Parts of some species of bauhinia likeB. purpurea andB. malabarica are used inFilipino cuisine (known collectively asalinbánban oralinbángbang,[9] "butterfly").[10]
The oldest known species isB. tibetensis, known from fossil leaves from theLate Paleocene of theTibetan Plateau, where it inhabited theKohistan-Ladakh Arc, an island arc that existed in the region at the time. It has been suggested that the Asian clade ofBauhinia originated as early as theEarly Paleocene, when it dispersed from the genus's region of origin in Africa.[1]
Bauhinia trees typically reach a height of 6–12 m and their branches spread 3–6 m outwards. The lobed leaves usually are 10–15 cm across.
The five-petaled flowers are 7.5–12.5 cm diameter, generally in shades of red, pink, purple, orange, or yellow, and are often fragrant. The tree begins flowering in late winter and often continues to flower into early summer. Depending on the species,Bauhinia flowers are usually in magenta, mauve, pink or white hues with crimson highlights.
Propagation ofBauhinia species is from seeds or cuttings. They thrive in alkaline soils and do not tolerate salty conditions. Full sun exposure is preferred but they can be grown under partial sun. Generous watering is needed during summer; moderate moisture required in winter.
^abcYi Gao; Ai Song; Wei-Yu-Dong Deng; Lin-Lin Chen; Jia Liu; Wei-Cheng Li; Gaurav Srivastava; Robert A. Spicer; Zhe-Kun Zhou; Tao Su (2023). "The Oldest Fossil Record of Bauhinia s.s. (Fabaceae) from the Tibetan Plateau sheds light on its Evolutionary and Biogeographic Implications".Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.21 (1).Bibcode:2023JSPal..2144495G.doi:10.1080/14772019.2023.2244495.
^ab"Genus:Bauhinia L."Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-03-29. Archived fromthe original on 2012-05-03. Retrieved2010-12-06.
^Sinou C, Forest F, Lewis GP, Bruneau A (2009). "The genusBauhinia s.l. (Leguminosae): a phylogeny based on the plastidtrnL–trnF region".Botany.87 (10):947–960.doi:10.1139/B09-065.
^Seidemann, Johannes (2005).World Spice Plants. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. p. 64.ISBN9783540279082.
^"ILDIS LegumeWeb entry forBauhinia".International Legume Database & Information Service. Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics. Archived fromthe original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved8 May 2014.
^Bell W-A. (1963).Upper Cretaceous Floras of the Dunvegan, Bad Heart, and Milk River Formations of Western Canada (94th ed.). Canada: Dept. of Mines and Technical Surveys.
^Jacques FM, Shi GL, Su T, Zhou ZK (2015). "A tropical forest of the middle Miocene of Fujian (SE China) reveals Sino-Indian biogeographic affinities".Rev Palaeobot Palynol.216:76–91.Bibcode:2015RPaPa.216...76J.doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2015.02.001.