Flowering
Hong Kong Orchid
Bauhinia × blakeana Dunn
FamilyFabaceae
EspañolÁrbol de Orquídea
AlsoHong Kong orchid tree, Blake's bauhinia, Hong Kong bauhinia, Butterfly tree
A semi-deciduous tree 6 to 10 m tall with an open, irregular crown and light green two-lobed leaves that resemble butterfly wings. Its large, fragrant, rose-purple orchid-like flowers, about 15 cm across, open from November to April when little else is in bloom. The hybrid is sterile and sets no pods; every tree in cultivation is descended by grafting or cuttings from a single tree in the Hong Kong Botanic Gardens.
Sourced · see Record tab Not Evaluated (NE) on the IUCN Red List; a sterile cultivated hybrid. · IUCN
Worth knowingThe flower is the official floral emblem of Hong Kong, appearing on its flag and on the back of its coins; the species name honours Sir Henry Blake, Governor of Hong Kong from 1898 to 1903.
3on the estate
0carrying a tag
0sponsored
| Tag | Garden area | Zone | Planted | Status | Sponsored | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | South Hill Entrance | — | 5 July 2019 | Planted | — | Purple |
| — | South Hill Entrance | — | 5 July 2019 | Planted | — | Purple |
| — | South Hill Entrance | — | 5 July 2019 | Planted | — | Purple |
3 of these have no tag yet; they will be numbered when the garden team re-tags the estate.