Natakaranja in Chhera Dwip

Chhera Dwip is a part of of St. Martin’s island located in the southern most part of Bangladesh. The onslaught of tourists during winter poses as a threat to the island's biodiversity. The various types of coral are disappearing due to the garbage, pollution and random fishing. Even migratory birds no longer flock here is the huge numbers as before.

During a recent trip to Chhera Dwip on biodiversity research work, a beautiful yellow flower caught the eye. This was ‘natakaranja’, known in English as 'crested fever nut'. Its scientific name is caesalpinia crista.

These wild flowers bloom in abundance. The plant is thorny and generally grows along the coastal areas, sandy islands and forests. This creeper normally grows around 5 to 20 metres in length along in sandy stretches or entwined around trees. The bright yellow flower is attractive with green stems and a beautiful scent. Honey bees buss around these during the day. This creeper is mainly found on islands in the Indian Ocean.

The plant has medicinal value, used for treating Hepatitis-B and various types of fevers fevers.

* This story appeared in the print version in Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Faria Islam