Common name: White orchid tree, Kanchan कंचन (Hindi), {Kokkumantarai கொக்குமந்தாரை, Vellai mandaarai வெள்ளை மந்தாரை (Tamil)}, Mandaaram (Malayalam), Kanchan (Bengali, Kannada)

Botanical name: Bauhinia acuminata - [ (baw-HIN-ee-uh) named for Gaspard and Jean Bauhin, 16th century physicians and botanists; (ah-kew-min-AY-tuh) tapering to a long point ] Synonym: Bauhinia linnaei Ali Misapplied Names: Bauhinia candida sensu auct. • Bauhinia grandiflora sensu auct. • Bauhinia tomentosa L. Family: Fabaceae (pea, or legume family)

Origin: Malaysia, now widely cultivated in the Asian tropics

The dwarf white bauhinia is native to Asia. This is a perfect little tree for places where you don't want anything wild to take over. It will grow no more than two or three meters, and won't take up much space or get in anyone's way. It really is quite inoffensive.

Beautiful white flowers cover this tree in spring and fill the air with a sweet clean fragrance. The white flowers look like snowflakes hanging on the branches. Sometimes it is called Snowy Orchid Tree. The leaves are shaped a little like a cow's hoof.

Courtesy: - Nuytsia@Tas - Flowers of India - TopTropicals - Dave's Garden - Zipcode Zoo