There are three Kigelia trees in South Asia, two of them on Rangpur Carmichael College campus. The two trees are 88 year-old. Fluid of its bark is useful in treatment of skin cancer.

All earlier efforts at Carmichael College botany laboratory for germination of its seeds failed, Associate Professor Hafiz Mollah told this correspondent.

Prof Mostafizur Rahman came to Rangpur and took some seeds from the plant to BAU. After several experiments, his efforts for germination of the seeds became successful at BAU laboratory, Prof Molla said.

Prof Molla, a student of Prof Mostafizur Rahman, said he could not become successful in germination of the seeds at the college laboratory due to lack of adequate equipment and facilities.

Prof Mustafizur Rahman will plant the saplings on Carmichael College compound soon, he said.

Kigelia bears clourful flowers and fruits weighing about two kilograms each.

Lord Baron Tomas Carmichael planted several saplings of the trees on the roadside at the entrance of the college when he had laid foundation of Carmichael College in 1916.

Prof Kalim Uddin Mondol, a former teacher of

Carmichael College and a renowned homeopathic

Doctor in the district said experiment done in London by pharmacist Peter Hoten proved that the fluid from the bark and roots of Kigelia can cure skin cancer called Malignant Melanoma in human body.