‘Plants of Bangladesh’: A designer’s tribute to Bangladesh’s flora
The book is the result of six years of fieldwork, photography, and careful documentation, which offers an unprecedented overview of Bangladesh’s natural flora — trees, herbs, shrubs, and ferns alike
For decades, birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts in Bangladesh have enjoyed a growing collection of field guides to help them identify local species.
For plant lovers, however, the search for something similar has always led to disappointment. While academic volumes and ethnobotanical studies existed, there was no comprehensive field guide that allowed ordinary people to identify the plants around them.
That gap has finally been filled by someone who, interestingly, is not a botanist but a designer by profession.
Jacob Thomas, a Swedish-American origin who has lived in Bangladesh for decades, has written (and designed) what could be called the first comprehensive field guide to the country's vascular plants.
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His new book, 'Plants of Bangladesh', is the result of six years of fieldwork, photography, and careful documentation, which offers an unprecedented overview of Bangladesh's natural flora — trees, herbs, shrubs, and ferns alike.
A designer's love for nature
Jacob's parents, a Swedish-American couple, came to Bangladesh in 1977 for work and gradually made it their home.
Though best known for his contributions to Bangla type design, Jacob's bond with Bangladesh goes far beyond — it is the place where he grew up. He was born in 1981 in the US but grew up for much of his childhood in Bangladesh — in places like Ishwardi, Kushtia and Dhaka.
Jacob developed an affection for both the Bangla language and the country's natural beauty. Surrounded by its speech, script, and greenery, he spent his childhood drawing and creating.
One of the main purposes behind writing this book is conservation of our natural resources. These are disappearing at an alarming rate. I have grown up in Bangladesh, and I can clearly see how much of our forests and greenery have vanished over the years." Jacob Thomas
That love for letters and for the living world around him later shaped his identity as both a designer. Later, in his professional career at Bengal Creative Media Limited, he created some of the most elegant fonts in the industry that are appreciated by designers and professionals alike. Shurjo, Varendra, Qayyum Script, and Comic Bengali — to name a few.
However, his love for this country extended beyond just letters — it found life in his journeys through the diverse landscapes and vibrant nature of Bangladesh.
"I used to live outside Dhaka for quite some time," he recalled. "Back then, I often thought that I would never live in Dhaka, because I love nature and there is not much greenery here. But for various reasons, I eventually had to move to the bustling capital."
It was his elder son who rekindled Jacob's connection with nature. His son developed an interest in birdwatching, and to spend time together, they began cycling through the countryside — across fields, forests, and riversides.
"During those trips, I used to watch birds and observe different types of grass. I developed an interest in identifying the various species one by one," Jacob said. (He thanked his family for putting up with his constant stops to photograph and document plants during their trips.)
But when he looked for a suitable guide to help with plant identification, there was none. "There are several books in our country that serve as field guides — books that help identify species, such as those for birds. However, when I searched for something similar on plants, I could not find a proper field guide."
That realisation sparked an idea. With his background in design, Jacob decided to create something that merged scientific accuracy with visual clarity.
"I thought of approaching this differently. I do not have a strong interest in botanical research itself, but I do have a passion for design and for making information accessible."
How the book took shape
Jacob began travelling across different ecosystems. Riverbanks, forests, hilly regions, and open fields — he photographed and documented it whenever he found a new species.
"Whenever I had time off, I would explore new habitats. Each environment has its own distinct plant life."
For every unfamiliar plant, he photographed leaves, flowers, fruits, and stems. Back home, he would spend hours editing the photos and verifying their identity. His main reference was the Encyclopaedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, published by the Asiatic Society, which he supplemented with global databases and academic papers.
"Sometimes, identifying a species proved confusing. Additional clarification was necessary. That is why, in some entries of my book, you will find extra information that explains subtle differences between closely related species."
The book covers all vascular plants recorded in Bangladesh — nearly 4,000 species in total. Of these, 1,590 species recorded within the last 50 years include photographs, while those not recorded in that time have been marked as "extirpated."
Over 10,000 images enrich the book, more than half taken by Jacob himself. The rest include contributions from professional and amateur botanists, public-domain illustrations, and licensed stock photographs.
A comprehensive directory
Traditional field guides often overwhelm readers with dense scientific terminology and intricate classification systems. But Jacob chose a different approach. His format, he believes, is "much more intuitive, accessible, yet sufficiently precise."
Instead of long descriptions, the guide uses images and symbols to represent key plant features. It opens with two pages that guide readers to navigate the book. The first one, 'Plant Key', is for those who do not know the family name or scientific group of the plant they want to identify, and the second one, 'Major Families', is for those who already know it.
Those who do not can use the colour-coded "key system" that guides them step by step. For instance, someone observing a shrub with yellow flowers can turn to a page listing all such shrubs found in Bangladesh, compare the photos, and identify the species.
Each entry includes the plant's Bangla, English, and Latin names, as well as a distribution map indicating where it is found. A green marker shows a native species, while a purple one indicates an introduced one.
"Interestingly, some plants that we commonly think of as native are actually not — for example, papaya," Jacob noted. "It did not exist in this region 600 years ago; it came from the New World (The Americas)."
Jacob prioritised clarity over scientific jargons. "My goal was to make it accessible to everyone, not just to Botany students, and also keeping it comprehensive," he said.
The design is highly visual, allowing users to identify plants even without language proficiency or prior botanical training.
Rooted in conservation
According to Jacob, his effort for this book is driven by a deep concern for Bangladesh's disappearing greenery.
"One of the main purposes behind writing this book is conservation of our natural resources. These are disappearing at an alarming rate. I have grown up in Bangladesh, and I can clearly see how much of our forests and greenery have vanished over the years."
Jacob believes that public awareness can make a difference. "If we can inspire people to truly appreciate nature, it will have a far greater impact," he said.
As he put it, "My dream was to write the books I could not find myself. If everyone becomes a little more familiar with plants, people will begin to appreciate them more. With that appreciation will come the desire to protect and preserve them."
Nurturing the next generation of naturalists
Jacob is currently working on something more playful, with the same educational intent. He is developing a memory card game for children featuring birds of Bangladesh which is expected to be released soon.
The illustrations are hand-painted by himself. "I find illustrations more appealing and effective for learning," he said.
"I have illustrated around 56 species," he added. "It is not intended as a commercial venture, but rather as a way to help children develop a love for nature. Through play, they can learn about their surroundings and, hopefully, grow up with a sense of care for the environment."
