Bihar - Orchid Kachnar

Botanical Name: Bauhinia variegate

Local Name: Commonly known as Kachnar in Hindi

'Kanchanara', by Dinesh Valke, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Reason for being the state flower

It is chosen due to its economic importance. It is cultivated as a decorative plant.

Cultural Significance

All flowers of orchid trees which come in varieties, differentiated by their colour are used in worship. The white blossoms of Kachnar are utilized for adoring Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

Uses

The plant yields gum. Its bark is utilized for dyeing and tanning. The flowers are consumable as potherb and furthermore, made into pickles. It has different therapeutic properties.

Bibliography

http://bagbani.yolasite.com/kachnar-the-indian-orchid-tree.ph

http://bsienvis.nic.in/State_flower/Bihar%20State%20Flower%20-%20Final%20-

%2010.12.2013.pdf

http://sacredtreesbhu.com/index.php?id=OrchidTree