bauhinia|bəʊˈhɪnɪə|[mod.L. (Linnæus 1737), named after Jean (1541–1613) and Gaspard (1560–1624) Bauhin.]A plant of the genus Bauhinia (family Leguminosæ) of which there are many tropical species. Also attrib.1790J. BruceTrav.Source of Nile V.App.59Mr. Jussieu says this bauhinia is by Mr. Bruce taken for an acacia.1833PennyCycl.I. 447/1 (America)Bauhinias..cling round the trees like enormous cables.1849C. SturtNarr.Exped.C. Australia I. 359The Bauhinia here grew to the height of 16 to 20 feet.1887C. A. MoloneyForestry W. Africa 187Plaintain and Bauhinia fibres.1922Chambers'sJrnl.Dec. 859/2Trees..with a good deal of Bauhinia creeper all over.1934Bulletin (Sydney) 27 June 24/1Scattered cabbage-gum, kurrajong, bauhinia and other fodder trees.1967‘A. Cordell’Bright Cantonese xiii. 150The bauhinia trees were etched in darkness against a round China moon.