A small tree with an erect trunk and a broad busy crown. Leaves are very specific twin lobed, medium green. Flowers are flamboyant, very attractive, orchid shaped, arranged in racemes, light pink to purple in colour, sometimes white. It usually blooms while the leaves are dropping or in the event od a cold spell or drought , after the leaves have dropped. The fruit is a pod.
Also known under the name of Bauhinia purpurea. It grows 4-8m tall with a 3-6m spread and a 20-25cm trunk diameter. Noted as reaching 15m tall in its native habitat. Medium growth at a rate of 30-60cm p/a.
