Bauhinia finlaysoniana
Content
Description
Large tendrilled climber, young branches pubescent in varying degree from densely covered with ferrugineous hairs to almost glabrous.
Leaves very variable; stipules small, obovate, early caducous (not seen in all varieties); petiole 0.5-3 cm, rather slender; lamina entire, broadly ovate to ovate-oblong, up to 13 by 8 cm, usually 5-nerved, rarely 3- or 7-nerved, the 2 outer nerves shorter and fainter; apex acute to acuminate, sometimes with slightly emarginate tip; base truncate to cordate; upper surface glabrous, the lower sparsely pubescent to glabrous.
Inflorescences terminal and lateral corymbs or panicles, axis usually pubescent; pedicels of various length, from coarse to almost filiform; bracts mostly small, narrow lanceolate, caducous; bracteoles minute, inserted below the middle of the pedicel; pedicel varying in length, up to 6.5 cm.
Petals white, yellow, or in some varieties orange to red, subequal; blade suborbicular to obovate, with crenulate margin, 10-25 mm long; claw short, distinct, 2-4 mm.
Stamens 3 fertile; filaments filiform, glabrous or nearly so, 7-12 mm, anthers small, broadly ellipsoid; staminodes 7-11, sometimes with diminutive anthers.
Ovary 4-6 mm, pubescent at base and along the suture, often glabrous towards the style; stipe 1-3 mm; style 2-4 mm, usually curved; stigma small, peltate or capitate.
Seeds few, 4-6; only few specimens with fruit seen, mature pods only known from literature.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical
Very widespread, occurring all over Malesia but not found in peninsular Thailand.
Taxonomy
The delimitation towards Bauhinia kockiana in some cases is uncertain; we suspect that hybrids may occur. In most cases, however, the two species are distinct, and in the Philippines, where B. finlaysoniana is particularly variable, B. kockiana does not occur (see page 522).
This is a very polymorphous species particularly in the eastern part of its distribution. We have suggested a division in varieties below, partly following de Wit.
Citation
K. & S.S. Larsen 1993 – In: Nord. J. Bot.: 663.
de Wit 1956 – In: Reinwardtia: 505.
Merr. 1923 – In: Enum. Philipp. Flow. Pl.: 259.
Prain 1897 – In: J. As. Soc. Beng.: 190
Miq. 1855 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 62
Wunderlin, Larsen & Larsen 1987 – In: Biol. Skr. Dan. Vid. Selsk.: 22
Ridley 1922 – In: Fl. Malay Penins.: 632
Backer 1945 – In: Blumea: 509.
Merr. 1910 – In: Philipp. J. Sc., Bot.: 44