Cow’s-foot (Bauhinia forficata, Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 1: 404 (1821))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Link

Bibliography: Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 1: 404 (1821)

Year: 1821

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bauhinia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Bolivia to Brazil and N. Argentina

Description

Cow’s-foot is a remarkable plant valued for both its unique appearance and its various uses. Scientifically known as Bauhinia forficata, this plant was described in the early 19th century by Link in the “Enumeratio Plantarum Horti Regii Botanici Berolinensis Altera,” published in 1821.

Cow’s-foot is a member of the Fabaceae family, which is known for its wide array of flowering plants. The plant is especially notable for its distinctive leaves, which are reminiscent of a cow’s hoof, leading to its common name. These bilobed leaves, along with its delicate white flowers, make it an attractive addition to both botanical gardens and natural landscapes.

This plant’s natural habitat spans from Bolivia to Brazil and northern Argentina. It thrives in a variety of climates within these regions, ranging from tropical to subtropical environments. Bauhinia forficata can commonly be found in open fields, forest edges, and along riverbanks where it grows as a small to medium-sized tree.

In addition to its ornamental beauty, Cow’s-foot has traditional medicinal uses. In various cultures within its growing range, parts of the plant are utilized for their supposed health benefits. These traditional practices underscore the cultural significance of Bauhinia forficata in its native regions.

Overall, the Cow’s-foot is a fascinating plant both botanically and culturally. It embodies a blend of natural elegance and practical utility, making it a subject of interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: cow’s-foot, pata de vaca, orchid tree
Spa: pata de vaca
Por: pata-de-vaca
En: Cow’s-foot, Orchid Tree, Pata de vaca
Af: Doring-bauhinia
Ca: Bauhínia
Pt: Pata-de-vaca, Pata-de-boi, Unha-de-boi, Unha-de-vaca (3), Bauhinia
Es: Pata de vaca

Synonyms

• Pauletia forficata ((Link) A.Schmitz)
• Inga forficata ((Link) Hoffmanns.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Uruguay (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by di Parodi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Stefano Zacchi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Juan Francisco Iaconis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2020 by jj jj (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Guerra Artur (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Ruddy BENEZET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Ammar Foufou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2022 by Ammar Foufou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 22, 2020 by Bechi Denise (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by Rhamos Nancy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by Rhamos Nancy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Colin Renick (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Juan Francisco Iaconis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2021 by Saavedra Valeria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by smgonzalez victor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by di Parodi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Portrls Michelle (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Ammar Foufou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Juan Francisco Iaconis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2020 by abarzua Eliana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Colin Renick (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Juan Francisco Iaconis (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2953861)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:481315-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bauhinia forficata Link)

Specifications

Growth