Bauhinia bowkeri
Bauhinia bowkeri, commonly known as the Butterfly Tree, is a resilient medicinal plant native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its distinctive bi-lobed leaves, this species holds significant ethnobotanical value. Various traditional practices utilize its bark and leaves to treat ailments ranging from skin irritations to digestive discomfort and inflammation.
- Scientific name: Bauhinia bowkeri
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Finally, its taxonomic classification is completed by its placement in the genus Bauhinia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bauhinia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of the continent. In South Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Zimbabwe. Moving further south, the species is widely distributed throughout the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa. Additionally, it is commonly documented in the KwaZulu-Natal region of Southern Africa. These various locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse southern African environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
Activities
Bauhinia bowkeri has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |