Lysiphyllum cunninghamii
(Benth.) de Wit
Fabaceae
Recent research into plants formerly included in Bauhinia (see Wunderlin, R.P. 2010. Reorganization of the Cercideae (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae). Phytoneuron 2010-48: 1-5.) has reorganized the species of Bauhinia into 9 genera. Although not universally accepted as yet (2011), we are following this new treatment because it has been taken up by several authorities including GRIN, Flora of North America[
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
] and African Flowering Plants[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
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- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
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- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
Bauhinia cunninghamii (Benth.) Benth.
Bauhinia leichhardtii F.Muell.
Phanera cunninghamii Benth.
Common Name: Kimberley Bauhinia
General Information
Lysiphyllum cunninghamii is a deciduous shrub or a tree that can grow up to 12 metres tall[
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.
Lysiphyllum cunninghamii has a wide distribution across dry northern country in Australia, where it grows in a variety of situations. It is known to occur within protected areas across its range and there are no known identifiable threats to the species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
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- Author
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- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
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- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Australia - northern Western Australia, northern Northern Territory, northern Queensland
Habitat
Flats in woodland or vine thicket and on river banks, growing in sand, loam, cracking clay, calcareous or granitic soils; at elevations up to 300 metres[
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 10.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant grows in a variety of situations preferring heavy soils near seasonal watercourses[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The plant usually flowers before the leaves appear[
].
The tree responds wel to coppicing and can sprout again from the base if cut back by fire[
].
Edible Uses
The nectar is used to make a sweet drink[
].
Medicinal
The roots and bark are antipyretic and antiseptic. They are used traditionally to treat headaches[
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
