Dwarf white Bauhinia
Bauhinia acuminata

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves have 2 lobes. They are downy and rounded. The leaves are 15 cm long. The flowers are white to pale yellow. There are only a few flowers on a stalk. The flowers are 5 cm wide. The fruit are flattened pods.

There are about 250-350 Bauhinia species. Most are in the tropics. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs regular moisture and humidity. It needs a fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andaman Is., Asia (country/location of origin), Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Marquesas, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, West Indies, Winward Is., Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten raw or fried. The young shoots and fruit are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds or root suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Bunga perak, Cheung kou sar, Kaa-long, Kokkumandarai, Kupu kupu, Mahahlega-phyu, Mati kotora, Megong aphal, Mong-bo nhon, Mong-bo trang, Palan, Quach vang, Sivamalli, Swe-daw, Tapak kuda, Vaibe, Vellutthamandarom

Synonyms

Bauhinia linnaei Ali; Casparia acuminata (L.) Heynh.; Mandarus acuminata (L.) Raf.; Pauletia acuminata (L.) Schmitz;