Bauhinia forficata

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Brazilian orchid tree

Fabaceae Edible: Tea, Flowers 1,486 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Bauhinia forficata, commonly known as Brazilian orchid tree, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to Brazil.

Description

A small tree. It grows 12 m tall. There are spines in the axils of the leaves. The leaves are 7-14 cm long by 13 cm wide. They are simple and alternate. The flowers are showy and have 5 petals. The flowers are 10 cm across and white. The fruit are 15 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. They are light brown and become twisted when dry.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Tea Leaves (see medicinal uses). An infusion of the leaves is drunk regularly after meals for its health benefits, whilst it is also drunk specifically in the treatment of diabetes, high blood sugar levels, kidney and urinary disorders, to reduce blood cholesterol levels and as a general tonic and blood purifier.

Traditional Uses

The flower petals and fleshy and sweet and eaten or used as decorations on many dished and added to sweet, jams and jellies.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Anticholesterolemic Antidiarrhoeal Blood purifier Diuretic Hypoglycaemic Kidney Leprosy Skin Tonic Urinary Brazilian orchid tree leaf has become very popular as a treatment for diabetes ever since research carried out in the 1920's demonstrated its ability to reduce blood sugar levels. The leaves contain a range of compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides. Various trials have been carried out into the health benefits of the leaves, particularly the hypoglycaemic activity. Whilst most of these trials have been positive, at least one was unable to discern positive benefits. The main plant compounds in the plant include astragalin, bauhinoside, beta-sitosterol, flavonols, flavonoids, glycosides, guanidine, heteroglycosides, kaempferitrin, organic acids, quercitrosides, rhamnose, and saponins. Astragalin has well-proven antibacterial activity. Kaempferitrin, a flavonoid, has been shown to significantly lower blood sugar levels, to have diuretic activity and to help repair kidney cell damage. The leaves are anticholesterolemic, blood purifier, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and tonic. An infusion is drunk regularly after meals for its health benefits, whilst it is also drunk specifically in the treatment of diabetes, high blood sugar levels, kidney and urinary disorders, to reduce blood cholesterol levels and as a general tonic and blood purifier. Other conditions that have been treated with the leaves include central nervous system disorders, diarrhoea, elephantiasis, intestinal worms, leprosy, obesity, skin disorders, snakebite and syphilis.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in rainforests.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil*, Indonesia, Paraguay, Peru, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America,

Cultivation

Brazilian orchid tree is found from the subtropical to the tropical zones. Prefers a sunny position. Succeeds in a range of soils so long as they are well-drained. Tolerant of acidic soils. Established plants are very drought tolerant. A fast-growing young plant, able to reach a height of 3.5 metres within 2 years from seed. The wood can be rather weak, leading to branches breaking. Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Seed the seed in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A germination rate of around 30% can be expected from untreated seeds, with the seed sprouting within 15 - 25 days. They should be ready to plant out less than 6 months later. Cuttings. Layering. Suckers.

Other Uses

Containers Pioneer Wood Other uses rating: Medium (3/5). Agroforestry Uses: A fast-growing, pioneer species that also fix atmospheric nitrogen (some disagreement - see Cultivation below), it can be used in reforestation projects and, with its small size and fairly open crown, is suitable for use in the first stages of a woodland garden[ 419 , K ]. Other Uses The wood is moderately heavy, soft, of low durability when exposed to the elements. Too small and of low quality for applications other than making lightboxes, light workmanship etc. Whole trunks and branches are used for fuel and to make charcoal. Special Uses Food Forest Nitrogen Fixer

Notes

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Synonyms

Bauhinia candicans Benth.

Also Known As

Orhidejno drevo, Pata de vaca, Pohon bohinia anggrek brasil, Unha-de-vaca

References (4)

Alimenticias - FloraSBS
Faria, R. A. F. G., et al, Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2004 Sep ;54 (3):349-53 15807213 Cit:2
Kinupp, V. F., 2007, Plantas alimenticias nao-convencionais da regiao metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil p 77
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 150