Bauhinia tomentosa

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Bauhinia tomentosa L

Family: Fabaceae

Common names: Yellow Bauhinia (Eng) Geelbeesklou (Afr): IsiThibathibana (Zulu)

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Introduction

This medium to large shrub with its attractive, light green, two-lobed leaves produces beautiful, bright yellow flowers with black to maroon coloured centres in summer.

Flowers

Description

Medium to large shrub to a small tree, up to 4m in height. Leaves are divided into two lobes, light green in colour, with a leathery texture, carried on branches that are often drooping. It produces large bell-shaped, bright yellow flowers with a black to deep maroon coloured centre in mid to late summer (from December to March).

Ripe brown pods

The fruits are pea like pods, slender and velvety. They are light green, turning a pale brown with age and are produced from January to June or even later. Bark is gray or brown.

Conservation Status

Status

Bauhinia tomentosa is not threatened.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

This plant can be found along the coastal strip from southern KwaZulu-Natal to Maputoland, Mpumalanga as well as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, tropical Africa and as far as India and Sri Lanka. It is found in woodland, riverine bush and coastal dune bush.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

The genus Bauhinia honours brothers from the 16th century, Johann and Caspar Bauhin, both botanists and herbalists, the paired lobes of the leaves reflecting their relationship. The species name tomentosa means 'hairy' and refers to the velvety hairy pods.

Typical Bauhinia leaves

Previously a large genus, it has now been divided into a number of genera according to the flower shapes. Several South African bauhinias are in cultivation including the well-known Pride of De Kaap (Bauhinia galpinii) and the Kei Bauhinia (Bauhinia bowkeri).

Ecology

The flowers are rich in pollen and nectar, attract various insects such as butterflies and bees. In turn these insects will attract insect eating birds. Certain birds and the larvae of certain moth species feed on the flowers. This is also a host plant for many butterfly species, with the larvae feeding on the leaves.

Uses

Use

The wood is used to make rafters for huts and the dried leaves and flower buds, and the roots and bark are used in traditional medicine in Africa and India.

Three other species of Bauhinia are also used medicinally for everything from coughs, convulsions and constipation to pneumonia and venereal diseases. (Bauhinia galpinii, Bauhinia thonningii, Bauhinia petersiana)

Growing Bauhinia tomentosa

Grow

Bauhinia tomentosa is deciduous, but can be evergreen in mild climates. The adult plants can tolerate a moderate amount of frost, but the seedlings and younger plants should be protected from frost. It prefers full sun and needs a moderate amount of water.

It can be propagated from seed and grows relatively fast. Plant it singly or in groups. It is suitable for rockeries, shrubberies, and large containers, on patios or next to swimming pools.

The soil needs to be well drained with compost added to enrich it. A covering of mulch over the soil is a good idea, replenishing the layer as regularly as possible.

References

Joffe, P. 2001. Creative gardening with indigenous plants. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
Pooley, E. 1993. The complete field guide to trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. Natal Flora Publication Trust, Durban.
Schmidt, E., Lötter, M. & McCleland, W. 2002. Trees & shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana, Johannesburg.
Van Wyk, B.-E. & Gericke, N. 2000. People's plants. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. 1997. Field guide to trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.

Credits

Lou-Nita Le Roux
Lowveld National Botanical Garden
May 2005

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Shrub, Tree

SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga

Soil type: Loam

Flowering season: Late Summer

PH: Acid

Flower colour: Yellow

Aspect: Full Sun

Gardening skill: Challenging

Special Features:

Attracts birds

Attracts butterflies

Good potplant

Medical plant

Useful plant

Feeds honeybees

Bauhinia tomentosa