Discover Nature at JCU Plants Plants by scientific name A-F Bauhinia spp.

Bauhinia spp.

Bauhinia spp.

(Bauhinia, Orchid Tree)

FAMILY

Fabaceae / Caesalpiniaceae

Species

Bauhinia spp.

Common name(s)

Bauhinia, Orchid Tree

Flower colour; life form

Pink, white, mauve, red: tree, shrub

Campus

Townsville

Description

The genus Bauhinia named after the brothers Bauhin is characterised by the pair of leaflets joined at the base or a single leaf formed by the fusion of the twin leaflets. The white, pink, purple or red flowers have 5 large petals and prominent stamens. The shape is not unlike that of some orchids hence a common name like ‘Orchid tree’. The fruit is a pod which opens explosively to release the seeds. There are a number of species on the Townsville campus particularly, B. variegata, B.galpinii, B. x blakeana and Lysiphyllum (Bauhinia) hookeri.

Additional images

Composite images of Bauhinea