Tree•USDA: BALU•PLANTED: SPRING 2026•
Anacacho Orchid Tree
Bauhinia lunarioides
FAMILY: Fabaceae (Pea Family)ALSO KNOWN AS:
Anacacho BauhiniaOrchid TreeTexas Plume
A standout species for Texas gardens, Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides) is a deciduous tree native across the Southern Texas Plains. It features distinctive light green foliage.
During Spring, the plant produces delightfully fragrant, white blooms. Flowering is followed by ornamental legume that add seasonal interest.
It plays a key ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Long-tailed Skipper. It provides essential nectar, shelter, or forage for native wildlife, including Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and Nectar Insects.
Thriving in dry, limestone, loam, sand, and well drained, Anacacho Orchid Tree demonstrates outstanding hardiness once established. It requires minimal supplemental water and tolerates dry spells with ease. It offers high deer resistance.

Anacacho Orchid Tree
Bauhinia lunarioides
NATIVE RANGE // EPA & NPSOT
Texas Native Ecoregions6 REGIONS
[ INITIALIZING GEOSPATIAL MAP DATA... ]
Southern Texas Plains
SOURCE: US EPA L3/L4 ECOREGIONS • NPSOT VERIFIED30.1727° N, 98.0873° W (DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX)
GROWTH & VISUAL PROFILEPerennial • Tree
↕HEIGHT
6 ft.
↔SPREAD
6 ft.
🌱GROWTH
Moderate
🍂FOLIAGE
Deciduous
BLOOM COLOR
White
BLOOM CALENDARSpring (3 MO)
JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
BOTANICAL ALIASES & ALTERNATE NAMES3 ALIASES
Anacacho BauhiniaOrchid TreeTexas Plume
ECOLOGICAL ROLE & WILDLIFE
🦋 CENTRAL TEXAS LARVAL HOST PLANT
Larval food plant for: Long-tailed Skipper
ATTRACTS & SUPPORTS
Larval Host: Long-tailed SkipperBeesBirdsButterfliesHummingbirdsNectar Insects
Larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies: Long-tailed Skipper. Verified online via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn). Verified via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn, texasento.net) and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (wildflower.org).
WATER NEEDLow (Drought Tolerant)
VL
LOW
MOD
HIGH
SOLAR NEEDPart Shade
SHADE
PART SHADE
PART SUN
FULL SUN
SUBSTRATE & SOILpH: Neutral to Alkaline
DryLimestoneLoamSandWell Drained
⚠️ BOTANICAL SAFETY NOTICE
Non-toxic to humans, birds, and domestic animals.
MAINTENANCE & PROPAGATION
Low maintenance once established.