Bauhinia galpinii

Bauhinia galpinii

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Common Names

Pride-of-de-Kaap (english)Vlam-van-die-Vlakte (afrikaans)mutswiriri (venda)umvangatane (zulu)

Taxonomy

Family FABACEAE
Genus Bauhinia
Species galpinii
SA Plant Number 208.2
Basionym Bauhinia galpinii

Description

Bauhinia galpinii is a hardy, deciduous, drought and frost resistant rambling shrub or climber with bi-lobed leaves that look like butterfly wings.

It bears masses of beautiful terracotta coloured flowers from summer to late autumn.

The Brown Playboy and the Orange Barred Playboy butterflies are dependent on the seeds for their larvae to feed on while other species feed on the leaves.

Does well on a slope or cascading over a wall in either sun or semi-shade and thrives in poor soils.

Very showy when in flower and when scrambling through a mixed hedge. It also makes a lovely container plant.

Size 1 to 2m

Wildlife

Butterfly Host Plant: Both the Brown Playboy and the Orange Barred Playboy butterfly larvae feed on the seeds of Bauhinia galpinii.

Uses

Landscaping: An excellent screen plant. Used in KwaZulu Natal on the North Coast N2 road to screen lights of oncoming traffic. Can be trained up a pergoda to make a beautiful avenue to walk through.

Distribution

Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal

Habitat:Along rivers and streams, Along streams and drainage lines, Rocky hillsides

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