Hello,
I took this picture of a large tree with a bottle-like trunk covered with beautiful flowers that really look like orchids.
Any idea what this tree is ?
Thanks

With the picture attached

[ Edited by MirandaPn on 2010/1/19 17:03 ]

Grrr

Okay, got it
Many thanks, MirandaPn

[ Edited by MirandaPn on 2010/1/19 17:05 ]

Hi,
First of all, before any bold guessings, where and when was this picture taken ?? In other words, is it a tropical or temperate tree ?

[ Edited by gingerSt on 2010/1/21 21:10 ]

Hello Ginger,
This pic was taken during my hollidays in Madeira.
As for the climate, I should say subtropical? And dry as well. In this place, bananas and annonas grow very well.
Any idea?
Thanks, MirandaPn

Bauhinia purpurea

@Alocasia, I'm not so sure about Bauhinia purpurea (or any other species from this genus). To my knowledge, they don't have large trunks (MirandaPn said 'Bottle trunks'). The stamens don't really match, also.
I'd say Chorisia speciosa. I think the flowers match. However, the trunk is covered with short and thick spines. I'm surprised MirandaPn didn't mention this. Do you recognise the trunk ?




Link : images on Google.com

[ Edited by gingerSt on 2010/1/23 17:05 ]

No arguments there. I withdraw my suggestion, on second thoughts, your seems fine.

Thank you everybody for the identification
Well, Chorisia speciosa seems to be it. However, I don't really recall a green trunk with spikes (I must admit I paid more attention to the incredible flowers). I still picture a very large grey trunk with some sort of a bottle shape. Maybe it had very short spikes but it did not strike me.
Thanks again for the ID
Miranda