Orchid Tree Seed Pods Explode in April
Bauhinia variegata (Orchid Tree) seed pods literally explode. I was in the garage yesterday for 8 hours getting work done, and I kept hearing little exlosions come from the two trees nearby.

I'm talking "explode"!!! They didn't just fall to the ground, they have been bursting sideways, straight up, and straight down. A few of them even put a little nick in my car (which I'm not upset about cause it's cool). Some of them have burst into my garage from across the street. I'm so serious.

Dehisce (v. "burst open") is the term used to describe bauhinia variegata seed pods exploding behavior. The seeds are very hard, brown, and flat.
I'm going to plant a few of the seeds to see if they grow. This tree is considered invasive to Florida, so I will not actually keep the seedlings. I really don't like the dropped leaves that are persistently blowing around the neighborhood, so I wouldn't grow this tree even it weren't invasive. It's beautiful when in bloom though and I like to admire it from a short distance.

©2011 Danielle Copeland. All rights reserved.
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