St Thomas Tree, Yellow Bauhinia, Yellow tree bauhinia
Bauhinia tomentosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree growing up to 1-8 m tall. It often has drooping branches. The small branches can be smooth or softly hairy. The leaves vary in shape but are more or less round. They are 1-10 cm long and 1-11 cm wide. They are divided into rounded lobes for about half their length. The leaf stalk is 1-3 cm long. The flowers hang over and are bell shaped. Mostly the flowers occur in pairs in the axils of leaves. They can also occur on up to 7 flowered stalks. The petals are lemon yellow. Sometimes they have a purple blotch. The petals overlap. There are 10 stamens. The fruit are straight long pods 7-15 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. They are rather woody and open naturally.

It is grown as an ornamental. There are about 250-350 Bauhinia species. Most are in the tropics. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows at low altitude woodland and along rivers. It needs well drained soil. It can be in coastal dune bush. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 2,100 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Asia, Australia, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young sour leaves are eaten with rice or added to soups. They are also used to flavour other foods. The seeds are also eaten. The flowers are boiled and eaten as a vegetable and used in stir fries.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and also by grafting or air-layering.

Plants grow quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Adavimandaramu, Aptu, Bohinia kuning, Ching-kho-dok-lue-ang, Iruvaji, Kachnar, Kanjanam, Katondo-tondo, Kupu-kupu, Lahkyang, Mahahlega-wa, Micorra, Mong bo hoa chanh, Mong-bo vang, Muandia, Mucorra, Mulema, Murema, Musaponi, Phalgu, Pilo asundro, Pita kanchana, Tali kancu, Tapak kuda

Synonyms

Alvesia bauhinioides Welw.; Alvesia tomentosa (L.) Britton & Rose; Bauhinia pubescens DC.; Bauhinia tomentosa var. glabrata Hook.f.; Bauhinia volkensii Taub.; Bauhinia wituensis Harm; Pauletia tomentosa (L.) A. Schmitz;