Orchid Trees
Bauhinia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (19 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Orchid Trees, scientifically known as Bauhinia, is a versatile genus of flowering plants celebrated for its stunning, butterfly-shaped blossoms. Beyond their ornamental beauty, many species possess significant medicinal properties, utilized in traditional healing to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues, making them valuable assets in ethnobotany.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Leaf
- Common names
- Orchid Trees
- Scientific synonyms
- Monoteles · Cansenia · 9 more
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- Orchid Trees
Scientific Names
Accepted name
BauhiniaSynonyms
- Monoteles
- Cansenia
- Ariaria
- Bracteolanthus
- Amaria
- Perlebia
- Pauletia
- Alvesia
- Mandarus
- Casparia
- Caspareopsis
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Patas de vaca
- escalera de mono
German:
- Bauhinien
- Orchideenbäume
- Bauhinien
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Bauhinia.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Bauhinia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and climatic zones. In Southwestern Europe, its presence can be identified within the borders of Spain. Its range extends into Northern Africa, specifically throughout the territory of Algeria. The species is also found in the Macaronesian islands, notably on Madeira. Finally, it occupies parts of West Tropical Africa, including the nations of Benin and Burkina.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Spain |
| Northern Africa | Algeria |
| Macaronesia | Madeira |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Plant Parts
Bauhinia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Leaf
- Frontiers in chemistry
Chemicals
Bauhinia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Roseoside.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Roseoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoids
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Roseoside
- Fitoterapia
Activities
Bauhinia has 7 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antidiabetic
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- International journal of biological macromolecules
- Phytochemistry
Antioxidant
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- Phytochemistry
Anticancer
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Antidepressant
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Antimicrobial
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Hepatoprotective
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Nephroprotective
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Conditions
Bauhinia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, cancer, cough, diarrhea, fever.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cancer | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cough | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diarrhea | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fever | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Skin diseases | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antidiabetic
- International journal of biological macromolecules
Cancer
- International journal of biological macromolecules
Cough
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Diarrhea
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Fever
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Skin diseases
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology