Edible: Leaves, Flowers
A deciduous tree. It grows to 7 m tall and spreads to 4 m across. The stem is slender and erect. It often forms several stems. It has widely spreading branches. The leaves have 2 lobes and are yellowish-green. The flowers are pale pink with red dots and have 5 petals and one fertile stamen. Flowers are usually of one sex. They are orchid like and are 10 cm across. They occur around stalks on the end of branches. The flowers only have one stamen. Pods are 20 cm long.
A tropical plant. It prefers a well composted, moist, well drained soil. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 900-2,000 mm per year. It does best in a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Common Names: Butterfly Flower, Butterfly Bauhinia, Flores mariposa, Jerusalem date, Mariposa, Mong-bo don-hung, Napolean's cocked hat, Napoleon's plume, Orchid tree, Pink butterfly tree, St Thomas’s Tree, Swedaw
Synonyms:
Bauhinia kappler Sagot;
and others