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[] and African Flowering Plants[].

Common Name:

General Information

Phanera championii is a climbing shrub, attaching itself to the surrounding vegetation by means of tendrils.
The plant is a lesser-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, harvested from the wild for local use and for trade. Recent research (2013) has confirmed its efficacy and also suggested that it can promote chondrocyte proliferation and help maintain/repair arthritic joints[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Taiwan, Vietnam

Habitat

Open or dense forests, thickets; at low to middle elevations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is analgesic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and has anti-platelet aggregative effects, promotes blood circulation and reduces blood stasis[]. The plant is widely used in China in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee[].

The plant contains flavonoids and studies have demonstrated that these are the primary active components of the stem extracts[]. They scavenge free radicals, improve myocardial energy metabolism, reduce inflammation and myocardial injury, inhibit apoptosis and enhance the cardiocyte survival rate in hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, as well as alleviating pituitrin-induced acute myocardial injury in vivo[].
The plant contains polysaccharides and these have been shown to promote chondrocyte proliferation and help maintain/repair arthritic joints[].

Other Uses

The mature wood is known as 'chrysanthemum wood' in eastern Asia because the cross-section of the wood is so figured[]. It is of small dimensions but is a favourite wood for use in making chests[].

Propagation

Seed -

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