Bauhinia Variegata (宮粉羊蹄甲) is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to southeastern Asia, from southern China west to India. Common names include Orchid tree and Mountain-ebony.

It bears fragrant pink flowers in spring and early summer. Its fruit turns black when ripe, and the seeds spread widely and can germinate in all kinds of environment. The seedling trees grow fast and blossom in their second year. It is one of the common plants in Hong Kong.

Most people usually confuse it with Bauhinia blakeana (洋紫荊).

Photo taken at Tai Po using Canon 40D / 24-105 4.0L

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