Ornamental plants are usually those species used to decorate landscapes and exterior sectors of homes, in this case the Pata de Vaca Tree stands out, a very beautiful, colorful species and with special care, let us know everything about this peculiar tree.
Cow's Leg Tree
Trees are the most impressive and important beings for our society, they represent a great importance for the development of life on our planet, being used by human beings for different purposes, either for decorations or a great benefit for their different medicinal properties, In this case, the Pata de Vaca tree stands out.
The Pata de Vaca Tree, also known as Hoof of the Cow and Bauhinia, corresponds to a tree belonging to the Fabaceae family, they are considered perennial herbs, conserving their green color and natural conditions throughout the year, very characteristic for their well-known flowers and fruits. and popular. They are distributed in different areas of the Argentine country such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Federal District and also other countries such as Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, Uruguay and Colombia.
It corresponds to a tree that can have a short stature being approximately up to 7 meters high, its flowers can acquire a white and even purple color, being very similar to orchids, differing for being deciduous leaves (altered by the seasons of the anus). Its great color is one of the reasons why it is sought after for decoration of gardens or sectors of green areas in the city.
It is a tree that has aroused interest in the scientific field due to its different medicinal properties, generating a large amount of research, so that some medications consumed have component properties obtained from this prestigious tree.
Characteristics and Origin
The Pata de Vaca Tree corresponds to a tree native to northern India, Vietnam and southeastern China, over time it came to emerge in countries such as Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico, considering it is a tree that does not It is easily found because it does not have a worldwide distribution because it is very difficult to cultivate and does not grow in any type of soil or terrain.
The Pata de Vaca Tree is considered a type of deciduous or deciduous tree, it is that species that is affected by the different seasons of the year, losing its foliage at the end of the growing seasons, being a thrifty process by the plants to resist low temperatures being a very exclusive stage in autumn and winter seasons, there are conditions where in dry season they can lose their foliage and color.
Very characteristic for having a parasol-shaped cup, that is, in the shape of a parasol or umbrella with a size of 3 to 6 meters in length. It has lobed leaves with less pronounced undulations than toothed leaves, also known as oak leaves or lobates because they are hoof-shaped, have a width between 10 to 15 centimeters, have a smooth margin and incoming and outgoing curvatures of the edge of the leaf. It has a straight trunk with a height of 5 to 7 meters, considering a tree with a thin trunk and also short.
It is responsible for blooming from late winter to mid-summer, with large white flowers or other colors such as pink, red and purple, being very similar to orchids, they can be born alone or as a cluster of three species together; becoming formed by five petals, found in a couple of groups, without having any aroma; This feature stands out as its main attraction.
Its fruits are considered as an elongated and thin pod, it is semi-woody with a size of 10 to 20 centimeters, it has rounded and flattened seeds with a light brown color, so they tend to be reproduced with the sowing of seeds and cuttings and in this way new shoots emerge.
Main Species
The Pata de Vaca tree is considered to be of the deciduous type, also known for being part of the Bauhinia, a very popular grove species in South America, its name was nicknamed by the brothers Johann Bauhin and Caspar Bauhin, Swiss botanists and doctors, who carried out the relevant studies to the Pata de Vaca tree, its leaves, stem and the different species related to this beautiful tree, two main species can be highlighted:
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Bauhinia Forficata
It can also be considered as the most popular species, known as Bauhnia Candicans, it is the popular cow's leg or hoof, being the most popular species throughout the American continent, especially in those countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and mainly Argentina, where there are walks. and long extensions of Pata de Vaca trees, being one of its main attractions for tourists in the country.
It can reach a height of approximately seven meters to 9 meters in height, its leaves are perennial, lobed and of a striking green color and its flowers are mainly white and even with lilac tones, therefore, possible confusion with the orchids
Use of Bauhinia Forficata
Its main use is as an ornamental plant in those species that are cultivated exclusively to be marketed as decorative gardens. In the case of the Bauhinia Forficata species, it is highly sought after for the color of its flowers, being very popular for the natural beauty they provide. To the environment. Other more popular use is for its medicinal properties, widely used for infusions with the leaves of the tree that has astringent, diuretic and antiseptic properties.
- Bauhinia purpurea
It is one of the best-known species of the Pata de Vaca tree, also known as the deer helmet or the stick orchid, it can be located in tropical areas, mainly in Costa Rica, reaching a height between 9 meters maximum and the tallest species. small can reach up to 3 or 4 meters in height. Differentiating itself by its purple flowers and being lobed.
- Bauhinia Variegata
It is like the most widespread species among all those of Pata de Vaca, being also known as the false mahogany, uña de vaca and the orchid tree, being found in very temperate zones such as southern China, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. . It can reach a height of ten to twelve meters high, being considered a small tree and also a medium one, in this case it is a deciduous tree with pod-shaped fruit 15 to 30 centimeters long.
It is considered as a highly sought after ornamental tree for those subtropical climates and for having very characteristic purple and fragrant flowers, they can also form edible fruits and even the leaves of the tree, they can also be used as medicine as in dye.
Care of the Pata de Vaca Tree
All plants have favorable conditions to achieve effective growth, in the case of the Pata de Vaca tree they have a fairly fast growth rate as long as the necessary conditions are granted, in case of being used as an ornamental plant they should be considered the following specifications for its best development:
Location
The Pata de Vaca tree can be planted in external areas such as gardens, as long as it has semi-shade or is also exposed to the sun. Normally they can be used as sections of groups for divisions of sectors, using some pots the first years while it takes the right size, after having the right height it must be transplanted.
It should be noted that they have very invasive roots, being able to affect pipes or block walls, so they must be as far away from buildings or houses as possible. It is recommended to be planted in areas of land or soil to enjoy its greatest splendor. They must also be placed in areas where the sun can directly influence it and favor its growth.
Soil or substrate
The soil can be considered as one of the most important factors, preferably if they are rich in nutrients, for the Pata de Vaca tree it is not very demanding with the type of soil, as long as it has good drainage and water circulation. on your system. In the case of using a pot, it is advisable to use a substrate that is mixed with 30% perlite, because many times the soil (gardens) can have an excess of seeds, harming the growth of the tree.
Irrigation
Irrigation represents the contribution of water necessary for the plant, in the case of the Pata de Vaca tree, it must be carried out frequently but avoiding accumulation or puddles. Normally it should be watered every two or three days in times of high temperatures such as summer, in the rest of the year water once a week, varying this procedure regardless of the rainy seasons.
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The fertilizer is one of the most important implements to be used for an ornamental plant, where a quantity of nutrients necessary to enrich the soil is provided, in this case it is advisable to use the fertilizer during the growth time such as spring until mid-summer, using fertilizers such as earthworms and manure, taking into account all indications indicated by the manufacturer.
Planting time
The recommended planting time is one that favors the growth of the Pata de Vaca tree, in this case it is recommended in spring, avoiding all risk of frost, if it is found in pots, holes should be applied to help drainage throughout the system. of the plant.
Multiplication
The multiplication of plants is normally carried out by two main methods, highlighting in this case that of seeds, where sowing is recommended in the spring season, being introduced in a glass with boiling water and then for 24 hours in another glass with water that is at room temperature and finally it must be sown in an individual seedbed or in a pot.
It offers a high germination rate and is easily replicated as it is directly exposed to the ground, once the plant is obtained it must be planted in the selected land for its development and growth.
Rusticity
The hardiness will depend exclusively on the type of species, in the case of the Bauhinia Variegata they tend to be marketed in cold weather up to mid-7ºC.
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