Indian Wildlife Club Ezine (October, 2004)

Bauhinia is named after twin French herbalists of 16th century- Jean and Casper Bauhin. Both these brothers were herbalists and worked together on the same projects.
The leaves of Bauhinia are joined at the bottom of their inner margin.
The genus belong to the family of Caesalpeniaceae (sweet pea). This genus contains about 150 species of trees, shrubs and climbers and out of which 20 species are found in Indian Sub-continent, and are cultivated in Indian gardens for their beautiful foliage and attractive flowers.
The showy flowers have five petals and are arranged in simple and terminal racemes. Some of the species have fragrant flowers, which attracts insects as their pollinating agents.

Bauhinia corymbosa – It is a woody climber, which branches from the ground itself. Rounded twin leaves are 1-2in long and are folded at night –in namaskar fashion. Scented flowers appear from April to June, which are white having pink veins. Fruits come in winter.
This beautiful climber is native of China; but now grown all over Indian gardens. It s propagated by layering.

Bauhinia vahilli ( picture on right)– This is a large climber, which has small creamy flowers come in profusion on long pendulous branches. These creamy flowers fade to yellow. It blooms from April to June and fruits appear in winter.
It can be used as a screen, but once established, it is difficult to eradicate. And forest department considers it a menace.
It is found from north-east to north-west of Himalayan foot hills.

Bauhinia acuminata--Acuminata means sharp pointed. The leaves of this plant are sharp pointed and joined at the base. It is an erect shrub of good size, which bears white flower from March to May. Pods come in December. It starts flowering even when only one foot high. Easy to cultivate, and usually cultivated by seeds.
It originated in Central India, Malaysia , China and Sri Lanka.

Bauhinia blakeana—Hongkong Bauhinia— It is a small tree with irregular crown and sparse branches. It grows from 6 to 10 m in height. The large leaves of this tree are rounded and are joined at the base. This is most brilliant coloured bauhinia with very big (15cm) sweet scented wine-red flowers. It blooms from November to March but it does not set seeds.
Because it is sterile plant it has no seed pods and can be propagated by cutting and layering.
As it’s name signifies it is originated in Hongkong.

Bauhinia candida—This beautiful tree grows 6-8m high. It sheds its leaves in winter and blooms in leafless condition. The flowers, which are scented, come in profusion from December to March, and they are white with yellow centre.

Bauhinia galpini ( picture on top of page) —It is a beautiful shrub which grows up to 2m high. It has small leaves and very beautiful shocking crimson flowers which come in such profusion that cover the whole plant and leaves becomes invisible. It flowers in September- October and fruit in December. It can easily be propagated by seeds.
It is indigenous to Africa. Now successfully grown all over in Indian gardens.

Bauhinia monendra—It is a small tree which grows to a height of 34m. Its pink flowers have splash of red and orange on its petals. It blooms during summer months.

Bauhinia hookeri—This small slow growing tree comes to bloom after seven years of wait. Its white flowers have pink margins.

Bauhinia Petersiana—It is large spreading shrub. Its leaves are small and flowers are pale yellow. It blooms almost round the year.

Bauhinia purpuria—This is almost evergreen tree of moderate height. Its large scented flower sare rose purple in colour and bloom during September to December. Seed pods ripe in February March.
It is cultivated by seeds, and is a native of China and foot hills of Himalayan region. But it is grown successfully in the gardens all over India.

Bauhinia sulfuria—A tall shrub which have pale yellow flowers of average size. It blooms almost all round the year.

Bauhinia tomentosa—It is a beautiful shrub which grows some times into a small tree. Its sulfur yellow flowers have red throat. It flowers from August to October and fruits set in during December.
It is grown by seed sowing in April.
It is indigenous to India and China, and now grown in hotter parts of all the continents.

Bauhinia variegata—This beautiful medium size tree grows up to the height of 10m. It sheds its leaves in winter and Georget pink flowers appear from February to April.
It has medicinal as well as commercial value.
It is found wild from sub-Himalayan Region to Burma and China. And now cultivated through out India.