Bauhinia

''Bauhinia'' () is a large genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Cercidoideae and tribe Bauhinieae, in the large flowering plant family Fabaceae, with a pantropical distribution. The genus was named after the Bauhin brothers Gaspard and Johann, Swiss-French botanists.

Many species are widely planted in the tropics as orchid trees, particularly in India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal and south-eastern China. Other common names include mountain ebony and ''kachnar''. Before the family was reorganised, a number of genera including the lianas of genus '' Phanera'' were placed here (see related genera).
In the United States, the trees grow in Hawaii, coastal California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. There are native species, like '' Bauhinia lunarioides'' native to Texas and widely planted in the Southwest as a landscape plant.

Parts of some species of bauhinia like ''B. purpurea'' and ''B. malabarica'' are used in Filipino cuisine (known collectively as ''alinbánban'' or ''alinbángbang'', "butterfly").

''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' is the floral emblem of Hong Kong—a stylized orchid tree flower appears on the flag of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Airlines (formerly CR Airways) uses 'Bauhinia' as its radio callsign in air traffic communication.

Evolution

The oldest known species is ''B. tibetensis'', known from fossil leaves from the Late Paleocene of the Tibetan Plateau, where it inhabited the Kohistan-Ladakh Arc, an island arc that existed in the region at the time. It has been suggested that the Asian clade of ''Bauhinia'' originated as early as the Early Paleocene, when it dispersed from the genus's region of origin in Africa.

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 thrive in alkaline 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.

Species

Accepted species

''Plants of the World Online'' currently (March 2023) includes the following species:

# '' Bauhinia acreana'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia aculeata'' L.
# '' Bauhinia acuminata'' L.
# '' Bauhinia acuruana'' Moric.
# '' Bauhinia affinis'' Vogel
# '' Bauhinia albicans'' Vogel
# '' Bauhinia amambayensis'' Fortunato
# '' Bauhinia amatlana'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia andrade-limae''
# '' Bauhinia andrieuxii'' Hemsl.
# '' Bauhinia ankarafantsikae'' Du Puy & R.Rabev.
# '' Bauhinia anomala'' Hassl.
# '' Bauhinia arborea'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia argentinensis'' Burkart
# '' Bauhinia arleneae''
# '' Bauhinia augusti'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia aurantiaca'' Bojer
# '' Bauhinia aureopunctata'' Ducke
# '' Bauhinia ayabacensis'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia bartlettii'' B.L.Turner
# '' Bauhinia bauhinioides'' (Mart.) J.F.Macbr.
# '' Bauhinia beguinotii'' Cufod.
# '' Bauhinia bicolor'' (Bong.) D.Dietr.
# '' Bauhinia bohniana'' H.Y.Chen
# '' Bauhinia bombaciflora'' Ducke
# '' Bauhinia bowkeri'' Harv.
# '' Bauhinia brachycalyx'' Ducke
# '' Bauhinia brachycarpa'' Wall. ex Benth.
# '' Bauhinia brevicalyx'' Du Puy & R.Rabev.
# '' Bauhinia brevipes'' Vogel
# '' Bauhinia bryoniflora'' Franch.
# '' Bauhinia burchellii'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia burrowsii'' E.J.D.Schmidt
# '' Bauhinia buscalionii'' Mattei
# '' Bauhinia calliandroides'' Rusby
# '' Bauhinia caloneura'' Malme
# '' Bauhinia calycina'' Pierre ex Gagnep.
# '' Bauhinia campestris'' Malme
# '' Bauhinia candelabriformis'' R.S.Cowan
# '' Bauhinia capuronii'' Du Puy & R.Rabev.
# '' Bauhinia catingae'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia chapulhuacania'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia cheilantha'' (Bong.) Steud.
# '' Bauhinia cinnamomea'' DC.
# '' Bauhinia coclensis'' R.Torres
# '' Bauhinia conceptionis'' Britton & Killip
# '' Bauhinia concinna'' Drake
# '' Bauhinia conwayi'' Rusby
# '' Bauhinia cookii'' Rose
# '' Bauhinia corifolia'' L.P.Queiroz
# '' Bauhinia corniculata'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia coulteri'' J.F.Macbr.
# '' Bauhinia crocea'' Drake
# '' Bauhinia cupulata'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia curvula'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia darainensis'' Thulin & Nusb.
# '' Bauhinia decandra'' Du Puy & R.Rabev.
# '' Bauhinia decora'' L.Uribe
# '' Bauhinia deserti'' (Britton & Rose) Lundell
# '' Bauhinia dimorphophylla'' Hoehne
# '' Bauhinia dipetala'' Hemsl.
# '' Bauhinia diptera'' Blume ex Miq.
# '' Bauhinia divaricata'' L.
# '' Bauhinia dubia'' G.Don
# '' Bauhinia dumosa'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia eilertsii'' Pulle
# '' Bauhinia ellenbeckii'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia erythrocalyx'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia esmeraldasensis'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia estrellensis'' Hassl.
# '' Bauhinia eucosma'' S.F.Blake
# '' Bauhinia euryantha'' H.Y.Chen
# '' Bauhinia exellii'' Torre & Hillc.
# '' Bauhinia eximia'' Miq.
# '' Bauhinia farec'' Desv.
# '' Bauhinia flagelliflora'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia floribunda'' Desv.
# '' Bauhinia forficata'' Link
# '' Bauhinia fryxellii'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia funchiana'' Vaz & G.P.Lewis
# '' Bauhinia fusconervis'' (Bong.) Steud.
# '' Bauhinia galpinii'' N.E.Br.
# '' Bauhinia gardneri'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia geniculata'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia gilesii'' F.Muell. & F.M.Bailey
# '' Bauhinia glaziovii'' Taub.
# '' Bauhinia godefroyi'' Gagnep.
# '' Bauhinia goyazensis'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia grandidieri'' Baill.
# '' Bauhinia grandifolia'' (Bong.) D.Dietr.
# '' Bauhinia grevei'' Drake
# '' Bauhinia gypsicola'' McVaugh
# '' Bauhinia hagenbeckii'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia hainanensis'' Merr. & Chun ex H.Y.Chen
# '' Bauhinia haughtii'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia hildebrandtii'' Vatke
# '' Bauhinia hirsuta'' Weinm.
# '' Bauhinia holophylla'' (Bong.) Steud.
# '' Bauhinia hostmanniana'' Miq.
# '' Bauhinia humilis'' Rusby
# '' Bauhinia integerrima'' Mart. ex Benth.
# '' Bauhinia involucrans'' Gagnep.
# '' Bauhinia isopetala'' Griff.
# '' Bauhinia jenningsii'' P.Wilson
# '' Bauhinia jucunda'' Brandegee
# '' Bauhinia kalantha'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia kleiniana'' Burkart
# '' Bauhinia leptantha'' Malme
# '' Bauhinia leucantha'' Thulin
# '' Bauhinia longicuspis'' Spruce ex Benth.
# '' Bauhinia longifolia'' (Bong.) Steud.
# '' Bauhinia longipedicellata'' Ducke
# '' Bauhinia longiracemosa'' Hayata
# '' Bauhinia lorantha'' Pierre ex Gagnep.
# '' Bauhinia lunarioides'' A.Gray ex S.Watson
# '' Bauhinia macrantha'' Oliv.
# '' Bauhinia macranthera'' Benth. ex Hemsl.
# '' Bauhinia madagascariensis'' Desv.
# '' Bauhinia malacotricha'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia malacotrichoides'' R.S.Cowan
# '' Bauhinia malmeana'' Vaz & G.P.Lewis
# '' Bauhinia marginata'' (Bong.) Steud.
# '' Bauhinia melastomatoidea'' R.Torres
# '' Bauhinia membranacea'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia mendoncae'' Torre & Hillc.
# '' Bauhinia miriamae'' R.Torres
# '' Bauhinia mollis'' (Bong.) D.Dietr.
# '' Bauhinia mombassae'' Vatke
# '' Bauhinia monandra'' Kurz
# '' Bauhinia moningerae'' Merr.
# '' Bauhinia morondavensis'' Du Puy & R.Rabev.
# '' Bauhinia multinervia'' (Kunth) DC.
# '' Bauhinia natalensis'' Oliv.
# '' Bauhinia ombrophila'' Du Puy & R.Rabev.
# '' Bauhinia ovata'' (Bong.) Vogel
# '' Bauhinia oxysepala'' Gagnep.
# '' Bauhinia pansamalana'' Donn.Sm.
# '' Bauhinia parkinsonii'' C.E.C.Fisch.
# '' Bauhinia parviloba'' Ducke
# '' Bauhinia pauletia'' Pers.
# '' Bauhinia pentandra'' (Bong.) Vogel ex D.Dietr.
# '' Bauhinia pervilleana'' Baill.
# '' Bauhinia pes-caprae'' Cav.
# '' Bauhinia petersiana'' Bolle
# '' Bauhinia petiolata'' (Mutis ex DC.) Triana ex Hook.
# '' Bauhinia phoenicea'' B.Heyne ex Wight & Arn.
# '' Bauhinia pichinchensis'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia picta'' (Kunth) DC.
# '' Bauhinia pinheiroi'' Wunderlin
# '' Bauhinia pinnata'' Blanco
# '' Bauhinia piresii'' Vaz & G.P.Lewis
# '' Bauhinia platypetala'' Burch. ex Benth.
# '' Bauhinia platyphylla'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia podopetala'' Baker
# '' Bauhinia pottsii'' G.Don
# '' Bauhinia prainiana'' Craib
# '' Bauhinia pringlei'' S.Watson
# '' Bauhinia proboscidea'' P.Juárez, Rod.Flores & M.A.Blanco
# '' Bauhinia pulchella'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia purpurea'' L.
# '' Bauhinia racemosa'' Lam.
# '' Bauhinia ramirezii'' Reynoso
# '' Bauhinia ramosissima'' Benth. ex Hemsl.
# '' Bauhinia retifolia'' Standl.
# '' Bauhinia richardiana'' DC.
# '' Bauhinia rubeleruziana'' Donn.Sm.
# '' Bauhinia rufa'' (Bong.) Steud.
# '' Bauhinia rufescens'' Lam.
# '' Bauhinia saccocalyx'' Pierre
# '' Bauhinia saksuwaniae'' Mattapha, Chantar. & Suddee
# '' Bauhinia seleriana'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia seminarioi'' Harms ex Eggers
# '' Bauhinia smilacifolia'' Burch. ex Benth.
# '' Bauhinia stenantha'' Diels
# '' Bauhinia subclavata'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia subrotundifolia'' Cav.
# '' Bauhinia taitensis'' Taub.
# '' Bauhinia tarapotensis'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia tenella'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia thailandica'' Chatan & Promprom
# '' Bauhinia thompsonii'' I.M.Johnst.
# '' Bauhinia tomentosa'' L.
# '' Bauhinia tuichiensis'' Cayola & A.Fuentes
# '' Bauhinia uberlandiana'' Vaz & G.P.Lewis
# '' Bauhinia ungulata'' L.
# '' Bauhinia urbaniana'' Schinz
# '' Bauhinia uruguayensis'' Benth.
# '' Bauhinia variegata'' L.
# '' Bauhinia vespertilio'' S.Moore
# '' Bauhinia viridescens'' Desv.
# '' Bauhinia weberbaueri'' Harms
# '' Bauhinia wunderlinii'' R.Torres
# '' Bauhinia xerophyta'' Du Puy & R.Rabev.

Hybrids

One hybrid is known:
* ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' S. T. Dunn (''Bauhinia variegata'' × ''Bauhinia purpurea'')—Hong Kong orchid tree

Fossils

Several fossils of ''Bauhinia'' species have been discovered:
* †''Bauhinia cheniae'' Qi Wang, Z. Q. Song, Y. F. Chen, S. Shen & Z. Y. Li
* †''Bauhinia cretacea'' Newberry
* †''Bauhinia fotana'' F.M.B. Jacques ''et al''.
* †''Bauhinia gigantea'' Newberry
* †''Bauhinia gracilis'' J.R. Tao
* †''Bauhinia larsenii'' D.X. Zhang & Y. F. Chen
* †''Bauhinia ningmingensis'' Qi Wang, Z. Q. Song, Y. F. Chen, S. Shen & Z. Y. Li
* †''Bauhinia potosiana'' Berry
* †''Bauhinia tibetensis'' Y. Gao et T. Su
* †''Bauhinia thonningii'' Schum.
* †''Bauhinia ungulatoides'' Y.X.Lin, W.O.Wong, G.L.Shi, S.Shen & Z.Y.Li
* †''Bauhinia wenshanensis'' H.H. Meng & Z.K. Zhou
* †''Bauhinia wyomingiana'' Brown

Segregated genera

Species in the genera '' Barklya'', '' Gigasiphon'', '' Lysiphyllum'', '' Phanera'' (including ''Lasiobema''), '' Piliostigma'', '' Schnella'', and '' Tylosema'' are sometimes included in ''Bauhinia'' ''sensu lato'' or considered as tribe Bauhinieae.

References

External links

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{{Authority control

Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Pantropical flora
Fabaceae genera
Extant Thanetian first appearances