Bauhinia variegata

Bauhinia variegata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is native to an area from China through Southeast Asia to the Indian subcontinent.[2] Common names include orchid tree (though not belonging to the family Orchidaceae) and mountain ebony.[2]

Bauhinia variegata
Flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Bauhinia
Species:
B. variegata
Binomial name
Bauhinia variegata
Synonyms[1]
  • Bauhinia chinensis (DC.) Vogel
  • Bauhinia decora Uribe
  • Phanera variegata (L.) Benth.

Description

It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10–12 metres (33–39 ft) tall, deciduous in the dry season. The leaves are 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) obcordate shaped, long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, bright pink or white, 8–12 centimetres (3.1–4.7 in) diameter, with five petals. Pollens are elongated, approximately 75 microns in length.

Pollen

The fruit is a seedpod 15–30 centimetres (5.9–11.8 in) long, containing several seeds. The seedpod dries completely on the tree, and when mature begins to twist into a helix or corkscrew shape, (see below), ultimately exploding open—with a very audible "clack"—to deliver its seeds into the environs.

In cultivation

This is a very popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical climates, grown for its scented flowers and also used as a food item in Indian cuisine. In the Neotropics, it can be used to attract hummingbirds—such as sapphire-spangled emerald (Amazilia lactea), glittering-bellied emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus), or white-throated hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)—into gardens and parks.[3] On the other hand, in some areas it has become naturalised and invasive.

  • Seed pods and seeds – MHNT
  • 'Camel-foot' foliage
  • Var. candida in Hyderabad, India
  • As ornamental tree in Spain

Uses as food

Kachnar is a local name in India and Pakistan for the edible buds collected from the tree; it is widely used as an ingredient in many subcontinent recipes. Traditional kachnar curry is prepared using kachnar buds, yogurt, onions and native spices. Kachnar buds are also eaten as a stir-fried vegetable and used to make achaar, a pickle in many parts of the Indian sub-continent. In some regions it is cooked with minced beef.[4]

References
  1. "Bauhinia variegata". International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS). Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  2. "Bauhinia variegata". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  3. Baza Mendonça, Luciana; dos Anjos, Luiz (2005). "Beija-flores (Aves, Trochilidae) e seus recursos florais em uma área urbana do Sul do Brasil [Hummingbirds (Aves, Trochilidae) and their flowers in an urban area of southern Brazil]. [Portuguese with English abstract]" (PDF). Revista Brasileira de Zoologia. 22 (1): 51–59. doi:10.1590/S0101-81752005000100007.
  4. "Kachnar - a versatile plant tree". Technology Times. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
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