TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Bauhinia purpurea, Phanera purpurea
Orchid Tree, Butterfly TreeFamily: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Origin: Australia and East Asia
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Nice 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 bassacensis, Phanera bassacensis (Bauhinia)
- Bauhinia bidentata, Phanera bidentata (Orange Bauhinia, Orange Orchid Vine)
- Bauhinia corymbosa, Phanera corymbosa (Vining bauhinia, Climbing Bauhinia, Camel's foot)
- Bauhinia kockiana, Bauhinia coccinea, Phanera coccinea (Red Trailing Bauhinia)
- Bauhinia variegata, Phanera variegata (Orchid tree, Purple orchid tree, Mountain ebony, Poor Man's orchid)
- Bauhinia yunnanensis, Phanera yunnanensis (Chinese Orchid Tree, Yunnan Orchid, Orchid Vine)
- Phanera roxburghiana, Bauhinia roxburghiana, Bauhinia semla (Notched-Leaf Bauhinia)
- Bauhinia acuminata (Dwarf White Orchid Tree, White Bauhinia, Kaa-long, Snowy Orchid)
- Bauhinia aureifolia (Gold Leaf Bauhinia, Bai Mai Si Thong)
- Bauhinia blakeana (Hong Kong Orchid Tree)
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
This item is certified for shipping to California, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona.
Grown in
10"/3 gal pot
In stock
$39.95