Bauhinia vahlii

Bauhinia vahlii is an evergreen climbing vine reaching 20 m long and 1 m wide with fast growth. Insect-pollinated and capable of nitrogen fixation. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with well-drained preference. Tolerates mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun and prefers moist soil. Hardy to UK zone 8.

Description

A shrub or very large climber. The branches end in a pair of tendrils. The leaves vary in size but are as broad and they are long. They are divided for about one third of their length. They can be 8-25 cm long. The flowers are white and fading to yellow. The fruit is a woody pod. It is flat, rusty and velvety. Pods can be 20-30 cm long.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Gum Edible portion: Seeds, Pods, Leaves, Flower. The seeds are eaten raw or fried. Cooked as a pulse. The tender young pods and leaves are cooked as vegetables. The flower buds are eaten as a vegetable. The seeds are eaten raw, roasted, or dried and fried.

Traditional Uses

The tender young pods and leaves are cooked as vegetables. They are stir-fried. The flower buds are eaten as a vegetable. The seeds are eaten raw, roasted, or dried and fried.

Medicinal Uses

Aphrodisiac Demulcent The seeds are tonic and aphrodisiac. The leaves are demulcent and mucilaginous.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 200-1500 m altitude. It needs well-drained soil. It suits a protected sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It can grow in arid places. In Cairns Botanical Garden.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Central Africa, Congo, Europe, France, Himalayas*, India, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, USA,

Cultivation

Grows best in a sunny position. Prefers a fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. The plant grows back quickly from the base when it is cut down, and has been known to produce new growth of 15 metres within 12 months. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagation

Seed

Other Uses

Basketry Containers Fibre Gum Soil stabilization String Tannin Thatching Other uses rating: High (4/5). Agroforestry Uses: The plant is considered to be a formidable enemy of trees in India, where it has been known to completely smother the tree into which it has grown for support. It is of use on rocky or disturbed and bare slopes, where its can quickly clothe the ground and its large leaves protect the soil from erosion. Other Uses A good quality fibre is obtained from the inner bark. It can be made into very strong ropes. It is used for sewing straw mats with the fresh bark. It can be cut in all seasons; the outer bark is stripped off and thrown away, the inner coating being used for ropes, as wanted, by being previously soaked in water and twisted when wet. Before being used, the bark is boiled and beaten with mallets, which renders it soft and pliable for being made into ropes and string for charpoys. The stems are used for matting, basketry and wickerwork. The leaves are utilized for thatching and making umbrellas. The large flat leaves are sewn together and used as plates, cups, rough tablecloths, umbrellas, cloaks, and rain capes. A gum exudes copiously from the tree. Of little value. The bark contains up to 17% tannins. The tannin cannot be extracted easily, but is of very good quality. Special Uses Food Forest Nitrogen Fixer

Production

In southern India plants fruit December to March.

Other Information

The roasted seeds are an important food for some people. They are sold in markets.

Notes

There are about 250-350 Bauhinia species. Most are in the tropics. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Aavalvel, Adda, Bharlo, Bherla lahara, Bhorla, Bhorlo, Bhosai, Bir rurung nanri, Bwegyin, Chambul, Chamul, Dhondri, Jallaur, Jallur, Lamaklor, Lata-kanchan, Mahulan, Mahu-raen, Mahur, Mai-sio, Maljan, Maljhan, Malu, Malungarh, Mee, Moharain, Mohline bela, Mrak, Namarain, Paorimala, Pawur, Siadilata, Siali, Sialipatra, Sihar, Swedaw, Taur, Tiklopsyang-rik, Torre, Wut

References (52)

• Acharya K. P. and Acharya, R., 2010, Eating from the Wild: Indigenous knowledge on wild edible plants in Parroha VDC of Rupandehi District, Central Nepal. International Journal of Social Forestry. 3(1):28-48
• Agarwal, R. & Chandra, V., 2019, Diversity of wild edible plants in the Mandal-Chopta forest, Uttarakhand. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(1): 89-92
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 69
• Aryal, K. P. et al, 2009, Uncultivated Plants and Livehood Support - A case study from the Chepang people of Nepal. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 7:409-422
• BARC, 2016, State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.

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