Bauhinia galpinii flower and wasp

The leaves of Bauhinia galpinii are divided at the tip into the two lobed halves, rounded in shape. The gracefully curved veining on the leaves is more conspicuous on the lower surfaces. The margins are entire and the petioles are 1,5 cm long.

The flowers grow profusely from leaf axils in late spring and throughout summer. They are brick red or salmon coloured. The petals are broadly paddle-shaped. Flowers cluster near the branch tips, rendering the flowering plant very showy and frequently found by a variety of nectar consumers. The numerous buds also shown in the photo indicate something of the extended flowering season throughout the warmer months (Manning, 2009; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993).