Hong Kong Orchid (Bauhinia blakeana)
This is a semi-deciduous tree that never completely defoliates in the winter and can reach a mature height of 20 – 30 feet. They typically have an umbrella shaped canopy with an informal shape. Mature trees tend to have a dark gray coarse bark that develops longitudinal cracks on trunk and older limbs that callous over. Leaves are gray-green, twin lobed, deeply cleft, 6 inches long and as wide. The twin lobes give the appearance that the tree is “twin leaved”. They produce showy flowers bloom in the winter that look like orchids with variable colors. They will grow under harsh urban conditions with minimal irrigation. No significant pest problems are known at this time.
© Walter Warriner Consulting Arborist
