Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree)

Bauhinia purpurea is native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar, and widely introduced elsewhere in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common names include Orchid Tree, Purple Bauhinia, Camel's Foot, Butterfly Tree, and Hawaiian Orchid Tree. The flowers are conspicuous, pink, and fragrant, with five petals. The fruit is a pod measuring 30cm long, containing 12-16 seeds. The genome sequence was used to demonstrate it is the maternal ancestor of the hybrid Hong Kong Bauhinia (Bauhinia x blakeana). H 3-5m x W 2-3m.