bauhinia

noun

Meaning

A tropical flowering tree or shrub in the legume family, known for its distinctive two-lobed leaves that resemble a butterfly's wings.

Examples

  • The city streets were lined with blooming bauhinia trees that filled the air with a sweet, delicate fragrance.
  • Botanists often identify the bauhinia by its unique split leaves, which look like two leaflets joined at the base.

Synonyms: orchid tree, legume