Bauhinia

Bauhinia is a genus of more than 200 species of flowering plants in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the large flowering plant family Fabaceae, with a pantropical distribution. The genus was named after the Bauhin brothers, Swiss-French botanists.

Many species are widely planted in the tropics as "orchid trees", particularly in northern India, Vietnam and southeastern China. In the United States of America, the tree grows in Hawaii, coastal California, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Bauhinia blakeana is the floral emblem of Hong Kong, and a stylized orchid tree flower appears on the Hong Kong flag.

Bauhinia trees typically reach a height of 6-12 m and their branches spread 3-6 m outwards. The lobed leaves usually are 10-15 cm across.

The five-petaled flowers are 7.5-12.5 cm diameter, generally in shades of red, pink, purple, orange, or yellow, and are often fragrant. The tree begins flowering in late winter and often continues to flower into early summer.


Selected species
Bauhinia acuminata is a species of flowering shrub native to tropical southeastern Asia. Common names include: Dwarf White Bauhinia, White Orchid-tree and Snowy Orchid-tree. The exact native range is obscure due to extensive cultivation, but probably from Malaysia, Indonesia (Java, Borneo, Kalimantan, Lesser Sunda Islands), and the Philippines. It is widely cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental plant. It may be found as an escape from cultivation in some areas, and has become naturalised on the Cape York Peninsula, Australia.

Bauhinia blakeana is an evergreen tree, in the genus Bauhinia, with large thick leaves and striking purplish red flowers. The fragrant, orchid-like flowers are usually 10-15 cm across, and bloom from early November to the end of March. This unique endemic flower is special of Hong Kong's ecosystem. It is referred to as bauhinia in non-scientific literature though this is the name of the genus. It is sometimes called Hong Kong orchid tree. Bauhinia blakeana was adopted as the floral emblem of Hong Kong by the Urban Council in 1965. Since 1997 it has become the floral emblem for the City of Hong Kong and appears on its flag and its coins. Although the flowers are bright pinkish purple in colour, they are depicted in white on the Flag of Hong Kong. The endemic plant of Hong Kong was introduced to Taiwan in 1967. In 1984 it was chosen to be the city flower of Chiayi City, in southwestern Taiwan.

Bauhinia flagelliflora is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family. It is found only in Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.

Bauhinia forficata - Pata de vaca, whose scientific name is Bauhinia forficata, is an tree native to Brazil and Peru that is used in tea form as a natural treatment for diabetes. It is said to be a natural insulin substitute or a "vegetable insulin", a teabag's worth of which can be consumed after a meal to lower blood sugar levels. In North Argentina is Bahuinia candicans, used for mild diabetes too.

Bauhinia lunarioides is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to Southwestern Texas and Northern Mexico. Common names include Anacacho Orchid Tree, Pata de Vaca, and Texas Plume. It is a small deciduous tree growing to 4 m tall. The leaves are 2-5 cm long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are small, white or (rarely) pink, with five petals. The fruit is a pod. Though limited in range in the wild, it has become increasingly available in nurseries.

Bauhinia mombassae

Bauhinia purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to South China (which includes Hong Kong) and southeastern Asia. In the United States of America, the tree grows in Hawaii, coastal California, southern Texas, and southwest Florida. Common names include Hong Kong Orchid Tree, Purple camel's foot, and Hawaiian orchid tree. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 17 m tall. The leaves are 10-20 cm long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, pink and fragrant, with five petals. The fruit is a pod 30 cm long, containing 12 to 16 seeds.

Bauhinia seminarioi. It is found only in Ecuador.

Bauhinia vahlii (Bhoral or Mehroin), is a species of tree found in Sikkim.

Bauhinia variegata is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to southeastern Asia, from southern China west to India. Common names include Orchidtree and Mountain-ebony. It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10-12 m tall, deciduous in the dry season. The leaves are 10-20 cm long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, bright pink or white, 8-12 cm diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a pod 15-30 cm long, containing several seeds. This is a very popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical climates, grown for its scented flowers.

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