Bauhinia
A tropical tree with butterfly-shaped flowers in vivid colours
Bauhinia is a genus of flowering trees known for their large, five-petaled blooms that resemble orchids. Native to tropical regions worldwide, many species are grown as ornamentals and some are used in cooking or traditional practices.
- Flowers are often fragrant and shaped like butterflies
- Used in Filipino dishes under the name alinbánban
- Bauhinia × blakeana is Hong Kong's floral emblem
- Grows in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
- Named after two 16th-century botanist brothers
What does Bauhinia look like?
Bauhinia trees grow 6 to 12 metres tall with spreading branches. Their leaves are deeply lobed, about 10–15 cm wide, resembling a butterfly’s wings. The flowers have five petals, measure 7.5–12.5 cm across, and come in red, pink, purple, orange or yellow. Many emit a noticeable fragrance.
Where does Bauhinia come from?
The genus Bauhinia belongs to the legume family Fabaceae and has a pantropical distribution. It was named after Gaspard and Johann Bauhin, Swiss-French botanists. Fossil evidence suggests an African origin, with dispersal to Asia by the Early Paleocene. Some former members, like Phanera, are now classified separately.
When and how Bauhinia blooms
These trees flower from late winter into early summer. They grow best in full sun but tolerate partial shade, prefer alkaline soil, and need regular water in summer with less in winter. Propagation is done through seeds or cuttings. They do not thrive in salty conditions.
How Bauhinia is used
Many bauhinia species are planted as ornamental trees in tropical landscapes. In the Philippines, young leaves and flowers of B. purpurea and B. malabarica are eaten under the name alinbánban. Bauhinia × blakeana serves as Hong Kong’s floral emblem, appearing on its flag and used as a radio callsign by Hong Kong Airlines.
Kinds of Bauhinia
The genus includes around 187 accepted species. One notable hybrid is Bauhinia × blakeana, a cross between B. variegata and B. purpurea, known as the Hong Kong orchid tree. Some species once placed here, such as those now in Phanera, have been moved to other genera within the same tribe.
What Bauhinia means
Bauhinia × blakeana is the official floral symbol of Hong Kong, featured prominently on the regional flag. Its image represents the territory in aviation and civic identity. While not tied to specific religious rites, its striking bloom makes it a popular choice for gardens and public spaces across the tropics.
Where Bauhinia is used and seen
Questions people ask about Bauhinia
Where does bauhinia originally come from?
Bauhinia has a pantropical distribution. Fossil evidence points to an African origin, with early spread to Asia by the Paleocene epoch.
What is bauhinia used for?
It is grown as an ornamental tree, used in Filipino cuisine, and one hybrid is the official emblem of Hong Kong.
When does bauhinia bloom?
Flowering begins in late winter and often continues into early summer, depending on the climate.
Is bauhinia related to orchids?
No. Though called 'orchid tree' for its showy flowers, bauhinia belongs to the legume family Fabaceae, not the orchid family.
Why is bauhinia important to Hong Kong?
The hybrid Bauhinia × blakeana appears on Hong Kong’s flag and is its official floral emblem, also used in airline identification.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Bauhinia", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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