NandankananFlora PDF

Floral Diversity
of Nandankanan
Wildlife Sanctuary
Dr. Pratap Chandra Panda

Dr. Sudarsan Panda
Nandankanan Biological Park

Forest and Environment Department
Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar
ISBN: 13-978-81-920657-0-2
First Edition: 2012
Copyright @ Nandankanan Biological Park

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic and mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information
storage and retrieval system with out permission, in writing from the authors and publisher.
Photo credits:
Dr. P. C. Panda
Cover photograph:
Flower of Ceropegia candelabrum Linn. (Asclepiadaceae)
Published by:
Nandankanan Biological Park
Forest and Environment Department
Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar
Designed and printed at

Jyoti Graphics
701, Sahidnagar, Bhubaneswar 751 007
ii Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

PREFACE
The biological resources of the earth are under varying degrees of threat due to both
natural and man-made factors. During last two decades, there has been a greater
consciousness about the need for conservation of biological diversity and it is widely
recognized that the loss of biodiversity has great environmental and economic impacts.
An ecosystem rich in biological diversity offers the broadest array of options for
sustainable economic activities for human welfare and for adapting to environmental
and human-induced changes. Considering the pivotal importance of the great variety of
plant and animal life, there is a urgent need to document and study the biological
resources within an ecosystem for formulation and implementation of appropriate
conservation and management strategies to ensure long-term survival of these biological
entities.
The protected areas like Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries etc.
play a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity and maintaining the natural ecosystems.
Various programs have been launched world over for the conservation of natural resources
like plants, animals, microbes and the habitats they live in. India is one of the twelve
mega-biodiversity countries of the World. The strategies for in-situ conservation and
sustainable utilization of bioresources comprise providing special status and protection
to biodiversity-rich areas by declaring them as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries,
Biosphere Reserves, etc. As such, a network of protected areas has been created in the
country through 89 National Parks, 489 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 13 Biosphere Reserves.
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the 19 wildlife sanctuaries of Odisha, covers
the Nandankanan Zoological Park, the State Botanical Garden and Kanjia Lake, a
wetland of national importance. The Zoological Park is one of the finest large zoos of the
country and it houses a number of free living animal species besides 120 species of wild
animals in captivity. The zoo is visited by more than two million visitors in a year. The
State Botanical Garden is located in natural surroundings on the northern side of Kanjia
lake and harbours remnant natural vegetation characteristic to sandstone hills and
lateritic soils besides a wide range of horticultural domesticates and introduced species.
The garden is one of the important centres for plant introduction, ex situ conservation
and nature education in the State. A complete and comprehensive account of the plant
resources of Nandankanan is not available. This necessitates the urgent need for a
complete inventory of plant biodiversity of this wildlife sanctuary.
Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary iii

The present book gives a botanical account of 704 wild and naturalised plant species
belonging to 491genera and 142 families and occurring within the geographical boundary
of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary. The study is based on field work undertaken by the
authors. Species occurring in the wild, those naturalised in this habitat and commonly
cultivated ones have been included in the enumeration. The families have been arranged
according to the modified Bentham & Hooker system of classification for ease of reference
by the users. For each species, correct botanical name with author citation, synonym (s)
as appearing in the local floras, vernacular names, botanical description, flowering and
fruiting time, ecological notes on distribution etc. have been provided with coloured
photographs for each species. It is hoped that this book will not only serve as a reference
tool for the visitors and the managers and policy planners responsible for conservation
and management of this important sanctuary but also help the students, researchers and
teachers of botany, forestry, wildlife and the common man alike for identification and
nomenclature of the plants of this region in particular and of Odisha, in general. One
will find this book particularly useful for identification of herbaceous species including
grasses and sedges in the wild, which very often pose problems in identification. As it is
not possible to include all cultivated and introduced species in the enumeration, a check-
list of 352 spp. of garden ornamantals and introduced taxa has been appended in this
book. Besides, a glossary to botanical terms used in the text has also been provided as a
quick referral system. The authors have no hesitation in admitting the fact that, as with
any floristic inventory, the present enumeration is no way complete and many more
species might have escaped our attention during fieldwork and we intend to include
these in subsequent editions of the book.
It is hoped that the work will contribute to the better understanding of the floristic diversity
in the sanctuary and arouse interest in plant resource inventory and documentation in
other protected areas in the State and elsewhere.
Pratap Chandra Panda

Sudarsan Panda
iv Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

CONTENTS
Subject Page
Preface iii
1. Introduction 1
Climate, soil and geology 2
Forest vegetation 2
Aquatic vegetation 4
Introduced and cultivated plants 5
Study of flora: Past and present 6
2. Botanical description of species
a. Angiosperms
i. Dicotyledons 7
ii. Monocotyledons 272
b. Gymnosperms 350
c. Pteridophytes 353
3. List of Garden Ornamentals & Introduced Plant Species 359
4. References 366
5. Glossary of botanical terms 367
7. Index of plant names 372
8. Acknowledgements
Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary v

Aquatic vegetation of Kanjia lake
vi Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

INTRODUCTION
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the extreme north-east of Khurda district

of Odisha close to Chandaka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary and lies between 20° 23' 08" to
20° 24' 10" North latitude and 85° 48' 09" to 85° 48' 13" East longitude. This includes the
Nandankanan Zoological Park, the State Botanical Garden and Kanjia Lake, a wetland
of national importance and extends over an area of 4.37 sq. km. The Government of
Odisha declared it as a wildlife sanctuary vide notification No.20682/FF-AH on 3rd
August, 1979. It is located at a distance of 17 km from Cuttack and 20 km. by road from
Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. This site covers portions of Krishnanagar and
Jujhagarh Demarcated Protected Forests (DPF) and is close to Baranga Railway station
on Howrah-Chennai route. The Bhubaneswar Railway station is 18 km and Cuttack
Railway station is about 15 km. from the zoo. The nearest Airport is Biju Pattnaik Airport
at Bhubaneswar which is about 20 km. from the sanctuary.
Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 1

Nandankanan Zoological Park is one of the finest large zoos of the country and it spreads
over an area of 362 ha. It houses a number of free living animal species besides 120
species of animals in captivity. The zoo which was established on 29th December, 1960
is presently visited by more than two million visitors a year. Nandankanan enjoys a
special place of ex-situ conservation of wildlife in India. It is also a vibrant centre for
education in wildlife and environment. Nandankanan has the unique distinction of
integration of wildlife conservation both in wild and in captivity. The animal enclosures
have been progressively designed to create large enclosures in natural environment. A
number of rescued and injured animals have been provided necessary health care and
are rehabilitated. The State Botanical Garden with an area of 75 ha. adjoining to the
zoological park has been handed over to Nandankanan management in August, 2006.
This is one of the important plant introduction, ex situ conservation and nature education
centres of the State. The Botanical Garden is located in a natural surroundings on the
northern side of Kanjia lake and harbours remnant natural semi-evergreen and moist
deciduous vegetation characteristic to sandstone hills and lateritic soils, which is akin
to vegetation of Chandaka-Dampara Sanctuary and Khandagiri-Udaygiri hills in terms
of species composition and diversity.
At present, the zoological park has 101 enclosures with 202 sub-enclosures. It houses
120 species of animals which include 40 species of mammals, 56 species of birds and 24
species of reptiles. There are more than 1942 animals including 776 mammals, 874 birds
and 222 reptiles. Eighty eight (88) indigenous species along with 32 exotic species of
animals add glory to the collection of Nandankanan Zoological Park. The animal
collection includes 14 species of endangered mammals, 6 species of endangered birds
and 10 species of endangered reptiles listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act,
1972. The Kanjia lake, more popularly known as Nandankanan lake, Kiakani lake and
the adjoining wetlands attract a large variety of migratory birds during winter which
adds to the celestial beauty of nature in this biological complex.
Climate, Soil and Geology:

Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary enjoys a moderately hot humid climate experiencing
maximum and minimum temperatures of 41ºC and 35ºC respectively. The average annual
rainfall is 1,350 mm. In general, the climatic conditions like rainfall, humidity, temperature
etc. conform to those of Bhubaneswar. The altitude varies from 20 m to 45 m. above mean
sea level. The soil type is lateritic and slightly acidic in nature. The rock formations
belong to sandstones of Jurassic period with lateritic outcrops of varying depths.
Forest Vegetation:
The existing natural vegetation is of moist mixed deciduous type characteristic to
sandstone hills and lateritic soils with scattered semi-evergreen patches. The composition
of forests is very much similar to that found in the adjacent Chandaka-Dampara
sanctuary. The forest trees found in abundance inside Nandankanaa are Ehretia laevis,
Vitex pinnata, Atalantia monophylla, Pterospenmnn xylocarpum, Aegle marmelos, Diospyros
sylvatica, Bridelia retusa, Antidesma ghaesembilla, Ziziphus xylopyrus and Careya arborea.
Clumps of spiny bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea) are also commonly scattered through out
2 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

the area. Most part of the vegetation has been degraded due to considerable biotic
interferences in the past few decades. Catuneregam spinosa, Capparis brevispina, Streblus
taxoides, Mimosa rubicaulis, Flacourtia indica, Carissa spinarum, Maytenus emarginata and
Hugonia mystax are the representative elements of the thorny scrub forests. Other shrubby
species like Ochna obtusata, Olax psittacorum, Allophyllus serratus, Tarenna asiatica, Cipadessa
baccifera and the alien weeds Chramolaena odorata and Lantana camara var. aculeata occur
in profusion. On rocky substratum, Suregada multiflora, Gardenia latifolia, Memecylon
umbellatum, Lannea coromandelica, Pterospermum xylocarpum etc. form a characteristic plant
community in association with herbs like Dicliptera bupleuroides var. roxburghiana,
Eranthemum capense, Ecbolium viride, Blepharis maderaspatensis and Aerva sanguinolenta.
Climbers /twiners are usually plenty in such type of forests and include Combretum
roxburghii, Calycopteris floribunda, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Abrus precatorius, Acacia pennata,
species of Dioscorea, Passiflora foetida, Tinospora cordifolia, Canavalia virosa, Cocculus
hirsutus, Smilax zeylanica, Tiliacora acuminata, Hemidesmus indicus etc. The ground flora is
composed of a large number of seasonal weeds which are found at their luxuriance
during rainy season and gradually disappear with the onset of summer. Dominant
species of the ground cover are Aerva sanguinolenta, Pupalia lappacea, Andrographis
paniculata, Rungia pectinata, Peristrophe paniculata, Sida acuta, Mimosa pudica, Cyperus
rotundus, Alloteropsis cimicina, Eragrostis spp., Chrysopogon aciculatus, many members of
grasses, sedges, Commelinaceae and Scrophulariaceae. On completely exposed lateritic
beds, Microchloa indica, Oropetium thomaeum, Lepidagathis hamiltoniana and Tephrosia
maxima make a characteristic plant association during rains. The terrestrial habitats
have also been adversely influenced by the rapid spread of some exotic and alien weeds
like Mikania micrantha, Chromolaena odorata, Spermacoce latifolia, Alternananthera spp.,
Lantana camara etc.

Aquatic Vegetation:
The Kanjia lake, popularly known as Nandankanan lake, Kiakani lake and the adjoining
perennial swamps and puddles are ideal habitat for large number of aquatic, semi-aquatic
and marshland plants. The commonly observed free-floating hydrophytes of the lake
water are Pistia stratiotes, Azolla pinnata, Salvinia natans, Eichhornia crassipes and Trapa
natans. Of the submerged aquatic plants, Ceratophyllum demersum, Utricularia spp., Hydrilla
verticillata, Myriophyllum tetrandrum, Ottelia alismoides, Nechamandra alternifolia, Blyxa
echinosperma, Vallisneria natans etc. are found in plenty. The above list includes both
suspended and anchored submerged hydrophytes. Other water plants of quantitative
importance are Nymphaea pubescens, Nymphaea nouchali, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphoides
hydrophylla, Nymphoides indica, Aponogeton natans, Sagittaria guayanensis ssp. lappula,
Ipomoea aquatica, Ludwigia adscendens, Hygrorhiza aristata and Limnophyton obtusifolium.
Vigna adenantha and Leersia hexandra are found trailing on water surface to a great distance
from the shore and Mikania micrantha is a gregarious weed in aquatic habitats. In the
muddy swamps of Kiakani lake, Sesbania javanica and Ludwigia octovalvis are the two tall
aquatic shrubs occurring in profusion. Many other emergent but anchored hydrophytes
are seen along the lake margin and in the swamps and ditches of the vicinity. The species
common to such habitats are Hydrocera triflora, Polygonum spp., Pentapetes phoenicea,
Eleocharis dulcis, Schoenoplectus articulatus, Adenostema lavenia, Limnophila heterophylla,
Hygrophila schulii, Hymenachne acutigluma, Echinochloa stagina, Oryza rufipogon, Monochoria
hastata and Ludwigia perennis. Spread of floating aquatic weeds like Salvinia cucullata,
Pistia stratiotes, Eichhornia crassipes, Azolla pinnata and rooted hydrophytes like
Ampelopteris prolifera, Hymenachne acutigluma, Leersia hexandra, Ludwigia octovalvis,
Panicum spp. have very badly affected the aquatic ecosystem of both Kanjia and Kiakani
lakes. The population of Myriophyllum tetrandum, Sagittaria guyanensis etc. have been
reduced alarmingly during the last 2 decades in the lake waters.
Introduced and Cultivated Plants:

Besides the native flora, several other useful species, exotic ornamentals and forestry
species have been introduced to the zoo and the botanic garden. The common avenue
plants grown in the sanctuary area are Delonix regia, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Acacia
auriculiformis, Gliricidia sepium, Spathodea carnpanulata, Kleinhovia hospita, Drypetes
roxburghii, Polyalthia longifolia etc. The State Botanical Garden has a rich collection of
indigenous and exotic species of economic importance. The garden has an arboretum, a
medicinal plant garden, an Orchidarium, cactus and other succulent house, a Hibiscus
garden, rosary, a desert garden, collection of house plants, long palm avenues, a nursery,
bamboo garden, parks for children, a Moghul garden and many other features
Study of flora past and present:

Though the flora of Odisha has been studied by several workers (Haines, 1921-25; Mooney,
1950; Saxena & Brahmam, 1994-96), no systematic attempt has so far been made to make
a comprehensive inventory of plant resources of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary, which
includes Nandankanan Zoological Park, State Botanical Garden, Kanjia & Kiakani Lakes
and the adjoining swamps. Choudhury (1980), Choudhury & Pattnaik (1982, 1985); Panda
(1992), Panda & Patnaik (1994 a & b), Panda et al. (2004) in connection with floristic
studies of Bhubaneswar region and erstwhile Puri district have surveyed the flora and
vegetation of Nandankanan Biological Park. The aquatic plants of Kanjia lake have also
been partly studied by Durani & Rout (1982) and Das et al. (1994). Choudhury & Biswal
(1994) brought out an enumeration of 323 species of angiospermic plants under 248
genera and 87 families occurring in the geographical boundary of the Nandankanan
sanctuary. However, a complete and comprehensive assessment of floral diversity of
this important wildlife sanctuary of Odisha was long over due. Through systematic
inventory of wild flora and naturalized plant species, a total of 704 species of plants
belonging to 491 genera under 142 familieshave been collected, identified and
photographed. It includes 686 species of angiosperms belonging to 475 genera and 127
families, 12 species of pteridophytes and 6 species of gymnosperms. The angiospermic
flora is comprised of 531 species of dicots under 377 genera and 103 families and 155
monocot species belonging 98 genera and 24 families. The ratio of dicot to monoct is
71:29. The composition of five dominant plant families in the flora of Nandankanan is
presented below.
Composition of five dominant plant families
Sl. No. Family No. of genera No. of species

1 Poaceae 44 65
2 Fabaceae 27 49
3 Cyperaceae 10 35
4 Euphorbiaceae 19 31
5 Rubiaceae 19 27
Acanthaceae 19 27
However, garden exotics and seasonal plants which are not common and do not show
natural regeneration and establishment have not been included in the enumeration. A
checklist of exotics and garden ornamentals grown in the Biological Park is provided
separately. Though all attempts have been made to survey the area extensively and
capture all the species occurring therein, as with any floristic inventory, some species
might have been left out or escaped our notice. In the enumeration, the families are
arranged after modified Bentham and Hookers system of classification and the genera
under a family and species under a genus are arranged alphabetically. For each species,
correct botanical name with author citation, synonym (if any) appearing in The Botany
of Bihar and Orissa (Haines, 1921-25), vernacular name in Odia, Bengali, Hindi and
English (wherever available) have been provided. Colour photograph taken in the field
by the authors has been given for each plant species to aid the process of correct
identification, even by a common man. The dominant families according to their species
content are Poaceae (65 species), Fabaceae (49 species), Cyperaceae (35 species) and
Euphorbiaceae (31 species). Though the dicots on the whole are predominant (531 species)
over monocots (155 species), it is interesting to note that the two dominant families
(Poaceae and Cyperaceae) are represented by monocot members because of the available
congenial wetland habitat. The pteridophytes and gymnosperms are represented by 12
and 6 species respectively.

Botanical Description
of
Species
ANGIOSPERMS (Dicotyledons)
DILLENIACEAE
Dillenia indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Oao, Oau (O); Chalta

(Beng. & H).
Moderate sized evergreen tree with a
dense crown; trunk rather crooked and
irregular. Leaves deep green, oblong to
lanceolate, margin dentate. Flowers
white, solitary. Sepals 5, elliptic, thick.
Stamens in 2 distinct groups. Fruit
indehiscent, yellowish-green, including
the enclosing sepals. Seeds in colourless
glutinous pulp, reniform.
Frequently planted in gardens and
homesteads. Fruits used for pickles,
chutneys and in curry.
Flowering : May - June
Fruiting : September - February
MAGNOLIACEAE
Michelia champaca Linn.
Vernacular name: Champa, Champaka
(O, Beng., H).
Evergreen trees, 20-40 m tall; Leaves
ovate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate,
coriaceous, glabrous above, more or less
pubescent beneath, with strong
secondary nerves and reticulations.
Flowers axillary, regular, yellow;
perianth 9-15, free, deciduous, segments
oblong, fleshy, curved. Receptacle
elongate, columnar, bearing stamens at
base and pistils above. Fruit an aggregate
of follicles; follicles warty, dehiscing by
2 valves; seeds scarlet.
Very commonly planted in temple
premises, roadsides, gardens and parks;
wild in semi-evergreen forests.
Flowering : March - April
Fruiting : June - July

ANNONACEAE
Alphonsea madraspatana Bedd.
Vernacular name: Ghanti (O).

Medium-sized, evergreen tree; young
branches rusty-tomentose. Leaves
elliptic-ovate or oblong, shining. Flowers
fascicled, 1-6 on leaf-opposed or supra-
axillary peduncles. Sepals small, ovate,
rusty-tomentose. Petals yellow,
puberulous outside. Stamens 12, 2-
seriate. Fruit ovoid, smooth, yellow-
tomentose.
Occasional in shady places on sand stone
hills.
Flowering : March
Fruiting : June - August
Annona reticulata Linn.
Vernacular name: Ramaphal, Barhial,

Ata (O); Nona (Beng.); Ramphal (H);
Bullocks Heart (E).
Tree. Leaves oblong-lanceolate. Flowers
2-4, on lateral pedicels. Petals pale-green,
outer tomentose, the inner minute, shorter
than the sepals. Syncarp orange,
subglobose, rough outside, with lightly
marked pentagonal areoles. Seeds
smooth, blackish.
Cultivated for its edible fruits; natualised
in many parts of the country as an escape.
Flowering : June
Fruiting : December - January

Annona squamosa Linn.
Vernacular name: Neua, Sitaphal (O);

Ata, Sitaphal (Beng.); Saripha (H);
Custard Apple (E).
Small tree. Leaves elliptic or oblong-
lanceolate, glabrous, glaucous beneath,
pellucid-punctate. Flowers drooping,
solitary or 2-4 in a cluster. Sepals 3,
triangular. Petals greenish-yellow, outer
ones thick, inner ones minute or 0.
Syncarp globose, glaucous, yellowish-
green when ripe, with well marked,
tuberculate areoles. Seeds smooth,
blackish.
Cultivated and naturalized, often found
self-sown in hedges, waste places.
Flowering : March - May
Fruiting : July - September
Artabortrys hexapetalus (Linn.)

Bhandari [Syn. Artabotrys
odoratissimus (Roxb.) R. Br.]
Vernacular name: Chini champa (O);

Katali champa (Beng.).
Straggling shrub. Leaves oblong or
oblong-lanceolate, glabrous, glossy
above. Flowers solitary or paired, sweet-
scented, yellow, peduncle terminal or
leaf-opposed, curved and hooked. Sepals
ovate, tips recurved, pubescent. Petals
lanceolate, saccate or concave. Ripe
carpels 14-20 in a cluster, green or
ultimately yellow, sessile, obovoid, Seed
solitary, oblong.
Often cultivated in gardens, parks and
temple premises.
Flowering : March - July
Fruiting : August - December

Polyalthia cerasoides (Roxb.) Bedd.
Vernacular name: Potamossu, Champati

(O); Kudumi (H).
Small tree with spreading branches;
branchlets tomentose when young.
Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate,
lower surface pubescent. Flowers green,
axillary or from old leaf-scars. Outer
petals oblong or ovate, inner ones linear
or lanceolate, carpels stalked. Ripe
carpels in umbel, bright red, globose. Seed
brown, ovoid.
Very common in hill forests.
Flowering : April - May
Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw.
Vernacular name: Debadaru (O); Ashok

(H).
Tall evergreen tree. Leaves narrowly
lanceolate, shining, margin undulate,
apex long-acuminate. Flowers yellowish-
green, fascicled or in shortly peduncled
umbels; sepals triangular, acuminate,
spreading, subequal. Ripe carpels ovoid,
stalked. Seeds smooth, oblong-ovate,
shining.
Commonly planted in gardens and as an
avenue plant; self-sown and naturalized
in suitable locations.
Fruiting : July - August

Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thw.
Vernacular name: Guakoli (O); Barachali

(Beng.); Cham-khinni (H).
Small tree or shrub; bark brown, corky;
young twigs rusty-tomentose. Leaves
oblong, elliptic or obovate, glabrous
above. Flowers yellowish-green, solitary
or 2-3 on a short extra-axillary branch.
Sepals ovate. Petus oblong or lanceolate,
inner ones slightly larger. Ripe carpels
20-25 in a cluster, red, globose or broadly
ellipsoid. Seed solitary.
Fairly common in shady moist localities
in forests.
Fruiting : August - November
MENISPERMACEAE
Cissampelos pareira Linn. var.
hirsuta (Buch.-Ham. ex DC.) Forman
(Syn: Cissampelos hirsuta Buch.-Ham.
ex DC.)
Vernacular name: Musakani, Akanabindi

(O); Akanadi (H,Beng.).
Slender climber with perennial root-stock.
Leaves ovate or orbicular, palmately 5-7-
nerved, glaucous beneath. Male
inflorescence pubescent; flowers green to
yellow. Female inflorescence upto 18cm,
bracteate, puberulous. Ovary pilose; style
thick, glabrous; stigma divaricately 3-
lobed. Drupe orange or red, pubsescent.
Quite abundant in hedges, thickets and
scrub jungles.
Flowering : June - November
Fruiting : November - January

Cocculus hirsutus (Linn.) Diels
Vernacular name: Dahdahiya, Dadaya

(O); Huyer (Beng.); Jamtikibel (H).
Straggling climber, densely villous.
Leaves triangular to ovate; base rounded.
truncate or cordate. Undersurface
densely villous, pubescent to glabrescent
above. Male flowers in axillary, short-
peducled small capitate cymes. Female
flowers 1-3 from short axillary peduncles.
Drupe purple, compressed, tomentose.
Common in bushes, hedges and climbing
on small trees.
Flowering : November - April
Fruiting : March - May
Tiliacora acuminata (Lam.) Miers
Vernacular name: Kalajati Nai (O);

Tiliakoru (Beng.).
Large woody climber. Leaves ovate to
oblong-lanceolate, glabrous, with 3-5 sub-
palmate basal nerves. Inflorescence
tomentose or pubescent, male
inflorescence 6-7 cm long, female
inflorescence 3-5 cm long. Male flowers:
petals 6, bright yellow, free. Female
flowers: carpels 6. Drupes red.
Occasional, in bushes, thickets and
climbing on trees.
Flowering : April - June
Fruiting : June - December

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f.
& Thoms.
Vernacular name: Guluchi, Guluchilata

(O); Jwantika (H); Giloe (Beng.).
Woody climber; often sending down
slender, pendulous, fleshy roots. Leaves
cordate, glabrous, 5-7(-9)-nerved.
Pseudoracemes axillary or on leafless
branchlets. Male flowers: clustered in the
axils of minute bracts; petals 6, green, free;
stamens enclosed by petals. Female
flowers: solitary in the racemes. Drupes
red, globose, radiating from a 2-3-
branched carpophore.
Abundant on forest trees and hedges.
Flowering : August - December
NELUMBONACEAE
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
Vernacular name: Padma (O); Rakta

Padma (Beng.); Kanwal, Kamal (H); Lotus
(E).
Submerged-rooted aquatic plant. Leaves
round 20-30 cm across, waxy, glaucous
beneath; petiole to 2 m. Flowers pinkish-
white, about 20 cm across. Sepals
greenish white, ovate. Petals elliptic, apex
obtuse. Receptacle 5-8 cm. Ripe carpels
nut-like.
Locally abundant in Kanjia lake and
adjoining swamps in small patches.
Flowering : April - July

NYMPHAEACEAE
Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f.
(Nymphaea stellata Willd.)
Vernacular name: Nilakain, Dhalakain

(O); Nilshapla, Sundi (Beng.); Nil Kamal
(H); Blue Water lily (E).
sinuate or dentate on margins, greenish
above, purple beneath. Flowers blue,
white or rose. Sepals oblong, ovate-
oblong, obscurely nerved. Petals oblong
or oblanceolate. Receptacle to 1.5 cm.
Stamens slightly connate to petals;
filaments yellow. Cells of the ovary
separated by a double wall; stigmatic rays
10-30, unappendaged.
Very common in lakes, ponds and ditches.
Flowering : Throughout the year
Nymphaea pubescens Willd.
Vernacular name: Nalikain (O); Nal

Saluka (Beng.); Indian Water Lily (E).
15-30 cm dia, green above, purple and
pubescent beneath, margins sharply
dentate. Flowers pink or red. Sepals
ovate-oblong, prominently nerved.
Receptacle to 1cm. Filaments of stamens
yellow, unappendaged. CelIs of ovary
separated by single wall. Stigmatic rays
about 15-20, incurved, appendaged.
Common in lakes, ponds, swamps and
ditchs.
Flowering : Throughout the year.

PAPAVERACEAE
Argemone mexicana Linn.
Vernacular name: Agara, Kanta Agara,

Nippania (O); Siyal-kanta (Beng.); Prickly
poppy, Mexican poly (E).
Glabrous herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves
oblong, sinuate-pinnatifid, glaucous,
margin spinulose-dentate, lower leaves
in a rosette. Flowers yellow, sessile or on
short pedicel; petals 6, in two series. Fruit
softly prickly; seeds black-brown.
Fairly common weed throughout the area.
Flowering : December - February
Fruiting : February - April; but more
or less throughout the year
in suitable locations.
CAPPARACEAE
Capparis brevispina DC.
Vernacular name: Niphura, Nepheda (O).

Erect or straggling shrub. Leaves elliptic,
oblong or oblanceolale, with nerve
reticulations on both sides. Flowers
axillary, solitary; sepals ovate-lanceolate
to orbicular-lanceolate; petals cream or
white, oblanceolate, sometimes with
maroon blotches. Fruit ellipsoid, beaked.
Frequent in scrub jungles and rocky
habitats.
Flowering : January - March
Fruiting : April - June

Capparis zeylanica Linn. (Syn:
Capparis horrida Linn.)
Vernacular name: Asadhua (O);

Kalokara, Bagnai (Beng.); Ardanda (H).
Climbing shrub, stellate-tomentose;
thorns recurved. Leaves ovate-elliptic or
rarely obovate, base rounded. Flowers
white or pink, 1-few in supra-axillary
rows; sepals more or less densely
tomentose outside; petals very thin,
oblong with rounded top; stamens many,
white or purple; gynophore slightly
exceeding the stamens; ovary ellipsoid.
Fruit globose, woody-coriaceous, reddish
or purple.
Common in scrub forests, thickets and
hedges.
Flowering : February - April
Fruiting : September - October
Cleome rutidosperma DC.
Erect or procumbent, profusely branched

annual herb; stem ribbed, with sparse soft,
pickle like appendages. Leaves 3-
foliolate; leaflets subsessile or short-
petioled, elliptic-rhomboid or elliptic-
lanceolate-oblong. Flowers solitary, in
highest leaf-axils; sepals lanceolate;
petals violet-blue, obovate-elliptic; ovary
on long gynophore. Capsule slightly
compressed, attenuate at both ends; seeds
dark-brown, suborbicular-reniform.
Frequent weed in moist places, walls and
waste lands.
Flowering : August - November,
& Fruiting sometimes throughout
the year.

Cleome viscosa Linn.
Vernacular name: Banasorisa, Anasorisa

(O); Hurhur (H); Hurhuria (Beng.).
Erect, annual, glandular-pubescent herb.
Leaves 3-5-foliolate; leaflets subsessile or
shortly petiolulate, obovate or elliptic, the
middle one larger than the lateral ones.
Racemes corymbose. Flowers yellow,
long-pedicelled, in the axils of reduced
leaves; stamens 10-many; ovary
glandular-hairy. Capsule terete, beaked,
glandular hairy; seeds many with strong
transverse ridges.
Fairly common weed in grassy lands,
waste places and cultivated fields.
Flowering : June - October
& Fruiting
Crateva magna (Lour.) DC. (Syn:

Crateva religiosa auct. non Forst.)
Vernacular name: Varuna, Baruna (H,

Beng.,O).
Small trees; branchlets lenticulate.
Leaves trifoliate; leaflets lanceolate to
ovate lanceolate, base acute, apex
gradually acuminate, thin-coriaceous.
Inflorescence racemose, terminal,
corymbiform; flowers subtended by
bracts; sepals petaloid; petals yellowish.
Berry yellowish-grey, ovoid or ellipsoid,
rugose; gynophores to 5 cm.
Occasional in rocky places and scrub
forests.
Flowering : March - April, mostly with
the leaves but sometimes
before the new leaves.
Fruiting : May - June. Deciduous in
January - March.

VIOLACEAE
Hybanthus enneaspermus (Linn) F. V.
Muell. (Syn: Ionidium suffruticosum
(Linn) Ging. ex DC.)
Vernacular name: Madan mastak, Madan
mast (O); Ratanpuras(H); Nunbora (Beng.).
Erect or suberect, more or less pubescent
herb. Leaves sub-sessile, linear-
lanceolate, elliptic or linear, margin entire
to shallowly serrate. Sepals subequal,
triangular membranous. Petals 5, pink,
unequal, upper ones oblong, laterals
falcate, lower one larger, orbicular,
clawed, saccate at base; stamens 5.
Capsule subglobose; seeds ellipsoid.
Common in lawns, grassy lands and
cultivated fields.
& Fruiting
BIXACEAE
Bixa orellana Linn.
Vernacular name: Sundri, Sindura,
Gulbas, (O); Latkan (H, Beng.); Annatto
(E).
Shrub or small tree. Leaves ovate, base
subcordate or truncate, densely red-
dotted, 5-nerved at base. Flowers 10-50
in corymbose panicles; sepals purplish-
red, broadly ovate to orbicular, petals
purplish-pink to nearly white, narrowly
obovate, with a few scales on abaxial side
and with elongated red spots. Fruits
prickly, dehiscing by apical valves.
Cultivated and naturalized in many
areas.
Flowering : July - October
Fruiting : October - May

FLACOURTIACEAE
Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr.
Vernacular name: Baincha, Bali bhaincha
(O); Benchi (Beng.); Katahi, Kanjubench (H).
Deciduous or evergreen shrub or small
tree with straight sharp thorns. Leaves
obovate or ovate to elliptic, coarsely
crenate. Flowers yellowish, solitary or in
few-flowered racemes, axillary or
terminal. Disc of male flowers: lobulate
or crenate and disc of female flowers
entire or nearly so. Ovary globular with
free styles; stigmas slightly bilobed. Fruit
globose to ellipsoid, blackish red when
ripe; seeds 5-8.
Fairly abundant in thorny scrub jungles
and low hills.
Flowering : December - March
Casearia elliptica Willd.
Vernacular name: Khakada, Khakara (O);

Maun (Beng.).
Shrub or small tree; twigs pubescent.
Leaves oblong, coarsely crenate-serrate,
serrulate or sometimes entire, pubescent
or tomentose, especially on the nerves
beneath. Flowers greenish or greenish-
white; staminodes fleshy, pubescent.
Capsule yellow when ripe, broadly
ellipsoid to oblong, 6-angular. Seeds with
scarlet aril.
Common throughout the area in scrub
forests.
Flowering : February - May
Fruiting : April - May

POLYGALACEAE
Polygala arvensis Willd. (Syn:
Polygala chinensis auct. non Linn.)
Vernacular name: Meradu (Beng.,H);
Miragu (H).
Erect or procumbent herb. Leaves orbicular,
obovate or elliptic-oblong, emarginate or
mucronate. Flowers yellow or pink, in solitary
or lateral racemes; outer sepals subequal,
ovate-lanceolate to ovate, pubescent without;
wing sepals obliquely ovate. Lateral petals
suborbicular or broadly obovate. Staminal
sheath free; filaments united at a level about
half their length. Capsule ovate-oblong, ciliate
on the margins. Seeds black, elliptic-obovate,
pilose.
Common in grasslands, wastelands, fields
and waysides through out the region.
Flowering : June - December
& Fruiting
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Polycarpaea corymbosa (Linn.) Lam.
Vernacular name: Sana Jat-jatia (O).

Erect, branched herb, stem tomentose or
scattered hairy. Leaves subsessile, linear
to subulate, often mucronate,
chartaceous; stipules scarious, fimbriate.
Cymes contracted. Flowers silvery white
or tinged with pink; sepals lanceolate,
petals reddish white, oblong-oval.
Capsule oblong to oblong-ovoid.
Quite common on lateritic soils, rock
crevices and on sand stone hills with thin
soil layers.
Flowering : October - February
& Fruiting

Polycarpon prostratum (Forssk.)
Asch. & Schweinf. [Syn: Polycarpon
loeflingiae (Wight & Arn.) Benth. &
Hook. f.]
Vernacular name: Ghima (Beng.); Sureta

(H).
Prostrate or diffuse herb; puberulous to
pubescent. Leaves subsessile,
oblanceolate or spathulate, chartaceous,
puberulous. Bracts scarious and sessile.
Flowers white, sessile or very shortly
pedicelled; sepals ovate-oblong or
oblong; petals hyaline, broadly oblong,
shorter than the sepals; stamens about 3;
ovary globose. Capsule ovoid or globose.
Common in damp places near ponds, rice
fields and water courses:
Flowering : November - May
& Fruiting
PORTULACACEAE
Portulaca oleracea Linn.
Vernacular name: Badabalbalua (O);

Baraloniya(Beng.); Khursa, Badalaniya (H).
Prostrate herb, branchlets glabrous,
green or purplish. Leaves alternate or
subopposite, obovate-spathulate, apex
obtuse or truncate, fleshy. Flowers
yellow, sessile, solitary or 2-3 in a
capitulum; foliar involucre 2-6. Sepals
lanceolate, subequal, carinate; petals
obovate; stamens 8-12. Fruit ovoid,
glabrous. Seeds brown, minutely
tubercled.
Very common weed of wastelands and
road sides close to water source.
& Fruiting

Portulaca quadrifida Linn.
Vernacular name: Balbalua, Balbaluka

(O); Luniya, Chota lunia (H, Beng.).
Creeping herb, rooting at the nodes;
nodes with a whorl of intra-and
interpetiolar hairs. Leaves opposite,
elliptic oblong, succulent. Fowers yellow,
terminal solitary, flowers surrounded by
profuse hairs; sepals oblong, petals 4,
obovate, obtuse; stamens 8-12; ovary
ellipsoid, half embedded in receptacle;
style 3-4-cleft. Capsule ovoid, with an
operculum. Seeds black, minutely
tubercled.
Common in open, moist places near water
courses, often in sandy localities.
Flowering : Most parts of the year.
& Fruiting
ELATINACEAE
Bergia ammannioides Roxb.
Diffuse or erect herb; branches glandular-

pubescent. Leaves oblong to oblanceolate,
margin minutely serrate, glandular-
ciliate. Flowers reddish, in few to many-
flowered fascicles; shortly pedicelled;
sepals 3-5, lanceolate; petals same in
number as the sepals, ovate-oblong,
thinly membranous; stamens as many as
the sepals. Capsule minute, seeds faintly
reticulate.
Locally abundant in moist places, banks
of water bodies and field bunds.
Flowering : October - January
& Fruiting

Bergia capensis Linn. (Syn: Bergia
verticillata Willd.)
Glabrous herb with a creeping stem and

ascending branches; stems succulent.
Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, shallowly
serrate. Flowers very small, crowded in
the axils of the leaves, sessile, white;
sepals and petals 5; stamens 10. Capsule
globose.
Occasional, in muddy localities, banks of
ponds and in shallow water.
Flowering : September - November
& Fruiting
CLUSIACEAE
Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.
Vernacular name: Poonang, Polang (O);

Sultana champa (Beng., H); Alexandrian
lourel (E).
Medium-sized tree; branches glabrous,
young ones tetragonous. Leaves broadly
elliptic-oblong or obovate, apex obtuse,
rounded or emarginate, coriaceous,
shining on both sides, midrib prominent
below. Racemes axillary, few-flowered.
Flowers white, fragrant, polygamous;
sepals and petals 4 each. Ovary
depressed-globose. Drupe yellow when
ripe, globose, pericarp pulpy.
Frequently planted in gardens and road sides.
Flowering : March - June &
October - November
Fruiting : October - November &
April - May

Mammea suriga (Buch.-Ham. ex
Roxb.) Kosterm. (Syn: Ochrocarpus
longifrlius (Wt.) Benth ex T. Anders)
Vernacular name: Churiana (O).

Small or moderate-sized tree. Leaves
oblong to oblong-lanceolate, acute,
thickly coriaceous, nervation of very
numerous fine parallel secondary nerves
copiously reticulated in between and
with distinct pellucid dots in the areoles.
Flowers white or rose, fragrant, 2 cm
across. Fruit obovate, beaked.
Occasionally grain in temple premises,
parks and Garden.
Mesua ferrea Linn.
Vernacular name: Nagesar, Nageswar (O,

Beng.)
Small or moderate-sized tree. Leaves
oblong-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate,
acuminate, glabrous, shining above,
glaucous beneath. Flowers white, from the
uppermost leaf-axils, very variable in
size, fragrant; sepals orbicular, thick.;
petals cuneate-obovate; stamens bright
yellow. Fruit ovoid, with a conical beak
and persistent calyx.
Planted in gardens and parks; wild in
Orissa forests.
Fruiting : Octobe - November

BOMBACACEAE
Bombax ceiba Linn. [Syn: Bombax
malabarica DC.); Salmalia malalorice
(DC.) Schott. & Endl.]
Vernacular name: Simili (O); Semal (H);

Simul, Pagun (Beng.).
Deciduous tree with prickly trunk and
branches. Leaves 5-7-foliolate; leaflets
elliptic, entire, acuminate. Flowers bright
red, on leafless branchlets; pedicel stout;
calyx thick, cupuliform, 4-5 lobed,
densely sericeous within; petals oblong
or obovate, rotund-obtuse. Receptacle
glandular. Capsule oblong; seeds
pyriform.
Fairly common in drier habitats
throughout the area.
Ceiba pentandra (Linn.) Gaertn.
Vernacular name: Kapa (O); White Cotton

Tree, Kapok tree (E).
Trees, trunk green when young. Leaves
5-9-foliolate; leaflets mostly oblanceolate
or oblong. Flowers white; calyx green,
campanuIate, petals obovate. Capsule
ellipsoid to fusiform, narrowed at both
ends, valves with silky fibres. Seeds
brown to black.
Occasionally planted for fibres, also in
gardens.
Flowering : January - June
& Fruiting

MALVACEAE
Abelmoschus manihot (Linn.) Medic.
ssp. tetraphyllus (Roxb. ex Hornem.)
Borssum (Syn: Hibiscus tetraphyllus
Roxb. ex Hornem.)
Vernacular name: Bana Bhendi.
Undershrub, branched from the base; stem
fistular, densely covered with prickly hairs.
Leaves orbicular to ovate, 3-7-lobed or
parted; lobes coarsely dentate or serrate,
stellately hairy on both sides. Flowers
solitary, axillary; epicalyx segments 4-6,
ovate-lanceolate, persistent; calyx
velutinous; corolla yellow with small
purple centre. Capsule oblong or oblong-
ovoid, 5-angled, densely hispid; seeds dark
brown to black, reniform.
Occasional in scrub jungles and waste places.
Flowering : October - Novembr
Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet
Vernacular name: Pedi-pedika (O); Potari

(Beng.); Jhamp, Kanghani (H).
Undershrub, 1-2 m high; stem, petioles
and pedicels densely velutinous with
minute hairs. Leaves ovate to
suborbicular, sometimes lobed-cordate,
dentate. Flowers solitary, axillary; calyx
widely campanulate, 5-partite; corolla
yellow to pale orange, without purple
centre. Schizocarp glabose, apex truncate
or slightly indented; mericarps 15-22,
flattened, reniform, much longer than the
calyx. Seeds 2-3 per mericarp, reniform.
Common in waste places, along
roadsides, as a weed in gardens and in
forests.
Flowering : July - December
& Fruiting

Hibiscus tiliaceus Linn.
Vernacular name: Bani, Baniya (O); Bola,

Chelwa (Beng.)
Small tree. Leaves ovate or orbicular,
cordate at base, crenate, apex mostly
cuspidate, 5-7-nerved, hoary beneath.;
stipules foliaceous. Flowers solitary,
axillary; epicalyx cupular; calyx
campanulate; corolla yellow with
crimson centre, turning red later in the
day, campanulate. Capsule globose to
ovoid, beaked, 5-valved. Seeds 5-8 per cell,
reniform.
Planted in gardens parks and on
waysides.
& Fruiting
Sida acuta Burm. f.
Vernacular name : Bajarmuli,

Sunakhadika (O); Bonmethi, Pila barela
(Beng.).
Erect undershrub; stem rigid, sparsely
covered with hairs. Leaves lanceolate,
obovate-lanceolate, ovate-oblong, margin
serrate or coarsely serrate, both the
surfaces sparsely hairy. Flowers solitary,
axillary or in clusters of 2-3; calyx
campanulate, 5-lobed; corolla pale
yellow; ovary ovoid. Mericarps 6-10, with
2 awns. Seeds triangularly ovoid, dark
brown.
Gregarious weed of waste places, often
occurring in pure formations.
Flowering : September - January
& Fruiting

Sida cordata (Burm. f.) Borssum
Vernacular name: Bisiripi (O); Junka

(Beng.); Bonaniyar (H).
Procumbent herb, hairy through out.
Leaves ovate to suborbicular, cordate,
crenate-dentate or serrate. Flowers
axillary, solitary, pedicel as long as or
longer than the petioles; calyx
campanulate; corolla yellow, petals
obovate, ciliate at base. Schizocarp
globose, enclosed within the persistent
calyx; mericarps 5, tetrahedral; seeds
ovoid.
Common weed in waste places, bushes
and hedges.
Flowering : August - January
& Fruiting
Sida cordifolia Linn.
Vernacular name: Biswakopari, Bisiripi

(O); Swet berela (Beng.); Bariyara, Khareti
(H).
Erect herb; petioles and pedicels densely
tomentose. Leaves ovate to ovate-oblong,
crenate, tomentose. Flowers axillary,
solitary or in clusters of 2-5, towards the
top ofthe stem; calyx campanulate,
accrescent, densely tomentose; corolla
whitish or yellow. Mericarps 8-10,
flattened-trigonous, with 2 hairy awns.
Seeds flattened-reniform.
Fairly common in waste grounds through
out in rainy seasons and post-monsoon
period.
Fruiting : October - January

Sida rhombifolia Linn.
Vernacular name: Bajramuli, Dhala

Badiaonla (O); Lal berela (Beng. & H).
Rigid herb or undershrub; stems often
tinged red, with minute stellate hairs.
Leaves ovate to oblong, often rhomboid,
serrate to crenate in the upper part, entire
towards the base. Flowers axillary,
solitary or in clusters of 2-5; calyx
campanulate, accrescent; corolla yellow,
petals oblique. Mericarps 6-12, muticous;
seeds flattened, reniform.
Quite a common weed of road sides and
open fields.
Flowering : August - February
& Fruiting
Thespesia populnea (Linn.) Sol. ex

Corr.
Vernacular name: Habeli (O); Palaopipal,

Gajashuni (Beng.); Paras pipal, Gaja
danda (H); Portia tree (E).
Small tree; twigs densely covered with
minute scales. Leaves ovate to orbicular-
ovate, cordate. Flowers solitary, axillary;
epicalyx segments oblong to lanceolate,
densely scaly, caducous; calyx
campanulate, accrescent; corolla yellow
with dark purple centre, fading to pink
or purplish, broadly campanulate.
Capsule globose, crumpled at maturity,
indehiscent; seeds obovoid, densely
hairy.
Quite often planted along roads and in
gardens.
& Fruiting

Urena lobata Linn.
Vernacular name: Rakta pheni,

Bilakapasia (O); Ban Okhra (Beng.).
Annual erect undershrub. Leaves ovate
to orbicular, angular or shallowly or
deeply palmilobed or fid; serrate to
crenate, 3-9-nerved at base. Epicalyx
cupular in fruit. Flowers axillary; calyx
5-parted, corolla pink with purple centre,
rotate. Schizocarp globose, glochidiate;
seeds reniform.
Common weed in bushes and thickets
during rains.
& Fruiting
STERCULIACEAE
Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.
Vernacular name: Debodaru (O);

Nipaltunth (Beng.); Bastard cedar (E).
Moderate-sized tree; bark grey or grey
brown. Leaves ovate-oblong to oblong-
lanceolate, obliquely cordate at base,
serrulate, scabrous above, stellate-
tomentose beneath. Flowers yellow, in
axillary or terminal cymes; sepals 3-5,
elliptic, tomentose without; petals obvate,
concave with a long and forked
appendage. Capsule subglobose, woody,
tubercled, indehiscent; seeds black.
Occasionally planted in gardens and
parks.
Fruiting : October - February

Helicteres isora Linn.
Vernacular name: Modimodika (O);

Morphali (H); Atmora (Beng.); East
Indian screw tree (E).
Shrub, stellate-hairy branches. Leaves
orbicular, obovate or broadly ovate,
broadly rounded or shallowly cordate at
base, irregularly serrate, stellate-
pubescent beneath, 5-7-palminerved.
Flowers brick-red, irregular; calyx
orange, curved, 5-toothed; petals 5,
reflexed unequal, lower pair shortly
clawed and with larger limb. Folicles
linear, spirally twisted; seeds wrinkled,
angular.
Fairly common in open forests and scrub
jungles.
Flowering : April - December
Kleinhovia hospita Linn.
Vernacular name: Bola (Beng.)

Moderate-sized tree. Leaves broadly
ovate to suborbicular, cordate at base,
entire or shallowly dentate-serrate,
palmately 3-7-nerved, pubescent to
glabrous beneath. Flowers in 20-40 cm
long panicles; pink; sepals 5, nearly free;
gynandrophore pubescent; ovary densely
pilose. Seeds globose, 1-2 per cell.
Planted in gardens.
Flowering : September - October
Fruiting : December

Melochia corchorifolia Linn.
Telpuri (O); Tikiokra (Beng.); Bilpat (H).

Branched herb. Leaves ovate-oblong or
ovate-lanceolate, sometimes lobed,
subcordate or truncate at base, serrate,
pubescent on the nerves. Cymes terminal,
capitate, subsessile, with bracts and
bracteoles. Flowers pink or white,
bisexual; calyx-tube cupular; petals
obovate. Capsule depressed globose,
pubescent; seeds black, ovoid, angular.
Abundant in open moist places, field
bunds and shallow water bodies.
& Fruiting
Pentapetes phoenicea Linn.
Vernacular name: Katlata, Bandhuli

(Beng.).
Branched, stellate-pubescent herb.
Leaves simple, linear lanceolate, crenate-
serrate or serrate, apex gradually
tapering, thinly pubescent on the nerves;
lower leaves ovate oblong, 3-lobed.
Flowers red, bisexual, axillary, solitary
or paired on short peduncles; petals 5,
obovate, adnate to the staminal tube;
staminodes petaloid. Capsule subglo-
bose or ellipsoid, bristly, loculicidaly 5-
valved; seeds black, suglobose, warty.
Occasional, in wet places, rice fields and
shallow lake banks.
Flowering : August - October
Fruiting : November - December

Pterospermum acerifolium (Linn.)
Willd.
Vernacular name: Muchukund (O, H);

Kanaka champa (Beng.).
Large evergreen tree, branchlets rusty-
tomentose. Leaves broadly ovate-oblong
to oblong-obovate, deeply toothed,
coriaceous, white-tomentose beneath.
Flowers white, fragrant; sepals 4-5,
linear-oblong, thick, brown or yellow-
tomentose without; petals linear-
oblanceolate, glabrous; staminodes
white. Capsule oblong, woody, acutely 5-
angled, brown tomentose, trough.
Planted in gardens, road sides and in
temple premises.
Pterospermum xylocarpum (Gaertn.)

Sant & Wagh (Syn: Pterospermum
heyneanum Wall. ex Wt. & Arn.)
Vernacular name: Giringa (O).

Medium-sized evergreen tree; young
parts rusty stellate-tomentose. Leaves
oblong, oblong-ovate, sub-cordate,
margin distantly dentate or lobed, rarely
entire, thick, coriaceous, white tomentose
beneath with raised brown nervation.
Flowers white, fragrant; sepals oblong,
rusty tomentose wiithout, white villous
within; petals oblanceolate, with white
stellate pubescence. Capsule pyriform,
woody, obtusely 5-angled, rusty stellate-
tomentose, apiculate; seeds orbicular,
compressed with broad wings.
Very common in mixed forests,
characteristic of sandstone hills.
Flowering : October - December

Sterculia urens Roxb.
Vernacular name: Genduli, Kodala (O);

Gulu, Gula(H).
Moderate-sized tree; bark papery. Leaves
large, orbicular-cordate, palmately 5-
lobed, tomentose beneath; lobes entire,
caudate; petiole 15-30 cm long. Flowers
in axillary and terminal panicles, densely
viscid- pubescent, reddish-brown. Male
flowers: calyx 5-lobed, tomentose outside,
greenish inside; gynandrophore included
within the calyx. Stamens 10. Female
flowers: ovary globose. Follicles 4-5,
ovoid-oblong, densely hairy.
Frequent in deciduous forests, especially
on hill slopes.
Fruiting : April - August
Leafless : November, December - May
Waltheria indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Telpuri, Bila Nalita (O);

Tikiokra (Beng); Bilpat (H).
Erect, hoary stellate-tomentose herb or
undershrub. Leaves simple, ovate-oblong,
elliptic or ovate, toothed, white or greyish,
stellate-tomentose beneath. Flowers
yellow, bisexual, in dense axillary
clusters; bracts and bracteoles lanceolate;
calyx strigose;petals clawed; staminal
tube with 5 oblong anthers; staminodes
absent. Capsule ovoid, villous, enclosed
in calyx; seed 1, black, wrinkled.
A common weed of waste lands and open
places.
& Fruiting

TILIACEAE
Corchorus aestuans Linn. (Syn:
Corchorus acutangulus auct. non
Forssk.)
Vernacular name: Bananalita, Buda

nalita (O).
Erect or diffuse herb. Leaves ovate to
oblong-ovate, serrate, acute, pubescent, 3-
nerved. FIowers yellow, axillary, solitary
or paired; sepals lanceolate, mucronate,
glabrous; petals about as long as the
sepals, spathulate; filaments free.
Capsule 6-angled, of which 3 angles alate
or subulate, apex with horned beaks.
Fairly common weed of grassy waste
lands.
Flowering : July - September
Fruiting : October - December
Grewia disperma Rottl. (Syn: Grewia

multiflora auct. non Juss.)
Vernacular name: Mirga Chara, Gara

Bursu (O).
Medium-sized tree; branchlets shortly
pubescent. Leaves oblong lanceolate or
narrowly elliptic, base acute; 3-nerved,
glaucous and slightly stellate-pubescent
beneath. Flowers white; sepals 3-nerved;
petals orbicular or quadrate, glandular.
Drupe didymous or 4-lobed, green.
Uncommon, found in mixed forests and
forest glades.
Flowering : June - September

Grewia subinaequalis DC. (Syn:
Grewia asiatica anct. non. Linn.)
Vernacular name: Pharsa koli (O); Phalsa

(H, Beng.).
Small tree or shrub; branchlets tomentose.
Leaves broadly ovate or suborbicular,
sometimes slightly lobed, serrate, obtuse,
base 5-7-nerved, tomentose when young,
mature leaves whitish beneath. Peduncles
several, usually exceeding the petioles.
Flowers large, in axillary clusters; buds
cylindric or elevate, ribbed; sepals
stellately pubescent or tomentose. Drupe
red or purple, pyrenes 1-2-celled.
Occasional in dry deciduous forests; often
planted in gardens for its edible fruits.
Grewia tiliifolia Vahl
Vernacular name: Dhaman (O); Dhamni

(H, Beng).
Small tree; bark smooth: Leaves very
broadly ovate to obovate, large, unequal
sided, crenate, stipules falcate. Buds
ellipsoid to oblong, somewhat tomentose,
ribbed. Flowers small, yellow, borne on
thick, axillary peduncles. Drupe globose,
2 lobed, bluish-black, edible.
Frequently in hilly forests; often planted
in gardens.

Triumfetta pentandra A. Rich. (Syn:
Triumfetta neglecta Wight & Arn.)
Vernacular name: Jatajatia (O).

Herb, indumentum stellate-tomentose.
Leaves ovate, orbicular or rhomboid,
lower palmately lobed, upper smaller and
often elliptic, serrate, sparsely to densely
stellate hairy baneath, 3-5-nerved at base.
Flowers yellow, in lateral, extra axillary
clusters or by reduction of leaves in
interrupted racemes. Capsule ovoid,
bristly, pubescent; bristles hispid below.
Common weed through out the area.
Flowering : August - September
Fruiting : October - November
LINACEAE
Hugonia mystax Linn.
Vernacular name: Chulijhinka (O).

Scandent or straggling shrub; branchlets
bearing opposite circinate tendrils below
the clusters of leaves; young parts rusty
tomentose. Leaves often crowded at the
ends of the branchlets, obovate-elliptic.
Cymes terminal and/ or axillary; lower
peduncles spirally hooked. Flowers
yellow; sepals ovate-lanceolate, fulvous-
pubescent; petals hypogynous. Drupe
yellow, orange or red, globose.
A characteristic element of scrub forests.
Fruiting : August - October

MALPIGHIACEAE
Hiptage benghalensis (Linn.) Kurz
(Syn: Hiptage madhablota Gaertn.)
Vernacular name : Badamalli,
Natanageswar, Madhabilata (O); Basanti,
Madhavilata (Beng.); Madhulata, Aneta (H).
Large woody climbing shrub; yound
branches and leaves tomentose but soon
glabrascent. Leaves ovate-oblong, elliptic,
shortly acuminate, base acute to rounded,
mostly with 2 glands. Flowers white,
fragrant, irregular, in terminal and axillary
simple or branched fulvo-sericeous
racemes; petals clawed, margin fimbriate,
inner petal with yellow spot. Samara
consisting of globular mericarp with 3
laterally developed prominent wings.
Occasional, in moist and shady forest
areas, also planted in gardens.
Flowering : February - March
ZYGOPHYLLACEAE
Tribulus terrestris Linn.
Vernacular name: Gokhara, Gokhura (O);

Gokhuru (H, Beng.); Puncture-vine (E).
Dendely hairy prostrate herb; branches
20-60 cm. Leaves opposite, paripinnate,
often unequal in a pair; leaflets 4-7 pairs,
oblong, base oblique, mucronate. Flowers
yellow or light yellow, solitary, pseudo-
axillary; sepals lanceolate, silky-hairy;
petals oblong-obovate. Disc annular, 10-
lobed. Fruit globose, consisting of 5 hairy
woody cocci, each with 2 pairs of rigid
sharp spines; seeds several in each coci,
with transverse partition between them.
Fairly common and locally abundant in
open grassy fields, roadsides and sandy
soils.
Flowering : Through out the year.
& Fruiting

AVERRHOACEAE
Averrhoa carambola Linn.
Vernacular name: Karamanga (O, H);

Karmal (Beng.); Carombola (E).
Small tree; bark smooth. Leaflets 7-11,
subopposite, ovate, boadly oblong,
elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate. Flowers
pink with deep pink throat, campanulate,
in panicled cymes, often from the old
wood. Stamens 10, often 5 fertile,
alternating with 5 staminodes. Ovary
oblong. Berry oblong or ellipsoid,
yellowish, 5-ridged or-lobed; seeds with
a 2-lobed lacerate ariI.
Planted in gardens and homesteads for
its edible fruits; occasionally run wild.
OXALIDACEAE
Biophytum sensitivum (Linn.) DC.
Vernacular name: Chhotalajakuli (O);

Jhalai (Beng.); Lakchana, Lajalu (H).
Small tufted herb. Leaves in apical
whorls; leaflets 7-14 pairs, terminal
leaflets falcate-obovate, decresing in size
downwards, other leaflets oblong, rachis
sparsely hairy. Peduncle densely hairy;
often exceeding the leaves; sepals
exceeding the ripe capsule. Capsule
ellipsoid, 5-grooved; seeds transversely
ridged and tubercled.
Very common in shady moist localities
and also on rock crevices.
& Fruiting

Oxalis corniculata Linn.
Vernacular name: Ambiliti, Kumari (O);

Amrul (Bengal); Amrul sak, Chukutri pati
(H); Indian Sorrel (E).
Procumbent herb; stem creeping, rooting
at nodes, hairy. Leaves alternate; leaflets
subsessile, obcordate, apex emarginate or
deeply cordate, base cuneate; ciliate on
the margins and lower side. Flowers
yellow, in 2-8-flowered pseudo-umbels,
pilose. Capsules narrowly oblong,
abruptly tapering above, puberulous;
seeds ovoid or ellipsoid.
Fairly common in shady moist localities.
& Fruiting
BALSAMINACEAE
Hydrocera triflora (Linn.) Wight &
Arn.
Vernacular name: Jalgaura (O); Domuti

(Beng.).
Erect equatic herb; stem 5-angular,
fistular, rooting at nodes. Leaves
alternate, lanceolate to oblanceolate,
narrowed towards the base like an alate
petiole, with a gland on either side at the
base, shortly and distantly serrate with
callous teeth. Flowers pink-white, on
short axillary 1-2-fIowered peduncles.
Drupe dark purple, succulent, globose,
beaked.
Sparsely distributed along the margins
of Kanjia lake in shallow water.
Flowering : July - August

RUTACEAE
Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Corr.
Vernacular name: Bela (O); Bal (H, Beng.);

Vilwa (Beng.); Bael tree (E).
Small or medium-sized tree; spines 1-2,
axillary, strong. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets
ovate, ovate-lanceolate or elliptic,
terminal one larger, entire or crenulate.
Flowers white or greenish-white, in
lateral and subterminal simple panicles,
appearing with the new leaves. Berry
globose or ovoid, woody; seeds embedded
in a clear mucilage and yellow, sweety
aromatic pulp.
Quite common in dry open forests; often
planted near temples and villages.
Fruiting : Ripening after one year
Atalantia monophylla Linn.
Vernacular name: Narguni (O); Wild lime

(E).
Large shrub or small tree with spines;
trunk often with branched spines. Leaves
1-foliolate, coriaceous, ovate-elliptic or
lanceolate, obtuse, emarginate, glabrous.
Flowers white, in very short axillary or
subterminal corymbs; calyx subequally or
irregularly shallowly 3-5-lobed; petals
adnate at base to the staminal tube. Berry
subglobose, 1-4-seeded.
Occasional, in scrub jungles and open
forests:
Fruiting : May - June

Glycosmis mauritiana (Lam.) Tanaka
Vernacular name: Lankabadam (O).

Small tree or large shrub. Leaves
compound; leaflets usually 3, sometimes
up to 5, elliptic or ovate, glabrous.
Flowers white, subsessile, in short, rusty
brown tomentose or pubescent panicles;
sepals orbicular, rusty; petals suberect or
spreading, lanceolate or oblanceolate;
stamens very slightly dilated; ovary base
constricted above the disc. Berry yellow
to pink and red.
Occasional, in shady localities of hilly
forests.
& Fruiting
Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC.

[Syn: Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) DC.]
Vernacular name: Chauladhua koli,

Dubuduba (O); Ashhoura, Malkhila
(Beng.); Bannimbu (H).
Shrub. Leaves pinnately 1-5(7)-foliolate,
oblong, elliptic or elliptic-oblong, entire
or obscurely toothed or crenulate,
glabrous. Flowers white, small, in
glabrascent or rusty pubescent axillary
and terminal panicles; petals erect,
obovate. Ovary base scarcely distinct from
the disc, very mamillate with large
glands. Berry pinkish, glassy, depressed
globose, 1-seeded.
Abundant in scrub forests, waste lands
and as undergrowth in wet forests.
Fruiting : November - April

Limonia acidissima Linn. (Syn:
Feronia elephantum Correa)
Vernacular name: Kaitha, Kaintha, (O); Kaith

(H); Katbel (H, Beng.); Wood Apple (E).
Tree with axillary spines; bark dark grey
or black, rough. Leaves fascicled, rachis
and petiole narrowly winged; leaflets 5-
7, opposite, elliptic or obovate, glabrous.
Flowers in short racemes, on short lateral
branches with or without reduced leaves;
petals green or reddish, oblong, imbricate;
stamens usually 10, bases adnate to the
large woody disc; anthers red. Fruit large,
globose, grayish-white, many seeded,
rind rough, woody.
Usually planted for its edible fruit; often
wild in open forests.
Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng.
Vernacular name: Bhursunga, (O);

Barsanga (Beng.); Karry patta, Gandhela
(H); Curry leaf tree (E).
Shrub or small tree; branchlets pubescent.
Leaves gland-dotted; leaflets 10-25 or
more, strongly scented, lanceolate or
ovate, asymmetrical, entire or crenulate,
lowest much smaller, pubescent, base
oblique. Corymbs terminal, many-
flowered, pubescent, short-peduncled.
Flowers white; petals linear-oblong.
Berry ovoid or ellipsoid, black when ripe;
seed 1 or 2.
Cultivated and naturalised in suitable
habitats through seed dispersal by birds.
Fruiting : May - September

Murraya paniculata (Linn.) Jacq.
(Syn: Murraya exotica Linn.)
Vernacular name: Kamini (O, Beng.,H);

Orange Jessamine (E).
Shrub or small tree. Leaves dark-green,
gland-dotted; leaflets 3-9, atlternate,
ovate-elliptic, or rhomboid, terminal one
the largest, glabrous, shining. Flowers
white, fragrant, in few-flowered axillary
or terminal cymes; petals oblong-
lanceolate or elliptic, subobtuse; ovary 2-
celled. Berry red or yellow, ellipsoid,
apiculate, 1-2-seeded, seated on the
persistent calyx.
Frequent in hill forests; commonly
cultivated in gardens.
Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nicolson

(Syn: Hesperethusa Crenult (Roxb)M.
Boem
Vernacular name: Benta, Baintha,

Ranabael (O); Beli (H).
Small tree with 1-2 axillary spines;
branchlets pubescent. Leaf rachis and
petiole jointed and winged; leaflets 5-7,
opposite, elliptic or elliptic-ovate,
crenulate, glabrous, base cuneate, gland-
dotted. Flowers white or yellowish, small,
long-pedicelled, 4-merous, in very short,
close racemes, mostly from leafless axils.
Berry globose, black when ripe, bitter in
taste.
Common in scrub jungles and dry forests.
Fruiting : Ripens Nov. - December

Toddalia asiatica (Linn.) Lam. (Syn:
Toddalia aculeata pers.)
Vernacular name: Tundpora (O); Kada-

todali (Beng.); Kanj, Jangli-kalimirchi (H).
Rambling or scandent very prickly shrub.
Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets sessile, elliptic,
ovate-oblong or lanceolate, crenulate,
gland-dotted, glabrous. Flowers white or
yellowish, small, in axillary cymes or
panicles. Berry orange, globose, 3-5-
grooved or lobed.
Very commonly found in the scrub forests
and hedges.
Flowering : August - April
& Fruiting
SIMAROUBACEAE
Simarouba glauca DC.
Vernacular name: Mahatila (O).

Small, evergreen tree. Leaves
imparipinnate, 20-25 cm long; leaflets
obovate, shining, obtuse, glaucous
beneath, nerves parallel, prominent
beneath; petiolule short. Flowers in lax
panicle; white. Drupe ovoid, fleshy, black
or deep violet when ripe, glabrous.
Frequently planted in waste lands, hill
slopes and along roads; obtain in self
sown)
Fowering : March - April

OCHNACEAE
Ochna obtusata DC.
Vernacular name: Bhuinchampa, Tangan

Champa (O).
Small tree or large shrub; bark smooth,
pale grey. Leaves often clustered, elliptic,
elliptic-lanceolate to obovate, serrate,
glabrous, with many fine oblique
secondary nerves. Flowers bright yellow,
fragrant, in short lateral, sub-corymbose
or panicled racemes from the leaf scars;
sepals oblong, erect after flowering but
again spreading and deep purple in fruit.
Drupe 3-10-lobed; lobes ovoid, black
when ripe.
Common in rocky places and hill slopes;
also in scrub forests.
BURSERACEAE
Garuga pinnata Roxb.
Vernacular name: Handala Mai, Katha

Kusum, Sompatri (O); Nil bhadi, Kharpat
(Beng.); Ghogar, Kaikar (H).
Large tree; bark grey, smooth or flaky.
Leaves alternate, imparipinnate, crowded
at the ends of the branches; leaflets 8-16
pairs, sessile or shortly petiolulate, ovate-
lanceolate or oblong, crenate-serrate,
acuminate, hairy on both sides. Flowers
polygamous, yellow, campanulate, in
much-branched tomentose panicles.
Drupe globose, yellowish-green, with 2-
4 pyrenes.
Fairly common in mixed and dry forests;
rarely grown in gardens.

Protium serratum (Wall. ex Colebr.)
Engl. (Syn: Bursera serrata Wall. ex
Colebr.)
Vernacular name: Sarupatrimai, Nimbura

mai, Limbru (O); Gutgotya (Beng.); Indian
Red Pear (E).
Tree; twigs pubescent; bark grey, slightly
cracked. Leaves 10-30 cm long; leaflets 3-
4 pairs, oblong or ovate-oblong, serrate.
Panicles lax, tomentose, shorter than the
leaves, from the leaf-axils and axils of the
fallen leaves, borne when the tree is in
leaf. Flowers green; calyx-tube very
shallow with small lobes; petals
spreading above. Drupe globose, obovoid
or ovoid, red when ripe, puberulous, with
1-3 pyrenes, embedded in white pulp.
Common in mixed forests and rarely planted.
MELIACEAE
Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.)
Parker [Syn: Amoora rohituka (Roxb.)
Wight & Am.]
Vernacular name: Khanda Gilakusum,
Panikusum (O); Harin hana (H); Tikataraj,
Pittarai (Beng.)
Small or medium-sized tree with low
spreading crown; bark smooth. Leaves dark
green, 30-90 cm long, glabrous; leaflets 4-7
pairs, opposite, ovate-oblong. Flowers small
white, in lax simple (female) or branched
(male) spikes; axillary or extra-axillary; calyx
5-partite, lobes obtuse; petals 3; ovary 3-celled.
Capsule 3-valved, yellowish or buff. Seeds 2
or 3, subglobose, chestnut coloured, with a
white linear raphe, scarlet aril.
Fairly common near water courses in
semievergreen forests; planted in gardens.

Azadirachta indica A Juss. (Syn:
Mehia azadirachita Linn.)
Vernacular name: Limba, Nima (O);

Neem (H,Beng.);Margosa, Neem Tree (E).
Tree. Leaves 20-40 cm; leaflets 5-9 pairs,
obliquely lanceolate, inequilateral,
sometimes falcate, serrate, glabrous, base
cuneate, oblique. Flowers white, fragrant.
Drupe ellipsoid, yellow, glabrous.
Very commonly planted and often self-
sown; natuaralised in some forest areas.
Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss.
Vernacular name: Pabbachikassi (Beng.);

Chikrasi (H); Indian Red wood,
Chittagong wood (E).
Tall tree; bark reddish-brown; young
branches lenticeIlate, glabrous. Leaves
pinnate, 30-45 cm long; leaflets 5-12 pairs,
ovate or ovate-oblong, upper leaflets often
larger than the lower, acute or acuminate,
glabrous above, more or less velvety
beneath, base inequilateral. Flowers
white. Capsule ovoid or obovoid reddish
brown.
Planted in the garden.
Fruiting : September - December

Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Miq. (Syn:
Cipadessa fruticosa Bl.)
Vernacular name: Nalbali, Pittamari (O);

Nalbila (H).
Shrub or small tree. Leaves 12-30 cm long;
leaflets 7-11, opposite, elliptic, elliptic-
lanceolate, coarsely crenate, crenate-
toothed or sometimes entire, acuminate.
Flowers in panicles, white, small. Fruit
globose, orange-red or black.
Very common in scrub forests and open
mixed forests.
Flowering : March - June
Fruiting : May - November
Melia azedarach Linn.
Vernacular name: Mahanimba (O); Gora

nim, Mahanim (Beng.); Nim (H, Beng.);
Persian lilac, Bastard cedar (E).
Small or medium-sized tree; bark thick
and deeply fluted in old trees, smooth in
young. Leaves mostly 3-pinnate, pinnae
upto 30 cm long; secondary pinnae 1-3-
foliolate; leaflets 1-5 pairs, opposite,
ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, serrate,
acuminate, glabrescent. Flowers lilac;
staminal tube, purple. Drupe yellowish,
ellipsoid, with very hard endocarp.
Commonly planted in gardens,
roadsides, village surroundings and
often self-sown.

OLACACEAE
Olax psittacorum (Willd.) Vahl (Syn:
Olax scandens Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Bhadabhadalia (O);

Kokoaru (Beng.); Dheniani (H).
Shrub or small tree or subscandent;
branches pubescent. Leaves ovate,
oblong-elliptic to suborbicular, pubescent
or hairy, base rounded. Flowers white, in
short racemes; calyx ciliate; petals
narrow. Disc thin, cupular. Stamens 7-
10, 3-5 fertile; staminodes 2-fid. Fruit
yellow or orange, fleshy, subglobose,
more than half enclosed in the accrescent
calyx.
Abundant in open low forests and scrub
jungles.
CELASTRACEAE
Celastrus paniculata Willd.
Vernacular name: Pengu, Ping (O);

Malkangi (Beng.,H).
Scrambling or climbing shrub; branches
long, lenticellate. Leaves obovate, elliptic
or oblong, serrulate, shortly abruptly
acuminate, pubescent beneath especially
along the nerves, base acute to rounded.
Panicles 5-15 cm; bracts minute. Flowers
yellowish or greenish; sepals orbicular,
erose; petals ovate oblong, obtuse.
Capsule yellow, globose or obovoid, 3-
valved, 3-6-seeded; arils red.
Common climber in forests, often
reaching top of trees.

Maytenus emarginatus (Willd.) Ding
Hou [Syn: Gymnosporia montana
(Roth) Benth.]
Vernacular name: Baincho, Gourkasa (O);

Vaichigachha (Beng.); Baikal, Tondarsaijhad (H).
Shrub, usually armed with long straight
sharp thorns. Leaves mostly obovate,
crenulate, glabrous, base cuneate. Flowers
white, polygamous, clustered in very short
cymes, mostly on short branchlets in the axils
of leaves, often on thorns; sepals minutely
ciliate; petals 2-3 times as long, oblong;
stamens from beneath the pulvinate disc.
Capsule coriaceous, pyriform or subglobose,
3-gonous, splitting into 2 or 3 valves; seeds
orange, brown or reddish, 1-2 (3) per cell.
Fairly common in thorny scrub forests and
sandy soils.
Flowering : November - December
Fruiting : January - March
HIPPOCRATEACEAE
Salacia chinensis Linn. (Syn. Salacia
prinoides DC.)
Vernacular name: Batra (O).

Tree or erect shrub; twigs ridged. Leaves
opposite, elliptic, oblanceolate or oblong,
crenate-serate or subentire. Flowers
yellowish, 1-3 axillary and from leafless
axils; calyx spreading, gamosepalous
with deltoid lobes; petals elliptic- oblong
or ovate, clawed, margin hyaline; disc
large; ovary conical, slightly 3-grooved.
Berry scarlet, globose, usually 1-seeded.
Very rare, in scrub forests with compact
black soils.
Fruiting : August - September.

RHAMNACEAE
Ventilago denticulata Willd. (Syn:
Ventilago calyculata Tul.)
Vernacular name : Pitchuli,

Chadheithantia, Kantamali (O); Rakto pita
(Beng.).
Large woody climber; branchlets
pubescent. Leaves ovate-oblong to elliptic-
oblong, irregularly crenate-serrate,
acuminate or subacute, pubescent
beneath, secondary nerves often 4-5.
Flowers white, in diffuse densely
pubescent pacicles; disc villous. Fruit
samaroid; wing oblong, pubescent.
Fairly common in mixed forests, climbing
on bushes and small trees.
Fruiting : February - April
Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. [Syn:

Ziziphus jujuba (Linn.) Gaertn.]
Vernacular name: Barakoli (O); Kool,

Boroi (Beng.); Ber (H, Beng.); Indian
Jujube, Common Jujube (E).
Small, armed, much branched tree;
branchlets tomentose with geminate
prickles. Leaves oblong, oblong-
orbicular, or ovate, minutely serrulate,
apex obtuse or rounded, glabrous above,
white or brownish tomentose beneath,
base oblique, 3-nerved. Cymes or fascicles
dense, axillary, tomentose. Flowers
yellowish-white. Drupe yellow or orange
when ripe, globose or ellipsoid; stone 2-
celled.
Frequent in waste places, scrub forests;
commonly cultivated and self-sown.
Flowering : March - October

Ziziphus oenoplia (Linn.) Mill.
Vernacular name: Kanteikoli (O); Siakul,

Jangal kul (Beng.); Makai, Makoh (H);
Jackal Jujube (E).
Straggling thorny shrub sometimes
climbing over trees; trunk armed with
large conical spine-tipped woody bosses;
branchlets brown-tomentose; thorns
usually solitary, small and hooked.
Leaves obliquely ovate or ovate-
lanceolate or oblong-ovate, faintly
crenate, silky pubescent or tomentose
beneath, 3-5-nerved. Cymes axillary,
brown-tomentose; petals cucullate.
Drupe black when ripe, globose; stone
rugose, compressed, 1-seeded.
Quite abundant in scrub jungles, village
thickets, hedges and waste places.
Ziziphus rugosa Lam.
Vernacular name: Chunkoli, Simukoli

(O); Suran Churna (H).
Large armed shrub or small tree with long
pendant scandent branches; young parts
tomentose. Leaves elliptic, suborbicular
or orbicular-ovate, serrulate, obtuse,
glabrescent or brown-pubescent beneath,
3-5-nerved, base usually cordate. Flowers
greenish-yellow, in peduncled cymes,
arranged in large tomentose panicles or
the lower cymes axillary. Drupe globose
or pyriform, creamish-white; stone thin-
walled, 1-celled and 1-seeded; seed ovoid,
turgid.
Occasional in open forests.
Fruiting : May - July

Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd
Vernacular name: Gotha, Gotha bara,

Gotha koli, Ghanta (O), Kat-ber, Gote (H).
Large straggling and thorny shrub or a
small tree, armed with spines; branchlets
tomentose and often unarmed. Leaves
broadly elliptic, ovate or ovate-oblong,
serrulate, more or less pubescent or hairy
beneath. Flowers green or greenish-
white, in axillary peduncled cymes,
Drupe green, globose, 2-4-, usually 3-
celled, stone very hard and woody. Seeds
oblong, usually one in each cell.
Fairly common in open forests, scrub
forests etc.
VITACEAE
Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.)
Planch (Syn: Vitis latifolia Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Pani kacha, Kanjianoi

(O); Govila (Beng.); Panibel (H).
Large climber, glabrous or nearly so
except the rachis of the inflorescence; new
stems glaucous, hollow. Leaves simple,
3-7-angled or lobed, mealy when very
young, irregularly crenate-serrulate or
dentate, palminerved, cordate or retuse
at base. Flowers brown-red, in pyramidal
panicled cymes, bearing forked tendril;
disk thick, 5-furrowed, becoming adnate
and often showing as a ring on the fruit.
Berry black, succulent.
Frequent in open forests, bushes and
scrub jungles, gregarious in rainy season.
Flowering : June - August

Cayratia pedata (Lour.) Juss. ex
Gagnep. (Vitis pedata Wall. ex Wight
& Am.)
Vernacular name: Pitapotala (O); Goali-

lata (Beng.).
Large hairy climber; stem weak. Leaves
pedately 5-7-foliolate, hairy; leaflets 10-
20 cm long, lateral pedately lobed,
inequilateral, subentire or serrate, base
cuneate or often cordate. Tendril forked
at the ends. Flowers white, 4-merous,
small, in large subcorymbose cymes.
Berry subglobose, depressed, 2-4-seeded;
seeds convex and concave, the concave
side closed by a membrane.
Quite common in bushes, hedge and
village thickest in post mansoon period.
Flowering : August - Decembe
&Fruiting
Cayratia trifolia (Linn.) Domin (Syn:

Vitis trifolia Linn.)
Vernacular name: Amala lata, Ambiliti

(O); Amalalata, Bundal (Beng.); Amar lati
(H); Fox grape (E).
Herbaceous climber; stems thin,
succulent, compressed; young branchlets
striate, pubescent or villous. Leaves 3-
foliolate; leaflets crenate, coarsely serrate
or irregularly dentate. Tendril slender,
branched. Cymes thinly hairy, lax,
divaricating, long-peduncled. Flowers
small, greenish or white. Berries black,
depressed globose, 2-4-seeded.
Abundant during rainy seasons; climbing
on trees, bushes and hedges.

Cissus quadrangula Linn. (Syn: Vitis
quadrangularis Wall. ex Wt. & Arn.)
Vernacular name: Hadabhanga,

Hadasinkuda (O); Horjor (H, Beng.).
Rambling shrub, often climbing over
bushes and trees; stems fleshy, 4-angled,
jointed, 4-winged or margined, leafless
or bearing leaves at the nodes during rainy
and cold seasons. Leaves short-petioled,
very broadly ovate or reniform.. Tendril
simple. Flowers greenish-white, in short-
peduncled, umbellate cymes. Berries
obovoid or globose, 6-7 mm diam., red
when ripe, 1-seeded. Seeds ellipsoid.
Common on rocks, scrub jungles and in
village thickets.
Flowering : April - January
& Fruiting
Cissus vitiginea Linn. [Syn: Vitis

vitiginea (Linn.) Hairdes]
Vernacular name: Jangli angur (O,H).

Weak hoary-pubescent climber; bark
corky. Leaves simple, broadly ovate or
orbicular-ovate, 3-5-angled, irregularly
serrate or coarsely dentate, 3-nerved at
base, densely curly pubescent or
tomentose beneath. Tendril simple.
Cymes umbellate, compound, tomentose.
Flowers white, 4-merous. Berries pale
purple, ellipsoid, 1-seeded, on deflexed
pedicels.
Common in forest edges and road sides.

LEEACEAE
Leea indica (Burmf.) Merr.
Vernacular name: Kalad chana (O);

Kukur Jhiwa (Beng., H).
Large shrub or small trees. Leaves 2-3-
pinnate; leaflets elliptic-oblong,
lanceolate or ovate, doubly serrate.
Corymbs large, panicled, 2-3-chotomous,
Flowers greenish or white; staminal tube
yellowish, lobes shallowly notched. Berry
black, 3-6-seeded.
Common in hill forests and in shady
moist localities around villages.
& Fruiting
SAPINDACEAE
Allophylus serratus (Roxb.) Kurz
[Syn: Allophylus cobbe (Linn.) Raeusch.]
Vernacular name: Khandkoli,

Kunarpurnami koli (O); Rakhalphul (Beng.).
Much branched shrub, branchlets white,
or grey, lenticillate. Leaves 3-foliate;
leaflets elliptic, obovate, broadly ovate or
rhomboid-ovate, serrate or dentate-
serrate except near base, glabrescent.
Racemes axillary, pubescent, usually
unbranched. Flowers white, clustered;
sepals ciliate; petals cuneate, hairy in the
centre; stamens 8, inserted inside the disc.
Fruit 1-2-lobed, glabrous, orange-red.
Common in scrub forests among bushes
and in village hedges.

Cardiospermum helicacabum Linn.
Vernacular name: Photka, Kanphuta,

Mayajal (O); Kanphuti (H); Lataphatkari,
Sibjhul (Beng.); Baloon vine heart seed (E).
Climbing, tentril-bearing herb with wiry
stems and branches. Leaves biternate;
leaflets ovate-lanceolate, deeply incised,
coarsely dentate, acuminate. Flowers white,
small, irregular, polygamo-dioecious, in
axillary racemes, the lowest pairs of
pedicels transformed into spiral tendrils.
Sepals and petals 4 each. Stamens 8,
excentric. Fruit a membranous inflated 3-
lobed capsule, loculicidally 3-valved; seeds
globose, black, arillate at base.
Quite common in waste places, among
hedges and thickets; also abundant in dry
crop fields.
Flowering : April - October
& Fruiting
Lepisanthes tetraphyllus (Vahl)

Radlk. [Syn: Hemigyrosa canescens
(Roxb.) Bl.]
Vernacular name: Panikusum (O).

Small tree; young twigs pale pubescent.
Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 2 pairs,
narrowly oblong. Flowers in racemiform
panicles, often fasicled, axillary or mostly
from the old wood, dense-flowered.
Flowers white, irregular; sepals 5,
orbicular or orbicular-oblong, connate at
base; petals 4-6, usually 4, oblong,;
stamens 8, hypogynous.. Drupe 3-
gonous, coriaceous, yellow tomentose,
with mucilofinous pulp.
Fairly common in sandstone hills and
low forests.
Flowering : April

Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken (Syn:
Schleichera trijuga Willd.)
Vernacular name: Kusum (O, H, Beng.).

Tree with dense foliage. Leaves
paripinnate, leaflets 2-4 pairs, opposite
or subopposite, sessile or very shortly pet
ioulate, elliptic or oblong, entire, rarely
repand, obtuse, acuminate or acute,
glabrous. Flowers yellowish. Drupe ovoid
sharply pointed. Seed compressed,
brown.
Fairly common in adjacent forest areas;
also planted.
ANACARDIACEAE
Anacardium occidentale Linn.
Vernacular name: Kaju (O, H, Beng.);

Lanka Amba (O); Cashew nut tree (E).
Small tree, often branched from near the
base. Leaves simple, alternate, obovate,
sometimes broadly elliptic, rounded or
emarginate at apex, coriaceous. Flowers
pinkish. Drupe reniform, greyish-brown,
seated on fleshy yellowish or reddish
hypocarp. Seed reniform.
Commonly planted as a cash crop for its
edible nuts in degraded forest sites.

Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.
(Syn: Odina wodier Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Mahi, Raj-mahi, Jia (O);

Jhingan Mohin (H); Jeol (Beng.).
Small to moderate-sized tree. Branchlets,
leaves and inflorescences stellate hairy.
Leaves clustered at the ends of thick
branchlets. Leaflets 5-9 or more, ovate or
ovate-oblong, acuminate, oblique at base,
puberulous beneath. Flowers small,
yellowish green. Drupes red, curved,
oblong, compressed.
Fairy common in sandstone hills and
degraded scrub jungles.
Mangifera indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Amba (O); Am (H,

Beng.); Mango (E).
Large tree. Leaves lanceolate, elliptic to
narrowly elliptic, acute to acuminate,
glabrous, veins reticulate. Flowers
greenish-yellow, small. Drupe very
variable in size, shape and colour,
usually ovoid, yellow when ripe, with
large stone, thin epicarp and yellow or
orange coloured fleshy and juicy
mesocarp. Stone thick, with fibrous coat,
very hard.
Abundant and self-sown in forests; also
planted in gardens and homesteads.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f.
Vernacular name: Bhalia (O); Bhela

(Beng.); Marking-nut tree (E).
Small tree; young branchlets pubescent
or tomentose. Leaves obovate or oblong,
clustered at the ends of the branches,
apex rounded, strongly nerved. Flowers
dull greenish-yellow, sub-sesesile. Drupe
oblong or obliquely ovoid, black when
ripe, seated in the orange cupular
hypanthium.
Occasional in forests, also planted in
gardens.
Spondias pinnata (Linn. f.) Kurz (Syn:

Spondias mangifera Willd.)
Vernacular name: Ambada (O); Ambra

(Beng., H); Hog Plum (E).
Medium-sized tree. Bark smooth, white,
very thick. Leaves mango-smelling, long-
petiolate; leaflets 4-6 pairs, oblong, entire,
acuminate. Flowers white, sessile. Drupes
yellowish, large, ellipsoid, with a hard,
somewhat fibrous and slightly groove,
usually 1-3-seeded.
Naturalised in gardens and near human
habitation.
Fruiting : Ripen in the following
January.

CAESALPINIACEAE
Bauhinia purpurea Linn.
Vernacular name: Barada, Kuilari (O);

Raktakanchan, Koiral (Beng.); Kaliari,
Khairwal (H);
Moderate-sized tree. Bark ashy or dark
brown, glabrous. Leaves oblong, deeply
2-lobed, 9-11-nerved, minutely
puberulous on the nerves beneath; lobes
obtuse to subacute. Flowers purple, large,
in terminal panicled racemes. Pods
narrow below, flat, dehiscent when ripe,
with thin coriaceous twisted valves.
Occasional in forest edges; often planted.
The tender leaves and pods are eaten as
vegetables.
Flowering : September - February
Fruiting : February - March
Bauhinia racemosa Lam.
Vernacular Name: Ambalota, Ambanasia,

Kathal (O); Banraj (Beng.); Gurial,
kachnal, Ashta (H).
Small tree; branches pubescent, bark dark
grey, rough. Leaves 2-lobed, broader than
long, lobes obtuse or rounded, glaucous
beneath, 7-9-nerved, base shallowly
cordate. Racemes simple, sparsely
pubescent. Flowers whitish or creamish-
white. Pods thick, glabrous, turgid,
septate. Seeds broadly oblong.
Very sparsely distributed in the area, in
damper localities.

Bauhinia variegata Linn.
Vernacular name : Kanchana (O); Rakta

kanchan, Swetlonchon (Beng.); Kachnar,
Khairwal, Mohota (H).
Moderate-sized tree. Bark grey,
longitudinally cracked. Leaves 2-lobed,
lobes rounded, overlapping, grey
glaucous and pubescent beneath, 11-15-
nerved. Flowers white or purple, in short
racemes, mostly from the leafless axils.
Pods glabrous, very flat. Seeds sub-
orbicular.
Planted in gardens, park and alongroads.
Caesalpinia bonduc (Linn.) Roxb.

(Syn: Caesalpinia crista auct. non Linn.)
Vernacular name: Gila (O); Nata-karanj

(Beng.); Kat-karanj, Karanju (H); Bonduc
nut (E).
Large climber with straight or recurved
prickles. Branchlets fulvous hairy.
Stipules persistent, foliaceous. Rachis
prickly; leaflets 8 pairs, elliptic, oblong
or ovate-oblong, mucronate, glabrous or
pubescent beneath. Flowers yellow, in
elongated racemes. Pods broadly oblong,
prickly, dehiscent, 1-2-seeded.
Common in shrub jungles and roadside
thickets.
Fruiting : December - April

Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Sw.
Vernacular name: Godibana (O), Krishna

chura (Beng.); Gulutora (H); Peacock
flower, Barbados pride (E).
Much branched shrub or small tree. Leaf-
rachis smooth; leaflets 8-10 pairs, broadly
oblong, apex rounded or emarginate and
often apiculate, glabrous. Flowers yellow
or red, in elongate, axillary and terminal
racemes. Pods oblong flat, apex rounded,
upper suture ending in a sharp beak.
Seeds oblong or rectangular.
Introduced as a hedge plant or as a garden
ornamental.
Flowering : Most part of the year.
& Fruiting
Cassia absus Linn.
Erect, viscid-hairy herb. Leaflets 2 pairs,

ovate, rhombic-ovate, obtuse or
subobtuse, mucronate, rarely rounded,
pubescent. Rachis with subsessile glands
between leaflets. Racemes terminal.
Flowers yellow or tinged with red. Pods
flat, scatteredly strigose. Seeds black,
shining, ovoid.
Fairly abundant in wasteplaces and
grassy field during post-monsoon period.
Flowering : August - November
& Fruiting

Cassia fistula Linn.
Vernacular name: Sunari, (O); Amartas

(Beng., H); Indian laburnum (E).
Small or medium-sized tree. Leaflets 4-8
pairs, ovate, ovate-lanceolate or ovate
oblong, acute or acuminate, glabrous,
with close strong secondary nerves.
Flowers light yellow, in long pendulous
racemes. Pods short-stipitate, cylindric,
long, drooping, black when mature,
indehiscent. Seeds many, flat, transverse.
Quite common in dry thorny forests and
sandstone hills; often planted as an
avenue tree and garden ornamental.
Fruiting : Most part of the year;
deciduous in March-April.
Cassia mimosoides Linn.
Erect or diffuse herb; stem hairy with

curved hairs. Leaves 5-9 cm long; petiole
with a sessile gland at the top; stipules
subutale with fitiform tip and a brond
corlate base strongly nerved; leaflets 40-
70 pairs, sensitive, closing up. Flowers
yellow, solitary or rarely 2. From a pair of
extra-axillary bracts; pedices very
slender, having Pods linear, minutely
strigose, 15-25-seeded.
Abundant in wastelands and roadsides
during post-monsoon periods.
Flowering : September - December
& Fruiting

Cassia occidentalis Linn.
Vernacular name: Kala Chakunda, Bana

Chakunda (O); Kalkashonda (Beng.);
Kasandi (H, Cottee senna (E).
Erect undershrub. Petiole with a large
gland above its base. Leaflets 4-5 pairs,
ovate or ovate-lanceolate. Flowers yellow,
in axillary and terminal racemes,
sometimes panicled. Pods flattened,
slightly falcate, obtuse at apex, many-
seeded, septate between the seeds. Seeds
ovoid, longitudinal.
Gregarious along roads and waste places
in rainy season.
Fruiting : December - February
Cassia tora Linn.
Vernacular name: Chakunda, Dhala

Chakunda (O); Panevar (Beng.,H); Sickle
pod (E).
Herb or under-shrub. Leaflets 3 pairs,
subsessile or shortly petioluled, obovate,
obtuse, rounded or retuse; rachis with
linear glands between two lowest pairs
of leaflets. Flowers yellow. Pods short-
stipitate, sub-terete. Seeds many, brown,
oblong.
Abundant in field bunds, road sides and
waste places, often found in pure
formations.

Delonix regia (Boj. ex Hook.) Raf.
(Syn: Poenciana regia Boj. ex Hook.)
Vernacular name: Krushnachuda,
Gulmohar (O); Gulmohar (H);
Flamboyant Flame tree, Gul Mohar (E).
Deciduous trees. Leaves bipinnate,
feathery, upto 60 cm long; stipules small,
pectinate with fine linear segments;
pinnae 11-18 pairs, opposite; leaflets
many, small. Flowers large, more than 10
cm across, showy, orange or red, in
terminal corymbs; calyx lobes deltoid;
petals long-clawed, uppermost
dissimilar, lined with red or orange;
stamens nearly equal or shorter than
petals. Pods 30-60 cm long, flat, woody,
dehiscent; seeds narrowly oblong.
Very commonly planted in gardens, road sides
and in parks; also run wild as an escape.
Fruiting : July - November
Parkinsonia aculeata Linn.
Small armed trees. Stipulary thorns

recurved. Leaves bipinnate; pinnae 2-6,
in shortened main rachis; leaflets
numerous, linear-oblong. Flowers in
short, lax, axillary racemes; pedicels long;
bracts small, caducous; sepals
membranous, subequal; petals 5,
spreading, with short broad claws;
stamens 10, free. Pods linear, torulose,
turgid at the seeds, finally dehiscent;
seeds brown, oblong.
Frequent in sandy localities, waste
places; planted along roads but
naturalized in many places.
Flowering : November - February
Fruiting : March - September

Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.)
Backer ex K. Heyne [Syn: Peltophorum
ferrugineum (Decne) Benth.]
Vernacular name: Radhachuda (O); Pila
Gulmohar (H); Golden Flamboyant,
Copperpod (E)
Medium-sized dark-foliaged tree;
branchlets rusty-tomentose. Leaves evenly
bipinnate; stipules fugacious; leaflets
opposite, 20-30, close, oblong,
emarginated, base oblique. Flowers showy,
yellow, in axillary and terminal panicled
rusty-tomentose racemes. Calyx-tube short,
lobes reflexed; petals 5, spreading, ovate-
orbicular. Pods shortly stalked, oblong,
margins wing-like, indehiscent; seeds
usually 3, brown, oblong.
Frequently planted in parks, gardens,
wastelands and also as an avenue plant.
Fruiting : April - December.
Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde (Syn:

Saraca indica auct. non Linn. )
Vernacular name: Ashok (O, E, Beng., H,).

Small tree. Leaves subsessile, dark green;
leaflets 3-6 pairs, large, oblong or oblong-
lanceolate, acute or acuminate, sometimes
lanceolate. Corymbs dense, often
subterminal on short special branchlets
together with a single leaf. Flowers bright
orange-scarlet. Pods large, slightly
oblique both ends; seeds oblong, truncate.
Grown in gardens as an ornamental and
medicinal plant; wild in forests of
Odisha.

Tamarindus indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Kainyan (O); Tentuli

(O, Beng.); Imli, (H); Tomarind Tree (E).
Large tree. Leaflets 10-20 pairs, small,
close, linear-oblong, base and apex
obtuse. Flowers in lax drooping racemes.
Petals yellow dotted with red. Pods linea-
oblong, septate between seeds. Seeds
reddish-brown, polished.
Occasionally planted in gardens and
roadsides; often run wild.
Fruiting : December - March
MIMOSACEAE
Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex
Benth.
Vernacular name: Akasi, Akasia (O)

Small or moderate-sized tree; bark white;
branchlets glabrous and glaucous,
slightly angular. Leaves transformed into
falcate-oblong phyllodes. Flowers small,
yellow, in slender axillary spikes. Pods
hard, almost woody, much coiled in an
irregular spiral, with the outer edge often
sinuate.
Introduced, but wild through out the area
with adequate regeneration.
& Fruiting

Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.
Vernacular name: Khair (Beng., H);

Khairo (O); Kuth (Beng.); Cutch Tree (E).
Small tree; bark dark brown; armed with
hooked spines. Leaf-rachis with a gland
below the pinnae and one between the
upper. Leaflets mostly 12-20 pairs,
sessile, subacute or obtuse. Flowers white
or yellowish, crowded in pubescent
spikes. Pods often irregularly constricted,
obtuse, mucronate or beaked, dehiscent.
Introduced to the garden, wild in forests.
Fruiting : December
Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd.
Vernacular name: Gohira (O); Safed

Babul (Beng.); Safed Kikar (H).
Small, armed trees spines geminate
strongly; bark white; branchlets and
leaves tomentose. Leaves 3-8 cm long;
rachis with a gland; pinnae 6-12 pairs.
Leaflets 15-30 pairs, linear, glabrous.
Flowers white, numerous, in large
terminal panicles. Pods sessile, curved,
tomentose; seeds 8-10.
Frequent in degraded and eroded soils.
Fruiting : December

Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Delile ssp.
indica (Benth.) Brenan. [Syn: Acacia
arabica auct. non (Lam.) Willd.]
Vernacular name: Babul (O, Beng.,H);

Kikar (H); Black Babul Tree (E).
Tree; bark deep-brown or black, deeply
cracked. Branches with long, straight,
white, stipular spines. Leaf-rachis with
a cup-shaped gland at the base of the
pinnae. Leaflets 10-20 pairs, linear, sub-
obtuse, glabrous or nearly so. Flower-
heads yellow. Pods grey-downy,
moniliform, indehiscent.
Planted in the garden and roadsides.
Fruiting : January - April
Acacia pennata (Linn.) Willd.
Vernacular name: Dantari, (O); Kuchui

(Beng.); Biswal, Aila (H).
Large woody climber. Branches usually
5-angled with lines of small prickles on
the angles, grey or fulvous tomentose.
Leaflets 40-80 pairs, sessile, linear, apex
acute to rounded, glabrous or pubescent.
Flower-heads in terminal or axillary
racemes. Flowers creamish-white. Pods
thin, flat, brown or purple, glabrous,
sutures strong. Seeds black, oblong.
Quite gregarious in scrub jungles and
sandstone hills.
Flowering : May - August

Acacia polyacantha Willd. [Syn:
Acacia suma (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham ex
Voigt]
Vernacular name: Sami (O); Saikanta,

Sankanta (Beng.).
Small trees; bark whitish; branchlets and
petioles grey-tomentose. Leaves 10-25 cm
long, large gland above base or petiole;
stipular thorn straight or hooked; rachis
softly prickly; pinnae 10-20 pairs.
Flowers creamish-white, in axillary
spikes. Pods oblong, stipitate, 5-8 seeded.
Occasional, also planted in gardens.
Adenanthera pavonina Linn.
Vernacular name: Manda Kaincha (O);

Raktakanchan (Beng.); Barigumchi (H);
Coral wood, Red wood (E).
Large tree. Leaves 2-pinnate; pinnae 4-6-
pairs, distant; leaflets 5-6 pairs or more,
alternate, oblong, obtuse, apiculate,
puberulous. Flowers yellowish, small, in
axillary and panicled spiciform racemes.
Pods falcate. Seeds bright scarlet red,
globose.
Introduced as an ornamental plant; often
self-sown.
& Fruiting

Albizia lebbeck (Linn.) Benth.
Vernacular name: Sirisa (O); Siris (O, H,

Beng.); Siris tree (E).
Large or moderate-sized tree. Young
leaves and inflorescence densely
tomentose. Leaflets 5-8 pairs, rarely up to
13 pairs, shortly petioluled, oblong or
obovate-oblong, rounded or obtuse,
glabrescent, 4-5-nerved. Flowers white,
fragrant. Pods yellow, oblong, drooping,
glabrous. Seeds oval.
Commonly planted, but self-sown at
suitable localities.
Albizia odoratissima (Linn.f.) Benth.
Vernacular name: Tinia, Kala Sirisa (O);

Kakur, Siris (Beng.)
Large or moderate-sized tree; branclets
and panicles densely pubescent. Leaf
rachis with a gland below the upper most
pair of pinnae; pinnae 2-5 pairs; leaflets
6-24 pairs. Flowers sessile, white, hairy,
in large, terminal panicles. Pods brown,
10-12 seeded.
Sparsely distributed through out the area
in forest glades.
Fruiting : November - February

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.
(Syn: Leucaena glauca Benth.)
Vernacular name: Nagarjun, Kubabul (O).

Small tree. Leaflets 10-15 pairs, rather
distant, sessile, linear, acute to obtuse,
glabrous or nearly so above, finely
pubescent beneath, base oblique, mid-
nerve towards distal margin. Flowers
white, in globose heads. Pods flat. Seeds
ovoid, brownish-black.
Introduced but thoroughly naturalized
and weedy through the area.
Mimosa himalayana Gamble (Syn:

Mimosa rubicaulis auct. non Lam.)
Vernacular name: Kirkichi, Kirkichikanta

(O); Shiah kanta (H); Kuchikanta (Beng.).
Erect or sub-erect, prickly shrub.
Branches angular, densely tomentose
when young, with slightly curved
prickles. Leaflets 14-20 pairs or only 10
on the basal pinnae; oblong, obtuse or
subacute, often mucronate. Flowers pink,
in globose heads. Pods linear-oblong, 1-
seeded, glabrous.
Frequent in thorny scrub forests and in
hedges.

Mimosa pudica Linn.
Vernacular name: Lajakuli (O); Lajak,

Kajak (Beng.); Lajawanti (H); Touch me
not, Sensitive plant (E).
Small prostrate prickly herb. Leaves
spreading, long petioled; pinnae 4,
digitate, leaflets sessile, linear, subacute,
ciliate beneath and on the margins.
Heads pink; flowers bisexual. Pods
clustered, flat, slightly undulate, jointed,
with weak prickles on the sutures. Seeds
2-5, compressed, ovoid.
Very gregarious in wastelands, roadsides,
scrub jungles in exposed places.
Flowering : August - May
& Fruiting
Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. [Syn:

Enterolobium saman (Jacq.) Prain]
Vernacular name: Chakunda, Bada

Chakunda, Gachha Chakunda,
Nidrabati (O); Rain Tree (E).
Large tree with short trunk and large
spreading crown; bark dark grey. Leaves
2-pinnate; pinnae 3-7 pairs; leaflets 4-10
pairs, rhomboidal. Peduncles 1-3-nate,
axillary or apparently racemed. Flower-
heads pink; filaments very long, pink.
Pods fleshy, black, sutures thickened.
Frequently planted in road sides, often
wild through out the area.

Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. (Syn:
Xylia dolabriformis Benth.)
Vernacular name: Kangada, Tangan,

Katha Siali (O); Tangan (H)
Small tree; branchlets brown-tomentose.
Leaves 2-pinnate, petiole with a gland at
the tip; pinnae 1 pair; leaflets commonly
5-6 pairs, ovate-oblong. Flowers sessile,
yellowish-white, in globose peduncled
heads. Pods flat, woody, shoe-shaped,
rusty-tomentose; seeds brown, broadly
oblong.
Quite frequent in forests on sandstone
hills.
FABACEAE
Abrus precatorius Linn.
Vernacular name: Kaincho(O);, Sonkanch

(Beng.); Rati, (H); Indian Liquorice (E).
Slender twining shrub. Leaves
paripinnate; leaflets 10-20 pairs,
opposite, oblong, obtuse, glabrous or silky
beneath. Flowers pinkish-white or white,
in crowded racemes. Pods oblong, turgid,
3-5-seeded. Seeds subglobose, polished,
usually scarlet with a black eye but
sometimes white.
Common in scrub jungles, hedges and
thickets.
Fruiting : November - March

Aeschynomene aspera Linn.
Vernacular Name: Sola (O, Beng., H); Sola

Pith Plant(E).
Erect perennial herb or under-shrub;
stem pith-like; often floating on water
surface. Leaflets 25-50 pairs, linear, 1-
nerved. Racemes corymbose, simple or
branched. Flowers yellow. Pods nearly
straight, often indented on both sutures,
joints 4-8, smooth or usually warted or
echinate.
Common in ponds and ditches.
Aeschynomene indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Sola Karana (O); Bhat-

sola, Kath Shola (Beng.); Laugauni (H).
Erect, slender, suffruticose annual herb.
Branches terete, more or less scabrid with
small warts. Leaflets subsessile, mostly
alternate, linear-oblong, obtuse,
sometimes apicualate, glabrous, 1-
nerved. Flowers yellowish or pinkish-
yellow. Pods stalked, linear-oblong,
slightly curved or nearly straight, joints
5-10, smooth or papillose.
Frequent in swamps, ditches, rice fields
and banks of water bodies.
Flowering : July - November
& Fruiting

Alysicarpus vaginalis (Linn.) DC.
Diffuse or ascending herb. Leaves

lanceolate, oblong, ovate-oblong or ovate-
elliptic, apex rounded to acute, base
rounded or subcordate. Racemes 6-12-
flowered. Flowers flesh-coloured or
pinkish, small. Pods subterete,
reticulately veined; joints 4-8, longer than
broad.
Very common in wastelands and grassy
localities during rains
& Fruiting
Atylosia scarabaeoides (Linn.) Benth.
Vernacular name: Bana Kolatha, Kolathia

(O); Ban-kulthia (O, Kui); Banur Kalai
(Beng.).
Slender pubescent climber. Leaflets
elliptic, obovate-oblong, densely
pubescent below, strongly nerved.
Flowers yellow or tinged with reddish-
brown. Pods oblong, straight, covered
with long soft brownish hairs. Seeds,
grey-brown, oblong-rounded.
A common climber in scrub forests and
way sides, especially in post-rainy
season.
& Fruiting

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.
(Syn: Butea frondosa Koenig. ex Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Palasa (O); Paras,

Palas (B); Dhak (H).
Small or medium-sized, deciduous tree;
truck crooked. Leaves 3-foliolate, rarely
1-foliolate; stipules linear-lanceolate;
leaflets rigidly coriaceous, grey-
tomentose or pubescent beneath. Flowers
bright orange-red. Pods stalked, valvety
brown. Seeds oval, compressed, brown.
Fairly common in forests, especially in
eroded sites.
Fruiting : May - July.
Leafless during flowering.
Butea superba Roxb.
Vernacular name: Lata Palas (O, Beng.);

Palas lata (H).
Large woody climber. Leaves 3-foliolate;
leaflets sub-rugose and dull above, young
leaves hairy, especially on the nerves
beneath. Flowers bright orange-red,
along the leafless branches on racemes.
Pods long stalked, densely rusty-
tomentose.
Occasional, in scrub forests.

Canavalia virosa (Roxb.) Wt. & Arn.
Vernacular Name: Maharada, Kalasimba

(O); Makhan simb (Beng.); Kadsambal
(H); Sword bean (E).
Perennial climber, stems usually reddish-
green, glabrous. Leaves trifrliolate;
terminal leaflets broadly elliptic-oblong
or broadly ovate. Flowers large, lilac-
purple, reflexec in close-flowered
racemes. Pod linear-oblong, straight,
somewhat compressed. Seeds 4-8,
ellipsoid or ovoid, mottled.
Fairly common in hedges, scrub or open
forests; the tender fruits are eaten as a
vegetable.
Fruiting : March - April
Clitoria ternatea Linn.
Vernacular name: Aparajita (O, H, Beng.)

Slender twiner; stem terete. Leaves
imparipinnate, leaflets mostly 5, elliptic.
Flowers blue or white, solitary on axillary
peduncles; bracteoles large, foliaceous,
persistent; standard spoon-shaped. Pods
linear, flat, 6-10-seeded.
Commonly grown in gardens; often run
wild as an escape.

Crotalaria albida Heyne ex Roth
Vernacular name: Bana Jhunuka (O), Ban

Methi (H).
Erect or diffuse herbs; root stock woody;
branches silky pubescent. Leaves simple,
linear-oblong or lanceolate, pellucid-
punctate. Flowers yellow, in terminal or
lateral racemes, 6-20 flowered; calyx very
silky. Pods oblong-cylindric, slightly
exserted, 6-8 seeded.
Fairly common as undergrowth in scrub
jungles and in rock crevices.
& Fruiting
Crotalaria pallida Ait. (Syn: Crotalaria

striata DC.)
Vernacular name: Junjunka (O); Sensan

(H).
Undershrub. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets
broadly elliptic or obovate, obtuse,
rounded or retuse, glabrous or sparsely
hairy, often glaucous beneath. Racemes
terminal and lateral. Flowers yellow.
Pods oblong, silky when young,
glabrescent when mature. Seeds 30-40.
Abundant in wastelands and open places
during rainy season.
Flowering : July - April
& Fruiting

Crotalaria prostrata Rottl. ex Willd.
Vernacular name: Vashnukarni (O);

Chotojhunghyn (Beng).
Herb with spreading slender branches,
covered with yellowish silky hairs.
Leaves simple, close, oblong or ovate-
oblong, obtuse, yellowish silky on both
surfaces, glaucous beneath. Racemes
lateral or leaf-opposed, 2-4-flowered.
Flowers yellow. Pods oblong, glabrous,
shortly stipitate. Seeds 16-20.
Abundant in grassy open places through
out the area.
Flowering : September - April
& Fruiting
Crotalaria retusa Linn.
Vernacular name: Jhunka (O);

Biljhunjhun (Beng.)
Tall, branched under-shrub; branches
striate. Leaves simple, oblanceolate-
oblong, cuneate at base, silky when
young. Flowers yellow, in terminal, 12-
20 flowered racemes; corolla with faint
purple lines on the standard. Pods turgid,
oblong, glabrous, 15-20 seeded.
Occasional, in open scrub forests.
Flowering : October - March
& Fruiting

Crotalaria spectabilis Roth. (Syn:
Crotalaria sericea Retz.)
Vernacular name: Jhunka (O); Jhum

jhumo (Beng.); Jhunjhunia (H).
Tall herb, stems stout, hexagonal. Leaves
simple, oblanceolate to obovate, subacute
to obtuse, appressed hairy beneath.
Racemes long, terminal, often panicled,
Flowers yellow, bracts persistent
spreading or reflexed, lanceolate or ovate,
foliaceous, Pods oblong, glabrous,
stalked; 20-30 seeded.
Occasional in waste grounds.
Fruiting : December - May
Crotalaria verrucosa Linn.
Vernacular name: Jhunka, Balijhumuka

(O); Blue Rattlepod (E).
Erect or prostrate herb. Stem 4-angled or
alate, striate. Leaves simple, obovate or
rhomboidal, cuneate at base, obtuse or
emarginate at apex, with a auriculate
stipule at base. Flowers blue or violet, in
zigzag terminal or lateral racemes, 5-10
flowered; corolla with deep purple lines
on the standard. Pods turgid, oblong,
glabrous.
Fairly common in waste places and
sandy soils.
Flowering : September - March
& Fruiting

Dalbergia lanceolaria Linn. f.
Vernacular Name: Sajanapatri,

Chakundia (O); Chakemdia )Beng.);
Takoli, Bithua (H).
Medium-sized tree; bark whitish-grey,
peeling off in irregular flakes; innovations
yellow-silky. Leaves imparipinnate;
leaflets 9-12, oblong-elliptic or obovate-
oblong, emarginate at apex, pale beneath.
Flowers pink or purple, in dense lateral
or terminal fulvous-pubescent panicles.
Pods compressed, indehiscent, 1-3
seeded, narrowed at both ends, often
sinuate between the seeds..
Frequent in hilly forests and scrub
jungles.
Fruiting : September - January
Dalbergia paniculata Roxb.
Vernacular name: Barabakulia (O);

Dhobin (H).
Medium-sized tree, bark whitish. Leaves
imparipinnate; leaflets 7-15, alternate,
orbicular or oval, emarginate, glaucous
and reticulately veined beneath. Flowers
pinkish-blue or bluish-white, in dense
lateral panicles. Pods tapering at both
ends, stipe slender; seeds 1-3, brown,
ellipsoid.
Common in mixed forests and on
sandstone hills.
Flowering : February - June
Fruiting : July - October

Dalbergia rubiginosa Roxb.
Vernacular name: Kanchanai (O).

Busht scandent shrub with rusty
pubescent shoots. Leaves imparipinnate;
leaflets 5-7, subsessile, elliptic or oblong,
polished above, finely sericeous or partly
glabrescent beneath. Flowers white or
creamish-white, in short axillary simple
or panicled racemes; bracts ovate, rusty
tomentose. Pods oblong, very thin,
veined.
Abundant in rocky places and thorny
scrub jungles; often growing from rock
crevices.
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.
Vernacular name: Sisu (O, Beng.); Shisam

(H).
Medium-sized tree; bark pale grey,
exfoliating in narrow longitudinal strips.
Leaves imparipinnate, rachis zig-zag;
leaflets 3-5, broadly elleiptic-ovate,
cuspidate. Flowers yellowish-white,
subsessile, secund on the branches of
densely pubescent axillary panicles.
Ovary long-stipitate. Pods linear-oblong,
compresses, 1-3 seeded.
Planted as an avenue plant and grown
in gardens.

Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth.
Vernacular name: Kentia, Kamocha (O);

Noalata (Beng.); Gonj (H); Hog Creeper
(E).
Large climbing shrub; branchlets brown,
lenticellate. Leaves imparipinnate;
leaflets 7-13, oblong to ovate-oblong,
coriaceous, shining and glabrous.
Racemes slender, upto 30 cm long.
Flowers white or pinkish-violet. Pods
narrowly oblong, with a wing down the
upper sutures, 1-4 seeded.
Very commonly found in rocky forests
and sandstone hills.
Fruiting : September - February.
Desmodium gangeticum (Linn.) DC.
Vernacular name: Salaparni, Salpheni,

(O); Salpani (O, Beng.); Salpan, Salwan
(H).
Diffuse herb or under-shrub; stems
angled, appressed hairy. Leaves 1-
foliolate, lanceolate, oblong or ovate
oblong,, glabrescent or scabrous, grey
silky or nearly glabrous and glaucous
beneath. Flowers purple or white, in
ascending, lax, elongate, axillary and
terminal, racemes. Pod subfalcate, 6-8-
jointed, deeply indented on the lower
suture.
Quite common in hedges, scrub jungles,
waste places and forest thickets
Flowering : May - January
& Fruiting

Desmodium triflorum (Linn.) DC.
Vernacular name: Kuradhia Gachha,

Katkana (O); Kudaliya (Beng., H).
Perennial prostrate herb, rooting at
nodes, forming thick mat. Stems slender,
with fine spreading hairs. Leaves small,
3-foliolate; leaflets obovate, truncate or
emarginate, glabrous above. Flower
purple, pink or bluish-white, minute.
Pods curved, 3-5-jointed, on filiform
pedicels, reticulate-veined.
This is the most common species in waste
lands, grassy field, roadsides and lawns.
& Fruiting
Dolichos trilobus Linn. (Syn: Dolichos

falcatus Klein. ex Willd.)
Vernacular name: Bana Kolatha (O).

Slender climber with fine spreading
hairs. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets simple
and 3-lobed, terminal ovate-rhomboid or
deltoid, lateral ovate, sparsely appressed
hairy on both sides. Flowers bluish-
purple, in short, lax, few-flowered
racemes or solitary. Pods flat, curved;
seeds 5-8, reniform.
Abundant in hedges, thickets and scrub
jungles.

Dunbaria rotundifolia (Lour.) Merr.
(Dunbaria conspersa Benth.)
Twining herb. Leaflets rhomboid,

terminal larger than the lateral, acute or
subacute, minutely puberulous above,
pale green, gland-dotted beneath. Flowers
1-2, rarely 3-4 together in the axils of the
leaves. Corolla yellow. Pods linear-
oblong, glabrous or 6-8-seeded.
Uncommon, growing on low bushes and
hedges.
& Fruiting
Erythrina suberosa Roxb.
Vernacular Name: Paldhua, Chaldua,

Balthia (O); Mandar, (H).
Small prickly tree; bark corky, deeply
cracked; prickles straw-coloured. Leaflets
broadly ovate or rhomboid, rusty-
tomentose, base usually rhomboid or sub-
cuneate, secondary nerves 5-6. Flowers
scarlet. Pods narrowly spindle-shaped;
2-3 seeds.
Occasional, in muddy soils close to
bamboo forests and scrub jungles.

Erythrina variegata Linn. (Syn:
Erythrina indica Lam.)
Vernacular name: Paladhua (O); Pangra

(H); Indian Coral Tree (E).
Large prickly tree; prickles small, black;
young shoots tomentose. Leaflets
rhomboid-ovate, glabrescent. Racemes
very long, about 15 cm excluding 10-12
cm long peduncle. Flowers scarlet. Pods
sub-cylindric, beaked, curved, torulose, 6-
12 seeded; seeds dark purple.
Commonly planted in gardens,
roadsides; occasionally wild in forests.
Fruiting : April - July
Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth

[Syn: Gliricidia maculata (Steud.)
Kunth]
Moderate-sized tree; branchlets glandular-

pubescent. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets
6-8 pairs, lanceolate-elliptic, glabrous.
Flowers pinkish-white, in small racemes.
Pods oblong, up to 15 cm long, woody.
Planted in gardens, roadsides and forest
areas.

Indigofera astragalina DC. (Syn:
Indigofera hirsuta auct. non Linn.)
Erect, greyish-white pubescent herb, up

to 1 m tall; branches grooved. Leaves
imparipinnate; leaflets opposite, 7-11,
obovate or oblong, hairy on both surfaces.
Racemes 8-10 cm long, many-flowered.
Flowers deep pink. Pods sub-
tetragonous, straight, strongly deflexed,
white-hairy, 5-6 seeded.
Frequent and sub-gregarious on waste
places and road sides.
& Fruiting
Indigofera glabra Linn. (Syn:

Indigofera pentaphylla Murr.)
Diffuse herb; stems hairy all over. Leaves

membranous, imparipinnate; leaflets 3-
7, opposite, obovate or elliptic, obtuse,
hairy. Racemes short, axillary, laxly 2-4-
flowered. Flowers pink or reddish, small.
Pods slender, straight, turgid, beaked,
glabrous. Seeds cylindircal, truncate at
both ends.
Frequently found in sandy soils in
exposed localities.
& Fruiting

Indigofera linifolia (Linn.f.) Retz.
Vernacular name: Torki (H); Bhangra

(Beng.).
Prostrate herb; stems slender, sub-
quadrangular, grey-pubescent. Leaves
subsessile, linear or linear-oblong,
apiculate, strigulose both sides. Flowers
red, small, in axillary bracteate racemes,
bracts linear subulate, deciduous or
persistent. Pods globose, 1-seeded,
silvery-silky.
Quite common in wastelands and grass
areas during post-monsoon period.
& Fruiting
Indigofera linnaei Ali (Syn: Indigofera

enneaphylla Linn.)
Vernacular name: Latahai (H).

Prostrate herbs, sometimes sub-woody at
base. Leaves pinnate, subsessile, leaflets
5-7(-11), alternate, linear-oblanceolate,
the terminal largest, appressed hairy on
both sides, silvery beneath. Flowers red,
small, clustered, subsessile. Pods oblong,
3-4 mm, thinly silky, 2-seeded.
Fairly abundant in open grassy localities,
wastelands and road sides.
& Fruiting

Indigofera nummularifolia (Linn.)
Livera ex Alston (Syn: Indigofera
echinata Willd.)
Diffuse herbs, branched from base; stem

angular. Leaves simple, orbicular-
obovate, mucronate. Flowers red, small,
in very short axillary racemes. Pods
reniform or semi-lunate, densely echinate
on the two keels of the dorsal sutures.
Common in sandy soils in open grounds
and grassy localities.
& Fruiting
Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC. (Syn:

Mucuna prurita Hook.)
Vernacular name: Baidanka, Dhanka (O);

Alkusi (Beng.); Kinvach, Kaunch (H);
Common Cow itch, Cowhage (E).
Annual twiner. Branches densely clothed
with hairs. Leaflets appressed hairy,
obtuse or subacute, lateral ovate, terminal
rhomboid-ovate. Flowers dark purple, in
dense drooping racemes. Pods turgid,
oblong, s-shaped, densely clothed with
brown or grey intensely irritant bristles.
Seeds black or mottled, shining.
Quite common in hedges, thickets, forests
and also in scrub jungles after monsoon
rains.

Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre [Syn:
Pongamia glabra Vent; Derris indica
(lam.) Bennet]
Vernacular name: Karanja (O); Karanj (K,

H, Beng.); Pongam oil tree, Indian Beech
(E).
Moderate to large-sized tree; bark
smooth; grey. Leaflets 5-7, ovate or
oblong, entire, acuminate or cuspidate,
glabrous, glossy above. Flowers
purplish-white or pinkish-white, in
axillary racemes. Pods woody, with a
short decurved point. Seed reddish-
brown.
Mostly planted along roads, naturalized;
also wild in certain areas.
Pseudarthria viscida (Linn.) Wt. &

Arn. [Syn: Desmodium viscidum
(Linn.) DC.]
Vernacular name: Salaparni (O).

Diffuse undershrub; branches slender,
angular, hairy. Leaves pinnately 3-
foliolate; leaflets rhomboid or sub-
orbicular, terminal much larger,
pubescent, glaucous beneath. Racemes
terminal, glandular-pubescent,
sometimes panicled. Flowers red. Pods
thin, compressed, 4-6 seeded, viscid-
pubescent, breaking across from joints
when dry.
Fairly common in shady localities in
forests, thickets and under trees.
& Fruiting

Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.
Vernacular name: Bija, Piasal (O, H);

Pitshal (Beng.); Indian Kino Tree (E).
Large deciduous tree; bark thick, with
vertical cracks. Leaflets 5-7, oblong or
elliptic, with rounded or obtuse ends,
glaucous beneath, secondary nerves close
and parallel. Flowers yellow, in large,
terminal panicles. Pods suborbicular,
surrounded with a curved, veined,
membranous wing.
Very rare, in degraded forests; also
introduced to the garden.
Rothia indica (Linn.) Druce
Vernacular name: Papra (O).

Branched annual herb, stem densely
hairy. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets obovate,
oblanceolate or rounded, mucronate,
appressed hairy beneath. Flowers
pinkish, axillary, solitary or 2-4 together.
Pods narrow-linear, straight, pointed;
seeds reniform.
Occasional, in sandy soils, waste places
and exposed localities.
& Fruiting

Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W.F.Wight
(Syn: Sesbania aculeata (Willd.) Poir.
Vernacular name: Tentua (O).

Erect shrub. Branches and leaf-rachis
with small weak prickles. Leaves 15-40
pairs, linear, obtuse, apiculate, glabrous.
Racemes lax, erect or drooping. Flowers
yellow with brown bloches, orbicular.
Pods ascending, very slender, subterete,
beaked, straight or sub-torulose.
Commonly found in wet grounds close
to lake and swamps.
& Fruiting
Sesbania javanica Mig. [Syn: Sesbania

paludosa (Roxb.) Prain]
Vernacular name: Kathasola (Beng., O).

Erect annual with a stout swollen tap root.
Stipules semi-lanceolate, caducous;
leaflets, oblong, slightly tapering,
apiculate, thinly hairy beneath. Flowers
yellow, standard purple dotted;
appendages triangular. Pods linear,
pendulous, somewhat twisted, slightly
torulose.
Gregarious in lakes, swamps and jheels.
& Fruiting

Smithia conferta J.E. Sm.
Herb with many spreading branches.

Leaves setose or bristly; leaflets 5-9 pairs,
linear-oblong, tip rounded or acute.
Flowers yellow, capitate in the axils of
terminal leaves of short, lateral shoots,
subsessile. Pods moniliform, 7-jointed;
joints connected by the dorsal suture
only.
Occasional, along the margins of lake and
swampy habitats.
Fruiting : November
Smithia sensitiva Ait.
Vernacular name: Mulla kashina (Beng.);

Odabrini (H).
Much branched procumbent herb. Leaves
sensitive; rachis bristly and ending in a
bristle. Leaflets 2-6 pairs, linear, ciliate
or bristle-ciliate on the midrib below.
Racemes capitate, 1-6-flowered; peduncle
slender, usually longer than the leaves.
Flowers yellow; pedicels short,
ascending. Pods 4-6-jointed, papillose or
with small acute warts.
Common in wet places and lake banks;
often forming pure communities.
& Fruiting

Tephrosia maxima (Linn.) Pers.
[Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. var.
maxima (Linn.) Baker]
Vernacular name: Kolathia (O).

Erect or ascending undershrub. Stem
often zig-zag, appressed-pubescent.
Leaflets 5-8 pairs, obcuneate or
oblanceolate, truncate or retuse,
apiculate, puberulous beneath. Racemes
leaf-opposed, with distant nodes. Corolla
bluish-pink or bright purple. Pods nearly
straight, puberulous. Seeds elliptic-
oblong or orbicular.
A characteristic species of open lateritic
soils and also in rock crevices.
& Fruiting
Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers.
Vernacular name: Bana Kolatha,

Kolathia, Ban nilo, Soropokha (O); Ban
Nil (Beng.); Sarponkha, Damasia (H);
Wild Indigo (E).
Undershrub. branches angled or
rounded, glabrous or sericeous. Leaflets
5-8 pairs, oblanceolate to obovate or
oblong-cuneate, rounded, slightly retuse,
mucronate, glabrous or appressed hairy.
Racemes terminal, elongate, lax with 3 or
more nodes. Flowers purple, red or
pinkish-violet. Pods slightly curved, with
short appressed hairs; seeds ovoid.
Gregarious along roads and waste
grounds in post monsoon periods.
& Fruiting

Tephrosia villosa (Linn.) Pers.
(Tephrosia hirta Buch.-Ham.)
Vernacular name: Banakolthia, Kolthia

(O).
Diffuse undershrubs. Stems flexuose,
somewhat hoary. Leaves nearly sessile;
leaflets 6-8 pairs, narrowly oblanceolate,
apex obtuse, subtruncate, sometimes
emarginate, glabrous above, appressed
hairy beneath. Flowers red or pink, in
several pairs in lax elongate racemes.
Pods falcately curved, densely villous.
Seeds subquadrate.
Common in open waste lands and shrub
jungles.
& Fruiting
Teramnus labialis (Linn.f.) Spreng.
Vernacular name: Mashani (Beng.);

Mashoni, Mashparui (H).
Slender twiner; stem glabrescent or
adpressed-pubescent. Leaflets elliptic or
ovate, mostly acute, glabrous above,
thinly appressed hairy beneath. Racemes
very slender, with distant clusters or
solitary flowers. Flowers pink or white.
Pods narrow linear, slightly curved,
ending in a hook, thinly adpressed
pubescent. Seeds black when dry.
Very common in scrub forests and
thickets.
& Fruiting

Vigna adenantha (G. F. W. Meyer)
Marechal et al. (Syn: Phaseolus
adenanthus G. F. W. Meyer)
Vernacular name: Pani Sima (O); Ban

Barbati (Beng.).
Twining or trailing perennial herbs with
tuberous root, glabrescent; stipules
lanceolate, basifIxed. Leaves 3-foliolate;
leaflets ovate, entire, acute. Racemes
dense, 6-8-flowered, peduncle 5-15 cm
long. Flowers very large; violet in colour.
Pods linear, compressed, beaked,
glabrous. Seeds oblong, black.
Occasional, along the edges of water
body, sometimes floating and trailing on
water surface.
Flowering : September- October
Vigna sublobata (Roxb.) Bairiganjan,

Panda, Choudhury & Pattnaik
[Phaseolus sublobatus Roxb.; Vigna
radiata (Linn.) Wilczek var. sublobata
(Roxb.) Verdc.]
Vernacular name: Ban Biri, Purburi (O);

Ghora mung (Beng.).
Annual subscandent or twining herb,
clothed with ferrugineous, deflexed hairs.
Leaflets ovate-deltoid, acuminate, ciliate.
Racemes capitate, on long peduncles, 2-
6-flowered. Flowers yellow. Pods
subcompressed, clothed with ferruginous
hairs. Seeds 4-10, brown.
Rare, in grassy forest floors.

Vigna trilobata (Linn.) Verdc. (Syn:
Phaseolus trilobus sensu Ait.)
Vernacular name: Sana Muga (O);

Mungam (H); Mugami, Mugan (Beng.)
Trailing herb; stem glabrous, angular.
Stipules oblong or ovate-oblong, peltate.
Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets very variable,
shallowly 3-lobed, lobes rounded and
subspathulate. Racemes capitate or
spiciform, long peduncles. Flowers
yellow. Pods linear, glabrous; seeds grey,
6-12.
Occasional in damp localities and field
bunds.
& Fruiting
Zornia gibbosa Span. [Syn: Zornia

diphylla auct. non (Linn.) Pers.]
Vernacular name: Chena Kuradhia (O).

Prostrate herb. Branchlets pubescent.
Leaves 2-foliolate; stipules peltate; leaflets
lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, sparsely
pubescent, apex acute, base obtuse.
Racemes 3-12-flowered; bracts geminate,
peltate, ciliate on margin, punctate.
Flowers yellow, sessile. Pods 1-6 jointed,
reticulately venose, with retrorsely
scabrid prickles.
Quite abundant in open wastelands and
grassy places.
Flowering : August - December.
& Fruiting

CRASSULACEAE
Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.
Vernacular name : Amarapoi, Hemkakri

(O); Koppata (Beng.); Zakhm-haiyal (H).
Glabrous, succulent herb. Leaves
opposite, simple or 3-foliolate, oblong or
elliptic, crenate or very coarsely crenate,
obtuse. Flowers pale greenish and purple
in lax panicled cymes. Corolla nearly
included, sub-globose and constricted in
the middle, tip reddish-purple.
Locally abundant in thickets, roadsides
and scrub forests.
Flowering : January - February
Fruiting : March
HALORAGACEAE
Myriophyllum tetrandrum Roxb.
(Syn: Myriophyllum indicum auct. non
Willd.)
Submerged aquatic herb; submerged

leaves whorled, pinnatisect into fine
capillary segments; aeriel leaves simple,
usually very short, narrow lanceolate,
toothed. Flowers white. Fruit cruciform;
mericarps ovate with convex back and
flattened sides, irregularly and finely
tuberculate to smooth.
Locally gregarious in stagnant
waterbodies associated with Trapa natans,
Nymphoides hydrophylla etc.
& Fruiting

RHIZOPHORACEAE
Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr.
Vernacular name : Bhuasuni, Manj (O);

Kierpa (Beng., H).
Small evergreen tree, twigs somewhat 4-
angled. Leaves oblong, elliptic-obovate or
ovate, entire or serrulate, margins often
revolute shortly acute or acuminate,
shining leathery. Flowers small, greenish.
Petals white, orbicular or orbicular
cordate, entire or bilobed, margin
crenately waved or lacerate. Fruit
reddish, globose.
Occasional in forests and near water
courses.
Flowering : December - April
COMBRETACEAE
Anogeissus acuminata (Roxb. ex DC.)
Guill. & Perr.
Vernacular name : Phasi, Phansi (O);

Chakwa (Beng.).
Large tree; branches drooping, bark black.
Leaves elliptic or elliptic oblong, acute or
rounded and apiculate at apex, densly
sericeous when young, more or less
glabrescent with age. Peduncles mostly
solitary from the leafscars. Flowers
greenish-white, in dense globose heads.
Fruits 2-winged, beaked, 1-seeded.
Frequent along streams and waterbodies;
often planted in gardens and roadsides.

Calycopteris floribunda Lam.
Vernacular name: Dhala Atundi (O)

Sarmentose or climbing shrub. Branchlets
rusty-tomentose. Leaves ovate, elliptic or
elliptic-oblong, densely tomentose below
when young, pubescent. Flowers
greenish, villous, in dense bracteate
spikes; flowers sessile or shortly
pedicelled. Sepals accrescent. Fruit
oblong or ellipsoid, villous, indehiscent,
5-ribbed.
Frequent in scrub forests and thorny
secondary forests.
Fruiting : May
Combretum albidum G.Don (Syn:

Combretum ovalifolium Roxb.)
Vernacular name : Atudi, Devakukundia

(O).
Climbing shrub. Leaves elliptic or ovate,
obtuse, rounded or shortly obtusely
acuminate or cuspidate, densely covered
with minute discs on both sides. Flowers
sessile, 4-merous, white. Disc densely
hairy. Fruit yellowish brown, 4-winged,
globose, or subglobose, under 2 cm
across.
Occasional, in moist forest fringes and
thickets.

Combretum roxburghii Spreng. (Syn:
Combretum decandrum Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Atundi, Kala Atundi,

Korakokundia (O).
Large sarmentose or scandent rusty-
pubescent shrub; young branches black.
Leaves oblong or obovate-oblong,
coriaceous, glabrous. Spikes rusty
villous, in large axillary and terminal
panicles with conspicuous large white
bracts. Flowers fragrant. Petals creamish-
white. Fruits oblong or elliptic, 5-winged.
Fairly abundant and gregarious in scrub
forests, thorn jungles and hedges through
out the area.
Fruiting : March - June
Quisqualis indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Madhumalati (O);

Rangoon creeper (E).
Large climbing shrub; young parts
brown-tomentose. Leaves elliptic-oblong
or ovate-oblong. Flowers showy, pink-
white or reddish-white, scented, in
axillary or terminal bracteate spikes.
Hypanthium 6-8 cm long, pubescent.
Commonly cultivated in gardens and
homesteads; occasionally run wild.
& Fruiting

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex. DC.)
Wt. & Arn.
Vernacular name: Arjuna (O); Arjun (H).

Large tree; bark grey or pale green,
smooth, peeling-off. Leaves opposite or
subopposite, sub-sessile, oblong or
elliptic-oblong, entire or crenate, with
two glands near the base of the lamina
beneath or on the petiole. Flowers white,
in shortly panicled spikes. Fruit 5-
winged; wings fibrous-woody.
Common along lakes and water bodies;
also planted along roads.
Flowering : May - July
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.
Vernacular name: Bahada (O), Babera

(H); Bohera (Beng.); Belleric Myrobalan
(E).
Tree; bark dark grey. Leaves clustered
towards the ends of the branchlets,
alternate, broadly elliptic or obovate,
obtusely-cuspidate, cuneate at base,
puberulous when young. Flowers
greenish-white or greenish-yellow, in
solitary axillary or extra axillary spikes.
Drupes subglobose or pyriform, grey-
tomentose.
Sparsely distributed through out the area
in dry forests; often grown in gardens.

Terminalia chebula Retz.
Vernacular name: Harida, Haridra (O);

Hara-taki (Beng.); Chebulic Myrobalan
(E).
Medium-sized trees; bark grey or brown.
Leaves sub-opposite, ovate or elliptic,
silky-hairy when young, glabrous when
mature; petioles with 2 glands near the
top. Flowers whitish, densely villous
within, in small terminal panicles.
Drupes ellipsoid, often 5-ribbed.
Occasional in mixed forests; frequently
planted in gardens.
MYRTACEAE
Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Stapf
(Syn: Callistemon lanceolatus DC.)
Vernacular name: Bottle Brush (E).

Small evergreen tree. Leaves linear-
lanceolate, sharply pointed, gland-
dotted, hoary-tomentose, mid vein and
lateral nerves prominent. Flowers
crimson, in terminal, drooping spikes.
Calyx-tube campanulate; stamens bright
red or crimson. Capsules woody, ovoid.
Commonly planted in gardens, self-sown
on the banks of waterbodies by dispersal
of seeds on water surface.
& Fruiting

Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.
Vernacular name: Bhujapatra (O).

Tall tree; bark smooth, grey, decorticating
in small plates. Leaves petiolate,
lanceolate, often falcate, strongly lemon-
scented. Flowers creamish-white, in 3-5-
flowered umbels, arranged in panicles.
Operculum hemispheric, more or less
apiculate. Fruits ovoid-urceolate.
Planted in forests, plantations and
gardens.
Fruiting : September - February
Eugenia rothii Panigr. [Syn: Eugenia

bracteata (Willd.) Raeusch. ex DC.]
Vernacular name: Sagadabatua,

Sagadabatua Koli (O).
Shrub, branches brown; innovation
fulvous-pubescent. Leaves lanceolate,
elliptic or rhomboid, obtuse, subacute or
acuminate, base cuneate. Flowers white,
axiIIary or extra-axillary, solitary or in
few-flowered fascicles. Berry red or
ultimately black, globose, crowned by the
calyx-lobes, aromatic, edible.
Fairly common in scrub jungles and
hedges.
Fruiting : July - November

Psidium guajava Linn.
Vernacular name : Pijuli, Peda (O), Guava

(E).
Small tree; bark smooth, exfoliating in
small flakes. Leaves opposite, oblong or
elliptic oblong, entire, glabrous above,
pubescent beneath, Flowers white, on 1-
3-flowered, axillary peduncles. Berry
globose or pyriform, varying in size and
shape, many-seeded; seeds embedded in
pleasantly flavoured sweet pulp.
Grown in gardens; also run wild as an
escape.
& Fruiting
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels [Syn:

Eugenia jambolana Lam.; Syzygium
jambolanum (Lam.) DC. ]
Vernacular name: Jamu (O); Kalajam

(Beng.); Jaman (H); Black Plum (E).
Large glabrous tree; bark grey-brown.
Leaves oblong or elliptic-oblong, mostly,
acute or acuminate, shining, secondary
nerves numerous. Flowers white or
whitish-yellow, sessile, mostly in 3-
chotomous panicles. Berry ellipsoid or
oblong and shape, black, shining and
juicy when fully ripe.
Planted as avenue tree and in gardens;
wild along streams in forests.

Syzygium jambos (Linn.) Alston
(Syn: Eugenia jambos Linn.)
Vernacular name: Jamurol (O); Gulab

Jamu (O, H); Rose Apple (E).
Tree; bark grey to black. Leaves oblong-
lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate,
glabrous. Flowers white, 4-6 cm in
diameter, in few-flowered terminal
raceme-like cymes; calyx turbinate; petals
4, free, orbicular; filaments 2-3 cm long.
Berries yellowish-white when ripe,
crowned by inflexed calyx-lobes, rose-
scented, sweet; seeds 1-2.
Planted in gardens for its edible fruits.
Fruiting : August - September
BARRINGTONIACEAE
Barringtonia acutangula (Linn.)
Gaertn.
Vernacular name : Hinjal, Hijal (Beng, O);

Hyal or Hyar (H).
Small or medium-sized tree; bark thick,
dark grey, furrowed on old trees. Leaves
obovate or oblanceolate, crenulate,
rounded or subacute at apex, glabrous,
base narrowed. Flowers red, fragrant, in
long, drooping racemes; hypanthium
acutely 4-angled, obpyramidal; stamens
bright red. Fruit oblong, quadrangular,
truncate.
Quite common in the banks of lakes,
ponds and ditches.
Fruiting : September

Careya arborea Roxb.
Vernacular name : Kumbhi (O); Kumbi (H,

Beng.)
Medium-sized tree. Leaves obovate or
obovate-oblong, crenate-serrate, obtuse,
rounded or shortly acuminate, glabrous,
base narrowed; petiole short, margined.
Flowers white and pink, large, fleshy,
sessile or subsessile; petals elliptic-
oblong; filaments pink. Berry globose,
fleshy, crowned with the calyx-tube.
Occasional in dry forests; also planted in
gardens.
LECYTHIDACEAE
Couroupita guianensis Aubl.
Vernacular name : Nagalinga, Nagakesar

(O); Cannon-ball tree (E).
Tree. Leaves crowded at the ends of
branches, obovate-oblong, acute, obtuse
or shortly acuminate, glabrous. Flowers
in thick racemiform inflorescences borne
on main trunk and branches. Flowers
fragrant, petals obovate, thick, fleshy,
broadly rounded, pinkish. Fruit globose,
large, 15-20 cm dia, with hard pericarp,
woody.
Planted in gardens, road sides and temple
premises.
Flowering : January - May

MELASTOMATACEAE
Melastoma malabathricum Linn.
Vernacular name: Gangei, Karati (O),
Phurki (H).
Bushy, branched shrub; twigs densely
strigose, with flat paleaceous hairs, 4-
angled. Leaves broadly lanceolate or
elliptic, 3-7-nerved at base, strigose with
stout scabrid hairs on both sides. Flowers
very large, bright mauve-purple, in
clusters of 1-5 at the ends of the twigs;
anthers yellow. Fruits broadly ovoid,
truncate, hypanthium becoming brittle
and breaking transversely and exposing
5 large, purplish-black pulpy placenta.
Abundant near water courses, along
streams; commonly cultivated as a garden
ornamental because of its beautiful
showy pink flowers.
Memecylon umbellatum Burm f.

(Syn: Memecylon edule Roxb.)
Vernacular name : Nirasa, Niraisa koli,

Dalsundara (O); Iron wood tree (E).
Small trees. Leaves ovate, acuminate,
often with minute black dots beneath,
secondary nerves 6-9, obscure, base
rounded or obtuse. Flowers bright blue,
numerous in clustered compound
umbellate cymes, from trunks or axils of
old or fallen leaves. Berry blue or dark-
purple, edible.
Locally abundant on sandstone hills and
thorny scrub jungles.

LYTHRACEAE
Ammannia baccifera Linn.
Vernacular name: Ramdani (O).

Erect, glabrous herb, stem 4-angular.
Leaves opposite below, often alternate
above, narrowly linear-oblong, oblong-
lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate. Flowers
minute, subsessile, in few-flowered or
dense axillary cymes, turning red in fruit.
Capsule depressed globose, exceeding the
calyx, red.
Gregarious in damp places, wastelands
and margins of lake.
Ammannia multiflora Roxb.
Erect herb, branches sharply 4-angled.

Leaves linear or linear-oblong, apex
subacute or obtuse. Flowers in compound
peduncled cymes; calyx tube
campanulate or tubular-campanulate;
petals 4, minute, red. Capsule globose,
often reddish.
Fairly common along swamps, ditches
and in low-lying areas.

Lagerstroemia indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Chhenaphula (O);

Pharash (H, Beng.); Common Crape
Myrtle (E).
Large shrubs or small trees. Leaves sub-
sessile, elliptic or oblong, subobtuse,
glabrous. Flowers white, pink or purple,
in several panicles; petals long-clawed.
Fruit sub-globose.
Commonly planted in gardens for its
beautiful flowers.
Fruiting : July - October
Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb.
Vernacular name : Sidha (O); Seina (H).

Trees; bark grey, pilling off in long narrow
flakes. Leaves narrowly elliptic or oblong
or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate,
glabrous above, more or less pubescent,
coriaceous. Flowers white, in lax, axillary
and terminal downy panicles of 2-5-
flowered cymes. Capsule ellipsoid,
polished, 3-4-valved.
Occasional in dry forests; rarely grown
in gardens.

Lagerstroemia reginae Roxb. [Syn:
Lagerstroemia flosreginae Retz.;
Lagerstroemia speciosa (Linn.) Pers.]
Vernacular name : Patali (O); Jarul (H);

Queen Crape Myrtle (E).
Much branched tree. Leaves elliptic,
oblong-elliptic or oblong-lanceolate,
acuminate, glabrous on both sides.
Flowers purple, in long terminal
panicles, ultimate branches cymosely 1-
3-flowered; calyx tube turbinate, ribbed;
petals long-clawed, crumpled and wavy.
Capsule subglobose, woody, 5-6 valved,
seated on the persistent calyx-tube.
Common avenue tree along roads and
also planted in gardens.
Flowering : April - August
Lawsonia inermis Linn.
Vernacular name: Manjuati (O); Mehndi

(Beng., H); Henna (E).
Much branched shrub or small tree.
Leaves elliptic or broadly lanceolate, apex
often mucronulate, base tapering.
Flowers white or cream-coloured,
fragrant, in dense spikes. Capsule red
when young, ultimately dry and seated
on the calyx-tube, depressed globose.
Grown as a hedge plant and also in
gardens for its medicinal properties.

Rotala indica (Willd.) Koehne (Syn:
Ammannia pentandra Roxb.)
Vernacular name:Badbadi (O).

Annual herb; stem erect or decumbent,
rooting at the nodes. Leaves decussate,
sessile or subsessile, suborbicuIar or
narrowly oblong, acute or obtuse.
Flowers sessile or subsessile, solitary in
axils of bracts; petals 4, persistent,
pinkish, linear to narrowly ovate.
Capsule ellipsoidal or oblong, 2-valved.
Very common in wet places and drying
up ditches and rice fields.
& Fruiting
Woodfordia fruticosa (Linn.) Kurz

(Syn: Woodfordia floribunda Salisb.)
Vernacular name: Dhataki (O); Dhatuki

(H), Fire-flame Bush (E).
Large spreading shrub; bark reddish
brown, peeling off in thin strips. Leaves
sessile or subsessile, lanceolate, ovate-
lanceolate or linear-lanceolate,
acuminate, finely pubescent and dotted
beneath. Flowers scarlet, in fascicled
cymes, axillary and from the old wood.
Capsule ellipsoid, included with in the
calyx tube.
Occasional, in hill forests and scrub
jungles.

PUNICACEAE
Punica granatum Linn.
Vernacular name: Dalimba (O); Dalim (O,

Beng.); Anar (H); Pomegranate (E).
Small tree or shrub. Leaves oblong or
obovate, obtuse. Flowers large, 1-5-nate,
terminating the shoots; hypanthium
thick, fleshy; sepals 5-7, persitsent; petals
5-7, red or orange, inserted between the
sepals; stamens numerous. Berry globose,
many-seeded; seeds covered with pink
juicy pulp.
Cultivated in gardens; also self-sown.
Flowering : April- May,
also in other seasons.
Fruiting : July - September.
ONAGRACEAE
Ludwigia adscendens (Linn.) Hara
(Syn: Jussiaea repens Linn.)
Vernacular name: Jagal (O).

Prostrate or ascending, glabrous herbs,
rooting at the nodes, with white, spindle-
shaped aerophores at the nodes of floating
stems. Leaves oblanceolate or obovate,
acute or obtuse; petiole long. Flowers
white, yellowish at the base. Capsule
cylindric, glabrous or hairy, thick-walled.
Fairly abundant in lakes, ponds and
ditches and rice fields.
Flowering : December - July
& Fruiting

Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) Raven
(Syn: Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn.)
Erect, branched shrub, up to 6 ft. high,

usually hairy and with decurrent raised
lines. Leaves linear oblanceolate, rarely
ovate lanceolate, acute, pubescent or
hairy, base cuneate. Flowers solitary,
from upper leaf axils, yellow. Capsule
terete, tapering at base, pubescent.
Abundant in lakes, ditches, pools and
other stagnant water bodies.
Flowering : October - April
& Fruiting
Ludwigia perennis Linn. (Syn:

Ludwigia parviflora Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Bila labanga, Latkera

(O)
Annual herb, usually erect, glabrous.
Leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate
subacute, tapering at the base into a short
petiole. Flowers yellow, 4-merous, very
shortly pedicelled, solitary axillary.
Capsule oblong, inflated; seeds
pluriseriate in each cell.
Quite common in wet places, moist and
shady localities and near water bodies.
Flowering : October - November

Ludwigia prostrata Roxb.
Vernacular name: Bila labanga (O)

Annual erect, diffuse or ascending herb.
Leaves lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate,
acute to acuminate, glabrous, cuneate at
base. Flowers axillary, yellow. Capsule
slender, linear, glabrous, obscurely 4-
angled; seeds 1-seriate in each cell, pink,
ovoid, minute.
Common on bunds of rice fields, wet
grounds and in ditches.
& Fruiting
TRAPACEAE
Trapa natans Linn. var. bispinosa
(Roxb.) Makino (Syn: Trapa bispinosa
Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Pani Singada (O);

Singhara, Paniphal (H, Beng.); Water
chestnut (E).
Free-floating aquatic herb. Floating
leaves rhomboid, denticulate, serrate or
incised with entire base, apex acute, red
and densely villous beneath. Flowers
white. Fruit obovoid, angular and broad
with a short conical, often spinous beak
with two spines at two angles, kernels
edible.
A common free-floating aqauatic plant in
lakes, tanks and ditches.
Flowering : August

TURNERACEAE
Turnera ulmifolia Linn.
Vernacular name: Basanti (O).

Perennial herbs; stem densely appressed
pubescent. Leaves at the top of the
branches, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate,
coarsely dentate-serrate, hairy on both
sides. Flowers in higher leaf axils, yellow;
calyx tube funnel-shaped; petals obovate,
apex truncate. Capsule ovoid, 3-valved.
Cultivates as a garden ornamental; also
wild on roadsides and waste places as
an escape.
& Fruiting
PASSIFLORACEAE
Passiflora foetida Linn.
Vernacular name : Gandhatamala (O);

Passion Flower (E).
Slender, foetid-smelling, glandular-
pubescent climber. Leaves palmately 3-
lobed; margins ciliate with setaceous
hairs, appressed hair. Flowers greenish-
white, mostly solitary axillary, with an
epicalyx of pinnatifid bracteoles; corona
processes filiform, white and purple.
Fruit globose, orange when ripe.
Very common in scrub jungles, hedges
and thickets.
Flowering : November - June
& Fruiting

CUCURBITACEAE
Coccinia grandis (Linn.) Voigt [Syn:
Coccinia indica Wt. & Arn.; Cephalandra
indica (Wt. & Arn.) Naud.]
Vernacular name : Kainchikakudi, Bano

Kundri (O); Kundru (H); Ivy gourd (E).
Climbing herb; stem angular, scabrous;
roots tuberous. Leaves ovate or orbicular,
entire, 3-5-lobed, glabrous, punctate
above. Tendril simple. Male flowers
solitary or 2-4 clustered; corolla
campanulate, white. Female flowers with
spreading stigma. Fruit oblong, narrowed
apically or at both ends, red when ripe,
edible.
Fairly common in hedges, bushes and
scrub forests.
& Fruiting
Cucumis trigonus Roxb.
Vernacular name: Bana Kakudi (O);

Jangli Indrayan (H).
Perennial procumbent and trailing herb.
Stem scabrous with short rigid hairs.
Leaves suborbicular, deeply palmately 3-
5(7)-lobed, lobes rounded, dentate or
lobulate, scabrous on both sides. Flowers
yellow. Fruit ellipsoid, rarely ovoid-
globose, striped green and white, smooth,
finalIy yellowish.
Occasional in waste places.
& Fruiting

Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.) Jeffrey
[Syn: Bryonopsis lacinosa auct. non
(Linn.) Naud.]
Vernacular name: Shivlingi (O, H).

Climbing herb. Leaves orbicular ovate,
deeply 2-7-lobed or partite, slightly
scabrid above, margin minutely
denticulate; tendrils 2-fid. Flowers small,
yellowish, males and females clustered
in the same axils. Fruit globose, smooth,
green or when quite ripe red, with white
stripes. Seeds pyriform, grey, embedded
in blue-green pulp.
Frequent in hedges and thickets.
Flowering : Chiefly October - January
& Fruiting
Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. [Syn: Luffa

cylindrica auct. non (Linn.) Roem.]
Vernacular name:Pitatarada (O); Ghia

Taroi (H); Dhundul (Beng.); Sponge
Gourd (E).
Climber. Stem glabrous, sometimes
angled. Leaves orbicular to hastate-
acuminate, 5-7-lobed; denticulate,
scabrous on both sides. Tendril trifid.
Flowers yellow, male and females often
in the same axils. Fruit cylindric, but often
with 10 darker coloured stripes, 15-25 cm
long. Seeds grey or black.
Gregarious in scrub jungles, hedges and
wasts places during rainy season.
& Fruiting

Momordica charantia Linn.
Vernacular name : Kalara (O), Karela

(Beng., H); Bitter gourd (E).
Slender climber. Leaves pedately 5-7-fid
or-sect, the segments again lobulate or
sinuate and denticulate. Flowers yellow,
monoecious or dioecious; males on
filiform bracteate peduncles. Fruit ovoid
or fusiform, tapering at both ends,
tubercled, yellow when ripe; seeds
compressed, ovate.
Wild in hedges and bushes; also
cultivated for vegetables.
Flowering : June - January
& Fruiting
Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd.
Vernacular name : Kankad (O); Bankarela

(Beng); Kakra (H).
Slender climber. Stem angular; root
tuberous. Leaves simple or 3-lobed,
ovate, deeply cordate, often sinuately
denticulate. Flowers solitary axillary,
yellow, dioecious; peduncles of male
flowers with persistent spathaceous
bracts wrapping round the buds. Fruit
ellipsoid or ovoid, covered with soft
fleshy spines; seeds ellipsoid,
compressed.
Frequently observed in thickets and
hedges as wild; also cultivated as
vegetable.
Fruiting : September - November

Mukia maderaspatana (Linn.) Roem.
[Syn: Melothria maderaspatana (Linn.)
Cogn.]
Vernacular name : Bilari (H).

Scarbrous climbing herb. Leaves ovate or
deltoid, angular or 3-5-lobed, acute,
margin minutely denticulate, upper
surface scabrous. Flowers yellow. Fruit
scarlet, globose,. Seeds grey, ovoid-
oblong.
Common among bushes and hedges.
& Fruiting
Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi

[Syn: Melothria heterophylla (Lour.)
Cogn.]
Vernacular name : Ban Kundri, Ban

Kundari (O, Beng., H).
Prostrate or climbing herb. Stem angled,
smooth; root tuberous. Leaves
polymorphic, ovate, 3-5-angled or lobed,
cordate, hastate or sagitate at base,
denticulate, usually 5-nerved and pale
beneath, tendril simple. Corolla
companulate, white. Fruit ellipsoid,
scarlet with red pulp.
Quite common in hedges, bushes and
scrub forests.

Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour.
[Syn: Trichosanthes palmata Roxb.;
Trichosanthes bracteata (Lam.) Voigt]
Vernacular name: Mahakalaphal (O);

Kakal (Beng.); Lal Indrayan, Mahakal
(H).
Large climber, branches long pendant.
Leaves ovate, simple or palmately 3-5
lobed, upper surface very scabrid, lower
surface paler. Flowers white, dioecious.
Fruit bright scarlet, globose, on axillary
stout peduncles. Seed embedded in dark
green pulp, flattened.
Common climber on large trees and
bushes in forests.
CACTACEAE
Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. var.
dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Benson [Syn:
Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gaw.) Haw.]
Vernacular name: Nagapheni (O, H);

Nagphana (Beng.); Prickly Pear (E).
Large fleshy shrub, jointed, with flat
limbs. Limbs with numerous areoles;
areoles with 5-6 long yellow spines and
numerous bristles. Flowers pale yellow
or greenish-yellow, tinged red within.
Hypanthium narrowly turbinate. Fruit
baccate, large, obovoid, scarlet or red,
seeds embeded in white pulp..
Very common in dry wastelands, sandy
soils and thorny scrub jungles.
& Fruiting

MOLLUGINACEAE
Glinus lotoides Linn. [Syn: Mollugo
lotoides (Linn.) Kuntze]
Vernacular name:Ghoda Pitasaga (O);

Duserasag, (Beng.); Gandibudi,
Gandibuti (H).
Densely stellate-hairy, procumbent herb.
Leaves whorled or pseudo-whorled,
orbicular or obovate. Flowers green;
sepals oblong-lanceolate or inner boat-
shaped, enlarging in fruit, free, persistent,
acute, mucronate, stellate-hairy, margin
scarious. Capsule oblong-ovoid, 5-
valved. Seeds many, brown.
Occasional in borders of lakes and ponds
and dried up rice fields.
Flowering : February - May.
& Fruiting
Glinus oppositifolius (Linn.) A. DC.

(Syn: Mollugo spergula Linn.)
Vernacular name : Pitasaga, Pitagama

(O); Jima (H, Beng.).
Small diffuse or prostrate herb, glabrous.
Leaves in pseudo-whorls, rarely
opposite, subsessile, lanceolate, elliptic
or obovate, unequal. Flowers white or
greenish-white, axillary, long-pedicelled;
sepals with scarious margins. Capsule
ellipsoid, shorter than the seplas, seeds
many.
Gregarious in sandy soils and banks of
lakes; also abundant in rice fields after
crop harvest.
& Fruiting

Mollugo pentaphylla Linn. (Syn:
Mollugo stricta Linn.)
Vernacular name : Pita gohun, Pitasaga

(O), Jul papara (Beng.).
Erect, annual, glabrous herb, stem
grooved or angled. Radical leaves
rosulate, oblanceolate-spathulate;
cauline leaves opposite or 3-5 in a whorl
or pseudo-whorl, subsessile or shortly
petioled. Flowers minute, white or
greenish-white, in terminal or leaf
opposed peduncled lax cymes. Capsule
oblong, 3-valved.
Common weed in waste places and
roadsides.
Flowering : All the year round.
& Fruiting
AIZOACEAE
Trianthema portulacastrum Linn.
(Syn: Trianthema monogyna Linn.)
Vernacular name: Ghoda Puruni, Puruni

Saga (O); Gadabani (Beng.); Swet-sa-buni
(H).
Succulent, prostrate, annual herb, with
forked branches. Leaves opposite or
subopposite, unequal, broadly obovate,
oblong or elliptic, apex obtuse; base of
petiole sheathing with two stipule-like
appendages. Flowers solitary, sessile,
sunk in the fork, white or pink. Capsule
circumscissile; seeds black.
Locally abundant in waste places; a
common weed in rainy season.
& Fruiting

APIACEAE
Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urb. (Syn:
Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn.)
Vernacular name : Thalkuri, Thalkudi,

Ghodatapua (O); Thol khuri (Beng.);
Brahma Manduki, Brahmi (H).
Herbs with long creeping stems, rooting
at the nodes. Leaves several from the
rootstock, orbicular-reniform, base
cordate, shallowly crenate, glabrous, with
several slender nerves from the base.
Flowers 3-5, rarely 6 in an umbel,
subsessile; petals red, ovate, acute or
obtuse, imbricate. Fruit orbicular to
ellipsoid.
Fairly common in shady and moist
localities; often in shallow water.
& Fruiting
Eryngium foetidum Linn.
Vernacular name : Jangli Dhania, Bilaiti

Dhania (O).
Erect, perennial, dichotomously
branched, aromatic herb. Leaves sessile,
oblanceolate-oblong, sparsely-serrate.
Bracts of inflorescence with spiny tips
and teeth, strongly nerved, lowermost
often normal. Flowers sessile, in the axils
of membranous-margined bracts; petals
whitish, obovate or oblanceolate.
Mericarps ovoid, densely papillose.
Planted in gardens; often run wild.
& Fruiting

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.
(Syn:: Hydrocotyle rotundifolia Roxb. ex
DC.)
Creeping glabrous herb; often forming

mat on damp soils; stems filiform. Leaves
nearly orbicular with the lobes or lobules
crenate, glabrous above. Umbels very
small, 10-15-flowered. Flowers minute,
sessile; petals greenish-white. Fruit sub-
orbicular, glabrous, somewhat
compressed, prominently ribbed.
Common in permanently moist localities
under shade.
& Fruiting
ALANGIACEAE
Alangium salvifolium (Linn.f.) Wang.
(Syn: Alangium lamarckii Thw.)
Vernacular name: Dhala Ankul, Ankula,

Dhalangu (O); Akar-kanta (Beng.); Akola
(H).
Small tree, often thorny; bark light
coloured, often warty. Leaves oblong,
oblong-lanceolate or elliptic, pubescent
beneath. Flowers white or cream,
fragrant, in axillary fascicles from the
axils of fallen leaves. Fruits subglobose,
or ellipsoid, black, succulent with bony
endocarp and white pulp.
Quite common in scrub jungles and open
waste places.

RUBIACEAE
Benkara malabarica (Lam.) Tirveng.
[Syn: Randia malabarica Lam.;
Xeromphis malabarica (Lam.) Raju]
Vernacular name: Phirika kanta, Phiriki

(O).
Rigid, thorny shrub with leafy fascicles.
Leaves subsessile or shortly petiolate,
oblanceolate or obovate. or some elliptic-
oblong, entire, obtuse or rounded, shining
coriaceous. Flowers white, salver-
shaped, in dense sessile corymbs or
subumbellate cymes. Berries scarlet,
globose, with depressed areole.
Very common the scrub forests.
Flowering : February - July
Canthium dicoccum (Gaertn.) Teijsm.

& Binnend. (Syn: Canthium didymum
auct. non Gaertn. f.)
Vernacular name : Dalasinga, Karuna (O).

Large shrub with spreading or drooping
branchlets. Leaves ovate or lanceolate-
ovate or elliptic-ovate, acuminate, shining
above, pale beneath. Flowers greenish or
white; calyx-tube with the small deltoid
lobes; corolla with campanulate tube and
rotate lanceolate petals. Fruits black,
when ripe globose or subglobose.
Abundant in scrub forests and sandstone
hills.

Dentella repens (Linn.) J. R. & G.
Forst.
Small prostrate herbs; distichously

branched, rooting at nodes. Stems 4
gonous, furrowed, glabrous. Leaves
opposite, sessile or subsessile,
oblanceolate or oblong-elliptic, glabrous
or sparsely hairy. Flowers sessile or very
shortly pedicelled, white. Fruit globose or
obovoid, densely covered with hyaline
trichomes, crowned by persistent calyx.
Common in damp places, lake banks and
rice fields.
Fruiting : Most part of the year.
Gardenia gummifera Linn.f.
Vernacular name : Gurudu, Bhurudu (O);

Dekamali (H,Beng.).
Shrub or small tree; bark white; twigs,
leaves and inflorescence often covered
with resin. Leaves sessile or subsessile,
oblong to obovate, obtuse or rounded.
Flowers large, white, nearly sessile,
solitary or sometimes 2-3 together. Fruits
ovoid or ellipsoid, long, beaked with the
calyx ; mesocarp fleshy.
Occasional, in dry open scrub forests.

Gardenia latifolia Ait.
Vernacular name : Katarang, Damkurdu,

Dambaru (O); Papra (O,K,H); Paphar (H).
Small tree, shoots stout, buds resinous.
Leaves opposite, subsessile, large
broadly elliptic, orbicular or obovate,
upto, obtuse or rounded, secondary
nerves strong. Flowers white, large,
solitary, turning yellow, usually borne
when the leaves are small. Fruit globose,
slightly scabrous, 3-5 cm dia.
Common on rocks, rock crevices and open
dry forests.
Fruiting : December - June
Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsd.

[Syn: Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f.
ex Brandis]
Vernacular name: Kuruma (O).

Large tree; bark smooth, light-coloured,
exfoliating in patches. Leaves broadly
ovate, shortly abruptly acuminate,
glabrescent to minutely pubescent above,
pubescent to tomentose beneath; stipules
suborbicular, enclosing the terminal bud.
Flowers yellow, in axillary heads;
peduncles with 2 small caducous bracts
towards the end. Fruiting heads dry.
Planted in the garden; common in dry
deciduous forests.
Flowering : June - July
Deciduous : February - May

Hedyotis brachiata Wight [Syn:
Oldenlandia brachiata (Wight) Hook.f.
Very slender, erect, annual herb. Stem

acutely 4-6-angled, glabrous. Leaves
linear or almost filiform. Flowers white,
minute, on capillary pedicels, in elongate
lax terminal cymes and sometimes also a
few axillary. Capsule small, broadly
didymous.
Locally common in latertic exposed soils
and rocky grounds.
Flowering : July - October.
& Fruiting
Hedyotis corymbosa (Linn.) Lam.

(Syn: Oldenlandia corymbosa Linn.)
Vernacular name: Gharpodia, Charpodia

(O); Khet papra (Beng.), Pit papra (H).
Diffuse, slender, annual herb. Leaves
linear, linear-lanceolate, margins
recurved. Flowers white, minute, paired,
rarely 3-4 on the axillary peduncles;
corolla slightly exceeding the calux lobes.
Capsule globose or slightly pyriform,
somewhat didymous.
One of the most common weeds in
wastelands and grassy areas.
& Fruiting

Hedyotis diffusa Willd. [Syn:
Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb.]
Diffuse, glabrous herb. Leaves sessile,

linear or lanceolate, glabrous. Flowers
white, axillary, solitary or in pairs, sessile
or with peduncles, scarcely exceeding the
length of the flower. Capsule truncate,
smooth, protruded beyond the calyx,
loculicidal. Seeds angular, reticulate.
Frequent in wet places, field bunds and
margins of shallow water bodies.
Flowering : May - November
& Fruiting
Hedyotis ovatifolia Cav. [Syn:

Oldenlandia nudicaulis Roth;
Thecagonum ovatifolium (Cav.) Babu]
Small herbs; stems rarely branched.

Leaves rosette-like, usually of two pairs,
broadly elliptic or ovate, obtuse or
rounded, glabrous, pubescent on nerves
beneath and ciliate. Flowers white, in
long-stalked dichotomous cymes; corolla
throat villous. Capsule loculicidal at the
top; seeds brown, angular.
Common in shady moist localities during
rains.
Flowering : August - November.
& Fruiting

Ixora pavetta Andr. (Syn: Ixora
parviflora Vahl; Ixora arborea Roxb. ex
Sm.).
Vernacular name : Telkoruan, Telkurma

(O); Rangan (Beng.), Kota gandhal nevari
(H).
Large shrub or small tree. Leaves
subsessile, oblong or elliptic, obtuse or
rounded, coriaceous, smooth. Flowers
fragrant, white, subsessile, in usually
very compact panicles; petals spreading
and reflexed, very obtuse. Fruit shining
black, depressed globose.
Fairly abundant in dry mixed forests,
occasionally planted in gardens.
Ixora undulata Roxb.
Vernacular name: Karuna (O); Palaka-jui

(Beng.).
Large shrub. Leaves oblong or lanceolate,
acute or usually acuminate, margin
mostly undulate, glabrous, shining.
Flowers white, odorous, corymbose on
slender branches of long peduncled
brachiate panicles. Fruit dull purple or
slate coloured, succulent.
Occasional in damp areas in forests and
sandstone hills.

Knoxia sumatrensis (Retz.) DC.
(Syn: Knoxia corymbosa auct. non
Willd.)
Erect, slender annual herb. Stems with

long internodes, 3-chotomously branched
above, pubescent or tomentose. Leaves
petiolate, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate,
acute to acuminate, pubescent.
Inflorescence terminal corymbose
panicle, spiciform. Flowers purplish.
Fruits somewhat compressed and rigid.
Frequent as undergrowth in forests.
& Fruiting
Meyna spinosa Roxb. ex Link. var.

pubescens Robyns (Syn: Vangueria
pubescens Kurz)
Vernacular name: Salara, Nangal Kanta

(O).
Small tree or large shrub, often armed
with long straight supra-axillary thorns.
Leaves ovate, elliptic or oblong, acute or
acuminate or obtusely acuminate,
pubescent. Stipules short and broad, very
obtuse, caducous. Flowers small, green,
subglobose, in dense axillary cymes.
Fruit subglobose, with 5-6 radiating
flattened pyrenes.
Very common in thorn scrubs, open
forests and roadsides.

Mitracarpus villosus (Sw.) DC. [Syn:
Mitracarpus verticillatus (Schum. &
Thonn.) Vatke
Erect or diffuse hairy herb, upto 30 cm

tall; stems and branches 4-angled. Leaves
sessile, ovate-lanceolate, acute,
pubescent; stipules interpetiolar, forming
a pectinate sheath. Flowers small, white,
in axillary fascicles; calyx campanulate,
hairy, lobes 4; corolla funnel-shaped;
ovary 2-celled, ovule 1 per cell. Capsule
globose, circumscissile; seeds minute.
Common weed in waste places, roadsides
and agricultural fields during post-
monsoon period.
Flowering : September - February.
& Fruiting
Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth.

(Syn: Stephegyne parvifolia (Roxb.)
Korth.
Vernacular name: Mitikini, Keli-kadamba

(O), Mitkunia (Beng.); Kaim, Kadam (H).
Moderate-sized deciduous tree. Leaves
broadly elliptic or obovate, obtuse,
glabrous except near the axils of the
prominent secondary nerves. Flowers
crowded in globose, axillary and terminal
pedunclulate heads, white, narrowly
funnel-shaped; stigma mitriform.
Capsules ellipsoid, verrucose.
Occasional in dry forests, often planted.

Morinda pubescens Sm. (Syn: Morinda
tinctoria Roxb.; Morinda tomentosa
Heyne ex Roth; Morinda coreia Buch.-
Ham.)
Vernacular name : Achu, Aachhu (O);

Ach (Beng., H).
Small tree. Leaves ovate, obovate, elliptic
or oblanceolate. Heads solitary or 2-nate,
axillary, leaf-opposed or terminal.
Flowers white, more or less connate by
their hypanthia into heads. Fruit forming
a pseudocarp with the succulent enlarged
hypanthia enclosing many 1-seeded
pyrenes, usually whitish-green, marked
by lines.
Common through out the area; mostly in
dry forests.
Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.)

Bosser [Syn: Anthocephalus chinensis
(Lam.) A. Rich. ex Walp.;
Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.]
Vernacular name : Kadamba (O, Beng., H).

Large straight deciduous trees with
spreading branches; bark smooth, dark
grey. Leaves large, elliptic-oblong or
ovate, entire, acute or shortly acuminate.
Heads globose, peduncle stout. Flowers
small orange-coloured, fragrant; stigmas
white, far exserted. Pseudocarp large,
fleshy, orange.
Planted in gardens, parks and roadsides;
wild in damp hilly forests.

Paederia foetida Linn. (Rubiaceae)
Vernacular name : Pasaruni, Prasaruni,

Gandhali (O, H), Somaraji (Beng.).
Foetid shrub, climbing by means of
twining stems. Leaves elliptic-ovate,
oblong-ovate, narrow-ovate or ovate,
acute or acuminate, glabrous, axils
sometimes hairy. Flowers in axillary and
terminal 2-3-chotomously branched
panicled cymes; purple, nearly sessile,
tubular-funnel-shaped. Fruit elliptic-
ovate or oblong, compressed, polished,
often red.
Occasionally planted in gardens, also
wild in hedges and forests.
Fruiting : September - November.
Pavetta tomentosa Roxb. ex Sm.

[Syn: Pavetta indica Linn. var.
tomentosa (Roxb.) Sm. Hook. f.]
Vernacular name : Kukur-chalia,

Macharanka (O); Jui (Beng.).
Shrub with obovate, obovate-elliptic or
elliptic leaves, acuminate, softly
tomentose beneath. Inflorescence
branches tomentose; flowering shoots
covered with cork upto the inflorescence.
Flowers white, tubular; calyx tomentose;
style far exserted. Fruit green, turning
black when ripe, globose.
Frequent in scrub forests and thickets.

Richardia scabra Linn.
Annual, decumbent, hispid herbs;

branches angular. Leaves sub-sessile,
ovate or elliptic-ovate, with stiff hairs on
nerves, scabrous on both sides. Flowers
white, in terminal capitate clusters
subtended by 2-4 leafy bracts; corolla
funnel-shaped, 6-lobed. Capsule 3-celled,
pappilose-hairy; seed 1 in each cell.
Common weed in wastelands and
cultivated fields; a recent introduction to
the area.
Flowering : May - December
& Fruiting
Spermacoce articularis Linn.f.
Vernacular name : Solaganthi,

Sanagharpodia (O); Madana banta-kadu
(Beng.).
Diffuse or prostrate herb. Stems sharply
4-angled, scabrid or hispid. Leaves
obovate, oblanceolate, elliptic, obtuse or
rounded, bristles on stipules long.
Flowers pink or pinkish-white, in axillary
few-flowered sessile clusters. Capsule
hispid above, glabrous below, 2-valved,
splitting; seeds oblong, brown, finely
reticulate.
Very common weed of waste places and
scrub jungles during rainy reason.

Spermacoce latifolia Aub.
[Borreria latifolia (Aub.)K. Schum.;
Borreria eradii Ravi]
Decumbent herb. Stem 4-angled and

winged. Leaves broadly ovate to ovate-
elliptic, scabrid on both surfaces; stipules
with 5-7 papillate bristles. Flowers white,
in sessile, axillary, few-flowered cymes.
Capsule sub-globose, densely pubescent.
A rapidly spreading weed in moist waste
places, grassy fields and rocky localities
during rains.
& Fruiting
Spermacoce mauritiana Osea Gideon

ex Verdcourt [Borreria repens DC.;
Spermacoce decandollei Deb & Dutta]
Diffuse, annual herbs. Stem fleshy, 4-

angled, hairy on the margins. Leaves
ovate or elliptic-lanceolate; stipules of 3-
5 bristles. Flowers minute, white, in dense
capitate cluster. Capsule urn-shaped,
compressed, with 2 long recurved sepals;
seeds elliptic, ventrally grooved.
Common in shady moist localities, often
associated with Mitracarpus villosus,
Spermacoce articularis and grasses.
& Fruiting

Spermacoce pusilla Wall. [Syn:
Borreria pusilla (Wall.) DC.; Borreria
stricta auct. mult. non (Linn.f.) K.
Schum.]
Erect, slender, scarcely branched herb;

stem obtusely 4-angled, minutely
pubescent to glabrous. Leaves sessile,
linear to linear-lanceolate, acute to
acuminate, scabrid; margins strongly
revolute. Flowers minute, pink, in dense
axillary and terminal clusters. Capsules
glabrescent.
Very common in wastelands, grassy fields
and road sides during post-monsoon
period.
Tamilnadia uliginosa (Retz.) Tirveng.

& Sastre [Syn: Randia uliginosa (Retz.)
DC.; Xeromphis spinosa (Retz.)
Maheswari]
Vernacular name: Tolaka, Telkur (O).

Small thorny tree or shrub; spines short,
sharp, in 1-2 pairs at the ends of arrested
branchlets. Leaves petiolate, crowded
towards the ends of the branchlets,
obovate, oblong or elliptic; stipules broad
rounded. Flowers white, fragrant,
solitary. Fruit large, ellipsoid or ovoid,
smooth, yellow. Seeds compressed,
smooth, closely packed in pulp.
Occasional, in forests on degraded soils.

Tarenna asiatica (Linn.) Kuntze ex
Schum. (Syn: Webera corymbosa
Willd.)
Vernacular name: Jaujauka (O); Konkra

(Beng.).
Small or large shrub; branchlets glabrous.
Leaves oblong or oblanceolate-oblong,
acute or acuminate, glabrous, shining
above, nerves prominent, turning black
on drying. Flowers fragrant, white, in 3-
chotomous glabrous corymbose cymes.
Berry black, globose, seeds 3-4 in each
cell.
Fairly common in rocky soils and scrub
forests.
ASTERACEAE
Acanthospermum hispidum DC.
Vernacular name: Gokhara (O).

Hispid herb. Leaves obovate to
oblanceolate, coarsely serrate, acute to
obtuse, white-strigose on both sides.
Heads solitary axillary, at the forks of the
branches. Involucre 2-seriate; outer
involucral bracts foliaceous. Flowers
yellow or creamish-white. Achenes of ray
florets fertile, echinate with uncinate
prickles.
A common weed in waste places and
cultivated fields.
& Fruiting

Adenostemma lavenia (Linn.) Kuntze
(Syn: Adenostemma viscosum Forst. f.)
Vernacular name: Pani Pokasunga (O);

Buro-keshuli (Beng.).
Herbs, often decumbent, corymbosely
branched above. Leaves ovate, coarsely
crenate or serrate, acute or subacute,
glabrous. Heads white. Involucral bracts
oblong or oblanceolate-oblong, obtuse.
Florets glandular. Achenes curved,
angled, verrucose.
Commonly found in stagnant and
shallow water bodies and swamps.
Flowering : October - December.
& Fruiting
Ageratum conyzoides Linn.
Vernacular name : Pokasunga (O);

Uchunti, Dochunty (Beng.); Goat weed
(E).
Erect hispidly hairy herb. Leaves
petioled, ovate, coarsely crenate, acute,
hairy. Heads white or blue-purple,
involucre campanuIate; bracts oblong-
lanceolate, serrulate towards apex,
acute. Achenes black, slightly curved;
pappus of 5 awned scales.
Gregarious weed in wastelands, road
sides and cultivated fields.
& Fruiting

Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr.
(Bidens pilosa auct. non Linn.)
Vernacular name: Magha latenga (O).

Erect herb, stem angular, sparsely
pubescent when young. Leaves with
pinnatifid leaflets; lateral leaflets ovate,
acute at apex, subsessile or attenuate at
the base. Heads many, on dichotomously
branched peduncles; ray florets
yellowish-white. Achenes linear,
tetragonous; pappus of 2-4 stiff, retrosely
barbes bristles.
Frequent in waste places, road sides and
forest edges.
Flowering : September - December.
& Fruiting
Blainvillea acmella (Linn.) Philipson

[Syn: Blainvillea latifolia (Linn.f.) DC.]
Erect, hispid-pubescent herb. Leaves

opposite of upper alternate, coarsely
serrate or crenate-serrate, hairy both
sides, base 3-nerved. Heads solitary on
the forks and subcorymbose at the top of
the branches, white, enlarging in fruit.
Involucral bracts 2-seriate. Achenes
pubescent on margins; pappus of 3
bristles.
Occasional, in cultivated fields, gardens
and wastelands.
& Fruiting

Blumea aurita (Linn. f.) DC. [Syn:
Laggera aurita (Linn. f.) Benth. ex C.
B. Clarke
Vernacular name: Pokasunga (O).

Strongly aromatic, villous, viscid herb.
Stems branched above. Leaves auriculate
and with 2-3 lobes on each side of the
stem, deeply cut or pinnatifid, dentate,
villous, with short gland-tipped hairs on
both sides. Heads ovoid, in sub-racemes
or corymbs at the ends of the upper
branches. Corolla and anthers purple.
Achenes hairy; pappus white, persistent.
Occasional, a weed along roads and moist
waste places.
& Fruiting
Blumea lacera (Burm. f.) DC.
Vernacular name: Pokasunga,

Kukursunga (O); Bara poksung (Beng.);
Kukranda(H).
Aromatic herb, subtomentose or
pubescent. Leaves elliptic oblong to
obovate-oblong, sharply sometimes
doubly toothed and lower often lyrate or
lobulate. Heads pedunculate in axillary
and terminal, dense to lax panicles.
Corollas yellow. Achenes oblong,
subangular, minutely pubescent or
glabrescent; pappus white.
Common weed of wastelands.
& Fruiting

Caesulia axillaris Roxb.
Vernacular name: Jamjuria (O).

Erect or suberect annual herb. Leaves
linear or linear-oblong, remotely
denticulate, acute, glabrous; base
tapering into a short petiole with dilated
semi-amplexicaul sheathing base,
embracing the cluster of heads. Heads
white, each enclosed by two fleshy,
strongly compressed involucral bracts
with a hyaline appendage. Anthers
exserted. Achenes brown, obovoid,
smooth, glabrous.
Occasional, in marshy places and bunds
of rice fields.
& Fruiting
Centipeda minima (Linn.) A.Braun &

Asch. (Syn: Centipeda orbiculata Lour.)
Vernacular name: Nakchinka (O);

Mechitta (Beng.); Nak-chikni,
Nagdowana (H).
Small prostrate herb with many-branched
stems, spreading from the root. Leaves
ovate-oblong, coarsely toothed or lobed,
glabrescent or minutely puberulous
beneath. Heads very small, disciform,
yellow, sessile or subsessile, globose.
Involucral bracts spathulate. Achenes
minute, sharply 4-angled.
Rare, normally observed in open moist
localities.
Flowering : March - January
& Fruiting

Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) King.
& Robins. (Syn: Eupatorium odoratum
Linn.)
Vernacular name : Pokasunga, Gachha

Pokasunga (O).
Erect shrub, stems terete. Leaves petiolate,
deltoid-ovate, coarsely toothed,
acuminate, pubescent on both sides, base
cuneate. Heads bluish, cylindrical, in
dense terminal corymbs; corolla tubular
campanulate, 5-lobed. Achenes slender,
angular, with 4-5 slightly scabid ribs;
pappus whitish.
Quite gregarious in scrub jungles, forests
and wastelands; exotic species,
thoroughly naturalised and weedy.
& Fruiting
Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) Linn.

[Syn: Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk.]
Vernacular name : Kesatura, Kesarda,

Bhrungaraj (O); Bhangra (H); Kesoti,
Keshori (Beng.).
Erect or prostrate herb, usually much
branched, hispid or hirsute all over.
Leaves usually oblong or elliptic,
subentire or toothed, acute or acuminate.
Heads subglobose, white, with short or
long peduncle. Involucral bracts ovate,
strigose, 1-3 nerved. Outer florets with
narrow, white ligule; disc floret
campanulate. Achenes 2-edged,
verrucose.
Frequent in moist places, ditches, rice
fields and waste places.
& Fruiting

Elephantopus scaber Linn.
Vernacular name: Mayurchandrika,

Mayurchulia, Tutamuli, Chota Rasna (O);
Gojialata, Somdulun (Beng.).
Erect rigid herb, 15-30 cm; stem slender,
dichotomously branched, strigosely
hairy. Radical leaves rosulate or
clustered, large, obovate or oblanceolate,
petiole with sheathing base. Upper leaves
alternate, small, sessile or amplexicaul,
obovate, serrate. Heads homogamous,
with 3 conspicuous leafy bracts,
disciform, of 2-5 florets; involucral bracts
8, conduplicate. Corolla purple. Achenes
truncate, brown, hairy.
Very common as undergrowth in forests
and in shady moist localities under trees.
& Fruiting
Emilia sonchifolia (Linn.) DC.
Vernacular name: Sarkara (O); Sadhi

modi (Beng.); Heran Khuri (H).
Glabrous or glabrescent, erect, rarely
diffuse herb; stems sometimes sparsely
hairy at base. Lower leaves lyrate and
usually pinnatifid, upper cauline leaves
few, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate.
Heads pink or purple, narrow cylindric.
Florets rose, scarcely longer than the
involucre.
Common in moist and shady localities
and cultivated fields.
Flowering : August - April
& Fruiting

Enydra fluctuans Lour.
Vernacular name : Hidimichi (O); Hingch

(Beng.); Harakuch (H).
Prostrate herb, rooting at the nods; stems
succulent, with short ascending
flowering branches. Leaves narrowly
oblong, serrate, punctate beneath. Heads
yellowish-white, terminal and axillary,
sessile. Involucral bracts 4, foliaceous,
greenish yellow. Corolla of ray florets 3-
lobed to one side. Achenes oblong;
pappus absent.
Locally gregarious in lakes, ponds and
ditches; occasional in wet grounds.
& Fruiting
Gnaphalium polycaulon Pers. (Syn:

Gnaphalium indicum auct. non Linn.)
Wooly or softly cottony herb; stems

spreading from the base, central one erect.
Leaves narrowly oblong or spathulate.
Heads in axillary clusters from the upper
leaves and forming terminal spikes.
Involucral bracts erect, linear-oblong or
ovate-lanceolate, usually green below and
shining yellow above. Achenes
hispidulous; pappus hairs free.
Abundant in wet places through out the
area.
Flowering : January - April
& Fruiting

Grangea maderaspatana (Linn.) Poir.
Vernacular name : Agnikumari, Painjari

(O); Namati (Beng.); Mastaru, Mukha tari
(H).
Procumbent herb; branches villous or
hirsute. Leaves oblong, pinnatifid or
lobulate, villous. Heads globose, shortly
peduncled, yellow; outer florets very
slender with long exserted style, inner
usually with 4-lobed cololla. Achenes
stipitate, pale brown; pappus cupular
with a ring of short hairs.
Very common weed of wastelands and
agricultural fields.
& Fruiting
Mikania micrantha Kunth (Syn:

Mikania scandens auct. non Willd.)
Vernacular name: Salamari (O).

Climbing herb; stems lightly pubescent
or glabrous. Leaves deltoid-ovate,
margins coarsely undulate, dentate or
sometimes entire, acute or acuminate,
glabresent or sparsely pubescent on both
sides. Heads cylindric, numerous in
corymbs, borne on short axillary
branches; corolla greenish-white.
Achenes dark brown, narrowly oblong,
glandular; pappus white.
Gregarious and fast-spreading
abnoxious weed in hedges, scrub forests
and thickets through out the area.
Flowering : November - March.
& Fruiting

Parthenium hysterophorus Linn.
Vernacular name: Bila Pokasunga,

Nakachana (O); Congress Grass (E).
Erect, pubescent herb. Leaves oblong or
obovate-oblong, bipinnatifid, pubescent;
lobes, acute. Panicles terminal, lax,
dichotomous. Heads heterogamous;
involucre campanulate; flowers white.
Achenes compressed; pappus of 2,
strongly reflexed awns running parallel
to the angles of the achene; awns smooth,
as long as the achene.
Rapidly-spreading and gregarious weed
in waste places and roadsides.
Flowering : Mainly October - April
& Fruiting
Pentanema indicum (Linn.) Y. Ling

[Syn: Vicoa indica (Linn.) DC.]
Vernacular name: Bana Sebati (O).

Erect much branched rigid herb. Leaves
sessile, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate,
auricled at base, entire or serrulate,
hispidulous above, pappilose-pubescent
beneath. Heads solitary, yellow, in large
corymbose and loose panicles. Involucral
bracts glandular. Achenes terete, villous;
pappus of ray florets 0.
Occasional, in dry forests among bushes.
Flowering : November - March
& Fruiting

Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.
Vernacular name: Bhuin kadamba,

Gorakmundi, Halamundi (O); Mundi
(Beng, H).
Aromatic glandular, pilose herb. Stems
winged; wings irregularly toothed.
Leaves sessile or semi-amplexicaul,
obovate or oblanceolate, serrate-dentate,
sometimes spinulose-dentate, pilose on
both sides. Clusters of heads terminal
and leaf-opposed, purple, spherical.
Peduncles with crisped ot toothed wing.
Quite common in open wet grounds;
especially in crop fields forming matted
growth after crop harvest.
& Fruiting
Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC.

[Spilanthes acmella var. paniculata
(DC.) C. B. Clarke]
Erect herb, sometimes rooting at nodes.

Leaves ovate or broadly ovate, serrate,
acute, base decurrent on petioles. Heads
ovoid or ovoid-conical, elongating in
fruit. Involucral bracts 2-seriate, elliptic-
lanceolate. Achenes narrowly obovate,
strongly ciliate on margins; pappus
bristles 1-2, weak.
Fairly common in marshy localities and
along roads.
& Fruiting

Synedrella nodiflora (Linn.) Gaertn.
Erect dichotomously branched herb.

Stems sparsely appressed-pubescent.
Leaves ovate, serrate-dentate, acute,
appressed hairy on both sides, base 3-
nerved, cuneate. Involucral bracts
elliptic-ovate, outer two foliaceous, pilose,
inner ones membranous. Corolla yellow.
Ray achenes oblanceolate, winged, the
wings lacerate; the disc achenes narrowly
oblanceolate, compressed, muricate.
Occasional, in moist localities and
roadsides; often making pure formations.
& Fruiting
Tridax procumbens Linn.
Vernacular name: Bisalya karani (O).

Procumbent hairy herb. Leaves distant,
petiolate, ovate or lanceolate, coarsely
toothed or lobed; lobes serrate, acute or
acuminate, hairy on both sides.. Outer
involucral bracts ovate, hirsute,
herbaceous, inner oblong, membranous.
Flowers yellow or creamy-white. Achenes
black, densely hairy or silky.
One of the commonest weed of open waste
places, grassy grounds and scrub forests.
& Fruiting

Vernonia cinerea (Linn.) Less.
Vernacular name: Pokasunga (O);

Kalajira, Kukshim (Beng.); Sahadevi,
Sadodi (H).
Erect or decumbent herb. Stems ribbed,
hairy; branches often hoary-tomentose.
Leaves linear to elliptic, ovate or obovate,
entire or toothed, acute or obtuse,
pubescent or hairy, sessile or attenuate
into a short petiole. Heads purplish, pink
or violet, distinctly peduncled, in dense
or very loose panicles. Achenes not
ribbed, hairy; pappus caducous, with an
outer ring of persistent hairs.
Common weed of waste places.
& Fruiting
Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr.

[Syn: Wedelia calendulacea (Linn.) Less.
Vernacular name: Kasaraj, Bhimraj (Beng.);

Bhangra, Pilabhangra, Bhanra (H).
Procumbent or ascending herb; stems
creeping below, strigose. Leaves
subsessile or shortly petiolate,
oblanceolate or lanceolate oblong,
sparsely strigose both sides, crenate or
with large serratures. Heads at the ends
of long peduncles from the upper leaf
axils, yellow; corolla lobes of disc florets
ciliolate. Pappus a denticulate
membranous cup.
Occasional in moist situations; probably
introduced and naturalises through out
the area.
& Fruiting

Xanthium indicum Koenig (Syn:
Xanthium strumarium Linn.)
Vernacular name: Bada Gokhara, Bila

Gokhara (O)
Annula erect herbs, stems coarsely
hispidulous. Leaves long-petioled, ovate-
triangular, coarsely lobed and toothed,
scabrid and hispid, base often cordate
and 3-nerved. Female involucres burr-
like, closely covered with hooked spines;
male heads at the top of the inflorescence
or stem, with prominent exserted anthers.
Achenes of female florets enclosed in
hardened cells of the urticle.
Fairly abundant weed in wastelands and
road sides.
& Fruiting
CAMPANULACEAE
Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn.
Vernacular name: Pani Maricha, Pani

Lanka (O); Kachhrang, Jhil Marich (Beng.)
Erect annual glabrous herb with fibrous
roots. Stem 20-60 cm tall, much branches,
fistular. Leaves alternate, shortly
petiolate, oblong or oblong-lanceolate,
entire, subacute. Flowers small, sessile,
in dense terminal or leaf-opposed long-
peduncled spiles; calyx-tube adnate to
the ovary, lobes 5; corolla campanulate, ,
5-lobed, white. Fruit a membranous
depressed-globose capsule; seeds minute,
oblong.
Fairly abundant along the margins of
ponds, lakes and in swamps and rice
fields.
& Fruiting

Wahlenbergia marginata (Thunb.) A.
DC. [Syn: Wahlenbergia gracilis (Forst.
f.) Schrad. ex A. DC.]
Erect or sub-erect glabrous herb, 5-30 cm

high with many branches from the root.
Leaves sessile, linear to linear-oblong,
denticulate. Inflorescence 1-few-
flowered; branches of panicle bifurcate.
Flowers white or pale blue, narrowly
campanulate; corolla with distinct tube.
Capsule obconical to bell-shaped, usually
10-nerved, 2-3-valved.
Occasional in damp soils, rice fields and
margins of water bodies.
& Fruiting
LOBELIACEAE
Lobelia alsinoides Lam. (Syn: Lobelia
trigona Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Panimali (O).

Small annual herb with many ascending
branches; stems 3-angled and winged.
Leaves, sessile or subsessile broadly
ovate or rounded, dentate or crenate-
dentate, obtuse, rounded, subacute or
acute, glabrous. Flowers white or blue.
Capsule obconical, apically 2-valved.
Seeds distinctly trigonous.
Fairly common in shady moist localities
and damp places.
& Fruiting

PLUMBAGINACEAE
Plumbago zeylanica Linn.
Vernacular name : Dhala chitaparu,

Chintamani (O); Chitarak, Chitra (Beng.,
H).
Undershrub. stems spreading, terete,
striate, glabrous. Leaves ovate or oblong-
ovate, acute or subacute, glabrous,
somewhat glaucous beneath. Flowers
white, in elongate, terminal, often
panicled racemes; rachis with sessile
glands. Calyx narrowly tubular, densely
covered with stalked glands. Capsule
oblong, acute, with 5 furrows.
Common in scrub forests and among
hedges and bushes.
& Fruiting
SAPOTACEAE
Madhuca indica Gmel. (Syn: Madhuca
longifolia (Koenig.) Mc Bride var. latifolia
A. Chev.; Bassia latifolia Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Mahula (O, Beng.);

Mahua (O, H); Butter tree (Eng.).
Large or moderate-sized tree; bark brown.
Branchlets pubescent or tomentose. Leaves
clustered near the ends of the branches,
elliptic, elliptic-oblong or ovate, acuminate,
pubescent or rusty tomentose beneath
when young. Flowers cream, fleshy,
clustered at the ends of the usually leafless
branches. Berry globose-oblong or ovoid,
fleshy, 1-3 seeded, tomentose.
Occasional in forests; also planted in
gardens and roadsides.

Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard
(Syn: Mimusops hexandra Roxb.)
Vernacular name : Khirakoli, Khirni (O);

Khirkhejur (Beng.); Khirni (H).
Small tree with milky juice; bark rough,
grey. Leaves clustered towards the ends
of the branches, oblanceolate-oblong,
elliptic, elliptic-oblong, entire, apex
rounded and often emarginate, glabrous.
Flowers small, white. Berry oblong-
ellipsoid, 1-6 seeded, orange-yellow and
sweet when ripe.
Fairly abundant in sandstone hills and
calcareous soils.
Flowering : November - January
Fruiting : March - June
Manilkara zapota (Linn.) P. Royen

(Syn: Achras zapota Linn.)
Vernacular name: Sapeta (O); Sapota

(Eng., O); Chiku (H).
Evergreen trees, with milky latex; bark
grey. Leaves clusteted at the end of
branches, oblong, oblong-lanceolate,
acute or sub-acute, shining on both
surfaces. Flowers solitary, axillary,
creamish white; pedicels long, rusty-
tomentose. Berry globose, epicarp
brownish, flesh pink; seed oblong, black,
shining.
Commonly planted in gardens, orchards
and homesteads.
Fruiting : February - March.

Mimusops elengi Linn.
Vernacular name : Baula, Bakula (O,

Beng.); Baula, Baulo, Maulsari, Malsari
(H).
Medium or small evergreen tree. Leaves
elliptic or elliptic-oblong, margins often
wavy, acute or acuminate, shining,
glabrous. Flowers pedicelled, white,
fascicled; corolla-lobes 8, lanceolate and
subsimilar; stamens 8 + inner series of
petaloid and toothed staminodes. Berry
usually narrowly ovoid or ellipsoid,
orange, 1-seeded; seeds shining, black.
Frequently planted along roads and in
temple premises and gardens.
Xantolis tomentosa (Roxb.) Rafin.

(Syn: Sideroxylon tomentosum Roxb.)
Vernacular name : Kanta Baula,

Kantabara (O).
Small evergreen trees, usually thorny;
bark light brown. Branchlets rusty-
tomentose or densely brown hairy.
Leaves obovate or oblanceolate, margins
wavy, obtuse or suddenly acute,
tomentose beneath. Flowers white, small,
solitary or fascicled, mostly from old leaf-
scars. Berry yellowish, subglobose or
broadly ovoid. Seed usually 1, deep
brown.
Occasional, in low forests on sandstone
hills and scrub forests.

EBENACEAE
Diospyros ferrea (Willd.) Bakh.
[Syn: Maba buxifolia (Rottb.) A. L.
Juss.]
Vernacular name: Guakoli, Gaurkasa,

(O); Angaru (Beng.).
Much branched shrub or small tree;
young shoots pubescent. Leaves
alternate, obovate, oblong or round,
obtuse, glabrous, coriaceous. Flowers
white, small, 3-merous; male flowers
smaller than the female, hairy, usually in
very short cymes. Berry globose, yellow
or reddish, glabrous, 1-seeded.
Frequent in scrub jungles and degraded
forests.
Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.

(Syn: Diospyros embryopteris Pers.)
Vernacular name : Mankadakendu,

Dhusara kendu, Kala kendu (O); Maka
tendu, Kala tendu, (H); Makur kendi,
Tendu (Beng).
Tree with low spreading branches; bark
black. Leaves acute, subacute or obtuse,
glabrous, shining above, base obtuse or
rounded. Flowers white, fragrant; male
flowers in umbellate cymes; female
flowers solitary. Fruit globose, covered
with deciduous red scurf. Seeds large,
embedded in white endosperm.
Fairly abundant along streams and water
bodies; also in damp forests.
Flowering : March - April.
Fruiting : Ripening following March-
April

Diospyros montana Roxb.
Vernacular name: Halda, Kasakoli (O);

Bangab (Beng.); Bis tendu, Lohari,
Dasaunda (H).
Small or moderate-sized tree. Branchlets
glabrous or rarely pubescent; sometimes
armed with stout conical thorns. Leaves
ovate oblong, elliptic or elliptic-ovate,
acute. Male flowers green. Female flowers
green or yellow, tube urceolate, limb
spreading. Fruit greenish-yellow, finally
black, globose-ovoid with short conical
tip and with enlarged reflexed calyx..
Very common in low forests and near
streams and water courses.
Diospyros ovalifolia Wight.
Small tree. Leaves narrowly elliptic or

oblong, apex rounded. Flowers sessile,
clustered axillary and from leaf scars.
Male flowers 3-12 together, campanulate;
calyx tomentose, lobes spreading; corolla
lobes short, ovate. Female flowers 1-2
together; corolla-lobes broadly ovate..
Fruit globose, subsessile, with reflexed
calyx-lobes.
Occasional in forests on sandstone hills.

Diospyros sylvatica Roxb.
Vernacular name: Kalicha, Kalchua (O).

Small or medium-sized tree; bark dark
grey. Leaves narrow-elliptic, elliptic-
oblong or ovate-oblong, acute to
acuminate. Male flowers very small 3-4-
merous, in small, dense, peduncled
cymes, axillary and from the scars of
caducous scales. Female flowers white,
extra-axillary. Fruit globose, glabrous,
yellow-orange when ripe; crowned by
enlarged reflexed calyx.
Fairly abundant in damp forests.
Fruiting : September - March
OLEACEAE
Jasminum sambac (Linn.) Ait.
Vernacular name: Malli (O); Motia, Mogra

(Beng.); Mallika, Moghra (H); Arabian
Jasmine (E).
Scandent or sarmentose shrub; branches
pale, whitish-grey. Leaves broadly ovate
or ovate-lanceolate. Flowers fragrant,
white, in 3-5 flowered terminal cymes;
sepals 5-7, filiform, curled. Berry globose,
dark violet when mature.
Frequently planted in gardens,
homesteads and in hedges; also wild in
scrub forests.

Jasminum scandens Vahl.
Vernacular name : Banamalli (O).

Scandent shrub. Leaves ovate, or ovate-
lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, base
rounded. Cymes dense, sub-capitate,
axillary and terminating short lateral
branches, 3-chotomous, branches 3-
flowered; sepals subulate, pubescent,
recurved; petals linear or linear-oblong,
white, sweet-scented. Berry ellipsoid,
black.
Frequent in hilly forests and scrub
jungles.
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.
Vernacular name : Gangasiuli,

Singadahara (O); Harsingar (H, Beng.);
Night Jasmine (E).
Small tree; branchlets 4-angular, often
drooping. Leaves ovate, entire or coarsely
toothed, acute or acuminate, puberulous,
very scabrous. Flowers white with orange
corolla tube, fragrant, night-flowering.
Capsule elliptic or obovoid, compressed,
glabrous. Seeds orbicular.
Commonly planted in gardens and
temple premises; frequent in dry forests.

APOCYNACEAE
Aganosma caryophyllata (Roxb. ex
Sims.) G.Don [Aganosma dichotoma
(Roth) K. Schum.]
Vernacular name: Malati (O, H, Beng.).

Large climber; young branchlets rusty-
tomentose. Leaves ovate, elliptic,oblong
or ovate-oblong, acute, obtuse or shortly
acuminate, glabrous or tomentose
beneath, base rounded or obtuse, 3-5-
nerved. Cymes corymbose, lax; pubescent.
Flowers fragrant, white, large. Follicles
densely yellow-tomentose when young,
spreading or recurved.
Occasional in forests; commonly grown
in gardens.
Fruiting : February - April
Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br.
Vernacular name : Chhatiana (O);

Chhattin (Beng.); Chattim (H); Dita Bark
(E).
Large tree with milky latex; branches often
whorled; bark dark grey, lenticellate.
Leaves 3-7, usually 6 in a whorl, obovate
oblong, oblanceolate to obovate,
glabrous, secondary nerves many.
Inflorescence umbellately branched
cymose panicle, peduncled or sessile.
Flowers greenish-white or cream,
fragrant. Follicles pendulous, terete,
narrow.
Very common in forests; also planted
along roads and gardens.
Fruiting : May - September

Carissa inermis Vahl (Syn: Carissa
macrophylla Wall. ex A. DC.)
Vernacular name: Karanda, Kerenda (O).

Large woody climber; branchlets
glabrous. Spines large, conical on the
trunk and nearly straight or usually
curved, divaricate. Leaves ovate or
elliptic-ovate, acute to acuminate,
scarcely mucronate, glabrous. Cymes
contracted, terminal and axillary, 3-
flowered or trichotomous. Flowers white.
Berry globose or ellipsoid, dark purple,
4-seeded.
Very rare, in degraded lands of scrub
forests.
Carissa spinarum Linn.
Vernacular name : Ankhu-koli, Dudha

koli; Khirakoli (O); Karonda, Karaunda
(H).
Dwarf scandent shrub with milky latex.
Branches subglabrous or pubescent;
spines straight, simple or forked,
divaricate. Leaves broadly ovate to
oblong or suborbicular, acute or obtuse
and apiculate. Flowers white, in close
terminal or axillary, sessile or shortly
pedicelled, often many-flowered cymes.
Berry globose, ovoid or ellipsoid, 4-
seeded, dark purple or black when ripe.
Quite gregarious in scrub jungles, open
forests and sandy localities.
Flowering : Chiefly March-May.

Cascabela thevetia (Linn.) Lippold
[Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Merr.;
Thevetia neriifolia Pers. ex Steud]
Vernacular name: Kaniar, Kaniari, Kaniar

Phula (O); Kolka phul (Beng.); Yellow
Oleander (E).
Small, evergreen tree, with milky latex.
Leaves crowded towards the apex,
alternate, linear or linear-lanceolate,
margins revolute. Flowers funnel-shaped,
yellow, white or mauve, in subterminal,
1-few-flowered cymes. Berry sub-globose,
pericarp breaking into 2 valves; seeds
large, barrel-shaped.
Commonly planted in gardens, temple
premises and along roads; frequently run
wild in forests and waste places.
& Fruiting
Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) G. Don

(Syn: Vinca rosea Linn.)
Vernacular name: Sadabihari (O);

Sadabahar, Nayantara (H); Periwinkle
(E).
Perennial herb or subshrub; latex milky.
Leaves obovate, rounded at apex,
glabrous, shining. Flowers salver-
shaped, rose or white, axillary, solitary
or paired, shortly pedicelled. Fruit of two
half divaricate, slender, cylindric
follicles; seeds numerous, testa muricate.
Cultivated; also thoroughly naturalized
in waste places and near villages.
& Fruiting

Ervatamia divaricata (Linn.) Burkill
[Tabernaemontana divaricata (Linn.) R.
Br. ex Roem. & Schult.;
Tabernaemontana coronaria (Jacq.)
Willd.]
Vernacular name: Tagara, Tarata (O);

Tagar (Beng.,H); East Indian Rosebay (E).
Shrub or small tree, with milky latex.
Leaves oblong-oblanceolate or elliptic-
oblong, unequal, acuminate or caudate,
glabrous, shining above. Flowers white,
fragrant, in axillary and terminal cymes;
corolla slender, tubular. Follicles
spreading and recurved, 3-7-ribbed, red
or orange inside.
Very commonly grown in gardens, parks,
temple premises and roadsides.
Fruiting : No fruiting in plains, bears
fruits in hills.
Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.-Ham.)

Wall. ex G. Don (Syn: Holarrhena
antidysenterica Wall. ex A. DC.)
Vernacular name : Pitakorua,

Pitakuruchi, Kuruchi, Indrajala (O);
Khurchi (H).
Large shrub or small tree, with milky
latex; bark thick, smooth. Leaves elliptic,
ovate or elliptic-oblong, acute to
acuminate, glabrous or pubescent, base
acute to obtuse or rounded. Flowers
white, fragrant, in terminal or axillary
corymbose cymes. Follicles slender,
divaricate, lenticellate.
Fairly abundant in waste places,
roadsides and forests.

Ichnocarpus frutescens (Linn.) R. Br.
Vernacular name : Suamanai, Suannati,

Dudhi lata (O, H, Beng. ); Shyamalata
(Beng.).
Large climbing shrub, with milky latex.
Branches rusty-pubescent or rusty-
tomentose. Leaves lanceolate-oblong,
oblong, elliptic or broadly oblong, acute
to acuminate, glabrous. Flowers white,
fragrant, small. Follicles linear,
divaricate, slightly flattened, densely
rusty-pubescent when young or
glabrescent when mature.
Very common climber in hedges, bushes
and forest thickets.
Nerium oleander Linn. (Syn: Nerium

indicum Mill.)
Vernacular name: Karabira, Karabi (O);

Karabi (Beng.); Kaner (O,H); Indian
Oleander, Sweet scented Oleander (E).
Shrub with milky latex, branches erect.
Leaves linear, acute at both ends,
glabrous, secondary nerves many, close,
regularly parallel. Flowers white or
usually rose, fragrant, in terminal cymes.
Follicles long, cylindric.
Common garden ornamental, sometimes
with variegated leaves and dwarf habit.
& Fruiting

Plumeria rubra Linn. (Syn: Plumeria
acutifolia Poir.)
Vernacular name : Katha champa,

Debakanchan (O); Gogur champa
(Beng.); Gobur champa (H); Temple or
Pagoda tree (E).
Small tree, with white latex. Leaves
oblanceolate, obovate-oblong or oblong,
acute or obtuse, mid-rib thick, secondary
nerves parallel. Flowers white or red, with
a yellow centre, fragrant, in short
umbellately divided cymes, on a long
peduncle.
Commonly planted in gardens and
temple premises.
& Fruiting
Rauvolfia serpentina (Linn.) Benth. ex

Kurz
Vernacular name: Patal Garuda,

Sarpagandha (O); Chandra (Beng.);
Sarpagandha (H); Rauvolfia, Serpentine
(E).
Glabrous undershrub. Leaves 3-4-nately
whorled and opposite, elliptic-oblong,
oblong, oblanceolate, acute to acuminate,
glabrous, bright green and shining
above, often paler beneath. Flowers small,
white with pink tube, in terminal,
peduncled bright red cymes. Drupes
black when ripe, globose.
Occasional in forests; often grown in
gardens.
Flowering : May - November
& Fruiting

Rauvolfia tetraphylla Linn. (Syn:
Rauvolfia canescens Linn.)
Spreading, dichotomously branched

shrub; branches pubescent. Leaves 3-4-
nately whorled, usually in two unequal
pairs in a whorl, elliptic, elliptic-oblong
or elliptic-obovate, acute, softly
pubescent. Flowers white, small, in 3-7-
flowered, axillary or terminal corymbs.
Drupes globose, red, 1-seeded.
Cultivated in gardens; very often wild in
forests and roadsides as an escape.
& Fruiting
Wrightia arborea (Dennst.)

Mabberley (Syn: Wrightia tomentosa
Roem. & Schult.)
Vernacular name: Bada kurei, Bada

koruan,(O); Dudh koraiya (Beng.); Dudhi,
Dhaira (H).
Small tree; branches slender, pubescent;
bark light grey, rough with lenticels.
Leaves distichous, elliptic, shortly
acuminate or caudate-acuminate,
tomentose. Flowers greenish-orange or
cream. Follicles connate throughout into
a grooved cylinder, greenish, rough with
white tubercles. Seeds slender with white
coma.
Occasional, in dry hilly forests.

Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br.
Vernacular name: Dudha Koruan, Pita

Koruan (O); Indrajau (Beng., H).
Small tree, with milky juice; bark light
grey. Leaves sub-sessile, ovate, elliptic,
elliptic-oblong, pubescent. Flowers
white, in pubescent cymes; corona-scales
fimbriate into linear segments; anthers
yellow. Follicles curved, lenticellate,
cohering at the tip until nearly ripe.
Occasional in dry mixed forests;
sometimes planted in gardens.
PERIPLOCACEAE
Cryptolepis buchananii Roem. &
Schult.
Vernacular name : Gopkanhu, Gopakana,

Dudhi (O); Karanta (H).
Large twinner with copious milky juice.
Bark brown on old stems, peeling off in
thin strips. Leaves oblong or elliptic,
obtuse, rounded, often apiculate at apex,
glabrous, shining above, pale-glaucous
beneath, main nerves parallel. Flowers
yellow, in lax, panicled cymes. Follicles
poniard-shaped, 5-10 cm long.
Frequent in open forests and scrub
jungles.

Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R.Br.
Vernacular name : AnantamuI (O, Beng.,

H), Indian Sarsaparilla (E).
Slender twiner, with milky latex. Leaves
linear, oblong, ovate oblong, broadly
elliptic or rarely obovate or lanceolate,
acute, obtuse or apiculate, glabrous or
pubescent, pale beneath. Flowers green
outside and purplish-brown within.
Follicles spreading in fruit, slender,
cylindric, gradually narrowed towards
tip.
Fairly abundant in scrub forests, hedges,
waste places and cultivated fields.
ASCLEPIADACEAE
Calotropis gigantea R.Br
Vernacular name : Arka, Arakha (O);

Akanda (Beng.); Akond, Akona (H).
Stout hoary-tomentose shrub, with milky
latex. Leaves subsessile, obovate or
obovate-oblong, obtuse, base cordate
often amplexicaul. Flowers in umbellate,
lateral paniculate cymes. Corolla bluish-
purple, lobes spreading, revolute and
twisted when old. Corona processes with
their bases elegantly curved; top of
column 5-angled. Follicles recurved,
obtuse.
Quite common in waste places, sandy
localities and other dry habitats.
Flowering : December - July
Fruiting : February - June

Ceropegia candelabrum Linn. (Syn:
Ceropegia tuberosa Roxb.)
Glabrous twiner with tuberous roots.

Leaves broadly ovate or elliptic,
apiculate, glabrous, base rounded.
Flowers few, in umbels; corolla pale
green or yellowish-green with brown
stripes within, puberulous, inflated at
base, beaked in bud, with long hairs at
the neck; corona near top of column,
shallowly cupular. Follicles slender.
Very rare, in hedges and thickets.
Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br.
Vernacular name : Gudamari (O); Mera-

singi (O, H); Mesa singi (Beng.); Gurmar
(H).
Large hirsute climber, young parts
brown-tomentose. Leaves ovate, broadly
elliptic or oblong, acute or sub-acute,
pubescent on nerves beneath, base
rounded or cordate. Flowers minute, in
hairy peduncled umbelliform cymes,
yellow. Follicles usually solitary, broader
near the base, tapering from base to tip.
Fairly common in scrub forests, thickets,
hedges and also planted in gardens.

Pergularia daemia (Forssk.) Chiov.
[Syn: Daemia extensa (Jacq.) R. Br.;
Pergularia extensa (Jacq.) N. E. Br.]
Vernacular name : Uturudi, Iturudi (O);

Chagulbati (Beng.), Sagovani, Jutuk (H).
Slender, hispidly hairy climber; with
milky latex. Leaves broadly orbicular or
broadly ovate, acuminate or caudate,
membranous, pubescent beneath, deeply
and broadly cordate. Flowers green or
yellowish-green and red, in long-
peduncled, sometimes panicled, drooping
corymbs. Follicles lanceolate, softly
echinate, tapering to a long beak.
Gregarious in hedges, thickets and scrub
forests.
Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt

(Syn : Sarcostemma brevistigma Wt. &
Arn.)
Vernacular name: Lata siju; Somalata (O);

Somlata (Beng., H)
Leafless, succulent jointed shrub with
milky latex; branches green, terete,
straggling. Flowers white or creamish-
white, waxy, fragrant, in terminal umbels;
corolla with revolute margins. Follicles
diverging, thinly coriaceous, narrowed to
the base.
Occasional in drier areas, rock crevices
and barren rocks.
& Fruiting

Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr.
[Syn: Tylophora asthamatica (Linn.f.)
Wt. & Arn.]
Vernacular name : Swasamari,

Mendhisaga, Anantamula (O);
Anathamul (Beng.); Jangli Pikran (H).
Twiner, pubescent on stems; juice watery
Leaves ovate-elliptic or ovate-oblong,
apiculate, base rounded, truncate, cordate
or sub-cordate. Flowers small, greenish-
yellow, tinged with purple within;
pedicels long, filiform. Follicles 2,
lanceolate, smooth, produced to a slender
acute beak.
Fairly common in sandy localities and in
bushes and hedges.
Flowering : September - Noverber
Fruiting : December- February.
LOGANIACEAE
Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.
Vernacular name: Kochila (O, Beng.);

Kuchla (H); Nux-vomica, Strychnine tree
(E).
Tree, bark smooth, grey. Leaves ovate or
sub-orbicular, acute, obtuse or rounded,
shining, glabrous, with 3 strong and 2
weaker nerves from close to the base; base
rounded or suddenly acute. Flowers
white or greenish-white, throat glabrous.
Berry bright orange, globose; seeds
discoid, depressed in the centre,
embedded in white pulp.
Common in lateritic soils, sandstone hills
and scrub forests.

Strychnos potatorum Linn.
Vernacular name: Katakal (O); Nirmali

(O, Beng.,H); Clearing nut tree (E).
Small densely branched tree; bark
blackish, cracked. Leaves elliptic or ovate,
usually acute or subacute, glabrous, with
usually 2 strong secondary nerves each
side. Flowers white, fragrant, in dense
glabrous cymes, mostly in the axis of
fallen leaves. Berry globose, large, 1-2,
thickly lenticular.
Occasional, in dry forests; also planted
in gardens.
Flowering : May
GENTIANACEAE
Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R. Br. [Syn:
Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R. Br. var.
tenella C. B. Clarke
Vernacular name: Bururia

Erect herbs, repeatedly dichotomously
branched; stems 4-angled, branchlets
slender, with a pair of sessile leaves or
bract at each fork. Leaves sessile, ovate
or ovate-oblong. Flowers small, pink, on
capillary pedicels, 4-angled. Capsule
cylindric, membranous, septicidally 2-
valved.
Fairly common in moist and shady
localities, field bunds and close to
wetlands.
& Fruiting

MENYANTHACEAE
Nymphoides hydrophylla (Lour.)
Kuntze [Syn: Nymphoides cristata
(Roxb.) Kuntze; Limnanthemum
cristatum (Roxb.) Griseb.]
Vernacular name: Panisiuli (O); Chand-
malla (Beng.); Tagarmul, Ghainchu (H).
Perennial aquatic herb. petioloid stems
long, filiform. Leaves floating, elliptic to
orbicular, faintly crenate, pale green
above, purplish and prominently nerved
beneath, base deeply cordate. Flowers
white, yellow at the centre, on slender
pedicels rising one by one above the
water to open. Fruit capsular, 2-4 valved;
seeds tuberculate.
Quite gregarious on water surface of
ponds, lakes, rice fields and other
stagnant water bodies.
FI. & Frt. : Most part of the year.
Nymphoides indica (Linn.) Kuntze.

[Syn: Limnanthemum indicum (Linn.)
Griseb.]
Vernacular name: Panisiuli, Bada

Panisiuli (O), Chand malla (Beng.);
Barachuli (H).
Perennial, rhizomatous aquatic herb.
Leaves floating, rather fleshy, light green
above, orbicular, margin sinuate, smooth
above, verrucose and glandless beneath,
palmately nerved, base deeply cordate.
Flowers white, in dense, sessile umbels
at the nodes on long pedicels; corolla
white, yellow in the center; lobes
fimbriate on the margins. Fruit a capsule;
seeds smooth.
Common in tanks, ponds and lakes.
& Fruiting

HYDROPHYLLACEAE
Hydrolea zeylanica (Linn.) Vahl
Vernacular name: Nilatara, Ballubalua

(O); Isha-Iangulia (Beng.).
Erect or diffuse sub-succulent herb, often
rooting at the nodes. Leaves shortly
petioled, linear, lanceolate or
oblanceolate, acute or acuminate, upper
gradually smaller. Inflorescence
glandular-hairy or pubescent, cymose, at
the ends of short lateral branches and
terminal. Flowers blue. Capsule ovoid-
ellipsoid.
Very common in rice fields, ditches and
wet places.
& Fruiting
EHRETIACEAE
Cordia obliqua Willd. (Syn: Cordia
myxa auct. non. Linn.; Cordia dictotoma
auct. non. Forst. f.)
Vernacular name: Guala, Dhuala, Guala

koli (O); Lasora (H, Beng.).
Small tree, with drooping branches.
Leaves orbicular or elliptic-oblong,
entire, remotely dentate or sinuate.
Flowers white, fragrant; calyx funnel-
shaped, accrescent, campanulate to
saucer-shaped in fruit. Drupe conical
when young, ovoid when ripe, yellowish
or pinkish, glossy, with very viscous 1-
seeded pulp.
Frequent in dry forests and scrub jungles;
also planted near villages.

Ehretia laevis Roxb.
Vernacular name: Masania, Jhadapana

(O); Tamboli (Beng.); Dantranga, Darar
(H).
Small or medium-sized tree; bark white
or pale grey: Leaves ovate or ovate-
oblong, broadly or narrowly elliptic,
shining and glabrous above. Flowers
white, sessile or pedicelled, in
dichotomous scorpioid cymes, usually
borne laterally on the bare branches.
Drupe orange or black when ripe, sub-
globose, with 1-4 pyrenes.
Commonly found in dry forests and scrub
jungles on sandstone hills.
BORAGINACEAE
Coldenia procumbens Linn.
Vernacular name : Hansapadi,

Gandharilata (O); Tripungki (H).
Prostrate, scabrid hairy herb. Leaves
obovate, elliptic-obovate, coarsely serrate
ot lobulate, apex obtuse or rounded,
densely scabrous or hispid above,
sometimes white-glandular-pubescent
along the nerves. Flowers white, very
small. Drupe pyramidal, tipped with the
hardened bipartite style.
Abundant and often forming thick mat
in wet places, drying up rice fields and
ditches.
& Fruiting Most part of the year in
suitable habitats.

Heliotropium indicum Linn.
Vernacular name : Hatisundha (O); Hati

sura (O, Beng.,H).
Erect, coarse, hispid annual herb. Leaves
alternate, sometimes sub-opposite, ovate
or ovate-oblong, margin undulate, apex
acute or obtuse, rugose above with a few
hairs, secondary nerves strong beneath.
Flowers white or lilac, in elongate,
usually simple, ebracteate, often circinate
spikes. Fruit dry, indehiscent; nutlets in
pairs.
One of the most common weeds in waste
places, agricultural fields and gardens.
Flowering : Most part of the year
& Fruiting in suitable habitats.
Heliotropium strigosum Willd. ssp.

brevifolium (Wall.) Kazmi
Erect or prostrate, tufted herb. Stems

strigosely hairy. Leaves elliptic or ovate-
lanceolate, pubescent, base obtuse, apex
acute. Flowers white, with yellow throat,
in short, softly hirsute or villous, one-
sided spikes; sepals acute. Nutlets ovoid,
shorter than the persistent sepals, dark
grey brown, hispid above.
Rare, in marshy grounds and banks of
lake.
& Fruiting

CONVOLVULACEAE
Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj.
(Syn: Argyreia speciosa Sweet)
Vernacular name : Budhadaraka

(Beng.,O); Somandar-ka-pat (H); Elephant
creeper (E).
Stout climber with woody stems; new
shoots densely white-tomentose. Leaves
broadly ovate, apex rounded or obtusely
acute, mucronulate, densely white
sericeo-tomentose beneath, glabrous
above. Flowers pink, in very long-
peduncled, many-flowered, subcapitate
cymes. Fruit globose.
Occasional in forests; often planted in
gardens as a medicinal plant.
Ericybe paniculata Roxb.
Vernacular name: Durkoli, Joda Koli (O).

Climbing shrub, young branches rusty-
tomentose. Leaves obovate, oblanceolate
or oblong, tomentose when young,
shining and glabrous when mature.
Flowers light yellow, yellowish-white or
cream-coloured; in narrow, terminal,
rusty-tomentose panicles. Fruits oblong-
obovoid, black, sweet and edible.
Occasional in shady moist localities of
sandstone hills.
Fruiting : March - June (of following
year)

Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn.) Linn.
Vernacular name: Sankhapuspi (O, H).

Trailing or prostrate herb. Branches
densely silky. Leaves subsessile or
shortly petioled, linear to broadly elliptic,
obtuse or acute at both ends, densely
appressed hairy on both sides or silky
beneath. Flowers blue or bluish-white.
Capsule globose.
Very common in open grassy places,
wastelands, roadsides and scrub forests.
Flowering : July - February
& Fruiting
Evolvulus nummularius (Linn.) Linn.
Vernacular name: Bichhamalia (O).

Prostrate or procumbent herb with
trailing branches, rooting at nodes.
Leaves orbicular or broadly ovate,
rounded at apex, glabrous. Flowers
white, solitary, axillary; corolla saucer-
shaped, very thinly pubescent outside.
Capsule sub-globose, 2-seeded.
One of the commonest weed species in
moist waste places, agricultural fields,
road sides and gardens.
Flowering : Through out the year
& Fruiting

Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (Syn:
Ipomoea reptans Poir.)
Vernacular name: Kalama, Kalama saga

(O); Kalami (H, Beng.); Swamp Cabbage
(E).
Aquatic or semi-aquatic herb. Stems
mostly thick, fistular or spongy, rooting
at the nodes, trailing on moist mud or
floating on water. Leaves ovate-
triangular, ovate-oblong, lanceolate,
elliptic-oblong or ovate, glabrous, hastate
or cordate. Flowers pink, purple or rarely
white, axillary, solitary or in 2-3 flowered
peduncled cymes. Capsule ovoid.
Gregarious as a floating plant in lakes,
ponds and ditches; also in muddy places
and rice fields. The leaves are used as a
leafy vegetable.
Flowering : November - February.
& Fruiting
Ipomoea cairica (Linn.) Sweet (Syn:

Ipomoea palmata Forssk.)
Large climber; old stem and branches

lenticellate. Leaves ovate to orbicular,
deeply palmately 3-7 lobed; lobes elliptic
or oblanceolate. Flowers unnel-shaped
with spreading corolla, purple or purple-
blue, solitary axillary or 1-3 in axillary
peduncles. Capsule ovoid, 2-celled, 2-4
valved; seeds pubescent.
Frequent in gardens and hedges;
naturalised at suitable locations.
& Fruiting

Ipomoea carnea Jacq. ssp. fistulosa
(Mart. ex Choisy) Austin (Syn:
Ipomoea fistulosa Mart. ex Choisy)
Vernacular name: Amari, Gachha Kalama

(O).
Shrub, erect or ascending; branches thick,
fistulose or solid with milky sap. Leaves
ovate or ovate-oblong, acuminate,
glabrous or puberulous. Flowers funnel-
shaped, purple or dark purple towards
the base; calyx with nectaries between the
sepal-bases; corolla tube puberulous.
Fruits ovoid, 4-valved, with persistent
calyx.
Very common and gregarious in shallow
water bodies, banks of lakes, ponds,
canals, moist places and road sides;
usually grown as a hedge plant.
& Fruiting
Ipomoea hederifolia Linn. [Syn:

Quamoclit coccinea Moench., Quamoclit
phoenicea (Roxb.) Choisy]
Vernacular name: Panikoda (O).

Herbaceous climber. Stems and branches
puberulous. Leaves ovate or broadly
ovate, margin entire, angular, coarsely
dentate, rarely lobed, acute or acuminate,
glabrous, cordate. Flowers salver-
shaped, scarlet, solitary of in few-several-
flowered cymes. Capsule ovoid to sub-
globose.
Frequent in hedges, scrub jungles and
humid forests.
& Fruiting

Ipomoea nil (Linn.) Roth [Syn:
Ipomoea hederacea auct. non (Linn.)
Jacq.]
Vernacular name : Nila Kalama, Khami

khondo (O); Nil kalmi, Kaladanah (Beng.,
H).
Hairy twiner; stems retrorsely hirsute.
Leaves ovate, 3-lobed, pubescent, base
cordate; lobes broadly ovate or oblong,
very acuminate. Flowers bluish-purple
or pinkish-purple, sub-umbellate on 1-5-
flowered, axillary peduncles; corolla
funnel-shaped. Capsule subglobose,
glabrous.
Occasional in hedges, bushes and open
places; also common in damp forests.
Ipomoea pes-tigridis Linn.
Vernacular name : Bileipada, Bileipanjha

(O); Languli lata (Beng.).
Herbaceous twiner, fulvous hairy or
hirsute with patent hairs all over. Leaves
orbicular, hairy with appressed or patent
hairs, deeply lobed. Flowers in long
peduncled heads, with large persistent
bracts; corolla white or light pink, funnel-
shaped with spreading limb. Capsule
ovoid, papery, glabrous.
Quite gregarious in open waste places,
agricultural fields and forests during
post-monsoon periods.
& Fruiting

Ipomoea quamoclit Linn. (Syn:
Quamoclit pinnata Boj.)
Vernacular name : Kunjalata (O).

Annual slender twiner. Leaves ovate or
oblong in outline, pinnatipartite to the
mid-rib, with 8-12 pairs of linear patent
segments. Flowers red, salver-shaped, in
axillary, 1-few-flowered cymes; stamens
and styles exserted. Capsule ovoid, 4-
celled, with 4 longitudinally splitting
valves.
Commonly found in hedges and bushes
close to villages, sometimes grown in
gardens.
& Fruiting
Ipomoea sepiaria Koenig ex Roxb.

[Syn: Ipomoea maxima auct. non.
(Linn.) Sweet]
Vernacular name: Mushakani, Lata

Kalama (O); Ban Kalmi (Beng.,H).
Herbaceous, perennial twiner. Branches
sometimes pilose. Leaves ovate or
triangular, acute, acuminate or shortly
caudate, glabrous or puberulous, cordate
or hastate. Flowers light purple or white
with deep purple centre, axillary, in sub-
umbellate cymes; corolla salver-shaped.
Capsule ovoid, 4-2-seeded.
Abundant in open forests, village
thickets, bushes and hedges.
& Fruiting

Jacquemontia paniculata (Burm. f.)
Hall.f. (Syn: Convolvulus paniculatus
Haines)
Slender twiner, more or less pubescent all

over. Leaves ovate, finely acuminate or
acute and apiculate, pubescent, base
shallowly cordate or truncate. Flowers
small, white or pinkish-white, in axillary,
2-5- flowered peduncled cymes. Capsules
globose, glabrous.
Rarely found in scrub forests and
wastelands.
& Fruiting
Merremia hederacea (Burm.f.) Hall. f.

(Syn: Ipomoea chryseides Ker-Gawl.)
Slender glabrous twiner. Stems angled,

hairy at the nodes. Leaves ovate, entire,
repand-dentate to shallowly 3-lobed,
acute, acuminate, obtuse or mucronulate,
upper surface sparsely hairy, lower paler,
glabrous, base cordate. Flowers yellow,
in forked, axillary, short to very long-
peduncled, 3-7-flowered cymes. Capsule
sub-globose.
Abundant in areas close to water bodies,
often straggling among bushes on banks
of lakes and ponds.
& Fruiting

Merremia tridentata (Linn.) Hall. f.
subsp. tridentata
Prostrate herb with numerous stems,

woody rootstock. Leaves sessile or sub-
sessile, linear-oblong, often hastate or
lyrate, apex obtuse, broadly truncate,
emarginate or sometimes acute, apiculate
or with 2-3 teeth; base hastate and often
with several spinulose teeth. Flowers
creamish-white or light yellowish, 1-3 on
a slender peduncle. Capsule subglobose,
2-4-seeded.
Common in open places and grassy
fields.
& Fruiting
Merremia tridentata (Linn.) Hall. f.

subsp.hastata (Hall.f.) Ooststr. (Syn:
Ipomoea hastata Haines)
Twining glabrous herb. Leaves narrow-

oblong, linear-oblong or linear, entire
except the basal portion, acute, sometimes
mucronate, glabrous. Flowers in 1-
flowered pedunculate cymes; corolla
light yellow or cream, with dark purple
centre, funnel-shaped, glabrous. Capsule
subglobose, 4-2-seeded.
Fairly common in thickets, hedges and
also in open fields.
Flowering : August - March
& Fruiting

Merremia umbellata (Linn.) Hall. f.
[Syn: Ipomoea cymosa (Desr.) Roem. &
Schult.]
Vernacular name: Paninai (O);

Sapoussundu (Beng.).
Climbers. Stem prostrate and rooting at
the nodes or sometimes slightly angular.
Leaves ovate-oblong, oblong, elliptic or
lanceolate, more or less acuminate,
glabrous or puberulous above. Flowers
white or cream, funnel-shaped, in
axillary, 2-several-flowered, peduncled
cymes. Capsule globose, glabrous; seeds
hairy.
Gregarious in scrub jungles, mixed forests
and damp places.
Flowering : January - April.
& Fruiting
Merremia vitifolia (Burm.f.) Hall. f.

[Syn: Ipomoea vitifolia (Burm.f.) Bl.]
Twiner, patently hirsute all over, stem

reddish. Leaves suborbicular or broadly
ovate, palmately 5-7-lobed, hairy,
palmately nerved with 5-7-basal nerves.
Flowers bright yellow, funnel-shaped, in
1-7-flowered, peduncled, axillary cymes.
Capsule subglobose, usually 4-seeded.
Occasional in scrub forests and hedges.
& Fruiting

CUSCUTACEAE
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Vernacular name : Nirmuli, Mari (O);

Angusi lata (Beng.); Amarbel, Akasbel
(H).
Parasitic herb. Stem yellowish-green or
yellow, often in dense masses with
pendulous branches. Flowers white or
yellowish, solitary and in few-many-
flowered, racemiform cymes with
bracteate pedicels or flowers sessile. Ripe
fruits fleshy, globose-conical, 1-4-seeded.
Fairly abundant and gregarious in a
range of host plants.
SOLANACEAE
Datura stramonium Linn.
Vernacular name: Duddura, Dhatura (O,

Beng.,H); Thorn Apple, Stramonium (E).
Undershrub, stem green or purple. Leaves
elliptic or ovate, sinuate or lobulate, with
large triangular teeth, glabrous,
somewhat hispidulous on the nerves
beneath. Flowers large, funnel-shaped,
white or purple, sub-erect; corolla limb
plaited. Capsule erect, ovoid, 4-celled,
with very sharp spines; seeds black.
Common in waste places and road sides;
also in agricultural fields.
& Fruiting

Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.
Vernacular name : Hemaraj (O); Ban-

tamaku (Beng.).
Scabridly hairy herb. Leaves radical and
cauline, entire; basal ones few, spreading,
obovate-spatulate or elliptic ovate, large,
subobtuse, glabrescent; cauline leaves
oblong-lanceolate, sessile or semi
amplexicaul, acute, hairy. Flowers very
slender, white or greenish-white, in
terminal, sub-paniculate racemes.
Capsule ovate, minutely rugose.
Locally gregarious in moist shady places,
banks of lakes and ponds.
Flowering : April - September
& Fruiting
Physalis minima Linn.
Vernacular name: Tipai, Tiparia (O);

Bantipariya (Beng.); Tulati pati (H).
Erect herbs; stem puberulous. Leaves
ovate, coarsely toothed, sinuate or
lobulate, membranous, acuminate or
acute. Flowers cupular, yellow, often with
purplish brown spots at the base within.
Fruit a globose berry, enveloped in the
bladder-like calyx.
A common weed of waste places and
grassy fields.
& Fruiting

Solanum nigrum Linn.
Vernacular name : Nunununia, (O);

Kakmachi (Beng.); Makoi (H); Black
night-shade (E).
Erect branched herb. Branches often with
raised lines. Leaves ovate, lanceolate-
ovate or oblong, entire, sinuate,
sometimes toothed or lobed, acute,
glabrous or puberulous. Flowers small,
white, in sub-umbellate extra axillary
peduncles; pedicels deflexed in fruit.
Berry black, globose.
Fairly common as a weed in waste places,
road sides and agricultural fields.
& Fruiting
Solanum torvum Sw.
Vernacular name : Dengabheji, Bhejibaigan

(O); Gota Begun (Beng.).
Shrub, stellate-tomentose; branches
prickly. Leaves ovate or oblong, sinuate
or coarsely lobed, acute or acuminate,
with out prickles, stellate-tomentose
beneath. Flowers white, in dense
bifurcate cymes. Berry globose, yellow,
turning orange, on clavate pedicels.
Common in moist shady places.
& Fruiting

Solanum virginianum Linn. (Syn:
Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. &
Wendl.)
Vernacular name: Ankaranti, Bejari (O);

Kanta kari (Beng.); Kateli, Ringani (H).
Diffuse herb; copiously armed with
straight, yellow, sharp prickles; young
parts stellate-tomentose. Leaves ovate,
oblong or elliptic, lacerate with the lobes
or segments. Flowers deep blue or violet,
in extra-axillary cymes. Berry yellow or
white, blotched with green, globose,.
Frequently occur along roads,
wastelands especially in sandy soils.
& Fruiting
Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal
Vernacular name : Ashwagandha (H,O,

Beng.).
Erect shrub or undershrub; branches
hoary-tomentose. Leaves ovate, entire,
acute to obtuse, pubescent or glabrescent,
base shortly cuneate. Flowers yellowish,
shortly pedicelled, fascicled in the leaf-
axils. Berry globose, enclosed in the
inflated, accrescent, membranous calyx
with narrow mouth.
Planted in the gardens as a medicinal
plant; quite often run wild as an escape.
Flowering : October - May
& Fruiting

SCROPHULARIACEAE
Adenosma indianum (Lour.) Merr.
[Syn: Adenosma capitatum (Benth.)
Hence]
Erect, glandular-pubescent herbs;

branches opposite and decussate. Leaves
elliptic, obovate or oblong-ovate, serrate,
subacute or obtuse. Flowers blue, in
dense cylindric or ovoid, terminal or
axillary, long-peduncled bracteate heads;
heads with an involucre of leafy bracts.
Capsule narrow ovoid, thinly coriaceous,
dehiscent.
Fairly common in open grasslands and
in the crevices of rocks.
Angelonia angustifolia Benth.
Vernacular Name: Angel flower, Narrow

leaf Snapdragon (E).
Erect perennial, glandular pubescent
herb. Stem erect, branching from base.
Leaves linear-oblong, glandular-
pubescent, with distantly toothed
margins and pointed tips. Flowers
solitary, axillary, long-pedicelled, rose
lilac to violet to blue, borne in slender
upright spikes, up to 45 cm long; petals
oblanceolate, small; corolla cupular, lobes
5, lower deflexed; stamens 4, inserted
below the upper 2 corolla-lobes.
Planted in gardens; naturalized and
gregarious in moist localities and lake
banks as an escape.
& Fruiting

Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell
[Syn: Herpestis monnieri (Linn.) Kunth]
Vernacular name : Brahmi (O, H);

Panikundi (O); Brahmi-sak (Beng.).
Creeping, sub-succulent herb. Leaves
sessile, narrowly obovate-oblong or
spathulate, entire, obtuse; nerves obscure.
Flowers solitary, axillary, purplish-white,
bluish or pink, broadly campanulate;
bracteoles linear, shorter than the calyx.
Capsule ovoid, acute, included in calyx.
Locally gregarious in wet places, banks
of water bodies and canals.
Flowering : April - December
& Fruiting
Centranthera tranquebarica (Spreng.)

Merr. (Syn: Centranthera hemifusa
Wall. ex Benth.)
Erect or diffuse herb, branched from the

base, glabrous or nearly so. Leaves sessile,
linear, acute or subacute, glabrous,
scabrid or hispidulous. Flowers axillary,
solitary, sub-sessile, yellow, with purple
markings in the throat, tubular, dilated
above. Capsule subglobose, tipped with
persistent style.
Occasional in swampy places and rice
fields.
& Fruiting

Dopatrium junceum (Roxb.) Buch.-
Ham. ex Benth.
Erect, slender, glabrous herb. Stem

succulent, striate. Lower leaves small
opposite, in distant pairs, sessile, oblong,
elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate, obtuse.or
subacute, parallel-nerved, the upper ones
reduced to bracts. Flowers small, pink or
violet; corolla glandular-pubescent.
Capsule brown, glabrous, grooved over
the top.
Not common, found in swamps, rice
fields and banks of lakes.
Limnophila heterophylla (Roxb.)

Benth.
Vernacular name: Ambakasia (O).

Erect aromatic, herb, decumbent below;
stems glabrous. Lower leaves capillary
multifid; intermediate leaves 4-6 in a
whorl, pinnatifid; upper leaves usually
opposite, sessile semi-amplexicaul,
oblong, serrulate, acute. Flowers purplish
or bluish, sessile or subsessile, solitary
axillary, more often spicate. Capsule
broadly ellipsoid.
Gregarious in shallow ditches, swamps,
rice fields and in stagnant water.
& Fruiting

Limnophila indica (Linn.) Druce
(Syn: Limnophila gratioloides R. Br.)
Vernacular name: Keralata, Ambakasia

(O): Karpur (Beng.); Kura (H).
Small marsh herb, glandular-pubescent
all over or glabrous. Leaves pinnatifid.
whorled, upper ones 3-fid; uppermost
rarely undivided, lower capillary
multifid, submerged ones much longer,
multifid. Flowers white or pale purple,
pedicelled, axillary. Capsule ob-ovoid.
Very common in the borders of lakes,
ponds, ditches and in flooded paddy
fields.
& Fruiting
Limnophila repens (Benth) Benth.

(Syn: Limnophila conferta Benth.)
Glabrous aromatic herb, diffuse, variable

in size. Leaves opposite, sessile or
susbsessile, ovate, obovate, elliptic-
lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, serrate or
crenate-serrate, acute, subacute or obtuse,
conspicuously punctate beneath. Flowers
purple, shortly pedicelled, solitary,
axillary. Capsule ovoid or ellipsoid,
membranous.
Fairly abundant in wet places and paddy
fields; often after crop harvest.
& Fruiting

Lindernia anagallis (Burm.f.) Pennell
[Syn: Vandellia cordifolia (Colsm.) G.
Don; Lindernia cordifolia (Colsm.)
Merr.
Diffuse or procumbent glabrous herb,

rooting at nodes. Leaves subsessile or
shortly petioled, ovate or oblong-ovate,
crenate-serrate, obtuse, subacute or acute,
base subtruncate, subcordate or cordate.
Flowers bluish-purple (or white), solitary,
axillary, spreading. Capsule linear-
lanceolate.
Very common in moist and shady places
and grassy fields during rains.
& Fruiting
Lindernia ciliata (Colsm.) Pennell

(Syn: Vandellia brachiata Haines)
Vernacular name: Khetkura (O).

Erect glabrous herbs; branches and
peduncles 4-angled. Leaves sessile or
sub-sessile, oblong, sharply and closely
serrate, obtuse or subacute, glabrous or
minutely hirtellous beneath. Flowers
purple, pink or white, in lax terminal
racemes; pedicels rigid. Capsule linear-
oblong.
Abundant in open fields, roadsides, field
bunds and other moist localities.
& Fruiting

Lindernia crustacea (Linn.) F. V.
Muell. [Syn: Vandellia crustacea
(Linn.) Benth.]
Glabrous herb. Stems and branches

angled. Leaves ovate, entire, serrate or
crenate, obtuse or acute, base broad or
narrowed. Flowers bluish, blue-violet or
pinkish-violet, axillary and terminal,
pedicels erect or spreading, slender;
corolla narrow, lower lip with a yellow
blotch in the throat. Capsule ovoid.
Fairly common in waste places, grassy
fields, marshy areas and a common weed
of agricultural fields.
& Fruiting
Lindernia parviflora (Roxb) Haines

[Syn: Ilysanthes parviflora (Roxb.)
Benth.]
Erect, slender, glabrous herb. Leaves

sessile, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate,
linear-lanceolate, entire, acute, glabrous,
3-5-nerved from the base. Flowers purple
or white, on slender pedicels, in the axils
of upper reduced leaves. Capsule
ellipsoid, acute.
Rare, in swampy places and along banks
of lake.
Flowering : September - April.
& Fruiting

Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis
[Syn: Majus rugosus Lour.; Mazus
japonicus (Thunb.) Kuntze]
Small herb with prostrate, ascending

pubescent branches and erect scapes;
leaves on the lower part alternate. Leaves
mostly radical, spathulate, crenate, more
or less sinuate or dentate. Flowers white,
in terminal sub-secund racemes; calyx 5-
lobed, enlarging in fruit. Capsule sub-
globose.
Common in shady and moist localities
under trees.
& Fruiting
Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.) Small

[Syn: Mecardonia dianthera (Sw.)
Pennell]
Glabrous diffuse herb; branches angular.

Leaves shortly petioled, ovate or elliptic,
crenate-serrate or serrate, obtuse, base
obtuse or slightly cuneate. Flowers
yellow, axillary, solitary on slender
pedicels; corolla subequally 4-lobed,
slightly exserted from the calyx. Capsule
oblong or ellipsoid.
A common weed of moist waste places,
gardens and agricultural fields.
& Fruiting

Scoparia dulcis Linn.
Vernacular name : Khelapapada (O).

Erect much branched glabrous herb.
Stems 4-6-angled or lined. Leaves
petiolate, 3-nately whorled, upper often
opposite, rhomboid, elliptic, ovate or
lanceolate, serrate, acute, glandular, base
tapering. Flowers 3-6 from each whorl;
corolla 4-fid, densely pilose at throat,
white. Capsule subglobose.
Quite abundant in waste places, grassy
fields and road side.
& Fruiting
Striga angustifolia (D. Don) Saldanha

(Syn: Striga euphrasioides Benth.)
Erect herb, stem simple or rarely

branched, 4-angular, scabrid. Leaves
linear, sometimes toothed, margin
revolute. Flowers white, in terminal
spikes; lower bracts often exceeding the
calyx; calyx strongly 15-ribbed, lobes
linear, 3-nerved; corolla-tube pubescent.
Capsule obovoid.
Not very common, occasionally found in
open grassy fields especially in lateritic
soils during rainy season.
& Fruiting

UTRICULARIACEAE
Utricularia aurea Lour. (Syn:
Utricularia flexuosa Vahl)
Vernacular name: Bhatudia dala (O);

Jhangi (Beng.).
Aquatic herb. Floating rhizoids
sometimes present at or near the base of
the peduncle, usually 3-4, fusiform or
narrowly fusiform, inflated. Flowers
yellow, from an emerging raceme; upper
lobe of corolla broadly ovate, apex
rounded, lower lip larger, apex rounded,
entire or retuse. Capsule globose,
circumscissile.
Quite common as a floating plant in lakes,
ponds, ditches, flooded rice fields and
other stagnant water bodies.
& Fruiting
Utricularia stellaris L f. [Syn:

Utricularia inflexa Forssk. var. stellaris
(Linn.f.) P. Taylor]
Vernacular name: Bhatudiadala (O);

Jhangi (Beng.).
Aquatic herb with inflated floats. Foliar
organs numerous; primary segments 3-6,
sub-verticillate, each pinnately divided
and dichotomously forked, ultimate
segments capillary; traps numerously
stalked, broadly obliquely ovoid.
Inflorescence lateral, few-flowered;
pedicels filiform, recurved. Flowers
yellow. Capsule globose; seeds numerous,
prismatic, 4-6-angled.
A common floating aquatic plant in
shallow water ponds, ditches and rice
fields.
& Fruiting

BIGNONIACEAE
Millingtonia hortensis Linn.f.
Vernacular name: Sitahara, Akasa Malli

(O); Akas-nim (H, Beng.); Indian Cork
Tree (E).
Tall tree. Bark thick, corky. Leaves 2-3-
pinnate, leaflets ovate or ovate-lanceolate,
sinuate, crenate or coarsely toothed,
acuminate, base rounded, often oblique.
Flowers tubular, pendulous, white,
fragrant, in large panicles. Capsule acute
at both ends.
Frequently planted in gardens and as an
avenue plant; often self-sown.
Flowering : July - November.
& Fruiting
Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent.
Vernacular name : Phanphana,

Phempana (O); Sona, Sonpatti (Beng.);
Sagru, Sauna (H); Midnight Horrors (E).
Small trees with few branches; bark light-
brown, soft, corky; branches with large
leaf-scars. Leaves in terminal clusters,
very large, ternately 2-3 pinnate; pinnae
opposite; leaflets 2-4 pairs, ovate to
elliptic. Flowers large, fleshy, reddish-
purple inside, yellowish inside, in stout
terminal racemes. Capsule flat, deep-
brown, straight, sword-like, valves
woody; seeds flat, winged.
Occasional, in mixed deciduous forests
and thickets close to villages.

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker.-Gawler)
Miers (Syn: Bignonia venusta Ker.-
Gawler)
Vernacular name : Golden Creeper (E).

Large scandent shrub. Leaves pinnately
3-foliolate or the terminal leaflet often
converged into a 3-fid tendril; leaflets
ovate, acuminate, glabrous. Flowers
numerous, showy, tubular, orange, in
axillary drooping corymbose cymes.
A common ornamental plant of gardens,
porticos and pergolas.
Flowering : December - February.
Fruiting : Not observed
Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv.
Vernacular name: Turi (O); African Tulip

Tree (E).
Large trees; bark pale or white, young
parts velutinous. Leaves opposite,
imparipinnate; leaflets 9-15, oblong or
lanceolate, elliptic, minutely pubescent.
Flowers scarlet or orange-scarlet, in dense
terminal raceme, velutinous; calyx
spathaceous; corolla campanulate.
Capsule erect, lanceolate-oblong, valves
keeled; seeds winged.
Commonly planted in gardens and along
roads as an avenue tree.

PEDALIACEAE
Sesamum orientale Linn. (Syn:
Sesamum indicum Linn.)
Vernacular name : Khasa, Rasi, Tila (O);

Til (Beng.,H); Sesame, Gingelly (E).
Erect herb, glandular-pubescent. Stem
terete below, 4-gonous above. Leaves
long-petioled, upper lanceolate or oblong,
serrate or subentire or uppermost leaves
linear, alternate. Flowers white, pale
pinkish-violet or pinkish, often spotted
yellow within, drooping. Capsule erect,
oblong, bluntly 4-gonous, shortly beaked.
Quite frequent as weed along roads and
grassy fields during rainy season;
commonly cultivated as an oilseed crop.
& Fruiting
MARTYNIACEAE
Martynia annua Linn. (Syn: Martynia
diandra Gloxin)
Vernacular name : Baghanakhi (O,H,

Beng.); Devils claw, Tiger claw (E).
Undershrub. Leaves broadly ovate or
deltoid, repand-dentate, acute, base
cordate. Racemes 7-12-flowered; flowers
drooping; bracts broadly ovate; corolla
purple with yellow throat, glandular
hairy, mouth very oblique; lobes unequal,
suborbicular. Fruits ridged, with 2
hooked, stout claws
Common in wastelands and roadsides
during post-monsoon months.

ACANTHACEAE
Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.)
Wall. ex Nees
Vernacular name : Bhuinimba, Chiraita

(O); Chiraita (Beng.,O); Charayata (H).
Erect, glabrous herb. Stem 4-angled.
Leaves sessile or subsessile, linear-
lanceolate or lanceolate, acute, glabrous
or minutely puberulous beneath, base
cuneate. Flowers pedicelled, white-
purple or spotted purple, solitary and
erect on slender, spreading, large
panicles. Capsule oblong, very sparsely
gland-hairy, finally glabrous.
Abundant on roadsides, open
wastelands, forest floors and scrub
forests through out the area.
Flowering : September - May
& Fruiting
Asystasia gangetica (Linn.) T.

Anders.
Straggling or scandent herb; stem

pubescent. Leaves ovoid or rhomboid-
oblong, acute, pubescent, base rounded
or sub-cordate. Flowers white, purple or
pinkish-blue, funnel-shaped, in lax
terminal racemes. Capsule elliptic,
shortly beaked, pubescent.
Occasional in bushes and thickets;
probably introduced and naruralised.
& Fruiting

Barleria prionitis Linn.
Vernacular name : Daskeranta (O);

Kantajati (O,Beng.); Piyabasa (H).
Rigid, armed under-shrub. Axillary
shoots or inflorescence with decussate
spines. Leaves elliptic, ovate, obovate or
oblong-lanceolate, obtuse or acuminate,
often spine-tipped, minutely punctulate
both sides. Flowers yellow, 1-3 together
in the axils or terminal spikes; corolla
funnel-shaped, lobes 5, unequal. Capsule
oblong, with solid beak.
Fairly common in open fields, waste
places and dry forests.
& Fruiting
Barleria strigosa Willd.
Vernacular name : Bansuralli, Banmalli,

Koilikanta (O); Dasi (Beng).
Undershrub; branches strigose. Leaves
large, elliptic or ovate, acuminate,
strigose on nerves beneath, lineolate
above. Flowers blue, in dense secund
spikes. Bracteoles imbricate, oblong or
elliptic; two larger calyx-lobes imbricate
in a row on the upper side of the spike
and the bracteoles in two lateral rows.
Corolla tubular, funnel-shaped. Capsule
4-seeded.
Frequent in shady moist localities and
forest floors.
Fruiting : February - May

Blepharis maderaspatensis (Linn.)
Roth. (Syn: Blepharis boerhaviifolia
Pers.)
Diffuse herb with creeping root -stock.

Leaves mostly 4 in a whorl, elliptic,
elliptic- oblong or ovate, subentire or
remotely serrate, acute or obtuse, hairy on
the nerves beneath. Flowers white,
fascicled or solitary; bracts oblanceolate
or spathulate. Upper corolla-lip obsolete,
lower lip large, 3-lobed, with pink veins.
Capsule broadly ellipsoid.
Very common in forests, roadsides, scrub
forests and moist wastelands.
& Fruiting
Dicliptera bupleuroides Nees (Syn:

Dicliptera roxburghiana auct. non Nees)
Herb or undershrub. Stems 4-angled or

grooved and striate. Leaves often unequal
in a pair, ovate, acuminate, hairy beneath;
thinly pubescent or hairy above. Flowers
rose-purple, in very compound axillary
sessile cymes and teminating short
axillary or leaf-opposed branches.
Corolla hairy without, lips subequal.
Capsule clavate; seeds ovoid,
compressed.
Fairly common in moist and shady places
of hilly forests and village thickets.
& Fruiting

Dipteracanthus prostratus (Poir.)
Nees (Syn: Ruellia prostrata Pers.)
Rambling or creeping herb, rooting at

nodes. Leaves ovate, acute or obtuse,
hairy above, sparsely pubescent on
nerves beneath, base obtuse. Flowers
bluish or purple, axillary, solitary; corolla
tubular-ventricose, caducous. Capsule
clavate, pubescent, basal portion empty
and solid.
Abundant among bushes and hedges and
moist shady places in forests.
Flowering : July - January
& Fruiting
Ecbolium viride (Forssk.) Alston var.

dentata (Klein ex Link) Raizada [Syn:
Ecbolium linneanum Kurz var. dentata
(Klein ex Link) C. B. Clarke]
Undershrub, stem glabrous. Leaves

lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate or elliptic,
acute to acuminate, pale beneath, petiole
short, winged. Flowers white or bluish,
in dense spikes; bracts large, pale-green,
dentate or denticulate; corolla-tube long,
slender, limb 2-lipped, lower lip 3-lobed,
prominent. Capsule subspathulate, with
an ovate upper portion, very acute or
cuspidate.
Mostly found under trees, village groves
and shady localities in forests; often in
pure patches.
& Fruiting

Eranthemum nervosum (Vahl) R. Br.
ex Roem. & Schult. [Syn:
Daedalacanthus nervosus (Vahl) T.
Anders.]
Shrubs; stems 4-angled, puberulous.

Leaves large, elliptic to ovate, often
obscurely dentate or crenate-dentate,
acuminate, base decurrent. Flowers blue,
in ternately, corymbosely panicled
terminal spikes; bracts white, green-
veined, imbricating. Capsule clavate,
with a short point, glabrous.
Occasional is shady moist localities and
in forest floors.
Flowering : December - May
& Fruiting
Hemigraphis hirta (Vahl) T. Anders.
Prostrate or trailing herbs, softly white-

villous. Leaves sessile or sub-sessile, ,
crenate, obtuse or acute, densely hirsute.
Heads small, few-flowered; bracts oblong
or oblanceolate. Flowers purplish or pale
blue; corolla tubular-ventricose; longer
filaments laxly hairy below. Capsule
linear-oblong, about 12-seeded.
Fairly abundant in low-lying areas,
paddy fields, harvested crop fields and
open places.
& Fruiting

Hemigraphis latebrosa (Heyne ex
Roth) Nees
Vernacular name: Bareng Phul (O).

Erect or diffuse, softly hairy herbs; stem
4-angled, patently hairy. Leaves long-
petioled, ovate or ovate-lanceolate,
coarsely toothed or crenate-dentate,
acuminate. Flowers blue, in capitate or
sub-capitate spikes, with soft stiff hairs;
corolla tubular or funnel-shaped, tubes
sometimes yellow. Capsule linear, 6-
seeded, patently hairy.
Common as undergrowth in hilly forests,
scrub jungles and rock crevices.
& Fruiting
Hygrophila schulli (Buch.-Ham)

Almeida & Almeida [Syn: Hygrophila
auriculata (Schum.) Heine;
Asteracantha longifolia (Linn.) Nees]
Vernacular name : Koilikhia, Koelekha

(O); Talimakhana (H); Kulia Khara
(Beng.).
Undershrub, with hispidly hairy stems
and whorled spines at the nodes; spines
often 6 in a whorl. Leaves sessile, pseudo-
whorled from the shortened axillary
branchlets; leaves often 6 in a whorl, the
two outer ones often larger. Flowers
purple, in axillary whorls; upper lip of
corolla 2-lobed and lower 3-lobed.
Capsule linear-oblong, shorter than
calyx-lobes.
Quite frequent along water courses, rice
fields, lakes, ponds and swamps.
& Fruiting

Indoneesiella echioides (Linn.)
Sreemadh. [Syn: Andrographis
echioides (Linn.) Nees]
Vernacular name: Bada Bhuinima (O);

Birkubet (H).
Erect herb, 1-2 ft tall, stem and branches
4-gonous, densely villous. Leaves sessile,
oblong, obtuse or rounded, hispid-
pubescent on both sides. Flowers white
or pale-purple, brown or purple spotted,
erect, on divaricate simple or branched
racemes from all axils; racemes
glandular-pubescent. Capsule ellipsoid,
compressed.
Very common on walls, roofs, rock
crevices and in dry forests.
Flowering : August - January.
& Fruiting
Justicia adhatoda Linn. (Syn:

Adhatoda zeylanica Medic.; Adhatoda
vasica Nees)
Vernacular name : Basanga, Basak (O);

Vasaka (Beng.); Adulasa (H).
Shrubs. Leaves large, elliptic, elliptic-
lanceolate or ovate lanceolate, acuminate,
minutely pubescent. Flowers white,
subsessile, large, in axillary and terminal,
sometimes thyrsiform spikes; calyx lobes
5; corolla 2-lipped, tube short, upper lip
galeate, lower spreading, 3-lobed.
Capsule clavate-oblong, pubescent, with
a long solid base.
Often planted in gardens and as a hedge
plant near villages, sometimes wild in
scrub forests and waste grounds.
Flowering : June - February
& Fruiting

Justicia betonica Linn.
Erect undershrub. Stems striate, from a

perennial root-stock. Leaves petioled,
ovate, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate,
smaller upwards, entire or crenate,
dentate, acute to acuminate, glabrous or
pubescent both sides. Flowers white, rose
spotted, in mostly terminal, 1-3-nate
spikes, often panicled; bracts closely
imbricate, white, green-nerved, ovate or
narrowly ovate. Capsule clavate,
pubescent.
Common in shady moist localities and
waste places; also as undergrowth in
forests.
& Fruiting
Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. (Syn:

Gendarussa vulgaris Nees)
Vernacular name : Kukuradanti, Bada

Basang (O); Jagatmadan (Beng.);
Nilinardondi (H).
Glabrous shrub or undershrub; branches
dark purple. Leaves lanceolate, linear-
lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong, entire or
undulate, acute to acuminate, glabrous
except when young. Flowers white,
purple-spotted, mostly in clusters on the
axis; bracts linear; calyx lobes 5. Capsule
clavate, glabrous.
Very commonly grown as a hedge plant;
often run wild and get naturalized.
& Fruiting

Justicia japonica Thunb. (Syn: Justicia
simplex D. Don)
Herb. Stems angular and grooved, hairy.

Leaves elliptic, elliptic-oblong, oblong-
lanceolate, acute, subacute or subobtuse,
lineolate, scattered hairy on the nerves
both sides, sometimes strigose or shortly
ciliate. Spikes sessile, dense, cylindric,
hairy. Flowers small, pink. Capsule
elliptic-oblong, with solid base and hairy
tip.
Occasional, in open grassy places and
wastelands.
& Fruiting
Justicia quinqueangularis Koenig

ex. Roxb. [Syn : Rostellularia
quinqueangularis (Koenig. ex Roxb.)
Nees]
Ascending or erect, glabrous or

glabrescent herb; stems 5-sided,
internodes long. Leaves sessile, in distant
pairs, linear or linear-lanceolate,
subacute or subobtuse, minutely lineolate
above, glabrous. Spikes linear, terminal,
lax, often long-peduncled. Flowers white,
with pink markings. Capsule glabrous;
seeds slightly concentrically tuberculate.
Fairly common in marshy localities, rice
fields and margins of lakes and ponds.
& Fruiting

Lepidagathis hamiltoniana Nees
Vernacular name: Agnikhaira (O).

Diffuse herb with perennial root-stock.
Stems margined on 4-angles, glabrous.
Leaves sub-sessile, in distant pairs, acute
or obtuse, minutely scabrid ciliate on
margins. Flowers white with pink
striations within, in very congested
spikes, aggregated into prickly cushions
at the base of the stems; bracts lanceolate,
ciliate, ending in spine; corolla silky-
hairy. Capsule conical, glabrous.
Locally abundant in open dry rocky
places especially on laterite outcrops and
sand stone hills.
& Fruiting
Lepidagathis fasciculata (Retz.) Nees
Vernacular name: Rasna (O).

Viscid-hairy, aromatic herb, much
branched from the creeping rootstock.
Branches glandular hairy, with 4 raised
green lines. Leaves ovate or ovate-
lanceolate, coarsely serrate or dentate,
hairy on both sides. Flowers small, white,
in sub-capitate spikes, at the ends of
branches; bracts oblong, elliptic, hairy, 3-
nerved. Capsule linear, compressed,
shortly beaked; seeds 2-4.
Common in forest floors, especially in
shady and moist localities.
Flowering : January - June
& Fruiting

Lepidagathis incurva Buch.-Ham. ex
D. Don (Syn: Lepidagathis hyalina
Nees)
Herbs, 30-60 cm; stem sub-terete, more or

less pubescent, especially near the nodes,
often redish, with 2-4 raised green lines.
Leaves oblong, lanceolate-oblong, acute,
strongly-nerved,. Spikes dense, clustered
in upper leaf-axils; bracts very dense, 4-
farious, imbricate, mucronate, 1-nerved,
ciliate, glandular. Flowers white, mottles
with brown, tubular-ventricose, 2-lipped.
Capsule oblong, with a short beak.
Occasional, in damp forest floors and wet
places.
Flowering : December - May
& Fruiting
Peristrophe paniculata (Forssk.)

Brummitt [Syn: Peristrophe
bicalyculata (Retz.) Nees]
Vernacular name : Nasa bhaga (Beng.);

Atrilal (H).
Paniculately branched herb. Stems
sharply 6-angled, hispid or hairy. Leaves
ovate, lower larger, acute to acuminate,
pubescent; upper leaves gradually
passing into spreading, setaceous bracts.
Flowers small, pinkish with maroon
throat, in copiously branched, lax
panicles; corolla-tube slender, 2-lipped,
spreading. Capsule oblong, compressed,
beaked, glandular and puberulous.
Quite common in bushes, thickets, hedges
and scrub forests under shade.
& Fruiting

Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Sw.
[Syn: Phaulopsis dorsiflora (Retz.)
Sant.; Phaulopsis parviflora Willd.]
Spreading glandular-hairy herb. Leaves

in unequal pairs, elliptic or ovate, acute
to acuminate, thinly hairy and lineolate.
Spikes glandular-hairy; bracts broadly
ovate or reniform, obtuse, pubescent,
margins ciliate. Flowers white; larger
calyx-lobe leaf-like, elliptic ovate,
reticulate; corolla tube slender, lobes 5,
unequal. Capsule clavate, 4-seeded.
Abundant in shady places under trees
and in forest floors.
& Fruiting
Ruellia tuberosa Linn.
Glabrous or glabrescent herb, much

branched from a rootstock of numerous
fleshy tubers. Leaves elliptic-obovate,
obovate oblong or elliptic-oblong, entire
or undulate-crenate, obtuse, base cuneate.
Flowers blue, in axillary and terminal
cymes; bracts and bracteoles narrow;
corolla large, tube long, lobes unequal.
Capsule linear; seeds large, discoid,
hairy.
Occasional, in waste places, gardens,
cultivated fields and roadsides.
& Fruiting

Rungia pectinata (Linn.) Nees [Syn:
Rungia parviflora (Retz.) Nees var.
pectinata (Linn.) C. B. Clarke]
Vernacular name: Sankha saga (O).

Diffuse or erect herb. Leaves ovate-
lanceolate, linear or elliptic, acute, nearly
glabrous, except on the nerves, base
narrowed, petiole short. Flowers very
small, blue, in clustered secund spikes;
bracts in 4 rows (2 rows of barren and 2
rows of flowering bracts); corolla 2-
lipped, the lower longer, 3-lobes. Capsule
ovoid or oblong, compressed.
One of the commonest weeds of waste
places, grassy fields, agricultural lands
and forests.
& Fruiting
Sericocalyx scaber (Nees) Bremek.

(Syn: Strobilanthes scaber Nees)
Vernacular name : Khakusa (O).

Herb or undershrub, with creeping
rootstock. Stems hispid or strigose.
Leaves elliptic or obovate, crenate,
crenate serrate or entire, acute, stiff,
hispid or pubescent. Flowers yellow, in
short terminal panicles, hirsute or ciliate;
bracteoles linear; corolla narrowly
tubular, then ventricose, villous within.
Capsule downy, usually 4-seeded.
Fairly common in densely shaded and
wet localities close to water courses.
Flowering : January - May
& Fruiting

Thunbergia fragrans Roxb. var. laevis
(Nees) C. B. Clarke (Syn: Thunbergia
laevis Nees)
Vernacular name: Chakrakedar (O).

Slender twiner; branches glabrous or
pubescent. Leaves ovate, obvate-oblong,
distantly irregularly toothed, acute to
acuminate, glabrous or pubescent, base
straight, cordate or hastate. Flowers
white, fragrant, solitary or 2-3 in the leaf
axils. Capsule globose below, suddenly
narrowed to a barren sword-shaped beak,
glabrous or pubescent; seed 4, rounded.
Very rare, in bushes and thickets in damp
forests and scrub jungles.
& Fruiting
VERBENACEAE
Callicarpa tomentosa (Linn.) Murr.
(Syn: Callicarpa arborea Miq. ex C. B.
Clarke)
Vernacular name: Badapatri (O).

Moderate-sized tree. Branchlets
compressed, 4-angled, densely
tomentose. Leaves large, elliptic, ovate to
ovate-lanceolate, entire or slightly
toothed, rarely shortly denticulate or
dentate-serrate, densely stellate-
tomentose beneath. Flowers small,
purple, in dichotomous corymbose cymes.
Drupe globose, black when ripe.
Occasional in moist forests; also planted
in garden.

Clerodendrum inerme (Linn.) Gaertn.
Vernacular name : Guhia, Nutunga (O),

Batra (Beng., H).
Straggling, much branched shrub. Leaves
elliptic, broadly elliptic or obovate,
obtuse, rounded or retuse, glabrous,
somewhat fleshy, closely punctulate,
with glands beneath. Flowers white with
bright red filaments. Drupe pyriform,
somewhat 4-grooved, ultimately hard and
splitting into 3-4 pyrenes.
Frequently grown in gardens as a hedge
plant; wild along the coast.
& Fruiting
Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn.f.
Vernacular name: Dankari (O); Arni,

Urui, Pirun (H).
Rambling shrub. Branchlets hoary-
pubescent. Leaves ovate or sub-rhomboid,
entire or coarsely crenate-dentate, acute
or acuminate, glabrous. Flowers white,
fragrant at night, in axillary or terminal
cymose panicles; calyx green or purplish,
campanulate. Drupe broadly obovoid,
depressed, ultimately nearly dry.
Occasional in hedges and bushes close
to villages, also planted in gardens.

Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. (Syn:
Clerodendrum infortunatum auct. non
Linn.)
Vernacular name : Genguti, Kunti,

Madhvi (O); Bhant (H,Beng.).
Shrub or undershrub. Leaves ovate or
broadly ovate, entire or dentate,
acuminate or caudate, thinly hairy on
both sides, glandular beneath. Flowers
white with pink centre or pink-spotted,
in large terminal corymbose panicles;
calyx accrescent, red in fruit; corolla tube
long, slender; stamens far exserted.
Drupe bluish-black, usually of a single
globose drupel.
Common and gregarious in shady waste
places, under trees in groves and along
roads.
Fruiting : April - July
Duranta repens Linn. (Syn: Duranta

plumieri Jacq.)
Vernacular name: Baya koli (O).

Large shrub or small trees, usually
thorny. Leaves obovate or elliptic, entire,
crenate-serrate or serrate above middle,
base cuneate, tapering in to a short
petiole. Flowers blue, in terminal and
axillary drooping racemes, sometimes
sub-panicled; corolla tube exceeding the
calyx. Drupe yellow, globose, with a
conical apex.
A common hedge plant; often run wild;
several colour leaf forms are grown in
gardens as edge plants and in
shrubberies.
& Fruiting

Gmelina arborea Roxb.
Vernacular name : Gamhari, Gambhari

(O, Beng.,H).
Large or moderate-sized tree; bark light
grey. Leaves broadly ovate, entire,
acuminate or caudate, glabrous above,
white-or grey-stellate-tomentose beneath,
base cordate or subcordate, strongly 3-5-
nerved. Flowers yellow or yellow-brown,
in lateral or terminal panicles. Drupe
obovoid, succulent, usually 2-1-celled
and -seeded.
Occasional in forests, grown in
plantations and gardens.
Lantana camara Linn. var. aculeata

(Linn.) Moldenke (Syn: Lantana
camara sensu Haines)
Vernacular name: Nagairi, Putus (O);

Lantana (E).
Erect, straggling or sub-scandent
aromatic shrub. Stems and branchlets
armed with recurved prickles. Leaves
ovate or ovate-oblong, crenate-serrate,
acute, scabrid rugose above, glabrescent
or shortly villous on the nerves beneath.
Flowers white-pink or orange-yellow,
scented, in peduncled, capitate, cylindric
spikes. Drupe black globose.
Gregarious and naturalized in scrub
forests, degraded forest lands, waste
places and in hedges.
& Fruiting

Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng.
(Syn: Lippia geminata HBK.)
Vernacular name : Naguari, Nagdabana,

Bhutoni (O).
Aromatic shrub or undershrub. Branches
several, erect or procumbent, angled, with
numerous minute glands and spreading
hairs. Leaves lanceolate, oblong or ovate,
closely crenulate or crenate-serrate, acute,
thinly hairy and punctate above;
somewhat hoary beneath. Flowers pink,
scented, in capitate spikes, on axillary
peduncles. Fruit globose.
Common near swamps, lakes, canals and
other water bodies.
Flowering : March - December
& Fruiting
Phyla nodiflora (Linn.) Greene

[Syn: Lippia nodiflora (Linn.) A. Rich.]
Vernacular name : Gosingi (O); Bhuinokra

(H).
Perennial, prostrate herb, strigose with
short hairs. Leaves obovate or
oblanceolate, serrate above middle,
obtuse or rounded, thick, with few
appressed hairs beneath. Flowers small,
white, with yellow or pink mouth, in
axillary peduncled, bracteate spikes.
Fruit of 2 pyrenes, embraced by the 2-fid
calyx and bracts.
Frequent in open moist places, field
bunds, along the banks of lakes, pools
and ditches.
& Fruiting

Premna corymbosa (Burm.f.) Rottl. &
Willd.
Vernacular name : Agiyabat, Agnibathu,

Bhutabairi (O); Bhut bhirari (Beng.);
Agetha (H).
Shrub or small trees with slender
branches. Leaves ovate, acuminate,
nearly glabrous, base truncate or sub-
cordate. Cymes dense, in small panicles.
Flowers yellowish-white; calyx deeply 2-
lipped, enlarged and prominent in fruit.
Drupe obovoid, black when ripe, exocarp
fleshy and juicy.
Not common, in hedges and open waste
places.
& Fruiting
Premna latifolia Roxb.
Vernacular name: Gandhana (O).

Small tree. Branchlets pubescent. Leaves
ovate, sometimes elliptic or lanceolate,
entire, pubescent beneath or both sides
when young, often pubescent on the
nerves beneath; leaves drying black.
Flowers white, in corymbose cymes;
corolla distinctly 2-lipped, upper lip
oblong, rounded, entire or emarginate,
lower longer with 3 spreading, obtuse or
rounded lobes. Drupe depressed-globose,
black.
Occasional in scrub jungles and open
forests.
& Fruiting

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (Linn.)
Vahl [Syn: Stachytarpheta indica auct.
non (Linn.) Vahl]
Vernacular name : Jalajali (O); Kariyar

tharani (H); Brazilian tea, Aarons Rod
(E).
Erect herb. Stem terete, branches
somewhat 4-sided, mostly dichotomous.
Leaves elliptic or elliptic-ovate, crenate-
serrate, base cuneate and decurrent.
Spikes elongating, glabrous; bracts
lanceolate, acuminate, appressed.
Flowers blue, salver-shaped, curved,
sunk in the rachis of spike; calyx 4-
toothed. Fruit schizocarpic, dry,
cylindric.
Common weed of moist waste places and
roadsides.
Flowering : April - November
& Fruiting
Symphorema involucratum Roxb.
Large scandent shrub. Bark pale,

lenticellate. Leaves ovate, elliptic or
rhomboidly-elliptic, dentate or crenate-
dentate, acute, acuminate, subacute or
obtuse, glabrous above, stellate-
pubescent beneath. Flowers white,
corolla 6-8-lobed, in mostly 7-flowered
cymes; bracts foliaceous; stamens
exserted. Fruits dry, 1-seeded, included
in the accrescent calyx.
Fairly common in dry forests and scrub
jungles.

Symphorema polyandrum Wight
Vernacular name: Badichang (O).

Large scandent or subscandent shrub,
branchlets closely grey-stellate
tomentose. Leaves ovate, suborbicular or
broadly elliptic, repand or coarsely
toothed, mostly obtuse, stellate-
tomentose both sides. Involucral bracts
elliptic, elliptic-obovate or obovate,
entire. Flowers white; corolla 12-16-lobed,
in peduncled capitate cymes. Fruit
included in the calyx.
Occasional in dry forests.
Flowering : March-April,when leafless.
Tectona grandis Linn.f.
Vernacular name: Saguan (O, H); Segun

(Beng.); Teak (E).
Large deciduous trees; branches 4-
angled, tawny stellate-tomentose. Leaves
large, elliptic or obovate, scabrid above,
stellate-tomentose beneath. Flowers
white, short pedicelled, in large, erect,
terminal panicles; calyx large, inflated in
fruit. Drupe sub-globose, 4-lobed, with a
thick spongy covering.
Widely planted in forests and also in
gardens.

Vitex negundo Linn.
Vernacular name : Begunia, Nirgundi (O);

Nirgundi, Nishinda (Beng.,H).
Shrub or small tree. Bark grey, finely
hoary-tomentose. Leaves 3-5-foliolate;
leaflets lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate,
entire or crenate, acute to acuminate,
glabrescent or puberulous above, finely
white-tomentose beneath. Flowers bluish
purple or white, in oblong panicles.
Drupe globose.
Common in wastelands, bunds of
cultivated fields, margins of canals and
other water bodies.
& Fruiting
Vitex pinnata Linn. (Syn: Vitex

pubescens Vahl)
Vernacular name: Muria, Dhala singha

(O).
Small trees. Branchlets tomentose. Leaves
3-foliolate; leaflets sessile or sub-sessile,
ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or
acuminate, minutely pubescent beneath.
Panicles terminal, dense, pyramidal,
bracts large, persistent. Flowers blue or
purplish or white, glandular and
tomentose. Drupe black, somewhat
depressed-globose.
Fairly common in dry forests, mostly on
sand stone hills.
Fruiting : October - February.

LAMIACEAE
Anisochilus carnosus (Linn.f.) Wall.
Vernacular name : Bennia (O); Panjiri (H).

Erect herb. Stem 4-gonous, villous or
crisp-hairy. Leaves long-petioled, ovate
to broadly ovate, crenate or double serrate,
obtuse, acute or subacute, fleshy, more or
less villous. Flowers purple, in panicled,
long-peduncled spikes, whole
inflorescence covered with small red
glands. Nutlets sub-orbicular,
compressed, smooth, shining brown.
Common in rocky places, rock crevices,
old walls, dilapidated buildings, roofs
etc.
Flowering : September - January.
& Fruiting
Anisomeles indica (Linn.) Kuntze

(Syn: Anisomeles ovata Ait. f.)
Vernacular name: Landabaguli (O).

Softly pubescent herb or undershrub.
Leaves ovate, coarsely crenate, acute to
acuminate, sometimes obtuse, hairy on
both sides. Flowers purplish, hirsute
within and without, teeth acuminate;
corolla with pale or greenish upper lip
and purple, spreading 3-lobed lower lip.
Nutlets ovoid, black, polished, smooth.
Common weed of waste lands, road sides
and open places in scrub forests.
& Fruiting

Hyptis suaveolens (Linn.) Poit.
Vernacular name: Ganga tulsi, Bana

tulasi, Gaitulasi (O); Bilati tulsi (Beng.);
Wilayati tulsi (H).
Pubescent, erect, aromatic herb. Stems 4-
angled. Leaves ovate to broadly ovate,
sinuate and crenate-dentate or doubly
serrate, acute to obtuse, hairy. Flowers
blue, small, when young, often capitate;
calyx campanulate, 10-nerved. Nutlets
compressed, ovoid oblong, emarginate at
top, pointed below, ribbed.
Very common weed, often gregarious in
waste places, scrub forests, hill slopes
and field bunds.
& Fruiting
Leonotis nepetifolia (Linn.) R. Br.
Vernacular name: Kanta Sidha, Sidha (O);

Hejur chei (Beng.,H).
Tall erect herb. Stems thick, 4-angled and
grooved, puberulous. Leaves large, ovate,
more lanceolate and deflexed under the
whorls, coarsely crenate-serrate or
crenate, pubescent. Flowers orange, in
large distant globose whorls; bracts
linear spinescent; corolla exserted,
villous Nutlets linear-oblong, widened
upwards, truncate.
Fairly common in wastelands, scrub
forests and village thickets.
& Fruiting

Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link
Vernacular name: Gaisa, Gayasa,

Bhutamari (O); Chota halkusa (Beng.,H).
Erect or diffuse, much branched herb.
Stems deeply grooved, thinly hairy.
Leaves linear, oblanceolate or rarely
narrowly elliptic, crenate-serrate, serrate
or subentire, acute or obtuse, thinly
pubescent or shortly hairy both sides.
Flowers white, in terminal and axillary
whorls; bracts linear, hispid-ciliate; calyx
mouth oblique. Nutlets smooth, brown.
Abundantly found in cultivated land
(especially in pulse fields), waysides and
sandy localities.
& Fruiting
Leucas cephalotes (Roth) Spreng.
Vernacular name: Gayasa, Gaisa (O);

Barahalkusa (Beng.); Dhurpi sag (H).
Erect annual herb; stem 4-groved,
patently hairy. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or
elliptic-oblong, remotely serrate or
crenate-serrate, densely pubescent on
both sides. Whorls dense, globose,
terminal or sub-terminal; bracts large,
closely imbricating. Flowers white; calyx
tubular, mouth oblique, hairy within;
corolla exserted, upper lip densely
bearded. Nuts smooth, brown.
Common weed of wastelands, cultivated
fields and on roadsides.
Flowering : August - December.
& Fruiting

Ocimum basilicum Linn. (Syn:
Ocimum americanum Linn.)
Vernacular name : Durlabha,

Karpurakanti, Landabaguli, Dahana (O);
Babui tulsi (Beng.); Kali tulsi, (H); Sweet
Basil, Common Basil (E).
Erect, branched herb, aromatic. Stems
blackish, pubescent. Leaves ovate or
lanceolate, entire, acute, glabrous,
glandular. Racemes verticillasters, many-
flowered; bracts lanceolate-ovate.
Flowers white-bluish-purple or pinkish;
corolla campanulate, 2-lipped. Nutlets
oblong or ellipsoid, pitted; pericarp
mucilaginous when moistened.
Common in waste places and sandy soils
Flowering : September - June
& Fruiting
Ocimum sanctum Linn.
Vernacular name : Tulasi, Dhala Tulasi,

Kala Tulasi (O); Tulsi (Beng., H); Sacred
Basil, Holy Basil (E).
Erect aromatic herb or much-branched
undershrub. Branchlets pubescent or
hairy. Leaves elliptic, elliptic-oblong or
ovate, ovate-oblong, crenate-serrate,
obtuse or acute, hairy both sides. Flowers
very small, purplish or crimson,
verticillasters in racemes. Nutlets reddish
or yellowish with small black markings,
broadly ellipsoid.
Very commonly planted in houses and
gardens as a holy plant; self-sown in
waste places close to human habitations.
& Fruiting

Orthosiphon thymiflorus (Roth)
Sleesen (Syn: Orthosiphon glabratus
Benth.)
Vernacular name: Bhutiari (O).

Branched glabrous herb. Leaves ovate or
broadly ovate, crenate or dentate-serrate,
acute or obtuse, pale beneath. Flowers
white-purple, about 6 in a whorl, in
slender racemes; bracts ovate, cuspidate,
reflexed; fruiting calyx deflexed. Nutlets
broadly ellipsoid, brown.
Occasional in shady places and forest
floors.
& Fruiting
NYCTAGINACEAE
Boerhavia diffusa Linn.
Vernacular name : Puruni, Punarnava (O);

Rakta punarnava (Beng.); Patharchata
(H).
Diffuse herb. Stem glabrous, often
purplish, thickened at the nodes. Leaves
in unequal pairs, broadly ovate or sub-
orbicular, obtuse or rounded at apex,
whitish beneath. Flowers very small,
pink, sessile or subsessile, in heads or
small umbels on slender peduncles from
the leaf-axils and in axillary and terminal
panicles. Anthocarp clavate, 5-ribbed,
glandular.
Fairly common weed of open waste
places, scrub forests and cultivated fields.
& Fruiting

Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.
Vernacular name : Kagajaphula (O).

Large scandent, thorny shrub; branches
pubescent. Leaves alternate, orbicular-
ovate, acute or acuminate, both sides
pubescent. Flowers and bracts ternate at
the ends of every branchlet and forming
large panicles; bracts red, white, pink,
yellow or variegated; flowers small,
yellow or white.
One of the most common ornamental
plants of gardens, parks and roadsides.
& Fruiting
Mirabilis jalapa Linn.
Vernacular name : Rangani,

Chandrakanta (O); Krishnakeli (Beng.);
Gulabash (H); Four O Clock plant,
Marvel of Peru (E).
Herb with large tuberous root; stem fleshy.
Leaves opposite, ovate or triangular-
ovate, acute to acuminate. Flowers
funnel-shaped, purple, yellow or red,
subtended by an involucre of 5 ovate-
elliptic connate bracts, accrescent in fruit;
stamens exserted. Anthocarp ellipsoid,
ribbed, black.
Cultivated in gardens; very often run wild
as escape in waste places.
& Fruiting

AMARANTHACEAE
Achyranthes aspera Linn.
Vernacular name : Apamaranga (O);

Apang (Beng.); Latjira, Chichira (H);
Prickly chaff flower (E).
Erect straggling or sub-scandent herb.
Leaves ovate, elliptic, obovate or sub-
orbicular, acute, obtuse or usually shortly
suddenly acuminate, generally
appressed hairy beneath. Flowers
polished green, deflexed, in long spikes;
perianth calycine, of 4-5 rigid, aristate
lanceolate segments; bracts membranous,
spinescent. Urticle oblong.
Fairly abundant and common weed of
scrub forests, waste lands and among
hedges and bushes.
& Fruiting
Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss.
Vernacular name : Paunsia (O); Chaya

(Beng.,H).
Perennial, suberect, diffuse or prostrate,
hoary-villous herb. Leaves obovate,
rounded, broadly ovate or elliptic,
obtuse, white-tomentose beneath or hairy
or lanata both sides. Spikes sessile,
usually in axillary clusters. Tepals
obtuse. Utricle rotund, compressed.
Quite common in wate places, gardens,
grassy fields and roadsides.
& Fruiting

Aerva sanguinolenta (Linn.) Blume
(Syn: Aerva scandens Wall. ex Moq.)
Vernacular name: Chauladhua (O);

Nariya, Nuriya (Beng.).
Straggling or ascending herb. Branches
striate, often reddish, minutely hairy.
Leaves mostly alternate, lower ones
opposite, lanceolate or elliptic-
lanceolate, membranous, appressed silky
beneath. Flowers bisexual or
polygamous; bract hyaline, shortly
awned; tepals ovate, densely white-
villous, imbricate, outer white, inner with
green centre. Urticle thin.
Quite common, a weed of waste places,
scrub jungles and forest roads.
Flowering : September - May
& Fruiting
Allmania nodiflora (Linn.) R.Br. ex

Wight
Annual, diffuse or procumbent herb.

Leaves variable, sessile or shortly
petioled, linear to elliptic, oblong or
spathulate, lower surface pilose. Heads
terminal and leaf-opposed, yellowish-
green, ovoid; bracts linear or ovate,
acuminate, aristate, hispid; tepals elliptic-
lanceolate, sharply acuminate, scarious
with green midrib. Seed black, shining.
Fairly abundant in cultivated fields,
waste places with sandy and lateritic
soils.
& Fruiting

Alternanthera pungens Kunth (Syn:
Alternanthera echinata Sm.)
Prostrate perennial herb. Stem pinkish,

hairy. Leaves exstipulate, very unequal,
obovate, ovate-orbicular or oblong-
orbicular, obtuse or mucronate, covered
with silky hairs. Flowers in spiny heads
in the axils of leaves, compressed and
chaffy; heads globose or subglobose. Seed
discoid, brownish.
Occasional in open grounds, a
characteristic species on sandstone hills
and lateritic soils.
& Fruiting
Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) R.Br. ex

DC.
Vernacular name: Madaranga saga (O).

Prostrate or ascending herb. Leaves
sessile or subsessile, variable, elliptic-
oblong, oblanceolate, obovate-oblong,
narrowly elliptic or linear, glabrous or
slightly hairy on both sides. Cluster of
flowers or spikes axillary, solitary or few
in a cluster, white or pinkish; bracts
scarious, white, ovate, mucronate,
glabrous. Seeds discoid.
Very common in moist waste places,
banks of lakes and ponds, rice fields etc.
& Fruiting

Amaranthus spinosus Linn.
Vernacular name : Kanta khada,

Kantaleutia (O, Beng.); Prickly Amaranth
(E).
Erect branched herb, armed with sharp
axillary spines; spines very sharp, paired
or clustered. Leaves ovate, lanceolate or
rhomboid, margin entire, wavy, apex
acute or subacute. Flowers green, in
axillary clusters; tepals 5, with green
midrib and scarious margins. Utricle
ovoid, circumscissile. Seeds dark brown
or black.
Fairly abundant in waste grounds, road
sides and cultivated lands.
& Fruiting
Amaranthus viridis Linn.
Vernacular name : Leutia, Leutia saga (O);

Jangli chaulai (H); Ban note (Beng.);
Green or Wild amaranth (E).
Erect or procumbent herb, green and
glabrous. Leaves ovate, rhomboid-ovate
or rhomboid, acute, sub-acute or obtuse,
often emarginate. Flowers minute, in
panicled spikes; bracts and bracteoles
ovate-lanceolate, midrib minutely
excurrent; tepals usually 3, linear to
oblanceolate or oblong-lanceolate. Utricle
rugose, acute, indehiscent.
A common weed of open grassy places
& Fruiting

Celosia argentea Linn.
Vernacular name : Nahanga saga (O);

Safed murgha (H); Swetmurga (Beng.);
Quail Grass (E).
Erect, glabrous herb. Stems and branches
striate. Leaves lanceolate, linear or
lanceolate-oblong, acute to acuminate,
base cuneate or tapering into slender
petiole. Spikes shining, pink or white,
peduncled, ovoid or cylindrical; tepals
linear-lanceolate, mostly 6, very scarious;
bracts and bracteoles similar but smaller,
often aristulate. Seeds several, black,
shining.
Very common as a weed in cultivated
uplands and waysides.
& Fruiting
Gomphrena celosioides Mart.
Annual, prostrate or ascending herb.

Stem and branches striate, white villous.
Leaves sessile or subsessile, oblong-
elliptic or oblanceolate, villous. Spikes
first globose and finally elongate and
cylindrical, whitish, subtended by a pair
of sessile leaves; tepals narrowly
lanceolate, mucronate. Utricle
compressed-pyriform; seeds brown,
shining.
Fairly abundant, a weed of open fields
and waste places.
& Fruiting

Pupalia lappacea (Linn.) Juss. [Syn:
Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.) Moq.]
Vernacular name: Jatajatia (O); Duya-

kuya (Beng.).
Pubescent undershrub with straggling
branches. Leaves ovate, ovate-oblong or
lanceolate, acute, pale on lower surface.
Flowers green, bisexual, fascicled in
clusters, with 1-3 perfect flowers; bracts
ovate, aristate; tepals lanceolate, aristate,
3-nerved, densely hairy. Utricle ovoid;
seed ellipsoid, compressed, smooth,
shining, black.
Commonly found along roads, edges of
cultivated fields and in shady moist
localities.
& Fruiting
CHENOPODIACEAE
Chenopodium album Linn.
Vernacular name: Bathua (O. H); Bethu

sag (Beng.).
Erect herb, covered with powdery white
or pink vesicles. Leaves variable, oblong-
lanceolate or rhomboid-lanceolate,
toothed or lobulate, acute, petiole slender.
Flowers minute, bisexual, in short
axillary spikes, often forming a terminal
thyrse; tepals keeled, nearly covering the
urticle. Urticle membranous; seeds black.
An occasional weed in cultivated fields
and gardens.
Flowering : November - March.
& Fruiting

POLYGONACEAE
Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn.
Vernacular name: Snehalata (O); Coral

creeper (E).
Climber with branchlets and rachis of the
inflorescence often passing in to tendrils.
Leaves ovate-cordate or deltoid, rugose,
with amplexicaul petioles and stipules.
Flowers pink, in panicled racemes;
perianth 5-6-merous, 3 outer tepals dry
and accrescent in fruit. Nuts 3-angular.
Cultivated in gardens; often wild in
hedges and waste places.
& Fruiting
Polygonum barbatum Linn.
Erect or spreading herb. Branches

glabrous or nearly so. Leaves sessile or
subsessile, linear-oblong or linear-
lanceolate, acuminate or acute, strigose
on both sides. Racemes spiciform,
terminal, slender, panicled; peduncles
glabrous or nearly so; bracts short,
glabrous, setose on margins. Flowers
white-pinkish. Nut trigonous.
Common along rivers, streams and
ponds.
& Fruiting

Polygonum glabrum Wilid.
Vernacular name : Bihagni (Beng.).

Stout erect herb. Stems woody below,
swollen at the nodes. Leaves lanceolate,
oblong-lanceolate or linear, acuminate,
glabrous,gland-dotted beneath. Flowers
pink, in rather dense pancled spiciform
racemes, about in a cluster. Tepals
elliptic, concave, often slightly exserted.
Nut brown-black, orbicular-ovoid,
compressed, polished.
Occasional, along canals, lakes and water
bodies.
& Fruiting
Polygonum hydropiper Linn.
Decumbent, ascending or rarely erect,

glabrous herb. Leaves subsessile, linear-
lanceolate, glabrous beneath, sometimes
scabrous on margins, gland-dotted;
stipules glabrous. Flowers pink, in rather
lax, very slender or filiform racemes. Nut
usually triquetrous, opaque, granulate,
occasionally flat.
Common along water courses.
Flowering : December

Polygonum plebeium R. Br.
Vernacular name: Muthi saga, Chanti

saga (O); Chemti Sag, Dubia sag (Beng.)
Prostrate herb; stems several from the
root, grooved, scabrous. Leaves linear,
linear-oblong or obovate-oblong, often
with revolute margin; stipules fimbriate,
with excurrent nerves. Flowers small,
white, green to pink, with green midrib,
crowded in the leaf axils. Nuts spindle-
shaped, triquetrous, brown, shining.
Fairly common in moist places, harvested
crop fields and waste lands
& Fruiting
Polygonum pulchrum BIume (Syn:

Polygonum tomentosum Willd.)
Stout herb; stems, thick and very hairy.

Leaves elliptic-oblong, lanceolate,
acuminate, densely tomentose on both
sides. Stipules, strigose, truncate at
mouth and bristle-ciliate. Flowers white
or pinkish, in panicled racemes, bracts
hispid and ciliate. Nutlets biconvex,
crustaceous, shining dark brown.
Abundant along water courses, in
shallow ditches and swamps.
Flowering : January- March.
& Fruiting

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE
Aristolochia indica Linn.
Vernacular name : Panairi, Oyidi, (O);

Isharmul (Beng.,H); The Indian Birthwort
(E).
Glabrous perennial twiner; branches
slender, sulcate. Leaves ovate or usually
panduriform, obtusely acuminate or
acuminate, glabrous. Flowers dark
brown, 2-7 in a very short raceme or sub-
clustered; bracts lanceolate, acuminate.
Capsule subglobose or broadly oblong
and narowed into the clavate pedicel,
dehiscing from the base.
Occasional in scrub forests, open
grounds, hedges and bushes.
PIPERACEAE
Peperomia pellucida (Linn.) Kunth.
Vernacular name: Ghusuri pana (O).

Succulent, shining, glabrous herb. Leaves
alternate and opposite, ovate or broadly
ovate, acute, subacute or obtuse, glabrous,
7-nerved, nerves clear. Spikes slender,
leaf opposed, glabrous. Flowers distant,
sunk in the rachis with minute peltate
bracts. Fruit globose.
Very common in shady moist places, rock
crevices and old walls and buildings
under shade.
& Fruiting

Piper longum Linn.
Vernacular name : Poppali (O); Pipla

(Beng.); Pipal (H); Indian Long Pepper (E).
Creeping or rambling herb. Stems usually
puberulous. Leaves ovate, sometimes
orbicualr, elliptic-oblong or oblong,
deeply cordate at base, acute, acuminate,
glabrous or puberulous on the nerves
beneath, base deeply cordate. Male spikes
slender yellow. Female spikes
cylindrical, upto 3 cm in fruit. Berries
globose, 1-seeded.
Very commonly grown in gardens,
creeping on tree trunks.
& Fruiting
LAURACEAE
Cassytha filiformis Linn.
Vernacular name : Nirmuli (O); Akasbel

(Beng.); Amarbeli (H).
Parasitic twining herb. Stem filiform,
dark green, pubescent or glabrous. Spikes
pubescent, from the axils of scale-leaves.
Flowers small, bisexual, spicate or
racemose, yellow; stamens 3-seriate;
staminodes 3, fleshy. Drupe globose,
enclosed in the enlarged inflated
perianth-tube, crowned by the remains of
the lobes and the stamens. .
Abundant as a parasitic twiner in dry
scrub forests.
& Fruiting

Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) Robins. [Syn:
Litsea chinensis Lam.; Litsea sabifera
(Willd.) Pers.]
Vernacular name: Medha, Jaisanda,

Baghtal, Patraraj (O); Kakur chita (Beng.);
Menda (H).
Small or medium-sized tree. Bark grey,
smooth and slightly rough in old trees.
Leaves very variable in size and shape,
elliptic, elliptic-lanceolate, oblong or
lanceolate, obtuse to acuminate or
rounded, glabrous or pubescent. Flowers
white or yellowish, in few-flowered
corymbose umbels. Fruit black, globose.
Very common in forests, village grooves
and gardens; seedlings are plenty under
trees in shady moist localities.
Fruiting : September - November
LORANTHACEAE
Dendrophthoe falcata (Linn. f.) Etting.
(Syn: Loranthus longiflorus Desr.)
Vernacular name : Madang, Malang,

Brudhanga (O); Banda (H); Baramanda
(Beng.).
Profusely branched, parasitic shrub with
glabrous branches. Leaves broadly ovate,
ovate-oblong, oblong or elliptic, obtuse or
rounded, fleshy, glabrous, midrib often red.
Flowers tubular, orange or scarlet, in
axillary and extra-axillary secund racemes.
Fruit oblong or ellipsoid, glabrous.
Most common parasite on trees like
Mangifera indica, Diospyros melanoxylon,
Strychnos nux-vomica and a number of
other host plant species.
Flowering : September - March.
& Fruiting

Viscum articulatum Burm. f.
Vernacular name: Malanga, Kathi

Malanga (O); Para gachha, Vandu (Beng.);
Vadala, Bondala (H).
Leafless parasitic shrub; branches 2-3-
chotomous, green, jointed, pendulous,
internodes flattened; basal internodes
often rounded, succeeding internodes
decussately flattened. Leaves reduced to
scales. Flowers minute, fascicled at the
nodes, 3-4 merous. Fruits yellow,
subglobose.
Frequent parasite on Diospyros
melanoxylon, Ziziphus mauritiana,
Strychnos nuxvomica, Syzigium cumini etc.
Flowering : December - January
Viscum monoicum Roxb. ex DC.
Vernacular name: Patri Malang (O);

Banda, Pargatcha (Beng.); Banda, Malang
(H).
Much branched parasitic shrub with
slender terete branches. Leaves narrowly
elliptic, lanceolate, lanceolate-oblong or
oblong, often falcate, acute to somewhat
acuminate, secondary nerves 3-5, slender.
Flowers greenish or yellowish. Berry
shortly stipitate, oblong, somewhat
truncate, green, polished, smooth.
Occasional, a parasitic species on
Memecylon umbellatum and Holarrhena
pubescens and other trees and shrubs.
Flowering : November - December.

SANTALACEAE
Santalum album Linn.
Vernacular name: Chandan (O, Beng., H);

Sandal Tree (E). .
Small evergreen tree. Bark dark-grey,
rough, wood hard and close grained.
Leaves opposite, elliptic, elliptic-ovate or
ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, acute or
subacute, glaucous beneath. Flowers
small, at first pale then brownish-purple;
tepals ovate, rotate. Drupe black, fleshy,
globose or ovoid, shining.
Frequently planted in gardens, road sides
and temple premises; also run wild at
certain locations.
EPHORBIACEAE
Acalypha indica Linn.
Vernacular name: Indramaricha (O);

Muktajuri (Beng.); Kuppi, Khokli (H);
Indian Acalypha (E).
Erect herb. Stems puberulous. Leaves
long-petioled, ovate or rhomboid-ovoid,
serrate, acute or obtuse, base 5-nerved,
subacute, entire. Spikes numerous,
axillary, female flowers below, 9 or more,
lax, males above; female bracts foliaceous,
concave, suborbicular. Capsule concealed
by the bract, hispid, usually 1-seeded.
Common weed of shady localities,
gardens and waste places.
& Fruiting

Antidesma acidum Retz. [Syn:
Antidesma diandrum (Roxb.) Roth]
Vernacular name : Nuniari, Nunnunia

(O); Matta (Beng.); Amta, Khatua (H);
Large shrub or small tree. Leaves elliptic,
oblong, obovate-oblong or somewhat
rhomboidly elliptic, acute, subacute or
obtuse, glabrous, pale beneath, secondary
nerves 3-5. Flowers green, pedicelled, in
mostly solitary, rarely 2-3-nate racemes.
Drupe red or lack, ovoid or subglobose,
glabrous.
Common in damp forests and under trees
in grooves.
Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn.
Vernacular name: Katha marmuri,

Nunnunia, Jamula (O); Tintoa (Beng.);
Umtoa (H).
Shrub or small tree; bark pale and slightly
cracked. Leaves elliptic, broadly elliptic,
orbicular or elliptic-oblong, rounded at
both ends, glabrescent above, hairy or
tomentose beneath. Flowers minutely
pedicelled, in densely tomentose,
panicled racemes; tepals 5-7, ciliate or
wooly. Fruit red to black, ovoid-oblong
edible.
Quite abundant in dry forests and scrub
jungles.

Baliospermum montanum (Willd.)
Muell.-Arg. (Syn: Baliospermum
axillare Blume)
Vernacular name: Danti, Dimbajoda,

Kanaka (O), Danti (Beng., H).
Undershrub. Stems pubescent or strigose.
Leaves obovate-oblong, ovate-oblong,
ovate, elliptic-oblong or upper lanceolate
and smaller, variously lobed, coarsely
sinuate-lanceolate, strigose, 3-5 nerved at
the base. Flowers yellowish, fascicled,
axillary, in the axils of bracts. Capsule 3-
lobed, hirsute or pubescent.
Fairly common in shady places, waste
lands, field bunds and in scrub jungles.
& Fruiting
Breynia retusa (Dennst.) Alston

[Syn: Breynia patens (Roxb.) Rolfe]
Vernacular name: Jajan, Jajang,

Raktatrichuli (O); Chitki (Beng.); Kambhi
(H).
Small shrub. Leaves elliptic, elliptic-
oblong or sub-orbicular, glabrous.
Flowers axillary, monoecious. Male
flowers more numerous, usually 2-3 from
an axil, turbinate, creamish-yellow.
Female flowers larger, the perianth
spreading, enlarging in fruit. Fruit
globose, flattened both ends, red when
ripe.
Occasional in shrub jungles, open forests
and roadsides.
& Fruiting

Breynia vitis-idaea (Burm.f.) Fischer
[Syn: Breynia rhamnoides (Retz.)
Muell.-Arg.]
Vernacular name : Jajan, Jhanjika (O);

Kamkata (Beng.); Tikhar, Sura saruni (H).
Shrub with spreading branches. Leaves
close-set, distichous, elliptic, elliptic-
ovate or broadly oblong, obtuse, rounded
or somewhat retuse, glabrous, pale
beneath. Flowers monoiceous or rarely
dioecious, green, yellow or pinkish,
axillary, solitary or in few-flowers
clusters. Female flowers solitary, green,
campanulate. Fruit red, globose or
globose-ovoid.
Common in forests edges, especially on
sand stone hills and open grounds.
Flowering : March - February
& Fruiting
Bridelia monoica (Lour.) Merr.

(Syn: Bridelia tomentosa Blume)
Vernacular name: Chotakasi (O); Mindri,

Sirai (Beng.).
Large bushy shrub or small tree with
drooping branches. Branchlets slender,
rusty-tomentose, pubescent or
puberulous. Leaves elliptic, lanceolate or
linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate,
glabrous, dark green above, pale beneath.
Flowers small, dioecious; petals clawed,
coarsely toothed. Drupe blue-black,
globose.
Not common, found in scrub jungles and
dry miscellaneous forests.

Bridelia retusa (Linn.) Spreng. (Syn:
Bridelia airy-shawii P. T. Li)
Vernacular name : Kasi, Panikasi (O);

Kasai (Beng.); Kaj, Ekadania (H).
Small or moderate-sized tree, usually
with long conical thorns on the trunk
when young. Leaves oblong or elliptic-
oblong, acute, obtuse or rounded or even
retuse, glabrous or pubescent, glaucous
beneath. Flowers small, green,
monoecious, in axillary clusters towards
the ends of the branchlets. Drupe black
when fully mature, globose.
Quite common in dry mixed forests, also
planted in gardens.
Fruiting : September - January
Chrozophora rottleri (Geiseb.) Juss.
Annual stellate-pubescent herb, erect or

diffusely branched. Branches numerous,
spreading from the rootstock, woolly-
tomentose or scaly. Leaves broadly ovate,
ovate-oblong, or suborbicular, obtuse,
woolly-tomentose. Flowers in axillary
and terminal bracteate racemes; male
flowers crowded in upper part of raceme
and female in the lower. Capsules
subglobose, stellate-tomentose, reddish-
purple when mature.
Locally gregarious in waste places,
harvested crop fields and road sides; also
common in sandy soils.
& Fruiting

Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth.
ex Hook.f.
Vernacular name: Karada, Padashi (O),

Karla (H).
Small or moderate-sized tree. Bark nearly
black, rough, lenticellate. Leaves obovate,
orbicular or broadly elliptic, glaucous
beneath, rounded or retuse at both ends.
Flowers green, small, appearing with the
leaves, males clustered, female often
solitary, sessile. Capsule subglobose,
woody, chest-nut colored when ripe,
shining.
Fairly common in dry forests and thorny
scrub jungles.
Fruiting : October - April
Croton bonplandianus Baill. (Syn:

Croton sparciflorus Morong.)
Vernacular name : Bana miricha,

Lankamarichia (O).
Herbs or small undershrubs. Branches
tough, with stellate-hairy tubercles.
Leaves lanceolate, wavy and serrate,
acute to ovate, glabrous, base cuneate.
Racemes elongate, with cream-coloured
flowers, males in the upper portion,
females in the lower part. Capsule of 3,
bivalved cocci , epicarp warty. Seeds
oblong.
One of the most common weeds of
wastelands, agricultural fields, gardens
and road sides.
& Fruiting

Croton caudatus Geisel.
Vernacular name : Furudi (O);

Nanbhantur (Beng.).
Subscandent shrubs; branchlets stellate-
tomentose. Leaves ovate or orbicular,
toothed or crenate-dentate, base cordate,
acute to acuminate, stellate-tomentose.
Flowers white, on 2-3-nate pedicels, in
racemes often elongating to 25 cm,
monoecious; lower 2-6 flowers being
female. Capsule globose or obovoid,
stellately mealy or rough with tubercles.
Quite common in scrub forests on sand
stone hills and lateritic soils.
Flowering : April-August.
& Fruiting
Drypetes roxburghii (Wall.) Hurus.

(Syn: Putranjiva roxburghii Wall.)
Vernacular name : Poichandia (O);

Putranjiva (H, Beng).
Large or moderate-sized tree, with
drooping branches; bark dark grey.
Leaves bifarious, oblong, broadly
lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, margin
wavy, serrulate or shallowly distantly
crenulate, obtuse or rounded. Male
flowers yellow. Female flowers green.
Drupe obovoid or ellipsoid, hoary-
tomentose, apiculate; endocarp 1-seeded.
Often planted along roads and in
gardens.

Euphorbia hirta Linn.
Vernacular name : Chitakutei, Hariharik,

Chelidudhi (O); Bara kerui (Beng.); Dudhi
(H).
Erect or prostrate hairy herb with milky
latex. Leaves opposite, ovate-oblong,
broadly oblong, elliptic-oblong, lower
surface pale. Cyathia aggregated in
capitate, subsessile axillary cymes; male
florets ebracteolate; female florets
laterally pendulous. Involucre
campanulate, strigose, ciliolate, glands 4-
5. Capsule pubescent or hairy.
Fairly common weed of waste places in a
range of habitats.
& Fruiting
Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham. (Syn:

Euphorbia neriifolia sensu Roxb.)
Vernacular name : Patra Siju, Katha siju,

Bada siju (O); Sij (Beng.); Kata thohar (H).
Large spiny shrub or small tree. Branches
cylindric; spines straight, paired on flat
corky bases. Leaves alternate, clustered
towards the ends of the branches, fleshy,
oblanceolate-oblong or spathulate; male
infloresence with sterile florets,
bracteolate; female florets laterally
pendulous. Capsule 3-lobed, lobes
compressed; seeds 4-angular, smooth.
Common in scrub forests, hillocks and
planted as hedge plant in villages and
homesteads.
& Fruiting

Euphorbia rosea Retz.
Small glabrous herb with many slender

prostrate or ascending branches and
milky latex. Leaves opposite, obliquely
obovate, oblanceolate-oblong or linear-
spathulate. Cyathia rosy, in subterminal,
lax clusters, rarely solitary in upper axils.
Capsule minutely tuberculate or smooth.
Occasional, in sandy localities and open
grassy fields.
Flowering : October - December.
& Fruiting
Euphorbia thymifolia Linn.
Vernacular name : Kalijati, Patra-siju (O);

Dudiya (Beng.); Chhoti dudhi (H).
Prostrate herb with milky latex;
branchlets sparsely hairy. Leaves
opposite, oblong, obliquely oblong,
remotely serrulate or crenulate, margin
often red, obtuse, sparsely hairy beneath,
glands scattered, red. Flowers axillary,
solitary or few in clusters, green or pink.
Capsule appressed hairy all over; seeds
transversely furrowed.
Common weed of open waste places and
crop fields.
& Fruiting

Glochidion lanceolarium (Roxb.)
Dalz.
Small glabrous tree. Branchlets green,

rather flexuous and angular. Leaves
elliptic, narrowly-elliptic or oblong or
oblanceolate, glabrous, coriaceous, dark
green, shining; male flowers numerous,
clustered axillary, yellow, on slender
pedicels; female flowers 1-3 or more
together, green. Capsule sessile or
pedicelled, globose, somewhat
depressed; seeds red.
Very uncommon, in dry mixed forests on
sand stone hills.
Flowering : March- January
& Fruiting
Jatropha curcas Linn.
Vernacular name : Dhala Baigaba,

Gachha Baigaba, Dhuma jada (O);
Damajara, Bagharinda, Eranda gachh
(Beng.); Safed arand (H); Purging nut (E).
Glabrous shrub or small tree. Bark
greenish-white, smooth, peeling off in
thin flakes. Leaves broadly ovate or
orbicular, entire or 3-5-angled or -lobed,
margin entire, glandular-hairy, apex
acute or caudate. Flowers small,
yellowish green, in terminal cymose
panicles. Capsule subglobose or
ellipsoid, green; seeds oblong.
Very common as a hedge plant in villages,
field borders and also in waste lands.
Flowering : May - October
Fruiting : Most part of the year.

Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.
Vernacular name : Baigaba, Lal Baigaba

(O); Lal bherenda (Beng.); Bherenda (H).
Small shrub, dark-coloured with
glandular-hairs. Leaves suborbicular,
palmately 3-5-lobed; lobes obovate,
shortly obtusely acute, entire, margin
densely glandular-hairy. Flowers red
with yellow centre, in glandular
corymbose cymes; petals free. Capsule 3-
celled, subglobose, about 1 cm long
Abundant in waste places, road sides and
scrub forests.
Flowering : Chiefly July - October.
& Fruiting
Mallotus repandus (Willd.) Muell.-

Arg.
Vernacular name: Donkari, Ghirguria (O);

Akus (H).
Large shrub with thorns on the trunk.
Branchlets densely stellate-pubescent or
tomentose. Leaves ovate or ovate-deltoid,
entire or somewhat sinuate-toothed,
densely stellate-pubescent beneath. Male
flowers in terminal panicled racemes,
tepals 3-5, yellow, suborbicular or
lanceolate; female flowers green, in
simple racemes. Capsule 2-valved,
glandular.
Very rare, in scrub jungles and bamboo
brakes.

Micrococca mercurialis (Linn.) Benth.
[Syn: Claoxylon mercuriale (Linn.)
Thw.]
Erect annual herb. Leaves long-petioled,

ovate or rhomboid, crenate or serrate,
acuminate or sometimes obtuse, glabrous.
Racemes numerous, capillary, with
distant clusters of minute, subsessile or
shortly-pedicelled male flowers and
slender-pedicelled, larger female flowers;
tepals 3, distant, lanceolate. Capsule
deeply 3-lobed, depressed, pilose.
Common in shady moist localities, waste
places, dilapidated walls and buildings
& Fruiting
Phyllanthus acidus (Linn.) Skeels

[Syn: Cicca acida (Linn.) Merr.; Cicca
disticha Linn.]
Vernacular name: Narakoli (O); Hari phal

(Beng.); Chalmeri, Nurphal (H).
Small or moderate-sized tree, branches
closely marked with the scars, bearing
terminal clusters of leafy branchlets.
Leaves ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate,
pale glaucous beneath. Flowers 4-merous,
clustered usually in slender racemes;
male flowers red, minute; female flowers
green, larger. Drupe globose, 3-4-angular,
6-8 grooved, endocarp hard.
Planted in gardens and homesteads.
Fruiting : June - October

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Syn:
Emblica officinalis Gaertn.)
Vernacular name: Anola (O); Amla (O, H,

Beng), Emblic myrobalan (E).
Small or moderate-sized deciduous tree
with closely-set distichous leaves. Leaves
linear or linear-oblong, apiculate,
glabrous. Flowers monoecious,
yellowish, minute, in axillary fascicles,
males and females mixed or female in the
lower and males in upper axils of leaves.
Drupe globose, smooth, succulent,
yellow, with 3 2-valved cocci.
Frequent in dry deciduous forests and
scrub jungles; commonly planted in
gardens.
Fruiting : October - April
Phyllanthus fraternus Webster (Syn:

Phyllanthus niruri auct. non Linn.)
Vernacular name : Bhuin aonla, Badi

aonla (O); Bhui amla (O, Beng.); Jangli
Amli (H).
Erect annual herb. Stem terete and mostly
naked below, 4-gonous above. Leaves
elliptic-oblong or oblong, apex obtuse or
rounded, base obtuse or cuneate, dark
green above, paler beneath. Flowers
greenish, in axillary, unisexual cymules,
on lower side of leaf rachis; perianth-
lobes 6, margin hyaline. Capsule oblate,
rounded.
A common weed of waste lands, gardens
Flowering : April - January
& Fruiting

Phyllanthus urinaria Linn.
Vernacular name: Bhuin amla (O); Hazar

mani (Beng.); Lal bhuin anvalah (H).
Erect or procumbent annual herb. Stems
simple or branched, somewhat
compressed or angular, greenish to
reddish, with numerous spreading leafy
branchlets. Leaves subsessile, oblong or
linear-oblong. Capsule depressed-
globose, densely verrucose, often with
reddish blotches.
Found growing in shady moist localities
under trees.
& Fruiting
Phyllanthus virgatus Forst. f. (Syn:

Phyllanthus simplex Retz.)
Vernacular name : Bhuin aonla (O).

Herb with slender branches from a
somewhat woody stock. Leaves
subsessile, linear to oblong, acute or
obtuse and mucronulate, midrib
prominent, glaucous beneath. Flowers
greenish-white, minute from an axillary
cluster of small bracts. Capsule
depressed-globose, smooth and glabrous
or minutely warted.
Fairly common weed of open grassy
areas, scrub forests and gardens.
& Fruiting

Ricinus communis Linn.
Vernacular name : Jada, Gaba (O); Erandi,

(H); Bheranda (Beng.); Castor (E).
Perennial, large shrub or small trees.
Leaves palmately 7- or more-lobed,
peltate; petiole to 20 cm; lobes lanceolate,
serrate, acuminate, thinly pubescent
beneath. Flowers monoecious, in terminal
sub-panicled racemes; male crowded in
the upper and females on the lower part
of racems. Capsule 3-celled, globose,
prickly.
Cultivated as an oil crop; frequently wild
in waste places, agricultural fields and
forests close to villages.
& Fruiting
Sebastiania chamaelea (Linn.) Muell.-

Arg.
Glabrous, annual herb with erect or

diffuse, often angled stems. Leaves
subsessile, linear, margin scabrid, apex
obtuse or acute, glabrous. Flowers
yellow, minute in short terminal, axillary
or leaf-oppose spikes, female flowers at
the base and males above. Capsule 3-
lobed, each lobe with 2 vertical rows of
soft prickles.
Quite common in grassy places,
cultivated grounds, wastelands and scrub
forests.
& Fruiting

Suregada multiflora (Juss.) Baill.
(Syn: Gelonium multiflorum Juss.)
Vernacular name: Khakada, Khakara (O);

Ban naringa (Beng., H).
Small evergreen tree. Leaves elliptic or
elliptic-oblong to oblanceolate, entire or
sometimes few-dentate towards apex,
obtuse, acute, coriaceous, glabrous.
Flowers usually in contracted cymes,
more rarely clustered; male flowers sweet-
scented, yellow; female flower with
orbicular or broadly oblong tepals, soon
enlarging in fruit, pubescent. Capsule
orange, globose, lobed.
Common in damp areas, scrub jungles
and forests on sand stone hills.
Flowering : March - August
& Fruiting
Tragia involucrata Linn.
Vernacular name: Bichhuati, Lata

Bichhuati (O); Bichati (Beng.); Barhanta
(H); Indian Stinging Nettle (E).
Hispid climbing herb with stinging hairs.
Leaves ovate, oblong, ovate-oblong,
elliptic or rhomboid, sharply serrate,
acuminate, sparsely or densely hirsute on
both sides. Flowers monoecious, in
terminal or leaf-opposed androgynous
subspicate racemes. Capsule globose, 3-
lobed, hirsute, with glandular dissected
spreading tepals; seeds globose, purple
black.
Common in open waste places, thorny
scrub jungles and road sides.
& Fruiting

ULMACEAE
Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.)
Planch.
Vernacular name: Dhau (O), Charla,

Papri, Begana (H).
Large tree; branches white, branchlets
often with raised lenticels, puberulous;
young shoots tomentose. Leaves elliptic
or ovate, sometimes obovate, entire or
coarsely crenate or serrate, obtuse or
acuminate. Flowers green, in very
numerous fascicles on the leafless
branches. Fruits dry, samaroid, elIiptic or
suborbicular, brown.
Occasional in dry forests, also planted in
gardens and road sides.
Trema orientalis (Linn.) Bl.
Vernacular name: Kharkas (O); Chikan,

Jibon (Beng.); Gio (H).
Small tree; branchlets with dense silky
pubescence. Leaves oblong, ovate-oblong,
or lanceolate, serrulate, acuminate, more
or less white or silvery beneath, mostly 3-
nerved at base. Flowers dioecious, in
axillary cymes; male cymes usually
dense; teplas narrow, female cymes lax.
Drupe black when ripe.
Fairly abundant in moist forests, waste
places, road sides and in gardens.
& Fruiting

MORACEAE
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Syn:
Artocarpus integrifolius auct. non Linn.
f.)
Vernacular name: Panasa (O); Kathal

(Beng.,H); Jack Tree (E).
Large, evergreen tree with dense crown.
Leaves elliptic, obovate or obovate-
oblong, obtuse, dark green above; stipules
spathaceous. Receptacles lateral on the
trunks and branches. Inflorescence at first
enclosed in 2 large leathery yellowish
bract like stipules of the leaf on special
branchlets. Fruit a very large fleshy
syncarp, oblong or cylindric, tubercled.
Commonly cultivated in gardens, road sides,
grooves close to villages; also self-sown.
Artocarpus lacucha Roxb. ex Buch.-

Ham.
Vernacular name: Jeuta (O), Dephal,

Dahua (Beng.); Barhal, Lakuch (H);
Monkey Jack (E).
Moderate-sized tree with dense crown.
Branchlets villously-tomentose. Leaves
elliptic or ovate, entire, obtuse or shortly
acuminate, pubescent or tomentose both
sides. Stipules lanceolate, villous,
caducous. Male receptacle orange-
yellow, spongy, ovoid. Syncarps (female
receptacle) irregularly subglobose,
yellow when ripe.
Very often planted in gardens; fruits
edible.

Ficus benghalensis Linn.
Vernacular name : Bara, Bata (O); Bar

(Beng.,H); Bargad, Bargat (H); Banyan
Tree (E).
Large tree, epiphytic when young;
branches sending down roots which form
into accessory trunks. Leaves
approximate near the ends of the
branchlets, ovate to elliptic, coriaceous,
young softly pubescent and often
reddish, base rounded or subcordate. Figs
sessile, in pairs, globose or subglobose,
scarlet when ripe.
Fairly common but sparsely distributed
in forests, scrub jungles, village commons
and also planted in temple premises,
road sides etc.
Flowering : Through out the years; figs
& Fruiting ripening in April-June.
Ficus benjamina Linn. var. nuda

(Miq.) Barrett (Syn: Ficus comosa
Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Jili pukar (Beng.); Jili

(H).
Large glabrous tree with the slender
drooping branches. Leaves elliptic-
oblong, ovate-oblong, broadly elliptic or
ovate, abruptly acuminate, glabrous.
Stipules linear-oblong, acuminate. Figs
mostly terminating or towards the ends
of the branchlets, geminate, axillary,
sessile, globose, glabrous, yellow when
ripe.
Often planted in gardens, parks and road
sides.
& Fruiting

Ficus hispida Linn.f.
Vernacular name : Dimiri, Kharsan,

Baidimiri (O); Dumoor (Beng.); Kagsha,
Daduri, Kat gulasia (H); Hairy Fig (E).
Small tree. Branches hispid with hollow
internodes. Leaves mostly opposite,
obovate, obovate-oblong or ovate-oblong,
large, toothed, rarely entire, obtuse or
obtusely acuminate, hispid on both sides.
Figs numerous, fascicled on both the
trunk and branches, often on leafless
drooping branches, sometimes axillary,
globose, yellowish when ripe, tomentose.
Very frequently occur along water bodies;
also in waste places and scrub jungles.
Flowering : November - July
& Fruiting
Ficus racemosa Linn. (Syn: Ficus

glomerata Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Pani Dimiri, Dumri (O);

Gular (Beng.,H).
Large or moderate-sized tree with few
aerial roots. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or
elliptic, acute or subacute, dark green
above, paler beneath. Figs on short or
sometimes leafless, scariously
bracteolate, tubercled and warted
branchlets from the main trunk or larger
branches. Figs occasionally axillary,
globose to pyriform, red when ripe,
pubescent or tomentose.
Rare, along water courses in forests and
near villages.
& Fruiting

Ficus religiosa Linn.
Vernacular name: Aswatha, Usta (O);

Asvatha, Ashathwa (Beng.); Pipal (H);
Peepal (E).
Large tree, epiphytic when young. Bark
grey, smooth, irregularly pitted when old.
Leaves more or less pendulous, broadly
ovate, margin often repand, very Iong-
caudate, coriaceous, dark green and
shining above. Figs axillary, geminate,
sessile, depressed-globose, smooth,
glabrous, dark purple when ripe.
Commonly planted and also wild; young
plants are epiphytic on other trees, walls
and buildings.
& Fruiting
Ficus tinctoria Forst. f. subsp.

parasitica (Willd.) Corner
Vernacular name: Jhirang (O).

Tree; bark greyish or yellowish-green.
Leaves rhomboid, subelliptic or rhombic-
ovate, usually oblique, margin thickened,
apex rounded or obtuse, scabrous. Figs
mostly paired, axillary and from leaf
scars, subglobose, umbonate, pubescent
or hispid, contracted into a stipe, with 3
small connate bracts at its base.
Common in the forests, epiphyte on a
number of trees.
& Fruiting

Plecospermum spinosum Trecul.
Vernacular name : Banabanaka,

Banabana (O).
Large thorny shrub with milky sap, often
climbing by means of thorns. Leaves
elliptic, obovate, oblanceolate-oblong,
obtuse, subobtuse or rarely acute,
glabrous, midrib strong, secondary
nerves 6-8. Flowers yellowish-white,
nearly sessile, with minute bracteoles;
female heads with long protruding styles.
Syncarp bluish-green, subglobose,
velvety-tomentose.
Fairly common in thorny scrub forests in
open situations.
& Fruiting
Streblus asper Lour.
Vernacular name: Sahada, Sahara (O);

Shiora, Sehora (Beng,H); Siamese rough
bush (E).
Small tree; bark rough, light grey. Leaves
very shortly petioled, obovate or rhombic-
elliptic, obscurely toothed, acute,
subacute or acuminate, stiff, scabrid on
both sides, secondary nerves 7-9. Male
heads on 1-3-nate peduncles, stamens
whitish, exceeding the perianths. Female
flowers with 2-3 imbricating bracts. Fruit
yellow, succulent, globose.
Very common in scrub forests, waste
lands, near water bodies and in hedges.

Streblus taxoides (Heyne ex Roth)
Kurz
Vernacular name : Jhumpuri, Phutkuli

(O).
Small evergreen tree or shrub; branchlets
terminating in a sharp thorn. Leaves
oblanceolate, rhomboid-elliptic,
irregularly toothed. Male heads ovoid,
sessile; involucral bracts many, imbricate.
Female heads sometimes 2 together;
fruiting tepals erect and conniving over
the fruit, lanceolate. Fruit ovoid, splitting
into 2 valves when ripe.
Occasional, in damp forests and scrub
jungles under shade.
& Fruiting
URTICACEAE
Boehmeria macrophylla Hornem.
(Syn: Boehmeria platyphylla D. Don)
Spreading shrub, 1-2 m tall, branches

strigose, especially at the nodes. Leaves
opposite or rarely the upper alternate,
unequal in each pair, broadly ovate,
dentate, crenate-serrate, acuminate,
hispid above, hairy on nerves beneath,
base cordate or sub-cordate. Flowers
monoecious; males in branched spikes
from lower axils; females minute, in close
clusters on long erect or drooping spikes.
Frequent in damp forests in shady
localities; often under dense shade of
trees.
& Fruiting

Elatostema cuneatum Wight
Small annual, pubescent herb. Leaves

alternate, sessile or shortly petioled,
falcately obovate, crenate-serrate, apex
subacute, obtuse or rounded, pubescent
or puberulous. Flowers greenish. Female
receptacles sessile, solitary at each node.
Achenes ellipsoid, ribbed, yellow.
A characteristic species of moss-covered
rocks, walls, steep slopes of hills under
shade.
& Fruiting
Laportea interrupta (Linn.) Chew

[Syn: Fleurya interrupta (Linn.) Gaud.]
Vernacular name: Ghoda bichhuati, Lal

Bichhuati (O); Lal-bichua (Beng.,H).
Erect or suberect herb, with stinging hairs,
stem and leaf rachis reddish. Leaves
ovate, coarsely dentate-serrate or crenate-
serrate, acuminate, sparsely pubescent.
Flowers clustered on axillary spikes; male
and female flowers often in the same
clusters. Ripe achenes exserted,
compressed, with 3 marginal ridges.
Found in shady moist localities in
gardens; also on rock surfaces and hill
slopes under shade.
& Fruiting

Pilea microphylla (Linn.) Liebm.
Vernacular name: Gunpowder plant (E).

Small prostrate or diffuse succulent herb.
Leaves distichous, very small, unequal in
each pair, elliptic-oblong, obovate,
orbicular or spathulate; entire; obtuse,
glabrous. Cymes very small, from nearly
every axil, usually sessile, androgynous
or unisexual. Male tepals mucronate.
Median tepal of the fruiting flower
hooded. Achene ovoid, compressed.
Fairly abundant in moist places, rock
crevices, on dilapidated walls and
buildings.
& Fruiting
Pouzolzia zeylanica (Linn.) Bennett

[Syn: Pouzolzia indica (Linn.) Gaud.]
Erect or procumbent herb with creeping

rootstock. Stems more or less hairy.
Leaves ovate, ovate-lanceolate or
lanceolate, smaller upwards, pubescent,
3-nerved. Flowers axillary in a cluster.
Male flowers 4-merous, reddish. Female
tepals oblong; fruiting tepals with 4 larger
and 2 smaller wings; stigma feathery.
Achenes enclosed.
Common among bushes and hedges in
shady moist situation; also on field bunds
and scrub forests.
& Fruiting

CASUARINACEAE
Casuarina equisetifolia Linn.
Vernacular name: Jhaun, Jhabuka (O);
Bilati-jhau-jhau (Beng.); Beef wood (E).
Large straight tree with drooping
branches; bark brown, rough, peeling of
in vertical stripes. Leaves scale-like. Male
spikes usually numerous at the ends of
the same branches on which the females
are borne lower down, slender, cylindric.
Flowering female heads ellipsoid,
tomentose, terminating short lateral
branchlets below the male branchlets.
Fruiting head cone-like, achenes enclosed
within; seeds winged.
Planted in the gardens as individual trees
or as hedge plants; widely planted along
the coast.
ANGIOSPERMS
(Monocotyledons)
CERATOPHYLLACEAE
Ceratophyllum demersum Linn.
Vernacular name: Chingudia Dal (O);

Sheoyala, Jhangi (Beng.); Sivara (H).
Submerged slender aquatic herb, densely
leafy. Leaves whorled, mostly 2-times
forked; segments filiform, denticulate on
outer edges. Flowers minute, axillary;
male and female flowers in separate axils.
Stamens 10-30 in male flowers, anthers
large, white. Ovary 1-celled, transluscent,
ovule visible. Nut pedicelled, ellipsoid,
appendaged.
Abundant in still water of lakes, ponds
and ditches.
& Fruiting

HYDROCHARITACEAE
Blyxa echinosperma (C. B. Clarke)
Hook. f.
Submerged stoloniferous, monoecious,

acaulescent, densely tufted herb. Leaves
radical, sheathing at base, very finely
acuminate, with 5 prominent parallel
nerves. Flowers bisexual, 1 in each
spathe, on long scapes. Spathe linear,
opening by a slit on one side, produced
above the flower. Fruit linear, very
slender, included in the spathe; seeds
spinescent, tailed.
Fairly common in deep water lakes and
ponds.
& Fruiting
Hydrilla verticillata (Linn. f.) Royle
Vernacular name: Chingudia Dal (O);

Kureli, Jhangi (Beng.,H).
Submerged, weak aquatic herbs,
suspended under water. Stems slender,
branched, roots fibrous. Leaves short, 3-
4-nately whorled, linear or rarely
narrowly elliptic, spinulose serrate,
spreading, with recurved tips. Male
flowers sessile at the base of each leaf.
Female flowers sessile, solitary, in a
cylindric spathe. Fruits subulate.
Abundant in ponds, lakes, ditches, rice
fields and other stagnant water bodies.
& Fruiting

Nechamandra alternifolia (Roxb.)
Thw. [Syn: Lagarosiphon alternifolia
(Roxb.) Druce]
Submerged perrenial aquatic herb. Stems

elongated, filiform, ascending through
water to various lengths. Leaves
alternate, sessile, linear or linear-
lanceolate, often twisted. Flowers
dioecious; male minute, densely crowded
in axillary 2-fid spathe. Female flowers
solitary, axillary, sessile; perianth-lobes
spreading, orbicular, ovary long, stigma
papillose.
Occasional, a submerged aquatic herb in
ponds, lakes and tanks.
& Fruiting
Ottelia alismoides (Linn) Pers.
Vernacular name: Pani Kunduri (O);

Parmikalla (Beng.).
Submersed rooted aquatic herb.
Submerged leaves shortly petioled,
usually narrow or oblong with tapering
base; floating leaves oblong, broadly
ovate or orbicular, margin undulate, apex
obtuse or rounded, 7-11-nerved, base
cordate. Petals white, obovate or orbicular
with fleshy basal appendages. Fruit
oblong, crowded with withered
perianths, 6-grooved/ winged.
Quite abundant in stagnant water bodies,
rice fields and slow-running streams.
& Fruiting

Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara
(Syn: Vallisneria spiralis auct. non
Linn.)
Vernacular name: Syala, Sawala, Jallil

(H); Eel-grass, Tape grass (E).
Sumberged tufted acaulescent herb; roots
fibrous. Leaves radical, linear, ribbon
shaped, size depending on the depth of
water, wavy, translucent, entire or tips
serrulate, apex acute, nerves 5. Male
spathe shortly peduncled, sepals
recurved. Female spathe with flowers to
1.5 cm long, spathe investing the ovary
alomost upto the base of the spreading
sepals. Fruit linear, 5-10 cm long.
Common aquatic plant at the bottom of
ponds, lakes, slow running rivers and
canals.
& Fruiting
ORCHIDACEAE
Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames.
[Syn: Spiranthes australis (R. Br.)
Lindl.]
Herb with several fascicled tubes. Leaves

usually clustered near the base of the
stem, linear-lanceolate, narrowly oblong
or oblanceolate, acute or obtuse, shortly
sheathing. Flowers pink, in glandular-
pubescent secund spikes, rachis spirally
twisted; median sepal adnate to the
petals, lateral obliquely lanceolate,1-
nerved, parallel to the lip. Petals linear,
lip yellowish, sessile.
Rare, along the swamps and marshes in
association with grasses and sedges.
Flowering : January - February
& Fruiting

Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hook. ex G.
Don (Syn: Vanda roxburghii R. Br.)
Vernacular name: Malang (O), Rasna (O,

Beng., H).
Epiphytic herb. Leaves linear-oblong,
conduplicate, keeled, apex praemorse, 3-
toothed, all teeth acute or 2 rounded.
Flowers greenish-yellow, brown-
tessellated, bracts suborbicular; sepals
obovate, spreading; petals shorter; lip
half as long to nearly as long, side lobes
erect, ovate, small, acute, midlobe twice
as long, panduriform, violet or crimson
with dilated, truncate 2-lobed tip; disc
with fleshy ridges; spur straight, conical,
obtuse. Capsule oblong.
Common epiphyte on trees like Mangifera
indica, Diospyros melanoxylon etc.
Flowering : March- May
Fruiting : May - March
ZINGIBERACEAE
Costus speciosus (Koenig) Sm.
Vernacular name: Gaigobra, Kaukauka,

Keukanda (O); Kust, Keu (Beng., H).
Tall fleshy herb. Leaves elliptic-oblong,
oblanceolate-oblong, or obovate-oblong,
acute, acuminate or obtusely acuminate,
fleshy, glabrous above, pubescent and
paler beneath. Flowers white, very large,
in dense terminal spikes, bracts red, ovate,
obtusely apiculate, glabrous; labellum
suborbicular. Fruit globose or ovoid,
tardily dehiscing capsule.
Fairly common in shaddy moist locality,
field bunds and forest edges.
& Fruiting

Globba marantina Linn. (Syn: Globba
bulbifera Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Chhota Rasna (O).

Slender herbs, erect or inclined. Leaves
distichous, elliptic-oblong or oblong-
lanceolate, long acuminate, glabrous
above, pubescent beneath. Flowers
yellow, in simple spikes; bracts folded,
persistent, rhomboid-ovate; lower bracts
bearing a solitary bulbil in place of a
flower. Petals and staminodes reflexed;
dorsal petal boat-shaped, lateral anthers
petaloid, anthers with 2-fid wings.
Capsule rugose.
Occasional as undergrowth in shaddy
moist localities under trees.
Flowering : September - December.
& Fruiting
Globba racemosa Sm. (Syn: Globba

orixensis Roxb.)
Herb, upto 1m high; stem erect or inclined.

Leaves oblong, elliptic oblong or ovate-
oblong, acuminate, glabrous above, softly
pubescent beneath. Panicle narrow,
sometimes pubescent lowest branches 3-
flowered; bracts very caducous, narrowly
oblong. Flowers yellow or orange-yellow;
corolla-tube 2-3 times the length of calyx.
Capsule verrucose; seeds tomentose;
Quite abundant in forest floors and shady
places during post-monsoon period.
& Fruiting

AMARYLLIDACEAE
Crinum asiaticum Linn.
Vernacular name: Arsa (O); Bara kanur,
Nagdaun (Beng.); Kanwal, Pindar, Hathi
kanda (H).
Robust bulbous herb, upto 1 m tall.
Leaves large, sheathing at base, oblong-
lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, over 10 cm
wide, apex shortly acuminate. Scape 40-
90 cm long, compressed; spathe bracts 2,
lanceolate, bracteoles filiform. Flowers
white, in 10-30 flowered umbels; perianth
salver-shaped; stamens spreading,
recurved. Fruit broadly ellipsoid or
globose, few-seeded.
Occasional along the bank of water
bodies and rice fields; also grown in
gardens.
& Fruiting
AGAVACEAE
Agave americana Linn.
Vernacular name: Muruga, Baramasia,
(O); Bilati pat, Jungli anaras (Beng.); Bara
kanwar, Kantala (H); Century plant,
American Aloe (E).
Stout rhizomatous shrub; stem short,
concealed by leaf-bases. Leaves in lax
rosette, stout, lanceolate or oblong-
lanceolate, tapering at both ends,
margins distinctly sinuate and bearing
dark-brown spines on the eminences.
Flowers amber-coloured, crowded and
fascicled at the ends of the subsidiary
ascending branches; scape with panicle
4-7 m long. Capsule bluntly 3-gonous or
oblong-cylindrical.
Cultivated and naturalized in garden as
an ornamental plant, also grown in forests.
& Fruiting

Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. &
Schult. f.
Vernacular name: Murga, Gada (O),

Gorachakra (Beng.), Indian Bowstring
Hemo (E).
Erect fleshy herb with tufted leaves,
rhizome horizontal, creeping. Leaves
linear-oblong, flat but convex on lower
surface, green and transversely marked
by darker bands on both surfaces.
Raceme strict, dense. Flowers white,
tubular, clusters of 2-4 on small tubercles;
bracts scarious. Fruits membranous,
indehiscent; seeds 1-3, large, globose.
Locally gregarious on sand-stone hills
under heavy shade.
HYPOXIDACEAE
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
Vernacular name : Talamuli (O, Beng.);

Kali Musli (O, H).
Stemless, perennial herb; rootstock of
elongate, black tuber. Leaves linear-
oblong, or linear-lanceolate, acute,
plicate, glabrous or more or less pilose,
sessile. Flowers yellow, 1-few, hairy, in
very short scape, hidden among the bases
of leaves. Fruit subulate to ovate, fleshy;
hypanthium produced above the ovary
into an elongated beak, 1-4-seeded. Seeds
black, shining.
Quite common on forest floors and shady
moist localities
& Fruiting

Molineria capitulata (Lour.) Herb.
[Syn: Curculigo capitulata (Lour.)
Kuntze; Curculigo recurvata Dryand]
Stout herb. Leaves plicate, palm-like,

lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, curved,
channelled and hairy below. Flowers
yellow, several in dense, cernuous heads,
on compressed villous scape; bracts
ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, more or less
hairy. Hypanthium not produced above
the ovary. Fruit globose, hairy; seeds
black, deeply and closely grooved.
Common as an ornamental potted plant;
wild along streams in forests.
& Fruiting
DIOSCOREACEAE
Dioscorea oppositifolia Linn.
Vernacular name : Pani Alu, Pithalkanda,

Pitli Kanda (O).
Stem twining to the right, often purplish
when young, swollen at the nodes,
unarmed, sparingly pubescent. Leaves
all opposite, oblong, ovate-oblong or
elliptic, acuminate or obtuse, cuspidate.
Flowers sweet-scented, yellow-green,
bracts deflexed, suborbicular cuspidate.
Female flowers distant in solitary or
fascicled spikes. Capsule glabrous, facing
forward, with depressed base and apex.
Frequently in moist forests and thorny
scrub jungles; tubers are edible.
Fruiting : November

Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn.
Vernacular name : Karaba, Pittalo kanda,

Karaba Alu (O); Saurahi (Beng.); Bhusa,
Gazaria (H).
Stem twining to the left, slender, prickly
towards the base, often bearing axillary
bulbils. Leaves 3-5-foliolate, rarely few of
the upper leaves simple, glabrous or
rusty pubecent beneath. Male spikes 1-2-
nate in long axillary or terminal panicles;
flowers shortly pedicelled or sessile
above the bract. Female spikes long and
solitary or 2-3-nate, rarely panicled.
Capsule oblong, deflexed, glabrous or
densely pubescent.
Quite common in scrub forests, village
hedges and thickets during post-
monsoon period.
& Fruiting
Dioscorea wallichii Hook. f. (Syn:

Dioscorea aculeata Linn.)
Vernacular name: Pita Alu (O).

Climbers, stem twinning to the right,
glabrous, often prickly below,
characterised by the hard, thick spinous
bases of petioles. Leaves alternate, large,
sub-orbicular, broadly ovate or ovate-
oblong, coriaceous; costae 9, of which 3-
5 reach the apex, base cordate. Male
spikes lax, 2-3-nate on the branches of
compound panicles. Female spikes
panicled on abbreviated lateral branches.
Capsule obovate, facing forwards,
depressed at apex; seeds winged.
Abundant in scrub forests and thickets.

LILIACEAE
Asparagus racemosus Willd.
Vernacular name: Chhatuari, Satabari,

Iswar jata, (O); Satamuli (Beng.), Satawar
(H).
Slender, scrambling or scandent
perennial undershrub. Stem angular,
with strong, straight or decurved spines.
Rootstock with fleshy elongate tubers.
Leaves reduced to more or less acicular
and 3-quetrous cladodes. Flowers
bisexual, white, sweet-scented; pedicels
filiform. Fruit globose, pulpy berries, 3-
celled, scarlet when ripe; seeds 1-6.
Fairly common in dry forests, scrub
lands, hedges and bushes.
Gloriosa superba Linn.
Vernacular name : Agnisikha, Pancha

angulia, Kalihari, Dasara Phula (O), Ulat
chandal, Kariari (Beng.); Languli,
Kulhari, Kaliari(H); Malabar Glory
Lily(E).
Climbing or scrambling, glabrous herb
with tuberous rootstock. Leaves sessile or
subsessile, lanceolate or linear to ovate-
lanceolate, parallel-nerved each side of
the midrib, apex circinate. Flowers
solitary axillary on reflexed pedicels;
tepals linear, beautifully waved and
crisped, lower half yellow, upper half red,
finally the whole turning more or less red.
Fruit large, oblong, septicidal capsule;
seeds orange-red.
Occasional in scrub forests and on bushes
and hedges.
Fruiting : November - December.

SMILACACEAE
Smilax zeylanica Linn. (Syn: Smilax
macrophylla Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Muturi, Ramdatuni (O);
Kumarika (Beng.); Jangli Aushbah, Chob-
chiri (H).
Stout, prickly climber. Branches terete or
with 4 lines or more or less 4-angled,
striate when dry. Leaves ovate-oblong,
elliptic, broadly elliptic, orbicular, ovate-
lanceolate, obtuse or rounded, base
rounded or subcordate, sometimes
suddenly acute and decurrent on petiole.
Flowers dioecious, umbellate, white;
umbels 1-3, rarely 5, in axillary short
cymes. Berry globose, 1-3-seeded.
Very common in thorny scrub forests and
in bushes and thickets.
PONTEDERIACEAE
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms.
Vernacular name : Bilatidala (O);
Kachuripana (Beng.); Water-hyacinth (E).
Floating aquatic herb with a very short
leafy main-stem, sending down a large
bunch of long fibrous roots; sometimes
rooting in the mud. Leaves radical
rosulate, emerged, petiole spongy, blade
broadly ovate or rhomboid, very obtuse,
finely and densely curvinerved. Flowers
lilac or pale violet, funnel-shaped, 8-35
in a spike, usually simultaneously
flowering, trimorphic. Fruit a
membranous, ovoid-oblong capsule.
Gregarious and troublesome weed in
stagnant and slow-moving water bodies
and rice fields.
& Fruiting

Monochoria hastata Solms-Laub.
(Syn: Monochoria hastaefolia Presl)
Aquatic herb with erect or suberect stems.

Leaves triangular-ovate with a sagittate
or hastate or very rarely cordate base,
acute or obtuse, many-nerved, basal lobes
divergent, mostly with acuminate,
narrowed or rarely rounded apex.
Inflorescence shortly racemed or
subumbellate. Flowers pale blue. Capsule
enclosed in the persistent twisted
perianth, subglobose or oblong.
Common in shallow and stagnant water
bodies, margins of lakes, ponds, canals
and in paddy fields.
& Fruiting
Monochoria vaginalis (Burm.f.) Presl
Vernacular name : Mirmira (O); Nukha,

Nanka (Beng.).
Aquatic herb with erect or suberect stems;
rootstock usually very short. Leaves very
variable, broadly ovate, ovate-oblong,
linear or lanceolate, acuminate or very
acute, base obtuse, rounded, truncate or
cordate. Flowers lilac blue, in 3-25-
flowered racemes, mostly simultaneously
expanded, reflexed after flowering.
Capsule oblong, membranous,
loculicidally dehiscing into 3 valves;
seeds tiny, brown, ribbed.
Frequent in muddy places, swamps, rice
fields and along margins of pools and
lakes.
& Fruiting

XYRIDACEAE
Xyris indica Linn.
Erect tufted, scapigerous herb. Leaves

radical, elongate, obtuse or acute. Scape
terete, ridged; head ovoid, globose; bracts
imbricate, dark red brown, shining,
orbicular or cuneately obovate, margin
scarious. Flowers yellow; lateral sepals
narrowly boat-shaped with dorsal
serrulate wing; throat of corolla not
bearded; petals orbicular, erose, claw as
long as sepals. Fruit 3-valved, loculicidal
capsule.
Locally gregarious in rice fields, ditches,
swamps and other marshy localities.
Flowering : October - February.
& Fruiting
COMMELINACEAE
Commelina benghalensis Linn.
Vernacular name : Kanasiri, Kanisiri,
Ranasiri (O); Kanchira, Kanchara
(Beng., H).
Diffuse, branched, subsucculent herb.
Stem often creeping and rooting below,
often pilose below the nodes. Leaves
ovate, elliptic-ovate, oblong or
suborbicular, often inequilateral, obtuse,
acute or rounded at the tip, pubescent or
villous; margin often undulate. Sheaths
pubescent or villous and usually with
long hairs at mouth. Flowers small, blue,
in 2-nate cymes. Capsule membranous,
pyriform, 2-seeded.
A common weed of wastelands,
cultivated fields and forest floors.
& Fruiting

Commelina erecta Linn. (Syn:
Commelina kurzii C.B.Clarke;
Commelina undulata R. Br.)
Vernacular name : Kanisiri, Kanyari (O).

Hairy or glabrous herb; stem 1-2 ft tall.
Leaves lanceolate-oblong or narrowly
lanceolate, acute to acuminate, hoary-
pubescent, hirsute; sheaths hoary-
pubescent or ciliate. Spathes sessile or
nearly so, solitary or clustered, cucullate,
recurved. Flowers violet or blue. Capsule
3-ceIled, 2-valved, the dorsal cell
indehiscent, deciduous and scabrid.
Abundant in shady moist localities, forest
floors and field bunds during rains.
& Fruiting
Commelina longifolia Lam.
Vernacular name: Pani Kansiri (O);

Panikanchira (Beng.); Jal pipari (H).
Decumbent herb with long internodes.
Leaves sessile, linear or linear-lanceolate,
glabrous or a little hispid on the upper
side and margins; sheaths ciliolate.
Spathes peduncled, axillary, solitary,
complicate, lanceolate or ovate, acute,
acuminate. Flowers blue, small, 1-2 on the
equal exserted cyme branches. Capsule
oblong, shortly suddenly acute, 3-celled.
Occasional, in rice fields, along swamps,
lakes and canals.
& Fruiting

Commelina paludosa Bl. (Syn:
Commelina obliqua Buch.-Ham ex D.
Don)
Stout herb with branched straggling

stems. Leaves sessile or shortly petioled,
very variable, lanceolate or elliptic-
lanceolate, acute or caudate, glabrous,
pubescent or villous beneath. Spathes
sessile, in crowded heads, rarely solitary,
funnel-shaped, margins connate on both
sides. Flowers blue. Capsule obovoid-
trigonous, 3-valved; seeds oblong or
ellipsoid, smooth.
Fairly common weed in damp places and
rice fields.
& Fruiting
Cyanotis cristata (Linn.) D.Don.
Ascending herb. Stem slender, creeping

below, glabrous or with spreading hairs,
internodes long. Leaves rather distant,
sessile, oblong or ovate-oblong, obtuse or
subacute, fleshy, base rounded or cordate;
sheath short, hirsute. Flowers blue, in
axillary and terminal scorpioid cymes;
cymes recurved, formed by imbricate,
biseriate, foliaceous bracteoles; bracts
exceeding cymes. Fruit 3-celled, 3-valved
capsule.
Quite common in shady moist localities,
crevices of rocks, dilapidated buildings,
walls and damaged tree trunks.
& Fruiting

Murdannia nudiflora (Linn.) Brenan
[Syn: Aneilema nudiflorum (Linn.) R.
Br.]
Vernacular name: Kanduli (Beng.).

Decumbent herb, glabrous or sometimes
hairy with many slender branches.
Leaves linear or linear lanceolate, acute,
acuminate or subobtuse, base narrowed,
rounded or cordate; sheaths open, margin
ciliate. Flowers small, blue or purplish,
in terminaI or leaf-opposed, few-flowered
cymes. Capsule broadly oblong-ellipsoid,
mucronate, 3-celled; cells of ovary 2-
ovuled.
Fairly common weed of wastelands and
moist localities.
& Fruiting
Murdannia spirata (Linn.) Brueck.

(Syn: Aneilema spiratum R. Br.)
Procumbent or ascending, much-

branched slender herb; roots fibrous.
Leaves sessile or amplexicaul, oblong or
ovate-oblong, acute or subacute,
glabrous, margins thickened; sheaths
short, with pubescent edges. Flowers
small, violet or blue, in axillary and
terminal panicles scorpioid cymes with
zigzag rachis. Capsule oblong, trigonous,
seeds 3-7 and 1-seriate in each cell.
A common weed in sandy moist places
and margins of water bodies.
& Fruiting

Murdannia vaginata (Linn.) Brueck.
[Syn: Aneilema vaginatum (Linn.) R.
Br.]
Glabrous diffuse herb, branched from

near the base, rooting at the nodes; roots
fibrous. Leaves sessile, linear, acute or
acuminate; sheaths short, open,
pubescent. Flowers small, blue, solitary
or 2-4(6)-fascicled in the axils of
persistent, usually distant, convolute
bracts; pedicels slender, twice-jointed.
Capsule subglobose, glabrous, 3-celled;
cells 1-celled; seeds hemispheric, black,
rugose.
Quite common in damp places and grassy
lands.
& Fruiting
Tonningia axillaris (Linn.) Kuntze

[Syn: Amischophacellus axillaris (Linn.)
Rao & Kamm.; Cyanotis axillaris
(Linn.) Schult. & Schult.f.]
Vernacular name: Godhuli (O); Soltraj,
Baghanulla (H).
Sub-erect or prostrate herb, creeping at
base, subsucculent. Stem glabrous or
sparsely hairy. Leaves linear, acuminate,
glabrous or sparsely hairy, somewhat
fleshy; sheaths short, inflated, glabrous
or mouth ciliate. Cymes reduced to
axillary fascicles enclosed in leaf-sheaths.
Flowers blue, 1-6 in each axil; bracteoles
linear-lanceolate, almost hidden,
glabrous or minutely ciliate. Capsule
glabrous, acute, 6-toothed or lobed.
Abundant in wet places, rice fields, along
ponds, lakes and canals; also found on
dilapidated walls and buildings.
& Fruiting

ARECACEAE
Borassus flabellifer Linn.
Vernacular name: Tala (O); Tal (Beng.);

Tar (H); Palmyra Palm (E).
Large tree, 10-30 m tall; stem greyish-
black, marked with sheath scars. Leaves
almost circular, margins split into 60-80
linear-lanceolate acuminate segments,
folded; petiole stout, semi-terete, spiny
along edges. Male spadix simply
branched. Female flowers larger, globose.
Fruit large, sub-globose drupe, with 1-3
fibrous pyrenes; pericarp thinly fleshy,
seated on enlarged perianth.
Occasional in forests, planted and self-
sown in field bunds and waste places
close to villages.
Calamus guruba Buch.-Ham.
Vernacular name : Kanta-beta (O).

Large climber. Stems covered with the
leaf-sheaths, often glaucous, densely
armed with flattened spines. Leaves
shorter, with 30-40 close equidistant
leaflets each side; leaflets dark-green,
linear; rachis often produced to whip-like
cirrus, armed with claws. Flowers small,
creamish-white, polygamous, in
pyramidal panicles. Fruit globose, scales
yellowish-green with brown and scarious
margins.
Common in scrub forests, along water
bodies and in village thickets
Fruiting : December

Caryota urens Linn.
Vernacular name: Salap, Salapa (O);

Sago, Toddy or Fish-Tail Palm, Indian
Sago Palm (E).
Stout, beautiful palm. Stem smooth,
shining. Leaves very large, bipinnte;
petiole very stout; curved, drooping;
leaflets broadly cuneate, obliquely
truncate or rounded. Flowers
monoecious, ternate, a female between
two males; male flowers 1.2cm long or
more, female longer. Fruit globose, 1-2-
seeded, reddish, acrid.
Occasional in scrub forests; frequently
planted in gardens and roadsides.
& Fruiting
Phoenix acaulis Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.
Vernacular name : Bhuin khajuri (O);

Pind khajur, Khajur, Jangli Khajur (H);
Dwarf Date Palm (E).
Dioecious shrubs; stem very short, thick
and ovoid, covered with the persistent
petiole base. Leaflets stiff, more or less
fascicled and in different planes, finely
acuminate, lowest reduced to strong
spines. Spadix 10-15 cm long in flower,
elongating to 30-90 cm in fruit; flowers
white. Drupe oblong-ellipsoid, orange or
orange-red, finally black.
Rare, in thorny scrub forests and dry
grassy forest floors.
Flowering : April

Phoenix sylvestris (Linn.) Roxb.
Vernacular name: Khajuri, Gachha

Khajuri (O); Khajur (H, Beng.); Indian
Date palm, Date sugar palm (E).
Tall palm; stem densely covered with the
petiole-bases. Leaves greyish-green,
leaflets much fascicled, with the fascicles,
2-4-farious, lowest modified into long
spines. Male inflorescence white, scented,
compact on a short peduncle; male
flowers dense. Female flowers smaller,
distant. Fruiting peduncle finally
drooping. Drupes orange to reddish-
brown, oblong-ellipsoid, flesh sweet.
Common in wastelands, roadsides and
scrub forests; self-sown in open areas.
Fruiting : June - September
PANDANACEAE
Pandanus fascicularis Lam. [Syn:
Pandanus odoratissimus Linn.f.; Pandanus
tectorius auct. non Soaland ex Parkinson]
Vernacular name: Kia (O); Keori, Kewa
(Beng.); Kewda (H); Screw pine (E).
Bushy shrub or small trees, stem upto 3-4
m tall, with many thick terete aerial and
stilt roots. Leaves closely spirally 3-
fariously imbricate, ensiform, margins
with forward pointing spinules. Male
inflorescence sweet-scented, in cylindric
spikes, enclosed in white spathes. Female
spike stout, subtended by 3-fariously
arranged white spathes. Syncarp
ellipsoid, woody, drooping, deep-orange.
Locally gregarious along water bodies, swamps
and in wastelands and village hedges.

TYPHACEAE
Typha angustata Bory & Chaub.
Vernacular name : Hangla, Santara (O);

Hogla (Beng.); Patera, Pater (H).
Tall, robust aquatic herb with creeping
rhizome. Leaves linear, upto 8 ft long,
narrower above the sheath, plano- or
concavo-convex, spongy. Flowers
monoecious, minute, in terminal
superposed, dense cylindric spikes, the
upper spike male, lower of female flowers,
often intermixed; bracts of female
subspathulate, mixed with clavate tipped
pistillode. Fruits minute, fusiform,
membranous.
Quite abundant in marshes, swamps,
margins of lakes, ponds, river beds and
along streams.
& Fruiting
ARACEAE
Amorphophalus paeoniifolius (Dennst.)
Nicolson var. campanulatus (Decne) Sivadasan
(Syn: Amorphophalus campanulatus Decne)
Vernacular name : Olua, Olakanda (O); Ol (Beng.);

Zaminkand, Ol (H).
Stout herb with depressed hemispherical tuber.
Leaf 1 (rarely 2), 3-partite, lateral segments
bifurcate, pinnatifid; mottled dark and light green.
Spathe with a campanulate tube, suddenly
widening into an irregular, spreading, plicate and
undulate recurved limb; greenish and purple.
Flowers monoecious, crowded in cylindic massses,
male and female portions contiguous or separated
by few neuters. Fruiting spikes with red, obovoid
berries, 2-3-seeded.
Fairly common in waste places and shady moist
localities.

Colocasia esculenta (Linn.) Schott
(Syn: Colocasia antiquorum Schott)
Vernacular name : Saru, Banasaru (O);

Kachu (H,Beng.); Taro, Cocoyam (E).
Tuberous herb; sometimes with stolons.
Leaves ovate, subtriangular or
suborbicular, cordate, peltate, basal sinus
triangular, margin often undulate; petiole
stout, green or violet. Spathe peduncled,
yellow, convolute, never widely open,
curved slightly backwards in flower.
Spadix much shorter than the spathe;
male and female flowers with interposed
neuters. Berries obconic.
Locally gregarious in damp and shady
places, field bunds; widely cultivated for
the edible tubers.
Flowering : June - November
& Fruiting
Pistia stratiotes Linn.
Vernacular name: Borajhanji (O);

Takapana (H, Beng.); Water lettuce,
Tropical Duck weed (E).
Small, floating, stemless but
stoloniferous cabbage-like herb; roots
tufted, fibrous. Leaves obovate-cuneate,
very variable in shape and size,
shallowly lobulate and undulate at apex,
pubescent on both sides, nerves flabellate,
raised beneath. Spathe shortly
peduncled, pale yellow or white; spadix
adnate to the back of the tube of the
spathe; male flowers in a whorl of few
connate stamens, females solitary. Berry
ovoid with thin pericarp.
Gregarious in ponds, lakes, swamps and
other stagnant water bodies; often rooted
on marshy grounds.

Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott
Vernacular name : Gaja pipali,

Girudhuni, Panchamula (O); Gaja pipal
(Beng.); Pippal-jhanka, Bari pipli (H).
Large climbing shrub with fleshy roots;
stem woody when old. Leaves large,
entire, broadly elliptic or ovate,
acuminate, rather fleshy, base rounded
or subcordate; more or less dilated or
broadly winged up to the knee. Spathe
oblong, terminating in a long acumen,
green outside, yellow within, deciduous.
Spadix sessile, cylindric, shorter than
spathe, dense-flowered. Berries
confluent.
Frequent climber on trees; also on rocks
in damp localities.
Fruiting : January - February
Typhonium trilobatum (Linn.) Schott
Vernacular name: Anasaru (O); Ghet-

kachhu, Gherkachoo (Beng.).
Herb; tubers white, subglobose. Leaves,
hastately 3-lobed or sub-3-partite; lobes
ovate, acute. Spathe acuminate, tip
straight or twisted, green or inside red-
purple with broadly ovate open limb
narrowed to a long point. Spadix
exserted, with bright red, stipitate and
muricate appendage; male and female
flowers well separated with neuters.
Berries ovoid, 1-2-seeded.
Locally abundant in shady moist places
with adequate humus.
Fruiting : October - November.

LEMNACEAE
Spirodela polyrhiza (Linn.) Schleiden
(Syn: Lemna polyrhiza Linn.)
Small floating aquatic plants. Fronds

solitary or cohering in groups of 2-5,
reniform to orbicualr-obovate, base
obtuse, apex obtuse or round, dorsal side
flat, smooth, ventral side flat to strongly
inflated, green, nerves 7(-12). Stipe
hyaline, prominent; dorsal scale
membranous, orbicular to reniform,
ventral scale membranous, braod.
Budding pouches 2; inflorescence with 1
female and 2 male flowers. Fruit a 1-2-
seeded utricle, slightly winged.
Very common in stagnant waters of lakes,
ponds, pools and puddles.
& Fruiting
Wolffia globosa (Roxb.) Hartog &

Plas (Syn: Woolfia arrhiza auct. non
Horkel ex Wimmer)
Minute floating aquatic plants. Fronds

elliptic to oblong, base and apex obtuse,
margin with a few papillose cells, dorsal
side flat near the apex and convex near
the base, ventral side strongly inflated,
globular, with large cells; width greatest
below the dorsal plane. Budding pouch
with a distinct collar of elongate cells.
Inflorescence with 1 male and 1 female
flower, with out spathe. Fruit globular.
Occasional, a floating aquatic plant in
still waters.
& Fruiting

ALISMATACEAE
Limnophyton obtusifolium (Linn.)
Miq.
Dwarf or robust succulent aquatic herb.

Leaves broadly sagittate, reniformly
sagittate to triangular, many-nerved,
pellucid-punctate; basal lobes lanceolate.
Flowers numerous, white, in whorls on
the branches of a large panicle, pedicels
filiform in flower. Achenes in a globose
head, obovoid, turgid, shortly beaked.
Common in swamps, marshes and rice
fields, also along margins of lakes and
ponds
Flowering : February - July
& Fruiting
Sagittaria guayanensis H.B.K. subsp.

lappula (D. Don) Bogin (Syn: Sagittaria
guayanensis sensu Hook. f.)
Scapigerous aquatic herb. Roots fibrous,

densely tufted. Leaves floating, broadly
ovate, apex rounded or obtuse, nerves
obscure, radiating, distinct when dry,
base deeply cordate. Sheaths very broad,
suddenly contracted into long, often hairy
petiole. Flowers white. Achenes flat,
surrounded by a broad, prominently
toothed wing.
Occasional, in ponds, pools, lakes and
ditches; sometimes in paddy fields.
& Fruiting

Sagittaria trifolia Linn. (Syn:
Sagittaria sagittifolia auct. non Linn.)
Vernacular name: Muya muya, Chhoto-

kut (Beng.).
Scapigerous, aquatic, stoloniferous herb;
stolon ending in a tuber. Leaves emerging
and with a hastate or sagittate blade,
acute or acuminate; petiole very spongy,
3-gonous. Flowers white with usually
purple centre, sessile or shortly
pedicelled; upper males with longer
pedicels, in 3-5 whorls of 3-5 flowers.
Achenes in a globose head, obliquely
obovate, flattened, with broad, entire or
subcrenate wings.
Occasional, in swamps, margins of
ponds, pools and lakes.
& Fruiting
POTAMOGETONACEAE
Potamogeton nodosus Poir. (Syn:
Potamogeton indicus Roxb.)
Submerged, rooted aquatic herb; stem

slender, terete, branched. Leaves all
petioled, upper or all leaves floating,
broad; floating leaves elliptic-lanceolate
or oblong, shining, coriaceous, with
strong mid-rib and 13-15 parallel nerves.
Spikes dense-flowered, on axillary or leaf-
opposed peduncle, spikes raised just
above water surface. Flowers white.
Fruits drupaceous with hard endocarp,
truncate, shortly beaked.
Occasional, a submerged aquatic plant in
fresh-water lakes and ponds, also in slow
running waters.
& Fruiting

APONOGETONACEAE
Aponogeton natans (Linn.) Engl. & Krause
(Syn: Aponogeton monostachyon Linn. f.)
Vernacular name: Ghechu, Jhechu (H).
Perennial aquatic plant with elongate
tubers. Submerged leaves lanceolate, base
and apex cuneate, tip blunt, midrib wide,
with 2 or 3 parallel nerves on either side;
floating leaves oblong, rarely linear-
oblong, obtuse or acute, 3-7-nerved, base
rounded, cordate or cuneate. Spike
solitary, densely-flowered, cylindric.
Flowers bluish, pinkish or purplish.
Fruits smooth, with a long terminal beak.
Fairly common in stagnant shallow
waters, rice fields, ponds, ditches and
margins of lakes.
Flowering : September-November;
& Fruiting also most part of the year.
ERIOCAULACEAE
Eriocaulon quinquangulare Linn.
Vernacular name: Phurki, Nakachana

(O); Guri (Beng.).
Scapigerous herb. Leaves crowded in a
rosette, linear-ensiform, often bright red
when dry. Peduncles few or densely
crowded, sheaths lax, shorter than the
leaves. Heads white, globose or
somewhat ovoid. Receptacle globose or
columnar, sparsely pilose; involucral
bracts obovate or oblong-oblanceolate,
scarious, eventually reflexed; floral bracts
hyaline, obovate or, oblanceolate. Seeds
oblong-ellipsoid, pale-brown or yellow.
Quite common in wet places, rice fields and
along the margins of ponds and lakes.
& Fruiting

CYPERACEAE
Bulbostylis barbata (Rottb.)
C.B.CIarke
Small herb, setaceous, glabrous. Leaves

as long as or shorter than the stems,
capillary; sheaths pilose especially in the
throat. Spikelets brown, sessile, linear to
oblong, angled, in dense clusters at the
top of the stem; involucral bracts 1-3,
filiform, with dilated scarious base.
Glumes triangular-ovate, membranous,
mucronulate. Nut obpyramidal or
obovoide, pale brown or yellow.
Fairly common in sandy soils and open
wastelands.
& Fruiting
Cyperus articulatus Linn.
Stout herbs; stem terete, septate, thickened

below; stolons stout, covered by dark-
coloued scales. Leaves reduced to sheaths
or rerely with short foliaceous limbs.
Inflorescence compound, primary rays
upto 10; bracts 1-3, scale-like, triangular.
Spikelets dense, linear; glumes imbricate,
ovate or oblong, concave. Nuts narrowly
oblong, trigonous, black, shining.
Occasional in rice fields and swamps.
& Fruiting

Cyperus compressus Linn.
Vernacular name: Chancha (Beng.).

Annual herb; stems tufted, erect and
diffuse, triquetrous. Leaves longer than
the stems, rigid. Spikelets 3-many, in a
simple terminal head or short spike or
heads; involucral bracts 3-5, patent.
Spikelets oblong to linear, much
compressed, rachilla flexuous, persistent.
Glumes more than half imbricate, ovate,
chartaceous, strongly keeled, Nut.
triquetrous or trigonous, obovoid-
ellipsoid, shining browp or black.
Frequent in moist grassy lands, waste
places and cultivated lands.
& Fruiting
Cyperus cuspidatus Kunth (Syn:

Cyperus uncinatus auct. non Poir.
Small, annual caespitose herb, with

fibrous roots. Stem trigonous, smooth.
Leaves narrow, often setaceous and
shorter than the stem; sheaths
membranous, striate, reddish-brown.
Inflorescence simple, often reduced to a
single head; involucral bracts few,
filiform. Spikelets digitately arranged,
linear, strongly compressed; glumes
oblong-spathulate, emarginate at apex,
mucro recurved, sides ferrugineous-
brown. Nut trigonous, obovoid, chestnut
coloured.
Quite common in moist waste places and
agricultural fields.
& Fruiting

Cyperus difformis Linn.
Vernacular name: Suneli (O); Behua

(Beng.).
Tufted annual herb; stems weak,
triquetrous. Leaves shorter than the stem,
several nerved, flaccid. Inflorescence
simple or compound; involucral bracts 2-
3, keeled; primary rays usually 5-9.
Spikes globose, very dense, with
numerous spikelets; spikelets stellately
spreading, linear, compressed; glumes
minute, orbicular. Nut unequally
trigonous, broadly ellipsoid, pale brown
or stramineous.
Common weed of wet grounds, rice fields
and margins of water bodies.
& Fruiting
Cyperus diffusus Vahl
Stout perennial herb with short rhizome.

Stem tufted, trigonous below, triquetrous
above. Leaves as long as or shorter than
the stems, flat, flaccid, with 3 prominent
nerves, abruptly acuminate.
Inflorescence decompound; involucral
bracts 4-10, unequal, the larger ones
overtopping the inflorescence. Spikelets
digitately arranged, 3-9 together, turgid-
compressed; glumes boat-shaped,
mucronate. Nuts ellipsoid, triquetrous,
dark brown.
Quite common in shady moist localities
and damp forest floors.
& Fruiting

Cyperus distans Linn. f.
Perennial herb with creeping rhizome;

stems sub-caespitose, triquetrous. Leaves
scabrous in the upper part; lower sheaths
purplish. Inflorescence compound or
decompound, often large and open;
involucral bracts 4-6(-8), spreading;
primary rays 6-12. Spikes broadly ovoid-
pyramidal; spikelets loosely spicately
arranged, ultimately spreading at right
angles; rachilla distinctly winged,
persistent. Nuts trigonous, oblong-
.cylindrical, grey to black.
Frequently found near water bodies, rice
fields and other wet habitats.
& Fruiting
Cyperus halpan Linn.
Small tender herb; rhizome short,

creeping. Stem tufted, slender, trigonous
or triquetrous to almost 3-winged,
smooth. Leaves flat; lower sheaths
scarious, inflated, reddish. Inflorescence
simple or compound; rays numerous,
unequal; spikelets digitately arranged in
clusters of 3-8, stellately spreading,
linear-lanceolate; glumes suberect,
oblong-ovate. Nut trigonous, obovoid,
whitish or yellowish.
Abundant in wet places, margins of
lakes, ponds and rice fields.
& Fruiting

Cyperus imbricatus Retz. (Syn:
Cyperus radiatus Vahl)
Perennial herb with very short rhizome.

Stem robust, tufted, trigonous, upto 60 cm.
Leaves about two-third as long as stem,
canaliculate, scabrous on the margins,
lower sheaths spongy, purplish-black.
Inflorescence simple or compound;
involucral bracts 3-5; primary rays 6-8,
unequal. Spikes digitately arranged,
cylindric, very dense; spikelets spicately
arranged, oblong, imbricate. Nut ovoid to
ellipsoid, trigonous, yellowish-brown.
Occasional in swamps, ditches and
muddy margins of water bodies; no where
common.
& Fruiting
Cyperus iria Linn.
Vernacular name : Suanti (O);

Barachaneha, Burachucha (Beng.).
Non-rhizomatous herb; stems solitary or
tufted, trigonous. Leaves basal, scabrous.
Inflorescence simple or compound, loose;
involucral bracts 3-5; rays many. Spikes
narrow, oblong-ovoid, of 5-20 spikelets;
rachis flexuous. Spikelets yellow or pale
brown, spicately arranged, linear-oblong,
obtuse; glumes orbicuIar-obovate, keeled,
emarginate at apex. Nut as long as the
subtending, glume, triquetrous or
trigonous, obovoid, shining dark brown
to black.
Quite common in rice fields, margins of
water bodies and other wet places.
& Fruiting

Cyperus pilosus Vahl
Perennial tall herb; rhizome sending

slender stolons, clothed with scales. Stem
robust, triquetrous above. Leaves often
three-fourth as long as stem, with 3
prominent nerves, scabrous on margins.
Inflorescence compound, variable in size
and density; involucral bracts 4-5,
foliaceous. Spikes ovoid; spikelets pale
brown, elliptic to lanceolate. Nut
triquetrous, ellipsoid, black.
Fairly common in wet habitats along
lakes and pools, rice fields and swamps.
& Fruiting
Cyperus polystachyos Roxb. [Syn:

Pycreus polystachyos (Rottb.) P.
Beauv.; Pycreus odoratus Urb.]
Tufted herb, stems trigonous. Leaves flat

or canaliculate, scabrid on the margins.
Inflorescence simple or compound,
strongly contracted to open; involucral
bracts 3-6, spreading. Spikelets 2-15 to the
spike, fasciculate to divergent, linear,
compressed, many-flowered; rachilla
flexuous, narrowly winged. Glumes
closely imbricate, elliptic-ovate. Nut
oblong, subtruncate and apiculate,
castaneous to black.
Occasional in moist open places and
sandy localties.
Flowering : February - October
& Fruiting

Cyperus pygmaeus Rottb. (Syn:
Juncellus pygmaeus (Rottb.) C. B.
Clarke]
Very small tufted herb. Stem triquetrous,

smooth. Leaves canaliculate, flaccid,
scabrid on the margins. Inflorescence
consisting of several very dense
glomerules, contracted into a triangular-
ovoid to subglobose lobed head;
involucral bracts with dialated base.
Spikelets often incurved and contorted,
linear or ovate-lanceolate, strongly
compressed, 10-20 flowered; glumes
pellucid, distichous. Nut trigonous or
plano-convex, pale brown.
Not common, but locally abundant in
muddy swamps; often floating on water
surfaces forming thick mats.
& Fruiting
Cyperus rotundus Linn.
Vernacular name: Mutha, Motha (O, H,

Beng.); Nut grass (E).
Perennial rhizomatous herbs; rhizomes
sending long, wiry stolons ending in
tubers; tubers fragrant, black. Stems
slender, triquetrous. Leaves mostly
radical. Inflorescence simple or
compound; involucral bracts mostly 3;
spikes ovoid; spikelets spicately
arranged, linear, compressed. Glumes
imbricate, linear-oblong, membranous,
keeled, rubiginous to deep brown, 3-7-
nerved. Nut trigonous, oblong-obovoid,
brownish to black.
One of the most common weeds of
wastelands and agricultural fields.
Flowering : Chiefly July - December
& Fruiting

Eleocharis dulcis (Burm.f.) Henschef
(Syn: Eleocharis plantaginea Roem. &
Schult.)
Vernacular name: Chadchadi (O).

Perennial, caespitose herb, upto 80 cm;
rhizome short with elongated stolons.
Stems erect, terete, longitudinally striate,
distantly transversely septate. Sheaths
membranous. Spikelet brownish,
cylindrical, with 2 empty glumes at the
base; glumes closely imbricate, obovate,
keeled, margin thin, scarious. Bristles 6-
8, about as long as the nut, light brown.
Nut light brown, polished, smooth,
biconvex or 3-gonous.
Gregarious in swamps, ditches, rice fields
and margins of lakes and ponds.
& Fruiting
Fimbristylis acuminata Vahl
Glabrous perennial herb; rhizome very

short. Stems slender, erect, densely tufted,
angular, sulcate. Leaves reduced to
obliquely truncate bladeless sheaths or
the uppermost sheaths with short blade.
Inflorescence consisting of a single
terminal spikelet; spikelet erect, ovoid-
lanceolate, terete, many-flowered; glumes
spiral, chartaceous, glumes oblong-
lanceolate, scarious, keeled upwards. Nut
globosely ovoid, with transverse wavy
ridges.
Occasional, in open sandy places.
& Fruiting

Fimbristylis aestivalis (Retz.) Vahl
Small tufted, annual herb. Stems very

slender, setaceous, angular. Leaves
shorter than the stems, filiform,
canaliculate, acute, soft-hairy.
Inflorescence compound, loose; rays
unequal; involucral bracts similar to
leaves, the lower 1-2 usually overtopping
the inflorescence. Spikelets solitary,
ovoid or oblong-lanceolate, densely
many-flowered, greenish brown; glumes
spiral ovate, Nut ellipsoid or obovate,
umbonate, shining.
Common in moist wet places.
& Fruiting
Fimbristylis argentea (Rottb.) Vahl
Small glabrous herb; stems densely

tufted, setaceous, trigonous. Leaves
filiform, usually shorter than the stem, flat
or canaliculate, abruptly acuminate.
Inflorescence capitate, semiglobose to
globose, with usually 4-10 spikelets;
involucral bracts 2-4, the lowest much
longer than the inflorescence. Spikelets
pale brown, sessile, oblong-ovoid or
cylindrical, many-flowered; glumes
spiral, membranous. Nut biconvex,
broadly obovate or suborbicular.
Occasionally found in moist sandy soil
and grassy fields.
& Fruiting

Fimbristylis dichotoma (Linn.) Vahl
Vernacular name: Bada swanli (O); Bara

nirbishi (Beng.).
Annual herb with short rhizome. Stems
tufted, angular, striate. Leaves basal,
abruptly acuminate; sheaths densely
hairy; ligule a dense fringe of hairs.
Inflorescence simple or compound, with
few to numerous spikelets; involucral
bracts 2-5. Spikelets solitary or more or
less aggregated, ovoid or ovoid-oblong;
glumes spiral, ovate, with 3-nerved green
keel, umbonate. Nut biconvex, onovate,
umbronate, white to straminious.
A fairly common weed in wetlands, rice
fields and margins of lakes and ponds.
& Fruiting
Fimbristylis miliacea (Linn.) VahI
Vernacular name: Beruan (O); Bara Javani

(Beng.).
Glabrous annual herb; stems erect, tufted,
angular, base clothed with 2-3 tubular,
truncate sheaths. Leaves dorsiventrally
flattened. Inflorescence compound, loose
with many spikelets; involucral bracts
about 5, much shorter than the
inflorescence, setaceous; primary rays
several, compressed. Spikelets solitary,
ellipsoid or oblong-lanceolate; glumes
spiral, ovate. Nut stramineous, very
obtusely trigonous, globosely obovoid.
Quite common and abundant in
wetlands, swamps, rice fields and along
water bodies.
& Fruiting

Fimbristylis ovata (Burm.f.) Kern [Syn:
Fimbristylis monostachyos (Linn.) Hassk.]
Vernacular name: Binda mutha (O);
Marmari (Beng.).
Densely tufted herb; stems compressed-
trigonous, somewhat incrassate at the
base. Leaves basal, almost filiform,
shorter than the stem, semi-terete; leaf-
sheaths narrow, tip rounded opposite to
the blade. Inflorescence usually
consisting of a single terminal spikelet.
Spikelets ovate or ovate-lanceolate,
strongly compressed, stramineous or
yellowish; glumes distichous, Nut
obovoid or globose, trigonous,
stramineous.
Frequent in moist and wet places; also in
shady forest floors.
& Fruiting
Fimbristylis schoenoides (Retz.) Vahl
Vernacular name: Kesari malang (Beng.).

Caespitose, glabrous herb. Stems
compressed, sulcate. Leaves filiform,
margins involute, abruptly acuminate;
ligule a dense fringe of short hairs.
Inflorescence consisting of a single
terminal spikelet. Involucral bracts
usually glume-like, the lowest sometimes
leafy. Spikelets solitary, ovoid or conical,
densely many-flowered; glumes spiral,
pale brown, suborbicular. Nut biconvex,
suborbicular-obovate, umbonate, straw-
coloured.
Very common in swamps, rice fields and
moist grassy fields; often floating on
water surface.
& Fruiting

Fuirena ciliaris (Linn.) Roxb. (Syn:
Fuirena glomerata Lam.)
Erect, annual, tufted herb. Stems slender,

angular, striate-sulcate, patently hairy.
Leaves linear, hirsute, with prominent
nerves; sheaths inflated. Inflorescence a
single terminal cluster or also 1-2 clusters
on short pubescent peduncles in the
upper axils; involucral bracts leafy.
Spikelets greenish, ovoid; glumes
orbicular-obovate, bristly. Nut brown,
triquetrous, elliptic-obovoid, with a small
linear apiculus.
Commonly occurs in moist waste places
and rice fields.
& Fruiting
Fuirena umbellata Rottb.
Perennial with long creeping rhizome.

Stems tufted, erect, 60-120 cm, acutely 4-
5-angular. Leaves linear, with 5
prominent nerves; cauline leaves distant.
Inflorescence of a terminal and several
axillary ones, the latter single or binate;
lower bracts sheathing at the base.
Spikelets in very dense clusters, ovoid to
oblong-ovoid, finally squarrose,
brownish or dark-green. Nut ellipsoid to
obovate, triquetrous, smooth, shining,
stramineous to fuscous.
Occasional, along the muddy margins of
lakes and in swamps; sometimes in deep
water.
& Fruiting

Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. [Syn:
Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk.]
Perennial herb; rhizome horizontally

creeping, covered with ovate-lanceolate,
reddish-brown scales. Stems rigidulous,
triquetrous with flat sides. Leaves well-
developed, sometimes exceeding the stem,
canaliculated. Inflorescence capitate,
consisting of a terminal globose to ovoid
greenish head; involucral bracts 3-4.
Spikelets closely packed, compressed.
Nut biconvex, ellipsoid, yellowish-
brown.
Frequent in lawns, field bunds, banks of
lakes and ponds and moist waste places.
& Fruiting
Kyllinga nemoralis (J. R. & G. Forst.)

Dandy ex Hutch. & Dalz. [Syn:
Kyllinga monocephala Rottb.; Cyperys
kyllinga Endl.]
Perennial herb; rhizome creeping. Stem

triquetrous, smooth. Leaves well-
developed, flaccid, scabrid on the margins
in the upper part; sheaths with red
glands. Inflorescence capitate, consisting
of a terminal white ovoid-globose head,
with often 1-3 smaller sessile heads at
base. Involucral bracts 3-4, spreding to
reflexed. Spikelets closely packed,
spreading. Nut biconvex, oblong,
yellowish-brown.
Occasional in moist wastelands, rice
fields and forest floors.
& Fruiting

Kyllinga triceps Rottb. (Syn: Cyperus
triceps Endl.)
Small perennial herb, with short rhizome;

stems tufted, slender, trigonous. Leaves
slightly conduplicate. Inflorescence
capitate, consisting of usually 3, rarely
4-5 dense, sessile heads; central head
subglobose, obtuse, lateral ones globose,
smaller; involucral bracts 3-4, unequal,
widely spreading to reflexed. Spikelets
numerous, whitish to pale green, oblong,
strongly compressed, Nut biconvex,
laterally compressed, ellipsoid or oblong,
yellowish brown to brown.
Abundant in open grasslands, rice fields,
gardens and on margins of canals, lakes
and ponds.
& Fruiting
Mariscus compactus (Retz.) Bold.

(Syn: Cyperus compactus Retz.)
Perennial erect herb with short rhizome.

Stems 2-3, subcaespitose, robust, obtusely
trigonous or subterete, bases clothed with
very characteristic, large reddish-brown
spongy sheaths. Leaves canaliculate,
septate-nodulose. Inflorescence large,
compound; involucral bracts numerous.
Spikes globose or subglobose, very dense;
spikelets linear to lanceolate, reddish-
brown. Nuts trigonous, oblong, apiculate.
Not common; found in rice fields and
margins of canals, lakes and ditches.
& Fruiting

Mariscus paniceus (Rottb.) Vahl [Syn:
Cyperus paniceus (Rottb.) Boeck.
Erect slender herbs; rhizome emitting very

slender stolons covered with lanceolate,
reddish-brown striate sheaths.
Inflorescence simple. Spikelets sessile or
subsessile, shortly cylindrical; finally
horizontally spreading, lanceolate,
slightly curved, always bearing 1 nut.
Glumes 4, lanceolate-ovate, acute,
obscurely nerved, reddish lineolate, the
third nut-bearing, the fourth much
reddish, sterile. Nut small, oblong.
Common in shady moist localities, forest
floors and grasslands.
& Fruiting
Mariscus squarrosus (Linn.) C. B.

Clarke. (Syn: Cyperus squarrosus
Linn.; Cyperus aristatus Rottb.)
Small, annual tufted herb. Stem

triquetrous to almost 3-winged. Leaves
few, usually shorter that the stems,
canaliculate. Inflorescence simple, often
reduced to a single head or with 1-3 rays;
involucral bracts 2-5, tapering. Spikes
dense, oblong-ovoid, echinate; spikelets
densely spicate, compressed; glumes
elliptic, keeled, 5-7 nerved. Nut trigonous,
oblong, brown.
Common as a weed in open waste places
and grassy fields.
& Fruiting

Rikliella squarrosa (Linn.) Raynal
(Syn: Scirpus squarrosus Linn.)
Small, tufted annual herb. Stem erect,

setaceous. Leaves 1-2, shorter than the
stems, filiform. Inflorescence capitate,
usually pseudolateral, usually 1-4;
involucral bracts 1-3, similar to the leaves.
Spikelets sessile, appearing squarrose by
the recurved mucros of the glumes, ovoid
to subcylindric, terete, densely many-
flowered, greenish or brownish. Nut
trigonous, narrowly obovoid, brown to
black.
Quite common in open sandy moist
places along with other grasses and
sedges.
& Fruiting
Schoenoplectus articulatus (Linn.)

Palla (Syn: Scirpus articulatus Linn.)
Vernacular name: Kanri, Gaichira,
Gaichiria, Charchadi (O); Pappati chikha
(Beng.); Chichara (H).
Annual or perennial caespitose herb.
Stem erect, terete, fistulose, more or less
transversely septate. Leaves reduced to
1-2 bladeless, scarious, obliquely truncate
sheaths. Inflorescence pseudolateral,
capitate, globose, consisting of numerous
spikelets; involucral bract erect. Spikelets
brown sessile, ovoid to oblong-ovoid,
terete; glumes appressed, concave. Nut
triquetrous, obovoid, transversely wavy-
ridged, black.
Quite abundant in marshy places,
shallow depressions, margins of ponds,
pools and lakes and other wetlands.
& Fruiting

Schoenoplectus grossus (Linn.) Palla
(Syn: Scirpus grossus Linn. f. )
Vernacular name: Santara (O); Kesar,

Kesari (Beng.,H.);
Large, stout, perennial sedge, upto 150
cm. Stems erect, sharply trigonous,
septate. Leaves spongy, keeled, septate;
sheaths spongy. Spikelets in large
decompound panicles; involucral bracts
usually 3, foliaceous; spikelets numerous,
brown, solitary, ovoid, densely many-
flowered; glumes broadly obovate oblong,
scarious, concave, reddish brown. Nut
trigonous, elliptic-obovoid, smooth,
brown.
Locally gregarious in swamps, rice fields
and margins of pools, tanks and canals.
& Fruiting
Schoenoplectus lateriflorus (Gmel.)

Lye (Syn: Scirpus lateriflorus Gmel.;
Scirpus supinus auct. non Linn.)
Diffuse annual herb. Stem slender,

densely tufted, terete or subterete. Leaves
reduced to 2-3 sheaths, obliquely truncate
at apex. Inflorescence pseudolateral, with
4-10 spikelets in clusters; involucral
bracts 1-2. Spikelets oblong-ovoid,
brownish, densely 15-20 flowered;
glumes ovate, keeled. Nut trigonous,
obovate, wavy-ridged, black.
Frequent in wet places especially in rice
fields and muddy banks.
& Fruiting

Scleria terrestris (Linn.) Fassett
(Syn: Scleria elata Thw.)
Vernacular name: Churia (O).

Perennial herb; rhizome stout, nodose.
Stem 1.0-1.5 m, robust, erect or scrambling
over bushes. Leaves all scattered; sheaths
widened upwards, scabrid. Inflorescence
very variable in size, primary bracts
overtopping the inflorescence, secondary
ones setaceous. Spikelets unisexual,
solitary or 2-3 together; glumes broadly
ovate; disc 3-lobed, rounded. Nut ovoid
or sub-globose, cancellate, shining white.
Occasionally found in grassy fields and
shady places on forest floors.
& Fruiting
POACEAE
Alloteropsis cimicina (Linn.) P.
Beauv.
Perennial; culms tufted, erect or

ascending, hairy; nodes hirsute. Leaves
ovate or ovate-lanceolate, hairy and
ciliate, base cordate; ligule of long hairs.
Spikes 4-8, sub-verticillate, simple or 2-
furcate; spikelets green, dorsally
compressed,1-3-nate on short slender
pedicels; upper glume fringed with dense
pink hairs. Caryopsis elliptic-oblong,
compressed.
Abundant in waste places, roadsides,
agricultural fields and in forests during
post-monsoon period.
& Fruiting

Aristida setacea Retz.
Vernacular name: Ghodalanji (O).

Stouter grass, simple or fastigiately
branched; culms erect. Leaves often
overtopping the inflorescence; sheaths at
base of the culm open. Panicle contracted,
inclined, feathery with rather close
clusters of branches and secund spikelets;
spikelets 1-1.75 cm long; glumes awned;
rachilla very pungent, white-bearded.
Caryopsis slender, cylindric.
Quite gregarious in open waste places,
lateritic soils and scrub forests.
& Fruiting
Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd.

Vernacular name: Kanta Baunsa, Daba
bans (O), Kanta bans, Ketua, Behar bans
(Beng.); Bans, Magar bans (H); Thorny
bamboo (E).
Large thorny bamboo with curving
branches from a thick rootstock; culms
bright green, shining, up to 24 to 30 m
high; culm-sheaths striate, rounded at the
top and plaited on the edges, densely
yellow-hairy when young. Leaves linear-
lanceolate. Panicle often occupying the
whole plant; spike sessile in close dense
clusters along the twigs. Caryopsis
oblong, furrowed on one side.
Gregariuos in patches in moist valleys,
scrub forests and degraded areas.
Flowering : Sporadic flowering and
& Fruiting fruiting in March-May.

Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake
[Syn: Dichanthium bladhii (Retz.)
Clayton; Bothriochloa intermedia (R.
Br.) A. Camus; Amphilophis glabra
(Roxb.) Stapf]
Vernacular name: Gandha bena (O);
Gandha gurana (Beng.).
Tufted perennial grass; culms erect or
decumbent at the base; nodes with a
dense ring of hairs. Leaves broadly linear,
with strong midrib; sheathes compressed,
loose, ligule very short, truncate, margin
ciliolate. Inflorescence paniculate with an
elongated central axis; panicle purplish,
more or less compound; internodes of
panicle glabrous, lower long, gradually
shorter. Caryopsis oblong, obtuse,
slightly compressed.
Common in waste place and grassy fields.
& Fruiting
Bothriochloa pertusa (Linn.) A.
Camus [Syn: Dichanthium pertusum
(Linn.) Clayton; Ampholophis pertusa
(Linn.) Nash ex Stapf]
Vernacular name: Basana (O); Sandhur (H).
Stoloniferous perennial herbs; culms
erect or ascending, upto 60 cm; nodes
bearded. Leaves with long hairs near the
base; sheaths usually scaberulous; ligule
short, membranous, truncate. Racemes
usualy 3-9, digitate or subdigitate; lower
glume of sessile spikelets with a dorsal
pit above the middle. Pedicelled spikelet
equal to the sessile spikelet; upper glume
flat, dorsally 3-5-nerved, obtuse.
Caryopsis oblong, obtuse.
A common grass of wastelands, agricultural
fields, road sides and open grounds.
& Fruiting

Brachiaria distachya (Linn.) Stapf
Erect or procumbent herb, rooting at base.

Stem angular and channelled. Leaves
erect, linear-lanceolate, amplexicaul at
base; ligule of a hairy ring. Inflorescence
a panicle; racemes 2-3, simple, sub-
conjugate; spikelets elliptic-oblong or
elliptic-obovate. Lower florets neuter,
upper florets bisexual. Caryopsis tightly
enclosed by lemma and palea.
Fairly common in rice fields, swamps
and moist grassy areas.
& Fruiting
Brachiaria mutica (Forssk.) Stapf
Vernacular name: Paraghasa (O); Nardul

(Beng.), Para grass (E).
Perennial herbs; culms robust; nodes
villous. Leaves linear or linear-lanceolate.
Racemes numerous, the lowest branched;
rachis more or less flat, herbaceous,
sometimes ribbon-like, ciliate on the
margins and with a few long hairs at the
base. Spikelets solitary, densely and
untidily crowded in more than two rows
on the rachis, lanceolate; pedicels usually
setose. Caryopsis enclosed by hardened
lamma and palea
Gregarious in marshes, depressions and
along canals and other water bodies;
introduced as a fodder crop but
naturalized.
& Fruiting

Brachiaria ramosa (Linn.) Stapf
Vernacular name: Baunsapalli, Baunsia

ghasa (O)
Annual herbs; culms to 60 cm, often from
a decumbent base; nodes pubescent.
Leaves lanceolate or linear; sheaths finely
pubescent on the edges and often with
sparse scattered hairs above; ligule a
fringe of short hairs. Racemes erect or
suberect, few or many in pyramidal
panicle; rachis triquetrous, hispidulous.
Spikelets or pairs or clusters of spikelets
approximate; lower glumes 5-7-nerved.
Caryopsis enclosed by lemma and palea.
A very common weed in waste places,
roadsides and agricultural fields.
& Fruiting
Chloris barbata Sw.
Vernacular name: Jargi gandi (H).

Perennial; culms ascending, 30-90 cm,
simple or branched at base. Leaves linear,
scaberulous; ligule very narrow. Spikes
crowded, 6-15, at the top of the culm;
rachis scaberulous; spikelets usually
purplish, unilateral, 2-seriate. Rachilla
short, bearing 2 curiously inflated
truncate, empty lemmas, awned from the
back, ciliate above the middle; the upper
shorter, subglobose with shorter awn.
Caryopsis oblong, triquetrous.
Quite a common weed in waste places,
agricultural fields and road sides; also
on dilapidated walls and buildings.
& Fruiting

Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin.
Vernacular name: Guguchia (O); Chora

Kanta (Beng.); Surwala, Lampa (H).
Perennial herb with creeping rhizome;
culms rooting and branching at the lower
nodes, decumbent, finally ascending,
glabrous. Leaves short, densely tufted,
linear. Panicle narrow, turning red or
purple, with capillary branches, solitary
or sub-verticillate; spikelets from the
villous callus being produced
downwards and adnate on one side in a
lone needle-like appendage. Caryopsis
linear, laterally compressed.
Quite common and gregarious weed in
open wastelands, field bunds, road sides
and damp localities.
& Fruiting
Coix lacryma-jobi Linn.
Vernacular name: Gargada, Gargara (O);

Gurgur, Kunch (Beng.); Gurlu (H); Jobs
Tears (E).
Tall annual herbs; culms robust, spongy,
rooting at the lower nodes. Leaves flat,
linear, margins cartilaginous, scabrid;
sheaths smooth, long, often very broad;
ligule membranous, frilled. Inflorescence
consisting of peduncled, suberct, flase
spikes; peduncle flattened or trigonous.
Lower floret male, triandrous. Involucre
ovoid, white or bluish, polished, hard.
Caryopsis subglobose or ellipsoid,
enclosed in the bract.
Frequent along the margins of ponds,
pools, lakes, canals and in rice fields.
& Fruiting

Cynodon barberi Rang.& Tad.
Creeping herb, 30-60 cm long, rooting

and branching at the nodes; flowering
branches erect or ascending. Leaves
narrowly oblong to lanceolate,
scaberulous, primary nerves 7; sheath
hairy at mouth; ligule a narrow
membrane,with laciniate or ciliate edge.
Inflorescence of 3-5 slender, digitate,
spikes borne at the ends of their
peduncles; rachis slightly angular.
Spikelets 1-flowered, awnless,
compressed. Caryopsis smooth, pale,
transparent, obscurely trigonous.
Common in moist waste places and rice
fields; very osten confused with Cynodon
dactylon.
& Fruiting
Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers.
Vernacular name: Duba, Dubaghas (O);

Durba, Dubla (Beng.); Dub, Dhub (H).
Creeping grass with scaly rhizomes and
strong stolons; culms decumbent,
glabrous. Leaves distichous, linear or
lanceolate-acuminate; sheaths bearded at
mouth; ligule of a ring of white hairs.
Inflorescence of 2-8, digitate, green or
purplish spikes; rachis tumid and
pubescent at the base. Spikelets 1-
flowered, awnless, compressed, sessile in
2 rows on one side of the rachis.
Caryopsis brown, oblong or fusiform-
oblong.
Fairly common in lawns, roadsides,
cultivated land, damp ground,
wastelands etc.
& Fruiting

Cyrtococcum trigonum (Retz.) A.
Camus
Decumbent herb, slender, creeping and

branching below. Leaves linear or linear-
lanceolate; sheaths glabrous or with
ciliate margins; ligule rounded. Panicle
contracted, branches few, angular,
glabrescent. Spikelets few, dirty buff,
hispidulous, gibbous, laterally
compressed; pedicels shorter than the
spikelets. Caryopsis small, obovoid.
Very common in moist and shady
localities, often as an undergrowth in
forests.
& Fruiting
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (Linn.)

P.Beauv. [Syn: Eleusine aegyptia
(Linn.) Desf.]
Vernacular name: Kakudia (O); Makra,

Makri (H).
Erect or procumbent herb, geniculate at
the base. Leaves linear, ciliate on the
nerves or midrib and margins; sheaths
hairy or ciliate above. Spikes stout, 3-6,
spreading or suberect; peduncle hairy at
base of spike. Spikelets spreading at right
angles from the rachis. Caryopsis
subglobose, flattened on one side of the
hilum which is not depressed, very
rugose.
Common weed in wastelands,
agricultural fields and shady moist
localities.
& Fruiting

Digitaria abludens (Roem.& Schult.)
Veldk. [Syn: Digitaria pedicellaris
(Trin.ex HookJ.) Prain].
Vernacular name: Chiri-chira (Beng.)

Erect annual grass. Leaves linear, finely
acuminate, glabrous or pubescent;
sheaths sparsely hairy; ligule short,
scarious. Peduncle slender with 3-10
alternate, suberect or spreading, filiform
racemes; rachis trigonous. Spikelets 2-5-
nate, spaced, elliptic, acute, mucronate,
with clavate hairs; tip of pedicels
thickened. Upper glume elliptic, acute, 5-
nerved, with very slender clavate hairs.
Tip of the grain distinctly apiculate and
protruding above the lower lemma.
Frequent in grasslands, forest clearings
and other open places.
& Fruiting
Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler
Vernacular name: Makur-jali (Beng.);

Takri (H).
Annual herbs; culms decumbent at the
base and geniculately ascending. Leaves
linear. Inflorescence digitate or
subdigitate, composed of 2-12 racemes;
racemes stiff, sometimes with sparse long
white hairs. Spikelets binate and
overlapping; rachis winged with
triquetrous midrib; pedicels triquetrous,
scabrid; spikelets narrowly elliptic, one
or both spikelets often beset with stiff
glassy bristles. Caryopsis ellipsoid, grey
to light brown.
Fairly abundant in open grassy fields,
road sides and scrub forests.
Flowering : June - April
& Fruiting

Digitaria longiflora (Retz.) Pers.
Vernacular name: Kanka jariya (H).

Annual herb; creeping and rooting at the
nodes, with ascending slender branches.
Leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate,
erect or spreading, acute, glabrous or with
a few hairs; sheaths pubescent; ligule
short, truncate, membranous.
Inflorescence of 2-3 racemes; racemes
digitate, slender, erect, pale green in
flower; rachis flat, straight, margins
winged; pedicels 2-3-nate, terete with
discoid tips. Spikelets appressed, sub-
imbricate, elliptic lanceolate or elliptic-
oblong. Caryopsis ellipsoid, whitish.
Very common in open grassy fields and
waste places.
Flowering : July - December.
& Fruiting
Echinochloa colona (Linn.) Link
Vernacular name: Suan, Suanghas (O);

Shama (Beng.); Sawank (H).
Annual tufted grass; culms erect or
ascending, branched mostly in the lower
.part only, glabrous. Leaves linear, flat,
flaccid, glabrous or scaberulous; Iigule
absent. Panicle narrow; spikes not
crowded, suberect or erecto-patent,
solitary rarely 2-nate; rachis triquetrous
and scaberulous. Spikelets crowded, 3-4-
seriate, ovate to ovate-elliptic. Caryopsis
broadly elliptic.
Fairly common in moist places, especially
near water courses and agricultural
fields.
& Fruiting

Echinochloa stagnina (Retz.) P.
Beauv.
Vernacular name: Bada Suan, Jhipa (O);

Dul (Beng.).
Aquatic annual herbs; culms spongy,
erect, tufted, decumbent and rooting at the
lower nodes.. Leaves linear, acuminate;
sheaths glabrous; ligule a fringe of stiff
hairs, sometimes absent in uppermost
leaf. Panicle ovate-lanceolate or
pyramidal open; spikes 5-15, secund,
ascending; spikelets ovate to elliptic, long
awned, pubescent. Caryopsis elliptic,
plano-convex.
Common in stagnant water bodies, paddy
fields and margins of lakes and ponds;
often floating on water surfaces.
& Fruiting
Eleusine indica (Linn.) Gaertn.
Vernacular name: Nandia, Anamandia

(O); Malan kuri, Mandla (H); Crow foot
grass, Crab grass (E).
Tufted annual herb, erect or slightly
geniculate; culm compressed. Leaves
linear, flat or complicate, glabrous or
sparingly hairy; sheaths loose; ligule very
small, membranous. Spikes 3-7, erect or
spreading at the top of the culm, slender;
peduncle; spikelets mostly pointing
forwards, 3-5- flowered. Grain oblong and
obtusely trigonous with oblique base,
transversely rugose, sometimes obscurely
so, tip obtuse or rounded.
Fairly common weed of waste places and
roadsides.
& Fruiting

Elytrophorus spicatus (Willd.) A.
Camus (Syn: Elytrophorus articulatus
P.Beauv.)
Tufted, erect, usually small grass, 15-30

cm tall. Leaves linear, flat. Inflorescence
of densely packed globose clusters of
spikelets, continuous in a cylindric
spiciform panicle; spikelets small,
laterally compressed, 3-6-flowered,
subtended by many empty glumes, bright
green. Caryopsis minute, narrowly
oblong or fusiform, compressed.
Occasional in harvested rice fields, dried
up pools and ditches and in wet habitats.
& Fruiting
Eragrostis ciliaris (Linn.) R. Br.
Annual herbs; culms slender. Leaves

usually ascending, flat to convolute.
Panicle- spiciform, often more or less
lobed or interrupted. Spikelets densely
crowded, ovate, often purplish, 6-12-
flowered; rachilla more or less jointed,
breaking up from apex downwards;
lemma long-ciliate on the keels; cilia on
keels of palea soft. Caryopsis linear-
oblong, enclosed by lemma and pales.
Common in waste palces and grassy
fields.
& Fruiting

Eragrostis ciliata (Roxb.) Nees
Annual herbs; culms erect or ascending

from a long perennial horizontal
rootstock. Leaves short, linear or linear-
lanceolate; sheaths bearded below the
mouth; ligule of a few hairs. Panicle
densely spike-like, cylindric; spikelets
rather dull, compressed, breaking up
from above downwards; keels strong,
long-ciliate, hairy within, tip rounded
between the keels. Caryopsis small,
terete.
One of the common weed in gardens,
cultivated lands and roadsides.
& Fruiting
Eragrostis japonica (Thunb.) Trin.

[Syn: Eragrostis interrupta Lam.;
Eragrostis diarrhena (Schult.) Steud.]
Tufted annual herbs; culms 10-100 cm,

erect. Leaves flat, upto 30 cm long; ligule
membranous, truncate, fimbriate. Panicle
oblong or linear; branches ascending
close to the main rachis or spreading,
branches contracted in dense remote
pseudo-whorls, bare towards the base;
spikelets shortly pedicelled and
appressed to the secondary branchlets,
4-14-flowered, ovate-oblong. Caryopsis
ellipsoid.
Locally gregarious in open damp
localities and harvested crop fields.
& Fruiting

Eragrostis pilosa (Linn.) P.Beauv.
Annual slender herb, with glandular

band below nodes of the culm. Leaves
linear, acuminate, base and mouth of
sheath ciliate; ligule a ring of short hairs.
Panicle opened, delicate with capillary
branches; branches in pseudo-whorls,
with long cilia in the axils. Spikelets long
pedicelled, grey or purple. Caryopsis
brown, oblong, one side striater than the
other.
Frequently found in moist grassy places
and wastelands.
& Fruiting
Eragrostis unioloides (Retz.) Nees ex

Steud. [Syn: Eragrostis amabilis auct.
non (Linn.) Wight & Am. ex Hook. &
Arn.]
Vernacular name: Phurphuri (O); Koni

(Beng.).
Annual herbs; culms tufted or solitary, erect
or geniculately ascending. Leaves mostly
basal, linear, convolute, sometimes flat;
ligule reduced to a narrow rim. Panicle
narrow or ovate-oblong, contracted or effuse
with alternate branches; spikelets pale or
reddish-purple, ovate or ovate-oblong,
compressed, many-flowered, breaking up
from below upwards; rachilla nodose after
fall of lemmas but straight. Caryopsis
ellipsoid. or obovoid, laterally compressed.
Fairly common in moist and wet places,
especially in rice fields and swamps.
Flowering : July - March
& Fruiting

Eriochloa procera (Retz.) Hubbard
(Syn: Eriochloa ramosa Kuntze).
Vernacular name: Khara ghas (O).

Perennial herbs; culms tufted, slender,
erect; nodes swollen and pubescent.
Leaves erect, linear or linear-lanceolate;
ligule very short, hairy. Racemes erect or
erecto-patent, peduncled, forming a
narrow, compound panicle; rachis
angular, pedicels solitary or 2-nate,
triquetrous; spikelets close set, pale,
broadly lanceolate or ovoid; upper lemma
with a short cusp. Caryopsis pointed at
base, compressed, smooth.
Abundant in paddy fields, margins of
canals, ponds and swamps.
& Fruiting
Hackelochloa granularis (Linn.)

Kuntze [Syn: Manisuris granularis
(Linn.) Linn.f.]
Vernacular name: Trinpali, Kangni (H).

Annual, much-branched densely hairy
herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate, base sub-
cordate, hairy, acuminate; sheaths
hirsure, inflated; ligule membranous,
ciliate. Raceme sheathed at base, often
several from one leaf-axil; sessile
spikelets globose, secund, in 2 rows,
lower glume pitted all over; pedicelled
spikelets green, distichous, glumes with
winged keels. Caryopsis globose or sub-
globose.
Occasional weed in moist waste places,
cultivated fields and roadsides.
& Fruiting

Hemarthria compressa (Linn.f.) R. Br.
Vernacular name: Gopkena (O);

Pansheru, Buksha, Biksa (H).
Erect or decumbent perennial herb; culms
rooting below. Leaves linear, mouth of
sheath hairy; ligule very short, truncate,
membranous, ciliate. Racemes
compressed, erect, exserted slightly from
the sheath, dark green; joints of rachis
disarticulating tardily, much shorter than
the spikelet, with the back slightly and
front deeply excavated, scar and
articulation flat; sessile spikelet 2, linear-
lanceolate, callus small,Caryopsis
oblong, dorsally compressed.
Non common, occasionally found along
water courses and bunds of paddy fields.
& Fruiting
Heteropogon contortus (Linn.) P.

Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult.
Vernacular name: Sinkula, Dauria (O);

Kher (Beng. & H); Spear Grass, Bellary
Grass (E).
Erect, perennial herbs; culms tufted, 30-
120 cm tall, often fastigiately branched.
Leaves linear, scabrid above, base with
long tubercled-based hairs; ligule small,
truncate, ciliolate. Racemes slender,
cylindrical, contorted, awned, clothed
with white tubercled-based stiff hairs
from the outer glumes. Lower spikelets
homogamous, 4-8 pairs. Caryopsis
sublinear, terete.
Fairly common in wastelands, open
fields, cultivated lands and forest fringes.
& Fruiting

Hygroryza aristata (Retz.) Nees ex
Wt. & Am.
Perennial floating aquatic herb; culms

spongy, with whorled capillary green
roots at nodes. Leaves ovate, ovate-
oblong, subcoriaceous, obtuse, base
rounded or subcordate, shortly petioled;
sheaths much inflated, mouth auricled;
ligule O. Panicle effuse, with few
spreading branches, lower whorled, often
deflexed; spikelets few; lemma narrowly
lanceolate, 7-nerved, awned. Caryopsis
narrowly oblong.
Common in tanks, lakes and slow-
moving streams; often making pure
communities.
& Fruiting
Hymenachne acutigluma (Steud.)

Gilliland (Syn: Hymenachne
pseudointerrupta Muell.; Hymenachne
myuros P. Beauv.)
Stout grass with a prostrate rooting base;

culms erect, spongy below, rooting at the
lower nodes; rootstock creeping or
floating. Leaves linear, base rounded, tip
acuminate; sheaths glabrous or ciliate;
ligule short, hyaline. Panicle very dense,
narrow, cylindrical, compound with
closely appressed branches, 10-30 cm
long; rachis margined; spikelets
variously grouped, secund, narrowly
lanceolate, awned. Caryopsis very small,
oblong, tip contracted.
Quite common in shallow tanks, pools,
ditches, rice fields and along the margins
of lakes and ponds.
& Fruiting

Imperata cylindrica (Linn.) Raeusch.
(Syn: Imperata arundinacea Cyrill.)
Vernacular name: Chhana ghasa, Dabbu

Chhana (O); Ulu (Beng.); Siru, Ulu (H);
Thatch Grass (E).
Erect perennial grass, very variable in
size; culms leafy, solid; rootstock widely
creeping and stoloniferous, forming tufts
of leaves. Leaves basal, erect or spreading,
flat or rolled, scabrid on margins; sheaths
loose; ligule membranous, ciliate. Panicle
spiciform, cylindrical, white silky hairy;
generally binate, one short, the other long-
pedicelled, 2-flowered; stamens yellow.
Caryopsis oblong.
Gregarious and abnoxious weed in open
low-laying areas, waste places, field
bunds and dry forest floors.
& Fruiting
Ischaemum indicum (Houtt.) Merr.

(Syn: Ischaemum ciliare Retz.)
Slender perennial herbs; erect, decumbent

or creeping at base, nodes bearded.
Leaves linear, pubescent or villous;
sheaths villous; ligule short, ciliate.
Racemes spiciform, usually 2, on a long
peduncle; joints of rachis and pedicels
strongly compressed, readily
disarticulating. Spikelets binate, one
sessile and the other long-pedicelled;
sessile spikelets bearded, lower glume
expanded below the middle. Cayopsis
ellipsoid, dorsally compressed.
Abundant herb in wet places, field
bunds, margins of lakes and ponds and
moist waste localities.
& Fruiting

Ischaemum rugosum Salisb.
Vernacular name: Tuli (O); Moraro

(Beng.).
Annual stout herbs; culms 40-100 cm,
erect or ascending. Leaves linear, flat,
sharply acuminate, hairy; sheaths lax,
margins ciliolate; ligule obtuse, ciliolate.
Racemes 1-2 together, yellow, scarcely
exserted from the sheaths; rachis thick,
fragile. Sessile spikelets with bearded
callus; margins of the lower glume of
sessile spikelet narrowly and evenly
inturned from base to apex. Caryopsis
Occasional, in wet grassy places and
bunds of agricultural lands.
& Fruiting
Isleima prostratum (Linn.) Anders.

(Syn: Isleima wightii Anders)
Slender, tufted leafy herbs; culms

decumbent, nodes bearded. Leaves
slender, margin scabrid, subspinulose;
sheaths and base of blades with tubercle-
based hairs. Panicle with fascicled
branches interspersed with spathe-like
bracts; racemes fascicled, each in axil of
a complicate spathe with scarious
margins. Spikelets lanceolate, whorled to
form involucre, all pedicelled. Caryopsis
Occasional, in low-laying areas and
harvested crop fields, especially with
clayey soils.
& Fruiting

Leersia hexandra Sw.
Slender perennial herbs; culms rooting

from lower nodes. Leaves usually stiff,
striate, scabrid, acuminate, narrowed at
the base; sheaths striate, very scabrid;
ligule truncate. Panicle slender,
contracted, with distant branches,
flexuous. Spikelets 1-flowered, laterally
compressed, closely imbricate, oblong,
green. Caryopsis oblong, compressed.
Gregarious and often forming matted
growth on water surfaces in tanks and
lakes, also in marshes and rice fields.
& Fruiting
Leptochloa chinensis (Linn.) Nees
Vernacular name: Bhuru (O); Chanhel

(H).
Annual, slender herbs; culms tufted,
stouter, 60-120 cm. Leaves erect or
spreading, linear, flat or convolute, finely
acuminate, scaberulous; ligule short,
lacerate. Panicle lax, branches slender,
spiciform; spikelets small, sessile, 4-6-
flowered; glumes unequal; lower lemma
obtuse and apiculate. Caryopsis loose,
obtusely trigonous, subrugose.
Very common in rice fields, along ponds,
streams, lakes and canals.
& Fruiting

Microchloa indica (Linn.f.) P. Beauv.
[Syn: Microchloa setacea (Roxb.) R.Br.]
Small perennial, tufted grass; culms very

slender, terete, smooth, glabrous, shining.
Leaves crowded at the base, filiform, often
curved, striate; ligule a narrow, ciliate
rim. Spikes purplish, very slender; rachis
flattened with rounded back; spikelets
closeset; glumes subequal, as long as the
spikelet, linear-lanceolate; lemma villous;
palea 2-toothed at the apex. Caryopsis
oblong, fusiform.
Common and locally abundant on dry
rocky and sandy soils, laterite blocks and
on dilapidated walls and temples.
& Fruiting
Mnesithea laevis (Retz.) Kunth [Syn:

Mnesithea perforata (Roxb.) Haines]
Vernacular name: Sunatuli (O); Kurio

(Beng.).
Perennial herbs; culms erect or
decumbent at base, slender, 30-100 cm,
simple or branched above; node distant,
glabrous. Leaves linear, flat or
conduplicate, strongly nerved.
Inflorescence of solitary, terminal,
spiciform, cylindric racemes, 10-20 cm
long; joints fused with the pedicels into a
terete internode, deeply hollowed to
receive the 2 opposite spikelets separated
by a hyaline membrane. Caryopsis
narrowly oblong, compressed.
Frequent in open grasslands, wet places
and on the margins of ponds and ditches.
& Fruiting

Oplismenus burmannii (Retz.) P.
Beauv.
Vernacular name: Kaugodia (O); Nini (H).

Annual delicate leafy grass, diffusely
branched with ascending culms. Leaves
lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate,
with white hairs both sides; sheaths
closely ciliate. Panicle of 3-6 secund
alternate racemes; peduncle long and
slender; rachis clothed with slender
white hairs, often exceeding the spikelets.
Spikelets 1-2-nate on short pedicels,
furnished with slender hairs, awned.
Cryopsis oblong, tightly embraced by the
hardened lamma and palea.
Fairly abundant in shady moist localities
and forest floors.
& Fruiting
Oplismenus compositus (Linn.) P.

Beauv.
Vernacular name: Kaugodia, Mohara (O).

Perennial herbs; cu!ms creeping and
rooting below, then ascending, glabrous,
striate. Leaves lanceolate or linear-
lanceolate, acuminate; sheaths often
ciliate. Panicle with triquetrous axis, 10-
20 cm long with subsecund, solitary,
geminate or clustered distant racemes;
rachis hispid-pubescent. Spikelets
solitary or fascicled, secund, awned.
Caryopsis oblong, tightly embraced by the
lamma and palea
Very common in damp and densely shady
localities and forest floors.
& Fruiting

Oropetium thomaeum (Linn. f.) Trin.
Small herb, densely tufted; tufts, orbicular

in outline. Leaves filiformed, crowded at
the base of culm, often curved, more or
less hairy; ligule lacerate. Spikes solitary
or fascicled on very short branches,
slightly curved; rachis compressed,
undulating. Spikelets half immersed in
the cavities of the rachis and imbricates.
Caryopsis oblong, terete.
Occassional in rock crevices, old walls,
roofs and lateritic soils.
& Fruiting
Oryza rufipogon Griff.
Vernacular name: Balunga, Debalunga

(O)
Perennial, tufted grass; culms white or
purplish, erect or ascending, rooting in
the basal part; lower sheaths slightly
inflated, the upper ones tight. Leaves
linear, margins scabrous; ligule
triangular. Panicles loosely contracted;
peduncle and axis terete, ribbed; branches
ascendingly patent to erect, 1-9-spiked;
pedicels clavate; spikelets caducous,
oblong, awned. Caryopsis lanceolate to
obovate-lanceolate, cylindrical, red-
brown.
Frequent near rice fields, in swamps,
ditches, tanks and other water courses.
& Fruiting

Panicum brevifolium Linn. (Syn:
Panicum ovalifolium Poir.)
Slender decumbent grass, rooting at the

nodes. Leaves ovate, acute or acuminate,
amplexicaul with a cordate base; ligule
short, very ciliate. Panicle open, much
divided; rachis, branches and pedicels
capillary. Spikelets solitary, ovate, acute,
gibbous; upper glume gibbous,
persistent, hemispheric, hirsute; lemma
obtuse, dorsally convex; palea large,
oblong, dorsally smooth, margins
narrowly reflexed. Caryopsis tightly
enclosed by lamme and palea.
Common in shady moist localities under
trees and in forests.
& Fruiting
Panicum notatum Retz. (Syn:

Panicum montanum Roxb.)
Perennial erect grass from a short, stout,

upright rootstock; culms very slender,
smooth, 60-120 cm, base woody. Leaves
lanceolate, acuminate, shortly hairy and
ciliate, base subcordate; sheaths
pubescent; ligule obscure, truncate.
Panicle large, terminal, very effuse, with
long, 1-3-nate capillary branches and very
long capillary pedicels. Spikelets obtuse,
lanceolate to oblong, Caryopsis tightly
enclosed by hardened lemma and palea.
Occasional, among bushes in scrub
forests and hedges.
& Fruiting

Panicum paludosum Roxb. (Syn:
Panicum proliferum auct. non Lam.)
Vernacular name: Borati, Kalasnar,

Dalakri ghas (Beng.); Soda (T).
Aquatic perennial; culms spongy, erect
or ascending from the creeping or floating
lower portion, rooting at the often black
nodes, much branched with inflated
striate leaf sheaths. Leaves linear to
narrowly lanceolate, margins serrulate;
ligule of stiff hairs. Panicle with many
erecto-patent branches; branches
triquetrous; spikelets narrowly
lanceolate. Caryopsis enclosed by lemma
and palea.
Common in rice fields, swamps, along
margins of tanks, lakes and canals.
& Fruiting
Panicum psilopodium Trin.
Annual, tufted grass; culms slender, erect

or quickly ascending. Leaves broadly
linear, acuminate; ligule of hairs. Panicle
spreading, effuse, with very capillary
branches and slender pedicels. Spikelets
deciduous, narrowly elliptic, abruptly
acute; lower glume acute or apiculate,
amplexicaul, 5-nerved; upper glume
oblong-ovate, cuspidate. Caryopsis
enclosed tightly by lemma and palea.
Occasional, along waysides, tanks, rice-
fields and in wastelands.
& Fruiting

Panicum repens Linn.
Vernacular name: Reda, Panidal (O);

Bandu, Baranda (Beng.); Torpedo grass
(E).
Perennial herbs; culms tough, creeping
at the base and then ascending,
stoloniferous, clothed below with loose
leaf-sheaths. Leaves linear-lanceolate to
linear, involute, glaucous, base rounded
ciliate; sheaths very striate, ciliate at the
top; ligule obscure, ciliate. Panicle
contracted or sub-effuse; pedicels with
small cupular tips; spikelets mostly
paired, lanceolate. Caryopsis enclosed by
lemma and palea.
Fairly common in aquatic or semi-aquatic
habitats, on the margins of water bodies
and in rice fields.
& Fruiting
Paspalidium flavidum (Retz.) A.

Camus
Vernacular name: Bileilanji (O); Sanka

(H).
Annual terrestrial herb; culms decumbent
and ascending. Leaves sub-bifarious,
linear, obtuse or suddenly acute, ciliate
near the base, margins scabrid.
Inflorescence of few to many spiciform
sessile or subsessile racemes, secund on
a common triquetrous rachis. Spikelets
ovoid, turgid; lower lemma shorter than
the upper lemma, convex, suborbicular,
cuspidate. Caryopsis tightly enclosed in
the lemma and palea.
Very common in moist and wet places;
bunds of agricultural fields.
& Fruiting

Paspalidium geminatum (Forssk.)
Stapf
Robust aquatic herbs; culms spongy and

floating, rooting at the nodes with long
branched spongy stolons. Leaves
spreading linear, obtuse, acute or
acuminate; lower sheaths dilated; ligule
a fringe of hairs. Spikes erect or divergent,
longer than the internodes of the setulose
inflorescence axis; spikelets subsessile,
subglobose or broadly ovate.
A common aquatic plant in tanks, lakes,
swamps and other stagnant water bodies.
& Fruiting
Paspalum distichum Linn. [Syn:

Paspalum paspaloides (Michx.) Scribn.]
Perennial, stoloniferous herbs; stolons

leafy, rooting at the nodes, glabrous;
culms erect to ascending. Leaves
lanceolate or linear, flat; sheaths lightly
keeled, pilose; ligule membranous, collar-
shaped. Racemes 2, subopposite, erect to
reflexed, rachis flattened or triquetrous.
Spikelets solitary, imbricate, ovate-
elliptic, pale green. Caryopsis elliptic or
ovate, plano-convex.
Quite abundant in rice-fields, wet and
marshy places.
Flowering : April - November
& Fruiting

Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn.
(Syn: Paspalum orbiculare Forst. f.)
Vernacular name: Kodua, Kodus, Koda (O);

Kodoa dhan, Kodaka (H); Kodo Millet (E).
Annual or perennial herbs; rhizome
short; culms glabrous, tufted, erect,
ascending or creeping and rooting at the
lower nodes. Leaves linear-lanceolate or
linear, margins scabrous, base rounded
or shallowly cordate, mid-nerve
prominent; sheaths inflated; ligule
membranous, fimbriate. Racemes 2-6;
rachis flat; spikelets broadly rotundate-
elliptic to almost orbicular, subimbricate
in 2 rows. Caryopsis biconvex, pale.
Quite abundant in rice fields, moist and
wet places; also cultivated on a small
scale as a cereal crop.
& Fruiting
Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin.
Erect annual herbs; culms 30-150 cm,

branched from the base. Leaves linear,
flat, sparsely hairy; sheaths sparsely
hairy; membranous, shortly ciliate.
Spikes cylindric, dense, pink or purple,
conspicuous by the involucral tuft of
densely plumose bristles; rachis slender,
angled, flexuous; spikelets solitary and
pedicelled or in groups of 2-5, with one
sessile and the others pediceled.
Caryopsis narrowly oblong, enclosed in
hardened lemma and palea.
Gregarious in wastelands, roadsides,
hillsides and forest edges.
& Fruiting

Perotis indica (Linn.) Kuntze (Syn:
Perotis latifolia Ait.)
Culms ascending or erect from a

geniculate base, leafy, tufted. Leaves
ovate to lanceolate, pungently acute,
margins spinulose-ciliate, base cordate,
often bristly or ciliate; sheaths short,
striate; ligule minute, membranous,
ciliate. Racemes slender, feathery owing
to the long awns; rachis and pediceIs
pubescent; spikelets purplish, with 2
awns. Caryopsis linear, erect, as long as
the glumes.
Frequent weed in open dry wastelands
and overgrazed sandy soils.
& Fruiting
Rottboellia cochinchiensis (Lour.)

Clayton (Syn: Rottboellia exaltata
Linn.f.)
Vernacular name: Bara swati (Beng.);

Barsali, Bhursali (H).
Large tall stout annual herb; culm
polished, with stiff roots from the lower
nodes. Leaves large, broadly linear, flat,
hispid hairy; ligule membranous.
Inflorescence of solitary, slender,
cylindric, spiciform racemes; spikelets
binate on the nodes of the fragile rachis,
different in sex; joints dorsally flattened.
Caryopsis ellipsoid, dorsally
compressed, with large hilum.
Very common weed in waste places, forest
edges, agricultural fields and
homesteads.
& Fruiting

Saccharum spontaneum Linn.
Vernacular name: Kasatandi, Tandi (O);

Khansi, Kans (H,Beng.); Kash (Beng.).
Tall, perennial grass, tufted or
stoloniferous, glaucous; culms erect or
decumbent, solid. Leaves linear, narrow
with incurved or rolled up margins.
Panicle white-silvery, narrow, 30-60 cm
long; more or less whorled on the silky
rachis and articulate to it; rachis very
fragile. Spikelets very variable; callus
hairy, many times longer than the small
spikelets. Caryopsis subglobose to
narrowly oblong.
Common in open wastelands, along
streams and rivers, borders of fields etc.
& Fruiting
Sacciolepis indica (Linn.) Chase
Slender grass, 15-60 cm. Leaves linear,

acuminate, glabrous. Panicle cylindric,
spiciform, dense, grecn or slightly
purplish, continuous, with crowded
spikelets; spikelets obliquely lanceolate
or lanccolate-ovoid, acute or acuminate;
pedicels shorter than the spikelet. Lower
glume ovate, one-half as long as the
spikelet, 3-nerved; upper glume
subcymbiform; lower lemma broadly
ovate, 9-nerved. Caryopsis elliptic,
dorsally compressed.
Fairly common in moist wet palces and
grassy areas.
& Fruiting

Sacciolepis interrupta (Willd.) Stapf
Vernacular name: Nardula (Beng.).

Aquatic herbs; culms robust, spongy
below. Leaves linear, tapering, glabrous,
base rounded or subcordate; sheaths
glabrous; ligule short, membranous.
Panicle long, narrow, spiciform,
cylindric, dense; spikelet usually in
interrupted, crowded fascicles, patent or
sub-patent, obliquely lanceolate or
narrowly ovoid; pedicel shorter than the
spikelet. Caryopsis elliptic, both lemma
and palea hardened in fruit.
Abundant in marshes, swamps, ditches
and along margins of lakes and ponds.
& Fruiting
Setaria pumila (Poir.). Roem. &

Schult. [Syn: Setaria pallidefusca
(Schum.) Stapf & Hubbard; Setaria
glauca Hack.]
Vernacular name: Siala languda (O);
Pinginatchi (Beng.); Bandra, Bandri (H);
Bottlegrass, Yellow Foxtail Millet, Yellow
Brisde grass (E).
Erect annual herbs; culms tufted,
glabrous, geniculate at base, striate
above. Leaves narrow, flat, often with
long, soft hairs above and villous towards
base, tip long filiform; sheaths glabrous;
ligule of stiff hairs. Panicle narrowly
cylindrical, spiciform, dense. erect; rachis
villous; spikelets deciduous, ovoid to
elliptic-oblong, with antrorsely barbed
bristles; upper lemma rugulose.
One of the most common weeds in waste
places and field bunds during post-
monsoon period.
Flowering : May - February
& Fruiting

Setaria verticillata (Linn.) P. Beauv.
Vernacular name: Bilei languda (O);

Siallanja (Beng.): Rough-bristle grass (E).
Annual herb, culms slender upto 90cm.
Leaves flat, linear. Panicle terminal,
straight or curved, cylindrical with
interrupted clustered spikelets. Spikelets
solitary or in clusters of 2-3, oblong-
ellipsoid; bristles 1-4, long, retrorsely
barbed. Caryposis oblong or ellipsoid,
tightly enclosed in the hardened lemma
and palea. Caryopsis oblong or ellipsoid,
enclosed in the hardened lemma and
palea.
Very common and gregarious in
wastelands, hedges and forest floors after
rains.
& Fruiting
Sporobolus indicus (Linn.) R. Br. var.

diander (Retz.) Jovet & Guedes [Syn:
Sporobolus diander (Retz.) P. Beauv.]
Vernacular name: Kakarchada (O); Bena-

Joni (Beng.); Chiriyaka dana, Tandlen (H).
Perennial, tufted slender grass. Leaves
very slender, 10-25 cm long, 1.5-3 mm
wide, convolute, tapering to a point.
Panicle contracted, 10-30 cm long,
subspiciform or narrowly pyramidal,
panicle effuse at maturity; erecto-patent
capillary branches; branches of panicle
bare at base. Spikelets crowded.
Caryopsis obovoid or pyriform, free
within the lemma and palea.
Very common grass in open wet and moist
places, roadsides and cultivated fields.
& Fruiting

Urochloa panicoides P. Beauv. [Syn:
Urochloa halopus (Trin.) Stapf]
Vernacular name: Jalganti, Barajalganti

(Beng.); Kuri, Kuriya (H).
Tufted annual; culms ascending from
prostrate rooting base. Leaves linear to
narrowly lanceolate, with scattered
tubercle-based hairs, minutely wrinkled-
crenulate when dry, base rounded or
amplexicaul; sheaths hairy; ligule of stiff
hairs. Inflorescence of 4-10 spreading
racemes on a common axis; racemes
bearing single or sometimes paired
spikelets on the rachis; spikelets elliptic,
acute. Caryopsis subrotund, strongly
flattened.
Commonly occurs in grassy fields and
wastelands.
Flowering : May - January
& Fruiting
Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash
Vernacular name: Bena (O); Khas-Khas,

Kas-kas (Beng.,H); Khas (H); Vetiver (E).
Stout, tufted, rigid grass; rootstock with
spongy aromatic roots. Leaves closely
distichous at base, suberect,
conduplicate, margins setose-scabrid;
ligule a mere rim. Panicle oblong or
pyramidal, large; racemes with flexuous
rachis; joints much longer than the sessile
spikelets, tips truncate or slightly oblique,
minutely or scarcely ciliolate; joints and
pedicels glabrous. Pedicelled spikelets
shorter; equally minutely ciliate.
Caryopsis oblong, oblique at apex.
Fairy common and often gregarious in
open damp or swamy ground, low lands,
along borders of rice fields, canals,
margins of tanks etc.
& Fruiting

GYMNOSPERMS
CYCADACEAE
Cycas sphaerica Bedd. (Syn: Cycas
circinalis Linn. var. orixensis Haines)
Vernacular name: Arguna, Odasamari,
Rengua, Bhoru (O).
Erect palm-like plants with well-developed
stems; armoured by semi-persistent petiole-
bases, mostly unbranched. Leaves pinnate;
leaf bundles alternating with group of
scales; petiole spinous; leaflets 1-nerved;
young leaves circinate. Male flowers of a
cone-like structure, shortly pedicelled.
Female flowers terminal; megasporophylls
numerous, spathulate, with 2-5 ovules
along margins. Seeds pale reddish-yellow;
sarcotesta with fibrous layer.
Spersely distributed in hilly scrub forests;
very commonly planted in parks and gardens.
Flowering : May - August
Cycas revoluta Thunb.
Vernacular name: Sago Cycas (E).

Stem 1-2 m tall. Leaves crowded at apex;
leaflets linear, narrow, 1-nerved, margins
revolute, apex spinous; rachis hairy;
petiole thick, quadrangular.
Megasporophylls numerous, 10-20 cm
long, blade somewhat obovate or obovate-
oblong, laciniate into villous segments
nearly to the centre, segments with
spinous acumen; stalk longer than the
blade; ovules 4-6, densely hairy.
Fairly common in gardens, parks and as
potted ornamental in houses.
Fruiting : June - September

ARAUCARIACEAE
Araucaria columnaris (Forst. f.) Hook.
[Syn: Araucaria cookii R.Br. ex D. Don]
Vernacular name: Columnar Araucaria,

Cooks Araucaria (E).
Tree with columnar crown; branchlets
frequently overlapping. Leaves closely
overlapping, linear, acicular, triangular,
curving inwards, pointed, rigid. Male
flowers (microstrobili) with numerous
stamens. Female flowers: cone scales
numerous, consisting of a thick bract
above the ovulate scale to which the
ovule is adnate. Ripe cone large, broadly
ellipsoid or globose.
One of the common garden ornamental
trees in the region.
& Fruiting
PINACEAE
Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Syn: Pinus
longifolia Roxb.)
Vernacular name: Chir, Chil (H); Sarala
(H, Beng.); Chir Pine (E).
Tree with symmetrically whorled
branches; bark rough, reddish-brown,
deeply and reticulately cracked into large
irregular thin plates. Leaves in fascicles
of 3, linear, slender, sub-triquetrous;
sheaths greyish-brown, fimbriate,
persistent. Male flowers (catkins) ovoid-
cylindric. Female cones on short, stout
stalks, spreading or recurved, solitary or
in whorls of 3-5, ovoid-conical; scales
with thick, pyramidal pointed and
somewhat recurved beak.
Often planted in gardens and
experimental stations.
& Fruiting

CUPRESSACEAE
Juniperus communis Linn.
Evergreen trees with columnar crown,

dioecious, 4-10 m tall. Bark thin, scaly,
often exfoliating into thin strips. Branches
ascending; branchlets erect, terete. Leaves
green, simple, stiff and arranged in
whorls of 3; younger leaves tend to be
more needlelike whereas mature leaves
are scale-like; apex acute to obtuse,
mucronate. Male strobili sessile or
stalked, and female strobili made up of
green, ovate or acuminate scales. Cones
red at first, ripening to a glaucous bluish-
black berry like structure.
Commonly planted along paths in
gardens.
& Fruiting
Thuja orientalis Linn.
Vernacular name: Morpankhi,

Mayurpankh (H).
Small tree or shrub, mostly branc:hed from
near the base. Older scale-leaves brown,
clothing the older branchlets, oblong or
ovate, cuspidate, on the youngest
branchlets green and 4-ranked, imbricate.
Cones subglobose or compressed
pyriform on short lateral scaly branchlets.
Seeds 2-3 only, brown, ovoid or elongate-
ovoid, 3-angled.
Very commonly grown in gardens, parks
and along paths of institutional
premises.
The seeds, which are hard, are broken and
the cotyledons eaten after frying.
Fruiting : April - August

PTERIDOPHYTES
SELAGINELLACEAE
Selaginella repanda (Desv. ex Poir.)
Spring (Syn: Selaginella plumosa
Baker)
Stems suberect to erect, pale brown with

age, branched from the base, branches
erecto-patent, lax, pinnately compound;
rhizophores restricted at the base only.
Leaves heteromorphic throughout,
contiguous, coriaceous, drying brown;
lateral leaves spreading, ovate, sub-
falcate, median leaves ovate, imbricate,
cordate. Strobili tetragonous, single at the
apex of the branchlets; sporophylls
uniform, ovate, acuminate;
Fairly common in damp and shady
places and crevices of rocks under shade.
Fertle : Most part of the year.
DRYNARIACEAE
Drynaria quercifolia (Linn.) J. Sm.
Vernacular name: Garuda pakhi (O);

Garur, Ashva katri (Beng.).
Epiphytic herb. Rhizome creeping,
fleshy, with lanceolate-subulate, cordate-
based scales. Sterile fronds glossy,
pinnatifid or lohed, soon turning brown.
Fertile fronds 60-90 cm long,
pinnatipartite with oblong acuminate
entire segments, costules distinct, veins
very reticulate. Sori on the anastomosis,
small, in two series between and parallel
to the costules.
Common epiphye on branches of trees
and barren rocks in moist forests and
village grooves.
Fertile : August - January.

LYGODIACEAE
Lygodium flexuosum (Linn.) Sw.
Vernacular name: Kala mahajal, Mahajal

(O); Bhutraj (Beng.).
Climbing fern. Primary pinnae
abbreviated to a small knob with hairy
apex and bearing a pair of 1-2-pinnate
divaricate secondary pinnae on well-
grown fronds, ultimate pinnules shortly
stalked, linear-oblong, sterile serrulate,
with many parallel forked veins, of which
one veinlet enters each tooth; fertile
pinnules, pectinately lobed with
sporangial spikes.
Fairly common in forests, scrubs and
hedges.
Fertile : August - February
PTERIDACEAE
Pteris cretica Linn.
Robust tufted fern. Stipes 15-30 cm long,

erect. Fronds sub-bipinnate, pinnae few;
primary pinnae or primary lobes of the
double pinnae linear, acute or obtuse;
sterile pinnae usuaIly wider than the
fertile, and as weIl as the barren portion
of the fertile frond closely sharply serrate.
Sori in a continuous band on the margins
except near the base and apex; indusium
distinct.
Common in shady moist localities, rock
crevices and on old walls and buildings.
Fertile : AIl the year round.

Pteris vittata Linn. (Syn: Pteris
longifolia auct. non Linn.)
Densely tufted fern, tip of the rhizome and

base of stipes densely clothed with linear
acuminate, brown or yellow scales. Stipes
very short; frond simply pinnate, rachis
hairy, clothed from base to tip with simple
130 pinnae on each side, which
increase in length from base upwards,
often auricled at base. Sori in a
continuous band down both sides of the
fertile pinnae, with a well-marked pale
indusium.
Common in dilapidated walls, buildings
and rock crevices under shade.
Fertile : December - April
ADIANTACEAE
Adiantum philippense Linn. (Syn:
Adiantum lunulatum Burm.f.)
Vernacular name: Kali jhat (Beng., H).

Tufted fern with slender fronds 15-35 cm
long including the black, polished, nearly
glabrous wiry stipes; pinnae alternate,
patent, petioled, semi-orbicular or elliptic-
oblong, simple with straight basiscopic
edge and curved lobulate acroscopic edge,
sporangia on the recurved lobules; stalk
of pinnae filiform, rachis black and
polished like the stipes; rachis usually
ending in a symmetrical flabellate pinna.
Common and gregarious in moist rock
surfaces and shady places.
Fertile : September - December

HEMIONITIDACEAE
Hemionitis arifolia (Burm. f.) Moore
Vernacular name: Chakuliya (Beng.).

Small tufted fern with ovate-cordate or
hastate fronds; sterile fronds with lobes
rounded at the apex; fertile fronds often
as broad as long, more hastate and with
acute lobes; stipes of fertile frond 20- 30
cm long, chestnut brown, fibrillose
towards the base, young hairy all over.
Sporangia densely covering undersurface
but following the reticulate veins, the
costa of the lobes alone more or less bare;
sporangia mixed with hairs and scales.
Occasional, in shady moist localities in
forests and hilly areas
Fertile : August - January
PARKERIACEAE
Ceratopteris thalictroides (Linn.)
Brongn.
Marsh or aquatic, succulent tufted fern,

15-40 cm high. Stipes with large air cells;
sterile fronds floating or erect, simple or
slightly divided when young or 2-3-
pinnatfid with broad oblong segments;
fertile arising later, 2-3-pinnate, with
linear succulent subtubular (from the
recurved margins) segments. Sporangia
scattered along the veins, large with short
stalks.
Very common in rice fields, low lands and
marshy ground near water courses.
Fertile : October - February

MARSILEACEAE
Marsilea minuta Linn.
Vernacular name: Sunsunia (O).

Rhizome widely creeping, branched.
Stipes variable, 3-15 cm or more long,
slender, glabrous or pubescent; leaflets
cruciform, oblanceolate or obovate,
variable in size, outer margin rounded,
entire or sinuate or crenulate. Pedicels 2-
6, basal and slightly connate or free.
Sporocarps 2-4, with a broad base,
rounded in front, distinctly ribbed and
bordered, with two unequal projections
or teeth, the upper one longer; sori 8-12.
Common in wet places, field bunds and
banks of lakes and pools.
Fertile : November - March
THELYPTERIDACEAE
Ampelopteris prolifera (Retz.) Copel.
[Syn: Dryopteris prolifera (Retz.)
C.Chr.; Nephrodium priliferum Keys]
Rhizome stout, wide-creeping. Fronds

erect and tufted or creeping; erect barren
fronds with lanceolate, pinnatifid, lobed
or serrate apex, fertile fronds of definite
growth; pinnae with crenate margins,
sometimcs deeply lobed at base; lower
surface of pinnae bearing scattered
orbicular ciliate scales when young,
similar scales cover buds at bases of some
pinnae. Sori median on the venules,
small, round or oblong when young,
usually becoming confluent with age.
Gregarious in swamps, ditches and other
stagnant water bodies.
Fertile : November - February.

AZOLLACEAE
Azolla pinnata R.Br.
Small, floating aquatic herb, 1.5-2 cm

long and 1 cm wide, usually reddish
towards the end of the rainy season.
Upper leaf-lobe very small, imbricate,
rhomboid or sometimes oblong, obtuse,
papillose on upper surface; lower leaf-
lobe membranous. Sori paired. Masulae
without gIochidia. Macrospores with 9
swimming- bladders.
Common free-floating aquatic on lake
surfaces, rice fields and swamps.
Fertile : September - October
SALVINIACEAE
Salvinia cucullata Roxb. ex Bory
Free-floating, rootless fresh water ferns.

Leaves subsessile, unequal, subopposite;
lamina broadly deltoid with rounded
corners, 1 cm long and 1.2-1.8 cm broad,
with a shallow notch at tip, basal margins
cordate and inflexed to form cup-like
shape. Sporocarps sessile, globose;
megasporocarps 2-3, distally produced,
slightly flattened, rest all
microsporocarps.
Quite common and gregarious floating
aquatic herb in lakes, ponds, rice fields
and ditches.
Fertile : Most part of the year.

LIST OF GARDEN ORNAMENTALS
& INTRODUCED PLANT SPECIES
Sl. No. Botanical Name Family Habit
1 Acalypha godseffiana Euphorbiaceae Shrub
2 Acalypha hispida Euphorbiaceae Shrub
3 Acalypha wilkesiana Euphorbiaceae Shrub
4 Adansonia digitata Bombaceae Tree
5 Adenanthera pavonina Momosaceae Tree
6 Adenium obesum Apocynaceae Shrub
7 Adenocalymma comosum Bignoniaceae Climber
8 Adiantum capillus-veneris Polypodiaceae Herb
9 Adiantum pedatum Polypodiaceae Herb
10 Agave angustifolia Agavaceae Shrub
11 Agave victoriae Agavaceae Shrub
12 Aglaonema commutatum Araceae Herb
13 Aglaonema costatum Araceae Herb
14 Aglaonema crispum Araceae Herb
15 Aglaonema marantifolium Araceae Herb
16 Ailanthes excelsa Simaroubaceae Tree
17 Aiphanes caryotaefolia Arecaceae Tree
18 Allamanda cathartica Apocynaceae Climber
19 Allamanda neriifolia Apocynaceae Shrub
20 Allamanda schottii Apocynaceae Shrub
21 Allamanda violacea Apocynaceae Climber
22 Alluaudia comosa Didiereaceae Shrub
23 Alocasia amazonica Araceae Herb
24 Alocasia lowii Araceae Herb
25 Aloe brevifolia Liliaceae Herb
26 Alpinia sanderae Zingiberaceae Shrub
27 Alpinia zerumbet Zingiberaceae Shrub
28 Alternanthera bettzickiana Amaranthaceae Shrub
29 Alternanthera versicolor Amaranthaceae Shrub
30 Ananas bracteatus Bromeliaceae Shrub
31 Ananas comosus Bromeliaceae Shrub
32 Anthurium andreanum Araceae Herb
33 Araucaria cunninghamii Araucariaceae Tree
34 Ardisia crispa Myrsinaceae Shrub
35 Areca catechu Arecaceae Tree
36 Artocarpus altilis Moraceae Tree
37 Asclepias curassavica Asclepiadaceae Shrub
38 Asparagus plumosus Liliaceae Herb
39 Asplenium nidus Polypodiaceae Herb
40 Astrophytum asterias Cactaceae Herb

41 Astrophytum myriostigma Cactaceae Herb
42 Avave parviflora Agavaceae Shrub
43 Banisteria laevifolia Malpighiaceae Climber
44 Barringtonia racemosa Lecythidaceae Tree
45 Bauhinia acuminata Caesalpiniaceae Shrub
46 Bauhinia blakeana Caesalpiniaceae Tree
47 Bauhinia galpinii Caesalpiniaceae Shrub
48 Beaucarnea recurvata Agavaceae Shrub
49 Begonia rex Begoniaceae Herb
50 Begonia semperflorens Begoniaceae Herb
51 Beloperone guttata Acanthaceae Shrub
52 Billbergia zebrina Bromeliaceae Shrub
53 Bougainville glabra Nyctaginaceae Climber
54 Bougainvillea glabra Nyctaginaceae Climber
55 Bougainvillea peruviana Nyctaginaceae Climber
56 Brassia actinophylla Caesalpiniaceae Tree
57 Brownea arrhiza Caesalpiniaceae Tree
58 Brownea coccinea Caesalpiniaceae Tree
59 Brunfelsia americana Solanaceae Shrub
60 Brunfelsia calycina Solanaceae Shrub
61 Brya ebenus Fabaceae Shrub
62 Caladium bicolor Araceae Herb
63 Caladium hortuanum Araceae Herb
64 Calathea bella Araceae Herb
65 Calathea leonii Araceae Herb
66 Calathea ornata Araceae Herb
67 Calathea picturata Araceae Herb
68 Calathea zebrina Araceae Herb
69 Calliandra brevipes Mimosaceae Shrub
70 Calliandra haematocephala Mimosaceae Shrub
71 Calliandra tweedii Mimosaceae Shrub
72 Campsis grandiflora Bignoniaceae Climber
73 Cananga kirkii Annonaceae Shrub
74 Cananga odorata Annonaceae Tree
75 Canna indica Cannaceae Shrub
76 Caryota mitis Arecaceae Tree
77 Cassia alata Caesalpiniaceae Shrub
78 Cassia excelsa Caesalpiniaceae Tree
79 Cassia glauca Caesalpiniaceae Shrub
80 Cassia javanica Caesalpiniaceae Tree
81 Cassia laevigata Caesalpiniaceae Shrub
82 Cassia nodosa Caesalpiniaceae Tree
83 Cassia renigera Caesalpiniaceae Tree
84 Cassia siamea Caesalpiniaceae Tree
85 Catesbaea spinosa Rubiaceae Shrub
86 Cephalocereus senilis Cactaceae Herb
87 Cestrum diurnum Solanaceae Shrub
88 Cestrum nocturnum Solanaceae Shrub
89 Chamaedorea elegans Arecaceae Shrub
90 Chlorophytum comosum Liliaceae Herb
91 Chorisia speciosa Bombacaceae Tree
92 Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Arecaceae Shrub
93 Chrysophyllum cainito Sapotaceae Tree

94 Cinnamomum tamala Lauraceae Tree
95 Cinnamomum zeylanica Lauraceae Tree
96 Ciocos nucifera Arecaceae Tree
97 Cissus discolor Vitaceae Climber
98 Cleistocactus strausii Cactaceae Herb
99 Clerodendrum macrosiphon Verbenaceae Shrub
100 Clerodendrum splendens Vitaceae Climber
101 Clerodendrum thompsonae Verbenaceae Climber
102 Clusia rosea Clusiaceae Tree
103 Codiaeum variegatum Euphorbiaceae Shrub
104 Coleus amboinicus Lamiaceae Herb
105 Coleus blumei Lamiaceae Shrub
106 Congea tomentosa Verbenaceae Climber
107 Cordia sebestena Boraginaceae Tree
108 Cordyline terminalis Liliaceae Shrub
109 Coryphantha elephantidens Cactaceae Herb
110 Crassula arborescens Crassulaceae Shrub
111 Crescentia cujete Bignoniaceae Tree
112 Crossandra undulaefolia Acanthaceae Shrub
113 Cuphea hyssopifolia Lythraceae Shrub
114 Cupressus sussempervirens Cupressaceae Tree
115 Cycas pectinata Cycadaceae Tree
116 Cycas rumphii Cycadaceae Shrub
117 Cymbopogon martinii Poaceae Herb
118 Cyrtostachys renda Arecaceae Shrub
119 Daedalacanthus nervosus Acanthaceae Shrub
120 Dianella tasmanica Liliaceae Herb
121 Dieffenbachia amoena Araceae Herb
122 Dieffenbachia maculata Araceae Herb
123 Dizygotheca elegantissima Araliaceae Shrub
124 Dolichandrone spathacea Bignoniaceae Tree
125 Dolichothele longimamma Cactaceae Herb
126 Dombeya wallichii Sterculiaceae Shrub
127 Dorypteris ludens Polypodiaceae Herb
128 Dracaena fragrans Liliaceae Shrub
129 Dracaena godseffiana Liliaceae Shrub
130 Dracaena marginata Liliaceae Shrub
131 Dracaena sanderiana Liliaceae Shrub
132 Duranta repens variegata Verbenaceae Shrub
133 Dyckia brevifolia Bromeliaceae Herb
134 Echeveria agavoides Crassulaceae Herb
135 Echinocactus grusonii Cactaceae Herb
136 Echinocereus pectinatus Cactaceae Herb
137 Echinopsis multiplex Cactaceae Herb
138 Elaeis guineensis Arecaceae Tree
139 Elaeocarpus granitus Elaeocarpaceae Tree
140 Epithelantha micromeris Cactaceae Herb
141 Eranthemum bicolor Acanthaceae Shrub
142 Espostoa lanata Cactaceae Herb
143 Eucalyptus globulus Myrtaceae Tree
144 Euphorbia cotinifolia Euphorbiaceae Shrub
145 Euphorbia grandicornis Euphorbiaceae Shrub
146 Euphorbia lactea Euphorbiaceae Shrub

147 Euphorbia leucocephala Euphorbiaceae Shrub
148 Euphorbia millii Euphorbiaceae Shrub
149 Euphorbia pucherrima Euphorbiaceae Shrub
150 Excoecaria bicolor Euphorbiaceae Shrub
151 Ferocactus horridus Cactaceae Herb
152 Ficus bengalensis Krishnae Moraceae Tree
153 Ficus elastica Moraceae Tree
154 Ficus Iyrata Moraceae Shrub
155 Ficus triangularis Moraceae Shrub
156 Filicium decipiens Sapindaceae Tree
157 Fugosia hakaefolia Malvaceae Tree
158 Furcraea gigantea Agavaceae Shrub
159 Gardenia gummifera Rubiaceae Tree
160 Gardenia jasminoides Rubiaceae Shrub
161 Gasteria maculata Liliaceae Herb
162 Gmelina asiatica Verbenaceae Shrub
163 Gmelina hystrix Verbenaceae Climber
164 Graptophyllum pictum Acanthaceae Shrub
165 Grevilea robusta Proteaceae Tree
166 Guaiacum officinale Zygophyllaceae Tree
167 Gustavia augusta Lecythidaceae Tree
168 Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Cactaceae Herb
169 Hamatocactus hamatacanthus Cactaceae Herb
170 Hamatocactus setispinus Cactaceae Herb
171 Hamelia patens Rubiaceae Shrub
172 Haworthia limifolia Liliaceae Herb
173 Haworthia truncata Liliaceae Herb
174 Hedera helix Araliaceae Climber
175 Heliconia rostrata Musaceae Shrub
176 Hemigraphis colorata Acanthaceae Herb
177 Hibiscus mutabilis Malvaceae Shrub
178 Hibiscus rosa-.sinensis Malvaceae Shrub
179 Hibiscus schizopetalus Malvaceae Shrub
180 Hibiscus syriacus Malvaceae Shrub
181 Hildewintera aureispina Cactaceae Herb
182 Holmskioldia sanguinea Verbenaceae Climber
183 Howeia belmoreana Arecaceae Shrub
184 Hoya carnosa Asclepiadaceae Climber
185 Iresine herbstii Amaranthaceae Shrub
186 Ixora chinensis Rubiaceae Shrub
187 Ixora coccinea Rubiaceae Shrub
188 Ixora singaporensis Rubiaceae Shrub
189 Ixora superba Rubiaceae Shrub
190 Jacaranda mimosifolia Bignoniaceae Tree
191 Jacquemontia violacea Convolvulaceae Climber
192 Jacquinia ruscifolia Theophrastaceae Shrub
193 Jasminum angustifolium Oleaceae Climber
194 Jasminum grandiflorum Oleaceae Climber
195 Jasminum nitidum Oleaceae Climber
196 Jasminum pubescens Oleaceae Shrub
197 Jatropha panduraefolia Euphorbiaceae Shrub
198 Jatropha podagrica Euphorbiaceae Shrub
199 Juniperus chinensis Cupressaceae Tree

200 Kaempferia pulchra Zingiberaceae Herb
201 Kalanchoe tomentosa Crassulaceae Herb
202 Kigellia pinnata Bignoniaceae Tree
203 Kopsia fruticosa Apocynaceae Shrub
204 Lagerstroemia speciosa Lythraceae Tree
205 Lagerstroemia thorellii Lythraceae Tree
206 Lantana sellowiana Verbenaceae Shrub
207 Latania loddigesii Arecaceae Tree
208 Leea coccinea Leeaceae Shrub
209 Licuala grandis Arecaceae Tree
210 Liriope muscari Liliaceae Herb
211 Liriope platyphylla Liliaceae Herb
212 Litchi chinensis Sapindaceae Tree
213 Livistona chinensis Arecaceae Tree
214 Lobivia famatimensis Cactaceae Herb
215 Lophophora williamsii Cactaceae Herb
216 Magnolia grandiflora Magnoliaceae Tree
217 Magnolia mutabilis Magnoliaceae Shrub
218 Magnolia pumila Magnoliaceae Shrub
219 Malpighia coccigera Malpighiaceae Shrub
220 Malpighia glabra Malpighiaceae Shrub
221 Malvaviscus arboreus Malvaceae Shrub
222 Malvaviscus arboreus Malvaceae Shrub
223 Mammillaria bocasana Cactaceae Herb
224 Mammillaria compressa Cactaceae Herb
225 Mammillaria elongata Cactaceae Herb
226 Mammillaria hahniana Cactaceae Herb
227 Mammillaria herrerae Cactaceae Herb
228 Mammillaria plumosa Cactaceae Herb
229 Mammillaria theresae Cactaceae Herb
230 Maranta arundinacea Marantaceae Shrub
231 Maranta leuconeura Marantaceae Shrub
232 Markhamia platycalyx Bignoniaceae Tree
233 Mascarena lagenicaulis Arecaceae Tree
234 Mascarena verschaffeltii. Arecaceae Tree
235 Melaleuca leucadendron Myrtaceae Tree
236 Melocactus azureus Cactaceae Herb
237 Melocactus bahiensis Cactaceae Herb
238 Melocactus matanzanus Cactaceae Herb
239 Millettia peguensis Fabaceae Tree
240 Monstera deliciosa Araceae Climber
241 Muehlenbeckia platycada Polygonaceae Shrub
242 Mussaeda erythrophylla Rubiaceae Shrub
243 Mussaenda frondosa Rubiaceae Shrub
244 Mussaenda philippica Rubiaceae Shrub
245 Myrtillocactus geometrlzans Cactaceae Herb
246 Nandina domestica Berberidaceae Shrub
247 Neoporteria napina Cactaceae Herb
248 Nephrolepis biserrata Polypodiaceae Herb
249 Nephrolepis exaltata Polypodiaceae Herb
250 Nerium oleander variegata Apocynaceae Shrub
251 Notocactus leninghausii Cactaceae Herb
252 Notocactus magnificos Cactaceae Herb

253 Notocactus scopa Cactaceae Herb
254 Ophiopogon jaburan Liliaceae Herb
255 Ophiopogon japanicus Liliaceae Herb
256 Pachypodim lamerei Apocynaceae Shrub
257 Pachypodium geayi Apocynaceae Shrub
258 Pachystachys lutea Acanthaceae Shrub
259 Pandanus amaryllidifolius Pandanaceae Shrub
260 Pandanus sanderi Pandanaceae Shrub
261 Pandanus veitchii Pandanaceae Shrub
262 Parkia biglandulosa Mimosaceae Tree
263 Parmentiera cereifera Bignoniaceae Tree
264 Passiflora caerulea Passifloraceae Climber
265 Passiflora coccinea Passifloraceae Climber
266 Pedilanthus tithymaloides Euphorbiaceae Shrub
267 Pelargonium hortorum Geraniaceae Herb
268 Pellionia pulchra Urticaceae Herb
269 Pentas lanceolata Rubiaceae Shrub
270 Peperomia bicolor Piperaceae Herb
271 Peperomia obtusifolia Piperaceae Herb
272 Pereskia aculeata Cactaceae Climber
273 Petrea volubilis Verbenaceae Climber
274 Philodendron bipinnatifidum Araceae Herb
275 Philodendron elegans Araceae Herb
276 Philodendron scandens Araceae Herb
277 Phoenix roebelenii Arecaceae Shrub
278 Phoenix rupicola Arecaceae Shrub
279 Phyllanthus nivosus Euphorbiaceae Shrub
280 PIeomeIe reflexa Liliaceae Shrub
281 Pilea cadierei Urticaceae Herb
282 Pilea serpyllacea Urticaceae Herb
283 Pinus longifolia Pinaceae Tree
284 Pittosporum tobira Pittosporaceae Tree
285 Platycerium bifurcatum Polypodiaceae Herb
286 Plumbago capensis Plumbaginaceae Shrub
287 Podocarpus nerifolius Podocarpaceae Tree
288 Polyalthia longifolia angustifolia Annonaceae Tree
289 Polyalthia longifolia pendula Annonaceae Tree
290 Polypodium aureum Polypodiaceae Herb
291 Polypodium punctatum Polypodiaceae Herb
292 Polyscias balfouriana Araliaceae Shrub
293 Polyscias filicifolia Araliaceae Shrub
294 Polyscias guilfoylei Araliaceae Shrub
295 Porana paniculata Convolvulaceae Climber
296 Portulacaria afra Portulacaceae Shrub
297 Pritchardia pacifica Arecaceae Tree
298 Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum Acanthaceae Shrub
299 Pseudocalymma alliaceum Bignoniaceae Climber
300 Pteris dentata Polypodiaceae Herb
301 Pteris ensiformis Polypodiaceae Herb
302 Pterygota alata Sterculiaceae Tree
303 Ptychosrma macarthutii Arecaceae Shrub
304 Pyrostegia venusta . Bignoniaceae Climber
305 Quassia amara Simaroubaceae Shrub

306 Ravenala madagascariensis Musaceae Tree
307 Ravenia spectabilis Rutaceae Shrub
308 Rhapis excelsa Arecaceae Shrub
309 Rhoeo spathacea Commelinaceae Herb
310 Rosa hybrida Rosaceae Shrub
311 Roystonia regia Arecaceae Tree
312 Russelia juncea Scrophulariaceae Shrub
313 Sanchezia nobilis Acanthaceae Shrub
314 Sansevieria cylindrica Liliaceae Herb
315 Sansevieria trifasciata Liliaceae Herb
316 Schefflera arboricola Araliaceae Shrub
317 Scindapsus aureus Araceae Climber
318 Sedum morganianum Crassulaceae Herb
319 Senecio radicans Asteraceae Herb
320 Serissa foetida Rubiaceae Shrub
321 Sesbania grandiflora Fabaceae Tree
322 Setcreasea purpurea Commelinaceae Herb
323 Spathiphyllum cannaefolium Araceae Herb
324 Spathodea campanulata Bignoniaceae Tree
325 Sterculia alata Sterculiaceae Tree
326 Sterculia foetida Sterculiaceae Tree
327 Strobilanthes dyerianus Acanthaceae Shrub
328 Strophanthus gratus Apocynaceae Climber
329 Sulcorcbutia arenacea Cactaceae Herb
330 Swietenia macrophylla Meliaceae Tree
331 Swietenia mahagoni Meliaceae Tree
332 Syngonium podophyllum Araceae Climber
333 Tabebuia avellanedae Bignoniaceae Tree
334 Tabebuia chrysantha Bignoniaceae Tree
335 Tabebuia donnell-smithii Bignoniaceae Tree
336 Tabebuia rosea Bignoniaceae Tree
337 Tabemaemontana coronaria Apocynaceae Shrub
338 Tacca chantrieri Taccacceae Herb
339 Tecoma gaudichaudi Bignoniaceae Shrub
340 Tecoma stans Bignoniaceae Shrub
341 Tecomaria capensis Bignoniaceae Shrub
342 Terminalia catappa Combretaceae Tree
343 Tetracera sarmentosa Dilleniaceae Climber
344 Thelocactus bicolor Cactaceae Herb
345 Thrinax argentea Arecaceae Shrub
346 Thryallis glauca Malpighiaceae Shrub
347 Thuja orientalis Cupressaceae Tree
348 Thunbergia erecta Acanthaceae Shrub
349 Thunbergia grandiflora Acanthaceae Climber
350 Tradescantia albiflora Commelinaceae Herb
351 Vernonia elaeagnifolia Asteraceae Climber
352 Vitex agnus-castus Verbenaceae Shrub
353 Washingtonia filifera Arecaceae Tree
354 Wormia burbidgii Dilleniaceae Shrub
355 Wrightia tomentosa Asclepiadaceae Tree
356 Yucca aloifolia Liliaceae Shrub
357 Zamioculcas zamiifolia Araceae Shrub
358 Zebrina pendula Commelinaceae Climber

REFERENCES
Choudhury, B. P. (1980). Flora of Bhubaneswar and its adjoining regions, Ph.D.Thesis, Utkal University,
Bhubaneswar.
Choudhury, B. P. & Patnaik, S. N. (1982). Flora of Bhubaneswar and adjoining region. J.Econ. Tax. Bot.
3: 549-555.
Choudhury, B. P. & Patnaik, S. N. (1985). Aquatic angiosperms of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of
Orissa. J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 7: 527-536.
Choudhury, B. P. & Biswal, A. K. (1994). Floristic studies in the sanctuaries of Orissa I: Nandankanan.
Bull. Env. Sci. 12: 55-63.
Das, H.S., Panda, P.C & Patnaik, S.N. (1994). Systematic account of the aquatic plants of coastal
Orissa. J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 18 (3): 562-576.
Durani, P. K. & Rout, D. K. (1982). Phytosociology and production ecology of Nandankanan Lake in
Orissa. Geobios 9: 25-29.
Haines, H. H. (1921-25). The Botany of Bihar and Orissa, 6 parts, Adlard & Sons & West Newman Ltd,
London.
Panda, P. C. (1992). Flora of Puri District. Ph. D. Thesis, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
Panda, P.C. & Patnaik, S. N. (1994a). Flora of Puri District-II: Family Poaceae. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 20
(3): 547-579.
Panda, P.C. & Patnaik, S. N. (1994b). Flora of Puri District-III: Synoptic Analysis. Plant Sci. Res. 16
(1&2): 32-40.
Panda, P. C., Pattnaik, A. K. and Patnaik, S. N. (2004). Flora of Puri District (Orissa)IV: Aquatic,
semi-aquatic and marshland plants. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 29 (1): 70-101.
Mooney, H. F. (1950). Supplement to the Botany of Bihar and Orissa, Catholic Press, Ranchi.
Saxena, H. O., Brahmam, M. & Raizada, M. B. (1980-82). Annotated list of vascular plants of
Bhubaneswar. Ind. J. For. 3(1): 87-90; 3(3): 204-210. 5(2): 99-104.
Saxena, H. O. & Brahmam, M. (1994-96). Flora of Orissa, Volumes 1-4, Orissa Forest Development
Corporation & Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar.

GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS
USED IN THE TEXT
Abaxial The side of a lateral organ away from the axis

Accrescent Increasing, enlarging, like calyx after flowering.
Achenes A small, hard, dry indehiscent fruit strictly of one free carpel.
Acuminate Tip drawn out into a narrow prolonged termination
Acute Tip forming an acute angle, without a special tapering
Adnate Attached to the back of the anther or stem
Aggregate fruit A collection of small simple fruits derived from a flower with several free carpels.
Amplexicaul Stem-clasping, when the petiole of leaf is dilated at base and embrace the stem.
Androgynous With male and female flower on the same plant.
Apicualate Pointed at ends.
Appressed Laying flat for the whole length of the organ.
Aril Major or minor outgrowth of various kinds which develop from any part of the
seed, funicle, integuments, chalaza or micropyle
Attenuate Thin tapered shortened
Awns A bristle like appandages specially on glumes of grasses
Baccate Fruit pulpy with seeds immersed in pulp.
Berry A fleshy fruit with usually a massive, soft and juicy pericarp which is
differentiated into outer epicarp and a massive fleshy mesocarp
Bifarious Arranged in two rows
Brachiate Cross arm, when branches spread and widely diverge.
Bracteate Provided with bracts.
Caducous Falling off early.
Caespitose Growing in tufts like grass
Campanulate Bell-shaped
Canaliculate A diminutive of canal
Capitate Head-shaped or at the apex.
Capitulum Inflorescens like a head.
Capsule A dry dehiscent fruit formed from a multicarpellary syncarpous gynoecium.
Carinate With keel like a boat.
Caryopsis A one-celled, one-seeded superior fruit, with pericarp united to the seed
Cauliflorous Stem or stalk flowering
Cauline Confined to stems
Cernuous Noding, drooping.
Chartaceous Papery or paper- like
Ciliolate finely fringed.
Circinate Rolled up spirally like a watch spring from the apex to the base
Circumscissile Fruit opening by apical lids.
Clavate Club-shaped, thickened towards the apex
Coccus One-seeded portion of a dry fruit that breaks up

Conduplicate Folded together lengthwise
Confluent Blended into one, passing by degrees one into the other.
Connate Born at the same time
Cordate Heart-shaped.
Coriaceous Tough and rigid, leathery
Corona Anybody which intervens between corolaa and stamen
Corymb A raceme relatively shorter and broader, the lower flowers bearing longer stalks
relatively to the upper ones so that all the flowers reach the same level
Costa Mid rib
Crenate Leaf margin with rounded teeth.
Cucullate. Cup-shaped
Cuneate Wedge shaped, triangular
Cuspidate Tipped with a sharp rigid point
Deciduous Lasting only for a single season
Declinate Bent downward; turned aside
Decompound A general name applied to much or irregularly branched or dissected leaves
Decumbent Reclining
Decurrent Running down
Decussate The successive pairs of leaves stand at right angle to one another
Dentate Teeth-like
Dichasial Two branched cymes
Dichotomous With forked boughs
Didymous An androecium of two types of stamens.
Dioecious The male and female organs in flowers present in different plants
Distichous Arranged in two rows.
Divaricate Widely spreading apart
Drupe A fleshy fruit having its pericarp differentiated into outer epicarp, middle
mesocarp and inner stony endocarp
Echinate Prickly or spiny
Elliptic Oblong but ends tapering towards both the ends
Emarginate With a terminal notch
Endocarp Inner layer of a fruit wall.
Endosperm Nutritive tissue developed in the embryo-sac of the plant
Ensiform Sword-shaped
Epicalyx A collection of bracteoles on the outside of the calyx
Exarillate With out aril in the seed
Exfoliating Falling away in flakes, layers or scales, as of some barks
Exocarp Outer layer of the pericarp
Exserted Protruded beyond
Falcate Sickle-shaped
Farinaceous Mealy; yielding mealy powder, cereals, starch
Fascicle A close bundle of flowers
Fastigiately Parallel clustered and erect
Ferrugineous Rust coloured
Filiform Slendr, thread-like
Fimbriate With the margin boardered by long slender processes
Fistular Hollow through out its length
Flabellate Fan-shaped
Flexuose Bent alternately in opposite direction
Foetid Having a strong offensive smell
Foliaceous Leaf shaped
Follicles A fruit of one carpel, opening by a ventral suture to which the seeds are attached

Fronds The foliage of ferns
Fulvous Yellow, towny
Geniculate Abruptly bent so as to resemble a knee-joint
Gibbous/ gibbose A pouch like enlargement of the base of the organ
Glabrous Surface smooth; without any hair
Glassy Glass-like
Glaucous Covered with bluish waxy gloss
Globose Nearly spherical
Glochidiate Pubescent with barbed bristles
Glutinous Gluey, sticky, tenaceous
Gynandrophore A column bearing stamens and pistils
Gynophore Internode between the androecium and gynaecium
Hastate Halbert shaped, sagittate, with the basal lobes turned outward
Hilum. The scar left on a deed where formerly attached to the funicle or placenta.
Hirsute Hairy
Hispid Covered with rough bristly hair
Hoary White or greyish white
Hyaline Colourless or transluscent
Hypanthium Flat or concave receptacle of a perigynous flower
Hypocarp An enlarged growth of the peduncle beneath the fruit
Hypogynous Free from but inserted beneath the gynoecium
Imbricate Overlaping
Imparipinnate With an odd leaflet at the end
Incrassate Thickened, made stout
Indehiscent Fruits which do not open to disperse their contents
Indumentum Any covering, as hairyness
Insipid Tasteless
Involucre A ring of bracts surrounding several flowers.
Keeled Petals with longitudinal narrow outgrowth or ridge
Kernel Seed inside a stony endocarp of a drupe
Lacerate Irregularly cut
Lanceolate Flattened, 2-3 times as long as braod, widest in the middle
Lemma The flowering glume of a grass
Lenticels Pores in the periderm of a woody stem
Ligule A tongue-shaped structure enclosing grass culms
Lyrate Lyre- shaped; pinnatifid with terminal lobe large and rounded, lower lobes small.
Mericarps A portion of a fruit that splits away like a perfect fruit.
Mesocarp The middle layer of the periderm
Mitriform mitre shaped
Moniliform beaded structure, necklace shaped
Monoecious Having separate male and female flowers, but in the same plant
Mottled Spotted or blotchy.
Mucilaginous Secreting of with sticky substance
Mucronate Leaf tipped with a short sharp point formed by the continuation of the mid-rib.
Muricate Rough with short and hard tubercular excrescences
Obconic Conical but attached at the narrower end.
Oblong Elliptical but blunt at each end, having nearly parallel sides
Obovate Having the general shape of the longitudinal section of an egg
Obtuse Rounded or blunt
Operculum A lid or cover
Orbicular Flat, with a circular or almost circular outline.
Ovate Shaped like the longitudinal section of an egg, widest below the middle

Ovoid Solid, like an egg in form, and attached by the broader end.
Ovules The organ in the ovary, which after fertilization and subsequent development,
becomes a seed.
Palea The inner bract or glume in grasses
Palmate Having several (5-7) lobes, segments, etc, spreading from the same point, like the
fingers of the hand.
Palmilobed Digitately lobed like palmleaf.
Panduriform Fiddle-shaped
Panicle A branched raceme, with each branch bearing a raceme of flowers
Pappus Various tufts of hairs on achenes or fruits
Paripinnate Compound pinnate leaf which has no terminal leaflet (have even number of
leaflets)
Pectinate Comb-like
Pedate Palmetly devided or parted with the lateral divisions into two clefts
Pedicellate Flowers or fruits having stalk
Peduncle Stalk of a flower or inflorescence
Pellucid Wholly or partially transparent.
Perianth The floral envelope; it includes the calyx and corolla or any of them.
Pericarp Body of a fruit developed from the ovary wall and enclosing the seed
Pilose Bearing scattered simple stiff hairs
Pinnae A primary division of a pinnate leaf.
Pinnatifid Pinnately cleft or divided.
Plaited Plicate
Pluriseriate In several series/ layers/ lines.
Pome A false fruit, the greater part of which is developed from receptacle of the flower
and not from the ovary.
Poniard Horn-shaped
Praemorse As though the end were bitten off
Prostrate Said of a stein which lies on the ground for all or most of its length.
Pseudocarp False fruit
Puberulous Slightly pubescent
Pubescent Covered with fine hairs
Pulvinate A portion of the petiole usually swollen.
Pungent Having a strong, sharp taste or smell
Pyrenes A small stone of drupe or similar type of fruit
Pyriform Pear-shaped
Racemiform Like a raceme
Rachis The main axis of an inflorescence or a compound leaf.
Radical Arising from the root or its crown
Ramiflorous Flowering on the branches
Receptacle Enlarged end of a flower-stalk or peduncle bearing the flowers
Reniform Kidney-shaped
Repand With slightly uneven margin
Reticulate Having the surface marked by a network of fine upstanding ridges
Retrorsely With prickles turned back or down
Retuse With a shallow notch at a rounded apex
Revolute Rolled back from the margin or apex
Rigidulous Some what rigid
Rosette A cluster of leaves or any organ
Rugose Having a wrinkled surface
Saccate Like a sac or bag
Sagittate Arrow-shaped

Salver Funnel-shaped
Sarmentose A long slender runner or stolon
Scabrid Having a rough or file-like surface
Scandent Climbing
Scapigerous Scape-bearing; a leafless floral axis bearing flowers
Schizocarp Dehiscent or splitting fruit
Scorpioid Branches developing alternatelt to left and right but do not lie in the same plain
Sericeous Silky
Serrate Toothed margin with pointed teeth projecting forwards
Serrulate Serrate but with very small teeth
Sessile Lacking a stalk
Setaceous Bristle like
Sinuate With a deep wavy and cut margin
Spadix A spike of flowers with a fleshy axis, enclosed in a spathe
Spathe A large bract, often coloured. Or membranous, enclosing a spadix.
Spathulate Spoon-shaped
Spiciform Spike like
Spike An indeterminate inflorescence with sessile flowers on a common elongated axis.
Spinescent Ending in a spine or sharp point
Spinulose With small spines or spinules
Squarrose Rough or scurfy with spreading and outstanding processess
Staminode A sterile or abortive stamen
Stellate Star-like
Stoloniferous Sending our stolons or suckers/ runners.
Straggling Diffuse climber
Stramineous Straw coloured or straw like
Strigose Bearing hairs which are usually rough and all pointing in the same direction
Subulate Awl shaped
Succulent Juicy, soft and thick
Suffruticose Some what shrubby
Syncarpium A multiple fleshy fruit
Tendrils A stem, leaf or part of a leaf modified as a filamentous structure, used by many
climbers for attachment.
Terete Cyllindrical.
Tessellated Chequer worked
Testa Seed coat
Thalamus Receptacle of a flower or group of flowers
Tomentose Covered with a felt or cottony hairs, downy
Torulose. Cyllindric with swollen portions at intervals
Truncate Ending abruptly, as if cut off
Tuberculate Beset with knobly projections or exprescens
Turbinate Shaped like a top
Umbellate Having the inflorescens of umbels or umbrella form
Umbonate Bearing an umbo or boss in the centre
Uncinate Hooked
Urceolate Hollow and contracted at mounth like a pitcher or urn.
Urticle Fruit surrounded by membranous sac.
Venose Having veins
Ventricose Swelling or inflated on one side
Verrucose Full of warts.
Viscid Sticky or glutinous

INDEX TO PLANT NAMES
A Amorphophalus paeoniifolius ................................ 293

Ampleocissus latifolia ................................................. 5 4
Abelmoschus manihot ssp. tetraphyllus ................ 2 6 Anacardium occidentale ............................................. 5 9
Abrus precatorius ........................................................ 7 6 Andrographis paniculata ........................................ 206
Abutilon indicum ....................................................... 2 6 Angelonia angustifolia ............................................ 174
Acacia auriculiformis .................................................. 6 9 Anisochilus carnosus ............................................... 228
Acacia catechu ............................................................. 7 0 Anisomeles indica .................................................... 228
Acacia leucophloea ...................................................... 7 0 Annona reticulata ......................................................... 8
Acacia nilotica ............................................................. 7 1 Annona squamosa ........................................................ 9
Acacia pennata ............................................................ 7 1 Anogeissus acuminata ............................................. 102
Acacia polyacantha ..................................................... 7 2 Antidesma acidum .................................................. 248
Acalypha indica ....................................................... 247 Antidesma ghaesembilla ......................................... 248
Acanthospermum hispidum ................................... 142 Antigonon leptopus ................................................ 240
Achyranthes aspera ................................................. 234 Aphanamixis polystachya ......................................... 4 7
Adenanthera pavonina ............................................... 7 2 Aponogeton natans ................................................. 299
Adenosma indianum ............................................... 194 Araucaria columnaris .............................................. 351
Adenostemma lavenia ............................................. 143 Argemone mexicana ................................................... 1 5
Adiantum philippense ............................................ 355 Argyreia nervosa ..................................................... 181
Aegle marmelos ........................................................... 4 1 Aristida setacea ........................................................ 318
Aerva lanata ............................................................. 234 Aristolochia indica ................................................... 243
Aerva sanguinolenta ............................................... 234 Artabortrys hexapetalus .............................................. 9
Aeschynomene aspera ................................................. 7 7 Artocarpus heterophyllus ....................................... 264
Aeschynomene indica ................................................. 7 7 Artocarpus lacucha .................................................. 264
Aganosma caryophyllata ........................................ 164 Asparagus racemosus .............................................. 282
Agave americana ..................................................... 278 Asystasia gangetica ................................................. 206
Ageratum conyzoides .............................................. 143 Atalantia monophylla ................................................ 4 1
Alangium salvifolium ............................................. 128 Atylosia scarabaeoides ................................................ 7 8
Albizia lebbeck ............................................................. 7 3 Averrhoa carambola ................................................... 3 9
Albizia odoratissima ................................................... 7 3 Azadirachta indica ..................................................... 4 8
AIlmania nodiflora .................................................. 235 Azolla pinnata ......................................................... 358
Allophylus serratus .................................................... 5 7
Alloteropsis cimicina ............................................... 317 B
Alphonsea madraspatana ............................................ 9 Bacopa monnieri ...................................................... 195
Alstonia scholaris ..................................................... 164 Baliospermum montanum ...................................... 249
Alternanthera pungens ........................................... 236 Bambusa arundinacea ............................................. 318
Alternanthera sessilis ............................................... 236 Barleria prionitis ...................................................... 207
Alysicarpus vaginalis ................................................. 7 8 Barleria strigosa ....................................................... 207
Amaranthus spinosus ............................................. 237 Barringtonia acutangula ......................................... 109
Amaranthus viridis ................................................. 237 Bauhinia purpurea ..................................................... 6 2
Ammannia baccifera ................................................ 112 Bauhinia racemosa ...................................................... 6 2
Ammannia multiflora ............................................. 112 Bauhinia variegata ..................................................... 6 3
Ampelopteris prolifera ............................................. 357 Benkara malabarica .................................................. 129

Bergia ammannioides ................................................. 2 2 Cassytha filiformis ................................................... 244
Bergia capensis ............................................................ 2 3 Casuarina equisetifolia ............................................. 272
Bidens biternata ....................................................... 144 Catharanthus roseus ................................................ 166
Biophytum sensitivum .............................................. 3 9 Cayratia pedata .......................................................... 5 5
Bixa orellana ............................................................... 1 8 Cayratia trifolia .......................................................... 5 5
Blainvillea acmella ................................................... 144 Ceiba pentandra .......................................................... 2 5
Blepharis maderaspatensis ...................................... 208 Celastrus paniculata ................................................... 5 0
Blumea aurita ........................................................... 145 Celosia argentea ....................................................... 238
Blumea lacera ........................................................... 145 Centella asiatica ....................................................... 127
Blyxa echinosperma ................................................ 273 Centipeda minima ................................................... 146
Bochmeria macrophylla .......................................... 269 Centranthera tranquebarica .................................... 195
Boerhavia diffusa ..................................................... 232 Ceratophyllum demersum ...................................... 272
Bombax ceiba ............................................................... 2 5 Ceratopteris thalictroides ........................................ 356
Borassus flabellifer ................................................... 290 Ceropegia candelabrum ........................................... 173
Bothriochloa bladhii ................................................ 319 Chenopodium album ............................................... 239
Bothriochloa pertusa ............................................... 319 Chloris barbata ......................................................... 321
Bougainvillea spectabilis ......................................... 233 Chromolaena odorata .............................................. 147
Brachiaria distachya ................................................ 320 Chrozophora rottleri ................................................ 251
Brachiaria mutica .................................................... 320 Chrysopogon aciculatus .......................................... 322
Brachiaria ramosa .................................................... 321 Chukrasia tabularis ..................................................... 4 8
Breynia retusa .......................................................... 249 Cipadessa baccifera ...................................................... 4 9
Breynia vitis-idaea .................................................. 250 Cissampelos pareira .................................................... 1 1
Bridelia monoica ...................................................... 250 Cissus quadrangula .................................................... 5 6
Bridelia retusa .......................................................... 251 Cissus vitiginea ........................................................... 5 6
Bulbostylis barbata .................................................. 300 Cleistanthus collinus ............................................... 252
Butea monosperma ..................................................... 7 9 Cleome rutidosperma .................................................. 1 6
Butea superba .............................................................. 7 9 Cleome viscosa ............................................................. 1 7
C Clerodendrum inerme .............................................. 220
Clerodendrum phlomidis ........................................ 220
Caesalpinia bonduc ..................................................... 6 3 Clerodendrum viscosum .......................................... 221
Caesalpinia pulcherrima ............................................. 6 4 Clitoria ternatea .......................................................... 8 0
Caesulia axillaris ...................................................... 146 Coccinia grandis ...................................................... 120
Calamus guruba ....................................................... 290 Cocculus hirsutus ........................................................ 1 2
Callicarpa tomentosa ............................................... 219 Coix lacryma-jobi .................................................... 322
Callistemon citrinus ................................................ 106 Coldenia procumbens ............................................... 179
Calophyllum inophyllum .......................................... 2 3 Colocasia esculenta ................................................... 294
Calotropis gigantea ................................................. 172 Combretum albidum ............................................... 103
Calycopteris floribunda ........................................... 103 Combretum roxburghii ........................................... 104
Canavalia virosa ......................................................... 8 0 Commelina benghalensis ......................................... 285
Canscora diffusa ....................................................... 176 Commelina erecta ..................................................... 286
Canthium dicoccum ................................................ 129 Commelina longifolia .............................................. 286
Capparis brevispina .................................................... 1 5 Commelina paludosa ............................................... 287
Capparis zeylanica ...................................................... 1 6 Corchorus aestuans ..................................................... 3 5
Carallia brachiata ..................................................... 102 Cordia obliqua .......................................................... 178
Cardiospermum helicacabum .................................... 5 8 Costus speciosus ....................................................... 276
Careya arborea .......................................................... 110 Couroupita guianensis ............................................ 110
Carissa inermis ......................................................... 165 Crateva magna ............................................................ 1 7
Carissa spinarum ..................................................... 165 Crinum asiaticum .................................................... 278
Caryota urens ........................................................... 291 Crotalaria albida ......................................................... 8 1
Cascabela thevetia .................................................... 166 Crotalaria pallida ........................................................ 8 1
Casearia elliptica ......................................................... 1 9 Crotalaria prostrata .................................................... 8 2
Cassia absus ................................................................. 6 4 Crotalaria retusa ......................................................... 8 2
Cassia fistula ............................................................... 6 5 Crotalaria spectabilis .................................................. 8 3
Cassia mimosoides ...................................................... 6 5 Crotalaria verrucosa ................................................... 8 3
Cassia occidentalis ...................................................... 6 6 Croton bonplandianus ............................................. 252
Cassia tora ................................................................... 6 6 Croton caudatus ...................................................... 253

Cryptolepis buchananii ........................................... 171 Dunbaria rotundifolia ................................................ 8 8
Cucumis trigonus .................................................... 120 Duranta repens ........................................................ 221
Curculigo orchioides ................................................ 279
Cuscuta reflexa ......................................................... 190
E
Cyanotis cristata ...................................................... 287 Ecbolium viride ........................................................ 209
Cycas sphaerica ........................................................ 350 Echinochloa colona .................................................. 326
Cycas revoluta .......................................................... 350 Echinochloa stagnina .............................................. 327
Cynodon barberi ...................................................... 323 Eclipta prostrata ...................................................... 147
Cynodon dactylon ................................................... 323 Ehretia laevis ............................................................ 179
Cyperus articulatus ................................................. 300 Eichhornia crassipes ................................................ 283
Cyperus compressus ................................................ 301 Elatostema cuneatum .............................................. 270
Cyperus cuspidatus ................................................. 301 Eleocharis dulcis ...................................................... 307
Cyperus difformis .................................................... 302 Eleusine indica ......................................................... 327
Cyperus diffusus ...................................................... 302 Elytrophorus spicatus ............................................. 328
Cyperus distans ....................................................... 303 Emilia sonchifolia .................................................... 148
Cyperus halpan ........................................................ 303 Enydra fluctuans ..................................................... 149
Cyperus imbricatus .................................................. 304 Eragrostis ciliaris ..................................................... 328
Cyperus iria .............................................................. 304 Eragrostis ciliata ...................................................... 329
Cyperus pilosus ........................................................ 305 Eragrostis japonica .................................................. 329
Cyperus polystachyos ............................................. 305 Eragrostis pilosa ...................................................... 330
Cyperus pygmaeus .................................................. 306 Eragrostis unioloides ............................................... 330
Cyperus rotundus .................................................... 306 Eranthemum nervosum .......................................... 210
Cyrtococcum trigonum ........................................... 324 Ericybe paniculata ................................................... 181
D Eriocaulon quinquangulare .................................... 299
Eriochloa procera ..................................................... 331
Dactyloctenium aegyptium ................................... 324
Ervatamia divaricata .............................................. 167
Dalbergia lanceolaria .................................................. 8 4
Eryngium foetidum ................................................ 127
Dalbergia paniculata .................................................. 8 4
Erythrina suberosa ..................................................... 8 8
Dalbergia rubiginosa .................................................. 8 5
Erythrina variegata ................................................... 8 9
Dalbergia sissoo .......................................................... 8 5
Eucalyptus citriodora .............................................. 107
Datura stramonium ................................................ 190
Eugenia rothii .......................................................... 107
Delonix regia ............................................................... 6 7
Dendrophthoe falcata .............................................. 245 Euphorbia hirta ....................................................... 254
Dentella repens ........................................................ 130 Euphorbia nivulia ................................................... 254
Derris scandens ........................................................... 8 6 Euphorbia rosea ....................................................... 255
Desmodium gangeticum ............................................ 8 6 Euphorbia thymifolia .............................................. 255
Desmodium triflorum ................................................ 8 7 Evolvulus alsinoides ................................................ 182
Dicliptera bupleuroides ........................................... 208 Evolvulus nummularius ......................................... 182
Digitaria abludens ................................................... 325 F
Digitaria ciliaris ...................................................... 325
Ficus benghalensis ................................................... 265
Digitaria longiflora ................................................. 326
Ficus benjamina ....................................................... 265
Dillenia indica .............................................................. 7
Ficus hispida ............................................................ 266
Dioscorea oppositifolia ............................................ 280
Ficus racemosa .......................................................... 266
Dioscorea pentaphylla ............................................. 281
Ficus religiosa ........................................................... 267
Dioscorea wallichii ................................................... 281
Diospyros ferrea ....................................................... 160 Ficus tinctoria .......................................................... 267
Diospyros malabarica .............................................. 160 Fimbristylis acuminata ........................................... 307
Diospyros montana ................................................. 161 Fimbristylis aestivalis ............................................. 308
Diospyros ovalifolia ................................................ 161 Fimbristylis argentea ............................................... 308
Diospyros sylvatica ................................................. 162 Fimbristylis dichotoma ........................................... 309
Diplocyclos palmatus .............................................. 121 Fimbristylis miliacea ............................................... 309
Dipteracanthus prostratus ..................................... 209 Fimbristylis ovata ................................................... 310
Dolichos trilobus ......................................................... 8 7 Fimbristylis schoenoides ......................................... 310
Dopatrium junceum ................................................ 196 Flacourtia indica ......................................................... 1 9
Drynaria quercifolia ................................................ 353 Fuirena ciliaris ......................................................... 311
Drypetes roxburghii ................................................ 253 Fuirena umbellata .................................................... 311

G I
Gardenia gummifera ............................................... 130 Ichnocarpus frutescens ............................................. 168
Gardenia latifolia ..................................................... 131 Imperata cylindrica ................................................. 334
Garuga pinnata ........................................................... 4 6 Indigofera astragalina ................................................ 9 0
Glinus lotoides ......................................................... 125 Indigofera glabra ........................................................ 9 0
Glinus oppositifolius ............................................... 125 Indigofera linifolia ...................................................... 9 1
Gliricidia sepium ........................................................ 8 9 Indigofera linnaei ........................................................ 9 1
Globba marantina .................................................... 277 Indigofera nummularifolia ........................................ 9 2
Globba racemosa ...................................................... 277 Indoneesiella echioides ............................................. 212
Glochidion lanceolarium ......................................... 256 Ipomoea aquatica ..................................................... 183
Gloriosa superba ...................................................... 282 Ipomoea cairica ........................................................ 183
Glycosmis mauritiana ................................................ 4 2 Ipomoea carnea ......................................................... 184
Glycosmis pentaphylla ............................................... 4 2 Ipomoea hederifolia .................................................. 184
Ipomoea nil ............................................................... 185
Gmelina arborea ....................................................... 222
Ipomoea pes-tigridis ................................................ 185
Gnaphalium polycaulon ......................................... 149
Ipomoea quamoclit .................................................. 186
Gomphrena celosioides ............................................ 238
Ipomoea sepiaria ...................................................... 186
Grangea maderaspatana ......................................... 150
Ischaemum indicum ................................................ 334
Grewia disperma ......................................................... 3 5
Ischaemum rugosum ............................................... 335
Grewia subinaequalis .................................................. 3 6
Isleima prostratum .................................................. 335
Grewia tiliifolia ........................................................... 3 6
Ixora pavetta ............................................................ 134
Guazuma ulmifolia ..................................................... 3 0
Ixora undulata ......................................................... 134
Gymnema sylvestre ................................................. 183
J
H Jacquemontia paniculata ......................................... 187
Hackelochloa granularis .......................................... 331 Jasminum sambac .................................................... 162
Haldina cordifolia .................................................... 131 Jasminum scandens ................................................. 163
Hedyotis brachiata .................................................. 132 Jatropha curcas ........................................................ 256
Hedyotis corymbosa ................................................ 132 Jatropha gossypifolia ............................................... 257
Hedyotis diffusa ...................................................... 133 Juniperus communis ................................................ 352
Hedyotis ovatifolia .................................................. 133 Justicia adhatoda ..................................................... 212
Helicteres isora ............................................................ 3 1 Justicia betonica ....................................................... 213
Heliotropium indicum ............................................ 180 Justicia gendarussa .................................................. 213
Heliotropium strigosum ......................................... 180 Justicia japonica ....................................................... 214
Hemarthria compressa ............................................ 332 Justicia quinqueangularis ....................................... 214
Hemidesmus Indicus ............................................... 172
Hemigraphis hirta ................................................... 210
K
Hemigraphis latebrosa ............................................ 211 Kalanchoe pinnata ................................................... 101
Hemionitis arifolia ................................................... 356 Kleinhovia hospita ...................................................... 3 1
Heteropogon contortus ............................................ 332 Knoxia sumatrensis ................................................. 135
Kyllinga brevifolia ................................................... 312
Hibiscus tiliaceus ........................................................ 2 7
Kyllinga nemoralis .................................................. 312
Hiptag benghalensis ................................................... 3 8
Kyllinga triceps ........................................................ 313
Holarrhena pubescens .............................................. 167
Holoptelea integrifolia ............................................. 263 L
Hugonia mystax ......................................................... 3 7 Lagerstroemia indica ............................................... 113
Hybanthus enneaspermus .......................................... 1 8 Lagerstroemia parviflora ......................................... 113
Hydrilla verticillata ................................................ 273 Lagerstroemia reginae ............................................. 114
Hydrocera triflora ....................................................... 4 0 Lannea coromandelica ................................................ 6 0
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides .................................... 128 Lantana camara ........................................................ 222
Hydrolea zeylanica .................................................. 178 Laportea interrupta ................................................. 270
Hygrophila schulli .................................................. 211 Lawsonia inermis ..................................................... 114
Hygroryza aristata .................................................. 333 Leea indica ................................................................... 5 7
Hymenachne acutigluma ........................................ 333 Leersia hexandra ...................................................... 336
Hyptis suaveolens ................................................... 229 Leonotis nepetifolia .................................................. 229

Lepidagathis fasciculata .......................................... 215 Mikania micrantha .................................................. 150
Lepidagathis hamiltoniana .................................... 215 Millingtonia hortensis ............................................. 203
Lepidagathis incurva ............................................... 216 Mimosa himalayana ................................................... 7 4
Lepisanthes tetraphyllus ............................................ 5 8 Mimosa pudica ............................................................ 7 5
Leptochloa chinensis ................................................ 336 Mimusops elengi ...................................................... 159
Leucaena leucocephala ................................................ 7 4 Mirabilis jalapa ........................................................ 233
Leucas aspera ............................................................ 230 Mitracarpus verticillatus ........................................ 136
Leucas cephalotes ..................................................... 230 Mitragyna parvifolia ............................................... 136
Limnophila heterophylla ......................................... 196 Mnesithea laevis ...................................................... 337
Limnophila indica ................................................... 197 Molineria capitulata ................................................ 280
Limnophila repens ................................................... 197 Mollugo pentaphylla ............................................... 126
Limnophyton obtusifolium .................................... 297 Momordica charantia .............................................. 122
Limonia acidissima ..................................................... 4 3 Momordica dioica .................................................... 122
Lindernia anagallis .................................................. 198 Monochoria hastata ................................................. 284
Lindernia ciliata ....................................................... 198 Monochoria vaginalis .............................................. 284
Lindernia crustacea .................................................. 199 Morinda pubescens .................................................. 137
Lindernia parviflora ............................................... 199 Mucuna pruriens ........................................................ 9 2
Lippia javanica ........................................................ 223 Mukia maderaspatana ............................................. 123
Litsea glutinosa ........................................................ 245 Murdannia nudiflora ............................................... 288
Lobelia alsinoides ..................................................... 156 Murdannia spirata .................................................. 288
Ludwigia adscendens ............................................... 116 Murdannia vaginata ............................................... 289
Ludwigia octovalvis ................................................ 117 Murraya koenigii ........................................................ 4 3
Ludwigia perennis ................................................... 117 Murraya paniculata ................................................... 4 4
Ludwigia prostrata .................................................. 118 Myriophyllum tetrandrum .................................... 101
Luffa aegyptiaca ...................................................... 121
Lygodium flexuosum .............................................. 354 N
M Naringi crenulata ....................................................... 4 4
Nechamandra alternifolia ....................................... 274
Madhuca indica ........................................................ 157 Nelumbo nucifera ........................................................ 1 3
Mallotus repandus ................................................... 257 Neolamarckia cadamba ............................................ 137
Mammea suriga .......................................................... 2 4 Nerium oleander ...................................................... 168
Mangifera indica ......................................................... 6 0 Nicotiana plumbaginifolia ...................................... 191
Manilkara hexandra ................................................ 158 Nyctanthes arbor-tristis ......................................... 163
Manilkara zapota ..................................................... 158 Nymphaea nouchali ................................................... 1 4
Mariscus compactus ................................................ 313 Nymphaea pubescens ................................................. 1 4
Mariscus paniceus .................................................... 314 Nymphoides hydrophylla ...................................... 177
Mariscus squarrosus ................................................ 314 Nymphoides indica ................................................. 177
Marsilea minuta ...................................................... 357
Martynia annua ....................................................... 205 O
Maytenus emarginatus .............................................. 5 1 Ochna obtusata ........................................................... 4 6
Mazus pumilus ........................................................ 200 Ocimum basilicum .................................................. 231
Mecardonia procumbens .......................................... 200 Ocimum sanctum .................................................... 231
Melastoma malabathricum ..................................... 111 Olax psittacorum ....................................................... 5 0
Melia azedarach .......................................................... 4 9 Oplismenus burmannii ........................................... 338
Melochia corchorifolia ................................................. 3 2 Oplismenus compositus .......................................... 338
Memecylon umbellatum .......................................... 111 Opuntia stricta ........................................................ 124
Merremia hederacea ................................................. 187 Oropetium thomaeum ............................................... 3 9
Merremia tridentata ................................................ 188 Oroxylum indicum ................................................. 203
Merremia tridentata ................................................ 188 Orthosiphon thymiflorus ....................................... 232
Merremia umbellata ................................................ 189 Oryza rufipogon ...................................................... 339
Merremia vitifolia .................................................... 189 Ottelia alismoides .................................................... 274
Mesua ferrea ................................................................. 2 4 Oxalis corniculata ...................................................... 4 0
Meyna spinosa ......................................................... 135
Michelia champaca ....................................................... 7 P
Microchloa indica ..................................................... 337 Paederia foetida ........................................................ 138
Micrococca mercurialis ............................................. 258 Pandanus fascicularis .............................................. 292

Panicum brevifolium ............................................... 340 Protium serratum ....................................................... 4 7
Panicum notatum ................................................... 340 Pseudarthria viscida ................................................... 9 3
Panicum paludosum ............................................... 341 Psidium guajava ..................................................... 108
Panicum psilopodium ............................................. 341 Pteris cretica ............................................................. 354
Panicum repens ........................................................ 342 Pteris vittata ............................................................ 355
Parkinsonia aculeata ................................................... 6 7 Pterocarpus marsupium ............................................. 9 4
Parthenium hysterophorus .................................... 151 Pterospermum acerifolium ......................................... 3 3
Paspalidium flavidum ............................................ 342 Pterospermum xylocarpum ....................................... 3 3
Paspalidium geminatum ........................................ 343 Punica granatum ..................................................... 116
Paspalum distichum ............................................... 343 Pupalia lappacea ...................................................... 239
Paspalum scrobiculatum ......................................... 344 Pyrostegia venusta .................................................. 204
Passiflora foetida ...................................................... 116
Pavetta tomentosa ................................................... 138 Q
Peltophorum pterocarpum ......................................... 6 8 Quisqualis indica ..................................................... 104
Pennisetum pedicellatum ........................................ 344
Pentanema indicaum ............................................... 151
R
Pentapetes phoenicea .................................................. 3 2 Rauvolfia serpentina ................................................ 169
Peperomia pellucida ................................................ 243 Rauvolfia tetraphylla .............................................. 170
Pergularia daemia ................................................... 174 Richardia scabra ....................................................... 139
Peristrophe paniculata ............................................ 216 Ricinus communis ................................................... 261
Perotis indica ............................................................ 345 Rikliella squarrosa .................................................... 315
Phaulopsis imbricata ............................................... 217 Rotala indica ............................................................ 115
Phoenix acaulis ........................................................ 291 Rothia indica ............................................................... 9 4
Phoenix sylvestris ................................................... 292 Rottboellia cochinchiensis ....................................... 345
Phyla nodiflora ........................................................ 223 Ruellia tuberosa ........................................................ 217
Phyllanthus acidus .................................................. 258 Rungia pectinata ..................................................... 218
Phyllanthus emblica ................................................ 259
Phyllanthus fraternus ............................................. 259
S
Phyllanthus urinaria ............................................... 260 Saccharum spontaneum .......................................... 346
Phyllanthus virgatus .............................................. 260 Sacciolepis indica ..................................................... 346
Physalis minima ...................................................... 191 Sacciolepis interrupta .............................................. 347
Pilea microphylla ..................................................... 271 Sagittaria guayanensis ............................................ 297
Pinus roxburghii ..................................................... 351 Sagittaria trifolia ..................................................... 298
Piper longum ........................................................... 244 Salacia chinensis ......................................................... 5 1
Pistia stratiotes ........................................................ 294 Salvinia cucullata .................................................... 358
Plecospermum spinosum ......................................... 268 Samanea saman ........................................................... 7 5
Plumbago zeylanica ................................................ 157 Sansevieria roxburghiana ....................................... 279
Plumeria rubra ......................................................... 169 Santalum album ...................................................... 247
Polyalthia cerasoides .................................................. 1 0 Saraca asoca ................................................................. 6 8
Polyalthia longifolia ................................................... 1 0 Sarcostemma acidum ............................................... 174
Polyalthia suberosa ..................................................... 1 1 Schleichera oleosa ........................................................ 5 9
Polycarpaea corymbosa .............................................. 2 0 Schoenoplectus articulatus ...................................... 315
Polycarpon prostratum .............................................. 2 1 Schoenoplectus grossus ............................................ 316
Polygala arvensis ........................................................ 2 0 Schoenoplectus lateriflorus ...................................... 316
Polygonum barbatum ............................................. 240 Scindapsus officinalis ............................................... 295
Polygonum glabrum ............................................... 241 Scleria terrestris ........................................................ 317
Polygonum hydropiper .......................................... 241 Scoparia dulcis ......................................................... 201
Polygonum plebeium .............................................. 242 Sebastiania chamaelea ............................................. 261
Polygonum pulchrum ............................................. 242 Selaginella repanda .................................................. 353
Pongamia pinnata ...................................................... 9 3 Semecarpus anacardium ............................................. 6 1
Portulaca oleracea ....................................................... 2 1 Sericocalyx scaber ..................................................... 218
Portulaca quadrifida ................................................... 2 2 Sesamum orientale ................................................... 205
Potamogeton nodosus ............................................. 298 Sesbania bispinosa ...................................................... 9 5
Pouzolzia zeylanica ................................................. 271 Sesbania javanica ........................................................ 9 5
Premna corymbosa .................................................. 224 Setaria pumila .......................................................... 347
Premna latifolia ....................................................... 224 Setaria verticillata ................................................... 348

Sida acuta .................................................................... 2 7 Tonningia axillaris .................................................. 289
Sida cordata ................................................................. 2 8 Tragia involucrata ................................................... 262
Sida cordifolia ............................................................. 2 8 Trapa natans var. bispinosa ................................... 118
Sida rhombifolia ......................................................... 2 9 Trema orientalis ....................................................... 263
Simarouba glauca ....................................................... 4 5 Trianthema portulacastrum ................................... 126
Smilax zeylanica ...................................................... 283 Tribulus terrestris ....................................................... 3 8
Smithia conferta ......................................................... 9 6 Trichosanthes tricuspidata ..................................... 124
Smithia sensitiva ........................................................ 9 6 Tridax procumbens .................................................. 153
Solanum nigrum ...................................................... 192 Triumfetta pentandra ................................................ 3 7
Solanum torvum ...................................................... 192 Turnera ulmifolia ..................................................... 119
Solanum virginianum ............................................. 193 Tylophora indica ..................................................... 175
Solena amplexicaulis ............................................... 123 Typha angustata ..................................................... 293
Spathodea campanulata .......................................... 204 Typhonium trilobatum ........................................... 295
Spermacoce articularis ............................................. 139
Spermacoce latifolia ................................................. 140 U
Spermacoce mauritiana ........................................... 140 Urena lobata ................................................................ 3 0
Spermacoce pusilla ................................................... 141 Urochloa panicoides ................................................ 349
Sphaeranthus indicus .............................................. 152 Utricularia aurea ..................................................... 202
Sphenoclea zeylanica ............................................... 155 Utricularia stellaris .................................................. 202
Spilanthes paniculata .............................................. 155
Spiranthes sinensis .................................................. 275 V
Spirodela polyrhiza ................................................. 296 Vallisneria natans .................................................... 275
Spondias pinnata ........................................................ 6 1 Vanda tessellata ....................................................... 276
Sporobolus indicus ................................................... 348 Ventilago denticulata ................................................. 5 2
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis .................................... 225 Vernonia cinerea ...................................................... 154
Sterculia urens ............................................................ 3 4 Vetiveria zizanioides ............................................... 349
Streblus asper ........................................................... 268 Vigna adenantha ........................................................ 9 9
Streblus taxoides ...................................................... 269 Vigna sublobata .......................................................... 9 9
Striga angustifolia ................................................... 201 Vigna trilobata ........................................................ 100
Strychnos nux-vomica ............................................ 175 Viscum articulatum ................................................ 246
Strychnos potatorum .............................................. 176 Viscum monoicum ................................................... 246
Suregada multiflora ................................................ 262 Vitex negundo ......................................................... 227
Symphorema involucratum .................................... 225 Vitex pinnata ........................................................... 227
Symphorema polyandrum ...................................... 226
Synedrella nodiflora ................................................ 153 W
Syzygium cumini .................................................... 108 Wahlenbergia marginata ......................................... 156
Syzigium jambos ..................................................... 109 Waltheria indica ......................................................... 3 4
T Wedelia chinensis ..................................................... 154
Withania somnifera ................................................. 193
Tamarindus indica ..................................................... 6 9 Wolffia globosa ......................................................... 296
Tamilnadia uliginosa .............................................. 141 Woodfordia fruticosa ............................................... 115
Tarenna asiatica ....................................................... 142 Wrightia arborea ...................................................... 170
Tectona grandis ....................................................... 226 Wrightia tinctoria ................................................... 171
Tephrosia maxima ...................................................... 9 7
Tephrosia purpurea .................................................... 9 7 X
Tephrosia villosa ......................................................... 9 8 Xanthium indicum .................................................. 151
Teramnus labialis ........................................................ 9 8 Xantolis tomentosa .................................................. 159
Terminalia arjuna .................................................... 105 Xylia xylocarpa .......................................................... 7 6
Terminalia bellirica .................................................. 105 Xyris indica .............................................................. 285
Terminalia chebula .................................................. 106
Thespesia populnea ..................................................... 2 9 Z
Thuja orientalis ........................................................ 352 Ziziphus mauritiana .................................................. 5 2
Thunbergia fragrans ................................................ 219 Ziziphus oenoplia ....................................................... 5 3
Tiliacora acuminata .................................................... 1 2 Ziziphus rugosa .......................................................... 5 3
Tinospora cordifolia .................................................... 1 3 Ziziphus xylophyrus .................................................. 5 4
Toddalia asiatica ......................................................... 4 5 Zornia gibbosa .......................................................... 100

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Floral Diversity

Dr. Pratap Chandra Panda

Nandankanan Biological Park

First Edition: 2012

Copyright @ Nandankanan Biological Park

Designed and printed at

ii Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary iii

Pratap Chandra Panda

iv Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary v

vi Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the extreme north-east of Khurda district

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 1

Climate, Soil and Geology:

2 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 3

Introduced and Cultivated Plants:

Study of flora  past and present:

Composition of five dominant plant families

Sl. No. Family No. of genera No. of species

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 5

Vernacular name: Oao, Oau (O); Chalta

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 7

Vernacular name: Ghanti (O).

Annona reticulata Linn.

Vernacular name: Ramaphal, Barhial,

8 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Vernacular name: Neua, Sitaphal (O);

Artabortrys hexapetalus (Linn.)

Vernacular name: Chini champa (O);

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 9

Vernacular name: Potamossu, Champati

Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw.

Vernacular name: Debadaru (O); Ashok

10 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Vernacular name: Guakoli (O); Barachali

Vernacular name: Musakani, Akanabindi

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 11

Vernacular name: Dahdahiya, Dadaya

Tiliacora acuminata (Lam.) Miers

Vernacular name: Kalajati Nai (O);

12 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Vernacular name: Guluchi, Guluchilata

Vernacular name: Padma (O); Rakta

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 13

Vernacular name: Nilakain, Dhalakain

Nymphaea pubescens Willd.

Vernacular name: Nalikain (O); Nal

14 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Vernacular name: Agara, Kanta Agara,

Vernacular name: Niphura, Nepheda (O).

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 15

Vernacular name: Asadhua (O);

Cleome rutidosperma DC.

Erect or procumbent, profusely branched

16 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Vernacular name: Banasorisa, Anasorisa

Crateva magna (Lour.) DC. (Syn:

Vernacular name: Varuna, Baruna (H,

Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary 17

18 Floral Diversity of Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Casearia elliptica Willd.

Vernacular name: Khakada, Khakara (O);

Study of flora past and present: