A strange bloom immediately captures visitors' attention. It uncannily resembles a human-hand blooming on a plant. The curiosity piqued, one is compelled to ask what this plant is. Meet the fingered citron, also known as the Buddha's hand. Brought from Thailand, this is just one of many rare species of plants adding a further shine on the on-going National Tree Fair 2017.

The fingered citron is available at the stall of Barisal Nursery of Savar. Nursery employee, Nazrul Islam, said the fruit tastes like lemon and is used in salad dishes to add flavour. Each is priced betweenTk 300 to 350, Nazrul said.

"We keep rare species at the nursery as people want to have those in their gardens and orchards," he said, informing that they

are displaying over 600 different types of plants. The price range at the stall is from Tk 150 to 15,000.

Another star of the fair is found at Rashed Nursery from Ashulia, currently displaying a rare species of cactus which costs Tk 3,00,000.

Several tree lovers have already showed interest in buying the cactus forTk one lakh, said Nazmul, an employee of the nursery.

To the delight of all tree lovers, numerous species of plants are being showcased at the month-long National Tree Fair 2017, going on at the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, since Sunday.

The forest department is holding the fair which was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Of the trees available, some are fruit bearing while many others immediately catch the eye, given their exquisiteness. While familiar fruits tantalisingly dangle from some trees, others boast bounties rare in this country.

Nursery owners from across the country, who are attending the fair, said through their participation they aim to encourage people to plant more trees. They are expecting to sell a handsome number of plants throughout the fair, which will go on till July 3.

Many visitors expressed satisfaction at the prices being charged while many of them found this to be an opportunity to indulge in the beauty of so many plants at once.

The organisers said the fair comprises of about 100 stalls of nurseries, government

and non-government organisations. The slogan of the fair is "Those who plant trees become wealthy". It speaks volumes of the intention behind the endeavour.

"With the fair, we are hopeful of encouraging people to plant more trees," said Assistant Conservator of the forest department, Md Humayun Kabir. He informed that they held such tree fairs in districts and upazilas across the country each year.

MA Mannan Kaiser, in pursuit of rare pear plants, said the fair is helpful as it allows him to see many different kinds of plants.

"However, the government needs to increase publicity to attract more visitors," said Mannan, a lawyer by profession. The fair showcases different species of mangoes, berries, jackfruits, litchis, oranges and lemons, common flowers like roses, cactuses, orchids and medicinal plants. A display of exquisite bonsais is also a key attraction.

More importantly, the rarity of some plants help highlight the wealth of the exhibition.

For flower lovers, there's even more reason to visit. Those who are keen to grow orchids in small and empty spaces of their apartments need to pay a visit to the stall of Dipto Orchids. Similarly, the nursery from Phulbaria of Mymensingh is solely dedicated for orchids.

Tanveer Hossain, a salesperson at the stall, said they have 50 to 70 different species of orchids in their nursery but brought only 20 to 25 of those in the fair. The price ranged from Tk 500 to 1,500 for each plant.

The month-long fair is open for all from 9:00am to 8:00pm each day.