Clinogyne dichotoma
Encyclopedia
Schumannianthus dichotoma is the scientific name of the tree used for making the Shital pati
, also known as the cool mat http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/N_0028.htm.
Known as Pati Doi in Assamese
and Murta, Mostak, Pati bet in Bengali it is found in riverine areas like Majuli island in Assam, and Noakhali, Tangail and Sylhet http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/S_0650.htm district of Bangladesh http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/.
It is the raw material for making shitalpati, a traditional bed mat in Eastern India and Bangladesh. It is also known as 'patipata', 'patibet', 'mostak', paitara', in different parts of Bangladesh. Murta, Schumannianthus dichotoma (= Clinogyne dichotoma), is a member of the family Marantaceae
. S. dichotoma is a rhizomatous shrub with an erect and glossy green stem attaining a height of 3-5 m and a diameter of 2.0 cm. The stems are leafy and dichotomously branched. Geographically it is distributed in northeast Bangladesh, West Bengal and Malay Peninsula. In Bangladesh it occurs naturally in the swamp forests of Sylhet, and cultivated mostly in the districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Barisal, Tangail, Comilla, Noakhali, Feni and Chittagong. Traditional artisans make strips from outer portion of the stem including the epidermal part. These split strips are processed and plaited into mats. Murta splits are also used for making prayer mats, baskets, bags, novelty items, etc. The strips from the pith portion are used as binding materials.
Forestry Master Plan (1982) of Bangladesh estimates that about 8,000 people are employed in sitalpati making in the country. Swampy and marshy lands are suitable for murta cultivation. Traditionally it is propagated through rhizomes, but can be also propagated through branch cuttings. The propagules are planted during the months of May-June. After planting it takes 2-3 years to reach the harvestable size. February-March is the harvesting period. It can also be propagated through seeds. It grows well in partial shade. So, farmers often plant Erythrina trees in murta fields. It needs no special management other than weeding.
Shital pati
Shital Pati is a kind of mat which is feels cold by nature. It is made from murta plants .Shitalpati is made from cane or from murta plants, known at different places as mostak, patipata, patibet and paitara. The murta plant grows around water bodies in sylhet, sunamganj, barisal, tangail,...
, also known as the cool mat http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/N_0028.htm.
Known as Pati Doi in Assamese
Assamese language
Assamese is the easternmost Indo-Aryan language. It is used mainly in the state of Assam in North-East India. It is also the official language of Assam. It is also spoken in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and other northeast Indian states. Nagamese, an Assamese-based Creole language is widely used in...
and Murta, Mostak, Pati bet in Bengali it is found in riverine areas like Majuli island in Assam, and Noakhali, Tangail and Sylhet http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/S_0650.htm district of Bangladesh http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/.
It is the raw material for making shitalpati, a traditional bed mat in Eastern India and Bangladesh. It is also known as 'patipata', 'patibet', 'mostak', paitara', in different parts of Bangladesh. Murta, Schumannianthus dichotoma (= Clinogyne dichotoma), is a member of the family Marantaceae
Marantaceae
The Marantaceae or arrowroot family is a family of flowering plants known for its large starchy rhizomes. It is sometimes called the prayer-plant family...
. S. dichotoma is a rhizomatous shrub with an erect and glossy green stem attaining a height of 3-5 m and a diameter of 2.0 cm. The stems are leafy and dichotomously branched. Geographically it is distributed in northeast Bangladesh, West Bengal and Malay Peninsula. In Bangladesh it occurs naturally in the swamp forests of Sylhet, and cultivated mostly in the districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Barisal, Tangail, Comilla, Noakhali, Feni and Chittagong. Traditional artisans make strips from outer portion of the stem including the epidermal part. These split strips are processed and plaited into mats. Murta splits are also used for making prayer mats, baskets, bags, novelty items, etc. The strips from the pith portion are used as binding materials.
Forestry Master Plan (1982) of Bangladesh estimates that about 8,000 people are employed in sitalpati making in the country. Swampy and marshy lands are suitable for murta cultivation. Traditionally it is propagated through rhizomes, but can be also propagated through branch cuttings. The propagules are planted during the months of May-June. After planting it takes 2-3 years to reach the harvestable size. February-March is the harvesting period. It can also be propagated through seeds. It grows well in partial shade. So, farmers often plant Erythrina trees in murta fields. It needs no special management other than weeding.