Bauhinia winitii (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Bauhinia winitii Craib
- Family: Leguminosae
Synonyms
Lysiphyllum winitii (Craib) de Wit.
Vernacular names
- Thailand: khiunang, oraphim (central).
Distribution
Endemic to Thailand.
Uses
The very astringent bark is chewed locally together with areca nuts (the endosperm of Areca catechu L.).
Observations
A tendrilled climber; branches rusty pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves arranged spirally; stipules minute; petiole about 1 cm long; leaflets 2, free, obliquely ovate, 3-4.5 cm × 1.5-2.5 cm with rounded base and apex. Inflorescence a lateral or terminal, mainly unbranched raceme, 6-15 cm long with a rusty pubescent axis; buds velvety pubescent; bracts linear, 5-8 mm long; pedicel 4-8 mm long; bracteoles slightly shorter than bracts; flowers bisexual; receptacle tubular, 4-6 cm long; calyx with 5 free sepals, 2-3.5 cm long; petals 5, lanceolate, up to 9 cm × 4 cm including the 1.5 cm long claw, posterior petal yellowish and slightly larger; stamens 10, all fertile, about 7 cm long, opening by longitudinal slits; ovary superior, stipitate, glabrous, style about 4 cm long with a peltate stigma. Fruit a tardily dehiscent pod, up to 30 cm × 8 cm, glabrous, 6-10(-more)-seeded. Seed compressed, 10-15 mm in diameter. B. winitii is found in open, dry or mixed deciduous forest, rarely above 300 m altitude.
Selected sources
15, 24, 60.
Authors
M.S.M. Sosef