bōˈinēə, -ˈhin-, bȯˈ- noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Jean Bauhin died 1613 and Gaspard Bauhin died 1624 Swiss botanists + New Latin -ia
1. capitalized : a large genus of tropical trees, shrubs, or lianas (family Leguminosae) with leaves that are usually bifoliolate and tough fibrous bark — see mountain ebony
2. plural bauhinia or bauhinias : a plant of the genus Bauhinia
the trees on the street … are to be bauhinias, an Asiatic variety that puts out mauve blooms in the fall — Christopher Rand