KACHNAR (کچنار)

The Kachnar Tree:
Scientifically known as Bauhinia variegata, kachnar is the name of this flowering plant in the regional Indian languages of Hindi and Bengali and it is called Mountain Ebony, Butterfly Ash, Camel’s Foot in English.

The Bauhinia variegata is a deciduous tree, native to the Southeast Asian countries of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan And China, among others. It is generally medium in size, growing up to a height of 10 to 12 meters, with thick barks and lengthy stems. These branches hold leaves that stretch up to 10 to 20 centimetres in size, being rather broad, having two rounded lobes each at the base and tip. Kachnar flowers are initially present as stuffed buds and upon blooming, appear in striking shades of vivid pink and dazzling white, bearing five petals. These flowers, upon developing, bud into fruits that are basically seedpods, housing numerous seeds. All parts of the kachnar tree, namely the roots, bark, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds are packed with beneficial nutrients and medicinal compounds that confer astounding merits for overall wellbeing.