BIDI LEAF TREE

Bauhinia Racemosa

Reference No :

0000013

Scientific Name :

Bauhinia Racemosa

Sinhala Name :

මයිල (MAILA)

Tamil Name :

ஆத்தி (ATTI)

Other Common Names :

Synonyms :

Plant Family :

Fabaceae

Plant Group :

Angiosperms (Enclosed Seed)

Plant Types :

Small Tree

Crown Architecture :

Spreading Canopy
Upright Standard Canopy
Weeping Standard Canopy

Plant Categories :

Beach side plant;   Border Plants;   Canopy plants;   Common Landscaping Plants;   Courtyard Plants;   Dry Zone Plants;   Flowering Plants;   Forest Trees;   Hedging Plants;   Herbal Plants;   Intermediate Zone Plants;   Light Green Plants;   Low leaf density plants;   Low Maintenance Plants;   Medium Size Trees;   Ornamental Plants;   Parking Area Plants;   Roadside Plants;   Rooftop Plants;   Sacred Plants;   Seasonal Plant;   Shady Plants;   Small Leaves Plants;   Small Shrubs;   Fast Growing Plants;   Sun Loving Plants;   Trees;   Wild Plants;   Partially Deciduous Plants;   Forest plants

Native Region(s) :

Tropical Southeast Asia

Plant Distribution(s) :

Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia. and China

Habitat :

Dry river valleys in southern China. Dry, deciduous forests, frequent in grassy blanks and open spaces, and common also on dry hills; also in grassland, at elevations up to 1,500 metres in India. The Silviculture of Indian Trees publication.

Elevation :

Above sea level up to 1,650 m

Trunk / Bole / Stem & Branches :

Short, unbranched somewhat crooked bole

Average Height :

3 - 8 m

Maximum Height :

15m

Average Width :

8m

Maximum Width :

10m

Root System(s) :

Tap Root

Propogation(s) :

By Seeds;   By Cutting

Average Longevity :

more than 50 years

Maturity Longevity :

10 years

Medicinal Use :

Yes

Medicinal Value :

Parts used in Medicine

  • Flowers
  • Leaves
  • Glue
  • Stem bark

Treatment for

  • Epistaxis
  • Malarial Neuralgia and Faints
  • Diarrhea
  • Internal hemorrhage
  • Abortions

Benefits & Uses :

Strong fiber from the inner bark is used in rope-making

The leaves are used in the production of beedi, a thin Indian cigarette. 

The inner bark yields a bast fiber that can be made into rude cordage, but which soon rots in water. It is reddish in color, very tough and strong, and has been used in the construction of bridges.

The brown wood has irregular dark patches near the center. It is hard. The wood is not much used, though it makes a good fuel.

Special Features :

rare medicinal species Family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen

Plant Disease(s) :

Root Rot Disease;   Leaf Spot;   Leaf scorch

Foliage

Leaf / Habit :

Partially Deciduos

Leaf Shape :

Obcordate shape

Arrangements :

Simple

Leaf Arrangement :

Alternate leaf arrangement
Spiral leaf arrangement

Leaves :

Leaves: about 2–4 (–5) cm long. 2–5 (–7.5) cm wide Butterfly like Leaf. New leaves are sometimes produced before the old leaves fall

Leaves Fall: May - June

Flowering

Is Flowering :

Yes

Blossoms :

About 1.5–2 cm long; calyx spathaceous, puberulent, reflexed, 2- or 3-toothed; 

Fruiting

Bears Fruits :

Yes

Fruit :

Indehiscent, glabrous, about 12–25 cm long. 2 cm wide

Fruiting Season :

November;   December

Seeds :

Many-seeded; seeds 7–8 mm long, oblong, compressed, black

Maintenance

Level :

Low

Soil Types :

Silt Soil;   Well Drained Soil

Water :

Low

Sunlight :

Full

Humidity :

High

Edibility

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