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Hong Kong Orchid Trees and Orchid Trees
There is an abundance of Hong Kong orchid trees (Bauhinia blakeana) and orchid trees (Bauhinia) on campus. The two are very similar both being Caesalpiniaceae and both having heart-shaped leaves. It is difficult to tell them apart when they are not flowering. They exist side by side on the slope leading to the Institute of Chinese Studies and in Cultural Square outside the Benjamin Franklin Centre. There are also quite a few flanking the University Mall. How can we identify them without looking at the labels on the tree trunks? The Hong Kong orchid tree is infertile; it does not produce seeds and has to be propagated by grafting and other methods. The orchid tree bears dark flattened pods, so trees with pods are likely to be bauhinia while those without are bauhinia blakeana. Their flowers are also very different. The Hong Kong orchid tree blooms from November to March and has bigger flowers, which are pinkish purple in colour. The orchid tree is also known as camel¡¦s foot and has a variety of species. Those grown on campus are the red bauhinia (bauhinia purpura), white bauhinia (bauhinia variegate L.) and pure-white bauhinia (bauhinia variegate L. Var. candida). References
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