Lysiphyllum hookeri is a species of small tree endemic to Queensland, Australia, of the legume plant family Fabaceae. These trees are known by a variety of common names, including pegunny, alibangbang, Hooker's bauhinia, white bauhinia, mountain ebony and Queensland ebony.[1][2]
It, along with the rest of the genus Lysiphyllum was formerly treated as part of the genus Bauhinia.[1][3][4][5] However, recent molecular phylogenetic analysis confirms that Lysiphyllum is a distinct genus from Bauhinia.[6][7][8][9][10]
These trees grow naturally in monsoon forest, littoral rainforest and occasionally in more open forest types in north-eastern Australia.[1] It has also been widely cultivated throughout Australia and the pacific region as a drought-tolerant ornamental plant.[2][11]
As with most members of the genus, this species produces compound leaves with only a single pair of leaflets, producing a bi-lobed leaf that resembles the wings of a butterfly. Showy white flowers are produced throughout the year dependent on rainfall, and are accented by long red stamens. They also have a lovely delicate scent. The flowers are followed by flat pods containing multiple seeds.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of December 2022 (link) Lysiphyllum hookeri is a species of small tree endemic to Queensland, Australia, of the legume plant family Fabaceae. These trees are known by a variety of common names, including pegunny, alibangbang, Hooker's bauhinia, white bauhinia, mountain ebony and Queensland ebony.
