Presidio Park Plant Survey

Bauhinia galpinii

RED ORCHID BUSH

Fabaceae family NE South Africa

This bi-lobed shrub is a native of northeastern South Africa where the leaves' shape gave rise to the Afrikaner name of "kameelpoot," which means "camels' foot." The species name "galpinii" is given because of 19th century botanical collector, E. E. Galpin (1858-1941), a South African banker and botanist. It has unique flowers that are usually deep red in color. It has naturalized in parts of the warmer regions of the United States but is not considered invasive. Some would consider Bauhinia galpinii rare to find in a Southern California municipal park setting.

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