Bauhinia blakeana
Family: Caesalpinioideae / Caesalpiniaceae
Hong Kong Orchid Tree
Origin: Hong Kong
The most beautiful orchid tree. The tree was originally described as a new species in 1908 after being discovered on the near Hong Kong around 1880 and was named after a Hong Kong governor Sir Henry Blake who had a strong interest in botany. The tree is of medium size with alternate large heart shaped leaves. Large deep-purple flowers appears from January to May. The beautiful display of slightly fragrant orchid-like blooms makes the tree so desirable for the landscape. The flowers attract butterflies and bees. The species is believed to be sterile and will not set seed so the plant will not drop long pods as other orchid trees do. The flower of Bauhinia blakeana was adopted as the emblem of Hong Kong in 1965.
