Amherstia

Amherstia
Flowers on a cultivated specimen in India
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Detarioideae
Tribe: Amherstieae
Genus: Amherstia
Wall.
Species:
A. nobilis
Binomial name
Amherstia nobilis

Amherstia nobilis (Burmese: သော်ကကြီး [θɔ̀ka̰ dʑí]; the Pride of Burma) is a tropical tree growing to about 15 metres (49 ft) in height with large, showy flowers. It is the only member of the genus Amherstia. It is widely cultivated for ornament in the humid tropics, but is extinct in the wild, only being known from a single wild specimen which was recorded in 1865. It is thus potentially endemic in Burma (Myanmar), hence the common name, though Plants of the World Online also cites it as native in adjoining Thailand. The scientific name commemorates Lady Amherst, (as does Lady Amherst's pheasant) and also her daughter Sarah. Another common name, orchid tree, is also used for members of the genus Bauhinia.