Malu Creeper, Adda Leaf, Pahur Camel's Foot Creeper
Bauhinia vahlii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

Malu creeper or Bauhinia vahlii is a fast-growing climbing shrub up to 30 m long and 20 cm in diameter. It can grow into tops of the trees. The seeds are tonic and aphrodisiac and the leaves are demulcent and mucilaginous. The seeds can be eaten raw or fried and cooked as a pulse. The inner bark is a source of fibre used in making ropes. The stems are used for basketry, matting, and wickerwork. The leaves are used as a thatch. Other Names:Adda, Bhorla, Chambul, Jallur, Mahulan, Maljhan, Malu, Moharain, Namarain, Sihar.

Bauhinia vahlii is an evergreen Climber growing to 20 m (65ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

Climax monsoon-deciduous forests at elevations up to 1,500 metres.

E. Asia - India, Nepal, Pakistan.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Central Africa, Congo, France, Himalayas, India, Mauritius, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Sikkim, USA.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Edible portion: Seeds, Pods, Leaves, Flower. The seeds are eaten raw or fried. Cooked as a pulse. The tender young pods and leaves are cooked as vegetables. The flower buds are eaten as a vegetable. The seeds are eaten raw, roasted, or dried and fried.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Seedpod: things such as Okra, French and Runner beans.

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The seeds are tonic and aphrodisiac. The leaves are demulcent and mucilaginous.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Other

Rating: 4

Other uses rating: High (4/5). Agroforestry Uses: The plant is considered to be a formidable enemy of trees in India, where it has been known to completely smother the tree into which it has grown for support. It is of use on rocky or disturbed and bare slopes, where its can quickly clothe the ground and its large leaves protect the soil from erosion. Other Uses A good quality fibre is obtained from the inner bark. It can be made into very strong ropes. It is used for sewing straw mats with the fresh bark. It can be cut in all seasons; the outer bark is stripped off and thrown away, the inner coating being used for ropes, as wanted, by being previously soaked in water and twisted when wet. Before being used, the bark is boiled and beaten with mallets, which renders it soft and pliable for being made into ropes and string for charpoys. The stems are used for matting, basketry and wickerwork. The leaves are utilized for thatching and making umbrellas. The large flat leaves are sewn together and used as plates, cups, rough tablecloths, umbrellas, cloaks, and rain capes. A gum exudes copiously from the tree. Of little value. The bark contains up to 17% tannins. The tannin cannot be extracted easily, but is of very good quality.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Thatching: Used for making thatched roofs.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Grows best in a sunny position. Prefers a fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. The plant grows back quickly from the base when it is cut down, and has been known to produce new growth of 15 metres within 12 months. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 7-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Malu creeper or Bauhinia vahlii. Other Names:Adda, Bhorla, Chambul, Jallur, Mahulan, Maljhan, Malu, Moharain, Namarain, Sihar.

Synonyms

Bauhinia racemosa Vahl