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Abstract Bauhinia forficata link, commonly known as ”pata de vaca” due to its large, divided leaves resembling a cow{u2019}s hoof, is a small thorny tree that grows naturally in the tropical parts and rainforests of South America and Asia. In this study macro -, micromorphological investigation and phytochemical screening of bauhinia forficata Link was conducted. Chemical profiling of bauhinia forficata in comparison with other seven bauhinia s.l. plants using UPLC - qTOF - MS coupled to chemometrics revealed the identification of 90 metabolites which were mainly polyphenols and fatty acids, with flavonoid conjugates accounting for most of the interspecies metabolites variation. Our metabolomic study also provides the most complete map for polyphenols composition in Bauhinia and concurs recent Bauhinia genus taxonomic relationship derived from phylogentic studies. Bauhinia forficata leaf flavonoid profile was distinct compared to other studied samples which leaded to the isolation of four flavonol glycosides for the first time; quercetin - 3 - O - (2{u2019}{u2019}- rhamnosyl rutionoside), kaempferol - 3 - O - (2{u2019}{u2019}- rhamnosyl rutionoside), rutin and kaempferol - 3 - O - rutionoside. GLC analysis of the saponifiable and unsaponifiable matters of Bauhinia forficata leaf petroleum ether fraction revealed the identification of 16 and 23 components, respectively |