Can anyone ID this flowering street tree

This is a photograph of a small version of a flowering tree. There are many of these trees in the suburbs of Cairo (Egypt). Our friend grew this from a seed - he can't remember what it was like, being a compulsive seed collector.

It has an almost hibiscus like flower, but the flowers appear well before the leaves, which are a blueish green, and the leaves on the plant at the moment are only about 3 cm long - apparently they do get bigger, but are not huge. Unfortunately I don't think the leaves in the background are those on the plant with the flower, but from a different self-seed-collected tree.

He's a knowledgeable gardener, but hasn't seen anything like this except in the streets of Cairo. I promised to try to identify it for him.

Don't post multiple threads. I've deleted you duplicate threads.

Sorry, but couldn't add the photo to the original thread, so started again. My apologies once more.

Hi Val,

That's a Bauhinia,

it's als grown in Queensland, Australia

Thank you so much (also known as the Orchid Tree, apparently) - I've found a website with all the varieties, and will let my Cairo friend know.

Thanks again.

You're very welcome Val,

Yvonne