Bauhinia purpurea

Last updated

Bauhinia purpurea
Phanera purpurea tree with fruits (Philippines).jpg
Tree with fruits from Mindanao, Philippines
(Phanera purpurea) Bauhinia Orchid flower in Andhra University.jpg
Flower at Andhra Pradesh, India
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Bauhinia
Species:
B. purpurea
Binomial name
Bauhinia purpurea
Synonyms [1]
  • Bauhinia castrataBlanco
  • Bauhinia coromandelianaDC.
  • Bauhinia kurziiPrain
  • Bauhinia roseaKurz
  • Bauhinia triandraRoxb.
  • Caspareopsis purpurea(L.) Pittier
  • Casparia castrata(Blanco) Hassk.
  • Perlebia purpurea(L.) A.Schmitz
  • Phanera kurzii(Prain) Thoth.
  • Phanera purpurea(L.) Benth.
  • Phanera roseaRich. ex Teijsm. & Binn.
  • Telestria purpurea(L.) Raf.

Bauhinia purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar, and widely introduced elsewhere in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common names include orchid tree, [2] purple bauhinia, [2] camel's foot, [2] butterfly tree, [2] and Hawaiian orchid tree.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Description

Bauhinia purpurea is a small to medium-size deciduous tree growing to 5.2 metres (17 ft) tall. The leaves are alternate, 10–20 centimetres (4–8 in) long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, pink, and fragrant, with five petals. The fruit is a pod measuring 30 cm (12 in) long, containing 12 to 16 seeds.

Chemistry

A wide range of chemical compounds have been isolated from Bauhinia purpurea including 5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone 6-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, bis [3',4'-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-7,8-furano-5',6'-mono-methylalloxy]-5-C-5-biflavonyl and (4'-hydroxy-7-methyl 3-C-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-5-C-5-(4'-hydroxy-7-methyl-3-C-α-D-glucopyranosyl) bioflavonoid, bibenzyls, dibenzoxepins, mixture of phytol fatty esters, lutein, β-sitosterol, isoquercitin and astragalin.[ citation needed ]

Distribution and habitat

Native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar, the species has been widely introduced elsewhere in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. [1]

In the United States, the tree grows in Hawaii, coastal California, southern Texas, and southwest Florida. Bauhinia × blakeana is usually propagated by grafting it onto B. purpurea stems.[ citation needed ]

Uses

The young leaves and flowers of Bauhinia purpurea are edible. [3] In the Philippines, B. purpurea is known as alibangbang [4] (lit. "butterfly"). The leaves have a citrusy and sour taste and are used either as a souring agent for sinigang and similar dishes, or, as a pickle condiment, in Philippine cuisine. [5] [6] [7]

Throughout Southeast Asia, B. purpurea and related species are also used in making poultices for treating swelling, bruises, boils, and ulcers. Various parts of the plant are also used in decoctions to treat fever and stomach ailments, as well as being used as an astringent. [3]

In Indian traditional medicine, the leaves are used to treat coughs while the bark is used for glandular diseases and as an antidote for poisons. The flowers are also used in pickles and curries and is regarded as a laxative. [3]

In culture

The plant is called Kānchan (কাঞ্চন) in Assamese, Odia in Bengali, Sinj alag in Santali and Taanki in Nepali.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamarind</span> Leguminous tree bearing edible fruit

Tamarind is a leguminous tree bearing edible fruit that is indigenous to tropical Africa and naturalized in Asia. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic, meaning that it contains only this species. It belongs to the family Fabaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carotenoid</span> Class of chemical compounds; yellow, orange or red plant pigments

Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpkins, carrots, parsnips, corn, tomatoes, canaries, flamingos, salmon, lobster, shrimp, and daffodils. Over 1,100 identified carotenoids can be further categorized into two classes – xanthophylls and carotenes.

<i>Bauhinia</i> Genus of flowering plants

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.

<i>Persicaria odorata</i> Species of plant

Persicaria odorata, with common names Vietnamese coriander, rau răm, laksa leaf, Vietnamese cilantro, phak phai, praew leaf, hot mint, Cambodian mint and Vietnamese mint, is an herb whose leaves are used in Southeast Asian and Northeast Indian cooking.

<i>Bauhinia <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> blakeana</i> Species of legume

Bauhinia × blakeana, commonly called the Hong Kong orchid tree, is a hybrid leguminous tree of the genus Bauhinia. It has large thick leaves and striking purplish red flowers. The fragrant, orchid-like flowers are usually 10 to 15 centimetres across, and bloom from early November to the end of March. Although now cultivated in many areas, it originated in Hong Kong in 1880 and apparently all of the cultivated trees derive from one cultivated at the Hong Kong Botanical Gardens and widely planted in Hong Kong starting in 1914. It is referred to as bauhinia in non-scientific literature though this is the name of the genus. It is sometimes called the Hong Kong orchid. In Hong Kong, it is most commonly referred to by its Chinese name of 洋紫荊 (yèuhng jígīng).

<i>Averrhoa bilimbi</i> Species of tree

Averrhoa bilimbi is a fruit-bearing tree of the genus Averrhoa, family Oxalidaceae. It is believed to be originally native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia but has naturalized and is common throughout Southeast Asia. It is cultivated in parts of tropical South Asia and the Americas. It bears edible but extremely sour fruits. It is a close relative of the carambola tree.

<i>Controlled Drugs and Substances Act</i> Canadian federal drug regulation act

The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is Canada's federal drug control statute. Passed in 1996 under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's government, it repeals the Narcotic Control Act and Parts III and IV of the Food and Drugs Act, and establishes eight Schedules of controlled substances and two Classes of precursors. It provides that "The Governor in Council may, by order, amend any of Schedules I to VIII by adding to them or deleting from them any item or portion of an item, where the Governor in Council deems the amendment to be necessary in the public interest."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinigang</span> Filipino sour soup

Sinigang is a Filipino soup or stew characterized by its sour and savory taste. It is most often associated with tamarind, although it can use other sour fruits and leaves as the souring agent such as unripe mangoes or rice vinegar. It is one of the more popular dishes in Filipino cuisine. This soup, like most Filipino dishes, is usually accompanied by rice.

<i>Bauhinia variegata</i> Species of plant

Bauhinia 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 and mountain ebony.

<i>Bauhinia acuminata</i> Species of legume

Bauhinia acuminata is a species of flowering shrub native to tropical southeastern Asia. Common names include dwarf white bauhinia, white orchid-tree and snowy orchid-tree. The exact native range is obscure due to extensive cultivation, but probably from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

<i>Sandoricum koetjape</i> Species of tree

Sandoricum koetjape, the santol, sentul or cotton fruit, is a tropical fruit native to maritime Southeast Asia (Malesia).

<i>Dendrobium nobile</i> Species of orchid from Asia

Dendrobium nobile, commonly known as the noble dendrobium, is a member of the family Orchidaceae. Dendrobium nobile is one of the most widespread ornamental members of the orchid family. It is the state flower of Sikkim.

<i>Melaleuca viridiflora</i> Species of flowering plant

Melaleuca viridiflora, commonly known as broad-leaved paperbark, is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is native to woodlands, swamps and streams in monsoonal areas of northern Australia and New Guinea. It is usually a small tree with an open canopy, papery bark and spikes of cream, yellow, green or red flowers.

<i>Myrica esculenta</i> Species of tree

Myrica esculenta is a tree or large shrub of the tropics. The native range of this species stretches from Northern India (Uttarakhand) to Nepal to southern China and western and central Malesia. Its common names include box myrtle, bayberry and kaphal. Its berries are edible and are consumed locally.

<i>Bauhinia racemosa</i> Species of legume

Bauhinia racemosa, commonly known as the bidi leaf tree, is a rare medicinal species of flowering shrub with religious significance. It is a small crooked tree with drooping branches that grows 3–5 metres (10–16 ft) tall and flowers between February and May. It is native to Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and China.

<i>Bauhinia galpinii</i> Species of legume

Bauhinia galpinii is a species of shrub in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to parts of eastern and southern Africa, where its popular name is "pride of De Kaap". In other places however, it is variously known as orchid tree, red bauhinia, nasturtium bauhinia, African Plume, red orchid bush, and by other informal names. The species name commemorates E. E. Galpin, a South African botanist and banker. Its common names include South African orchid bush, red bauhinia and Nasturtium bush.

<i>Piliostigma thonningii</i> Species of legume

Piliostigma thonningii is a species of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the subfamily Cercidoideae. Common names of this tree include camel's foot tree, monkey bread, monkey biscuit tree, "Rhodesian Bauhinia" or "wild bauhinia".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homoisoflavonoid</span> Type of phenolic compound

Homoisoflavonoids (3-benzylidenechroman-4-ones) are a type of phenolic compounds occurring naturally in plants.

<i>Spondias pinnata</i> Species of tree

Spondias pinnata, sometimes also known as hog plum, is a species of tree with edible sour fruits. It is native to the Philippines and Indonesia, but has been widely naturalized in South Asia, Mainland Southeast Asia, Southern China, and the Solomon Islands. It belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. This species, among several others, has sometimes called the "wild mango" in other languages and was once placed in the genus Mangifera. It is found in lowlands and hill forests up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft).

<i>Garcinia pseudoguttifera</i> Species of tree

Garcinia pseudoguttifera, known as the mo'onia tree in its native range, is a species of flowering tree in the family Clusiaceae (Guttiferae). The specific epithet (pseudoguttifera) comes from Greek pseudo and Neo-Latin guttifera.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bauhinia purpurea L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Bauhinia purpurea". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Bauhinia purpurea" (PDF). Agroforestree database. World Agroforestry Centre. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  4. Merrill, Elmer Drew (1903). A dictionary of the plant names of the Philippine Islands. Manila: Bureau of Public Printing, Department of The Interior. p. 128 via University of Michigan Digital Collections.
  5. "Alibangbang / Malabar Bauhinia". Market Manila. 7 August 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  6. Vanzi, Sol (17 August 2017). "Sinigang secrets: Sinigang is life". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  7. Seidemann, Johannes (2005). World Spice Plants. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. p. 64. ISBN   9783540279082.