Bauhinia grandidieri

Endemic to southern and southwestern Madagascar, this deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub grows about 3 to 10 feet tall. It inhabits dry woodlands and scrubland on sandy or limestone soils, mostly at low elevations but recorded up to about 2,950 feet in Madagascar. Its small, fragrant flowers range from lilac to white, and it is cultivated as an ornamental in warm climates. New plants can be raised from seed. In Madagascar, its wood is used for fuel and for poles in house construction. Photographed in Florida.