Along the paths and roadsides of Mirsharai in Chattogram, banjui flowers are spreading their scent and easily catching the eye of local people. The flowers open by day and release their fragrance at night. Though a wildflower, it lacks nothing in beauty, and no one would think it a neglected flower on seeing it. Many people also know banjui as bhatphul, bhatiphul, ghetuphul or ghantakarna. As in other parts of the country, the flower is drawing attention in every corner of Mirsharai.

Banjui's scientific name is Clerodendrum viscosum. It is a perennial shrub whose main stem grows upright, usually 2-4 metres tall. The leaves are somewhat betel-leaf shaped and rough, 4-7 inches long. Flowers open on stalks at the tips of the branches, with white petals tinged with purple. Besides its beauty, banjui has many qualities and is very useful for malaria, skin diseases and insect bites.

Visits to rural roads in Wahedpur and Saherkhali unions and elsewhere in Mirsharai found banjui blooming along the roadsides. Growing without care or attention, the flower spreads its scent among passers-by. Anyone would be charmed by its beauty in neglected woods, jungles, roadsides and the edges of paths across the countryside. The flower is seen blooming in spring.

Abdul Kaiyum of Saherkhali union said: "In our local language the banjui plant is called 'baid gachh'. It helps drive away insects. If the plant is kept where any seed is stored, insects attack the seed less. Many farmers in the village store seed this way."

Saifullah of Middle Wahedpur village in Wahedpur union said: "At one time banjui flowers were seen a lot. They bloom at the edges of fields, beside houses, along village roads, at the foot of hills and beside railway lines. The scent is very sweet, and the flowers are very beautiful to look at."

Retired school teacher Anwar Hossain said: "This flower is seen in spring, the king of seasons. Banjui spreads its beauty here and there. It is a native flower of Bangladesh and can be found in many places. The plant has many qualities."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.