Bauhinia bauhinioides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pauletia bauhinioides
• Perlebia bauhinioides
• Bauhinia microphylla

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is specifically nested within the family Fabaceae. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement in the genus Bauhinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the Americas. In the Caribbean, its presence is specifically noted within the country of Cuba. Moving toward Western South America, the species can also be found growing in Bolivia. Within Brazil, it occupies a vast range that includes the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions. Consequently, its habitat spans multiple climatic zones from the tropical islands to the South American mainland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bauhinia bauhinioides is characterized by its presence in diverse environments ranging from human-altered landscapes to natural ecosystems, specifically thriving in anthropic areas, coastal forests, or gallery forests. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying terrain, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Bauhinia bauhinioides is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its conductive and meristematic tissues well above the soil surface, a structural strategy that supports its sustained growth and developmental stages over multiple years. This phanerophytic life form, categorized under both life form classifications provided, indicates that its regenerative buds are held high on woody stems, allowing it to persist through varying environmental conditions and seasonal changes throughout its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bauhinia bauhinioides is characterized by a woody structure that manifests in diverse growth forms, ranging from a shrub to a larger tree. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining firmly rooted in the soil as an independent, non-parasitic species. In terms of its habit, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative climber, such as a liana or vine, maintaining its structural integrity through its robust, woody stems.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bauhinia bauhinioides has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Agents and actions. Supplements
2. Immunopharmacology
3. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Chemicals

Bauhinia bauhinioides has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include P2.

P2

1. Journal of peptide science : an official publication of the European Peptide Society

Activities

Bauhinia bauhinioides has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antithrombotic.

Antithrombotic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Bauhinia bauhinioides has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Bauhinia bauhinioides has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seeds.

Seeds

1. Agents and actions. Supplements