Bauhinia variegata L.

ചുവന്ന മന്ദാരം

Family : Leguminosae (Caesalpinioideae)

Synonym : Phanera variegata L.

Common Names : Chuvanna mantharam, Mountain ebony

Flowering Period : September – May

Distribution : Possibly native of China; wild in the sub Himalayan and India

Habitat : Cultivated as ornamental plant

Uses : Ornamental, fruits edible, young leaves edible, firewood, timber yielding and anti-helminthic.

Key Characters :

Bauhinia variegata have dark brown bark. Leaf lamina is broader than long, with a medium cleft. Inflorescence is a pubescent raceme. Calyx tomentose, 5 toothed at the apex. Petals 5, with long rather broad claw, 4 petals pale purple and fifth darker with purple veins. Stamens 5, fertile, no staminodes. Ovary hairy; style long, stigma capitates. Fruit is a 10-15 seeded dehiscent pod.