There are many species of Bauhinia, all indigenous to India. I keep checking the net and some claim that this B. purpurea is a native of South China and also South east Asia. What ever the fact is, this plant grows very well in Malaysia and can be seen everywhere. Fair as a shady tree but makes a good landscape tree. Bauhinias were named in honor of the brothers Bauhin, Swiss botanists of the 16th-17th century. Their characteristic twin lobed leaves give them a definite Butterfly look. The plant is sensitive to chlorosis, you can treat the problem with the use of iron chelate. Flowers which are slightly fragrant grow in short sprays bearing two or three blooms. The gum from the tree and oil from the seeds is used by some locals. The bark is used for tanning and dyeing, also as fibres. The more I read only inform me that many parts of the tree are of use. Timber and many parts of the tree have medicinal uses.