Bauhinia petersiana

Mgobwali or White Bauhinia [Edible Bauhinia] is indigenous to Tanzania and other parts of Africa. It grows on old termite mounds in woodland areas of medium altitude.The species tolerated dry periods and is noticeable because the thick, black seedpods remain on the tree after the seed have been explosively dispersed.

Description: An evergreen and sometimes deciduous tree > 7m, round-shaped with spreading branches almost from the ground. Branchlets had brown hairs. Bark is pale to dark brown, powdery and smooth when young and flaking in vertical strips when older. The leaves are alternate and simple, blue/green in colour and divided into two lobes - camel foot - 3 - 8 cm across and tomentose below. Flowers are fragrant and white with pink stamens. Petals are wavy and bend backwards. Fruit are dark brown/black pods, smooth, 18cm long and 6 - 8cm wide, splitting explosively to expel 5 - 8 brown/purple seeds that are oily and shiny.

Uses: Seeds are a food source in famine time (not preferred) and early explorers ground a coffee substitute  from the seeds, traditional medicine from roots and leaves, fodder from leaves (and sometimes pods), shade, amenity, tannin from the roots.

Propagation:  There are 1 500 seeds per kg and seeds can only be stored with refrigeration. Pre-soak seed in cold water for 12 hours or carefully nick the seed coat. Sow direct into pots.

There were a few trees on the road to Leguruke and along the section of main road around Kikatiti.

Farmers have left them growing which indicates they have seen value in the tree. We collected seed on occasion and sent some trees out to the various villages.