Bauhinia petersiana, the Kalahari white bauhinia, is a species of shrubs in the family Fabaceae and the subfamily Cercidoideae found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho,Lesotho distribution Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The species is in height. The flower is up to wide, with five narrow white petals.
Ecology In East Africa, the plant grows at altitudes of , while in South Africa it can be found in dry places, such as the Kalahari Desert at the altitudes around . The plant can withstand frost.
Various uses of the plant Plant as food The seeds of this plant are considered a delicacy in Botswana, where they are used as nuts. Ground and roasted seeds are often used for coffee. The unripe seeds are not harmful to humans and can be eaten. Botswanans also use the plants seeds for oil.
Craftsmanship In Congo, the bark is used for rope making, while the roots are used to make dye. The plant is harvested by livestock. It is grown as a decorative plant in countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and even in the United States.United States sale
Medicine In Zimbabwe, the Shona tribe uses the plant's roots for medical reasons, such as for treating dysmenorrhoea and female infertility. In South Africa, the plant's pounded leaves, when mixed with salt, are used to cure wounds. The macerated roots of the plant are used for treating diarrhoea. Despite its widespread usage, the plant was never domesticated, and therefore was poorly documented.
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