Scientific Name:
Cercis siliquastrum
Pronunciation:
SUR-siss sil-ee-KWAS-trum
Common Name:
Judas tree, Mediterranean redbud
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Leaves alternate, nearly round, 7-12cm wide, apex rounded, base cordate; 3-5 inch; florets pea-like clusters of 2cm long, appear before leaves on older growth wood, 5 free petals, rose-purple or purplish-pink (magenta), sepals 5, green, and fused; legumes 6-10cm long, showy, purplish-brown persistent. Winter ID: rounded form with persistent seed pods; twigs dark brown, buds ovoid, 2-9mm long.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
3 - 5m
Mature Spread:
4 - 5m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Central / west Asia, Europe (Mediterranean: southern Europe and western Asia)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Shade tree, Specimen plant, Spring interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Compound Leaf:
Trifoliate (ternate)
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green, Bronze-red in spring
Colour in Fall:
Yellow, Bronze
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Retuse, Rounded
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Purple, Magenta
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Mar, Apr
Fruit Type:
Legume
Fruit Colour:
Purple, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Showy, Persistent
Bark Morphology:
Lightly fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Brown
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid
Leaf Scar Shape:
Crescent shaped
Organ Modifications:
Root nodules (N-fixing)
Pest Susceptibility:
Canker or sap rot, Fungal leaf spot, Leafhopper or spittlebug, Scale insects, Wilt (Pest resistant, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
