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Yellow Bauhinia

Submitted by admin on 9 March 2026
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Scientific name
Bauhinia tomentosa L.
English Name
Yellow Bauhinia
Malayalam name
മഞ്ഞമന്ദാരം,കാഞ്ചനം
Common name
Yellow Orchid Tree, St. Thomas Tree

Description 

  1. Habit: Tree 
  2. Habitat: Naturally found in coastal forests, woodland fringes, riverine thickets, and gravelly slopes. 
  3. Leaves: Simple, light green, and deeply divided for nearly half their length into two rounded lobes. 
  4. Stem: The bark is greyish-brown and smooth on older stems, while young twigs are often slender, zigzagged, and covered in fine hairs.
  5. Flowers: Bell-shaped and pendulous, usually bright lemon-yellow. One or more petals often feature a distinct dark maroon or purple blotch at the base. 
  6. Fruit: Slender, woody, and flattened pods (approximately 10-14 cm long).
Uses

Urinary disorders, coughs, Diarrhea, fever, skin diseases, sore throats,inflamed glands, abscesses, large intestine conditions

Parts used
Roots, bark, leaves, and flower buds
How to use
  1. Skin conditions : An infusion of the root bark is used as an external application to treat inflamed glands, abscesses and skin conditions
  2. The root bark is vermifuge. It is used internally to treat conditions of the large intestine.
  3. Astringent gargle : An infusion of the rind is used as an astringent gargle
  4. Wounds : A paste of the seed made with vinegar is used as a local application to the wounds produced by venomous animals.
  5. Abscesses :The leaves are an ingredient in a plaster applied to abscesses

Propagation & Cultivation 

Most commonly propagated by seeds. Seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours before sowing to improve germination. It can also be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring or early summer. Cultivation: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil enriched with compost soil. Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade (though flowering may be less profuse).Requires moderate watering; it is somewhat drought-tolerant once established but sensitive to severe frost.Pruning after the flowering season helps maintain shape and encourages bushier growth and more flowers the following year.