# Pride-Of-De-Kaap (*bauhinia galpinii*)

The Pride-Of-De-Kaap is a beautiful flowering plant with bright pink flowers that attract butterflies! It's often found in gardens and adds a splash of color to nature.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Typically found in gardens, parks, and natural woodlands.
- **Also known as:** Bauhinia, Orchid Tree, Pink Butterfly Tree

![Pride-Of-De-Kaap](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bauhinia_galpinii.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Tatiana Gerus from Brisbane, Australia, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bauhinia_galpinii.jpg)

## Appearance

The Pride-Of-De-Kaap is a scrambling shrub or climber that features striking brick-red to orange-red flowers, making it stand out vividly. Its unique leaves are deeply divided, resembling a butterfly's wings.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Fabales
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Genus:** Bauhinia

## Interesting facts

- It's sometimes called 'Red Orchid Tree' because its flowers resemble exotic orchids!
- Its tough, woody stems can scramble high, sometimes forming dense thickets!
- The 'De Kaap' in its name refers to a valley in South Africa where it grows.
- The genus \*Bauhinia\* is named after two twin brothers who were famous botanists.

## Special abilities

- **Sun Seeker:** Pride-Of-De-Kaap is a scrambling plant that helps it climb over other vegetation to reach precious sunlight.
- **Water Smart:** Pride-Of-De-Kaap has thick, leathery leaves that help it survive in dry conditions and conserve vital water.
- **Pollinator Magnet:** Pride-Of-De-Kaap flaunts vibrant, large, red-orange flowers that strongly attract various bird and insect pollinators.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-500 cm
- **Spread:** 100-600 cm
- **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Summer to Fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its bright flowers.
- **Pollinates:** African Monarch (*Danaus chrysippus*) — Feeds on nectar, helping to spread pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Greater Double-collared Sunbird (*Cinnyris afer*) — Sips nectar with its long beak, aiding pollination.
- **Pollinates:** Citrus Swallowtail (*Papilio demodocus*) — Attracted to the vibrant blooms for nectar.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pride-Of-De-Kaap?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Pride-Of-De-Kaap?

100-500 cm

### How wide does Pride-Of-De-Kaap spread?

100-600 cm

### How big are the flowers on Pride-Of-De-Kaap?

5-10 cm

### When does Pride-Of-De-Kaap bloom?

Late Summer to Fall

### Is Pride-Of-De-Kaap edible?

No

### Is Pride-Of-De-Kaap toxic?

None

### What is Pride-Of-De-Kaap's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [West Lake Underhill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/west-lake-underhill-park) — Florida, US · Park
- [Colonel Joe Kittinger Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colonel-joe-kittinger-park) — Florida, US · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Pride-Of-De-Kaap: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pride-of-de-kaap)