Bauhinia variegata
Orchid tree
Bauhinia variegata, commonly known as the Orchid Tree, is a stunning flowering plant prized for its ornamental beauty and medicinal properties. Renowned in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, its various parts—including bark, leaves, and flowers—are utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin disorders and inflammation to respiratory issues and digestive ailments.
- Scientific name: Bauhinia variegata
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is specifically positioned in the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership 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 |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Bauhinia variegata, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Hindi, it is called कचनार, while in Portuguese, it is referred to as Casco-de-vaca-lilás. In Chinese, its names vary slightly by script and region: it is known as 宫粉羊蹄甲 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), 宮粉羊蹄甲 in Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and 宮粉羊蹄甲 in Hong Kong Cantonese (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | कचनार | Wikidata |
| pt | Casco-de-vaca-lilás | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 宫粉羊蹄甲 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 宮粉羊蹄甲 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 宮粉羊蹄甲 | Wikidata |
| pl | Bauhinia zmienna | Wikidata |
| he | בוהיניה מגוונת | Wikidata |
| ta | மலையாத்தி | Wikidata |
| th | เสี้ยวดอกขาว | Wikidata |
| hu | közönséges orchideafa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several different continents and regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence can be documented specifically within Spain. Its distribution also extends to the Macaronesian islands, including Madeira. Moving toward the African continent, it is found throughout West Tropical Africa. Within this African region, it is specifically located in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| 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 |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bauhinia variegata, offers various medicinal components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The distinctively cleft leaf is frequently used in traditional remedies to treat ailments such as skin diseases and inflammation. The tender shoots can also be incorporated into treatments, while the seeds are often processed for their specific bioactive compounds. Furthermore, the roots are known to possess significant medicinal value, often used in decoctions to manage various health conditions. Finally, the vibrant, orchid-like petals not only contribute to the plant's beauty but are also studied for their potential health benefits.- Total parts
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shoots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| petals | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowering buds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dried leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bauhinia variegata has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 26 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, kaempferol, Malvidin 3-O-galactoside, anthocyanins, cyanidin.
- Total chemicals
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 26
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malvidin 3-O-galactoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cyanidin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cyanidin 3-O-galactoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cyanidin 3-O-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dehydropipernonaline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| delphinidin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| delphinidin 3-O-galactoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bauhinia variegata has 10 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antinociceptive.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fibrinolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bauhinia variegata has 28 reported medicinal uses identified across 31 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, skin diseases, ulcers, Micrococcus luteus, Oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 28
- Scientific sources
- 31
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| skin diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Micrococcus luteus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |