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Native Plant Society of Texas

Anacacho Orchid Tree

Bauhinia lunarioides

Anacacho Bauhinia, Orchid Tree, Texas Plume

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Tree covered in white blossoms
Anacacho orchid tree (Bauhinia lunarioides) in bloom.
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
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Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Woodland
Edwards Plateau

Maintenance

Winter: Remove suckers and unwanted branches at base of tree and prune to shape as desired and, if needed, for visibility after spring bloom. Seeds sprout in and around tree area, remove seedlings as desired. Tree produces insignificant leaf litter and seed pods. Protect from north winter winds.

Comments

Ornamental blooms. Fast growing, understory tree. Unique foliage and showy flowers make it a beautiful specimen plant, or as a container plant for small areas. Habitat notes: relatively rare in the wild, but available in plant nurseries. Exists in very western part of Edwards Plateau.

Growth Form

Tree

Height

6 to
12 ft

Spread

6 to
12 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds, Bees

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Bauhinia congesta, Bauhinia jermyana, Casparea congesta, Casparea jermyana

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BALU. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=10744&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 280. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26492#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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