25 September 2010

BAUHINIA TOMENTOSA

These few Bauhinia tomentosa (synonym: B. taitensis, B. hookeri, B. picta; common name: Yellow Bauhinia, Yellow Butterfly Tree, Yellow Bell Orchid Tree) planted at Floral Walk are not really very free-flowering.

From the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Family, the tree produces the typical bean-like seed pods. The flower opens yellow and droops downwards, as if in shame to face the world. Over time, it turns a mauve-pinkish-purple. So this is not a very pretty or showy Bauhinia but it is certainly unique.