Bauhinia variegata Linn

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant Orchid Tree is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10–12 m tall, deciduousin the dry season. The leaves are 10–20 cm long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, bright pink or white, 8–12 cm diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a pod 15–30 cm long, containing several seeds.
This is a very popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical climates, grown for its scented flowers and also used as food item in nepal. In theNeotropics, it can be used to attract hummingbirds – such as Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea), Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus), or White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis) – into gardens and parks.On the other hand, in some areas it has become naturalised and invasive.
The bark, flower and root of the Orchid Tree plant is used for various skin diseases, worms, tumours and diabetes.