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Bauhinia purpurea L.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Bauhinia triandra |
| Common Name: | Tapak Kuda, Purple Bauhinia, Butterfly Tree, Orchid Tree, Tapak Unta, Purple Orchid Tree, Hong Kong Bauhinia, Butterfly Bauhinia, Orchid Bauhinia, 羊蹄甲 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Plant Shape | Rounded, Vase |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hainan, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Puerto Rico. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers Food (Herb or Spice): The leaves, flower, flower buds, and young pods are eaten as vegetable. Medicinal: The Malays use the leaves to treat sores and boils. The flowers are said to be laxative. The bark is used in the treatment of skin disease. |
|---|
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obcordate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Scalloped |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Emarginate |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Tree - Open Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Brown |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme, Panicle |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1457 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2750 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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