Bauhinia petersiana

Bauhinia petersiana is in the bean family, Fabaceae. People call it white bauhinia and Zambezi coffee. It comes from tropical and southern Africa. Its range takes in Tanzania and southern Congo. It also includes Angola and South Africa. It grows in open grassland and grassland with trees. It grows in woodland too. These sites range from moist ground to dry tropical areas.

This plant grows as a shrub or small tree. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves. It can also scramble or climb with tendrils for support. Garden guides give its height and spread as 23 feet [7 metres]. Some plants grow to 33 feet [10 metres] tall. It grows fast. Its white flowers make it useful as a garden plant. Its fruit forms pods with seeds that people can eat. The sources give no bloom season for this species.

Grow it in full sun and soil that drains well. It suits light, sandy soil, but also grows in loam. It accepts soils that are mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline. It grows in dry ground or moist ground. Wild plants survive with just 350 millimetres of rain each year. The plant can stand some frost. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 9–12. Reports say it does not fix nitrogen, despite its bean-family ties. Growers can use seed, cuttings, or layers to raise plants.

People eat the seeds in the plant's native range. They can help when drought leaves less food to eat. People roast ripe seeds and eat them like nuts. They also peel and pound them to make coarse meal. They roast and grind seeds to use in place of coffee. People boil or roast young pods for food. They may also roast whole green pods for a short time. They then take out the seeds. Records also note the use of roasted roots as food. The food account says to throw out the root's core.

People use bark fibres to make rope and roots for dye. In folk remedies, people use leaves for coughs and wound care. They use root mixtures for diarrhoea and menstrual pain. Records also note their use for female infertility. These folk uses do not prove that the plant treats illness. Roots and leaves contain tannins. The sources list no known hazards. This does not mean the plant is safe for pets. They give no facts on pests or diseases for this species. Plants For A Future records no weed potential.