Bauhinias

Bauhinias are a genus of tropical and subtropical flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. Commonly known as orchid trees, camel's foot trees, or butterfly trees, they are admired for their showy, orchid-like flowers and their distinctive bilobed leaves. The genus is named after the Swiss botanists Gaspard Bauhin and his brother Johann Bauhin, renowned for their early work in plant taxonomy.

These trees and shrubs are native to various regions, including Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Their leaves are often deeply notched, resembling a camel's foot, which contributes to one of their common names. The flowers, typically borne in clusters, come in a range of vibrant colors, including pink, purple, white, and yellow, and are often fragrant. They play an important role in attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Bauhinias are widely cultivated as ornamental plants in tropical and subtropical gardens and parks worldwide. Some species are also valued for their medicinal properties, with various parts of the plant used in traditional medicine. The seeds of some species can be used to make a type of flour, and the wood is sometimes used for fuel or construction. Despite their ornamental appeal, some species can be considered invasive in certain environments.