Family: Fabaceae
Native to Eastern Queensland, white bauhinia boasts dainty pink and white flowers throughout the canopy. It grows up to 20 feet tall with an expected mature spread of 15 feet. It is a low-maintenance tree with no intrusive roots. It grows best in sunny, drier areas with fertile, well-drained soil. White bauhinia can tolerate pruning and shaping. There are conflicting reports in regards to its salt tolerance; some sources say it is moderately tolerant while others say it cannot tolerate sea salt winds.
Plant Uses:
- Nitrogen fixer
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Specimen
- Windbreak
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
High Risk Traits:
- Grows, and could potentially spread, in regions with tropical climates
- Tolerates many soil types
- Nitrogen fixing; potential to modify soil chemistry and nutrients
- Reproduces by seeds
- Produces suckers
- Seeds intentionally dispersed by people and possibly by water
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock
- Non-toxic
- Grows in full sun (may limit ability to spread into intact forest)
- Reaches maturity in 7+ years
- Relatively large pods and seeds unlikely to be accidentally dispersed
