Bauhinia variegata Buddhist Bauhinia, Mountain Ebony, Orchid Tree

Bauhinia variegata, a medium-sized deciduous tree, grows to a height of up to 15 m and is found across India, ascending to an altitude of 1,300 m in the Himalayas. The bark is gray on the outside with longitudinal cracks and pale pink inside. Bauhinia variegata leaves are shaped like the hoof of a cow and the flowers are of different colors in sessile or short-peduncled corymbs. Flowering occurs when the plant is leafless. Pods are long, hard, flat, glabroous, dehiscent, and contain 10-15 Bauhinia variegata seeds. Bark decoction is used as an astringent alternative, It is very useful as fodder and timber. The wood is brown and moderately hard and used for agricultural implements.

Bauhinia needs to be scarified and soaked in warm water for 24 hours prior to sowing. Sow the seeds 1 inch deep in a well-draining sandy potting soil and place in a warm/sunny location. Keep soil moist, but not soaking wet during germination. ... Keep soil moist, but not soaking wet during germination.