UF/IFAS
Okeechobee County Extension ServiceUF/IFAS
Okeechobee County Extension Service
458 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578
Phone: (863) 763-6469
E- mail: dfculbert@ifas.ufl.edu
Quick Links: Leaf Flower species References Q/A
March 10, 2004
Feature Article - for release the week of March 14, 2004
Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent
Spring-time Orchids Grow on Trees
"Boy,
I miss the Dogwoods!" was a comment I recently heard. As most Floridians
know, flowering Dogwood trees don’t do well in southern Florida.
Instead, one of our spring flowering trees is the orchid-tree. It’s not an
orchid, not a dogwood, but a bean. Today’s column will talk about these
colorful trees that may provide a Florida Yard substitute for dogwoods.
There are several species of orchid-trees grown in central and south Florida. They are fast growing non-native trees that can live for 25 to 50 years, and can reach a height of 25 to 35 feet. Orchid-trees are usually wider than tall, with drooping branches and a multi-stemmed trunk. The tree will be stronger if pruned to a single trunk and suckers that form at the base of the trunk are removed.
The orchid tree leaf is distinctive: veins radiate from the leaf stalk, and have a two-lobed shape with a split in the middle, looking somewhat like a hoof. ("Camel-foot" is sometimes use as a common name for relatives of this tree.) Leaves are two to eight inches long with a papery texture. Depending on the species, the leaves may be evergreen, deciduous or somewhere in between in leafing habit.
Flowers are three to eight inches across and could be creamy white, yellow, pink, red or purple in color. A small green pod can be seen in the center of the showy orchid tree flower. This gives a clue that this is not an orchid relative, but is actually a member of the bean family. On most orchid-trees, this grows into a long bean-like fruit containing many seeds. Because of their size and number, the pods and dropped leaves can be a maintenance concern to some landscapes.
Orchid-trees are adapted to a wide variety of growing conditions. They can handle full sun to partial shade, and have excellent drought tolerance; they do better if the soil is kept on the dry side. While they are not too particular as to the soil texture or pH, in alkaline soils some nutrient deficiencies may appear. A lack of potassium, magnesium or iron can be seen as leaf-yellowing with orchid trees, but it is generally cosmetic and does not restrict tree growth.
Be careful where you place the orchid-tree in your landscape. Since several of these trees are deciduous, leaf and pod debris can pile up on sidewalks and driveways. Their fast growth rate may also mean weak wood, corrected by careful pruning. Place these trees where they can be seen and enjoyed, but avoid placing them too close to high traffic areas.
If you want several orchid-trees to provide their color all at the same time, choose nursery grown trees that were grown from cuttings or layers. Trees that are grown from seed may bloom at different times. But, seed grown trees will be less expensive. Choose carefully among the different orchid-tree species to ensure that it will be the right plant for the right place:
The Hong Kong Orchid-tree (Bauhina blakeana) is one of the most desirable choices. Its flowers are sterile so they don’t make seed pods - reducing litter problems. The red to rosy-purple flowers are six inches across, making it a spectacular choice - it’s the "national" flower of Hong-Kong. It blooms in the fall and early winter. However, it is more cold sensitive than other orchid-trees.
The most common species is the Buddhist Bauhinia or Orchid-tree (B. variegata) It has purple to lavender-colored flowers that are now in bloom in our area. The flowering period extends from January through April, and its five-inch wide flower can sometimes have a pleasant fragrance. Foot long seed pods stick on the tree, and it is prone to suckering, making it less desirable. Because this species can invade natural areas, FNGLA nurseries have agreed to phase out the commercial availability of this tree. However, a variety of this species with beautiful white flowers, the Candida Variegated Orchid-tree, is a desirable cultivar of this species.
The White Orchid-tree (B. aculeata), has three to four-inch wide flowers, but it blooms from spring through early summer. The seed pods are more brown-colored than the other orchid-tree fruit. It is a smaller sized tree and may have some spines. Planting this tree in partially shady areas to avoid direct late afternoon sunlight will reduce flower wilting. This species is a bit more cold tolerant than other orchid trees.
The Brazilian Orchid-tree (B. forficata) is one of the hardiest of this group. White flowers appear from spring through summer. Their branches twist on the way up and droop on the way down, producing an interesting form. It is messy and sensitive to alkaline soil, so be sure to place this tree where debris would be less noticeable.
The Fall or Purple Orchid-tree (B. purpurea) is one of the larger species available. This one is deciduous, but before it loses it leaves it will erupt with fragrant five inch wide purple, pink and lavender colored blooms. The flowering season extends from September through November, with foot-long brown seed pods lasting through the winter.
Master Gardeners can answer questions about your Florida Yard - call or visit them on Tuesday afternoons here at our office. If you need additional information on orchid-trees, visit our webpage at http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu , or stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North. Our phone number is (863) 763-6469, and you can email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu.
-30-
Trade names,
where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do
not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply
criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute
of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other
services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race,
color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension
Service / IFAS /University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington, Interim Dean.
Last
update: 06/01/2006
. This page is maintained by Dan
Culbert
Culbert, Daniel F. "Orchids Grow on Trees." Vero Beach Press Journal, April 7, 1996.
Gilman, Edward F. and Watson, Dennis G. Southern Trees Fact Sheets - Orchid Trees Gainesville: UF/ IFAS Extension Service, November 1993: Brazilian Orchid-tree, B. forficata ENH-248 ; 'Candida' Variegated Orchid-Tree, B. variegata ENH-251; Hong Kong Orchid Tree, B. blakeana ENH-247 ; Purple Orchid-tree, B. \purpurea ENH-249; White Orchid Tree, B. aculeata ENH-246 .
McAvoy, Gene. Orchid Trees - Our Beautiful Bauhinias (Hendry County Horticulture News) LaBelle: UF/IFAS Hendry County Extension Service, 2001.
Ramsden, L. The University of the Hong Kong: Hong Kong Bauhinias Web Page, 2001.
Q: We recently acquire seeds for the bauhinia but read Florida is trying to outlaw it and list it as a Cat 1 invasive plant (Floridata). We think New Orleans grows bauhinias. F&J B, Louisiana
