Red bauhinia (Bauhinia galpinii) is relatively similar to closely related species such as pink bauhinia (Bauhinia monandra), butterfly tree (Bauhinia variegata) and purple bauhinia (Bauhinia purpurea). These species can be distinguished by the following differences: red bauhinia (Bauhinia galpinii ) is a large spreading shrub, sometimes climbing over other vegetation (i.e. a scandent chrub), with relatively small leaves (less than 10 cm wide). Its flowers vary from orange to scarlet or dark red and have three fertile stamens.pink bauhinia (Bauhinia monandra) is a small upright tree with relatively large leaves (up to 20 cm wide). Its flowers are pale pink or whitish with darker pink or reddish-purple markings and have a single fertile stamen.butterfly tree (Bauhinia variegata) is a small upright tree with relatively large leaves (up to 15 cm wide). Its flowers vary from entirely white to various shades of pink or purple with darker pink or reddish-purple markings and have five fertile stamens.purple bauhinia (Bauhinia purpurea) is a small upright tree with relatively large leaves (up to 20 cm wide). Its flowers vary from pale purple to bright pinkish-purple and have three fertile stamens.