Bauhinia hookeri F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1859) Transactions of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria 3: 51. Type: Queensland, Gilbert River, F. Mueller; holo: MEL; iso: K.

Bauhinia, White; Bauhinia; Pegunny; Ebony, Mountain; Ebony, Queensland; Hooker's Bauhinia; Mountain Ebony; White Bauhinia; Queensland Ebony; Bauhinia, Hooker's

Usually encountered as a small tree (often multistemmed) less than 30 cm dbh but recorded to 40 cm dbh. Occasionally flowers and fruits as a shrub. Bark shed in flakes about 1-2 x 2-3 cm.

Two leaflets in the compound leaf, each leaflet blade about 25-40 x 15-30 mm, sessile, usually with 4-7 longitudinal radiating veins. A peg-like gland usually present between the leaflets. Stipules about 1-1.5 mm long.

Calyx and corolla pubescent on the inner and outer surfaces. Anthers red. Staminal filaments pink to red, 40-55 mm long. Ovary stalked, style pink to red, stigma green.

Pods flat, about 10-20 x 3-3.5 cm. Seeds flat, about 10-13 x 6-8 mm.

Cotyledons linear-oblong, about 11-14 mm long, +/- fleshy, without any obvious venation. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves compound with two leaflets, leaflets +/- orbicular, unequal-sided, with 3-5 veins radiating from the base; stipules +/- orbicular. Seed germination time 14 to 91 days.

Endemic to Queensland, occurs in NEQ, CEQ and southwards to south-eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range from sea level to 500 m. Grows in monsoon forest and vine thickets but also found in beach forest and in more open situations such as open forest.

Has potential in gardens and as a street tree in dry areas. Produces showy white flowers.