Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and southern Asia, Bauhinia tomentosa is a small tree valued for its distinctive blooms and ornamental foliage. The plant’s most striking feature is its bell-shaped, soft yellow flowers with a single deep maroon blotch at the base of one petal. The petals are thin-textured and slightly crinkled. The leaves, like those of other Bauhinia species, are bilobed, resembling a camel’s hoof print, and are covered with fine hairs (tomentum), which is the source of the species name. Flowering may occur throughout much of the year in favorable climates, with blooms opening in the morning and often fading by evening. After pollination, elongated seed pods develop, containing multiple flat seeds. It is tolerant of seasonal drought once established. Photographed in Florida.