General Description:

Lysiphyllum is a small genus of 9 species, 5 of which occur in Australia. The genus also extends to India and Southeast Asia.  Lysiphyllum species were previously classified in the genus Bauhinia.

Lysiphyllum cunninghamii (previously Bauhinia cunninghamii) is a large shrub to a tree up to 12 or more metres in height. The leaves comprise two oval-shaped leaflets about 3 cm long which fall in the dry season; new leaves appear just prior to the wet season.  Pink to red flowers with long, protruding stamens appear from winter to spring.  The flowers are nectar-rich and are bird attracting. Flowers are followed by flat, brown seed pods which are eaten by livestock.

This is a very attractive and hardy plant for tropical, dry climates. Plants appreciate supplemental watering during dry periods.

Propagation is best carried out from seed which germinates reliably following pre-treatment by soaking in hot water or by carefully nicking the hard seed coat to partly expose the embryo.