Bauhinia kalantha
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 3 m high. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are 1-4.5 cm long by 1.5-4 cm wide. They are deeply 2 lobed. The lobes are rounded at the tip. The flowers occur singly. They are yellow. The fruit is a long pod 1.5 cm wide. It has a few seeds. The seeds are 7-8 mm long by 6-7 mm wide. They are brown.
Also as Caesalpinaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows near Morogoro in Tanzania. It grows on stony soils between 600-1,000 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Tanzania
How it is used for food
The young tender leaves are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Leaves are collected during the rainy season.
Its other names
Local names
Kitemba, Mchekwa, Mtema