All flowers
Purple Orchid Tree Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Purple Orchid Tree

Bauhinia purpurea

Unity and togetherness.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Bauhinia
Native to
South Asia, Southeast Asia
Bloom season
Fall, Winter
Type
tree
Height
20-35 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, fertile
Water
moderate
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The bilobed leaves look like butterfly wings or a camel's footprint, inspiring the common name 'camel's foot tree.'
  • The genus Bauhinia was named after the Bauhin brothers, twin Swiss botanists, reflecting the twin-lobed leaves.
  • Hong Kong's flag features a stylized Bauhinia flower, though it is based on the hybrid species Bauhinia x blakeana.
  • Its orchid-like flowers can reach 4 inches across and have a delicate sweet fragrance that intensifies at night.
  • In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, the bark is used to treat skin diseases, digestive issues, and diabetes.

Color meanings

0

unity

1

togetherness

2

harmony

Uses

  • ornamental shade tree
  • street planting
  • traditional medicine
  • tropical landscaping