Trees Around the World Virtual Tour
Bauhinia variegata var. purpurea | Fabaceae | purple orchid tree
Characteristics:
This is not a member of the orchid family. It is in the bean family. A fast-growing, semi-deciduous tropical tree with a spreading, low canopy, it grows between 20 to 35 feet tall and wide. Leaves are distinctive, large, orbiculate and bi-lobed. It also produces large, purple, orchid-like flowers bloom in Spring or Winter that emit a delightful fragrance. Flowers are followed by six to 8 inch flat, narrow seed pods that green when young, and eventually turn brown in late Fall It blooms in late winter when the branches are bare. The genus contains over 200 species, most of which have purple or white flowers. The flower is edible and used in some Indian curries.
