Rosella in English or sorrel in Bengali, known as Tokpata or Harpata, at one time, this sour leaf tree was almost seen in the green vegetable fields around the hills, next to the homesteads. Leaves and fruits are dark red in color with a sour taste. This tree is almost extinct in time.
Subshrub plant whose English name is Rosella or sorrel, scientific name is "Hibiscus Sabdariffa" which is well known as Tokpata, Chukai and Harpata to the people of Bangladesh.
Scientifically it is called a fruit or flower but it is an unnatural fruit. The edible part of the fruit, which is very thin and small in quantity; The uterus is large and has small spines. The alimentary canal surrounds the uterus. A mature ovary contains many seeds. Which is the fruit of the vine. That is, when ripe, it bursts and the seeds are dispersed.
Once upon a time this Tokapata/Chukai fruit tree was seen in village areas. Now this popular fruit tree is almost extinct in the evolution of time. Although not cultivated commercially, this tree is found in almost every house in the hilly areas of Khagrachari. Apart from the cultivation of various vegetables, green leafy vegetables can play an important role in the country's economy as a potential crop by cultivating them commercially.
This tree is found almost everywhere in hilly areas, although it is now almost extinct from many regions. However, in Khagrachari's Dighinala, Mahalchari, Lakshchari, Panchari, Guimara, and Matiranga, although not commercially cultivated, there are these Tokpata / Chukai trees in the hilly areas.
It is known by different names in different regions of the country. For example: Kharagula in Chittagong, Holifa in Sylhet, Ambalmadhu in Khulna, Chukul in Dhaka, Meds in Comilla. According to botanists, the mountains are better than the plains.
This tree grows more in the hilly areas of the region. Moreover, this fruit is a popular food of hill people. As a result, different tribes living in the mountains plant this fruit in their yards or around their houses. The hill dwellers prepare various kinds of delicious food with this jute fruit.
Moreover, due to its sour taste, this fruit is used to make jam, jelly and pickles. The fiber of this plant is used as a substitute for jute fiber. This Tokpata/Chukai can become a potential sector if cultivated commercially. It produces tea, jam, jelly,If 20% edible oil can be marketed from juice, pickles, seeds, the country's economy will change. This industry has immense potential especially in the hilly areas of Khagrachari.
Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, Deputy Director of Khagrachari Agricultural Extension Department, said that although it is cultivated commercially in different countries of the world, it is not cultivated in Bangladesh. But medicine is full of count. This tree is almost extinct
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