256 .XLV. LEGUMINOS^E [Bauhinia 



entirely closed in bud, tube cylindric or turbinate, lined by the disk, limb of 5 

 valvate segments or spatbaceous, splitting on the upper side, or irregularly 

 cleft. Petals 5, spreading, slightly unequal. Stamens 10, all or some only 

 perfect, anthers versatile. Ovary stipitate, stalk free or adnate to the calyx- 

 tube. Seeds numerous, compressed, with usually thin albumen. Species 150, 

 tropics of both hemispheres. 



The stem of the arborescent species has a normal structure, as far as known. That 

 of the climbing species is irregular, but demands further study. The pith of all 

 Bauhinias is believed to be cross-shaped. 



A. Fertile stamens 10. Calyx spathaceous. Erect trees or shrubs. 



1. B. tomentosa, Linn. Vera. Vana Sampage, Kan. ; Tiruvatti, Tarn. 

 A large shrub. L. 1-3 in. long, pubescent beneath, divided one-third down 



into two-rounded lobes. Fl. in pairs, on short, usually leaf-opposed peduncles, 

 bracteoles linear. Calyx 1 in. long, shortly bifid at top, pubescent. Petals 

 sulphur-yellow, the uppermost with a dark purple blotch at base, If in. long, 

 not spreading, but forming a bell-shaped corolla. Pod dehiscent, finely pubes- 

 cent. Seeds 8-12, small. 



Western Peninsula, more common on the east side. Often cultivated near Hindu 

 temples. Fl. Aug.-April. Ceylon dry region. Tropical Africa. 



2. B. acuminata, Linn. — Syn. B. Candida, Aiton. Vera. Kachnar, Hind. • 

 'Mahahlega byit, Burm. 



An erect shrub. L. 3-6 in. long, longer than broad, divided one-third down 

 into two ovate, obtuse, or triangular acute lobes, tertiary nerves conspicuous 

 beneath. Fl. large, white, in short generally leaf-opposed racemes. Calyx 

 spathaceous, 1-2 in. long, acuminate with 5 setaceous teeth. Petals elliptic, 

 1-lf in. long. Pod glabrous, at length dehiscent, 4-5 in. long, J in. broad. 



Chittagong hill tracts. Andamans, Burma, Upper and Lower, common in Eng 

 forest. (Probably not indigenous in Western India.) Often grown in gardens. PI. 

 Sept.-May. Malay Peninsula and Archipelago, China. 3. B. polycarpa, Wall.; 

 Kurz F. Fl. i. 396. Burma, Upper and Lower. A small shrub. L. glabrous, blade 3-5, 

 petiole slender, 1-LV in. Fl. small, in slender leaf -opposed racemes. Petals white, 

 J in. long. Specimens from the Pegu Yoma in high Teak forest, with larger leaves, 

 6 by 8 in., Prain (Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 66 [1898] 495) is disposed to regard as belong- 

 ing to a distinct species. 



4. B. racemosa, Lam. ; Bedd. Fl. Sylv. t. 182. Vera. Papri, Jliimjeri, 

 Jhanjhora, Hind. ; Makuna, Oudh ; Jinja, Rajputana ; Apia, Shiara, Mar. ; 

 Ari, Tel. ; Atthi, Tarn. ; Hpalan, Burm. 



A small deciduous tree. L. 1-3 in. long, broader than long, lobes rounded. 

 Fl. white, small, in long loose pubescent racemes. Petals ^-Jj in. long, linear- 

 lanceolate, unequal, filaments and anthers with long hairs. Pods thick, 

 generally curved, 4-12 in. long, 1 in. broad. 



Dry forests of both Peninsulas, in the subhimalayan tract as far north as the Pavi, 

 ascending to 5,000 ft. in Kumaon. Old leaves shed C. S. New 1. and fl. H. S. Ceylon 

 dry region. 



B. Fertile stamens 10. Calyx 5-dentate or limb of 5 segments. 



5. B. malabarica, Roxb. ; Brandis F. Fl. 159. Vera. Amli, Imli, Hind. - 

 Laba, Kol ; Vatta Atthi, Tam. ; Aram Puli, Mai. ; Bictgyin, Burm. 



A middle-sized, in moist districts a large tree, evergreen, with dark-green 

 foliage. L. emarginate, hardly lobed, at times quite entire, 2-3 in. long, broader 

 than long, glaucous beneath. Fl. white, small, often unisexual, <$ and ? fl. 

 on different trees in North Kanara (Talbot), pedicels long, slender, panicles 

 corymbose. Calyx with 5 equal triangular teeth. Petals spathulate, equal. 

 Pod 12-15 in. long, § in. broad, marked with raised wavy lines, descending; 

 from the middle to the edges of the valves. 



