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Bauhinia purpurea L.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Common Name: | Orchid Tree, Purple Bauhinia, Butterfly Tree, Tapak Kuda, Tapak Unta, Purple Orchid Tree, Hong Kong Bauhinia, Butterfly Bauhinia, Orchid Bauhinia, 羊蹄甲 |
Bauhinia purpurea, also known as Orchid Tree, is a tree which can reach up to 15 m tall. It has suborbicular leaves resembling butterflies and each leaf can reach up to 12 cm diameter. Flowers are ornamental and comes in shades of pink to dark purple.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded, Vase |
| Maximum Height | 15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From India to Myanmar. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree which can reach up to 15 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Flowers Medicinal: In Malaysia and Thailand, villagers use the leaves to treat sores and boils. The flowers are said to be laxative. In India, the bark is used in the treatment of skin disease. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obcordate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Scalloped |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Emarginate |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Tree - Open Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Brown |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme, Panicle |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1457 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2750 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
