Barada
Bauhinia purpurea
Outdoor Plants Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
Bauhinia purpurea (purple bauhinia or ‘Barada’ in Odia, also called butterfly tree) is a small to medium deciduous tree of the Caesalpiniaceae family. The tree produces stunning purple-pink orchid-like flowers in autumn when most other trees are not flowering. Characteristic bilobed leaves resemble a camel’s hoofprint. Flowers are edible and used in curries in Southeast Asia. Wood is used for fuelwood and small crafts. The tree is widely planted as an ornamental in gardens and along avenues.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
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Light
Full sun
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Water
Regular; moderately drought-tolerant
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Humidity
Moderate
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Temperature
15-32°C
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Soil
Well-draining loam
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Fertilizer
Compost annually; balanced NPK in spring
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- India, Southeast Asia, China
- 📏 Max height
- 8-12 m
- 📐 Spread
- 4-6 m
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Autumn (purple-pink orchid-like flowers)
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Purple-pink
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Deciduous bilobed green leaves
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 30+ years
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic
Common issues
- Caterpillar defoliation, leaf spot
💡 Care tips
- Plant in full sun. Prune after flowering. Spectacular autumn bloom.
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