Author: (Benth.) Baker
This widespread species, distributed from India through Indochina to Malesia is in the Malesian area only represented by one of its 3 varieties.
Bauhinia glabrifolia (Benth.) Baker var. maritima K. & S.S. Larsen
(Bauhinia glabrifolia maritima )
Morphological description (see also description of Genus Bauhinia ; Subgenus Phanera and Section Phanera )
Slender, tendrilled climber , young branches reddish brown, later glabrous.
Leaves: stipules lanceolate, falcate, c. 5 mm, with reddish hairs outside; petiole up to 9 cm, glabrescent; lamina ovate, up to 18.5 by 15 cm, bifid, 9-nerved (glabrifolia marit Bauhinia FT19 ).
Inflorescence lateral, dense, compound corymbs with short, light brown, tomentose axis; pedicel up to 17 mm long; bracts triangular, 4-5 mm long, ± persistent; bracteoles setaceous, 3-4 mm, ± persistent, inserted about the middle of the pedicel.
Flowers: Buds globose with pointed apex, light brown, 2-3 mm diameter. Hypanthium turbinate, c. 3 mm long, striate. Calyx splitting into 2 or 3, moreor less reflexed segments. Petals yellowish-white, subequal, obovate to spathulate, 6-8 mm long including the short claw; outside hairy at base and on the upper central part, glabrous towards apex. Stamens 3 fertile; filaments white, 10-12 mm long; anthers c. 2 mm, opening by a longitudinal slit; staminodes absent. Ovary c. 4 mm with a short stipe; style 4-5 mm; stigma small, capitate; sutures of ovary and stipe densely hairy.
Pods broadly oblong, up to 17 by 6-7 cm, with a short beak.
Seeds 3-5, flat, oblong, 21 by 12 mm, dark brown.
Distribution (of var. maritima)
Burma (Tenasserim), west coast of peninsular Thailand; Malesia : Peninsular Malaysia (Penang, Perak).
Habitat
On limestone outcrops along the coast and up to 250 m altitude.