Bauhinia tomentosa
L.
St Thomas Tree, Yellow Bauhinia, Yellow tree bauhinia
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Summary
Source: WikipediaBauhinia tomentosa, also known as yellow bauhinia or yellow bell orchid tree, is a species of plant in the family Fabaceae. It is found in South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tropical Africa, India, and Sri Lanka.
Description
A shrub or small tree growing up to 1-8 m tall. It often has drooping branches. The small branches can be smooth or softly hairy. The leaves vary in shape but are more or less round. They are 1-10 cm long and 1-11 cm wide. They are divided into rounded lobes for about half their length. The leaf stalk is 1-3 cm long. The flowers hang over and are bell shaped. Mostly the flowers occur in pairs in the axils of leaves. They can also occur on up to 7 flowered stalks. The petals are lemon yellow. Sometimes they have a purple blotch. The petals overlap. There are 10 stamens. The fruit are straight long pods 7-15 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. They are rather woody and open naturally.
Edible Uses
The young sour leaves are eaten with rice, added to soups, or used to flavor other foods. The flowers are boiled as a vegetable and used in stir fries. The seeds are also eaten.
Traditional Uses
The young sour leaves are eaten with rice or added to soups. They are also used to flavour other foods. The seeds are also eaten. The flowers are boiled and eaten as a vegetable and used in stir fries.
Medicinal Uses
The root bark is vermifuge. It is used internally to treat conditions of the large intestine. An infusion of the root bark is used as an external application to treat inflamed glands, abscesses and skin conditions,. The stem bark is astringent. It is used as a gargle for the mouth. The flowers are used as a remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea. The fruit is said to be diuretic. An infusion of the rind is used as an astringent gargle. The seed is eaten as a tonic and aphrodisiac. A paste of the seed made with vinegar is used as a local application to the wounds produced by venomous animals. The leaves are an ingredient in a plaster applied to abscesses.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows at low altitude woodland and along rivers. It needs well drained soil. It can be in coastal dune bush. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 2,100 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.
Where It Grows
Africa*, Asia, Australia, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds and also by grafting or air-layering.
Other Uses
A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves. A fibre obtained from the bark can be used to make baskets. The heartwood is almost black; the sapwood pale pink. The wood is fine-grained, heavy, hard and strong. It finishes with a medium to high lustre. The wood is used to make rafters for traditional huts. The plant makes a good hedge.
Production
Plants grow quickly.
Other Information
It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.
Notes
It is grown as an ornamental. There are about 250-350 Bauhinia species. Most are in the tropics. Also as Caesalpinaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Adavimandaramu, Aptu, Bohinia kuning, Ching-kho-dok-lue-ang, Iruvaji, Kachnar, Kanjanam, Katondo-tondo, Kupu-kupu, Lahkyang, Mahahlega-wa, Micorra, Mong bo hoa chanh, Mong-bo vang, Muandia, Mucorra, Mulema, Murema, Musaponi, Phalgu, Pilo asundro, Pita kanchana, Tali kancu, Tapak kuda
References (32)
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