Practical
Plants

Bauhinia variegata

Mountain Ebony

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Bauhinia genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
12 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The young leaves, flowers and fruits are boiled and eaten as a vegetable, or are pickled[4].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is alterative, anthelmintic, astringent and tonic[2][4]. The juice of the bark is used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea and other stomach disrders[4]. A paste of the bark is useful in the treatment of cuts and wounds, skin diseases, scrofula and ulcers[2][4]. The dried buds are used in the treatment of piles, dysentery, diarrhoea and worms[2]. The juice of the flowers is used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and other stomach disorders[4]. The root is used as an antidote to snake poison[2]. A decoction of the root is used to treat dyspepsia[2].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Anthelmintic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is a source of tannins. It is used for dyeing[4]. Wood - used for house construction and making household implements[4].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Pakistan to S. China.
Habitat
Open valleys with good loamy soil at elevations of 150 - 1800 metres[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water then sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. When large enough t handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in early summer, after the last expected frosts and consider giving some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, with the leaves removed, in moist sand July/August in a frame[1]. Gentle bottom heat is usually required. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, requiring a warm sheltered position in full sun[1][3]. When grown in warm Temperate zones, this species can withstand short periods of temperatures as low as -5°c[1]. In Britain, it is only likely to succeed outdoors in the very mildest parts of the country, and even then would probably require the protection of a south-facing wall. There are some cultivars, developed for their ornamental value[1]. 243034

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩

  4. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

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