English Name: Orchid tree
Malayalam Name: മന്ദാരം
Botanical Name: Bauhinia variegata L.
Family: Fabaceae
Flowering & Fruiting: September-May
Description: A medium size tree. The bark of Bauhinia variegata is dark brown. The leaf lamina has a medium cleft and is longer than it is wide. A pubescent raceme is an inflorescence. Tomentose calyx with five teeth at the tip. Five petals, the fifth having a darker purple colour and purple veining, have long, rather broad claws. Five fertile stamens without staminodes. Hairy ovary; lengthy style; capitated stigma. Fruit is a dehiscent pod with 10–15 seeds.