Spinacia oleracea

Scientific name: Spinacia oleracea L.

Family: Chenopodiaceae

Bengali/Vernacular name: Palong shak, Palong.

Tribal name: Ses-baa-kayn (Chak), Raytoi (Murang), Mui-yaa-bawn (Rakhaing).

English name: Spinach, Garden spinach.

Description of the plant: An annual dioecious herb, erect, up to 1 m tall, stem glabrous, less branched. Leaves simple, alternate, petioled, petioles 6-12 cm long, lamina ovate to hastate, entire, with basal lobes. Inflorescence in male plants elongated and spike-like, in female palnts an axillary cluster. Flowers usually unisexual, small, green. Fruit a utricle, indehiscent, 1-seeded.

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Medicinal uses: Leaf paste is applied on the affected area for the treatment of burning wound.

Leaf juice is applied externally to treat acne.

Decoction of leaves is taken twice a day (50 ml amount each time) for blood purify.

Distribution: Cultivated all over Bangladesh.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….