Bauhinia purpurea
Bauhinia purpurea, commonly known as the Purple Orchid Tree, is a stunning ornamental species prized for its vibrant, butterfly-shaped blooms. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this medicinal plant is valued in traditional practices for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, offering diverse therapeutic benefits across various healing traditions.
- Scientific name: Bauhinia purpurea
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Fabales, it is further categorized into the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Bauhinia, specifically as the species Bauhinia purpurea.
| 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 broad presence across several key regions within the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its distribution includes the nation of Gambia as well as Sierra Leone. It is also documented to grow within the borders of Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found throughout the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Finally, its range extends further inland to encompass the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Bauhinia purpurea has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 26 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include saponins, flavonoids, steroids, tannin, terpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 26
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| saponins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BPA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-tocopherol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ergosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bauhinia purpurea has 14 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anticancer, Antimalarial.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antisecretory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bauhinia purpurea has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastric ulcer, ulcers, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Dental caries.
- Total uses
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gastric ulcer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dental caries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella typhi | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |