Hong Kong Orchid Tree ( Bauhinia x blakeana)

This bejeweled, ornamental bauhinia, belonging to the pea family, is a natural hybrid of our ‘kachnar’ and ‘kaniar’ trees. Its lightly-scented, orchid-like magenta flowers have inspired the floral emblem of Hong Kong, the country of its origin. Its pretty lobed leaves resemble butterfly wings and are used as bookmarks for they are believed to bring good luck in studies. This tree rarely bears fruit or seeds, therefore all the trees we find in the world may be clones of the original!