Orchid Tree, Purple Butterfly Tree, Mountain Ebony, Geranium Tree, Purple Bauhinia

Bauhinia purpurea

Physical Characteristics

Bauhinia purpurea is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 9 m (29ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Leaves Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Condiment Gum Edible portion: Flowers, Leaves, Seeds, Fruit, Gum. Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[ 287 , 301 ]. They are used in curries. Flower buds and flowers - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[ 287 , 301 ]. The flower buds are often pickled or used in curries[ 287 , 301 ]. Young seedpods - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[ 287 ]. The seeds are fried and eaten. The gum is edible.

Medicinal Uses

Carminative Laxative The root is carminative[ 480 ]. The flowers are laxative[ 480 ]. The bark, roots and flowers, when mixed with rice-water, are used in poultice form as a maturant[ 480 ].

Known Hazards

In India, the bark is extensively applied in glandular diseases and as a poison antidote while the leaves are administered as cough medicine. The flowers are said to be laxative and used in curries and pickles.