Lysiphyllum hookeri

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]

Lysiphyllum hookeri
Habit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Genus:	Lysiphyllum
Species:	L. hookeri
Binomial name
Lysiphyllum hookeri (F.Muell.) Pedley
Synonyms
Bauhinia hookeri F.Muell.

Taxonomy

It, along with the rest of the genus Lysiphyllum was formerly treated as part of the genus Bauhinia.^[1][3][4][5] However, molecular phylogenetic analysis confirms that Lysiphyllum is a distinct genus from Bauhinia.^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

Range and habitat

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]

Description

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.

• 
  foliage
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  flowers