Bauhinia variegata
| Bauhinia variegata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Bauhinia |
| Species: | B. variegata |
| Binomial name | |
| Bauhinia variegata L. | |
Bauhinia variegata is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, from southern China, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Common names include Orchid tree, Camel's Foot Tree and Mountain-ebony. It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10–12 metres (33–39 ft) tall, deciduous in the dry season. The leaves are 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, bright pink or white, 8–12 centimetres (3.1–4.7 in) diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a pod 15–30 centimetres (5.9–11.8 in) long, containing several seeds.
This is a very popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical climates, grown for its scented flowers and also used as food item in South Asian cuisine. In the Neotropics, it can be used to attract hummingbirds – such as Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea), Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus), or White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis) – into gardens and parks.[1] On the other hand, in some areas it has become naturalised and invasive.
Medicinal Uses
Acetone and methanol bark extracts of Bauhinia variegata has shown activity against some medically important bacterial strains.[2] Kachnar is used to cure asthma and ulcers. The buds and roots are good for digestive problems. [citation needed]
Gallery
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Kachnar Trees on full blossom on Margalla Road Islamabad, Pakistan
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Var. candida in Hyderabad, India
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Bauhinia variegata - MHNT
Uses as Food
Kachnar is widely used as an ingredient in many Indian, Pakistani and Nepali recipes. Traditional Kachnar curry is prepared using chicken, kachnar, yogurt and spiced which is delicious and good for health.
Footnotes
References
- Baza Mendonça, Luciana & dos Anjos, Luiz (2005): Beija-flores (Aves, Trochilidae) e seus recursos florais em uma área urbana do Sul do Brasil [Hummingbirds (Aves, Trochilidae) and their flowers in an urban area of southern Brazil]. [Portuguese with English abstract] Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 22(1): 51–59. doi:10.1590/S0101-81752005000100007 PDF fulltext
External links
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