View Full Size Images
- (9)
2.jpg "Bauhinia variegata - tree(flowering)2")
.jpg "Bauhinia variegata - tree(flowering)")
.jpg "Bauhinia variegata - flower(bud)")
.jpg "Bauhinia variegata - flower(close-up)")
.jpg "Bauhinia variegata - fruit(spent)")
View Full Size Images Back to Search Results Search Again
Photo Credits:
M. Ritter, W. Mark, J. Reimer, and DeLorenzo Inc.
Photo Locations:
Alameda Plazas and Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden - Santa Barbara, CA, San Luis Obispo, CA and San Diego, CA
PURPLE ORCHID TREE
Bauhinia variegata
General Notes
A delightful tree for mild winter climates. Its foliage is similar to a Redbud, and the orchid-like flowers are highly prized. It is most-often grown in southern California, as it is rather tender. Those grown in the northern central valley usually do not flower as profusely. It may require regularly scheduled light top-trimming (but not necessarily shearing) of vigorous top shoots to maintain its height below 25'. Has fragrant flower. Native to India and China.
List all Fabaceae | Bauhinia
- Bauhinia variegata - Fabaceae
- Synonyms: Bauhinia purpurea
Bauhinia chinensis
Common Names: Variegated Orchid Tree, Purple Orchid Tree, Mountain Ebony - Native To: India and China
- Habit: Spreading
with a Low Canopy.
Has Deciduous to Partly Deciduous foliage. - Shape: Rounded or Umbrella
- Sunset Zones: 13 and 18 - 24
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
- Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Water Needs: Moist Soil. Drought tolerant.
- Soil Type: Loam or Sand
- Soil pH: Highly Acidic to Slightly Alkaline
- Salinity Tolerance: Moderate Inland
- Seaside Tolerance: Not Suited
- Height: 20 - 35 feet
- Canopy Width: 20 - 35 feet
- Growth Rate: 12 to 24 Inches per Season
- Landscape Use: Street Tree or Screen
- Longevity: 40 to 150 years
- Leaves: Lobed and Palmate Light Green. Deciduous to Partly Deciduous.
- Flowers: Fragrant, Lavender or Pink. Flowers in Spring or Winter. Has perfect flowers (male and female parts in each flower).
- Fruit: Brown Pod, Very Large (Over 3.00 inches), fruiting in Summer.
- Bark: Dark Gray or Light Gray, Scaly or Smooth
- Pest & Disease: Susceptible to Aphids
- Shading Capacity: Rated as Moderate in Leaf
- Branch Strength: Rated as Medium
- Litter Issue: Dry Fruit
- Root Damage Potential: Rated as Low
- Health Hazard: None Known
- Biogenic Emissions: Moderate
Cite This Page:
SelecTree. "Bauhinia variegata Tree Record." 1995-2012. May 22, 2013.
< http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail.lasso?rid=194 >
*No warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy of the data and information derived from this web site are expressed or implied. The California
Polytechnic State University and the Cal Poly Corporation shall not be responsible for any loss of profit, indirect, incidental, special, or
consequential damages arising out of the use of the data and information derived from this web site.
