Orchid Tree or Kachnar

Description:

Shown are the flower, fruit and leaves of the Orchid Tree (although not an Orchid). It is native to Southeast Asia and India and is also called Kachnar or the Camel Foot Tree because of the shape of the leaves (see Picture 4). The seed pods are long and contain many round seeds (Picture 3 shows a dried pod on the tree with 1 seed still attached). The pods are long and straight when green but as they dry out they begin to curl, which help the pods open to release the seeds. Family Fabaceae.

Habitat:

This tree can be found in gardens all over the City of Oaxaca, Mexico. The one in our garden is old and very large. It is currently dropping hundreds of dried seed pods all over the place.

Notes:

This tree is a popular ornamental all over the world (especially warm climates). It's flowers attract Hummingbirds and it is known for it's many medicinal uses from the flowers, buds, leaves, bark and seeds: http://rajanjolly.hubpages.com/hub/Kachn....