Episode 147 - Bauhinia Blakeana (III)

My visit to the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence triggered this 3rd post on Bauhinia Blakeana.

Bauhinia Blakeana is said to be a mix of Bauhinia Purpurea and Bauhinia Variegata. It is a sterile plant which does not produce seed. Propagation of the tree is usually by way of adapting the branch of a Bauhinia Blakeana to the trunk of a Bauhinia Purpurea. Hence if you see a Bauhinia Blakeana, you will see a demarcation line in the stem of the tree. The upper part of the tree is a Bauhinia Blakeana and the lower part is a Bauhinia Purpurea. Sometimes, the lower part of the tree develops new sub-branches, creating an interesting phenomenon - you can see 2 different types of flowers in one tree.

The photo above, taken during my visit to the Museum, shows a Bauhinia Blakeana with flowers of Bauhinia Purpurea on the lower part of the tree. Note also the difference in colours on the lower part and upper part of the trunk.