Bauhinia Flower Plant – Description
Botanical Name: Bauhinia spp.
Common Names: Orchid Tree, Kachnar (Hindi), Mountain Ebony, Camel’s Foot Tree
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Native To: Southeast Asia, tropical and subtropical regions
🌸 General Description:
Bauhinia is a genus of flowering plants known for their beautiful, orchid-like blossoms and distinctive bilobed leaves (resembling a camel’s hoof or butterfly wings). These deciduous or semi-evergreen trees/shrubs are popular in ornamental landscaping and traditional medicine.
🌿 Botanical Features:
Height: 4 to 12 meters (depending on species and growing conditions)
Leaves: Large, bilobed (split into two rounded lobes), 10–15 cm long
Flowers:
Color: Shades of pink, purple, white, or magenta
Shape: Five-petaled, orchid-like, mildly fragrant
Blooming Season: Late winter to early summer (varies by region/species)
Fruit: Long, flat seed pods containing hard seeds
🌱 Common Species:
Bauhinia variegata: Popular in India; pink/purple flowers; also known as Kachnar
Bauhinia blakeana: Hong Kong Orchid Tree; sterile hybrid, deep pink-purple flowers
Bauhinia purpurea: Purple-flowered, smaller leaves
🌞 Growing Conditions:
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, loamy to sandy soil
Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Temperature: Thrives in warm tropical to subtropical climates
🌼 Uses:
Ornamental: Widely planted in gardens, along roads, and in parks for its stunning flowers
Medicinal (traditional): Bark, leaves, and flowers used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for digestive and skin disorders
Culinary (in India): Kachnar flower buds are cooked in curries and pickles
🌳 Care Tips:
Prune after flowering to maintain shape
Fertilize during the growing season for better blooms
Protect young plants from frost
Would you like help identifying a specific Bauhinia species, or instructions for growing it from seeds or cuttings?