Bauhinia tomentosa

Bauhinia tomentosa L.

Common names

Yellow Bauhinia (English); katondotondo (Bemba/Kunda); mpondo (Nyanja).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A scrambling, much-branched shrub up to 3-4 m in height. Bark grey or brown. Leaves simple, alternate, butterfly-shaped, up to 8 cm in diameter, bilobed with a small bristle in the notch. Leaves pale, fresh green; leaf margins entire. Flowers conspicuously large, up to 7 cm long with large, yellow petals with a maroon spot at the base (December-March). Fruit a thin, brown, leathery, velvety, dehiscent pod, 10-11 x 1.5-2 cm (January-June).

Range and habitat

Bauhinia tomentosa is widespread in tropical Africa, and also occurs in India and Sri Lanka. In the Luangwa valley it is found in the riverine areas and in mopane woodland, although it is not common.