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Bauhinia purpurea, also known as Purple Bauhinia, is a leguminous tree or erect shrub. It has thick, nearly smooth bark that ranges in color from gray to dark brown. The leaves are slightly stiff and papery, with a round shape. The flowers are large and fragrant, with purple or pale red petals.
The fruit is a flat, elongated pod that resembles a curved sickle. When mature, the woody pod splits open and forcefully ejects the seeds. The seeds are nearly round, flat, and have a dark brown seed coat. Bauhinia blooms from September to November, and the fruits ripen from February to March.
Bauhinia purpurea is documented in “Zhonghua Bencao” (Materia Medica of China) under its correct name. It is native to Hong Kong, China, and is also found in southern China, as well as in the Indochina Peninsula, India, and Sri Lanka.
It commonly grows in mountainous areas or on cliff rocks at altitudes ranging from 400 to 2000 meters. It thrives in sunny, warm, and humid climates, tolerates drought but not cold, and prefers acidic soils that are moist, fertile, and well-drained. The primary method of propagation is through seed sowing.
According to “Zhonghua Bencao” and “Flora of China,” Bauhinia purpurea has the medicinal properties of clearing heat and detoxifying. It is used for treating scalds, burns, painful sores, and swelling.
The roots and bark have the functions of invigorating the spleen, drying dampness, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. They are used for conditions such as dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach, acute gastroenteritis, coughing with slight blood, joint pain, and bruises.
Boiling the root bark in water can be consumed to alleviate indigestion. The flower buds, tender leaves, and young fruits are edible.
Due to its long flowering period, fast growth, and ornamental value, Bauhinia purpurea is widely utilized in landscaping and is a characteristic native plant in southern China. It is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions as an ornamental and roadside tree.
Bauhinia (scientific name: Bauhinia purpurea L.), also known as Orchid Tree, is a shrub belonging to the legume family. It can grow to a height of 7 to 10 meters. The bark is thick, smooth, and gray or dark brown in color.
The leaves of Bauhinia are nearly circular, measuring 10 to 15 centimeters in length and 9 to 14 centimeters in width. The leaves near the base of the trunk resemble shallow heart shapes. Both sides of the leaves are generally smooth without hairs, and the petiole measures 3 to 4 centimeters in length.
The petals of Bauhinia are peach-red and have an inverted lanceolate shape. The length of the petals is 4 to 5 centimeters, and the stigma is relatively long.
Bauhinia has three stamens, and the petals are narrow and elongated. The petiole of Bauhinia is relatively long. It produces seeds after flowering, although Bauhinia usually only blooms without setting seeds.
The seeds of Bauhinia are flat and round with a dark brown seed coat. It blooms from September to November each year, and the fruiting period is in February or March.
Bauhinia purpurea is a deciduous tree or erect shrub that can reach a height of 7 to 10 meters. The bark is thick, nearly smooth, and ranges in color from gray to dark brown. The branches are initially slightly hairy but lose their hairs over time.
The leaves are stiff and papery, approximately round in shape, measuring 10 to 15 centimeters in length and 9 to 14 centimeters in width. The base of the leaf is shallowly heart-shaped, and the apex is split, reaching about one-third to one-half of the leaf length.
The lobes at the apex are rounded or slightly acute, and both leaf surfaces are usually hairless, or the lower surface may have sparse soft hairs. The leaves have 9 to 11 primary veins that originate from the base. The leaf stalk is 3 to 4 centimeters long.
The inflorescence is a terminal or axillary raceme, usually with few flowers, ranging from 6 to 12 centimeters long. Sometimes, 2 to 4 racemes are borne at the apex, forming a compound raceme. The inflorescence is covered with brownish silky hairs.
The flower buds are spindle-shaped and may have 4 to 5 ridges or narrow wings, with a blunt tip. The flower stalks are 7 to 12 millimeters long. The calyx is tubular, and one side splits open to the base, forming two outwardly curved lobes.
The lobes are 2 to 2.5 centimeters long, slightly split at the apex, with one lobe having 2 teeth and the other lobe having 3 teeth. The petals are peach-red, inverted lanceolate in shape, 4 to 5 centimeters long, with veins and a long petal stalk. There are 3 fertile stamens with filaments equal in length to the petals. There are also 5 to 6 degenerate stamens, measuring 6 to 10 millimeters in length.
The ovary has a long stalk and is covered with yellow-brown silky hairs. The stigma is slightly larger and has an oblique shield shape.
The fruit is a flat, elongated pod, measuring 12 to 25 centimeters in length and 2 to 2.5 centimeters in width. It has a slightly curved sickle shape and splits open when mature. The woody pod twists, forcefully ejecting the seeds.
The seeds are nearly round, flattened, and have a diameter of 12 to 15 millimeters. The seed coat is dark brown. Bauhinia purpurea flowers from September to November, and the fruits ripen from February to March.
Bauhinia purpurea is primarily propagated by seed. The seeds are collected from healthy, vigorous, disease-free plants with desirable traits such as good growth and high seed production. The collection is done in February to March when the fruit pods are partially or about to split open.
After collection, the seeds can be stored after dehydration or sown immediately. Seeds sown immediately do not require drying and can be soaked in cold water for a day before planting.
Dried seeds need to be soaked in water at around 60 degrees Celsius before planting. Some varieties may be challenging to produce seeds, and in such cases, propagation can be done through stem cuttings in summer or autumn or through air layering.
After sowing, the seeds need to be protected from direct sunlight. Regular misting and irrigation are necessary to maintain a temperature of around 26-32 degrees Celsius and an air humidity of 70% to 85%. Once more than 75% of the seedlings have emerged, some of the surface mulch can be removed.
After 2-3 mature leaves have grown, nitrogen fertilizer solution can be applied once a week. When the seedlings have 4-5 mature leaves, they can be transplanted, preferably on a cloudy day.
Transplanting can be done from February to March, and both small and large seedlings should be transplanted with their soil ball and the surrounding soil. After transplantation, organic fertilizer can be applied, followed by watering.
Regular watering, fertilization, and weed control are necessary. Fertilization can be done through foliar application and root fertilization. Watering should be more frequent in spring and summer and less frequent in autumn and winter. It is important to maintain a relatively high level of air humidity, and shading should be provided during the summer season.
Bauhinia is distributed in southern China, the Indochinese Peninsula, India, and Sri Lanka. It is also widely cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. It thrives in warm climates, but it is relatively cold-tolerant and can withstand short-term absolute minimum temperatures of -3°C. Bauhinia is a sun-loving tree species, and both seedlings and mature trees require abundant sunlight.
It is extensively cultivated as an ornamental plant in subtropical regions for garden landscaping and as a roadside tree. The bark, flowers, and roots are used for medicinal purposes.
They serve as a cleansing agent for burns and ulcers, and the juice or powder of tender leaves can be used to treat coughs. However, the root bark is highly toxic and should not be consumed.
Bauhinia purpurea is susceptible to various diseases and pests, including powdery mildew, leaf spot, wilt disease, aphids, brown edge green leafhoppers, and Bauhinia caterpillars.
Diseases:
Powdery mildew: This disease can cause damage to the leaves and young branches of Bauhinia purpurea, resulting in extensive areas of infection and a significant decrease in ornamental value. It can be controlled by spraying with sulfur-based fungicides at the early stage of infection, and severe cases may require spraying with fungicides such as powdery rust.
Wilt disease: This disease primarily affects the leaves, causing them to develop large areas of interconnected lesions, leading to extensive leaf withering. To control wilt disease, it is important to improve cultivation practices, conduct regular pruning and shaping, and promptly remove diseased and dead branches. Root drenching with systemic fungicides like polyoxin or carbendazim can also be effective.
Pests:
Aphids, brown edge green leafhoppers, and Bauhinia caterpillars: Aphids can be controlled by spraying the seedlings with insecticides containing imidacloprid after transplantation. Brown edge green leafhoppers and Bauhinia caterpillars can be treated with insecticides containing chlorpyrifos.
It is important to note that when using any pesticides or fungicides, it is advisable to follow the instructions on the product label and take necessary precautions to protect the environment and ensure the safety of humans and other organisms. Integrated pest management practices, such as regular monitoring, cultural practices, and biological control methods, should also be considered for effective and sustainable pest management.
Ornamental:
Bauhinia purpurea is highly valued for its ornamental qualities. It has rapid growth, and even seedlings from the second year can start flowering. The showy flowers are borne on the upper surface of the canopy, creating a spectacular display, especially during the late autumn when they bloom. Bauhinia purpurea is commonly used for slope greening, forest landscape improvement, and as roadside trees in subtropical regions, where it is widely cultivated for its aesthetic appeal.
Edible:
The flower buds of Bauhinia purpurea can be consumed after being pickled. However, its roots are toxic and should be avoided. The root bark can be decocted and used to treat digestive disorders. The flower buds, young leaves, and young fruits are also edible.
Bauhinia purpurea has a long flowering period and fast growth, making it a valuable resource for both ornamental and nectar-producing purposes.
Economic:
Bauhinia purpurea is a multi-purpose tree species. It is commonly used as fuelwood due to its ability to regenerate from coppice shoots and resprouts after cutting. The leaves contain approximately 10.6% crude protein and 5.1% crude fat, making them suitable fodder for animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and rabbits.
The heartwood of Bauhinia purpurea has a distinct contrast in color, straight grain, coarse texture, and sturdy material, making it suitable for various applications such as vehicle parts, agricultural tools, sports equipment, and general furniture.
Medicinal:
According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica” and “Flora of China,” Bauhinia purpurea has medicinal properties. It is known for its heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, used to treat scalds, burns, and inflammatory sores.
The roots and bark are used to invigorate the spleen, remove dampness, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. They are used for conditions such as dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach, acute gastroenteritis, coughing with slight blood, joint pain, and injuries from falls or blows.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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