- Autumn in Rio is... (1)
magenta!
Pata-de-vaca/Cow's Paw
ID: Bauhinia variegata
Medium-sized tree (ranging from 5 to 9 meters in height). It usually has a tortuous trunk, 30 to 40 centimeters in diameter. Tree much sought after by bees, due to its exuberant flowering, the pata-de-vaca goes far beyond a plastic beauty.
Belonging to the Bauhinia genus, with various shapes and flowers, here's a tip: pay attention to its leaves. If they have the exact shape of a cow's paw (hence the name), it is more important than beautifying or even bringing shade to an environment.
This species contains chemical compounds capable of helping to fight diabetes and other diseases, usually extracted from its leaf, flower and bark. In the case of Bauhinia variegata, of Indian and Chinese origin, which has white, pink or purple flowers, an important property was discovered: it has a protein similar to insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas, which is fundamental in the process of controlling the rate of blood glucose. It is also widely used in landscaping. But there are native species. In addition to the exotic ones (case in point), there are more than 300 species, some very similar to each other.
- Autumn in Rio is... (1)
magenta!
Pata-de-vaca/Cow's Paw
ID: Bauhinia variegata
Medium-sized tree (ranging from 5 to 9 meters in height). It usually has a tortuous trunk, 30 to 40 centimeters in diameter. Tree much sought after by bees, due to its exuberant flowering, the pata-de-vaca goes far beyond a plastic beauty.
Belonging to the Bauhinia genus, with various shapes and flowers, here's a tip: pay attention to its leaves. If they have the exact shape of a cow's paw (hence the name), it is more important than beautifying or even bringing shade to an environment.
This species contains chemical compounds capable of helping to fight diabetes and other diseases, usually extracted from its leaf, flower and bark. In the case of Bauhinia variegata, of Indian and Chinese origin, which has white, pink or purple flowers, an important property was discovered: it has a protein similar to insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas, which is fundamental in the process of controlling the rate of blood glucose. It is also widely used in landscaping. But there are native species. In addition to the exotic ones (case in point), there are more than 300 species, some very similar to each other.