Bauhinia rufescens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piliostigma rufescens
• Adenolobus rufescens
• Bauhinia adansoniana
• Bauhinia rubescens

Sources: Wikidata

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 classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bauhinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Algeria. Moving toward the western region, it can be found across multiple West Tropical African nations. This includes its occurrence in Benin, Burkina, and the Gambia. Additionally, the species extends its range further south into Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Bauhinia rufescens is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its primary photosynthetic and regenerative tissues well above the ground level, typically developing a woody structure that ensures long-term survival and structural resilience. This life strategy enables it to navigate seasonal environmental shifts by investing in robust perennial growth patterns and elevated meristematic tissues.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bauhinia rufescens is characterized by its woody structure and a growth form primarily classified as a shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently of other organisms, functioning as a non-parasitic species. The plant exhibits a self-supporting habit rather than acting as a liana or vine, meaning it does not require external support to maintain its structure. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum height of approximately 7.62 meters, with a mean plant height recorded at 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7.62009266 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bauhinia rufescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic process involves the standard three-carbon intermediate production during the initial stages of photosynthesis, which is typical for many woody dicotyledonous species in this genus. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen requirements must be met through the uptake of nitrates or ammonium ions from the soil via its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bauhinia rufescens is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes an insect-based pollination strategy, with bees playing a primary role in the fertilization process. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit significant variability in size. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.01133 g to a maximum of 0.13366 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.085095 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.13366 g

Seed mass mean:

0.085095 g

Seed mass min:

0.01133 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bauhinia rufescens has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ERIODICTYOL, Epicatechin, MENISDAURIN, Procyanidin B, RUTIN.

ERIODICTYOL

1. Journal of receptor and signal transduction research

Epicatechin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

MENISDAURIN

1. Natural product communications

Procyanidin B

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

RUTIN

1. Journal of receptor and signal transduction research

Sequoyitol

1. Natural product communications

alpha-Amyrin acetate

1. Natural product communications

beta-Sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside

1. Natural product communications

quercetin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Bauhinia rufescens has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Tyrosinase-Inhibitor.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of receptor and signal transduction research

Tyrosinase-Inhibitor

1. Natural product communications

Medicinal Uses

Bauhinia rufescens has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, fevers, gastroenteritis, hypoglycemic, infectious diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations