Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 26(2): 269‒283, 2019 (December)
© 2019 Bangladesh Association of Plant Taxonomists
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF GAFARGAON UPAZILA OF MYMENSINGH
DISTRICT FOCUSING ON MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES
M. OLIUR RAHMAN1, NUSRAT JAHAN SAYMA AND MOMTAZ BEGUM
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Keywords: Angiosperm; Taxonomy; Vegetation analysis; Medicinal Plants; Distribution;
Conservation.
Abstract
Gafargaon upazila has been floristically explored to identify and assess the
angiospermic flora that resulted in occurrence of 203 taxa under 174 genera and 75
families. Magnoliopsida is represented by 167 taxa under 140 genera and 62 families,
while Liliopsida is constituted by 36 taxa belonging to 34 genera and 13 families.
Vegetation analysis shows that herbs are represented by 106 taxa, shrubs 35, trees 54, and
climbers by 8 species. In Magnoliopsida, Solanaceae is the largest family possessing 10
species, whereas in Liliopsida, Poaceae is the largest family with 12 species. The study
has identified 45 medicinal plants which are used for treatment of over 40 diseases
including diabetes, ulcer, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, cold and cough, menstrual
problems, blood pressure and urinary disorders by the local people. Some noticeable
medicinal plants used in primary healthcare are Abroma augusta (L.) L.f., Coccinia
grandis (L.) Voigt., Commelina benghalensis L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.,
Holarrhena antidysenterica Flem., Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) A. DC., Mikania
cordata (Burm. f.) Robinson, Ocimum tenuiflorum L. and Rauvolfia serpentina (L.)
Benth. A few number of species are also employed in cultural festivals in the study area.
Cardamine flexuosa With., Oxystelma secamone (L.) Karst., Phaulopsis imbricata
(Forssk.) Sweet, Piper sylvaticum Roxb., Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers and Trema
orientalis L. have been found to be rare in the investigated area. In order to preserve
botanical resources of Gafargaon upazila, particularly the rare, threatened and medicinal
plants, conservation measures need to be undertaken through both in-situ and ex-situ
methods for their sustainable use.
Introduction
Gafargaon upazila under Mymensingh district is located in 24º15' to 24º33'N and 90º27' to
90º39'E with an area of 401.16 sq. km. The upazila is bounded by Trishal and Nandail upazilas on
the north, Kapasia and Sreepur upazilas on the south, Hossainpur and Pakundia upazilas on the
east, and Trishal, Bhaluka, and Sreepur upazilas on the west (Fig. 1). The climate of Gafargaon is
moderate as other parts of the district, as it is closer to the Himalayas and in the tropical monsoon
zone. The temperature of the area varies from 9ºC to 37ºC. The maximum monthly average
humidity ranges from 81 to 97%, while the minimum monthly average humidity ranges from 47 to
79% illustrates the monthly variations of humidity in the area (BBS, 2018).
The Gafargaon upazila presents diverse habitats and ecosystems comprising wetland,
cultivated land, char, homestead area, scrub jungles, fallow lands, etc. which support dense
formation of angiosperms and play a pivotal role in the local economy, environment and primary
healthcare system. However, the ecosystems of Gafargaon have been depleted due to
anthropogenic interferences over the years. As a result, many plant species have become rare and
1Corresponding author. Email: oliur.bot@du.ac.bd; prof.oliurrahman@gmail.com
mailto:oliur.bot@du.ac.bd;
mailto:prof.oliurrahman@gmail.com
270 RAHMAN et al.
threatened. Therefore, it is indispensable to explore, identify, document and preserve the plant
wealth of the area for the betterment of mankind especially those plant resources which are used
for primary healthcare.
Fig. 1. Map of the study area: A. Map of Bangladesh, B. District map of Mymensingh, C. Map of Gafargaon
upazila showing different sampling locations.
In the recent past, several attempts have been made on floristic studies in different parts of the
country alongside with some protected areas (Khan and Huq, 2001; Alam et al., 2006; Tutul et al.,
2010; Rahman et al., 2015; Arefin et al., 2017; Haque et al., 2018; Rashid et al., 2018). Despite
sporadic studies on the flora of some upazilas of the country were carried out earlier
(Moniruzzaman et al., 2012; Rahman and Alam, 2013; Rahman et al., 2012, 2013, 2019), the flora
of Gafargaon upazila has never been explored and the potential of its existing flora has not been
evaluated. Therefore, the present study aimed at exploring and identifying the angiosperm flora of
Gafargaon upazila, and to focus on the medicinally important plant resources for meeting up the
primary healthcare demand of the local people. The study has the potential to collate primary data
on the plant diversity of the upazila which will eventually contribute towards logical
understanding and conservation of the biodiversity of this region.
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF GAFARGAON UPAZILA 271
Materials and Methods
Taxonomic inventories were conducted in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh district through
five botanical expeditions covering all seasons from April 2017 to March 2018. Plant specimens
with flowers and/or fruits were collected, critically studied and preserved following standard
herbarium technique (Bridson and Forman, 1989; Singh and Subramaniam, 2008). The collected
specimens were identified by experts, consulting standard literature, viz., Hooker (1872-1897),
Prain (1903), Khan (1972-1987), Dassanayake and Fosberg (1980-1985), Khan and Rahman
(1989-2002), and by matching with already identified specimens housed at Dhaka University Salar
Khan Herbarium (DUSH). Nomenclature of each taxon has been updated following recent
literatures (Ahmed et al., 2008-2009), the nomenclatural databases of The Plant List (2013) and
TROPICOS (2017). The recognized families are arranged following Cronquist (1981), and the
genera and species under each family have been placed in an alphabetical order (Table 1). Bengali
name have been cited based on interview with local people, and Huq (1986). Each species is
supplemented by its habit, phenology and representative voucher specimen. The information on
the uses of medicinal plants has been gathered through interview of the local people. The voucher
specimens are preserved at DUSH.
Results and Discussion
The present study revealed the occurrence of 203 taxa under 174 genera and 75 families in
Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh district. Among them, Magnoliopsida is represented by 62
families, 140 genera and 167 taxa, while Liliopsida (Monocots) is represented by 13 families, 34
genera and 36 taxa. The identified taxa with their Bangla name, family name, habit, status of
occurrences and voucher specimen are presented in Table 1.
The present study reveals that largest number of taxa are represented by herbs (106 taxa)
followed by trees (54 taxa), shrubs (35 taxa) and climbers (8 taxa). The percentage of identified
taxa in Gafargaon upazila is shown in Figure 2. Among the identified taxa 82% has been found as
common and 18% as rare. In Magnoliopsida, Solanaceae is the largest family comprising 10
species under 7 genera, followed by Fabaceae (8 species), and Asteraceae and Amranthaceae (7
species each). In contrast, in Liliopsida, Poaceae is the largest family with 12 species under 10
genera followed by Araceae (6 species) and Arecaceae (5 species).
Fig. 2. Pie-chart showing the habitat analysis of identified taxa in Gafargaon upazila.
The families Basellaceae, Bombacaceae, Molluginaceae, Boraginaceae, Bromeliaceae,
Capparaceae, Caricaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Commelinaceae, Cuscutaceae, Cyperaceae,
Dilleniaceae, Ebenaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Hydrocharitaceae, Lecythidaceae, Lemnaceae,
272 RAHMAN et al.
Marantaceae, Melastomataceae, Moringaceae, Musaceae, Oleaceae, Onagraceae, Papaveraceae,
Pedaliaceae, Punicaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae,
Scrophulariaceae, Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae, Ulmaceae and Vitaceae are represented by a single
species. Ten dominant families of the study area are Poaceae, Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae,
Amaranthaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Moraceae, Acanthaceae, Polygonaceae and Nymphaeaceae. The
family Poaceae is the largest one represented by 12 species followed by Solanaceae with 10
species and Fabaceae with 8 species (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. Radder diagram showing ten dominant plant families of Gafargaon upazila with number of genera and
species.
In the study area, some climbers, such as Cissus adnata, Coccinia grandis, Cuscuta reflexa,
Stephania japonica etc. grow in homestead trees. Some of the most common trees found in the
area include Areca catechu, Albizia lebbeck, Borassus flabellifer, Dalbergia sissoo, Cocos
nucifera and Phoenix sylvestris. Commonly growing roadside plants are Phyllanthus reticulatus,
Glycosmis pentaphylla, Heliotropium indicum, Solanum nigrum, Croton bonplandianum,
Dalbergia sissoo, Senna tora etc. Most common homestead plants are Hibiscus rosa-sinensis,
Litchi chinensis, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Psidium guajava, Lawsonia inermis, Averrhoa
carambola, Swietenia mahagoni and Punica granatum. In the investigated area Cardamine
flexuosa, Oxystelma secamone, Phaulopsis imbricata, Piper sylvaticum, Stephania japonica and
Trema orientalis have been found as rare based on field observation. Gafargaon upazila is also
endowed with different aquatic habitats including beels, ponds, tanks and other low-lying areas
with seasonal water. Some of the important aquatic angiosperms are Pistia stratiotes, Oxystelma
secamone, Enhydra fluctuans, Ipomoea fistulosa, Ipomoea aquatica, Ottelia alismoides,
Nymphaea pubescens, Nymphaea rubra, Lemna perpusilla, Ludwigia adscendens and Monochoria
hastata.
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF GAFARGAON UPAZILA 273
Table 1. Plant species of Gafargaon upazila of Mymensigh district with their Bengali names, habit,
phenology, status of occurrence and vouchers.
Taxa Bengali name Habit Phenology Status of
occurrence
Voucher
number
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
Annonaceae
Annona reticulata L. Ata Tree Oct-Jan Common Nusrat 01
A. squamosa L. Sharifa Tree Mar-Dec Common Nusrat 57
Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw. Debdaru Tree Mar-Sep Common Nusrat 02
Uvaria hamiltonii Hook. f. Latkan Shrub May-Oct Common Nusrat 65
Lauraceae
Cinnamomum camphora Prain Karpur Tree Mar-Jul Common Nusrat 28
C. tamala Nees & Eberm. Tejpata Tree Feb-Oct Common Nusrat 182
Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) Robinson Menda Tree Apr-Jan Common Nusrat 85
Piperaceae
Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth Luchipata Herb Jul-Sep Common Nusrat 191
Piper nigrum L. Goolmorich Climber Aug-Dec Common Nusrat 97
P. sylvaticum Roxb. Bon pan Shrub Rare Nusrat 192
Nymphaeaceae
Nymphaea pubescens Willd. Saluk Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 188
Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Salisb. Lalsapla Herb Jul-Jan Common Nusrat 95
Menispermaceae
Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers Doipata Climber Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 142
Tinospora crispa (T.) Hook. f. Gulonchoe Climber Jan-Jun Common Nusrat 90
Papaveraceae
Argemone mexicana L. Sialkanta Herb Feb-Jun Common Nusrat 190
Ulmaceae Nusrat
Trema orientalis L. Jinal Tree Dec-Apr Rare Nusrat 55
Moraceae
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk. Kanthal Tree Feb-Jun Common Nusrat 92
A. laucha Buch.-Ham. Dewa Tree Apr-Aug Common Nusrat 145
Ficus benghalensis L. Bot Tree May-Aug Common Nusrat 38
F. hispida L. f. Dumur Shrub Apr-Sep Common Nusrat 186
F. religiosa L. Ashwatha Tree Mar-Sep Common Nusrat 37
Sreblus asper Lour. Sheora Tree Feb-Jun Common Nusrat 160
Urticaceae
Laportea crenulata Gaud. Churapata Shrub May-Sep Common Nusrat 112
L. interrupta L. Bichuti Herb Aug-Nov Rare Nusrat 53
Nyctaginaceae
Boerhavia diffusa L. Punarnava Herb Apr-Aug Common Nusrat 39
Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. Baganbilash Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 94
Mirabilis jalapa L. Shandhamalati Herb Mar-May Common Nusrat 147
Chenopodiaceae
Chenopodium album L. Bathua-shak Herb Dec-Mar Common Nusrat 20
274 RAHMAN et al.
Table 1 contd.
Taxa Bengali name Habit Phenology Status of
occurrence
Voucher
number
Amaranthaceae
Achyranthus aspera L. Apang Herb Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 117
Alternenthera philoxeroides (Mart)
Griseb.
Malancha shak Herb Mar-Jun Common Nusrat 163
A. sessilis (L.) DC. Sachi-shak Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 59
Amaranthus blitum L. Natiyashak Herb Oct-Nov Common Nusrat 118
A. spinosus L. Katanotay Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 05
A. tricolor L. Denga Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 164
A. viridis L. Notay-shak Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 60
Basellaceae
Basella rubra L. Puishak Herb Nov-Mar Common Nusrat 173
Molluginaceae
Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A. DC. Ghema shak Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 203
Polygonaceae
Persicaria flaccida (Meissn.)
H. Gross ex Loeseeen
Lal bishkatali Herb Apr-Aug Common Nusrat 152
P. hydropiper (L.) Spach. Biskatali Herb Apr-Aug Common Nusrat 101
P. stagnina (Buch-Ham. ex Meissn.)
M.A. Hassan
Bara bishkatali Herb Apr-Dec Common Nusrat 102
Rumex dentatus L. Daton Herb Jan-May Common Nusrat 196
Dilleniaceae
Dillenia indica L. Chalta Tree May-Feb Common Nusrat 23
Elaeocarpaceae
Elaeocarpus floribundus Bl. Jalpai Tree Mar-Dec Common Nusrat 77
Tiliaceae
Corchorus capsularis L. Deshipat Herb Jun-Nov Common Nusrat 111
Sterculiaceae
Abroma augusta (L.) L. f. Ulatkombal Shrub Jun-Dec Rare Nusrat 159
Bombacaceae
Bombax ceiba L. Shimultula Tree Jan-Apr Common Nusrat 127
Malvaceae
Abelmoschus escunlentus (L.) Moench Dheros Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 87
Abutilon indicum L. Petari Herb Jul-Apr Common Nusrat 140
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Joba Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 202
Sida cordata (Burm.f.) Borss. Junka Herb Aug-Feb Common Nusrat 184
Urena lobata L. Bon okra Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 31
Lecythidaceae
Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn. Hijal Tree May-Sep Common Nusrat 138
Caricaceae
Carica papaya L. Pape Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 19
Cucurbitaceae
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. Chalkumra Climber May-Nov Common Nusrat 21
Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt. Telakucha Climber Mar-Dec Common Nusrat 132
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF GAFARGAON UPAZILA 275
Table 1contd.
Taxa Bengali name Habit Phenology Status of
occurrence
Voucher
number
Cucumis melo L. Baangi Climber Mar-Oct Rare Nusrat 177
C. sativus L. Khira Herb Apr-Oct Common Nusrat 74
Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lamk. Mistikumra Herb Apr-Oct Common Nusrat 75
Salicaceae
Salix tetrasperma Roxb Panihijal Tree Nov-Mar Rare Nusrat 51
Capparaceae
Crateva magna (Lour.) DC. Barun Tree Feb-May Common Nusrat 130
Brasicaceae
Cardamine flexuosa With. Not known Herb Feb-Jul Rare Nusrat 173
Brassica napus L. Sorisha Herb Mar-Jul Common Nusrat 128
Raphanus sativus L. Mula Herb Jan-May Common Nusrat 16
Rorippa indica (L.) Hiern Bansarisa Herb Apr-Jan Common Nusrat 69
Moringaceae
Moringa oleifera Lamk. Sajna Tree Oct-Mar Common Nusrat 40
Sapotaceae
Manilkara zapota (L.) P.Van Royen Sofeda Tree Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 156
Ebenaceae
Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel Deshi gab Tree May-Aug Rare Nusrat 133
Rosaceae
Rosa chinensis Jacq. Golap Shrub Nov-Mar Common Nusrat 47
Mimosaceae
Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex
Benth.
Akashmoni Tree Jun-Feb Common Nusrat 185
A. nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del. Babla Tree Aug-May Common Nusrat 143
Albizia lebbeck L. Koroi Tree Apr-Oct Common Nusrat 35
A. procera (Roxb.) Benth SilKoroi Tree Jun-Nov Common Nusrat 91
Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De
Wit.
Ipl-ipl Tree Mar-Nov Common Nusrat 204
Mimosa pudica L. Lajjaboti Herb Sep-Dec Common Nusrat
Caesalpinaceae
Cassia fistula L.
Banarlathi
Tree
Mar-Jun
Common
Nusrat 175
Delonix regia Rafin. Krisnochura Tree Apr-Sep Common Nusrat 70
Senna occidentalis Roxb. Borakalkasuna Herb May-Oct Common Nusrat 129
S. sophera (L.) Roxb. Kalkashunda Shrub Sep-Jul Common Nusrat 174
S. tora (L.) Roxb. Chakunda Herb Jul-Dec Common Nusrat 18
Tamarindus indica L. Tentul Tree Apr-Dec Common Nusrat 205
Fabaceae
Arachis hypogaea L. Badam Herb Mar-Dec Common Nusrat 25
Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Orhor Shrub Dec-Apr Common Nusrat 79
Crotalaria pallida Ait. Jhun-jhuni Herb May-Dec Rare Nusrat 180
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Sisso Tree Mar-Jun Common Nusrat 135
Desmodium heterophyllum (Willd.)
DC.
Kodalia Herb Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 26
276 RAHMAN et al.
Table 1 contd.
Taxa Bengali name Habit Phenology Status of
occurrence
Voucher
number
Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet Shim Herb Nov-Mar Common Nusrat 80
Sesbania grandiflora L. Bakful Tree Oct-Feb Common Nusrat 179
Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper Mashkalai Herb Nov-Jan Common Nusrat 136
Lythraceae
Lawsonia inermis L. Mahendi Shrub Jun-Dec Common Nusrat 30
Myrtaceae
Psidium guajava L. Payara Tree Apr-Sep Common Nusrat 187
Syzygium cumini L. Kalojam Tree Apr-Jul Common Nusrat 93
Punicaceae
Punica granatum L. Dalim Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 197
Onagraceae
Ludwigia adscendens (L.) Hara Kesardam Herb Mar-Dec Common Nusrat 42
Melastomataceae
Melastoma malabathricum L. Ban tezpata Shrub Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 88
Euphorbiaceae
Baccaurea ramiflora Lour. Lotkon/Bobi Tree Jun-Sep Common Nusrat 24
Croton bonplandianus Baill. Croton Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 178
Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. Chitki Shrub Mar-Oct Common Nusrat 134
Ricinus communis L. Verenda Shrub Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 78
Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. Boroi Tree Sep-Mar Common Nusrat 153
Vitaceae
Cissus adnata Roxb. Alingolata Climber Mar-Aug Common Nusrat 115
Sapindaceae
Litchi chinensis Sonn. Lichu Tree Apr-Jun Common Nusrat 107
Anacardiaceae
Mangifera indica L. Aam Tree Jan-Jun Common Nusrat 06
Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz Amra Tree Feb-Aug Common Nusrat 119
Meliaceae
Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R.N.
Parker
Baiddiraj Tree Feb-May Rare Nusrat 33
Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Neem Tree Mar-Jul Common Nusrat 89
Melia azedarach L. Ghoranim Tree Mar-Feb Common Nusrat 141
Swietenia mahagoni Jacq. Mahagoni Tree Apr-Nov Common Nusrat 34
Rutaceae
Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Bel Tree Apr-Dec Common Nusrat 48
Citrus aurantifolia (Christm. &
Panzer) Swingle
Lebu Shrub Mar-Sep Common Nusrat 105
Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) A.DC. Motkila Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 155
Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC. Bajna Tree Mar-Sep Common Nusrat 106
Oxalidaceae
Averrhoa carambola L. Kamranga Tree Sep-Mar Common Nusrat 96
Oxalis corniculata L. Amrul Herb Sep-May Common Nusrat 108
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF GAFARGAON UPAZILA 277
Table 1 contd.
Taxa Bengali name Habit Phenology Status of
occurrence
Voucher
number
Apiaceae
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Thankuni Herb Apr-Dec Rare Nusrat 61
Coriandrum savitum L. Dhony Herb Dec-Feb Common Nusrat 165
Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Pan-mouri Herb Nov-Feb Common Nusrat 07
Apocynaceae
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. Chatim Tree Oct-Jun Rare Nusrat 166
Carissa carandus L. Karamcha Shrub Apr-Oct Common Nusrat 167
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don Noyontara Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 127
Holarrhena antidysenterica Flem. Kurchi Shrub Apr-Dec Common Nusrat 08
Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. Sarpagandha Herb Apr-Oct Rare Nusrat 62
Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.
Br. ex Roem. & Schult.
Togor Shrub May-Jan Common Nusrat 121
Asclepediaceae
Calotropis gigantea L. Akondo Shrub Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 124
Oxystelma secamone (L.) Karst. Dudhialata Herb Aug-Oct Rare Nusrat 12
Solanaceae
Capsicum frutescens L. Kacha-morich Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 108
Cestrum nocturnum L. Hasnahena Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat
Datura metel L. Datura Shrub Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 201
Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Tomato Herb Oct-Apr Common Nusrat 50
Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Willd. Ban-tamak Herb Mar-Dec Common Nusrat 109
Physalis angulata L. Fotka Herb Feb-Aug Common Nusrat 52
P. minima L. Chotofotka Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 202
Solanum melongena L. Begun Herb Oct-Mar Common Nusrat 158
S. torvum Swartz. Gotabegun Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 110
S. tuberosum L. Gol-alu Herb Jan-Mar Common Nusrat 54
Convolvulaceae
Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. Kolmishak Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 176
I. batatas (L.) Lamk. Misti-alu Herb Dec-May Rare Nusrat 73
I. fistulosa Mart. ex Choisy Dholkolmi Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 131
Cuscutaceae
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Shornolata Parasite Aug-Mar Rare Nusrat 22
Boraginaceae
Heliotropium indicum L. Hatisur Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 15
Verbenaceae
Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. Vat Shrub Jan-Jul Common Nusrat 199
Lippia alba (Mill.) Briton et Wilson Gondhapata Shrub Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 113
Tectona grandis L.f. Shegun Tree Jul-Nov Common Nusrat 56
Lamiaceae
Anisomeles indica L. Gobura Herb Oct-Jun Rare Nusrat 181
Hyptis suaveolens Poit. Bilatitulsi Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 27
Leonurus sibricus Linn. Roktodron Herb Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 137
Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link Dondokolos Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 82
Mentha viridis L. Pudinapata Herb Jul-Jun Common Nusrat 84
Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Tulsi Herb Oct-Mar Common Nusrat 83
278 RAHMAN et al.
Table 1 contd.
Taxa Bengali name Habit Phenology Status of
occurrence
Voucher
number
Oleaceae
Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. Beli Shrub Mar-Jul Common Nusrat 189
Scrophulariaceae
Scoparia dulcis L. Bandhony Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 49
Acanthaceae
Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.)
Wall.
Kalomegh Herb Nov-May Common Nusrat 116
Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Jagatmadan Shrub Dec-May Common Nusrat 162
J. adhatoda L. Basok Shrub Jan-Apr Common Nusrat 03
Nelsonia canescens (Lamk.) Spreng. Para-mul Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 58
Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.)
Sweet
Not known Herb Dec-Mar Rare Nusrat 04
Pedaliaceae
Sesamum indicum L. Til Herb Feb-Oct Common Nusrat 190
Rubiaceae
Ixora coccinea L.
Rangon
Shrub
Jan-Dec
Common
Nusrat 198
Morinda citrifolia L. Haldi kachu Tree May-Nov Rare Nusrat 104
Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Merr. Kadom Tree Jul-Nov Common Nusrat 154
Asteraceae
Ageratum conyzoides L. Fulkuri Herb Nov-Jun Common Nusrat 13
Blumea lacera (Burm.f.) DC Barakukshima Herb Nov-Jul Common Nusrat 170
Chromolaena odorata (L.) King &
Robinson
Asamlata Herb Nov-May Common Nusrat 171
Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Helencha Herb Jan-Apr Common Nusrat 125
Mikania cordata (Burm. f.)
Robinson
Taralota Herb Oct-Feb Common Nusrat 68
Spilanthus calva DC. Marhatatiga Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 14
Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. Shialmoti Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 126
LILIOPSIDA
Hydrocharitaceae
Ottelia alismoides (L.) Pers. Panikola Herb June-Dec Common Nusrat 81
Arecaceae
Areca catechu L. Supari Tree Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 11
Borassus flabellifer L. Tal Tree Jan-Oct Common Nusrat 123
Calamus gracilis Roxb. Raton Tree Apr-Oct Rare Nusrat 66
Cocos nucifera L. Narikel Tree Mar-Jul Common Nusrat 169
Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. Khejur Tree Dec-Jul Common Nusrat 67
Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don Mankachu Herb Jul-Oct Common Nusrat 09
Amorphollus bulbifer Bl. Ul kachu Herb May-Oct Rare Nusrat 63
Colocasia esculenta Schott Kochu Herb May-Oct Common Nusrat 122
Pistia stratiotes L. Topa-pana Herb Oct-Mar Common Nusrat 168
Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott. Ghetkachu Herb Apr-Oct Common Nusrat 64
Xanthosoma violaceum Schott. Dastorkachu Herb Apr-Oct Common Nusrat 10
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF GAFARGAON UPAZILA 279
Table 1 contd.
Taxa Bengali name Habit Phenology Status of
occurrence
Voucher
number
Lemnaceae
Lemna purpusilla Torrey Khudipana Herb Sep-Dec Common Nusrat 29
Commelinaceae
Commelina bengalensis L. Dholpata Herb Feb-Dec Common Nusrat 72
Cyperaceae
Cyperus compressus L. Chanch Herb Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 76
Poaceae
Brachiaria kurzii (Hook. f.) A. Camus Not known Herb Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 43
B. mutica Stapf Para gash Herb Nov-Mar Common Nusrat 149
Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin. Premkanta Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 98
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Durbaghas Herb Jul-Dec Common Nusrat 169
Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv Ulookash Shrub Oct-Jan Common Nusrat 150
Isachne globosa (Thunb.) Kuntze Not known Herb Jan-Dec Rare Nusrat 194
Oryza latifolia Desv. Jangli dhan Herb Jul-Feb Rare Nusrat 99
O. sativa L. Dhan Herb Sep-Jun Common Nusrat 44
Panicum repens L. Dhanighas Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 195
Paspalum scrobiculatum L. Goicha Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 46
Saccharum spontenum L. Kash Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 100
Thysanolaena maxima (Roxb.) Kuntze Jharu phul Herb Sep-Apr Rare Nusrat 151
Bromeliaceae
Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Anarosh Herb Feb-Jul Common Nusrat 17
Musaceae
Musa paradisiaca L. Kola Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 146
Zingiberaceae
Curcuma longa L. Holud Herb Aug-Oct Common Nusrat 200
Zingiber officinale Rosc. Ada Herb Sep-Nov Common Nusrat 161
Marantaceae
Schumannianthus dichotomus (Roxb.)
Gagnep.
Patibet Shrub Dec-Mar Rare Nusrat 32
Pontederiaceae
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms Kachuripana Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 45
Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms Jolpana Herb Jan-Dec Common Nusrat 103
Liliaceae
Allium cepa L. Piyaj Herb Feb-Jun Common Nusrat 183
A. sativum L. Rosun Herb Feb-Apr Common Nusrat 139
Zephyranthes tubispatha L. Rain lily Herb Jun-Aug Rare Nusrat 86
Potential of the angiospermic flora
Medicinal Plants
Potential of plant species of Gafargaon upazzila has been assessed and medicinal uses of the
angiospermic flora by the local people have been recorded during field investigation. The study
has identified 45 medicinal plants used for treatment of several diseases by the local people. The
medicinal plant species with their part(s) used and uses are presented in Table 2.
280 RAHMAN et al.
Table 2. Medicinal plants of Gafargaon upazila along with their part(s) used and diseases.
Species Part(s) used Diseases
Abroma augusta Root Urinary problem & menstrual problems
Achyranthus aspera Root Jaundice
Adhatoda zeylanica Leaf Cold and cough
Aegle marmelos Fruit, root Dysentery and diarrhoea
Ageratum conyzoides Leaf, stem, root Fever, chronic ulcers and pneumonia
Albizia procera Leaf, bark Insecticide and fish poisoning
Alstonia scholaris Bark Asthma and fever
Amaranthus spinosus Leaf, root, stem Rheumatism, blood purifier and irregular menstruation
A. viridis Whole plant Snake-bite
Annona reticulata Bark Diarrhoea
Aphanamixis polystachya Bark Lever diseases and spleen
Artocarpus heterophyllus Root Asthma and diarrhoea
Averrhoa carambola Fruit Piles
Blumea lacera Root Mouth diseases
Cajanus cajan Leaf Diabetes and jaundice.
Centella asiatica Whole plant Ulcer and dysentery
Clerodendrum viscosum Leaf, roots Skin diseases, tumors and snake-bite
Coccinia grandis Leaf Skin diseases and diabetes
Colocasia esculenta Leaf, corm Astringent, scorpion bites and stimulant
Commelina bengalensis Whole plant Urinary burning, sores and itches
Cuscuta reflexa Stem Jaundice
Cynodon dactylon Whole plant Stop bleeding and toothache.
Dillenia indica Fruit Diarrhoea and dysentery
Ficus hispida Fruit Diabetes
F. religiosa Bark Toothache and skin diseases
Glycosmis pentaphylla Leaf, stem Jaundice and toothache
Heliotropium indicum Leaf Fever
Holarrhena antidysenterica Bark Dysentery and elephantiasis
Hyptis suaveolens Leaf, seed Stomachache
Litsia glutinosa Bark Dysentery and diarrhoea
Melia azedarach Leaf Small pox, fever and antiseptic
Mikania cordata Leaf Wounds, itches and dyspepsia
Mimosa pudica Root Jaundice, blood pressure and ulcer
Moringa oleifera Leaf, fruit, bark Dysentery, vomiting, cold and cough and abscesses.
Ocimum tenuiflorum Leaf Gastric disorder, cold, cough and ring worm
Oxalis corniculata Leaf Antiscorbutic and antidote
Peperomia pellucida Leaf Asthma
Phoenix sylvestris Fruit Fever, Heart disease and abdominal complaints
Piper nigrum Fruit Fever and bronchitis
Rauvolfia serpentina Root Nervous agitation, high blood pressure and sound sleeping
Scoparia dulcis Whole plant Kidney problems and diabetes
Sida cordata Fruit, flower Burning complaints
Solanum torvum Root Cough and toothache
Spilanthus calva Root Toothache
Syzygium cumini Leaf, seed, bark Diabetes, chronic diarrhoea and sore throats
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF GAFARGAON UPAZILA 281
Economically and culturally important plant species
The present study shows the role of angiospermic flora in the local communities. The local
people rely on surrounding plant wealth not only for their health care, but also for food and other
life accessories. Apart from medicinal uses several species are economically and culturally
important. The species having economic and cultural importance are documented in Table 3.
Table 3. Plant species of Gafargaon upazila having economic and cultural importance.
Species Parts used Economic and cultural importance
Aegle marmelos Fruit, leaf Fruits are edible. Leaves are used by Hindu community in
religious festival
Alstonia scholaris Wood Used as furniture
Annona squamosa Fruit Fruits are edible
Artocarpus heterophyllus Wood Used as furniture
Borassus flabellifer Fruit, leaf Fruits are edible. Fibre is used in making mats, hats, brushes
and brooms
Cocos nucifera Fruit, leaf As drinks. Fibre is used in making brushes and brooms. Also
in religious festival fruits are used by the Hindu community
Colocasia esculenta Whole plant Used as vegetables
Curcuma longa Rhizome The Hindu community uses the rhizome in their religious
festival
Dillenia indica Fruit Fruits are used as vegetable, also used in making pickles
Ficus banghalelsis Leaf Leaves are employed by the Hindu people in their religious
festival
F. hispida Leaf Leaves are used as vegetable
F. religiosa Leaf Leaves are employed by the Hindu people in their religious
festival
Glycosmis pentaphylla Twig Young twigs are used as tooth-brush.
Lawsonia inermis Leaf Leaves are employed by the Hindu people in their religious
festival
Mangifera indica Leaf Fruits edible. Leaves are used by the Hindu people in their
religious festival
Musa paradisiaca Fruit, leaf Fruits edible. Leaves are employed by the Hindu people in
their religious festival
Ocimum tenuiflorum Whole plant In religious festival the Hindu community used this whole
plant
Oxalis corniculata Whole plant Used as leafy vegetables
Phoenix sylvestris Fruit, leaf Fruits are edible. Fibre is used in making mats, hats, brushes
and brooms
Solanum torvum Used as vegetables
Syzgium cumini Wood Used for high class furniture
The present study revealed a number of threats based on the observations and group
discussion with local people which might lead to cause angiospermic flora to diminish. Some of
the important threats to the flora are habitat degradation, modern agriculture, urbanization, over-
exploitation of medicinal plants, lack of knowledge of collection technique, lack of awareness on
biodiversity, and exotic plantation. Consequently, some species are extinct in the wild and many
of them are at the verge of extinction. In order to save the plant resources from further annihilation
urgent measures to be adopted for their conservation and sustainable uses including protection of
282 RAHMAN et al.
habitats, public awareness on biodiversity conservation, and applying both ex-situ and in-situ
conservation approaches for the medicinal and threatened species.
Acknowledgement
The financial support received from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Biological Sciences,
University of Dhaka is gratefully acknowledged.
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