Common Name:

General Information

Bauhinia racemosa is a small tree with a short, unbranched somewhat crooked bole and a spreading crown[, ]. It can grow up to 15 metres tall[]. The tree is more or less deciduous, but the new leaves are sometimes produced before the old leaves fall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fibre.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam.

Habitat

Dry river valleys in southern China[]. Dry, deciduous forests, frequent in grassy blanks and open spaces, and common also on dry hills; also in grassland, at elevations up to 1,500 metres in India[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of dry to moist areas of the tropics and subtropics. In its natural habitat the absolute maximum shade temperature it experiences varies from 38 - 48°c, the absolute minimum from -1 - +11°c. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 750 - 2, 125mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[, ]. Prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil[].
Young plants grow quite rapidly and also form side-branches in the first year of growth. Under ideal conditions, the side branches can be 1 metre long by the end of the first year's growth[]. Irrigated plants can be 4.5 metres tall within 3 years[].
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

Leaves - pickled[].

Seeds[].

Medicinal

The gum and the leaves are used medicinally[].

Other Uses

The inner bark yields a bast fibre that can be made into rude cordage, but which soon rots in water[, , ]. It is reddish in colour, very tough and strong, and has been used in the construction of bridges. The stems are usually cut in July or August, the outer bark being stripped off and thrown away, while the inner layers are used for rope as wanted, being previously soaked in water, and are twisted wet[, ]. The report from [] is quite likely here by mistake. I believe that the entry is more likely to be for Bauhinia vahlii (syn Bauhinia racemosa Vahl)[].

The brown wood has irregular dark patches near the centre[]. It is hard[]. The wood is not much used, though it makes a good fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for24 hours in warm water then sow in situ or in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates of 1 year old seed can be from 58 - 95%[]. Young plants grow rapidly and quickly produce a taproot that can be 60cm long within 2 months of germination[]. Plants are not very tolerant of transplanting unless moved whilst still quite small[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, with the leaves removed, placed in moist sand[].

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