Common Name: Yellow orchid tree, Yellow Bauhinia. Tamil Name: Iruvaji
Yellow Bauhinia is a shrub that grows to a height of about 2-2.5 meters, often planted in home gardens in Tamilnadu. The plant bears yellow flowers on drooping branches; the flowers turn pink in color as they age. The simple leafs are arranged in an alternate manner, the leaves are bi-lobed. The leaf stalk and leaf length measure around 2.4 cm and 6 cm respectively. The lower surface of the leaf is tomentose. The leaf shape is elliptic base is cordate and apex rounded. The flowers are axillary; about 1-3 flowering buds are seen. The flower stalk and flower measure around 2 cm and 5.5 cm respectively. The petals are light yellow in color and obovate in shape. The central portion of the flower has a dark purple patch. The fruit is in the form of green tomentose pod measuring around 13.5 cm in length. The pod color changes to brown when it matures. The pod encloses 7-10 seeds.
