Burmese silk orchid
Bauhinia racemosa
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A small deciduous tree. It can be up to 15 m high. It has a crooked trunk and spreading crown. The bark is very dark and rough and deeply cracked. The leaves have 2 lobes. They are broader than they are long. The flowers are greenish-yellow. There are 10 stamens. The pods are 15-20 cm long. They are thick and woody and slightly curved. They contain 10-20 seeds.
There are about 250-350 Bauhinia species. Most are in the tropics. Also as Caesalpinaceae. It has anticancer properties.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in deciduous forest. It can tolerate a wide range of soils. It is reasonably tolerant of drought and high rainfall. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The seeds are dried and ground into flour for making bread. They are also roasted and eaten. The flower buds are eaten cooked. The young leaves and flowers are stir-fried. The leaves are pickled.
The fruit are sold in markets.
Edible parts
Seeds, flowers, leaves, pods
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds, air-layering or grafting.
The fruit are available in May to July in Rajasthan in India. In southern China plants flower in April to May and fruit in June to August.
Its other names
Local names
Aachitro, Amata, Apta, Arai, Ari, Ashta, Asintro, Asitra, Asundro, Banne, Banraj, Bhosa, Ghila, Gurial, Gwiral, Hinglo, Jhanjhara, Jhinja, Jhinjheri, Jhiza, Kachnal, Kachnar, Kondal, Katmauli, Kosundra, Kotal, Mahulvel, Makuna, Maula, Mong-bo chum, Pohon bohinia anggrek-sutra myanmar, Seta, Shid, Svetkanchagna, Thaur