It is very easy to distinguish a Bauhinia from any other tree in Hong Kong since they all have distinctive 2-lobed heart shaped large leaves with veins radiating from the base of the leaf. The main problem is to distinguish between the 4 common trees found in Hong Kong; Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia purpurea, Bauhinia variegata, and Bauhinia variegata var candida. This can be difficult when there are no flowers present as the leaves and the general appearance of the four trees are very similar.

Here is a list of the main differences between the four trees to help you distinguish them.

Flowering time;

• Bauhinia purpurea flowers in early September to December,
• Bauhinia blakeana from November to March,
• Bauhinia variegata from February to May

Check the current flowering times here.

Flower colour;

• Bauhinia purpurea pinkish purple to white,
• Bauhinia blakeana deep magenta,
• Bauhinia variegata pale pink to white,
• Bauhinia variegata var candida white.

No. of stamens,

• Bauhinia blakeana 5 - 6,
• Bauhinia purpurea 3 - 4,
• Bauhinia variegata 5 -6.

No of veins in leaf;

• Bauhinia blakeana : 8-10,
• Bauhinia purpurea : 9-11,
• Bauhinia variegata : 11-13.

Length of leaf stalk;

• Bauhinia blakeana : 4.5 cm,
• Bauhinia purpurea : 4.0 cm,
• Bauhinia variegata : 2.5 cm.

Most often problems can arise from confusion between Bauhinia purpurea and Bauhinia blakeana, especially when the flowering times overlap and the Bauhinia purpurea is a specimen with a deeper colour. If flowers are not present on either tree the leaves on Bauhinia blakeana are slightly larger, have a longer petiole, have fewer veins and the leaf colour is deeper and has a more blueish tinge than Bauhinia purpurea leaves.

Also be careful when different species are growing next to each other as the branches from one tree may be mixed up with the neighbouring tree. Flowers and seed pods can also fall from one tree and be trapped on the branches of another giving the false impression of seeds where in fact there are none! Another deception can arise from trees, particularly Bauhinia blakeana which are growing as a graft on a rootstock from another species, which can produce its own flowers and seeds and is part of the same tree, but the tree is actually formed from two species.