Trees Planted & Survived
0+Projects
Mission 2030
Plant 10 Million = Sequester0
MT of CO₂ / Year
Trees Species Details
Scientific Name:
Bauhinia variegata
Marathi Name:
Kanchan
Common Name:
Kachnar, Orchid Tree
Plant Form:
Medium tree 6–15 m tall.
Native/Exotic/Introduced:
Native
Distribution:
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and the Himalayas up to 1200 m elevation.
Plant Characteristics:
Deciduous tree with bilobed fuzzy leaves (7–14 cm); large fragrant pink-purple flowers (8–10 cm); rough grey bark; linear pods (10–20 cm) that explosively release seeds.
Required Growth conditions:
Prefers tropical to subtropical climates; grows in dry deciduous forests and rocky soils; needs full sun and well-drained soil; moderately drought-tolerant; found up to 1200 m elevation.
Habitat:
Found in dry to moist deciduous forests, open scrub, rocky hillsides, roadsides, gardens, and urban areas; adapts to degraded lands.
Conservation Status:
Least Concern (LC)
Dispersal:
Seeds are dispersed by explosive opening of pods (dehiscence), dropping by gravity. Animals like ants or small mammals may also aid dispersal.
Pollinators:
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) are important pollinators. Pollination is mainly by bees, butterflies, and other insects attracted to large, colorful, fragrant flowers.
Medicinal Information:
Diarrhea, wounds, skin diseases, inflammation, blood disorders, coughs, and snake bites; contains flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids
Bird Host Plant:
ND
Butterfly Host Plant:
Moth Host Plant:
ND
Ecological Significance:
Provides nectar for pollinators; used in reforestation and soil stabilization; ornamental shade tree supporting urban biodiversity and pollinators.
Cultural Significance:
Flowers used in religious rituals and offerings; planted near temples; valued ornamentally and medicinally; flower buds consumed as food.
Air Pollution Tollerance Index (APTI):
No official APTI data available.
Other Uses:
Wood used for light carpentry and fuel; flowers edible and used in Indian cuisine; widely planted ornamentally.