserve this species.

Musa paradisiaca L.
Family: Musaceae
Synonym (s): Musa sapientum L., Musa

paradisiaca L. subsp. sapientum (L.) K.
Schum.
Vernacular name (s): Aitta Kola, Bichi

Kola, Kanch Kola, Kola, Kola Gach (Bengali);
Banana, Banana Plant, Plantain (English);
Maldinapiow (Marma); Kotikiw (Khumi);
Thaileenow (Tripura) and Aittakola,
Atta Kola Gach, Kacha Kola, Kattoli Kola
(Chakma).
Botanical description: Tree-like herb, up

to 9 m tall. Leaves petiolate, blade oblong,
1-3 m long, usually ragged in appearance,
splitting between the transverse parallel
veins. Inflorescence a drooping spike, 1
m long, peduncle thick. Bracts opening in
succession, ovate, 15-20 cm long, concave,
dark red, somewhat fleshy. Fruit a berry,
oblong, fleshy, in the wild form 5-7 cm
long with seed, seedless and longer in the
cultivated varieties.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Ecological adaptation: It grows along the roadsides, waste land, kitchen gardens and banks of rivers
and sides of ponds.
Distribution: Native to tropical Asia and widely cultivated in the tropics. In Bangladesh, this species
Propagation and management: Propagated through offsets.
Chemical constituents: Banana contains two physiologically important compounds, serotonin and
nor-epinephrine, in addition to dopamine and a catecholamine. Banana ovaries contain tryptophan
and indole compounds. Growing parts of the plant contain much tannin and gallic acid. Green fruits
contain a large amount of tannin, starch and iron. Ripe fruits contain a large quantity of crystallisable
and non-crystallisable sugars and vitamin C. Fruits also contain B-vitamins, starch, albuminoids, fats
and mineral salts. Tender roots contain much tannin. Two 3-oxo-28-norcycloartane type triterpenes,
4-epicycloeucalenone and –epicylomusalenone and two known 3-oxo-29-norcycloartanes,
cycloeucalenone and cyclomusalenonoe have been isolated from the fruit peel.
are shown below.
Constipation Spathe Juice, extracted by smashing the Marma

spathe, warmed with table salt is taken
orally twice a day for 2-3 days.
Fever Root Juice of this plant root and that of Khumi and
Papayais mixed and given with rice-water Tripura
to children three times a day for 3-5 days.
Headache during Leaf Nigella sativa paste is applied on the Khumi

delivery forehead and then blow is given by
mouth by the warm leaf blade in case
of headache during delivery.
It is also used in the treatment of blood disorder, burns, cardiac diseases, cholera, coeliac disease,
constipation, diarrhoea, diabetes, dysentery, epilepsy, gout, haemoptyis, hypertension, hysteria,
menorrhagia, nephritis, otalgia, peptic ulcer, uremia and venereal diseases, (Ghani, 2003); tumor
(Roy et al., 2008); asthma, blood dysentery, boils in rectum, diarrhoea and lipoma (tumor) (Uddin,
2006); bleeding piles, cholera, dyspepsia, fever, leprosy, ringworm, skin diseases and vomiting (Ghani
1998) and acidity, colic, diabetis, diarrhoea, dysentery, epilepsy, eye diseases, heart-burn, hysteria,
intestinal worms, menorrhagia and opthalmia (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: The fruit is used both as a vegetable and a dessert fruit. The core of aerial stem
immediately after flowering is a good source of edible starch. Leaf blade is used as a meal plate
and for packing various commodities such as sugar, salt etc. in the village hats. The poor villagers
make raft (bhela) during the floods by trying a few pseudo-stems together. Sometimes the pseudo-
stem is also used to float boats. Alcoholic beverages, like banana wine, brandy, bear, vinegar, etc.,
are distilled from the ripe fruit. As the ash of banana peels is rich in potash, it is used in making
soap.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People also plant this species around their
homesteads, shifting cultivation area, temple and school premises.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It is a

domesticated food and cash crop.
Mussaenda roxburghii Hook. f.

Family: Rubiaceae Botanical description: An erect or suberect
Synonym: Mussaenda corymbosa Kurz non Roxb. shrub. Leaves opposite, stipulate and petiolate,
stipules broadly triangular-lanceolate,
Vernacular name (s): Chauri-Chaonri, Gach
bifurcate at the apex, lobes straight, hairy,
Ranirtak, Patoo Mormoijja, Raniratak,
petioles stout, up to 2.5 cm long, lamina elliptic
Sheodima, Silchaonri, Silchauri, Sildaura
or oblong-lanceolate, 5-25 x 4-9 cm, sparsely
(Chakma); Changmormo, Mirmo, Ranertago
setulose above and pale beneath, acuminate at
Gaas, Samuimu (Tripura); Ranirtak (Tonchonga);
both ends, narrowed at the base. Flowers in a
Chung Faing La, Kolmanagoi, Loribang,
dense terminal head, usually 3-branched from
Obongmaraja, Rongbongsey, Sichamba, Sung
the base, but undifferentiated, many-flowered.
Faila, Suichi, Sunperghla, Sungphaifla, Supaila
Fruit a berry, oblong or ellipsoid, up to 10 mm
(Marma) and Nakaling, Paokanling (Khumi).
in diameter, crowned in a head like mass.
Flowering and fruiting: May to February.
Ecological adaptation: It occurs along the fringe of primary forests.
Distribution: Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it occurs in Sylhet,
Comilla, Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar districts.
are shown below.
Tooth and Root For pain in teeth and mouth, root Khumi, Marma
mouth pain and paste is used and/or chewing the and Tripura
diarrhoea root directly for 2-3 days. Root
juice is taken twice a day for 2-3
days to treat diarrhoea.
Fever Whole plant The Marma people rub the plant Khumi and
on body during fever. The Khumi Marma
people use the boiled water with
the plant for bathing to reduce
body temperature.
It is also used in the treatment of boils, fever and rheumatism (Uddin, 2001); abdominal pain,
bleeding, breast pain, cirorhosis, epilepsy, food poisoning, gout, headache, hyper acidity, lipoma,
oedema, para-paralysis, paralysis, pediatric disease, pyorrhea, rheumatism, skin disease, snakebite,
swelling of armpit gland and tumour (Uddin, 2006); rheumatism (Khisha et al., 2012); boils and
headache (Alam, 1992); boils, headache and jaundice (Yusuf et al., 2009) and boils (Rahman, 2010).
Other uses: Leaves of this plant is used as vegetable.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. No measure taken to conserve this
species by the local people though, it needs in-situ conservation.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: A

potential plant for domestication as an ornamental shrub and food plant.
Mycetia longifolia (Wall.) O. Kuntze

Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym (s): Rondeletia longiflora Wall., Randia

fasciculata Blume, Wendlandia longifolia (Wall.)
DC., Adenosacme longifolia (Wall.) ex Endl., Mycetia
longifolia (Wall.) K. Schum.
Vernacular name (s): Papok Pain, Taow, Tong Marang

(Marma); Mykanchi (Khumi) and Loti Kanachana
(Chakma).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: A shrub or undershrub, up to 2 m tall, branches terete. Leaves opposite,

stipulate and petiolate, stipules ovate-oblong, lanceolate, interpetiolar, petioles slender, up to 5 cm
long, glabrescent to tomentose, lamina elliptic, oblong, elliptic-lanceolate to oblanceolate, 12-34 x
3-14 cm, apex acute or acuminate, base narrowed, pubescent or scabridulous underneath. Flowers
yellowish-white, terminal, sometimes axillary, panicled, trichotomously branched, cymes up to 35
cm long, peduncles with 1 or 2 pairs of floral bracts, up to 5 cm long. Fruit a berry, white, globose,
crowned with persistent calyx lobes. Seeds numerous, minute, dotted.
Flowering and fruiting: June to March.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the moist primary forest, especially along streams at lower
elevations.
Distribution: India, China, Indo-China, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia. In Bangladesh, it occurs in
the forests of Sylhet, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
are shown below.
Burns Fruit Fruit juice is applied over burned Khumi

area 3-5 times a day for a week.
Allergy Whole plant Bath is taken with the whole plant Marma and
boiled water for 5-10 days. Tripura
The plant is also used to treat lipoma (tumour), liver cancer and rheumatism (Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: Leaves are cooked and served as vegetables in India.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the forest area. Few people, especially the
Buddhist monks, plant this species around the temple premises and homesteads, which is a good
mode of conservation.

Myxopyrum smilacifolium (Wall.) Blume

Family: Oleaceae
Synonym (s): Chionanthus smilacifolia Wall., Chondrospermum smilacifolium (Wall.) Wall. ex G.

Don
Vernacular name (s): Anuielabera, Panta Lota, Toroyoo (Marma); Keuncherayua (Khumi) and Cry
Kha (Chakma).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: A large scandent shrub, young shoots glabrous. Leaves simple, opposite,
7-15 x 3.5-6.0 cm, ovate to lanceolate or elliptic, acute to slightly acuminate at the apex, acute
to rounded at the base, glabrous, margin entire or finely serrate in the upper half of the lamina,
1 prominent primary vein arising from the lamina base on each side of the midrib, with 3-4 less
prominent veins above, raised below. Flowers greenish white, axillary, paniculate cymes, 5-19 cm
long. Fruit a berry, spheroid, 6-11 mm long.
Flowering and fruiting: April-September.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the evergreen forests.
Distribution: China, India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. In Bangladesh, this
plant occurs in the forests of Sylhet, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
are shown below.
Asthma and Root Root extract, obtained by stone Marma

bronchial asthma grinding, is mixed with rice water
and taken two times a day after
meal for 2 weeks.
The plant is also used to treat abortion (up to three months), anaemia and hysteria (Uddin, 2006).
conserve it.

Ocimum americanum L.
Family: Lamiaceae
Synonym: Ocimum canum Sims.
Vernacular name(s): Bon Tulshi (Bengali);

Hoary Basil, Rosary Basil (English); Hnung
Pohrak, Nung, Nung Aprou, Nuwboi (Marma);
Hugur Sabarang, Jedsabarang, Mouno Richchey,
Sabarang (Chakma); Cheopra (Khumi) and Mada
(Tripura).
Botanical description: An erect, stout, aromatic annual herb, up to 40 cm tall. Stem simple to
much branched, young parts puberulous to tomentose. Leaves opposite, petiolate, petioles 0.2-
1.5 cm long, slender, pubescent, hairs occasionally up to 0.2 cm long, lamina elliptic-lanceolate,
faintly serrate, acute, glabrous excepting the veins on the ventral surface. Flowers white, in close
set whorls of terminal spiciform cymes, tomentose. Nutlets 4, 0.1 x 0.1 cm, narrowly elliptic,
punctulate, black, 3-faced, becoming very mucilaginous in water.
Flowering and fruiting: June to February.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in shady and moist places.
Distribution: From tropical Africa, Madagascar, and western Asia to Indian subcontinent, Indonesia
and China. In Bangladesh, it is found in most of the districts.
Chemical constituents: Aerial parts yield an essential oil which contains camphor and linalool
(major constituents), citronellal, methyl cinnamate, citronellic acid, eugenol, citronellol, geraniol,
citral, methyle heptenone, etc. On fractionation the oil yields dipentene, terpinolene, crithmene,
limonene, pinene, sabinene, camphene, caryophyllene, traces of phenol and acedic acid.
Polysaccharide present in the plant contains xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, galacturonic
acid and glucuronic acid detected from the plant.
are shown below.
Burn problem Whole plant Ash mixed with starch (starch Khumi and
extracted from rice) is used on sore. Marma
This herb is also used in the treatment of anemia, bronchitis, dry cough, pneumonia and stomachache
(Uddin, 2006); bronchitis, catarrh, colds, cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, indigestion, skin diseases and
toothache (Ghani, 1998); appendicitis pain, fever and stomachache (Khanam, 2009) and bronchitis,
cold, cough, catarrh, dysentery, fever, indigestion, malarial fever, migraine, nose bleeding, skin
diseases and toothache (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Volatile oil extracted from this plant is used in soap and cosmetics. Fresh plant is used
as a mosquito repellent. Root paste is applied to the wounds of animals. Fumigation by keeping fresh
plants over fire in a closed room for half an hour kills ticks in the body of chicken. The tribal people
in Bandarban use this plant as vegetable and ornamental purposes.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common but people noticed that it does not grow
naturally in their localities. People plant this species around the premises of temples, homesteads
and schools.

good market and domestication potentials.
Ocimum suave Willd.

Family: Lamiaceae Botanical description: An annual herb, about 60
cm long. Stem tomentose mostly on the groove.
Synonym (s): Ocimum gratissimum L. var.
Leaves opposite, petiolate, petioles 2.5-3.5 cm
suave (Willd.) Hook. f., Ocimum gratissimum
long, brown tomentose, lamina 5-8 x 2-3 cm,
L. var gratissimum Paton
elliptic-lanceolate, serrate, acuminate, brown
Vernacular name (s): Raam Tulsi (Bengali); tomentose on both surfaces. Flowers white, in
Shrubby Basil (English); Hui Sabarang, Kobi terminal panicle, hoary or tomentose. Fruits of
Sabarang, Midareissa, Mitha-Phul, Midey- 4 nutlets.
gulo Pata, Ramtulsi (Chakma); Alofang, Midi
Phul, Miraphul, Mromahumbang, Mrungbai, Flowering and fruiting: April to August.
Sang Haphoi (Marma) and Midar Roshi Gaith Ecological adaptation: It grows as a weed in dry
(Tonchonga). plain land and hilly soil.
Distribution: Tropical Africa, Madagascar, India

and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, the species occurs
commonly almost all over the country.
Propagation and management: It can be propagated by seeds.
Chemical constituents: Leaves and other aerial parts yield a good amount of essential oil which
contains methyl eugenol and eugenol as the main components and many other monoterpene and
sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. It contains thymol, ocimene, cadinene, perillyl alcohol, myrcene and
also citral, geraniol and citronellol.
© IUCN / M. A. Motaleb © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
are shown below.
Cold and cough Leaf Leaf juice, extracted by rubbing in stone, Marma
is taken twice a day for 3-5 days.
The plant is also used in the treatment of allergy and cough of children (Mohiuddin et al., 2012);
nasal diseases and skin diseases (Roy et al., 2008); cough, catarrh, gout and headache (Yusuf et al.,
2007); cold, cough, flatulence, impotence, leuocoderma, respiratory troubles and strangury (Uddin,
2006) and children aphthae, dysmenorrhoea, fever, gonorrhoea, headache, influenza, rheumatism,
neuralgia, paralysis, scanty urination and seminal weakness (Ghani, 1998).
Other uses: Seeds are used to prepare a type of laxative syrup.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found. People also cultivate this plant around
their homesteads, temple premises and in the shifting cultivation area, which is a good mode of
conservation at local level.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It has a

potential for cultivation as a recipe of cough syrup in pharmaceutical industries.
Ocimum tenuiflorum L.
Botanical description: An aromatic perennial
Family: Lamiaceae herb, up to 140 cm tall. Stem quadrangular,
Synonym (s): Ocimum sanctum L., Geniosporum grooved, patently hairy, often purplish, woody
tenuiflorum (L.) Merr. below. Leaves opposite with 1-3 cm long
petiole, lamina 3.0-4.5 x 1.0-2.5 cm, broadly
Vernacular name (s): Kalo Tulsi, Krishna Tulsi,
elliptic, serrate, subacute, pubescent to
Tulsi (Bengali); Holy Basil, Sacred Basil (English);
puberulent on both surfaces. Flowers white,
Chaprang, Mro Ma Nung Paing, Nung Gri, Paing
10-25 cm long, branched, hirsute, whorls
New (Marma); Tulsi Bofang, Ramal, Zeipra,
with 6-8 flowers. Fruit a nut, nutlet 0.1 x 0.1
(Tripura); Leongkede (Khumi) and Kalo Tulsi,
cm, subglobose, slightly compressed, nearly
Sabarang Gach (Chakma).
smooth, pale brown or reddish with small
markings, maturing at different times, turns
mucilaginous when wet.
Flowering and fruiting: Throughout the year, but maximum flowering is available in winter.
Ecological adaptation: Its natural habitat varies from sea level to an altitude of 2000 m. It is found
naturally in moist soil nearly all over the globe. It grows well in the open spaces such as backyard,
road sides etc. It prefers well drained soil and frost free area.
Distribution: This species is native throughout the Old tropics extending from Arabia to Malay
Peninsula, China, India and Japan up to Pacific Islands and Australia. In Bangladesh, the species very
commonly occurs all over the country under cultivated condition.
Chemical constituents: Leaves yield a bright yellow essential oil containing phenols, aldehyde,
eugenol, carvacrol, methyl eugenol, cineol, linalool and caryophyllene. This plant also contains
alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, citric, tartaric and malic acids.
are shown below.
Stomach pain and Young leaf Juice of young leaves and shoots is taken Khumi, Marma
gastric problem directly twice a day for 3-5 days. and Tripura
This plant is also used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, chicken pox, cold and cough, dental
carries, hyper acidity (gastritis), hysteria, influenza, insanity, itching, measles, otitis media, prickly
heat, respiratory troubles, rheumatic arthritis, ring worm, stomachache, tuberculosis, vaginocele
and vomiting (Uddin, 2006); bronchitis, cough, diarrhoea, earache, gastric disorder of children,
itches, leprosy, ringworm and stomachache (Ghani, 1998); cough and fever (Khanam, 2009); fever
and malaria (Mohiuddin et al., 2012) and bronchitis and fever (Uddin et al., 2006).
Other uses: The Hindus grow Tulsi as a religious plant in their homes, temples and their farms.
They use Tulsi leaves in routine worship. The fragrance of the leaves is also quite attractive-spicy
and complex, often resembling clove. Leaves are eaten as salad. The plant is used as mosquito
repellant. In India, the species is used for preparing handicrafts.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People, especially the religious people,
plant this species around the premises of temples, houses and schools. It is thus being conserved
through small scale plantations.

good market potentials and has pharmaceutical uses, both in traditional and modern medicines.
Ophiorrhiza mungos L.
Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name (s): Gandhanakuli (Bengali); Indian Snake Root,

Mongoose Plant (English); Chiesaida-anie (Marma); Chiesaida-
kamchi (Khumi); Chiesaida-anie (Tripura) and Dhubsona, Dhubjhari,
Gandhanakuli, Kalashona, Kelarazi (Chakma).
Botanical description: An annual herb or

undershrub, up to 100 cm tall. Stem suffruticose,
erect, branched. Leaves stipulate and petiolate,
stipules caducous, margin puberulous, petioles
up to 5 cm long, lamina elliptic or elliptic-
lanceolate, 2.5-22.0 x 1-9 cm, apex acuminate,
base narrowed, puberulous. Flowers up to 6 mm
long, corymbose, cymes. Fruit a capsule, glabrous
or puberulous.
© Internet
Ecological adaptation: It grows in moist shady places, often common in evergreen forests.
Distribution: Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, the
species occurs in the forests of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
are shown below.
Snake bite Leaf Leaf paste is applied on the bite area. Marma
Stomachache Root Root paste is taken thrice a day for 3 days. Khumi
The plant is also used in the treatment of boils, mental disorder and oedema (Uddin, 2006) and heart
diseases and paralysis (Rahman et al., 2007).
Other uses: It is popularly believed to be a remedy against bites of venomous snakes and mad dogs.
Conservation status in the local area: Not common. People do not take any measure to conserve
this species. It needs in-situ and ex-situ conservation.

domesticated for further pharmaceutical trials.
Parabaena sagittata Miers ex Hook. f. & Thoms.

Family: Menispermaceae
Synonym (s): Cissampelos sagittata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.,

Parabaena racemosa Gagnep.
Vernacular name (s): Samanuia (Bengali); Gaidiaanowai, Nama

Nuiyee (Marma); Muipungpou (Khumi); Angkala (Tripura) and
Aring Kanshak, Horin Kan Shak, Uring Kan Shak (Chakma).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: A slender climber. Stems and branches striate, pubescent. Leaves alternate,
variable, usually hastate to sagittate, 8-13 x 4.5-8.0 cm, apex acute-acuminate, base lobed or
rounded-cordate to acute, margin entire to repand-denate, petioles 2-8 cm long, swollen and
geniculate at the base. Flowers solitary or 2-3 arising together, repeatedly dichotomously branched,
axillary racemes. Fruit a drupe, orange, glabrous, borne on a subglobose carpophores.
Flowering and fruiting: January to November.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the evergreen, semi-evergreen, mixed deciduous and scrub forests.
Distribution: South West China, North East India (Assam), Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Andaman Islands,
Laos and Vietnam. In Bangladesh, it occurs in the forests of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong
Hill Tracts.
are shown below.
Sore Leaf Leaf paste is applied over the Marma

affected area.
Arthritis Leaf Leaf vapour is inhaled 3 times a day Tripura
for 2 weeks.
The plant is also used in the treatment of cancer, hepatomegaly, lactorrhoea, liver, lumps in the
throat, oedema, piles and rheumatoid arthritis (Uddin, 2006).
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. No conservation measure is taken
locally to conserve it.

© IUCN Bangladesh
Pavetta tomentosa Roxb. ex Smith

Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym (s): Pavetta indica L. var. tomentosa Botanical description: A large shrub or small
(Roxb. ex Smith) Hook. f., Pavetta indica L. tree, up to 6 m tall. Leaves opposite, stipulate
subsp. tomentosa (Roxb. ex Smith) Bennet. and petiolate, stipules membranous, united
Vernacular name (s): Bisophal, Falda, Jooi, into an intra-petiolar sheath, petioles up to
Kukurchura (Bengali); Inidan Pellet Shrub 2.5 cm long, lamina broadly oblong-elliptic to
(English); Chiujok Gach, Na Raing, Si Sa Thang, lanceolate, 8-12 x 3-12 cm, apex acute, obtuse
Waipoichipang (Marma); Kiwngkamnoking or emarginated, base broadly or narrowly
(Khumi) and Khungshuw (Tripura). cuneate. Flowers white, very large, lax,
compound, usually leafless, corymbose panicle,
more than 15 cm wide. Fruits globose, purplish-
green, 1-seeded.
Flowering and fruiting: March to August.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the open forests, especially near rocks.
Distribution: India and Bhutan. In Bangladesh, it is found in Mymensingh, Rangpur and Chittagong
Hill Tracts.
Chemical constituents: Stems contain a green resin, starch, an organic acid and a bitter glycoside
resembling salicin. Root contains glucosides and is rich in D-mannitol, β-Sitosterol, α-amyrin,
© IUCN Bangladesh © IUCN Bangladesh
quercetin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and three epi-ursolic acids have been isolated from the
leaves of the plant. Analysis of the essential oil obtained from the stem revealed the presence
of α- and β-pinenes, limonene, α-phellandrene, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, citronellol,
linalool, geraniol and α-terpineol.
are shown below.
Eczema Leaf Leaf paste is applied over the affected Khumi, Marma
area three times a day for a month. and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of ureterolithiasis (Uddin, 2006) and ascites haemorrhoidal
pains, renal dropsy and visceral obstructions (Ghani, 1998).
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forests, roadsides and homestead
areas. People also plant this species around their homesteads, which is a good mode of conservation.

Pedilanthus tithymaloides Poit.

Botanical description: A subsucculent shrub, up to
Family: Euphorbiaceae 2.5 mm tall, young shoot puberulent, glabrous at age.
Synonym: Euphorbia tithymaloides L. Leaves simple, alternate, stipulate, stipules dark-brown,
petiolate, petioles 4-10 mm long, leaf blade ovate or
Vernacular name(s): Belatisiz,
elliptic-ovate, 3-14 x 1-8 cm, acute or obtuse at the apex,
Berachita, Belati-sij, Rangchita
truncate to cuneate at the base. Cyathium with an involucral
(Bengali); Jew’s Slipper (English);
tube 8-12 mm long. Male flowers 20-34, pedicels 8-12 mm
Marnauk, Mornak, Moruna, Moroo
long, sepals and petals absent, stamen 1, filaments 3 mm
Nak, Murunah (Marma); Barokut,
long. Female flowers pedicellate, pedicels 7-11 mm long,
Dandarkut Gach (Tonchonga) and
ovary 3-locular, 1.6 mm long, oblong, trigonous, ovule 1 in
Kiokonaoki (Khumi).
each locule, style short, connate, stigmas 3, bifid. Fruit a
capsule, 5 mm in diameter, sub-quadrate, deeply 3-lobed.
Seeds ovoid or sub-globose with acute apex and truncate
base, 4 x 3 mm, grey to deep brown.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the shrubberies and waste places.
Distribution: India. In Bangladesh, the species occurs in cultivated condition throughout the country.

© IUCN Bangladesh
Chemical constitutes: Occtacosanol, cycloartenone and β-sitosterol have been isolated from this
plant. A fuel oil obtained from this plant is rich in aromatic hydrocarbons. Leaves also contain
n-hentriacontanoland- a new triterpene, dehydrodammaranol A. Azafrin has been isolated from
roots. The latex contains euphorbin, cerin, myricin, resin and fatty oil.
are shown below.
Body pain Leaf Warm leaf used over the painful area. Marma
Dog bite Leaf Smashed leaf is used over the bite area. Khumi
This shrub is also used in the treatment of asthma, bone fracture, cough and sinuositis (Uddin, 2006);
leucoderma and sterility in women (Ghani, 1998) and headache, impotency and seminal weakness
Other uses: It is cultivated in many places as hedge plants and as an ornamental pot plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly occurs. There is no measure taken by the local
community to conserve this species, but few people plant this species around their homesteads,
temples and school premises.

good potential as a hedge plant.
Pentapetes phoenicea L.
Botanical description: An annual herb, 1-2 m
Family: Sterculiaceae tall, glabrescent, barks smooth, greenish-brown,
Synonym: Pentapetes angustifolia with a few scattered stellate hairs. Leaves simple,
Blume alternate, 3-14 x 0.5-1.5 cm, linear-lanceolate,
acute at the apex, base obtuse or cuneate, margin
Vernacular name (s): Bandhuli,
serrate, glabrous above, stellate-hairy on the veins
Kat-laia (Bengali); Copper Cup,
beneath, petioles 1-10 mm long, hairy, stipulate.
Noon Flower, Mid Day Flower,
Flowers red, in 1-3 axillary fascicles, open around
Scarlet Mallow (English); Dibujja
noon and close following dawn. Fruit a capsule,
Phul, Dibissa Phul, Dibuxxa-phul-
subglobose, 5-valved, loculicidally dehiscent. Seeds
gach (Chakma); Moidya Koain Gach,
8-12, elliptic, wingless.
Moide Khowra (Marma); Cheota
(Khumi) and Nania (Tripura). Flowering and fruiting: August to January.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the moist

places, rice fields and gardens.
Distribution: Sri Lanka, India, Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Japan, the USA
and Cuba. In Bangladesh, it is cultivated in many gardens.
are shown below.
Irregular Root Root juice extracted through rubbing in Marma

menstruation stone, is taken twice a day for a week.
This species is also used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea, febric convulsion (high temperature),
hysteria, menopause, painful micturition and remitting fever (Uddin, 2006) and boils (Roy et al.,
2008).
Other uses: It is grown as an ornamental plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forests and shifting cultivation area.
People also plant it around their homesteads and temple premises.

domestication potential as an ornamental plant.
Peristylus constrictus (Lindl.) Lindl.
Family: Orchidaceae Botanical description: A terrestrial herb. Stem

stout, tall, up to 75 cm with inflorescence.
Synonym (s): Herminium constrictum Lindl.,
Leaves elliptic, acute or acuminate, up to
Platanthera constricta Lindl. ex Wall., Orchis
15 x 10 cm, narrow at the base or broadly
leucantha Buch.-Ham. ex Wall., Habenaria
petioled. Inflorescence spike, up to 25 cm
constricta (Lindl.) Hook. f.
long, cylindric, dense, and many-flowered.
Vernacular name (s): Bhuinora (Tonchonga); Flowers 2 cm across, yellowish, fragrant.
Cha Muinda, Chemmodoh (Marma); Nantho Sepals pale brown, subequal, oblong. Petals
(Khumi) and Kuthmai (Tripura). white, larger than sepals, obliquely ovate. Lip
white, side lobes narrowly lanceolate, falcate,
spur globose.
Flowering and fruiting: June to July.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in shady and moist forest soils.
Distribution: India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. In Bangladesh,
the species is distributed in Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: Propagation through separating the root tubers with shoot.
are shown below.
Syphilis and Whole plant One cup of whole-plant boiled water Khumi, Marma
Gonorrhea is taken once a day after dinner for and Tripura
7-10 days.
Abscess in ear Whole plant Warm plant paste is used. Khumi, Marma
and Tripura
The plant is also used in the treatment of boils (Huda, 2000 and Rahman, 2010).
Other uses: The species has floricultural value.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the wet places of the forest area. People said
that it was very common in 10-15 years back in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and hence conservation
measure needs to be taken.

domesticated as a garden and pot plant.
Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach

Family: Polygonaceae
Synonym (s): Polygonum hydropiper L., Polygonum acuminata (Franch. & Savat.) Hassan
Vernacular name (s): Bishkatali, Lal Biskatali, Pakurmul, Panimarich (Bengali); Marshpepper,
Marsh-pepper, Smartweed, Pepperwort, Readleaf, Water Pepper (English); Sathaimcho (Tripura);
Chiyee Book Tong, Mracheai, Pettiki, Uak Tong (Marma); Achakachu (Khumi); Chakhong Macha
(Monipuri) and Jeoti (Santal).
Botanical description: An annual herb. Stem erect or ascending, glabrous, minutely glandular, 30-60
cm tall. Petioles short, 5 mm long, lamina up to 9.0 x 1.5 cm, lanceolate, glabrous, base attenuate,
apex acute, margin ciliate, petioles and midrib beneath sparsely strigose. Ocrea tubular, glabrous or
with small strigose hairs, margin shortly ciliate, always less than half the length of tube. Flowers white
or very light pink, in terminal or lateral racemes, peduncles branched, minutely glandular. Fruit a nut,
1.5 x 1.1 mm, biconvex or trigonous occurring in the same plant, black, reticulate.
Flowering and fruiting: August to April.
Ecological adaptation: This species commonly occurs in wet places, particularly near the banks of
canals and ditches.
Distribution: Afghanistan, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. The plant is
also common in Europe, North Africa, North America and Australia. In Bangladesh, it occurs almost
Propagation and management: Propagated through seed.
Chemical constituents: Aerial parts of the plant contain several flavonols and flavone glycosides,
including quercetin, quercitrin, kaempferol, rutin, hyperoside (quercetin-3-glactoside), rhamnacin
and its ester, persicarin and its methyl ester, dialdehyde sesquiterpene, tadeonal (polygdial) and
its isomers and, iso-tadeonal and confertilon, and an acrid essential oil. Occurrence of tendines, a
glucoside polygopiperin, an alkaloid, tannins and a number of organic acids have also been reported in
this herb. Roots contain tannins, ellagic acid methyl ether, gallic acid, anthraquinone and oxymethyl
anthraquinone, quercetin glycosides and iso-coumarinn polygonolide. A sesquiterpene dialdehyde,
polygodial has been also isolated from this plant.
are shown below.
Allergy, itching, Leaf Leaf is smashed to produce juice Marma

boils and joint which is taken twice a day for a week
pain for all the diseases.
The species is also used in the treatment of liver cancer and stomachache (Uddin, 2006); impotence
(Uddin et al., 2006); dismenorrhea, dysentery, enlarged liver and skin diseases (Hassan, 2009) and
amenorrhea, body pain, dysentery, dysmenorrhea, enlarged liver, gastric ulcer, headache, intestinal
worms, liver pain, loss of appetite, obstruction of menses, painful carbuncles, premature abortion,
skin diseases, stomach pain, toothache and wounds (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: This is used to kill fishes during the cleaning of ponds. The juice of plant is also a
common remedy against the body lice of cattle and sheep and as a repellent of flies. Fish anglers use
its juice to catch earthworms.
Conservation status in the study area: No major threat is observed. Usually found near the wet
places. There is no measure taken to conserve this species. It is usually found surrounding the areas
of river or wet places.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Does not

have any such potentials.
© Internet
Phyllanthus niruri L.
Synonym: Phyllanthus amarus Schum.
Vernacular name (s): Bhuiamla (Bengali); Stonebreaker (English); Bamuri Bhanga Kher, Bhangai
Bhangahar, Bhangari Bhanga Kher (Chakma); Sikangkhlu (Khumi); Magoinoai, Grukhri (Marma); Kura
Amluki (Tonchonga) and Louko Amlai, Satanshah (Tripura).
Botanical description: A monoecious, erect annual herb, up to 70 cm tall, branches angular, Leaves
distichous, elliptic-oblong to elliptic-oblanceolate, 5-12 x 2-5 mm, obtuse or rounded at the apex
and base of sometimes tapering to the base, membranous, dark green above, paler and greyish
beneath. Flowers yellowish, very numerous, axillary, the males 1-3, the female solitary. Fruit a
capsule, trilobate-subglobose, 1.5-2.5 mm in diameter, smooth.
Flowering and fruiting: August to October.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in sandy clay soil in moist places.

Distribution: Africa, India, Pakistan, Saudia Arabia and the West Indies. In Bangladesh, it is found
Chemical constituents: Three lignins – niranthin, nirtetralin and phyltetralin have been isolated from
the leaves. Leaves also contain phyllanthinand hypophyllanthin. Estradiol has been detected in bark
and roots. Roots a also contains Kaempferol-4-rhamnopyranoside, eriodictyol-7-rhamnapyranoside
and lup-20 (20)-en-3β-ol and its acetate.
are shown below.
Stomachache Root Pill prepared by smashing the root Marma and

of this plant and garlic is taken Tripura
orally once a day up to cure.
The plant is also used in the treatment of asthma, constipation, dehydration, febric convulsion,
gonorrhea, hysteria, jaundice, meningitis, menorrhea, pneumonia, strangury, tetanus and vomiting
(Uddin, 2006); dehydration and skin care (Mohiuddin et al., 2012); ailments of genito-urinary
tract, gonorrhea, jaundice, scabby infections, sores and wounds (Kirtikar et al., 1935); dysentery,
genital diseases, gonorrhea, jaundice, menorrhagia and stomachache (Pal and Jain, 1998) and
colic, diabetis, diarrhoea, dropsy, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, gonorrhea, jaundice, leucorrhoea,
ringworms, scabies, stomach pain, sores, ulcers and urinogenital diseases (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Heated leaf and root is used to keep devils away by touching with the body, which is a
belief of the Tribal people of Bandarban.
Conservation status: Locally common. No measure is taken to conserve this species.

© Internet
Premna esculenta Roxb.

Family: Verbenaceae
Synonym: Gumira esculenta (Roxb.) Kuntze
Vernacular name (s): Lalana, Lalong, Lelom

Pata (Bengali); Kala Lelom, Lelompata,
Lelom Pada, Silazra (Chakma); Cramubang,
Cramuaroubang, Kamrah, Kramro, Kramu-
rauh, Laham Shak, Lerong Pata, Lolong Ga
(Marma); Arai (Tripura); Un Adehye Nah
(Bawm); Kasobu (Murang); Ankungna (Khumi)
and Orai (Tripura).
Botanical description: A small, glabrous, branching shrub. Leaves simple, opposite, 10-20 x 1-7 cm,
obovate, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate at the apex, cuneate or acute at the base, sharply serrate
at the margin, membranous, glabrous, paler beneath, lateral nerves 4-7 on either side of the midrib,
petioles 5-8 mm long. Flowers yellowish-white, axillary or terminal, compact, globose corymbs.
Fruit a drupe, small, globose, 3 mm across.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the evergreen hilly forests, village thickets and also in the
coastal region.
Distribution: India. In Bangladesh, it is found in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar,
Sylhet, Dinajpur, Gazipur and Tangail districts.
Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds and stem cuttings.
are shown below.
Blister during Leaf Leaf paste prepared by rubbing in Khumi and

fever stone is given over the sore. Marma
Abdominal pain Leaf Leaf decoction (one cup) mixed Tripura

with honey (1 table spoon) is taken
thrice a day for 5-7 days.
This species is also used in the treatment of gout, hook worm infestation, hysteria, jaundice
(hepato cellular jaundice), leucorrhoea, lipoma (tumor), oedema, snake bite, stomach disorder and
ureterolithiasis (Uddin, 2006); appetizer (Roy et al., 2008); against the bacterial and fungal infection
(Khisha et al., 2012; Rahman et al., 2007) and dropsy, jaundice and urinary problems (Yusuf et al.,
2009).
Other uses: In many areas of Bangladesh, young leaves are eaten as vegetable. It produces whitish
flowers and can be introduced as an ornamental plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forest and shifting cultivation area.
There is no measure taken to conserve this species by the local people.

domestication potential as a food and ornamental plant.
Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz
Family: Apocynaceae
Synonym (s): Ophioxylon serpentinum

L., Ophioxylon trifoliatum Gaertn.,
Tabernaemontana cylindracea Wall.
Vernacular name(s): Chhoto Chadar,

Chhoto Chand, Chandra, Sarpagandha
(Bengali); Snake Root, Serpentina (English);
Abomaraja, Bumraja, Bhomaraja,
Bomangraja, Bong Mayaja Gach, Bong
Maraja, Mahaga, Maiba Gach, Tuchro
(Marma); Mahaga (Khumi); Khungchak,
Mahagay (Tripura); Bomara, Chota
Chand, Chandra, Sarpagandha, Sursan,
Surchan, Surshan (Chakma); Rowmba Raja
(Tonchonga); Badap, Durakmi (Garo) and
Do-grek-mi (Mandi).
Botanical description: An erect, glabrous, perennial herb, about 30 cm tall. Leaves simple, whorled,
petioles up to 1.4 cm long, lamina elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 8-16 x 2-6 cm, widest in
the middle, tapering to both ends, tip acute. Flowers white or pinkish, dense, axillary or terminal
cymes, peduncles up to 12 cm long, pedicels red. Fruit a follicle, up to 0.8 cm long, more or less
connate, minutely apiculate, glabrous, purplish-black when ripe.
Ecological adaptation: It generally grows in both evergreen and deciduous forests as undergrowth
and also along the edge of the hill forests of high rainfall areas.
Distribution: Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India including tropical Himalayas, Laos, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. In Bangladesh, it occurs sporadically in
Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sylhet, Kushtia, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Rajshahi districts.
Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds and root cuttings.
Chemical constituents: Roots contain some 50 indole alkaloids including the therapeutically
important reserpine, deserpidine, rescinnamine and yohimbine. Others include ajmaline, ajmalinine,
ajmalicine, serpentine, serpentinine, iso-ajmaline, reserpidine, raubasine, rauwolfinine and
alstonine. Besides the alkaloids they contain rutin, oleoresin and a sterol, serpasterol, oleic acid and
unsaturated alcohols. Stem bark and leaves contain small amounts of some of the above alkaloids
and also rutin.
are shown below.
Stomach Root, leaf Root: Juice, extracted by rubbing in stone, is Tripura

disorder and flower taken twice a day for 3 days; Leaf and flower:
Juice, extracted by smashing, is taken orally
after boiling as above dose.
Constipation Root and Root: Juice, extracted by rubbing in stone, is Khumi

leaf taken directly three times a day for 2 weeks;
Leaf: Juice is extracted by smashing and
taken directly as above dose.
Constipation Leaf Juice, extracted by smashing the leaf, is Marma

and bleeding taken directly three times a day for 2 weeks.
The species is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, body pain, chest pain, colic, duodenal
ulcer, embrayopathy, excessive menstruation, fever, gastric tumour, general weakness, goiter,
hyper acidity (gastritis), hyper tension, hysteria, insomnia, insanity, lipoma (tumour), paraplegia,
paratyphoid, piles, pneumonia, splenomegaly, stomach disorder, tonsillitis, traumatic wound,
tuberculosis and vertigo (Uddin, 2006); abdominal pain, blood pressure, comma, constipation, cough,
headache, malarial fever, snakebite and stomach ache (Ahmed et al., 2008; Rahman et al., 2000;
Roy et al., 2008 and Partha and Hossian, 2007) and anxiety, body pain, cholera, colic, diarrhoea,
dysentery, epilepsy, excitement, fever, high blood pressure, hypochondria, insomnia, madness,
insanity, irritation conditions of the central nervous system, painful affection of the bowels, piles
and schizophrenia (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is used as an ornamental plant. The Chakma community of Betbunia use the leaf juice
of this plant to treat eye disease of chicken.
Conservation status in the study area: No major threat is observed. People cultivate this plant
around their homesteads and temple premises and thus conserving through small scale cultivation,
which is a good mode of conservation.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It

has a good demand in local herbal markets as a recipe of traditional medicine. It has also a good
domestication potential.
Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. f.

Family: Agavaceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular name(s): Gorachakra,

Murba, Murva, Murga (Bengali);
Indian Bowstring Hemp (English);
Neingsha, Pa-gaza (Marma);
Neingsha (Khumi); Pakharesu
(Tripura) and Ghrita Kanchan
(Chakma).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: An erect, stout, plant with longer and narrower flat leaves and short
stoloniferous root stock. Leaves 15-20 x 2.5-5.0 cm, narrowly lanceolate, cartilaginous, flat or
terete, nerves immersed, sheaths equitant, short. Inflorescence a raceme, spike-like, 35-45 cm long.
Flowers borne in clusters of 4, pedicels 5-10 cm long, articulate, fascicled, bracts scarious. Fruit
a membranous berry, indehiscent. Seed globose, embryo partially enclosed in the fleshy albumen.
Flowering and fruiting: July to October.
Ecological adaptation: Grows in shady and moist places.
Distribution: A native of Indian subcontinent, it is confined to the Western Peninsula of India and Sri
Lanka. In Bangladesh, the plant is not found in the wild but frequently cultivated in pots and home
gardens.
Propagation and management: It can be easily propagated by rhizomes, suckers or leaf cuttings and
rarely by seeds.
Chemical constituents: Leaves contain saponins, aconitic acid, reducing sugars and inorganic salts.
Roots and rhizome contain an inert alkaloid, sansevierine, resins and starch. Salicylic acid and
fructose are also present in the plant.
are shown below.
High fever Whole plant Affected person should have a bath Khumi, Marma
with boiled water of whole plant. and Tripura
This species is also used in the treatment of blood disorders, consumptive complaint, fever, glandular
enlargements, gonorrhea, heart diseases, itching, leprosy, long-standing coughs and rheumatism
(Ghani, 2003); phlegm from the throats of children (Ghani, 1998); ear pain (Prakash et al., 2008);
hyper acidity and otitis media (Uddin, 2006) and bone pain, consumptive complaints, fever, glandular
enlargement, gonorrhea, heart diseases, heat of blood, itching, leprosy, long standing coughs, otitis
and rheumatism (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: A pot plant and also planted in home gardens. Fibres obtained from the leaves are used
for making mats and cordage.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. Rarely found in the shifting cultivation
areas. Few people plant this species around their homesteads and temple premises.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use:

Plantations are also seen in road islands as an ornamental plant. A potential ornamental and fibre
yielding plant.
Scoparia dulcis L.
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Synonyms: Gratiola micrantha Nutt., Scoparia

grandiflora Nash
Vernacular name (s): Bandhuni, Bandhane,

Bondhone, Bondhoinna, Chinigura, Madhumisti,
Misridana (Bengali); Broom Weed, Goat Weed, Sweet
Broom, Sweet Broomweed (English); Anghanabbar,
Anghrana Pang Gach, Ban Ganja,Chambang,
Dengochukka, Dujhanga, Dungangja, Dumbang, Dung
Ganja, Jhumbaong, Royaparakher, Sathemcho, To-
ganja, Young Boi Pru (Marma); Daesikhlu (Khumi);
Samthangso (Tripura); Fuji Kher, Hoba Ganja,
Jarbo Masla Gach, Kannakumari, Masla Kher,
Midareissa, Murmujja Gach (Chakma); Postanoipata
(Tonchonga); Sam Khucuk (Mandi) and Sinipata
(Santal).
Botanical description: An erect, perennial herb. Stem up to 60 cm high, divaricately branched, 5-6
angular, glabrous, branches ribbed to narrowly winged, puberulent at the nodes. Leaves ternately
whorled, 1.4-3.6 x 0.7-1.5 cm, obovate-oblong to oblanceolate, tapering at the base, subacute at the
apex, coarsely crenate-serrate from above base. Flowers white, usually axillary, 1 (or) 2 per node,
pedicels 5-10 mm long, glabrous. Fruit a capsule, subglobose, longer than calyx, tipped by withered
style, glabrous, pale brown. Seeds oblong, cuneiform, 0.5 mm long, reticulate, dull brown.
Flowering and fruiting: Almost throughout the year.

Ecological adaptation: Waste places, beside trails, along roadsides and occasionally mountain slopes.
Distribution: It is found throughout tropics and subtropics. In Bangladesh, this species is common
Chemical constituents: The plant contains an alkaloid, an anti-diabetic principle, amellin,

diterpenoids, viz., scopadulcic acid A and B, scoparic acid A, B and C, a tetracyclic diterpenoid,
scopadulciol, 6-methoxy benzoxazolinone, glutinol and acacetin. An aqueous fraction of the ethnolic
extract of the plant has been shown by HPLC analysis to contain both noradrenaline (norepinephrine)
and adrenaline (epinephrine). Hexacosanol, β-sitosterol and D-manitol are present in root bark.
Ifflaionic acid together with 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone have been isolated from roots. Scutellarein,
its 7-0-methyl ether and its 7-0-β-D-glucuronide have been isolated from leaves. Roots contain a
triterpene and mannitol and aerial parts contain dulcitol.
are shown below.
Stomach upset Leaf Leaf juice is taken directly twice a Tripura

day for three days.
Itching Whole plant Paste prepared by smashing is Khumi and

used over the itching area. Marma
Abdominal pain, Whole plant Juice of whole plant is taken thrice Khumi, Marma
less sleep and a day for a week. and Tripura
gastric
This species is also used in the treatment of asthma, blood dysentery, boils, bone fracture,
breast pain, chest pain, diarrhoea, febric convulsion, food poisoning, foot mud sore, gallstone,
hyper acidity (gastritis), hysteria, malaria, menorrhagia, painful micturition, poisonous insect
sting, rabies, sterility, urinary tract infection and vomiting (Uddin, 2006); albuminuria, anaemia,
bronchitis, cough, diabetes, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, gastric ulcer, ketonuria, kidney problem,
stop bleeding, toothache and weakness (Ghani, 1998); diarrhoea (Uddin et al., 2006) and ague,
albuminuria, anaemia, bronchitis, cough, diabetes, diarrhoea, diphtheria, dysentery, fever, gastric
ulcer, jaundice, ketonuria, kidney complaints, retinitis, stop bleeding, toothache and weakness
Other uses: Young twigs and leaves are used as vegetables.
Conservation status in the study area: Very common and found everywhere. No conservation
measure is taken by the local community.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It could

be domesticated as food plant.
Senna alata (L.) Roxb.

Synonym: Cassia alata L.
Vernacular name (s): Dadmardan, Dadmari

(Bengali); Ringworm Shrub, Ringworm
Bush, Ringworm Senna (English); Dadgach,
Dattalong Gach, Dattalong Pada, Dhelong
Pata, Dodolong Gach, Kabongfah (Chakma);
Pouichibang, Pui Chi, Puiho Chiho, Sangko
Maijiri, Pou Chi Bang (Marma); Khach
Kochak, Khashabubaong, Khasowa (Tripura)
and Ciklaikinga (Khumi).
Botanical description: A fast growing, soft wooded shrubby plant, about 1-3 m tall. Stem marked
with leaf scars and persistent stipules. Leaves paripinnately compound, leaflets 8-14 pairs, 3-19 x
2.7-5.7 cm, oblong from an oblique base, entire, obtuse or retuse. Flowers bright yellow, showy in
racemes. Fruit a winged pod, 10-18 x 1.5-3.5 cm including wing, oblong, flat. Seeds ovoid beaked,
6-8 x 4.5-5.5 mm.
Flowering and fruiting: September to February.

Ecological adaptation: It is found in the waste lands, often along the ditches between rice fields
and fallow lands.
Distribution: The species is Pan Tropical in distribution. In Bangladesh, it is found in most of the
districts.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds and stem cuttings.
Chemical constituents: Leaves and fruits contain anthraquinone glycosides, chrysophanol, emodin,
rhein, aloe-emodin and chrysophanic acid. Leaves also contain essential oil composed of sesquiterpene
and phenolic compounds, xanthone, cassiollin (pinselin) and kaempferol, 6-OH-musizin glycoside
and tinnevellin glycoside. Roots contain quinine pigments.
are shown below.
Leaf paste is applied externally on Khumi, Marma

Eczema Leaf
the affected area. and Tripura
Powdered flower is taken orally Khumi, Marma

Constipation Flower
with honey. and Tripura
This plant is also used for the treatment of goiter, hook worm infestation, ringworm and skin diseases
(Uddin, 2006); poisonous insect bite, skin diseases (scabies and ringworm) and venereal diseases
(Khatun, 2008); eczema (Khisha et al., 2012 and Rahman et al., 2007); astringent, bronchitis, eczyma,
ring worm, stomatitis and venereal diseases (Ghani, 1998) and astringent in stomatitis, bronchitis,
eczema, herpes, ringworm, poisonous insect bite and venereal diseases (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is planted as an ornamental species.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People also plant this speices around the

promoted as an ornamental shrub.
Senna hirsuta (L.) Irwin and Barneby
Family: Caesalpiniaceae Botanical description: An erect, strongly

foetid herb or undershrub, of about 2-3 m tall,
Synonym (s): Cassia hirsuta L.,
with zigzag branches, all parts densely brown
Ditramexa hirsuta Britton and Rose
hirsute. Leaves paripinnatley compound,
Vernacular name(s): Foetid stipules 2, 0.7-1.0 cm long, linear-lanceolate,
Senna, Woody Senna (English); acute, often fugacious, rachis 9-18 cm long
Achunaiapang, Krokodupana, with oblong, solitary gland near the base.
Mring Chi, Painbowa, Tigrauchong Inflorescence of terminal or axillary, few
(Marma); Puikaacha (Khumi); flowered racemes. Flowers golden yellow,
Muitopi (Tripura) and Jed Ketrang, 1.5 cm across, pedicels 1-2 cm long, slender,
Thomocha (Chakma). filiform, hairy, bracts 4-5 mm long, hirsute.
Fruit a pod, 0.6-15.0 x 0.4-0.5 cm, falcate to
nearly straight, flat, densely brown hirsute,
many seeded. Seeds orbicular, dark olive, 3
mm in diameter.
Flowering and fruiting: August to February, but sometimes flowers throughout the year.
Ecological adaptation: It favours waste fallow lands, mainly hill slopes.
Distribution: A native of tropical America and distributed in Australia, Bhutan, China, India,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. In Bangladesh, it
frequently occurs in the forests of Sylhet and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
are shown below.
Blood purification Leaf Extracted leaf juice is taken orally Khumi, Marma
twice a day for 7-10 days. and Tripura
It is also used in the treatment of boils, gastric, snake bite, stomach disorder and tumor (Uddin,
2006) and ringworms, scabies skin diseases and leprosy (Ali, 1973).
Other uses: It is used as green manure and fodder.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally available and found everywhere. People do not take
any measure to conserve it.

domesticated as a fodder and firewood plant.
© Internet
Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby

Synonym (s): Cassia obtusifolia L., Cassia tora L. var

obtusifolia (L.) Haines
Vernacular name(s): Chakunda, Goleski (Bengali);

Foetid Cassia, Java Bean, Sicklepod (English); Hankheuw
(Marma); Puikache (Khumi) and Muiktoima (Tripura).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: An erect herb or undershrub, 1-2 m tall, sub-glabrous. Leaves peripinnately
compound, stipulate, stipules 2, 0.5-1.0 cm long, linear, subulate, rachis 1-4 cm long, channelled
above with 2 mm long erect gland between the two lower leaflet pairs. Leaflets 3 pairs, 1.5–6.0
x 1.2–3.0 cm, obovate, rounded at the top and often minutely acute at the apex, base tapering,
cuneate to acute, slightly oblique, entire, membranous, glabrous above thinly pubescent beneath.
Flowers yellow, short pedunculate axillary racemes, peduncles 2 mm long, 1-2 flowered. Fruit a pod,
10-15 x 0.4-0.8 cm, oblong, subterete, glabrous to subglabrous, septate within, dehiscent, 20-40
seeded. Seeds 4-5 x 2-3 mm, rhomboidal, dark brown.
Flowering and fruiting: August to February.
Ecological adaptation: It loves open waste places and fallowlands and grows sporadically along
roadsides of village thickets and bank of ponds.
Distribution: Native of South America and distributed in the tropical region including Africa, Bhutan,
China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, except Polynesia and Australia. In Bangladesh, not very
common, but occasionally grown in association with Senna tora.
Chemical constituents: Seeds contain anthraquinones and anthraquinone glycosides, chrysophanic

acid, rhein, emodin, gluco-obtusifolin, cascaroside, rubrofusarin, crysophanol, torosachrysone,
questin, nephthalenic lactones, isotoralactone and cassialactone. Leaves and stems contain
sennosides, D-mennitol, myricyl alcohol and β-sitosterol. Leaves also contain a flavanol glycoside.
Roots contain anthraquinones and β-sitosterol.
are shown below.
Throat pain Root Root juice, extracted by rubbing in Marma

stone, is taken thrice a day for a week.
Asthma Root Half cup extracted root juice is mixed Khumi and
with a table spoon of honey and taken Tripura
twice a day for a month.
It is also used in the treatment of cough, cuts, eczema, ulcers, gout, irritation, itches, leprosy,
psoriasis, rheumatism, ringworm, sciatica, skin disease and tumours (Ghani, 1998) and dysentery,
eye diseases and ophthalmia (Caius, 1989).
Other uses: The leaves, twigs and young pods are cooked as vegetable.
Conservation status in the study area: Occasionally found. People do not take any measure to

domesticated as food plant.
Senna tora (L.) Roxb.

Synonym (s): Cassia tora L.,

Cassia humilis Colladon
Vernacular name (s): Araj,

Chakunda, Kalkasham, Teraj
(Bengali); Fanlupa Seed, Foetid
Cassia, Metal Seed, Sickle
Senna (English); Icha Gach, Iji
Gach, Ijibiji Gach, Ijiher Gach,
Tang Cry (Chakma); Dangi,
Dang Gey, Dangyae (Marma);
Amilu (Khumi); Sakamenda
(Santal) and Sawakhi (Tripura).
Botanical description: A perennial, erect, foetid, often profusely branched herb or undershrub,
about 30-100 cm tall. Leaves paripinnately compound, stipulate, rachis 5-10 cm long, channeled
above and with linear-oblong, erect gland in between the two lower pairs of leaflets. Leaflets
3 pairs, 1.5-4.5 x 0.5-2.5 cm, obovate-oblong, finely pubescent or glabrous, cuneate to broadly
rounded at the apex, oblique at the base, membranous, upper pairs always larger than the lower.
Flowers yellow, 9-15 mm across, bractates, bracts 2-4 mm long, linear, acute, fugacious, pedicels
4-10 mm long. Fruit a pod, 10-20 x 0.4-0.6 cm, linear-oblong, terete to sub-tetragonous, straight or
curved, dehiscent, 20-30 seeded. Seeds 5.0 x 2.7 mm, dark brown, glossy, rhomboidal, with 1.5-2.0
mm wide areole on both surfaces, sometimes areoles almost as wide as the seed surfaces.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in fallow lands, roadsides of village thickets and along sides of
railway tracks. In shady habitat, it grows densely.
Distribution: Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. In Bangladesh,
the species is commonly found all over the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is by seeds.
Chemical constituents: Seeds contain anthraquinones and anthraquinone glycosides, chrysophanic

acid, rhein, emodin, gluco-obtusifolin, cascaroside, rubrofusarin, crysophanol, torosachrysone,
questin, nephthalenic lactones, isotoralactone and cassialactone. Leaves and stems contain
sennosides, D-mennitol, myricyl alcohol and β-sitosterol. Leaves also contain a flavanol glycoside.
Roots contain anthraquinones and β-sitosterol.
are shown below.
Insomnia Young leaf Leaf should be kept under pillow; leaf Khumi and
decoction is taken orally twice a day for 2 Marma
weeks.
The species is also used in the treatment of boils, boils in rectum, febric convulsion, food poisoning,
hepatomegaly, insanity, leismoniasis (black fever), mental disorder, snake bite and stomachache
(Uddin, 2006); skin diseases like itches, ringworm, scabies, and leprosy (Ali, 1973); indigestion
(Uddin et al., 2006) and boils, dysentery and eye disease (Caius, 1989).
Other uses: It is used as green manure and as fodder. Seeds are also used as a substitute of coffee.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found near the homesteads, roadsides and forest
areas. People do not take any conservation measure.

domesticated as a fodder plant.
Sida acuta Burm. f.

Family name: Malvaceae
Synonym (s): Sida lanceolata Retz., Sida

carpinifolia (non L. f.) Mast.
Vernacular name (s): Bite, Bon-Methi,

Kureta, Pilabarela, Pilabarela-shikar,
Urusia (Bengali); Broom Weed, Spinyhead
Sida (English); Licurea Gach, Oakhi Pini,
Predolulang, Rifrorini, Wakhingpenai,
Wak Khi Peleh, Woakhipini (Marma);
Chowkhodi (Khumi); Mrang (Tripura);
Sipsedip (Santal) and Oakhi Paney
(Chakma).
Botanical description: An annual woody herb or undershrub, 0.5-1.5 m tall, erect or ascending.
Stem, petioles and pedicels covered with minute stellate hairs, intermingled with long simple hairs.
Leaves alternate, lamina 2-8 x 0.5-2.0 cm, lanceolate to linear, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-oblong,
base acute, obtuse or rarely rounded, acute to acuminate, coarsely serrate, 3-nerved at the base.
Flowers yellow, axillary, solitary, or in clusters of 2-3. Fruit a schizocarp, mericarps 6-9. 1-seeded.
Seeds 2 mm long, triangularly ovoid, glabrous, dark brown.
Flowering and fruiting: September to May.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the waste places, roadsides, dams, fields, fallow lands and hill
slopes.
Distribution: Throughout the tropics of the world. In Bangladesh, it is commonly found all over the
country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is by seeds.
Chemical constituents: Aerial parts and roots contain a number of alkaloids, including ephedrine
as the major one. They also contain cryphtolepine, β-phenethylamines, quinazoline, carboxylated
tryptamines, choline and betarine, and alkanes, pristine, phytane, rentriacontane, nonacosane,
cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and stigmaterol. Seeds contain saponins and
flavonoids, sterculic acid and malvic acid. Roots in addition, contain α-amyrin, ecdysterone and
oxalic acid.
are shown below.
Bleeding from nose Leaf Inhaling smell of squeezed leaf. Marma
Sore Young plant Paste applied over the sore. Tripura
Delivery problem Leaf and shoot Paste rubbed on belly for early delivery. Khumi
The species is also used in the treatment of acne, blistery, boils, carbuncle, haematuria, jaundice,
leucorrhoea and painful micturation (Uddin, 2006); headache (Uddin et al., 2006); enlarged glands
and inflammatory swellings (van Valkenburg and Bunyapraphatsara, 2002) and blood disorder, chronic
bowel complaints, chronic dysentery, fever, gonorrhea, nervous and urinary diseases, intestinal
worms and rheumatic affections (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Tender leaves are cooked and taken as vegetable. It yields a good fibre and used as a
substitute of jute.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found along the roadsides and within the forests.
People also plant this species around their homesteads and temple premises, which is a good mode
of conservation

domesticated as a fibre yielding plant.
Sida rhombifolia L.
Family: Malvaceae
Synonym (s): Sida retusa L., Sida compressa Wall. ex

Mast.
Vernacular name (s): Kureta, Lal Berela (Bengali);

Cuba Jute, Rhomboid-leaved Sida, Queensland Hemp
(English); Belbelihar, Belbeli Kher, Prodolulang,
Roadlulang, Ro Wa Dolulang (Chakma); Owakhipena
(Marma) and Belbeliharm, Mrong (Tripura).
Botanical description: An erect or semi-procumbent,

much-branched herb or undershrub, 30-150 cm tall,
with tough hairy stem. Stem, petioles and pedicels
covered with minute stellate and some stiff simple
hairs, older parts glabrescent. Leaves alternate,
with petioles 4-5 mm long, lamina rhomboid-ovate,
lanceolate or obovate, acute, acuminate or obtuse,
entire or serrate to crenate. Flowers yellow, axillary
solitary or in clusters of 2-5, pedicels 30-40 mm long.
Fruit a schizocarp, mericarps 8-12. Seeds 2 mm across,
flattened, reniform, brown or black.
Ecological adaptation: It grows along roadsides, fallow lands and waste places.
Distribution: Widely distributed in the tropics as a weed. In Bangladesh, it is found all over the
country.
are shown below.
Ear pain Leaf Juice extracted from warm leaf is Marma

put in ear during pain.
The plant is also used in the treatment of boils, carbuncle, constipation, puerperal sickness, snake
bite, spleenomegaly, stomachache and thrus (Uddin, 2006); dysentery, migraine and strained muscles
(van Valkenburg and Bunyapraphatsara, 2002) and calculous troubles, dysentery, leucorrhoea, piles,
rheumatism and tuberculosis (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common and no measure is taken by the community

Botanical description: A perennial woody

Smilax laurifolia L. climber, forming extensive colonies, rhizomes
irregularly branched, tuberous. Stem terete,
Family: Smilacaceae
branched, woody, glaucous, glabrous, viciously
Synonym (s): Smilax lanceolata L., Smilax armed, prickles dark, flat, up to 1.2 cm
alba Pursh long, rigid. Leaves simple, oblong-elliptic,
Vernacular name (s): Bamboo Vine, lanceolate-elliptic, sometimes linear or broadly
Blaspheme Vine, Laurel Greenbrier ovate, 7-13 x 1.5-5.0 cm, coriaceous, glabrous
(English); Khraikodow (Marma); or minutely pubescent 3-veined from the
Angwaijong (Khumi) and Songsowngra base, margin entire, often revolute, petioles
(Tripura). 0.5-1.5 cm long. Flowers yellow, cream or
white, axillary, usually on short branches, 5-25
flowered umbels. Fruit a berry, ovoid, 5-8 mm
long, shining, glaucous, black.
Flowering and fruiting: August to November.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the bays, bogs, swamp margins and marshy banks.
Distribution: India, West Indies, Bahamas and Cuba. In Bangladesh, it is found in Sylhet and
Bandarban district.

are shown below.

Ringworm/skin Root Taking bath by root boiled water for Khumi, Marma
disease a week. and Tripura
Other uses: Fruit is edible and young leaves are used as vegetable.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the deep forest. People do not take any
measure to conserve but it needs to be conserved immediately.

Solanum torvum Swartz

Family: Solanaceae
Synonym (s): Solanum

ferrugineum Jacq., Solanum
filicifolium sensu Abeywick,
Solanum largiflorum C. T.
White

Gota Begun, Hat Begoon,
Tit Begun (Bangali);
Cherry Eggplant, Devil’s
Fig, Pea Eggplant, Plate
Brush (English); Bigal Biji,
Bigolbichi Gach, Kharaing
Chikkey Bongloing, Tido
Begol Gach (Chakma); © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb
Chang Kharaing, Khaja,

Kajaswe, Kajo Ba, Tring Botanical description: A spreading or scrambling slender shrub,
Cry Pang, Utro Begun up to 3 m tall, with scattered prickles on stem, branches and
(Marma); Biaram, Kangla leaves, ultimate branches pubescent with stellate hairs. Leaves
Gach, Khantagera Bofang, alternate, solitary or in unequal pairs, 12-15 x 7-10 cm long,
Khankha (Tripura); Titar ovate, usually coarsely and sinuously 7-lobed with triangular,
Berul (Tonchonga); Kurka acute to obtuse lobes, somewhat sagittate to auriculate at the
Plawo (Murong) and base. Flowers white, a compact branched, 50-100 flowered
Empaithai (Khumi). corymb, at first terminal, later becoming lateral, peduncles
1-2 cm long. Fruit a globular berry, 1.0-1.5 cm in diameter,
yellowish, glabrous, produced in clusters of few to 10, many-
seeded. Seeds 300-400 per fruit.
Flowering and fruiting: January to December.
Ecological adaptation: It is found in the waste places and along roadsides. Also occurs in cultivated
fields as a weed.
Distribution: A native of Central and South America, but is now a pantropical weed. Occasionally it
is also cultivated, especially in South, South-East and East Asia. In Bangladesh, it occurs throughout
the country.
Chemical constituents: Fruits contain sterolin (sitosterol-d-glucoside) and 0.1% glucoalkaloid

solasonine. Steriodal sapogenins – sisalagenone and torvogenin have also been isolated from
fruits. Leaves contain steroidal gluco-alkaloid, solasonine; steroidal sapogenins, neochlorogenin,
neosolaspigenin and solaspigenin. They also contain triacontanol, 3-tritriaconta-none,
tetratriacontanic acid, sistosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol.
are shown below.
Pain in ear Leaf Leaf juice is put directly in the ear Khumi, Marma
thrice a day for a week. and Tripura
This plant is also used in the treatment of fever, hookworm infestation, hyper acidity (gastritis),
ill health, leucorrhoea, stomachache, thread worm infestation, tonsillitis, typhoid and vomiting
(Uddin, 2006); coughs, cracks remover of feet and as a digestive (Ghani, 1998); feet crack, stomach
pain and snake bite (Boonkered et al., 1994); ear rotten and hopping cough (Uddin et al., 2006) and
cough, feet crack and thread worms (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: Tender, immature fruits are eaten raw or cooked as vegetable or are used as an ingredient
in curry sauce. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, they are roasted, pounded, and eaten mixed with oil.
In Indonesia, it is considered as one of the best vegetable side-dishes with rice.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common and is found mainly in the forests and
shifting cultivation area. No measure taken to conserve this species.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: An under

utilized food plant and has the potential for domestication.
© M. K. Hossain
Solanum violaceum Ortega

Family: Solanaceae
Botanical description: A very prickly undershrub,
Synonym: Solanum indicum sensu C. B. up to 1.5 m tall, branched above from the single
Clarke main stem, covered with a fine, grey stellate
Vernacular name (s): Brihati Begun, Baikur, indumentum, prickles stout, compressed and
Byakur, Gurkamai, Phutki, Phutki Begoon, recurved. Leaves simple, alternate, 7-15 x 5-12
Tit Begun (Bengali); Indian Night Shade, cm, very variable in shape, broadly ovate in
Poison Berry, Solanum (English); Kajoishi, outline, sinuate to deeply 2-3 pinnately lobed
Pokhongkhesi (Marma); Empaipui (Khumi); with acute to acuminate apex, petioles and
Titbahal (Garo) and Khanka (Tripura). nerves with scattered almost straight prickles,
petioles 2-3 cm long. Flowers blue, distichous,
pedicels stellately woolly, extra-axillary racemes,
usually 2 cm long. Fruit a globose berry, 5-10 mm
in diameter, yellow. Seeds 2 mm across, discoid,
glabrous, yellow.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in waste places, roadsides, moist and shady places.
Distribution: Sri Lanka, tropical India, ascending to 1500 m, extending eastwards up to China and
the Philippines. Very common as a weed along roadsides in Bangladesh.
Chemical constituents: Fruits contain steroidal alkaloids, enzymes and are a source material for
cortisone and sex hormone preparations. Leaves and roots contain the steroidal alkaloids, solanine,
solanidine and solasodine.
are shown below.
Gastric and Root Root extract obtained by rubbing in Khumi, Marma

abdominal stone is mixed with rice water and and Tripura
problem taken orally twice a day for 4-5 days.
The plant is also used to treat asthma,

catarrh, colic, dry coughs, dysuria,
flatulence, nasal ulcers, toothache,
vomiting and worms (Ghani, 1998);
toothache (Hepper, 1987); hysteria,
remitting fever and stomachache (Uddin,
2006) and asthma, catarrh, colic,
dry cough, dysuria, fever, flatulence,
intestinal worms, leucoderma, nasal
ulcer, pruritus, sores between toe
fingers, toothache and vomiting (Yusuf
et al., 2009).
Other uses: Tender boiled fruits are

sometimes eaten at times of food
scarcity. Unripe fruit is used as vegetable.

Commonly found in the forest and
shifting cultivation areas. People plant
this species around their homesteads
and temple premises, which is a good
mode of conservation.
potential/Plantation potential/any
pharmaceutical use: It can be planted
around homesteads as a food plant. It is
a potential forest genetic resource which
has a domestication potential for the
improvement of the cultivated varieties.
© M. Kamal Hossain
Solena amplexicaulis (Lamk.) Gandhi

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Synonym (s): Bryonia amplexicaulis Lamk., Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn., Solena heterophylla
Lour., Zehneria umbellata Thw.
Vernacular name(s): Kundri, Rakhal Gota, Rakhal Sasha (Bengali); Anhummianmoi, Anuimeba,
Kamuu, Kangbung, Seukheu, Urangkher, (Marma); Aanikonde, Tho (Khumi); Dupoitha (Tripura);
Kanga Mela (Tonchonga) and Faranga Aga, Faranga Ludi, Paringa Ludi, Rakhalshasa, Sejak Shak,
Uhakataing Fang (Chakma).
Botanical description: A perennial,

scandent, climbing herb. Stem slender,
glabrous. Tendrils glabrous. Leaves
simple, alternate, ovate, sub-orbicular,
oblong or narrowly lanceolate, 6-20
cm long, coriaceous, often with
a few, minute glands at the base,
undivided or variously lobed, often
acute or acuminate, base emarginate,
margin remotely denticulate, rarely
entire, upper surface punctate,
lower glabrous, petioles up to 2
cm long, scabrous, the leaves are
polymorphous in the species and the
range of leaf modification is wide.
Plants dioecious. The inflorescence
also varies to a greater extent starting
from lax axillary umbels to condensed
axillary umbels or umbels borne upon
long or short axillary peduncles. It is
an extremely heteromorphic species
amongst the Cucurbits. Male flowers
are various, peduncles slender, up
to 5 cm long, few to many flowered,
pedicles spreading, filiform, 2-8 cm
long. Female flowers are solitary with
axillary male flowers, peduncles 0.5-
1.5 cm long. Fruit a berry, 4-5 x 2-3
cm, brown, oblong, many seeded.
Seeds 4-6 x 3-4 mm, 2.5 mm thick,
grey, turgid, smooth, emerginate, base
blunt or obtuse.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the forests, thickets and low moist areas.
Distribution: China, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, the
species commonly occurs in the forests of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
are shown below.
Eye infection Leaf Leaf juice is used directly. Khumi and Marma
Abdominal Leaf Leaf boiled with table salt is taken Tripura

pain directly twice a day for 3-4 days.
This herb is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, asthma, belching, diabetes, embrayopathy,
epilepsy, flatulence, gastric, hemi-paralysis, hyper acidity (gastritis), hysteria, impotence,
indigestion, jaundice, lipoma (tumor), mental disorder, oedema, piles, respiratory troubles, skin
diseases, tropical ulcer and vomiting (Uddin, 2006) and eye sore, gonorrhea, spermatorrhea and
snake bite (Rahman, 2009).
Other uses: Tuber, and unripe and young fruits are used as vegetable.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally rare but there is no concrete measure taken by the
local community to conserve this species.

domestication potential as a food plant.
Spatholobus acuminatus Benth.

Family: Fabaceae
Botanical description: A large climber,
Synonym (s): Butea acuminata Wall. ex. with glabrous branches. Leaves pinnately
Kurz, Spatholobus roseus Prain, Spatholobus triifoliate, leaflets 15.0-20.0 x 6.0-7.5 cm,
squamiger Prain, Butea listeri (Prain) Blatter, ovate-oblong, cuneate, acute, rounded at the
Butea rosea (Prain) Blatter, Butea squamiger base, rarely mucronulate, membranous, pale
(Prain) Blatter green, glabrous beneath, petioles 5-10 cm
Vernacular name(s): Palashya Lata, Palshyia- long. Flower small, dark purple in 7.5-15.0 cm
lata (Bengali); Pownowai (Marma); Mroie long panicled raceme. Fruit a pod, 7.5-12.5
(Tripura) and Atowaaguin (Khumi). cm long, sessile and 0.7-1.8 cm broad, finely
downy pubescent.
Flowering and fruiting: August to December.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the hill forests.
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Thailand. In Bangladesh, it is found in the hill forests of Chittagong
and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: Propagated by seeds. Protection of habitat should be ensured for
the proper management of the species.

Medicinal uses:The medicinal use of the species collected through FGD and one to one discussions
are shown below.
Body/mouth swelling Root Shower with root boiled water. Khumi and Marma
Other uses: It is used as firewood and as a rope for binding materials.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally rare but there is no concrete conservation measure
taken by the local community. Needs in-situ conservation.
Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Under-

utilized species and need further evaluation.
Spermacoce latifolia Aublet

Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym (s): Borreria

latifolia (Aublet) K.
Schum., Borreria articularis
Mukharjee non K. Schum.

Ghuiojhil Shak (Tonchonga);
Rowna (Marma); Heiupow
(Khumi) and Shapipra
(Tripura).
© IUCN Bangladesh
Botanical description: A prostrate or decumbent annual or perennial herb, up to 60 cm tall,

densely hairy. Leaves opposite, stipulate and petiolate, stipules with 5-9 bristles, up to 3.5 mm
long, petioles up to 3 mm long, lamina elliptic or broadly ovate, 12-45 x 10-40 mm, apex acute,
base cuneate. Flowers minute, cymes with about 8 flowers in a cluster. Fruit a capsule, finely
reticulate-warty.
Flowering and fruiting: December to April.
Ecological adaptation: It grows on sandy to sandy-loamy soils in open places.
Distribution: Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, Malay Peninsula and tropical Africa. It occurs throughout
Bangladesh.
© IUCN Bangladesh
are shown below.
Eye disease (cataract Leaf Affected eye is washed with the leaf juice Tripura
and wound) for 2-3 times a day.
Cut Leaf Smashed leaf is used in the cut area. Marma
Swelling Young leaf Smashed leaf is used in the affected area. Khumi
The plant is also used in the treatment of boils (Uddin, 2001) and fever (Uddin 2006).
Conservation status in the study: Not very common. People plant this species around their
homesteads and temple premises, which is a very good mode of conservation.

© M. K. Hossain
Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) R. M. Smith

Synonym: Kaempferia involucrata King ex Baker
Vernacular name(s): Kyokhiang (Marma); Thithiksink (Khumi) and Santaokrang (Tripura).
Botanical description: A small herb, up to 25 cm tall, rhizome small, camphoraceous, with few
succulent roots in a fascicle and bearing sub-globose tubers, 1.0-1.5 cm across. Leaves 5-6, blade
lanceolate-oblong, 10-12 x 2-3 cm, acuminate, cuneate at the base, glabrous, petioles 4.5-6.0 cm
long, sheaths 1.5-5.0 cm long. Inflorescence arising between 2 innermost leaves, peduncles 2-3 cm
long, terminated by a laterally compressed, cup shaped, 2 lipped involucres, 3.4-4.0 x 1.5 cm, with
spreading acute tip, enclosing several white flowers, bracteoles oblong-lanceolate, 1.4 cm long,
greenish, glabrous with few cilia at the apex. Ovary 2.5 x 1.7 mm, glabrous, epigynous gland absent.
Flowering: April.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in fertile soils in partial shade.
Distribution: Bhutan and northeastern India. In Bangladesh, the plant is found in Madhupur Sal forest
and Bandarban.
Propagation and management: The plant can be easily propagated through rhizomes.

© IUCN Bangladesh
are shown below.
Cough and Whole plant Juice extracted by rubbing in stone Marma

dehydration is mixed with water and taken orally
thrice a day up to cure.
Asthma Rhizome Extracted juice is mixed with rice water Khumi

(1:3) then warmed, which is taken orally
thrice a day till cure.
The plant is also used in the treatment of fever and tetanus in Children (Yusuf et al., 2007).
Other uses: The Marma and Khumi people of Bolipara of Bandarban use this plant for the good health
of cattle.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found near streams and on stones with in the
forests. People do not take any measure to conserve it.

Staurogyne argentea Wall.

Family: Acanthaceae
Synonym: Not known.
Vernacular names: Paimoui, Rowmbong (Marma); Pawmoui (Khumi); Chongra Lej, Dhub Mormojjey,
Husley, Ranga Jari, Sangra Lej (Chakma) and Towmaorai, Woanabalai (Tripura).
Botanical description: A perennial herb. Leaves opposite, 7-20 x 2.0-4.7 cm, elliptic or oblong,
usually entire, obtuse, punctuate, base rounded or acute. Flower in terminal or axillary spike. Bracts
are foliaceous, 2 cm long, 3-nerved, reddish, bracteoles are small. Fruit an oblong capsule, 6.0 x
0.2 cm.
Flowering and fruiting: September to December.
Ecological adaptation: It generally grows in forest floors.
Distribution: Mainly in India. In Bangladesh, it is recorded from Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and
Bandarban.

© IUCN Bangladesh
are shown below.
Wounds in hands Leaf Leaf juice is taken orally thrice a Khumi, Marma
and legs day for a week. and Tripura
This species is also used in the treatment of blood cancer, eczema, gallstone, gout, headache,
hysteria, jaundice and mental disorder (Uddin, 2006).
Conservation status: Locally common. People do not take any measure to conserve this species.


© IUCN Bangladesh
Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers

Botanical description: A thin, soft woody
Synonym (s): Menispermum japonicum climber. Stem and branches slender and
Thunb., Cissampelos hernamdiifolia Willd., usually glabrous. Leaves alternate, peltate,
Stephania hernandifolia Walp., Stephania thinly papyraceous, glabrous on both surfaces
rotunda Hook. but sometimes sparsely puberulous on lower
Vernacular name (s): Akanadi, Maknadi, surface around the insertion of the petiole,
Nimukha, Raj Pathda (Bengali); Snake Vine, broadly triangular, ovate, acuminate, variable
Stephania, Tape Vine (English); Rangajat in size, usually 3-12 x 2-9 cm, apex acute-
Padalpur, Thandamanek (Chakma); Gulmoi acuminate or obtuse and apiculate, base
Pata, Patalpur, Thaya Nuya, Tuwangnoae, rounded, sometimes slightly cordate, margin
Tung Nah Way (Marma) and Tezomala (Santal). entire; petiole 2.5-9.0 cm long. Flowers in
axillary compound umbelliform cymes. Fruit a
drupe, light yellowish to orange-red.
Ecological adaptation: It grows on edges of the forests, scrub jungles of evergreen, semi-evergreen
or deciduous forests and village thickets.
Distribution: India, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malay Islands, tropical Australia and Africa. In
Bangladesh, it is found all over the country.
Chemical constituents: Roots, tubers and leaves contain alkaloids, steroids and fats. Stems contain
bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, stephasubine and 3, 4-dihydrostephasubine, saponins, steroids
and fats. Roots contain the alkaloids, epistephanine, fangchinoline, dl-tetrandrine, d-tetrandrine
and d-isochondrodendrine. Aknadinine, epistephanine, hernandifoline and magnoflorine have been
isolated from aerial parts. Roots and tubers contain alkaloids – aknadinine, aknadine and aknadicine.
A new alkaloid- 3-O-dimethylhernandifoline also isolated from the plant.
are shown below.
Asthma Leaf and Dried leaf and root powder is taken with Marma
root honey thrice a day for 1 or 2 weeks.
The plant is also used in the treatment of asthma, chest pain, colic, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever,
hydrocele, impotence, scabies, tropical ulcer and vertigo (Uddin, 2006); diarrhoea, dyspepsia, fever
and urinary diseases (Ghani, 1998); jaundice (Uddin et al., 2006); facial paralysis (Yusuf el al., 2007)
and asthma, diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, gastritis, urethritis, urinary diseases and vertigo
Other uses: It is used to treat foot rot of cow.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally common. People do not take any measure to conserve
this species.

© IUCN Bangladesh
Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult.

Family: Apocynaceae
Synonym (s): Nerium divaricatum L., Nerium coronarium Jacq., Tabernaemontana coronaria (Jacq.)
Willd., Ervatamia coronaria (Jacq.) Stapf.
Vernacular name (s): Bara-katwadar, Chandni, Chotta-katwadar, Dudhphul, Dudh Phul, Rupa-tola,
Tagar (Bengali); Crepe Jasmine, Moon Beam, Wax Flower (English); Fema Gach, Gachchey Danger, Gach
Pema, Hassodangar, Hattey Dagar, Kasta Dagor, Kath Dagar, Kattal Dagar, Katto Dagar, Katto-dongor,
Muli Phul, Patto Murmujjey, Pema (Chakma); Boyomaa Baajaa, Cheloka Gach, Chiara Bang, Choaing
Lucksey, Churo, Chulekkhu, Khjhoi Bang, Lungto, Salu, Tachhowro, Tuchuru (Marma); Ayungkew (Khumi)
and Chuantoi, Moimungru, Soantui Gach (Tripura).
Botanical description: A bushy shrub, dichotomoustly branched, bark greyish-white, lenticellate.

Leaves opposite, glabrous, petioles up to 1.5 cm long, lamina 5-12 x 2-3 cm, elliptic-oblong,
acuminate, distant lateral nerves slender, 5-6 pairs. Flowers white, dichotomously branched,
terminal or axillary cymes. Fruit a divaricate follicle, up to 8 cm long, fleshy, orange-red inside.
Flowering and fruiting: May to January.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in gardens. Also found in the hilly areas.

Distribution: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. In Bangladesh, it is found
almost throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds and stem or root cuttings.
Chemical constituents: Root contains a large number of indole alkaloids including coronaridine
(cytotoxic), coronaridine hydroxyindolenine, voacangine, vocangine hydroxyindolenine heyneanine,
voacristine, 3-oxocoronaridine, 3-oxovoacangine, coacristine hydroxyindolenine, 19S-heyneamine,
hydroxyindolenine and number of triterpenoides and resins. Leaves contain novel indole alkaloids
of the aspidosperma- type, viz., voafinidine (C20H22N2O2) and voalenine in minor amounts and a
new 2-acylindole alkaloid, ervaticine. Coronaridine, voacristine, tabernaemontanine, dregamine;
α-amyrin, lupeol, β-sitosterol, voacangine and voaphylline have also been isolated from leaves. Bark
contains the triterpenes, α-amyrin, and its acetate, lupeol and its acetate, and β-sitosterol. Stem
bark contains coronaridine, voacangine, ibogamine and isovoacangine. A new bis-indole, alkaloide,
19, 20-dihydroervatanine, together with coronaridine, heynearine, voacristine, voacamine, descarbo-
methoxyvoacamine and five phenolic acids, banillic, genisic, syringic, 4-hydroxybenxoic and salicylic
acid have been isolate from the stems. Flowers contain kaempferol. Presence of phenolics like
conferyl and sinaphyl alcohols and sterols like campesterol and stigmasterol and irridoids, loganin,
olivacine, tagernaemontanine, jecubine and janetine, tryptophan and tryptamine have also been
reported in this plant.
are shown below.
Throat pain Root Root is kept in mouth during pain. Marma
Throat pain Leaf Leaf is kept in mouth during pain. Khumi and Tripura
© M. Zashim Uddin
The species is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, anaemia, asthma, body pain, bone
fracture, bronchites, chest pain, constipation, colic, duodenal ulcer, eczema, epilepsy, excessive
menstruation, fever, food poisoning, foot and sore, gallstone, gastirc tumor, gout, haematurrhoea,
headache, hepatomegaly, hyper acidity (gastritis), jaundice, leismoniasis (black fever), para typhoid,
piles, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach disorder, tuberculosis and typhoid (Uddin, 2006); aphrodisiac,
emmenagogue, paralysis, liver problem, purgative, spleen, strangurytonic to brain, toothache and
urinary disorders (Ghani, 1998); biliousness, epilepsy, eye pain, paralysis and toothache (Benthall,
1933); inflamation of wounds (Sanjal, 1924) and joint pain, paralysis, strangury and toothache (Yusuf
et al., 2009).
Other uses: Cultivated in garden for ornamental purposes. The red pulp around the seed is used as
dye. Flowers are especially used by several communities in their religious festivals.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the forest areas. People plant
this species around their homesteads, schools and temple premises, which is a good mode of
conservation.

domestication potential as ornamental plant.
Tabernaemontana recurva Roxb.

Family: Apocynaceae
Synonym: Ervatamia recurva (Roxb.) Lace.
Vernacular name (s): Chhota-katwadar, Rupa-tola (Bengali); Tasaru (Marma); Ambuace
(Khumi); Lamacha (Tripura), Uthar Thong (Murang) and Kuriakanta, Kulelhara (Mandi).
Botanical description: A small shrub, bark smooth. Leaves opposite, 5-12 x 2.0-3.3 cm, elliptic,
acuminate, membranous, nerves 6-8 pairs, slender, arched. Flowers white, axillary or terminal
corymbose. Fruit a divaricate follicle, 3-ribbed, somewhat fleshy, recurved, pinkish-orange inside.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the primary and secondary forests.

Distribution: India and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it occurs in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong
Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: Propagated by seeds and stem cuttings.
are shown below.
Throat problem Root Root is kept in mouth during pain. Khumi, Marma
due to cold and Tripura
The species is also used in the treatment of fever (Khisha et al., 2012; Rahman et al., 2007) and
blood diseases (Mohiuddin et al., 2012).
Other uses: The root is said to be used as ferment in the preparation of rice beer by some communities.
Conservation status in the study area: Rarely found in the forest. But, there is no conservation
measure taken by the local people. Needs ex-situ conservation.

Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottler) Roxb.

Family: Acanthaceae
Synonym (s): Flemingia grandiflora Roxb. ex Rottler, Thunbergia cordifolia Nees
Vernacular name (s): Kauathuti, Nallata, Nillata (Bengali); Black Clock Vine, Blue Trumpet
Vine (English); Changra Morich, Danludi, Deldi Pata, Deldipata, Del Ladi, Del Ludi, Jeol
Ludi, Jheol Ludi, Jhiol Ludi, Lachuney, Lachoainuyee, Lakkali, Lakkani, Sangara Marish
(Chakma); Butto Luri, Lachuia-nui, La Soain Nuya, Lawchowanowai, Luck Chuyee-nu, Luck
Choai Yee (Marma); Claicloyong (Khumi); Dumangkhong (Tripura) and Botualodi (Tonchonga).
Botanical description: A large climbing or twining shrub. Leaves opposite, petiolate, petioles are
2.5-4.0 cm long, scabrous, lamina 8-15 x 4-10 cm, often angular, sometimes ovate, upper most
lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate, acute to acuminate, base cordate, margin entire or coarsely toothed,
very rough on both surfaces, palmately 5-7 veined. Flowers blueish-white, pedicellate, pedicels are
1.5-6.0 cm long, usually in axillary or terminal pendulous races, but sometimes solitary in leaf. Fruit
a capsule, 2.5-4.0 cm long, glabrous, contracted into a stout, flat beak.
Flowering and fruiting: November to January.
Ecological adaptation: It grows along forest margins.

Distribution: India, China, Indo-China, Myanmar and many tropical countries of Africa and the New
World. In Bangladesh, it is found throughout the country.
Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds and cuttings.
are shown below.
Conjunctivitis Stem Stem sap drop is given in eyes Khumi, Marma

twice a day at night before sleep. and Tripura
This plant is also used for the
treatment of blood dysentery,
cataract, conjunctivitis, diabetes,
gout, hydrocele, hysteria,
malaria, marasmus, ophthalmia,
post eclampsia, pre-eclampsia,
rheumatism, spermatorrhoea
and stomachache (Uddin, 2006);
stomach complaints (Begum,
2008); eye diseases (opthalmia
and conjunctivitis) (Bor and
Raizada, 1954) and elephantiasis,
eye diseases, stomach complaints
and urinary bladder stone (Yusuf
et al., 2009).
Other uses: Leaves are eaten as

vegetable. It is also cultivated
in the garden as an ornamental
plant.

area: Commonly found in the
forests and no measure is taken
by the community to conserve this
species.
any pharmaceutical use: It can
be domesticated as an ornamental
and food plant.
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. & Thoms.

Synonym (s): Menispermum

cordifolium Willd., Cocculus
convolvulaceus DC.
Vernacular name (s): Gadancha,

Ghora-gulancha, Gulancha,
Gulancha Lata, Gurach, Nim-
gulancha (Bengali); Tinospora
Gulancha, Tinospora (English); Fa
Bro Noi, Kha Bru Nay, Sikri (Marma);
Ajunkanumbe (Khumi); Sikri
(Tripura); Paidda Gandi, Sam Rupu
(Garo) and Guranch-ludhi, Joinno
Ludi (Chakma).
Botanical description: A woody

climber, glabrous, leafless at the
time of flowering. Leaves alternate,
3-14 x 3.5-15.0 cm, broadly cordate,
apex abruptly acuminate, basal sinus
often very broad, margin entire, veins
palmately 4-7 at the base, petioles
3-10 cm long. Male inflorescence
pseudo-racemose, usually solitary,
5-13 cm long, axillary, arising from
the axils of leaf scars on old leafless
stem or axils of the leaves, few-
flowered in close cluster. Male flowers:
minute, yellow, pedicels very slender.
Female inflorescence similar to male,
flowers usually arising singly along
axis. Female flowers: pedicels 5 mm
long. Fruit a drupe, red, 2 mm long,
peduncles 4-7 mm long.
Flowering and fruiting: January to

October.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in village thickets and forests.
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, it is found in the districts of Barisal,
Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Comilla, Dhaka and Dinajpur.
Propagation and management: Propagated through stem cuttings.
Chemical constituents: Stems contain the quaternary alkaloids, choline, protoberberine and also
probably berberine and the glycosides, giloin and giloinin, a non-glycosidic compound, gilenin,
sterols, sitosterol, furanoid bitter principles such as columbin, chasmanthin and palmarin. They
also contain tinosporine, clerodane diterpenoids, clerodane furanoid diterpenes and a diterpenoid
furanolactone, tinosporide. Two new pheylpropene disaccharides, cordiofolisides A and B, possessing
immune-stimulant activity and a new daucane-type sesquiterpene glucoside, tinocordifolioside have
been isolated from the stems. Leaves contain tinosporine (alkaloid), tinosporic acid, tinosporol,
tinospride, cordifolide, giloin, gilonin and gilo-sterol, berberine, carbifol, heptacosanol and
octacosanol.
are shown below.
Stomachache Root Pill prepared by smashing root is Khumi and

and gastritis dired and taken orally thrice a day Marma
up to cure.
The plant is also used in the treatment of bruise, scabies and spermotorrhoea (Uddin, 2006); chronic
diarrhoea and chronic dysentery (Chopra et al., 1956); acidity, blood purifier, burning urination,
cardiac problems, coughs, colic, chronic diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, dropsy, fever, fitigue,
gonorrhea, haemolysis, jaundice, pimples, rheumatism and skin affections,(Ghani, 1998); scabies
(Alam, 1992) and acidity, burning sensation, cardiac problems, chronic diarrhoea, chronic dysentery,
colic, cough, dropsy, fever, gonorrhea, haemoptysis, jaundice, measles, pimples, rheumatism,
scabies, skin affections and small pox (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: This plant is used against the Ranikhet diseases of poultry.

good demand in traditional system of medicine and can be domesticated.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Tournefortia roxburghii C. B. Clarke

Family: Boraginaceae
Synonym (s): Heliotropium paniculatum Roxb., Heliotropium roxburghii Spreng., Heliotropium

roxburghiana Voigt
Vernacular name (s): Shamshog (Bengali); Crauk Soang, Kraushow (Marma); Asaphaiacha (Khumi);
Kalasona, Khuchanchi (Tripura) and Kala Sona Lata, Ludikalasona (Chakma).
Botanical description: A rambling or sub-scandent shrub with hairy branches. Leaves simple, alternate,
stipulate, stipules 7 mm long, linear-oblong, densely reddish-brown tomentose, lamina 7-10 x 2.5-
3.5 cm, lanceolate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, acuminate, whitish and densely villous with short hairs
beneath. Inflorescence axiliary to terminal, dichotomous cymes, densely covered with reddish brown
pubescent. Fruits drupaceous, small, 3-4 mm long, ovoid, sessile or nearly so.
Flowering and fruiting: April to February.

Ecological adaptation: It grows along the edge of hill forests and in forest openings.
Distribution: Pakistan, India, Nepal and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it is found in Chittagong, Chittagong
Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar.
are shown below.
Sore Leaf Dried leaf is thrashed and used Marma

directly.
Allergy Leaf Leaf juice is used over the affected Khumi and
area thrice a day for 5-10 days. Tripura
The species is also used in the treatment of jaundice, liver cancer, mental disorder, paralysis and
skin diseases (Uddin, 2006).
Other uses: It is used as firewood.
Conservation status in the study area: People noticed that during monsoon it is available but less
in other periods. People do not take any measure to conserve this species.

© IUCN Bangladesh
Trevesia palmata (Roxb.) Vis.

Family: Araliaceae
Synonym: Gastonia palmata Roxb.
Vernacular name (s): Kawhtebel,

Vombal (Bengali); Snowflake Plant
(English); Chainda, Foba, Gang
Pisari, Padaga, Preaka, To Podda Ga
(Marma); Hugi Udal, Jerbo Hogeyee,
Jharobbo Hogoeya (Chakma); Sabang
(Khumi) and Sikamlama, Chapang
(Tripura).
Botanical description: A large shrub, up

to 6 m tall, armed with small prickles,
branchlets rusty pubescent and very
prickly. Leaves large, 25-60 cm across,
orbicular-reniform, palmatifid or
palmatisect into 7-9 lobes, truncate
to sub-cordate at the base, lobes are
oblong or oblong-elliptic, serrate, often
irregularly lobed, glabrous, petioles
are 18-40 cm long, densely prickly
at the sheathing base, prickles few,
absent upwards. Flowers creamy-white
umbellate, large terminal panicle,
up to 45 cm long. Fruits sub-globose-
ovoid, 1 cm across, glabrous, ribs are
inconspicuous, and it is crowned by the
persistent style.
Flowering and fruiting: January to May.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in

second storey of evergreen forests,
especially along stream banks.
Distribution: East India to China, Nepal

and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, it is found
in the forests of Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet,
© IUCN Bangladesh
are shown below.
Chest pain Leaf Leaf paste is used externally Marma

during pain.
This plant is also used for

the treatment of cirrhosis,
febric convulsion, hepato
cellular jaundice,
hydrocele, loose motions,
paralysis and rheumatism
(Uddin, 2006); bruising
(Rahman et al., 2007) and
dropsy and swollen and
painful penis of children
Other uses: Paste

prepared from roots
and fruits are applied to
snake bites.
Conservation status:
Locally common and no
measure is taken by the
community to conserve
this species.
Market potential/
pharmaceutical use: It
does not have any such
potentials.
© M. K. Hossain
Typhonium trilobatum (L.) schott

Family: Araceae
Synonym (s): Arum trilobatum L., Arum orixense Roxb. ex Andr.
Vernacular name (s): Ghetkaachu, Ghet Kochu, Gher Kachu, Ghet-kachhu, Ghekul
(Bengali); Mohora Gach, Mohura, Sangfa Sarakang (Marma); Mohura (Khumi);
Mukhoithoichoi (Tripura); Kalman (Garo); Harbaj, Kharbas, Sarakao (Chakma); Nirbish
(Santal) and Harbait (Tonchonga).
Botanical description: Small tuberous terrestrial herb, tuber sub-globose, sub-cylindric, up to 5 cm

wide. Leaves petiolate, petiole up to 25-40 cm long, sheathing at the basal part, leaf blade usually
deeply trilobed, united for about ¼-⅓ of the length of the anterior lobe, anterior lobe ovate to
lanceolate-ovate, up to 20 cm long, 10 cm wide, posterior lobe slightly 20 cm long, 10 cm wide,
posterior lobe slightly smaller than anterior lobe. Peduncle slender, up to 5 cm long, elongating
somewhat in fruit. Spathe 15-18 cm long, tube elliptic, persistent. Spadix erect, several cm shorter
than the spathe. Inflorescence surrounded by the persistent spathe tube.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in moist shady places.
Distribution: From Nepal to southeast China, north Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Introduced in the
Philippines, West Borneo, Singapore, West Africa (Ivory Coast) and the Neotropics. In Bangladesh, it
Propagation and management: It can be easily propagated by seeds and tubers.
Chemical constituents: Tubers and roots contain a volatile acrid principle, β-sitosterol, two
unidentified sterols and a crystalline compound.
are shown below.
Increase in Root Root smash is taken with banana Khumi, Marma

pancreas pulp four times a day for a week. and Tripura
This species is also used in the remedy of boils, burning wound, colic, cough (dry), fever, hepatomegaly,
lipoma (tumour) and mental disorder (Uddin, 2006); piles and stomach complaints (Ghani, 1998);
body pain and rheumatism (Roy et al., 2008); constipation (Uddin et al., 2006) and piles, stomach
complaints and tumors (Yusuf et al., 2007).
Other uses: Young leaf and petiole of this plant are used as a vegetable. It is also an effective drug
in case of venomous snake bites when applied externally and internally.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in the local forest areas. People, especially
the Buddhist monks, plant this species around their homesteads and temple premises.

© M. K. Hossain
© M. K. Hossain
Zephyranthes grandiflora Lindl.

Family: Liliaceae
Synonym (s): Zephyranthes carinata Herb., Botanical description: A bulbous perennial

Zephyranthes rosea Hort. herb, bulb up to 2 cm across. Leaves up
to 35.0 x 0.8 cm, linear, appearing with
Vernacular name (s): Golpai Ghashphul
flowers. Scape hollow, spathe simple,
(Bengali); Fairy Lily, Pink Rain Lily, Zephar Lily
2 cm long, hyaline, tubular, 2-notched.
(English) and Nambai (Marma).
Perianth funnel shaped, segments 6, (rarely
up to 8), rose or pink coloured, 3-4 cm long,
sub-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate. Fruit a
capsule. Seeds black.
Flowering and fruiting: June to September.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in the well drained soils.
Distribution: Warmer parts of America, widely cultivated in many countries with a warm climate. In
Bangladesh, it is widely grown in gardens.
Propagation and management: Propagated by bulbs.

© M. K. Hossain
are shown below.
Insect bite Rhizome Rhizome paste is used over the Marma

affected area.
Other uses: The species is valued as an ornamental plant.
Conservation status in the study area: Locally not common. People conserve this species by planting
around their homesteads, temples and school premises.

potential as an ornamental herb.
Zingiber capitatum Roxb.
Synonym: Dymezewiezia
capitata Horan.
Vernacular name (s): Jongly

Ada (Bengali), Phalago
(Marma); Pennih (Khumi)
and Blomoshla (Tripura).
Botanical description:
Rhizomatous, aromatic
herb, rhizome pale yellow
inside and somewhat spicy
in taste, oval watery tubers
with long peduncle arising
from the rhizome. Leafy
stem 1.0-1.5 m tall. Leaves
linear-lanceolate, acuminate,
sessile, 20-50 x 1-2 cm,
shortly pubescent beneath
(at least near midrib), ligules
1-2 mm long, puberulous.
Inflorescence terminal, erect,
sessile or subsessile, narrowly
elliptic, 5-11 x 2-3 cm. Bracts
lanceolate, 3.0-6.5 x 1.0-1.5
cm, green, pubescent, closely
imbricating, ultimately red,
each subtending a single
flower. Corolla pale yellow, 3
cm long, tube equaling bracts.
Fruit a capsule, oblong or
elliptic, 2 cm long, bright red.
Seeds bright brown.
Flowering and fruiting: July

to September.
© IUCN Bangladesh
Ecological adaptation: It grows in high lands in partial shade.
Distribution: Bhutan, India and Nepal. In Bangladesh, it is

found in Bandarban district.
Propagation and management: The plant can be propagated

through rhizomes.
Medicinal uses: The medicinal use of the species collected

through FGD and one to one discussions are shown below.
Abdominal Rhizome Hot red iron is Khumi,

pain and dipped into rhizome Marma
gastric juice and taken and
orally twice a day Tripura
for a week.
Other uses: Local people use the rhizome as spice to cook

meat.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found in

the forest area. People also plant this species around their
homesteads and temple premises, which is a good mode of
conservation.

potential/any pharmaceutical use: It has domestication
potential as a spice plant.
Zingiber montanum (Koen.) Dietr.
Synonym (s): Amomum

montanum Koen., Zingiber
purpureum Rosc., Cassumunar
roxburghii Colla., Zingiber
cassumunar var. subglabrum
Thw., Zingiber montanum auct.
non (Koen.) Dietr.
Vernacular name (s): Bon Ada,

Bonada, Moorada (Bengali);
Palay, Pele, Pili, Playu (Marma);
Paley (Khumi); Paley (Tripura);
Bon Ada, Deo Ada, Monada,
Mon Hada Gach, Moorada, Mur
Ada, Pailet, Shil Ada (Chakma)
and Palay, Palita Gach, Panich
Gach, Playu (Tonchonga).
rhizomatous herb with annual
aerial leafy stem, 1-2 m tall,
rhizome strongly aromatic, deep
yellow within. Leaves lanceolate,
30-45 x 5.0-7.5 cm, sessile or
subsessile, pubescent along
midrib only on the lower surface,
ligules very short, 1 mm or less,
bilobed, pubescent, sheaths
pubescent. Flowers pale yellow,
radical, spikes, 7-15 x 2-4 cm,
ovate to oblong on 15-30 cm long
peduncle; bracts broadly ovate,
purplish-brown, each subtending
a single flower. Fruit a capsule,
ovoid, 1.5 cm in diameter.
Flowering: July to September.
Ecological adaptation: It grows in shady forest floors and hill slopes.
Distribution: Bhutan, India, Malay Peninsula, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, this
species is found in the forests of Dhaka, Tangail, Dinajpur, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Propagation and management: The plant can be easily propagated through rhizome.
Chemical constituents: Rhizome contains 75.74% starch and 1.84% essential oil. Main component of
the oil is terpinen-4-ol (45.44%).
are shown below.
Stomachache Rhizome Rhizome juice mixed with hot Marma and

water and salt is taken orally once Tripura
a day for 2-3 days.
The plant is also used in the treatment of abdominal pain, cirrhosis, constipation, diarrhoea, food
poisoning, gastric tumour, lipoma (tumor), liver disorder, lumps in the throat, poisonous insect
sting, postpartum haemorrhage, puerperial sepsis, stomach disorder and tuberculosis (Uddin, 2006);
asthma, diarrhoea, rheumatism, skin diseases, weekness of women after childbirth (Oliveros, 1996;
Riswan and Setyowati, 1996) and ammenorrhea, body pain, colic, cough, diarrhoea, flatulance and
headache (Yusuf et al., 2009).
Other uses: It is used as a substitute for ginger in Moheshkhali Island and different parts of Cox’s
Bazar, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
Conservation status in the study area: Commonly found near homesteads, roadsides and temple
premises but becoming rare in the natural forest.

potential for domestication as a spice plant.
CHAPTER
3
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CHAPTER
4
Appendices
4.1. INDEX FOR SCIENTIFIC NAMES
SL NO. SCIENTIFIC NAME PAGE NO.
1 Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. 14
2 Achyranthes prostrata L. 69
3 Acorus calamus L. 17
4 Acorus calamus var. verus L. 17
5 Acorus calamus var. vulnaris L. 17
6 Adenoropium elegans (Pohl) Muell.-Arg. 106
7 Adenosacme longifolia (Wall.) ex Endl. 140
8 Adiantum caudatum L. 19
9 Adiantum incisum Forsk. 19
10 Ageratum conyzoides L. 21
11 Aglaonema clarkei Hook. f. 23
12 Aglaonema hookerianum Schott 23
13 Aidia pseudospicata Ridsdale 24
14 Alpinia conchigera Griff. 26
15 Alpinia laosensis Gagnep. 26
16 Amaranthus spinosus L. 28
17 Amomum curcuma Jacq. 67
18 Amomum montanum Koen. 214
19 Amorphophallus bulbifer (Roxb.) Blume 30
20 Amorphophallus tuberculiger (Schott) Engl. 30
21 Amyris suffruticosa Roxb. 51
22 Angiopteris evecta (Forst) Hoffm. 32
23 Apocynum frutescens L. 100
24 Arum bulbiferum Roxb. 30
25 Arum orixense Roxb. ex Andr. 208

26 Arum trilobatum L. 208
27 Asclepias parasitica Roxb. 98
28 Asclepias tenacissima Roxb. 124
29 Atylosia scarabaeoides (L.) Baker 33
30 Atylosia scarabaeoides Benth. 33
31 Baeobotrys indica Roxb. 119
32 Baeobotrys ramentacea Roxb. 121
33 Banksia speciosa Koenig ex Retz. 62
34 Bauhinia acuminata L. 35
35 Bauhinia candida auct. non Ait. 35
36 Bauhinia grandiflora auct. non Blanco 35
37 Begonia gigantea Wall. 37
38 Begonia silhetensis (A. DC.) C. B. Clarke 37
39 Bignonia radicans L. 43
40 Blumea balsamifera DC. 38
41 Borreria articularis Mukharjee non K. Schum. 187
42 Borreria latifolia (Aublet) K. Schum. 187
43 Breynia patens (Roxb.) Benth. 39
44 Breynia retusa (Dennst.) Alston 39
45 Bryonia amplexicaulis Lamk. 184
46 Bryonia scabrella L. f. 135
47 Bryophyllum calycinum Salisb. 41
48 Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lamk.) Oken 41
49 Butea acuminata Wall. ex. Kurz 186
50 Butea listeri (Prain) Blatter 186
51 Butea rosea (Prain) Blatter 186

52 Butea squamiger (Prain) Blatter 186
53 Cacalia sonchifolia L. 77
54 Calla aromatica Roxb. ex Sim 97
55 Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. 43
56 Casparya silhetensis A. DC. 37
57 Cassia alata L. 169
58 Cassia hirsuta L. 171
59 Cassia humilis Colladon 174
60 Cassia obtusifolia L. 172
61 Cassia tora L. 174
62 Cassia tora L. var obtusifolia (L.) Haines 172
63 Cassumunar roxburghii Colla. 214
64 Celosia cristata L. 44
65 Centella asiatica (L.) Urban 46
66 Chionanthus smilacifolia Wall. 141
67 Chondrospermum smilacifolium (Wall.) Wall. ex G. Don 141
68 Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson 48
69 Cissampelos hernamdiifolia Willd. 193
70 Cissampelos sagittata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. 149
71 Cissus cordata Roxb. 50
72 Cissus repens Lamk. 50
73 Clausena suffruticosa (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. 51
74 Clerodendrum cordatum D. Don 55
75 Clerodendron nutans Wall. 57
76 Clerodendron siphonanthus R. Br. 53
77 Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Kuntze 53

78 Clerodendrum infortunatum Lour. 55
79 Clerodendrum pubescens Wall. ex Walp. 55
80 Clerodendrum verticillatum D. Don 53
81 Clerodendrum viscosum Pers. 55
82 Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. 55
83 Clerodendrum wallichii Merr. 57
84 Cocculus convolvulaceus DC. 202
85 Combretum chinense Roxb. var. ternatum C.B.Clarke 58
86 Combretum ternatum (Wall. ex Clarke) O. Lecompte 58
87 Commelina diffusa Burm. f. 60
88 Commelina longicaulis Jacq. 60
89 Convolvulus nummularius L. 84
90 Convolvulus umbellatus L. 127
91 Conyza balsamifera L. 38
92 Costus speciosus (Koenig ex Retz.) Smith 62
93 Cotyledon pinnata Lamk. 41
94 Crotalaria macrophylla Willd. 86
95 Crotalaria pallida Ait. 64
96 Crotalaria saltiana auct. non Andr. 64
97 Crotalaria striata DC. 64
98 Croton bonplandianus Baill. 65
99 Croton sparsiflorus Morong 65
100 Cucumis maderaspatana L. 35
101 Curcuma domestica Valet. 67
102 Curcuma longa Ait. 67
103 Cyathula geniculata (non Lour.) Miq. 69

104 Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume 69
105 Dalbergia ferruginea Roxb. 70
106 Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb. 70
107 Desmochaeta prostrate (L.) DC. 69
108 Desmodium auriculatum DC. 72
109 Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC. subsp. auriculatum (DC.) Prain 72
110 Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. 73
111 Ditramexa hirsuta Britton and Rose 171
112 Dolichos pruriens L. 133
113 Dolichos scarabaeoides L. 33
114 Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm. 75
115 Dymezewiezia capitata Horan. 212
116 Echites frutescens Wall. 100
117 Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. 77
118 Equisetum debile Roxb. ex Vouch. 79
119 Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. 79
120 Ervatamia coronaria (Jacq.) Stapf 195
121 Ervatamia recurva (Roxb.) Lace 198
122 Eupatorium ayapana Vent. 81
123 Eupatorium conyzoides Vahl 48
124 Eupatorium cordatum Burm. f. 129
125 Eupatorium odoratum L. 48
126 Euphorbia capitata Lamk. 82
127 Euphorbia hirta L. 82
128 Euphorbia pilulifera auct. non L. 82
129 Euphorbia tithymaloides L. 152

130 Evolvulous nummularius (L.) L. 84
131 Ficus cantoniensis Bodinier ex Lev. 85
132 Ficus fruticosa Roxb. 85
133 Ficus fruticosa Wall. 85
134 Ficus hederacea Roxb. 85
135 Ficus scandens Roxb. non Lamk. 85
136 Flemingia angustifolia Roxb. 86
137 Flemingia congesta Roxb. ex Ait. 86
138 Flemingia grandiflora Roxb. ex Rottler 200
139 Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) O. Kuntze ex Merr. 86
140 Flemingia nana Roxb. 86
141 Flemingia prostrata Roxb. 86
142 Flemingia stricta Roxb. 88
143 Flemingia stricta Roxb. var. petropus Baker 88
144 Gastonia palmata Roxb. 206
145 Geniosporum tenuiflorum (L.) Merr. 146
146 Geodorum citrinum Jack. 89
147 Gouania leptostachya DC. 90
148 Gouania tiliaefolia Lamk. 90
149 Gratiola micrantha Nutt. 167
150 Gumira esculenta (Roxb.) Kuntze 162
151 Habenaria constricta (Lindl.) Hook. f. 156
152 Hedyotis polycarpa R. Br. ex G. Don 92
153 Hedyotis scandens Roxb. 92
154 Hedyotis thomsoni Hook. f. 94
155 Hedyotis volubilis Wall. 92

156 Heliotropium paniculatum Roxb. 204
157 Heliotropium roxburghiana Voigt 204
158 Heliotropium roxburghii Spreng. 204
159 Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook. 95
160 Hemionitis esculentum Retz. 73
161 Herminium constrictum Lindl. 156
162 Homalomena aromatica (Roxb. ex Sim) Schott 97
163 Homalomena kelungensis Hayata 97
164 Hoya hookeriana Wight 98
165 Hoya parasitica (Roxb.) Wall. ex Wight 98
166 Hydrocotyle asiatica L. 46
167 Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. 100
168 Ichnocarpus ovatifolius A. DC. 100
169 Ichnocarpus volubilis Merr. 100
170 Imperata arundinacea (L.) P. Beauv. var. latifolia Hook. f. 101
171 Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. var. latifolia (Hook. f.) C. E. Hubb. 101
172 Ipomoea cymosa (Desr.) R. Br. & Sch. 127
173 Ixora cuneifolia Roxb. 103
174 Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. 105
175 Jatropha gossypifolia L. 106
176 Jatropha gossypifolia L. var. elagans (Pohl) Muell.-Arg. 106
177 Kaempferia involucrata King ex Baker 189
178 Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker 108
179 Kalanchoe pinnata (Lamk.) Pers. 41
180 Kua domestica Medic. 67
181 Languas conchigera Burk. 26

182 Lantana aculeata L. 109
183 Lantana camara L. 109
184 Lantana camara L. var. aculeata (L.) Moldenke & Moldenke 109
185 Lantana mexima Tourner 109
186 Lantana scabrida Soland ex Ait. 109
187 Leea aequata L. 112
188 Leea hirta Roxb. 112
189 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link 114
190 Leucas involucrata Wall. ex Benth. 116
191 Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br. 116
192 Lygodium altum (Clarke) v. A. v. R. 117
193 Lygodium flexuosum var. alta Clarke 117
194 Lygodium pinnatifidum Sw. 117
195 Maesa indica (Roxb.) A. DC. 119
196 Maesa ramentacea (Roxb.) A. DC. 121
197 Maranta arundinacea L. 122
198 Maranta sylvatica Roscoe ex J. E. Smith 122
199 Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon 124
200 Melastoma affine D. Don 125
201 Melastoma ellipticum Naud. 125
202 Melastoma malabathricum L. 125
203 Melastoma polyanthum Blume 125
204 Melastoma royenii Blume 125
205 Melastoma scabrum Ridl 125
206 Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn. 184
207 Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn. 135

208 Menispermum cordifolium Willd. 202
209 Menispermum japonicum Thunb. 193
210 Merremia umbellata (L.) Hallier f. 127
211 Mikania cordata (Burm. f.) Robinson 129
212 Mikania scandens auct. non L. 129
213 Mikania volubilis Willd. 129
214 Mimosa aspirata Blanco 131
215 Mimosa farnesiana L. 14
216 Mimosa pudica L. 131
217 Moghania latifolia (Benth.) Mukherjee 86
218 Moghania stricta (Roxb.) O. Kuntze 88
219 Mucuna pruriens (L.)DC. 133
220 Mucuna prurita Hook. 133
221 Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem. 135
222 Mukia scabrella (L. f.) Arn. 135
223 Musa paradisiaca L. 136
224 Musa paradisiaca L. subsp. sapientum (L.) K. Schum. 136
225 Musa sapientum L. 136
226 Mussaenda corymbosa Kurz non Roxb. 138
227 Mussaenda roxburghii Hook. f. 138
228 Mycetia longifolia (Wall.) K. Schum. 140
229 Mycetia longifolia (Wall.) O. Kuntze 140
230 Myxopyrum smilacifolium (Wall.) Blume 141
231 Nerium coronarium Jacq. 195
232 Nerium divaricatum L. 195
233 Nyctanthes sambac L. 105

234 Ocimum americanum L. 142
235 Ocimum canum Sims. 142
236 Ocimum gratissimum L. var. suave (Willd.) Hook. f. 144
237 Ocimum sanctum L. 146
238 Ocimum suave Willd. 144
239 Ocimum tenuiflorum L. 146
240 Ocimum gratissimum L. var gratissimum Paton 144
241 Oldenlandia scandens (Roxb.) O. Kuntze 92
242 Ophioglossum flexuosum L. 117
243 Ophiorrhiza mungos L. 148
244 Ophioxylon serpentinum L. 163
245 Ophioxylon trifoliatum Gaertn. 163
246 Orchis leucantha Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. 156
247 Osmunda zeylanica L. 95
248 Parabaena racemosa Gagnep. 149
249 Parabaena sagittata Miers ex Hook. f. & Thoms. 149
250 Pavetta indica L. var. tomentosa (Roxb. ex Smith) Hook.f. 150
251 Pavetta indica L. subsp. tomentosa (Roxb. ex Smith) Bennet. 150
252 Pavetta tomentosa Roxb. ex Smith 150
253 Pedilanthus tithymaloides Poit. 152
254 Pentapetes angustifolia Blume 154
255 Pentapetes phoenicea L. 154
256 Peristylus constrictus (Lindl.) Lindl. 156
257 Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach 158
258 Phlomis aspera Willd. 114
259 Phlomis zeylanica L. 116

260 Phyllanthus amarus Schum. 160
261 Phyllanthus niruri L. 160
262 Phyllanthus retusus Dennst. 39
263 Platanthera constricta Lindl. ex Wall. 156
264 Polygonum acuminata (Franch. & Savat.) Hassan 158
265 Polygonum hydropiper L. 158
266 Polypodium evectum Forst 32
267 Polypodium quercifolia L. 75
268 Premna esculenta Roxb. 162
269 Pteroloma auriculatum (DC.) Desv. ex DC. 72
270 Pupalia prostrate (L.) Mart. 69
271 Randia fasciculata Blume 140
272 Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz 163
273 Rondeletia longiflora Wall. 140
274 Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. f. 166
275 Scoparia dulcis L. 167
276 Scoparia grandiflora Nash 167
277 Senna alata (L.) Roxb. 169
278 Senna hirsuta (L.) Irwin and Barneby 171
279 Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin & Barneby 172
280 Senna tora (L.) Roxb. 174
281 Sida acuta Burm. f. 176
282 Sida compressa Wall. ex Mast. 177
283 Sida lanceolata Retz. 176
284 Sida retusa L. 177
285 Sida rhombifolia L. 177

286 Sida carpinifolia (non L. f.) Mast. 176
287 Siphonanthus indica L. 53
288 Smilax alba Pursh 179
289 Smilax lanceolata L. 179
290 Smilax laurifolia L. 179
291 Solanum ferrugineum Jacq. 180
292 Solanum filicifolium sensu Abeywick. 180
293 Solanum indicum sensu C. B. Clarke 182
294 Solanum largiflorum C. T. White 180
295 Solanum torvum Swartz 180
296 Solanum violaceum Ortega 182
297 Solena amplexicaulis (Lamk.) Gandhi 184
298 Solena heterophylla Lour. 184
299 Spatholobus acuminatus Benth. 186
300 Spatholobus roseus Prain 186
301 Spatholobus squamiger Prain 186
302 Spermacoce latifolia Aublet 187
303 Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) R.M. Smith 189
304 Staurogyne argentea Wall. 191
305 Stephania hernandifolia Walp. 193
306 Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers 193
307 Stephania rotunda Hook. 193
308 Tabernaemontana coronaria (Jacq.) Willd. 195
309 Tabernaemontana cylindracea Wall. 163
310 Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult. 195
311 Tabernaemontana recurva Roxb. 198

312 Tadehagi auriculatum (L.). 72
313 Tecoma radicans Juss. 43
314 Thunbergia cordifolia Nees 200
315 Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottler) Roxb. 200
316 Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. & Thoms. 202
317 Tournefortia roxburghii C.B. Clarke 204
318 Trevesia palmata (Roxb.) Vis. 206
319 Typhonium trilobatum (L.) schott 208
320 Vauchellia farnesiana (L.) Wight & Arn. 14
321 Vitis repens (Lamk.) Wight & Arn. 50
322 Volkameria infortunata Roxb. 55
323 Volkameria pendula Wall. ex Moldenke 57
324 Wendlandia longifolia (Wall.) DC. 140
325 Zehneria umbellata Thw. 184
326 Zephyranthes carinata Herb. 210
327 Zephyranthes grandiflora Lindl. 210
328 Zephyranthes rosea Hort. 210
329 Zingiber capitatum Roxb. 212
330 Zingiber cassumunar var. subglabrum Thw. 214
331 Zingiber montanum (Koen.) Dietr. 214
332 Zingiber montanum auct. non (Koen.) Dietr. 214
333 Zingiber purpureum Rosc. 214
Note: Scientifc name in bold font are described within the text and the normal font names are the
synonym of different species.
4.2. INDEX FOR VERNACULAR NAMES
SL NO. VARNACULAR NAMES PAGE NO.
1. Aanikonde 184
2. Abomaraja 163
3. Acala 79
4. Acha Akling Rui 64
5. Achachuloi 43
6. Achaichong 19
7. Achakachu 158
8. Achakhunpui 95
9. Achakunu 82
10. Achama 43
11. Achaprue 69
12. Achasutang 116
13. Achingkra 46
14. Achownai 109
15. Achowneshhi 21
16. Achumiakangli 35
17. Achunai 21
18. Achunaiapang 171
19. Ada Gunfuni 46
20. Ada Minmini 46
21. Adhunni 21
22. Aghkamchi 39
23. Agmukhi 135
24. Aitta Kola 136
25. Aittakola 136
26. Ajungmuie 33
27. Ajunkanumbe 202
28. Akanadi 193

29. Akley Thai 112
30. Alkushi 133
31. Al-Kushi 133
32. Alofang 144
33. Ambi-michhum 131
34. Ambuace 198
35. Amchi 67
36. American Life Plant 41
37. Amilu 174
38. Amla-Bela 30
39. Anamoomia 90
40. Andeochi 60
41. Aney Choilote 41
42. Angbong Paing 35
43. Angbow King 94
44. Ange 131
45. Anghanabbar 167
46. Anghrana Pang Gach 167
47. Angkala 149
48. Angkskepoi 32
49. Angskay 73
50. Angwaijong 179
51. Anhummianmoi 184
52. Ankungna 162
53. Anuielabera 141
54. Anuimeba 184
55. Anuwaishoweatha 92
56. Anwaichi 92
57. Apading 28
58. Apheajong 127
59. Appa Grass 21
60. Ara Lichu 86
61. Arabian Jasmine 105
62. Araj 138
63. Araraipou 37
64. Ararut 122
65. Aring Kanshak 149
66. Aring Nola Kher 69
67. Arori 50
68. Arrowroot 122
69. Asamlata 129
70. Asaphaiacha 204
71. Ashpada Gach 117
72. Ashumabaong 48
73. Asojali 32
74. Assam Lata 48
75. Assam Ludi 129
76. Assam Pata 21
77. Assamlata 129
78. Asumahi Chaisa Gach 69
79. Ataiho Koga 92
80. Athisaheph 129
81. Atowaaguin 186
82. Atrosarchi 85
83. Atta Kola Gach 136
84. Australian Asthma Weed 82
85. Ayapan 81
86. Ayukaethui 124

87. Ayungkew 195
88. Ayupuwin 90
89. Bach 17
90. Badap 163
91. Baghadumm 30
92. Baikur 182
93. Bainyachu 124
94. Baita Gach 55
95. Bake Pata 55
96. Balai 119
97. Balgechak 106
98. Bamboo Vine 179
99. Bamphe 133
100. Bamunhatti 53
101. Bamuribhangakher 160
102. Bamush Gach 53
103. Ban Mallika 105
104. Banana 136
105. Banana Plant 136
106. Bandhane 167
107. Bandhuli 154
108. Bandhuni 167
109. Bandoenri 133
110. Banduki 62
111. Bang Nala Kher 69
112. Bangal Mila Kher 104
113. Ban Ganja 167
114. Bangphenophu 127
115. Bans Puishak 92

116. Ban-tezpata 125
117. Banurkalai 33
118. Bara Archanga 86
119. Bara Dhudi 82
120. Bara Keru 82
121. Bara Salphan 86
122. Bara Shialmuti 48
123. Barakarni 82
124. Bara-katwadar 195
125. Baringa Ludi 95
126. Baro Bandar Tola 117
127. Baro Tora 38
128. Barokut 152
129. Baroparoma 64
130. Basachilla 92
131. Bash-Ghas 79
132. Bat Boitta Shak 60
133. Batbatta Shak 60
134. Batbatto 60
135. Batyma 30
136. Bead Flower 53
137. Beeg Gach 55
138. Bel Naw Nuh 77
139. Belati-sij 152
140. Belatisiz 152
141. Belbeli Kher 177
142. Belbelihar 177
143. Belbeliharm 177
144. Beli 105

145. Bellyache Bush 106
146. Bellyache Nettle Spurge 106
147. Bely Phul 105
148. Beophul 103
149. Berachita 152
150. Bhangai Bhangahar 160
151. Bhangari Bhanga Kher 160
152. Bhant 55
153. Bhat Gach 55
154. Bhat Phut 55
155. Bheg Gach 53
156. Bhomaraja 163
157. Bhuiamla 160
158. Bhuinora 156
159. Bhuitida 92
160. Bhutta Ludi 100
161. Biaram 180
162. Bichchoti 133
163. Bichi Kola 136
164. Biddapata 19
165. Bigal Biji 180
166. Bigolbichi Gach 180
167. Bijhu Ful 103
168. Bijoma 92
169. Bilaiachara 133
170. Bilari 135
171. Billy Goat Weed 21
172. Bird Nest Fern 75
173. Birdbill Dayflower 60

174. Bisalley Koroni 69
175. Bisama 92
176. Bisama Jariphul 92
177. Bish Lata 92
178. Bishama 92
179. Bishkatali 158
180. Bishma 92
181. Bisoma 92
182. Bisophal 150
183. Bite 176
184. Bitter Bush 48
185. Black Clock Vine 200
186. Black Creeper 100
187. Blaspheme Vine 179
188. Blomoshla 212
189. Blong Mikunda 86
190. Blongmykongda 72
191. Blue Trumpet Vine 200
192. Blung Khok Koilung 86
193. Boch 17
194. Bodu Rangasibang 90
195. Bol-jakhandok 121
196. Bomangraja 125
197. Bomara 163
198. Bon Ada 214
199. Bon Tulshi 142
200. Bonada 214
201. Bonchat 53
202. Bondhoinna 167

203. Bondhone 167
204. Bong Maraja 163
205. Bong Mayaja Gach 163
206. Bon-Methi 176
207. Bonplant’s Croton 65
208. Borduttya 100
209. Bormayaja Gach 53
210. Borneo Camphor 38
211. Bos 17
212. Bos Pada 17
213. Bospada 17
214. Bottara 38
215. Botualodi 200
216. Boyomaa Baajaa 195
217. Brahmabuti 46
218. Brahmmakuti 46
219. Brahmokuti 46
220. Brihati Begun 182
221. Broom Weed 167
222. Bugaindara Kingmiriye 72
223. Bulung Khukling 86
224. Bumraja 163
225. Butto Luri 200
226. Byakur 182
227. Calamus 17
228. Ceakenae 86
229. Cepaimba 108
230. Cha Massa 95
231. Cha Muinda 156

232. Chachuk Chauma Gach 69
233. Chagal Kan 98
234. Chagal Ladi Bhromor 119
235. Chahnah Kangkhri 95
236. Chaidibey 86
237. Chaimanorai 82
238. Chainchi 17
239. Chainda 206
240. Chaing Laing Fang 72
241. Chakhong Macha 158
242. Chakka 69
243. Chakunda 172
244. Chamassa 95
245. Chamassey 95
246. Chambang 167
247. Chamolai 77
248. Chan 101
249. Chan Nama Gach 21
250. Chanachi 131
251. Chandni 195
252. Chandra 163
253. Chang Kharaing 180
254. Chang Kisi 32
255. Changara Marich 51
256. Changkathe 32
257. Changklenma 113
258. Changlachi 131
259. Chang-mang-kankha 37
260. Changmormo 138

261. Changra Morich 201
262. Changra Morich Gach 51
263. Channama 21
264. Chapang 206
265. Chaprang 146
266. Charafundung 38
267. Charchara 86
268. Chauri-Chaonri 138
269. Chee Fulu 75
270. Cheilanki 108
271. Chekhow 24
272. Cheloka Gach 195
273. Chemmodoh 156
274. Chemro 89
275. Cheopra 142
276. Cheota 154
277. Chera Pata 98
278. Cherry Eggplant 180
279. Chhota-katwadar 198
280. Chhoto Chadar 163
281. Chhoto Chand 163
282. Chhoto Marmaria Lata 50
283. Chi Shing Da Keu 103
284. Chi Tulung 67
285. Chiakiniacha 72
286. Chiara Bang 195
287. Chiesaida-anie 148
288. Chiesaida-kamchi 148
289. Chietanda Afrue 24

290. Chil Doyee 75
291. Childuyee 75
292. Chiloba 75
293. Chimoho Kangkhi 95
294. Chingo-khunjung 82
295. Chinigura 167
296. Chiplai 125
297. Chisa Ingda 103
298. Chisik 17
299. Chith Nu 67
300. Chitomboi 62
301. Chitti 124
302. Chiujok Gach 150
303. Chiyee Book Tong 158
304. Choaing Lucksey 195
305. Chohma Kang Khri 95
306. Choimakankre 95
307. Choimanore 82
308. Chokible 98
309. Chokphutra 53
310. Cholloi 64
311. Chongra Lej 191
312. Chonjaru 101
313. Chota Chand 163
314. Choto-halkusa 114
315. Chotra 109
316. Chotta-katwadar 195
317. Chotto Pankhiraj 75
318. Chowkhodi 176

319. Chowly 64
320. Chralong 69
321. Christmas Bush 48
322. Chuang Khala 28
323. Chuantoi 195
324. Chulekkhu 195
325. Chuma Phul 44
326. Chunachu Appa 21
327. Chung Faing La 139
328. Chung-muru 30
329. Chupru 121
330. Churo 195
331. Ciklaikinga 169
332. Claicloyong 200
333. Climbing Day Flower 60
334. Climbing Fern 117
335. Climbing Fig 85
336. Climbing Hempweed 129
337. Cock’s Comb 44
338. Cogon Grass 101
339. Common Cowitch 133
340. Copper Cup 154
341. Coronitas 109
342. Cowhedge 134
343. Cow-Witch Plant 134
344. Cram Pang Gach 44
345. Cramuaroubang 162
346. Cramubang 162
347. Crauk Soang 204

348. Creeping Day Flower 60
349. Crepe Jasmine 195
350. Crested Cock’s Comb 44
351. Crong Kri Gra 35
352. Cry Kha 141
353. Cry Tong Mui 62
354. Cuba Jute 177
355. Cycunung 75
356. Dadbari 70
357. Dadgach 169
358. Dadmardan 169
359. Dadmari 169
360. Daesikhlu 167
361. Daichikachoy 26
362. Dandarkut Gach 152
363. Dandha Upon 77
364. Dang Gey 174
365. Dangi 174
366. Dangyae 174
367. Danludi 200
368. Datranga 125
369. Dattalong Gach 169
370. Dattalong Pada 169
371. Debaloti 129
372. Debrechiho 85
373. Del Ladi 200
374. Del Ludi 200
375. Deldi Pata 200
376. Deldipata 200

377. Demera Pata 48
378. Demrapata Gach 48
379. Dengi Sak 73
380. Dengochukka 167
381. Deo Ada 214
382. Deotara 26
383. Deshmara Hargaas 48
384. Devil’s Fig 180
385. Dheki Shak 73
386. Dhekia 73
387. Dhekia Shak 73
388. Dhelong Pata 169
389. Dhub Kanchan 35
390. Dhub Mormojjey 191
391. Dhubjhari 148
392. Dhubsona 148
393. Dhumpau 122
394. Dhup Murmujjey 21
395. Di Ranga Chulla 103
396. Dibissa Phul 154
397. Dibujja Phul 154
398. Dibuxxa-phul-gach 154
399. Dieng Julkah 57
400. Dikranga Chulley 103
401. Dikrangachella 103
402. Dikyakaling 119
403. Dikyanang 103
404. Diranga Choilla 104
405. Dkyajuli Saiju 84

406. Doamia 89
407. Dochunti 21
408. Dodolong Gach 169
409. Do-grek-mi 163
410. Dolbamon 46
411. Dondokalosh 114
412. Donkalash 114
413. Doreng Jasi 75
414. Dotrucho 122
415. Dow 112
416. Duabotai 100
417. Duaurai 90
418. Dudal 82
419. Dudh Phul 195
420. Dudhi 100
421. Dudhi Lata 100
422. Dudhiya 82
423. Dudhnoi 100
424. Dudhphul 195
425. Dujhanga 167
426. Dukhelaki 129
427. Dulela 70
428. Dulfi 114
429. Dumangkhong 200
430. Dumbang 167
431. Dumur 85
432. Dung Ganja 167
433. Dungangja 167
434. Dupoitha 184

435. Durakmi 163
436. Dutta Ludi 100
437. Dwarf White Bauhinia 35
438. Easy Gaas 64
439. Echirang 121
440. Edible Fern 73
441. Egro 43
442. Ekaroy 127
443. Ekbir 95
444. Ekdaria Gach 53
445. Elamra 48
446. Empaipui 182
447. Empaithai 180
448. Eng Rhi Noi 133
449. English Sagebush 109
450. Equisetum 79
451. Erebaing 53
452. Erenda 106
453. Erepaidu 53
454. Fa Bro Noi 202
455. Fah Lai Jaing 72
456. Fai Ruoi Uo 122
457. Faiko Woa 75
458. Fairy Lily 210
459. Fala Chingey 62
460. Falda 150
461. Fanlupa Seed 174
462. Fao Ma 77
463. Faranga Aga 184

464. Faranga Ludi 184
465. Fawraiou 122
466. Fema Gach 195
467. Fern 19
468. Fessya Gaas 98
469. Fire Bush 57
470. Floppers 41
471. Foba 206
472. Foetid Cassia 172
473. Foetid Senna 171
474. Folo Rere 75
475. Fuji Kher 167
476. Fulkuri 21
477. Fululobah 75
478. Fuluumang Laua 75
479. Gach Arsanga 69
480. Gach Harsanga 86
481. Gach Nirbis 57
482. Gach Pema 195
483. Gach Petic 23
484. Gach Ranirtak 138
485. Gachchey Dangal 116
486. Gachchey Danger 195
487. Gadancha 202
488. Gadhang 26
489. Gaidiaanowai 149
490. Gain Dhagah 73
491. Gaing Dok 73
492. Gandhabi Kachu 97

493. Gandhanakuli 148
494. Gang Pisari 206
495. Gaokolibos 46
496. Garur 75
497. Gassa Dagor 116
498. Gatrapuri 41
499. Gatta Tumba 116
500. Genggadak Bang 73
501. Germanlata 48
502. Ghamassya 95
503. Ghaopata 82
504. Gharbach 17
505. Ghekul 208
506. Gher Kachu 208
507. Ghet Kochu 208
508. Ghetkaachu 208
509. Ghet-kachhu 208
510. Ghetu 55
511. Ghetuphul 55
512. Ghochcha Taga 114
513. Ghora-gulancha 202
514. Ghotta Dangal 116
515. Ghrita Kanchan 165
516. Ghuddi 75
517. Ghuiojhil Shak 186
518. Ghuripata 75
519. Goat Weed 167
520. Gochchadalal 114
521. Gochchey Jangal 116

522. Golden Campsis 43
523. Goleski 172
524. Golpai Ghashphul 210
525. Gon Chamri 101
526. Gongkhanpang 30
527. Gora-boch 17
528. Gorachakra 166
529. Gossadangar 114
530. Gota Begun 180
531. Graigadow 73
532. Grukhri 160
533. Guay Ganda 109
534. Guji 92
535. Gulancha 202
536. Gulancha Lata 202
537. Gulmoi Pata 193
538. Gurach 202
539. Guranch-ludhi 202
540. Gurkamai 181
541. Gussya Dangor 114
542. Hada Maresh 28
543. Hadibo-Muro 32
544. Haldi 67
545. Halud 67
546. Hamussa Gach 39
547. Hankhala 28
548. Hankheuw 172
549. Hanuhuya Mong Goai Gach 28
550. Harbait 208

551. Harbaj 208
552. Harchanga Gach 86
553. Haronga 55
554. Harsanga 172
555. Haruamar 127
556. Haruanludi 69
557. Hasjalama Batasa Gach 32
558. Hassodangar 195
559. Hat Begoon 180
560. Hatharikhiethok 23
561. Hattey Dagar 195
562. Heartleaf Hempvine 129
563. Heiupow 187
564. Hinor 21
565. Hnung Pohrak 142
566. Hoary Basil 142
567. Hoba Ganja 167
568. Hodogi 62
569. Holly Fern 75
570. Holod 67
571. Holy Basil 146
572. Homor Sing Harsanga 72
573. Horenba 21
574. Horin Kan Shak 149
575. Horsetail 79
576. Hrak 131
577. Hrapaing 131
578. Huduk Jhunjhuni 64
579. Hugi Udal 206

580. Hugur Sabarang 142
581. Hui Sabarang 144
582. Huldimuga 44
583. Humble Plant 131
584. Hup Roap 122
585. Huruan Ludi 69
586. Husley 191
587. Huttigurpo 117
588. Huttijurgo 117
589. Huttiye Pujok 92
590. Icha Gach 174
591. Iji Gach 174
592. Ijibiji Gach 174
593. Ijiher Gach 174
594. Ijir Gach 67
595. Indian Bowstring Hemp 166
596. Indian Glory Bower 53
597. Indian Night Shade 182
598. Indian Pennywort 46
599. Indian Rhododendron 125
600. Indian Snake Root 148
601. Indian Tube Flower 53
602. Ineki 30
603. Inidan Pellet Shrub 150
604. Isi Meuyee 21
605. Jack in the Bush 48
606. Jakhur 122
607. Jangali Jangal 114
608. Japhi 131

609. Jarbo Masla Gach 167
610. Jarbo Pushak 92
611. Jarbua Puishak 92
612. Java Bean 172
613. Jedalud 67
614. Jed Ketrang 171
615. Jedsabarang 142
616. Jeejak-laua 142
617. Jeol Ludi 200
618. Jeos 41
619. Jeoti 159
620. Jerbo Hogeyee 206
621. Jeumara 28
622. Jeus 41
623. Jew’s Slipper 152
624. Jhagi 75
625. Jhagi Bang 75
626. Jharobbo Hogoeya 206
627. Jheol Ludi 200
628. Jhiol Ludi 200
629. Jhumbaong 167
630. Jhun Jhuni 64
631. Jhunjhuna 64
632. Jitti 124
633. Jogemuchoi 19
634. Joinno Ludi 202
635. Jongle Ol 30
636. Jongly Ada 212
637. Jooi 150

638. Jui Phul 105
639. Jukhur 122
640. Juri Manda 72
641. Juri Mandakher 72
642. Kabongfah 169
643. Kacha Halud 67
644. Kacha Kola 136
645. Kachu Gundubi 97
646. Kada Marech 28
647. Kagi Alud 67
648. Kagori Gaith 62
649. Kaimhai 82
650. Kajaswe 186
651. Kajo Ba 180
652. Kajoishi 182
653. Kak Pine 131
654. Kakjangha 112
655. Kakku-phang 125
656. Kakronda 38
657. Kala Halud 108
658. Kala Lelom 162
659. Kala Sona Lata 204
660. Kalaholood 108
661. Kalashona 148
662. Kalasona 204
663. Kalkasham 174
664. Kalman 208
665. Kalo Tulsi 146
666. Kalomaricha 51
667. Kamathri 97
668. Kamrah 162
669. Kamu Chui 103
670. Kamuchui 103
671. Kamuu 184
672. Kanainala 60
673. Kanaiya Aga 60
674. Kanch Kola 136
675. Kanchan 166
676. Kanga Mela 184
677. Kangbung 184
678. Kangla Gach 180
679. Kannakumari 167
680. Kannya Bata 92
681. Kanta Miris 28
682. Kanta Notey 28
683. Kantakhudurey 28
684. Kantanotey 28
685. Kanta-nutia 28
686. Kaphpata 41
687. Karachuni 106
688. Karnaphuli 109
689. Kasobu 162
690. Kasta Dagor 195
691. Kata Marech 28
692. Kata Marish 28
693. Kata Mresh 28
694. Katadenga 28
695. Katamaris 28
696. Katanotey 28
697. Kath Dagar 195
698. Kat-laia 154
699. Katnayong 100
700. Kattal Dagar 195
701. Katto Dagar 195
702. Katto-dongor 195
703. Kattoli Kola 136
704. Kauathuti 200
705. Kawhtebel 206
706. Kayah Murung Tong Choro 103
707. Kehefang 67
708. Kelarazi 148
709. Kemak 62
710. Keramkana 88
711. Keron 106
712. Kesua Gach 103
713. Ketoki 02
714. Ketranga 26
715. Ketrengga 26
716. Kettyranga 26
717. Keu 62
718. Keumul 62
719. Keuncherayua 141
720. Keyamusi 57
721. Kha Bru Nay 202
722. Kha Muchye 103
723. Khach Kochak 169
724. Khaichcha Parabol 23

725. Khainkhambo 129
726. Khaja 180
727. Khakoh 55
728. Khamach 133
729. Khamtak 125
730. Khanka 182
731. Khankha 180
732. Khantagera Bofang 180
733. Kharaing Chikkey Bongloing 180
734. Kharbas 208
735. Khashabubaong 169
736. Khaskura 86
737. Khasowa 169
738. Khatri-bi-phang 82
739. Khayathu Moi 62
740. Khedogi 62
741. Khelakhemowsugnama 109
742. Khelaki 121
743. Khelaki Kotoma 121
744. Khetranga 26
745. Khimadak 69
746. Khimodoh 108
747. Khjhoi Bang 195
748. Khongcha 44
749. Khongkhabang 55
750. Khopa Che 55
751. Khraikodow 179
752. Khu Ung Kha 55
753. Khubambam 65
754. Khuchanchi 204
755. Khudug Jhunjhuni 64
756. Khudugo Jhunjhuni 64
757. Khulaacha 21
758. Khulairu 89
759. Khumejaie 55
760. Khun 116
761. Khun Kha Baong 55
762. Khungchak 163
763. Khungshuw 150
764. Khunnama 38
765. Khuntaosa 35
766. Khustha 62
767. Khut Jhurga 117
768. Khut Toring 127
769. Ki Ching Shi 46
770. Kiamchoik 103
771. Kijing Siney Pata 72
772. Kiloni Gach 62
773. King Fern 32
774. Kiokonaoki 52
775. Kiowkhai 37
776. Kirung Paing 105
777. Kise Mrak 21
778. Kisey Srak 21
779. Kisimra 21
780. Kising Sina Gach 72
781. Kiwngkamnoking 150
782. Koaoieboya 125

783. Kobi Sabarang 144
784. Kogti-jurgo 117
785. Koingdo Pang 62
786. Kola 136
787. Kola Gach 136
788. Kolmanagoi 138
789. Kolomboi 117
790. Komla Boj 117
791. Komorsina 72
792. Komrangjoinui 127
793. Koppata 41
794. Koroi Ludi 70
795. Kotikiw 136
796. Koyi Ing Saw 125
797. Krah 21
798. Kraingtomboi 62
799. Kramafruem Apang 119
800. Kramro 162
801. Kramu-rauh 162
802. Krangdunaduepay 88
803. Krasuni 106
804. Kraushow 204
805. Krawmong Pai 44
806. Krendagichha 106
807. Krishna Tulsi 146
808. Krokodupana 171
809. Kuduk Jhunjhuni 64
810. Kukurchura 150
811. Kulelhara 198

812. Kulu Umaitong Saing 86
813. Kulumangtonsen 86
814. Kumaching 38
815. Kumbhar Dhala 92
816. Kumpala 38
817. Kunai Gach 90
818. Kundri 184
819. Kura 62
820. Kura Amluki 160
821. Kureta 176
822. Kuriakanta 198
823. Kurka Plawo 180
824. Kurua 121
825. Kurua Tethoi 121
826. Kusa 114
827. Kusha 116
828. Kuthmai 156
829. Kutti Juba 117
830. Kutti Jurga 117
831. Kuttijurkha 117
832. Kyalungpai 105
833. Kyamoachuie 103
834. Kyawnglongbai 58
835. Kyokhiang 189
836. La Bang 97
837. La Soain Nuya 200
838. Lachoainuyee 200
839. Lachuia-nui 200
840. Lachuney 200

841. Laham Shak 162
842. Lahok Woa Rok 86
843. Laing Gach 17
844. Laipra 121
845. Lajak 131
846. Lajanti 131
847. Lajjabati 131
848. Lajjabati Lata 131
849. Lajjaboti 131
850. Lajulla 131
851. Lajuri Gach 131
852. Lajuri Kher 131
853. Lakkali 200
854. Lakkani 200
855. Lal Berela 177
856. Lal Biskatali 158
857. Lal Jeol 106
858. Lal Verenda 106
859. Lalana 162
860. Lalbherenda 106
861. Laljeol 106
862. Lalmurga 44
863. Lalong 162
864. Lamacha 198
865. Lamang 67
866. Lambadori Gach 100
867. Lananowngnamya 90
868. Lang Hing 17
869. Lang Yee 17

870. Langhi 17
871. Langhi Gach 17
872. Langyoo 17
873. Lanhu 17
874. Lanki 17
875. Lantana 109
876. Lasjuk Gaith 131
877. Lata Dheki 117
878. Lata Dhekia 117
879. Lata Dumur 85
880. Lataguji 92
881. Latamel 92
882. Laurel Greenbrier 179
883. Laushri Royab 72
884. Lawchowanowai 200
885. Lechcha Sibeng 121
886. Lechchasi-bang 119
887. Lelom Pada 162
888. Lelom Pata 162
889. Lelompata 162
890. Leongkede 146
891. Lerong Pata 162
892. Leunke 65
893. Liabikamchi 106
894. Licurea Gach 176
895. Life Plant 41
896. Likuajong 133
897. Lilac Lantana 109
898. Lilac Tassel Flower 77

899. Lodi Maloti 105
900. Lojjabati 131
901. Lolong Ga 162
902. Loribang 138
903. Loti Kanachana 140
904. Loti Sarbo 85
905. Louko Amlai 160
906. Luck Choai Yee 200
907. Luck Chuyee-nu 200
908. Ludi Salak Sara 119
909. Ludi Sarbo 85
910. Ludikalasona 204
911. Lungto 195
912. Luri Chibang 90
913. Luri Madaher Arsanga 72
914. Luri Madaher Gach 72
915. Luri Mathakher 72
916. Lutki 125
917. Lykho 23
918. Ma Laksmi Ma 62
919. Mach Chok Bichi Gach 39
920. Mada 142
921. Madagong Lak 62
922. Madhumisti 167
923. Madhussada 19
924. Magoinoai 160
925. Magong-aphal 35
926. Mahaga 163
927. Mahagay 163

928. Maiba Gach 163
929. Maiden Hair Fern 19
930. Maimuni Sak 46
931. Main Puti 125
932. Maina Mara Idar Dach 62
933. Maira Shak 28
934. Maknadi 193
935. Maldinapiow 137
936. Maleng Gach 103
937. Mali 58
938. Malikkama Ludi 62
939. Malikum 105
940. Malimish Nima 105
941. Mallika 105
942. Manaina 60
943. Mango Song 75
944. Maosong 75
945. Maricha 121
946. Marmaria Pata 50
947. Marnauk 152
948. Marshpepper 158
949. Marsh-pepper Smartweed 158
950. Marsudoiyo Bofang 48
951. Masla Kher 167
952. Masundai 48
953. Mawblaikrwma 94
954. Mayurshikha 19
955. Mechitra 77
956. Medha Tida 135

957. Meggey 23
958. Melguni 46
959. Menmeni 46
960. Menmuni Sak 46
961. Meomacla 117
962. Mesa Dai 121
963. Metal Seed 174
964. Miaomakla 117
965. Miau Makal 117
966. Miau-maka-la 117
967. Miaumakla 117
968. Mid Day Flower 154
969. Midar Roshi Gaith 144
970. Midareissa 167
971. Midey-gulo Pata 144
972. Midi Phul 144
973. Mingoni 46
974. Minguni 46
975. Minmini Shak 46
976. Miraphul 144
977. Mirmo 138
978. Misridana 167
979. Mithabach 17
980. Mitha-Phul 144
981. Mo Gooyai Apang 28
982. Mog Jayangla 81
983. Moha-putting-gulo 125
984. Mohora Gach 208
985. Mohothiho Abru Paing 44

986. Mohura 208
987. Moichiacha 109
988. Moide Khowra 154
989. Moidya Koain Gach 154
990. Moikhnai 60
991. Moikhondoi 73
992. Moimungru 195
993. Moinchu 28
994. Mon Arsanga 86
995. Mon Hada Gach 214
996. Monada 214
997. Mongoose Plant 148
998. Monimojjahar 21
999. Monipuizza Kher 21
1000. Monipuri Pata 21
1001. Moon Beam 195
1002. Moonimujja Gach 21
1003. Moonimujja Kher 21
1004. Moonjava 48
1005. Moorada 214
1006. Moragful 44
1007. Moricha 121
1008. Mornak 152
1009. Moroo Nak 152
1010. Moruna 152
1011. Moth Gangath 62
1012. Mouno Richchey 142
1013. Mountain Ebony 35
1014. Mracheai 158

1015. Mrakhawbow 129
1016. Mrang 176
1017. Mrang Khowa 32
1018. Mrang Khua 46
1019. Mrangkhoa 46
1020. Mrangkhoai Bang 46
1021. Mrangkhuikhoa 46
1022. Mring Chi 171
1023. Mringka 84
1024. Mro Ma Nung Paing 146
1025. Mroie 186
1026. Mromahumbang 144
1027. Mrong 177
1028. Mrungbai 144
1029. Muiktoima 172
1030. Muipungpou 149
1031. Muitopi 171
1032. Mukhoipape 50
1033. Mukhoithoichoi 208
1034. Mukhra Khangkkha 135
1035. Mukhratala 117
1036. Mukri 21
1037. Muli Phul 195
1038. Mulipai 105
1039. Muni Bhuiya Gach 21
1040. Munpuria 21
1041. Mur Ada 214
1042. Murba 166
1043. Murga 166

1044. Murmujja Gach 167
1045. Murunah 152
1046. Murva 166
1047. Mykanchi 140
1048. Mynomakotmai 62
1049. Myumo Kambochoke 86
1050. Na Khongbu Nuai 135
1051. Na Raing 150
1052. Nagal Camphor 38
1053. Nairang 69
1054. Naisang Bowa 26
1055. Nak Khiru Dong 75
1056. Nak Phul 109
1057. Nakaling 138
1058. Nakhonbu 135
1059. Nakphul Gach 65
1060. Nalibaong 53
1061. Nallata 200
1062. Nama Nuiyee 149
1063. Nambai 210
1064. Nangtho 98
1065. Nanhuo 67
1066. Nania 154
1067. Nantho 156
1068. Nao Oi 75
1069. Napiobai 122
1070. Naproking 41
1071. Naraipai 53
1072. Neingsha 166

1073. Nereng Bai 35
1074. Nillata 200
1075. Nim-gulancha 202
1076. Nimukha 193
1077. Nirbish 208
1078. Noa-maricha 121
1079. Nodding Tube Flower 57
1080. Noemuie 33
1081. Noligach 53
1082. Noma 82
1083. Nomirang 69
1084. Noon Flower 154
1085. Nowbang 97
1086. Nuifasey 133
1087. Nuli Gach 53
1088. Nung 142
1089. Nung Aprou 142
1090. Nung Gri 146
1091. Nuwboi 142
1092. Nuwhrei 70
1093. Oakhi Paney 176
1094. Oakhi Pini 176
1095. Oal Sup 62
1096. Obongmaraja 138
1097. Ochunit 21
1098. Oelaba Gach 48
1099. Ohipanea 48
1100. Oila 48
1101. Okhmoh 117

1102. Oochunti 21
1103. Orai 162
1104. Ouichiking 51
1105. Owa Rong Si 50
1106. Owakhipena 177
1107. Oyala 48
1108. Pachi 48
1109. Padaga 206
1110. Padagra 26
1111. Padagrah 26
1112. Paditaiung 101
1113. Pado 67
1114. Padogro 26
1115. Pa-gaza 166
1116. Pai Hiya 65
1117. Pai Thung Sa 114
1118. Paidda Gandi 202
1119. Pailet 214
1120. Paimoui 191
1121. Painbowa 171
1122. Paing New 146
1123. Paingsuk chank 114
1124. Painhuni 81
1125. Painujaw 65
1126. Paishumchawg 116
1127. Paissa Mach 98
1128. Paisungchang 116
1129. Paitungsa Gach 114
1130. Pakharesu 66
1131. Pakurmul 158
1132. Palashya Lata 186
1133. Palay 214
1134. Palita Gach 214
1135. Palshyia-lata 186
1136. Pangchongcha 116
1137. Pangkhui Thuipai 116
1138. Panich Gach 214
1139. Panimarich 158
1140. Pankha 75
1141. Pankhiraj 75
1142. Panta Lota 141
1143. Paokanling 138
1144. Papok Pain 140
1145. Paraffin Weed 48
1146. Paralia Lata 100
1147. Pargacha 98
1148. Paringa Ludi 184
1149. Parkath 85
1150. Passa Shuguni 98
1151. Passey Gach 98
1152. Pasture Weed 69
1153. Patalpur 193
1154. Patharkuchi 41
1155. Pathorkuchi 41
1156. Patoo Mormoijja 138
1157. Patto Murmujjey 195
1158. Pawai Bofang 64
1159. Pawlogy 72
1160. Pawmoui 191
1161. Pea Eggplant 180
1162. Pekhum 62
1163. Pele 214
1164. Pema 195
1165. Pengsuncha 114
1166. Pengyoo 81
1167. Pennih 212
1168. Pepperwort 158
1169. Pettiki 158
1170. Pha Loy Joy 72
1171. Phachi 17
1172. Phalago 212
1173. Phutki 125
1174. Phutki Begoon 182
1175. Pi Tung Chang 114
1176. Pilabarela 176
1177. Pilabarela-shikar 176
1178. Pili 214
1179. Pink Rain Lily 210
1180. Pinlacha 79
1181. Pino Tiyen Tone 62
1182. Pishab 48
1183. Pittamul 122
1184. Pittapata Alu 122
1185. Pittung Gulo Gach 125
1186. Plantain 136
1187. Plate Brush 180
1188. Playu 214

1189. Plowi Pang 77
1190. Podogra 26
1191. Poison Berry 182
1192. Pokhongkhesi 182
1193. Postanoipata 167
1194. Pou Chi Bang 169
1195. Pouichibang 169
1196. Poung Nonu Nonu 67
1197. Pownowai 186
1198. Praing Daing Muk 62
1199. Praw Ma 50
1200. Prayan Chondu 62
1201. Preaka 206
1202. Predangpul 38
1203. Predemoho 62
1204. Predolulang 176
1205. Premdaba 62
1206. Prickly Amaranth 28
1207. Pring Mahora 97
1208. Pring Tar Bai 122
1209. Prodolulang 177
1210. Puchi Bang 48
1211. Pui Chi 169
1212. Puiho Chiho 169
1213. Puikaacha 171
1214. Puikache 172
1215. Punchphuli 109
1216. Pythunchang 116
1217. Queensland Hemp 177

1218. Raam Tulsi 144
1219. Rada Chula Phul 44
1220. Rada Chumo Phul 44
1221. Rada Sumo Phul 44
1222. Radakuro Phul 44
1223. Raj Dhekia 32
1224. Raj Pathda 193
1225. Rajjamara 129
1226. Rajmahal Hemp 124
1227. Rakhal Gota 184
1228. Rakhal Sasha 184
1229. Rakhalshasa 184
1230. Rakheibang 77
1231. Ramal 146
1232. Ramtulsi 144
1233. Randai 48
1234. Ranertago Gaas 138
1235. Ranga Bharenda Gach 106
1236. Ranga Bhedal Gach 106
1237. Ranga Jari 191
1238. Rangajat Kuro Doshchulo 44
1239. Rangajat Padalpur 193
1240. Rangchita 152
1241. Raniratak 138
1242. Ranirtak 138
1243. Ranjan 67
1244. Raoai Gach 48
1245. Rati Aapa 64
1246. Readleaf 158

1247. Red Sagebush 109
1248. Ree Chee 100
1249. Refuzi Lata 129
1250. Rening 55
1251. Rhomboid-leaved Sida 177
1252. Rhyapai 131
1253. Rifrorini 176
1254. Rifuji Nuiyee 129
1255. Rimi Owa Rih 50
1256. Ringworm Bush 169
1257. Ringworm Senna 169
1258. Ringworm Shrub 169
1259. Ripujinui 129
1260. Ro Wa Dolulang 177
1261. Roa Bay 64
1262. Roadlulang 177
1263. Roah-Kapanghey 41
1264. Rokeya-Panko 41
1265. Rokkapang-bang 41
1266. Rokkiapumbo 41
1267. Rongbongsey 138
1268. Rosary Basil 142
1269. Rowkyapanpow 41
1270. Rowmba Raja 163
1271. Rowmbong 191
1272. Rowna 187
1273. Rownee 39
1274. Royaparakher 167
1275. Rulimatakheri 72
1276. Rupa-tola 195
1277. Sabang 206
1278. Sabarang 142
1279. Sabarang Gach 146
1280. Sacred Basil 146
1281. Sada Kadam 35
1282. Sadimodi 77
1283. Sadimudi 77
1284. Sadusi 77
1285. Sagrauchong 51
1286. Sai Kheu 86
1287. Sai Ma Mungye 82
1288. Sai Rang 33
1289. Sailaibang 86
1290. Sain Khuing Trang 119
1291. Saing Dacrilung 69
1292. Saing Maning Kak 84
1293. Saing-Bra-Siekhri 32
1294. Saiwaing 44
1295. Sakamenda 174
1296. Sakmaburo 124
1297. Saloi 67
1298. Salu 195
1299. Sam Khucuk 167
1300. Sam Rupu 202
1301. Samakshi 55
1302. Samanuia 149
1303. Samapungka Lata 98
1304. Sambac Jasmine 105

1305. Samjagi 41
1306. Samlhu Khuku Phang 55
1307. Sammachup 131
1308. Samthangso 167
1309. Samuimu 138
1310. Sang Haphoi 144
1311. Sangara Marish 200
1312. Sangfa Sarakang 208
1313. Sangko Maijiri 169
1314. Sangnemro 86
1315. Sangra Lej 191
1316. Sangsota 46
1317. Sangtakkhing 51
1318. Santaokrang 189
1319. Sarakao 208
1320. Sarakodung 38
1321. Sarangkang 97
1322. Sarbo Ludi 85
1323. Sarminda 131
1324. Sarminda Pata 131
1325. Sarpagandha 163
1326. Satalanghing 17
1327. Satamsakatoma 39
1328. Satanshah 160
1329. Sathaimcho 158
1330. Sathemcho 167
1331. Sawakhi 174
1332. Sayme 125
1333. Scarlet Mallow 154

1334. Sejak Shak 184
1335. Seketia 121
1336. Sensitive Plant 131
1337. Seratagun Gach 38
1338. Serpentina 163
1339. Sesu 119
1340. Seukheu 184
1341. Shachuri 79
1342. Shada Kalmi 127
1343. Shada Kanchon 35
1344. Shak Kora 86
1345. Shakkosala 23
1346. Shakkumu Bakla 46
1347. Shamshog 204
1348. Shangb 106
1349. Shapipra 187
1350. Sheikh Mujib Atak 129
1351. Sheodima 138
1352. Shet Kanchan 35
1353. Shetadrone 116
1354. Shet-Bach 17
1355. Shetodrone 116
1356. Shil Ada 214
1357. Shil Puishak 92
1358. Shitaba 81
1359. Shon Phul 64
1360. Shrubby Basil 144
1361. Shukram 81
1362. Shunno Hedogi 62

1363. Shushelanway 129
1364. Shyamalata 100
1365. Si Pa Desha 86
1366. Si Sa Thang 150
1367. Siang Maresh 21
1368. Sibrecha Gach 93
1369. Sichamba 138
1370. Sickle Senna 174
1371. Sicklepod 172
1372. Sidirabaisa 77
1373. Sigon Chulla 103
1374. Sigonshak 97
1375. Sikamchu Aunty 100
1376. Sikamlama 206
1377. Sikangkhlu 160
1378. Sikkachalal 23
1379. Sikri 202
1380. Silazra 162
1381. Silchaonri 138
1382. Silchauri 138
1383. Sildaura 138
1384. Silojeyai 75
1385. Silpati 39
1386. Simakangcree 95
1387. Simakrangkhi 95
1388. Sine Sa Apang 112
1389. Singena Mahagi 57
1390. Sinipata 167
1391. Sipsedip 176

1392. Sirkhi 119
1393. Sithapu 44
1394. Siti 98
1395. Snake Root 148
1396. Snake Vine 193
1397. Snake Weed 82
1398. Snowflake Plant 206
1399. Soantui Gach 195
1400. Soash Guri 133
1401. Solanum 180
1402. Songsowngra 179
1403. Sotowi 67
1404. Spade Leaf 46
1405. Spiny Amaranth 28
1406. Spiny Pigweed 28
1407. Spinyhead Sida 176
1408. Spiral Ginger 62
1409. Spreading Day Flower 60
1410. Stephania 193
1411. Stonebreaker 160
1412. Sudai 67
1413. Suichi 138
1414. Sung Faila 138
1415. Sungphaifla 138
1416. Sunperghla 138
1417. Suotalangning 100
1418. Supaila 138
1419. Surchan 163
1420. Sursan 163

1421. Surshan 163
1422. Sweet Broom 167
1423. Sweet Broomweed 167
1424. Sweet Flag 17
1425. Swetadrone 114
1426. Swetbach 17
1427. Tabu Chi 100
1428. Tachhowro 195
1429. Tacrimra 101
1430. Tagar 195
1431. Taiokatti 121
1432. Taipak 39
1433. Taitong 81
1434. Takamanik 46
1435. Tamatamaking 88
1436. Tamonai Kemonai 84
1437. Tancachupa 58
1438. Tang Cry 174
1439. Tangachupa 105
1440. Taow 140
1441. Tape Vine 193
1442. Tara 201
1443. Tara Toba 57
1444. Tara Toba Gach 57
1445. Tara Tobah 57
1446. Tarana Topa 57
1447. Taratoba 53
1448. Tarulata 129
1449. Tasaru 198

1450. Tasowpangpai 94
1451. Teraj 174
1452. Terateba 57
1453. Teratebathoipow 57
1454. Tethoi 121
1455. Tezomala 193
1456. Tha Sim Noi 64
1457. Tha Sin Nora Si 64
1458. Thah Mongh Su 119
1459. Thaileenow 136
1460. Thalairu 122
1461. Thali Mofokma Bofang 55
1462. Thamangnoway 122
1463. Thamong Sok 119
1464. Thandamanek 193
1465. Thangba Pang 35
1466. Thankhrapru 35
1467. Thankuni 46
1468. Thaya Nuya 193
1469. Thithiksink 189
1470. Thitkalai 33
1471. Tho 37
1472. Thoipo 53
1473. Thomocha 171
1474. Thorkuri 46
1475. Thrapayeng 31
1476. Three Leaved Caper 65
1477. Thulkuri 46
1478. Tia Tot 62

1479. Tido Begol Gach 180
1480. Tigrauchong 171
1481. Tikhur Aararut 122
1482. Ting Thai 46
1483. Tinospora 202
1484. Tinospora Gulancha 202
1485. Tira Bai Shak 55
1486. Tit Begun 180
1487. Titar Berul 180
1488. Titbahal 182
1489. To Podda Ga 206
1490. To-ganja 167
1491. Toil Lata 127
1492. Toino Luri Lata 127
1493. Tong Marang 140
1494. Tong Mokka 86
1495. Tong Noh 100
1496. Toofainna Lata 129
1497. Toroyoo 141
1498. Towchoyapang 119
1499. Towmaorai 191
1500. Townoy 124
1501. Triffid Weed 48
1502. Tring Cry Pang 180
1503. Tropical White Weed 21
1504. Trumpet Creeper 43
1505. Trumpet Vine 43
1506. Tuchro 163
1507. Tuchuru 195

1508. Tukhur 122
1509. Tulsi 144
1510. Tulsi Bofang 146
1511. Tung Nah Way 193
1512. Turk’s Head 53
1513. Turk’s Turbin 53
1514. Turmaric 67
1515. Tuscan Jasmine 105
1516. Tuwangnoae 193
1517. Uak Tong 158
1518. Uchanti 21
1519. Uhakataing Fang 184
1520. Ulu 202
1521. Un Adehye Nah 162
1522. Ungbayoo Gach 69
1523. Ungi 131
1524. Uphutlengra 69
1525. Urangkher 184
1526. Uring Kan Shak 149
1527. Urusia 176
1528. Urusia 109
1529. Uskura 86
1530. Uthar Thong 198
1531. Utro Begun 180
1532. Veg 185
1533. Vegach 55
1534. Velvet Bean Plant 133
1535. Vombal 206
1536. Voodoo Lily 30

1537. Wainya 129
1538. Waipoichipang 150
1539. Wak Khi Peleh 176
1540. Wakheponey 41
1541. Wakhingpenai 176
1542. Wakrewakrai 60
1543. Wallich’s Glory Bower 57
1544. Waronkoi 50
1545. Water Pepper 158
1546. Wax Flower 195
1547. West Indian Arrowroot 122
1548. White Bauhinia 35
1549. White Fig 85
1550. Wild Sage 109
1551. Wildkulthi 33
1552. Woakhipini 176
1553. Woanabalai 191
1554. Woela Gach 48
1555. Woody Senna 171
1556. Yang khrenua 133
1557. Yellow Sage 109
1558. Yi La 48
1559. Young Boi Pru 167
1560. Youngyonking 70
1561. Zeipra 146
1562. Zephar Lily 210

Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Shrubs by Traditional - IUCN PDF

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Commonly Used Medicinal Herbs and Shrubs by Traditional - IUCN PDF

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Commonly Used Medicinal

Herbs and Shrubs by

IUCN’s work focuses on

IUCN is the world’s oldest

Mohammad Abdul Motaleb

Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial

Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is

Cover Photo by: Mohammad Abdul Motaleb

Design & Printed by: Progressive Printers Pvt. Ltd.

Available from: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad

Chapter one: Introduction 1

Chapter two: Species Profile 13

1.1. Medicinal Plants and its Perspective

Scenic beauty of Bolipara © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

Although a small country, occupying an area of

Traditional life in Thanchi © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

1.2. Context of the

In order to understand the

Traditional life in Bolipara © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

people (including 13 different ethnic groups)

offer an excellent opportunity for growing

A group of local informants in Bolipara © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

Species information was collected by using

Information collection from local herbal practitioners © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

Herbarium preparation © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

by the taxonomists of Bangladesh National

1.5. Major Outcomes

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.

Propagation and management: Propagation is done by seeds.

Chemical constitutuents: Isorhamnetin-3, 7-glucorhamnoside, gallic acid, ellagic acie,

Disease name Parts use Preparation process User group

Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Already

Synonym (s): Acorus calamus var.vulnaris L.,

Vernacular name (s): Bach, Boch, Gharbach,

Botanical description: A semi-aquatic perennial herb up to 80 cm tall, rootstock stout, 1-2 cm

Flowering and fruiting: April to August.

Propagation and management: It can be easily propagated by seeds and rhizomes.

Disease name Parts use Preparation process User group

Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: Dried

Propagation and management: Propagated through rhizome and spore.

Disease name Parts use Preparation process User group

Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It can be

Ageratum conyzoides L. © IUCN / M. A. Motaleb

Family: Asteraceae Botanical description: An annual aromatic herb,

Propagation and management: Propagated through seeds.

Disease name Parts use Preparation process User group

This plant is also used for the treatment of bleeding,

Other uses: Ethnic communities, like Munda in Maulvi

Conservation status in the study area: Locally

Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation

Aglaonema hookerianum Schott

Synonym: Aglaonema clarkei Hook. f.

Flowering and fruiting: June to July.

Ecological adaptation: It grows in the shady areas of deep forest.

Propagation and management: Propagated by rhizomes.

Chemical constituents: Not known.

Disease name Parts use Preparation process User group

Stomachache Spathe Extracted spathe juice (two table Khumi, Marma

Market potential/Domestication potential/Plantation potential/any pharmaceutical use: It can be

Aidia pseudospicata Ridsdale

pairs. Inflorescence cincinnoid, leaf-opposed, up to 4 cm long, usually with 3 main branches,

Flowering and fruiting: April to December.