Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree)
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) flower showing magenta petals with white streaks and curved white stamens.
Botanical names: Bauhinia purpurea, Phanera purpurea
Common names: Orchid Tree, Butterfly Tree
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Origin: Australia and East Asia
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
USDA Zone: 9-11
Plant form: Large tree
Mature height: 20 ft or more
Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Dry conditions
Flower color: Pink; red, crimson, vinous
Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; large gardens
Foliage: Deciduous
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirdsNice landscape tree, good shade tree for summer. Bauhinias were named in honor of the brothers Bauhin, Swiss botanists of the 16th-17th century. Their characteristic twin lobed leaves give them a definite tropical look. Sensitive to chlorosis, treat with iron chelate. Although not generally necessary, they can be pruned after flowering. Flowers are fragrant.
Learn more: Bauhinias: trees with Orchid Flowers and Butterfly Wings
Similar plants: Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree)
- Bauhinia bassacensis (Bauhinia)
- Bauhinia corymbosa (Vining bauhinia)
- Bauhinia kockiana (Red Trailing Bauhinia)
- Bauhinia variegata (Orchid tree)
- Bauhinia yunnanensis (Chinese Orchid Tree)
- Phanera bidentata (Orange Bauhinia)
- Phanera roxburghiana (Notched-Leaf Bauhinia)
- Bauhinia acuminata (Dwarf White Orchid Tree)
- Bauhinia aureifolia (Gold Leaf Bauhinia)
- Bauhinia blakeana (Hong Kong Orchid Tree)
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) magenta flower petals stretch wide among lush green foliage leaves
Bauhinia purpurea magenta orchid flower with five petals and thin green leaves.
Bauhinia purpurea delicate pink flower petals reaching out near oval green leaves
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) pink flower petals and large green leaves on a branch.
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) purple flower with long slender petals and curved central stamens.
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) lavender flower amidst lush green leaves on a woody stem.
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) pink flower with long white and pink stamens on green leaves.
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) covered in many small pink flowers within green foliage
Bauhinia purpurea orchid tree flower with five purple petals and distinct white markings
Bauhinia purpurea flower with light pink petals and long slender curved stamens
Bauhinia purpurea flower with long pink petals stretching outward from a central point.
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) pink flower petals with long stamens nestled among thick green leaves.
Bauhinia purpurea pink flower with long thin stamens and rounded green foliage background.
Bauhinia purpurea (Orchid Tree) with pink flower clusters draping down from the dense branches.
Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/bauhinia_purpurea.htm
Purple Orchid tree, butterfly tree. Vigorous shade tree with wide canopy and showers of purple flowers from fall through winter/spring. Nice, fast growing shade tree.
Learn more: Bauhinias: trees with Orchid Flowers and Butterfly Wings
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
Learn more: Bauhinias: trees with Orchid Flowers and Butterfly Wings
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
Grown in
6"/1 gal or larger pot