Tribe Cercideae Rank Species | Subfamily Caesalpinioideae | |
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Similar Lysiphyllum, Bauhinia bowkeri, Bauhinia divaricata, Bauhinia corymbosa, Bauhinia galpinii | ||
Lysiphyllum hookeri is a species of small tree endemic to Queensland, Australia, of the legume plant family Fabaceae. These trees are known by a variety of common names, including pegunny, alibangbang, Hooker's bauhinia, white bauhinia, mountain ebony and Queensland ebony.
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Taxonomy
It, along with the rest of the genus Lysiphyllum was formerly treated as part of the genus Bauhinia. However, recent molecular phylogenetic analysis confirms that Lysiphyllum is a distinct genus from Bauhinia.
Range and habitat
These trees grow naturally in monsoon forest, littoral rainforest and occasionally in more open forest types in north-eastern Australia. It has also been widely cultivated throughout Australia and the pacific region as a drought-tolerant ornamental plant.
Description
As with most members of the genus, this species produces compound leaves with only a single pair of leaflets, producing a bi-lobed leaf that resembles the wings of a butterfly. Showy white flowers are produced throughput the year dependent on rainfall, and are accented by long red stamens. The flowers are followed by flat pods containing multiple seeds.
