| Binomial |
Bauhinia purpurea L.
|
| Family |
Fabaceae
|
| Tamil Name |
Manthaarai (மந்தாரை)
|
| Tree |
Small, evergreen with deeply divided leaves, similar to a cow's foot.
|
| Flowers |
Purple, mildly fragrant in axillary or terminal racemes, resembles orchids.
|
| Fruits |
Pods oblong, compressed, many seeded coils after splitting open.
|
| Flowering Period |
October to January
|
| Fruiting period |
January to April
|
| Pollinators |
Insects |
| Country of origin |
Indian subcontinent and Myanmar |
| About thee tree |
The genus Bauhinia was named by Linnaeus in honour of two distinguished Swiss botanists and brothers Johann Bauhin and Caspar Bauhin. The deeply cleft leaves symbolise the two brothers.
In the Philippines, B. purpurea is known as alibangbang (butterfly) for the shape of its leaves. The young leaves and flowers of Bauhinia purpurea are edible. The leaves are used as a souring agent for sinigang and similar dishes in Philippine cuisine as they have a citrusy and sour taste. Pickles and curries can also be made using the flowers.
Throughout Southeast Asia, swelling, bruises, boils, and ulcers are often treated using poultices prepared with B. purpurea and related species while in Indian traditional medicine, the leaves are especially used to treat coughs.
|
| Location on campus |
https://goo.gl/maps/4A2Lq6y1SvfZrQLa7
|
Go Back