White bauhinia, Zambezi coffee
Bauhinia petersiana
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
Bauhinia petersiana is a deciduous Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 7
Where it is found
Open grassland, wooded grassland and woodland, at elevations from 150 - 1,850 metres in east Africa.
Africa - southern DR Congo, Tanzania, southern Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, S. Africa.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Seed - cooked. Roasted and eaten like nuts, when they are considered a delicacy. The seeds can be harvested whilst immature - the whole green pod is briefly roasted and then the seeds removed and eaten. A meal made from the pounded seeds is eaten. The seeds can be eaten green, but ripe seeds are usually roasted, peeled, and pounded into a pleasant-tasting, coarse meal. The mature seeds are roasted and ground into a powder then used as a substitute for coffee. Immature seedpods - cooked. They can be roasted or boiled. Root - roasted. The core of the root is rejected and only the outer portion eaten. Mainly a famine food, it is seldom eaten at other times. An oil is obtained from the seed. The principal fatty acids in the seed oil are linoleic acid (45%), oleic acid (26%), palmitic acid (16%) and stearic acid (7%).
Oil: Oil
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Seedpod: things such as Okra, French and Runner beans.
Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The leaves are boiled, the steam inhaled and the cooled-down liquid drunk to cure common cough. The pounded leaves, mixed with salt, are boiled and the warm liquid is sprinkled on wounds to promote healing. An infusion of the roots is used to treat dysmenorrhoea and female infertility. A decoction of the macerated roots is drunk as a remedy for diarrhoea. The roots and leaves contain tannins.
Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.
Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating: 2
The bark fibres are used to make rope. A dye is obtained from the roots.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
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.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.
Wild Staple Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.
Wild Staple Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Bauhinia petersiana is a plant of moist to arid areas in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,850 metres. The plant can tolerate some frost and can be found in areas experiencing as little as 350mm of rain in a year. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained, preferably light, soil. Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Propagating it: Seed - Cuttings Layering
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 9-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Chingando, Imondo, Michingando, Mpando, Mpandula, Mpapa, Muauwa, Mubondo, Mumwando, Mun’ando, Mupondo, Muuwa
Synonyms
Bauhinia macrantha Oliv. Bauhinia serpae Ficalho & Hiern Perlebia macrantha (Oliv.) A.Schmitz Perlebia petersiana (Bolle) A.Schmitz