Bauhinia racemosa

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Bauhinia racemosa Lam.
  • Synonyms : Bauhinia parviflora Vahl
  • Common Name : Asundro, Bidi Leaf Tree
  • Plant Family : Caesalpiniaceae
  • Plant Form : Tree
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : 28
  • Occurrence (Special Areas) : Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra

About Bauhinia racemosa Plant :

  • Habit : A small crooked tree.
  • Leaves : Simple, divided into 2 rounded lobes broader than long, green and glabrous above, white and hairy below, base cordate.
  • Inflorescence : Terminal or leaf opposed racemes.
  • Flowers :
    • Bracteate, bracts linear, acute.
    • Calyx hairy, tube short, reflexed.
    • Petals narrowly oblanceolate, white or pale yellow.
    • Stamens 10, all fertile, filaments hairy at base.
    • Ovary hairy, stigma sessile.
  • Fruit : Pods stalked, blunt above, tapering below, 12-20 seeded.
  • Flowering and Fruiting Time : May - June
  • Significance :
    • The sacred plant of the Hindus, worshipped at the Dashera festival.
    • The leaves are used to prepare bidis.