Botanical Description
The Orchid Tree (Bauhinia purpurea) also known as the Butterfly tree, due to its distinct flowers and leaves, is a small to medium-sized tree found from the Indian subcontinent to Myanmar that has distinctly smooth bilobed leaves with a cordate base and emarginate apex. Its bright purple and pink flowers are borne on racemes; each develops into a pod which turns brown and dehisces at maturity.
Uses:
-
The pods and flowers can be eaten.
-
The bark can be used to treat bowel problems and ulcers.
-
Flower buds are used to treat dysentery and hemorrhoids.