Martin Williams
Known as Bauhinia blakeana
in scientific parlance, the Hong Kong orchid tree is a legume, which means
its close kin include not oaks and sequoias, but the common or garden pea.
Even though the flower
has been Hong Kong’ s emblem since 1965, no one is sure if the tree is
a true species, or a hybrid.
For fuller article, please see Bauhinia - Hong Kong orchid tree