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Native Plant Society of Texas

Home » Native Plants » Native Plant Database » Bauhinia lunarioides

Anacacho Orchid Tree

Bauhinia lunarioides

Other common name(s):

Anacacho Bauhinia, Orchid Tree, Texas Plume

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Tree covered in white blossoms — Anacacho orchid tree (Bauhinia lunarioides) in bloom.

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Bee on a light pink flower — Bee on a light Anacacho orchid tree (Bauhinia lunarioides) blossom (Boerne chapter).

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains

Edwards Plateau Woodland

Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

6

to

12

ft.

Spread

6

to

12

ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds, Bees

Maintenance

If only a single trunk is wanted, prune judiciously early on, Protect from north winter winds. Propagation: Seeds.

Comments

Blooms March-May. Fast growing, understory tree. Unique foliage and showy flowers make it a beautiful specimen plant, or as a container plant for small areas. Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Habitat notes: relatively rare in the wild, but available in plant nurseries.

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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