Orchid Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Orchid Tree
• cow's-foot
• Brazilian orchid tree
• Thorny Orchid Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Inga forficata
• Pauletia forficata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Bauhinia forficaata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and is categorized under the genus Bauhinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several key regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, it can be specifically located within Bolivia. Its distribution extends significantly into Brazil, where it is found throughout the West-Central region. Furthermore, the species thrives in the Northeast and Southeast areas of Brazil. Finally, its geographical range reaches into the Southern part of Brazil as well.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bauhinia forficata is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and varying topographical gradients. It inhabits a wide range of ecosystems, ranging from disturbed anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to more complex natural formations, including Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), Ombrophilous Forest (Floresta Ombrófila, also known as Rainforest), and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (Floresta Ombrófila Mista). This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution across the landscape, thriving at elevations starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Bauhinia forficata is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a long-lived woody plant, it establishes a stable presence in its habitat, undergoing seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases. Its developmental trajectory involves the establishment of a robust root system and a woody stem structure that supports its long-term survival. Throughout its lifespan, the plant transitions through various stages of maturity, eventually reaching a reproductive stage where it produces flowers and seeds to ensure the continuation of its lineage. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to accumulate biomass and resources over time, providing the resilience necessary to withstand environmental fluctuations across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bauhinia forficata is characterized by a woody growth habit that manifests in forms ranging from a shrub to a tree. This terrestrial species is an independent plant, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a relatively large specimen, with an average plant height of approximately 7.5 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 15 m. Although it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber, its development is robust and characterized by its woody nature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bauhinia forficata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. In terms of leaf morphology and resource allocation, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 126 cm²/g, ranging from a minimum of 179 cm²/g to a maximum of 179 cm²/g. The structural composition of its vegetative body is further defined by its stem specific density (SSD), which shows a mean value of 640 mg/cm³, although documented minimum and maximum values both reach a baseline of 390 mg/cm³. Additionally, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

126 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

179 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

640 mg/cm³

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

390 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bauhinia forficata is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This insect-mediated process ensures the genetic diversity and successful fertilization necessary for seed development. Once fertilization is complete, the plant produces seeds characterized by a consistent seed length of 11.885 mm, as both the minimum and maximum recorded measurements converge at this value. The seed mass exhibits slight variability, with a minimum mass of 0.10638 g and a maximum mass of 0.20645 g, resulting in an average seed mass of 0.156415 g. These morphological traits of the seeds play a vital role in the plant's life cycle and subsequent dispersal mechanisms.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

11.885 mm

Seed mass max:

0.20645 g

Seed mass mean:

0.156415 g

Seed mass min:

0.10638 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bauhinia forficata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas
2. Journal of natural products
3. Phytochemistry
4. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
5. Natural product research

Seed

1. 3 Biotech

Chemicals

Bauhinia forficata has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Kaempferitrin, Flavonoids, kaempferol, ARABINOGALACTAN, Al.

Kaempferitrin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Toxicology reports
2. Fitoterapia

kaempferol

1. Toxicology reports
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ARABINOGALACTAN

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Al

1. BioMed research international

Arabinan

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

CU

1. BioMed research international

Cycloartenol

1. The New phytologist

FE

1. BioMed research international

Germanicol

1. The New phytologist

Activities

Bauhinia forficata has 9 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Diuretic, Anticoagulant, Antihypertensive.

Antioxidant

1. Phytochemistry
2. Toxicology reports
3. Fitoterapia
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Phytochemistry
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. 3 Biotech

Diuretic

1. Toxicology reports
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticoagulant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardioprotective

1. Fitoterapia

Hypoglycemic

1. Toxicology reports

Conditions

Bauhinia forficata has 14 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant, antidiabetic, diuretic, hypoglycemia, hypoglycemic.

Antioxidant

1. Phytochemistry
2. Toxicology reports
3. Microscopy research and technique

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. 3 Biotech

Diuretic

1. Toxicology reports
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypoglycemia

1. Biological trace element research
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Hypoglycemic

1. Toxicology reports
2. Microscopy research and technique

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Analgesic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticoagulant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Microscopy research and technique

Preparations

Bauhinia forficata has 9 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Alcohol extract, Bauhinia forficata extracts, EtOH extract, Standardized extracts, dry samples.

Alcohol extract

1. Microscopy research and technique

Bauhinia forficata extracts

1. The journal of contemporary dental practice

Etoh extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Standardized extracts

1. Chemical research in toxicology

Dry samples

1. BioMed research international

Ethanoic extract from the leaves

1. Natural product research

Extract

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Standardized extracts

1. Chemico-biological interactions

Teas

1. BioMed research international