Bauhinia purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar, and widely introduced elsewhere in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common names include orchid tree, purple bauhinia, camel's foot, butterfly tree, and Hawaiian orchid tree.

CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS :

Plant Division:   Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form:   Tree (Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan : Perennial
Plant Shape: Rounded, Vase

Ethnobotanical Uses :

Edible Plant Parts (Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers)
Food (Herb and Spice : The leaves, flower, flower buds, and young pods are eaten as vegetable.)
Medicinal ( The Malays use the leaves to treat sores and boils. The flowers are said to be laxative. The bark is used in the treatment of skin disease.)

LANDSCAPING FEATURES :

Desirable Plant Features:    Ornamental Flowers
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance :    Dry Soils / Drought, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils
Landscape Uses :   General, Parks & Gardens