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Bauhinia monandra Kurz
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Bauhinia kappleri, Bauhinia krugii, Caspareopsis monandra |
| Common Name: | Pink Bauhinia, Butterfly Flower, Pink Orchid Tree, Butterfly Bauhinia, Mariposa, Napoleon's Plume, 孟南德洋紫荆 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m), Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree, usually reaching about 3 - 7 m tall, sometimes up to 15 m. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Grey and smooth bark, becomes reddish brown when mature. |
| Foliage | Butterfly-shaped (sub-cordate) leaves, simple and alternate arrangement, measuring about 7 - 20 cm and 7 - 20 cm wide, petiole measuring about 2.5 - 6 cm long. |
| Flowers | 5-petaled flower borne in small, short axillary raceme clusters, petals are pale-pinkish, large and spreading and measuring about 0.5 cm long and 0.3 cm wide, 1 single curved stamen about 25 - 50 mm long, style about 35 mm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a brown, large and flattened pod measuring about 15 - 22 cm long and 2 - 3 cm wide, contains 10 - 20 seeds. Seeds are flat and measuring about 10 - 12 mm long and 7 - 8 mm wide. |
| Etymology | Genus Bauhinia is named after Swiss botanists Caspar (Gaspard) Bauhin (1560 - 1624) and his brother Johann (Jean) (1541 - 1613). Species monandra means with a single stamen. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Unknown / Unselect |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Allow pods to dry on tree before collecting seeds. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Mature Bark Texture | Smooth |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Inflorescence Size Remarks | Flowers mature from light yellow to pink, middle petal streaked with dark pink. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1456 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2749 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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