Bauhinia variegata var. candida
Voigt
White orchid tree
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曦赫
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Summary
Source: WikipediaBauhinia 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. Common names include orchid tree (though not belonging to the family Orchidaceae) and mountain ebony.In Cambodia, it is known as Deum Cheung Ko (ដើមជើងគោ).
Description
A tree that loses its leaves. It grows 7-13 m tall and spreads 7-8 m wide. The trunks are slender and branches arch over. The leaves are alternate and compound. They have 2 lobes. The flowers have white petals. The flowers are 12 cm wide. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit is a 30 cm long pod. It is slender, brown and flat.
Edible Uses
Kachnar, Kovidara, Koiralo, Kanchan are local names in the Indian subcontinent 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. It shows a good antioxidant and anticancer activity. The tree is considered very sacred in Hinduism, it is called Kovidara and it is symbolically depicted on the Dharma Dhwaja flag. In Nepal, the plant is known as koiralo and the flower is known as koiralo ko phool in Nepali language. The flower and the buds are used to make Nepalese style achaar. The achar is important part of the meal served during the Ghode Jatra festival.
Traditional Uses
The flowers and leaves are eaten cooked and fresh as a vegetable.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in Yunnan and southern China. In Argentina it grows between 1,000-2,500 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, Argentina, Asia, China*, East Africa, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Pacific, SE Asia, South America,
Production
It is fast growing.
Other Information
Flowers are sold in markets.
Notes
Also as Caesalpinaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Dubie, Jiebuo, Kaloki, Kanchan, Kovidara, Luo ke xiu, Maixiu, Mandarai, Pohon kupu-kupu putih, Qie ti er, White mountain ebony, Yang bian fang
References (4)
- Cao, Y., et al, 2020, Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by three trans-boundary ethnic groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2020) 16:66
- Liu, Yi-tao, & Long, Chun-Lin, 2002, Studies on Edible Flowers Consumed by Ethnic Groups in Yunnan. Acta Botanica Yunnanica. 24(1):41-56
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 154
- Xu, You-Kai, et al, 2004, Wild Vegetable Resources and Market Survey in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Economic Botany. 58(4): 647-667.
