Bauhinia spp. Leguminosae. Orchid-Tree. Southern and warmer
parts of Central area. Semi-evergreen.
 At least 35 Bauhinia species have been introduced into Florida,
and the following species have found wide acceptance.
 Hong Kong orchid-tree, Bauhinia blakeana, a native of China,
grows to 30 feet. Leaves are simple, large, up to 8 inches long and
wide with two rounded lobes and a cleft extending one-third way into
the leaf. Deep crimson red flowers, borne in racemes containing up
to 40 flowers 6 inches in diameter, appear from October to March.
Leaves shed after the flowering period, just before spring growth
starts. Hong Kong orchid-tree must be propagated by cuttings or
grafting since flowers are sterile.
 A summer flowering orchid-tree, Bauhinia monandra, a native of
Burma, attains a height of 20 feet. Leaves are simple, 4 inches long
and wide with two rounded lobes and cleft up to one-half of the leaf.
Flowers are produced from April to October in short axillary clusters.
Opening flowers are pale yellow, but turn pale pink or rose soon after
opening. The tree drops its leaves during dry months. This species
is quite sensitive to cold and should be restricted to the southern-
most parts of Florida.
 Bauhinia purpurea, native to Asia, is probably the most popular
orchid-tree in Florida (Fig. 7). Mature trees will attain 30 feet, but
most trees reach a height of 15 to 20 feet. Simple leaves averaging
6 to 8 inches in length, and slightly less in width, are two-lobed and
cleft up to one-half of the leaf. Flowers are large (3 to 5 inches
across), showy, fragrant and appear in terminal or axillary racemes
from September to November while leaves are on the trees. Flower
color is variable, ranging from white with a pink tinge, through shades
of pink, rose-red, violet and deep purple. Trees are partially evergreen
to completely deciduous from February to April.
 Another popular orchid-tree native to Asia is Bauhinia variegata,
similar to B. purpurea, except flowers appear from January to April
when few leaves are present. Trees frequently attain 20 feet in
height. Simple leaves are 5 to 6 inches long and wide with two
rounded lobes and cleft up to one-third of the leaf. Flowers are large
(4 to 5 inches across), fragrant, reddish to bluish-purple in color and
borne in short axillary clusters of 1 to 8 flowers. Trees are very showy
when in full flower and almost leafless.

 Bauhinia variegata candida is a pure white variety with a few
 green veins in the petals.
 Orchid-trees are widely used in landscape plantings and serve
 well as small framing trees, patio trees, or free standing specimens,
 for inclusion in shrubbery borders and for tropical effects.
 Several insects chew foliage, but orchid-trees are relatively free
 of serious insect and disease problems. Orchid-trees frequently de-
 velop marginal leaf scorch and chlorotic foliage symptoms due to both
 major and minor element deficiencies.