Bauhinia variegata var. variegata
Bauhinia variegata var. variegata, commonly known as the Orchid Tree, is a striking ornamental plant celebrated for its vibrant, butterfly-shaped blooms. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this medicinal powerhouse holds significant value in traditional healing, offering diverse therapeutic properties used to treat various ailments through its potent bark and flowers.
- Scientific name: Bauhinia variegata var. variegata
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. As a member of the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae, it is specifically categorized under the genus Bauhinia. Its precise taxonomic designation is Bauhinia variegata var. variegata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bauhinia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Bauhinia variegata var. variegata, is recognized by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is frequently referred to by the names 红紫荆 (hóng zǐ jīng), 洋紫荆 (yáng zǐ jīng), and 羊蹄甲 (yáng tí jiǎ).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 红紫荆 | Wikidata |
| zh | 洋紫荆 | Wikidata |
| zh | 羊蹄甲 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, its presence is noted specifically in Madeira. Moving towards the African continent, it is widely distributed throughout West Tropical Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Additionally, the species extends its reach into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be found in the DR Congo. This wide distribution highlights the plant's ability to thrive in varied tropical and subtropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bauhinia variegata var. variegata, is a medicinal species where various components are utilized, but its seeds hold specific significance in traditional practices. The seeds are typically contained within flattened, woody pods that dehisce to reveal the small, dark contents. In certain herbal applications, these seeds are processed or decocted to harness their bioactive properties, contributing to the plant's overall therapeutic profile used in various folk remedies.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bauhinia variegata var. variegata has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral, Gastroprotective, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bauhinia variegata var. variegata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HIV-1, nasopharyngeal cancer.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| HIV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nasopharyngeal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |