Thursday, January 26, 2012

Purple Orchid Tree

Bauhinia purpurea: Purple Orchid Tree, a commons sight here in Florida. It can grow as high as 30 to 35 feet and at times is solid flower, but in January there are not as many blooms

 The tree is native to India and China and is very invasive. It is related to Red-bud and Jerusalem Thorn tree, both of which are common here also.


32 comments:

SquirrelQueen said...

I am imagining a tree filled with these pretty little blooms, it must be a gorgeous sight. You are making me wish spring would hurry up. I would love to see some flowers in my yard again.

Anonymous said...

Such a wonderful color!

José Ramón said...

Sandra Linda imágenes.
Saludos desde
Creatividad e imaginación fotos de José Ramón

Suburban Girl said...

What a beautiful tree, I never saw glowers like that on a tree!

Betty Manousos said...

orchid is one of my favourite flowers...there are so many species of orchids; this flower has a real flair. very nice colour and light.

gorgeous photos as usual!
i especially like the second one.

diane b said...

great shots of the flowers. We have those trees here but the flower looks slightly different.

Unknown said...

They are beautiful. You have such a variety of flowers, and so many parks to explore.

Sandy said...

I love the colors of these trees. Your photos are so wonderful. (o:

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Very pretty...

But invasive....

Interesting...

Doesn't it seem like invasive things aren't very pretty, usually?

I know the Binder Vine, which keeps trying to invade our back garden, from next door, is NOT pretty. Even if it does produce a few white flowers, for a short time. Oh it is awful!!!!!!! -shiver- -sigh-

"Deep within the winter forest,
among the snowdrifts wide,
you can find a magic place
where all the fairies hide..."

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

With something that beautiful I would not mind it being invasive. These shots are superb~ the petals kinda' look like that of a Daylily.

Susannah said...

I knew you would not disappoint us with your orchid shots. Beautiful!

Rose said...

It is beautiful...great series.

TexWisGirl said...

that's the kind of invasive i wouldn't mind...

Remington said...

BEAUTIFUL!

barbara l. hale said...

Gorgeous flower! Too bad it's an invasive. But nice to see those blooms in January!

Marie said...

The color of these flowers is so pretty! I would love to have one in my yard! Beautiful photos Sandra...have a great day

Angela said...

It's beautiful Sandra! The flowers on it are way bigger than the Redbud tree we have here in West Virginia. People make jelly from the redbud flower. It's hard to believe there are flowering trees this time of year.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

So beautiful!

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is beautiful, and I love the color! We have nothing like this around here, of course. And I have not even seen this one at the local orchid shows. Maybe they don't show it because it's invasive. It does look kind of Chinese! You are just like me, pretty much the whole family is into chess except ME! I could not even remember how each man moved back when I was a young mom. I can't win checkers, either. I just taught Anne Chinese Checkers, and she won her first game from me. When I play a game, I want to have FUN, and chess is strategy, sweating, and work. I have to be careful that my brain doesn't explode!

George said...

These are indeed beautiful blossoms, I would like to see a tree full of them some time. In a way I'm sorry to hear that it is an invasive plant since we have had so much trouble with invasive species (think kudzu) around here.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful blooms, Sandra... I love that color.. It's not really purple to me, but more magenta... Love the color whatever it is...

Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful orchids with lovely colors. What a nice sight to see now in January - thank you for sharing those very nice photos. Must be a lovely place to walk around.

Hugs
Eva

DawnTreader said...

These are exquisite! Really beautiful photography, Sandra. The header is just ... wow!

Ann said...

Very pretty. I imagine it is quite spectacular when it's full of orchids.

S. Etole said...

These are just gorgeous! You did well!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Those flowers are very pretty. a tree covered with them must be gorgeous.

Reena said...

Such a beautiful flowering tree!

penny said...

You captured the beauty of these gorgeous flowering trees perfectly, Sandra. I love their color, they look magnificent in full bloom, don't they.
Fantastic new look!
~:)

Deb said...

makes me wish for spring...

Chatty Crone said...

Well Sandra - the summer there is rough - but you have a pool. The good thing about where you live - is you have sunshine and beauty every single day! Lucky you. sandie

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I Love the color

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

WOndering if you have any of these in your own yard, Sandra, thanks to the mad gardener, Bob.