Common Name:

General Information

Bauhinia longifolia is a semideciduous tree with a more or less roundish and sparse crown; it can grow 4 - 7 metres tall. The bole is slightly crooked.
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. A small tree with rapid growth, it can be used as a street tree, especially in narrow streets and under power lines[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central and eastern Brazil, Bolivia, Peru.

Habitat

Broadleaved, semideciduous forests and savannahs, favouring more open, secondary formations in fertile, clayey soils[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	5.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in dry to moist soils[]. Prefers a moist, fertile, clayey soil[].
The plant is fast-growing, especially when young[].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant has medicinal uses[].

Other Uses

The wood is thick-textured, moderately heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties and not very durable. It is used for internal applications in construction, tool handles, agricultural implements, rays of cart wheels etc[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of less than 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 35 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 6 months later[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is greater, 5 or 9?