Bean Tree, Bauhinia

Also known as Lysiphyllum gilvum. Large shrub or small tree to about 6 m high, partly deciduous in dry season.
Glabrous (smooth) except for flowers that vary in colour from whitish through pink to red. Leaves are grey green, smooth and divided into two oval leaflets, mostly 2–4 cm long, 10–20 mm wide, with 3 or 4 conspicuous veins.
Racemes have 2–10-flowers. Flowers partly covered with short hairs that are brown to reddish brown.

The flowers are pea shaped. The calyx is 5–10 mm long, Petals are 8–12 mm long. Stamens extend beyond the end of the petals.
The seedpod is oblong, slightly curved, compressed, 3–15 cm long, 20–40 mm wide, and contains 1–8 hard seeds.

Flowering: spring and summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows along creek lines, not common.