Family: Begoniaceae
Synonym: Begonia malabarica Roxb.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Gonirakto.
Tribal name: Khartetoi (Chakma), Kah khaing (Marma), Shurja (Murang).
English name: East himalayan begonia.
Description of the Plant: An erect, succulent herb with fibrous roots. Stem 30-60 cm long. Leaves simple, ovate, with a highly asymmetric base. Flowers white with a pinkish tinge, with a tuft of yellow stamens at the center. Fruit a capsule, pink, pendent.
Plant parts Used: Leaf, stem, root.
Traditional
Uses: The juice extracted from the stems of the plant is taken thrice a
day (10 ml amount each time) until the jaundice is cured.
Leaf and root extract is taken in diarrhea and dysentery treatment.
Extract prepared from the stems of the plant is given to the children for
drinking to treat tongue abnormalities.
Distribution: This species is found in Sylhet, Chittagong, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
