Bauhinia
Bauhinia | |
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Bauhinia variegata flower | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
Tribe: | Cercideae |
Genus: | Bauhinia L.[1] |
Type species | |
B. divaricata L. | |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
Bracteolanthus de Wit | |
Bauhinia /boʊˈhɪniə/[2] is a genus of more than 200 species of flowering plants in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the large flowering plant family Fabaceae, with a pantropical distribution. The genus was named after the Bauhin brothers, Swiss-French botanists.
Many species are widely planted in the tropics as orchid trees, particularly in northern India, Vietnam and southeastern China. Other common names include Mountain Ebony and Kachnar (India and Pakistan). In the United States of America, the trees grow in Hawaii, coastal California, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Bauhinia × blakeana is the floral emblem of Hong Kong–a stylized orchid tree flower appears on the Hong Kong flag and Hong Kong Airlines uses 'Bauhinia' as its radio callsign in air traffic communication.
Description
Bauhinia trees typically reach a height of 6–12 m and their branches spread 3–6 m outwards. The lobed leaves usually are 10–15 cm across.
The five-petaled flowers are 7.5-12.5 cm diameter, generally in shades of red, pink, purple, orange, or yellow, and are often fragrant. The tree begins flowering in late winter and often continues to flower into early summer. Depending on the species, Bauhinia flowers are usually in magenta, mauve, pink or white hues with crimson highlights.
Cultivation
Propagation of Bauhinia species is from seeds or cuttings. They prefer acidic soils and do not tolerate salty conditions. Full sun exposure is preferred but they can be grown under partial sun. Generous watering is needed during summer; moderate moisture required in winter.
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Species
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Formerly placed here
- Tylosema esculentum (Burch.) A.Schreib. (as B. esculenta Burch.)
- Tylosema fassoglense (Kotschy ex Schweinf.) Torre & Hillc. (as B. fassoglensis Kotschy ex Schweinf.)[3]
Gallery of Bauhinia racemosa
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trunk in Hyderabad, India.
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leaves & trunk in Hyderabad, India.
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leaves & fruit pods in Hyderabad, India.
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trunk in Hyderabad, India.
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old & new leaves with flower buds in Hyderabad, India.
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flowers & fruit pods in Hyderabad, India.
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flowers & fruit pods in Hyderabad, India.
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trunk in Hyderabad, India.
Gallery of Bauhinia tomentosa
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in Hyderabad, India.
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in Hyderabad, India.
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in Hyderabad, India.
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in Hyderabad, India.
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in Chennai, India
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bauhinia. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Bauhinia |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Genus: Bauhinia L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
- ↑ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607; OED: "Bauhinia"
- ↑ "GRIN Species Records of Bauhinia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2010-12-06.