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Cercis siliquastrum - L.

Common Name Judas Tree, Redbud
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 6-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Stony slopes and in arid warm woods[49, 132].
Range S. Europe to E. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cercis siliquastrum Judas Tree, Redbud


http://www.biolib.de/
Cercis siliquastrum Judas Tree, Redbud
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Retama

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender, Purple. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Cercis siliquastrum is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Flowers - raw[2, 89, 105]. A sweetish-acid taste, they are a nice addition to the salad bowl[11, 183, K]. The flower buds are pickled and used as a condiment[183]. Seedpods - raw[2].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Wood

Wood - very hard, beautifully grained, takes a very fine polish. Used for veneers[89, 200].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Specimen. Succeeds in most soils and pH types, but dislikes growing in wet soils, especially when these are of clay[200]. Prefers a deep sandy loam and a very sunny position[11, 182]. Thrives on chalk[11, 98] and in dry sandy soils[98]. Probably does best on a poorish soil[49]. Succeeds in light shade[200]. Dislikes drought[200]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[202]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. Plants do not generally thrive at Kew, they prefer a hotter, continental climate in order to fully ripen their wood[11]. One report says that plants require cool greenhouse treatment in Britain[1], though several good specimens have been seen outdoors in this country[K]. The tree often does not flower freely in Britain, especially if the previous summer was cool. Plants are susceptible to coral spot fungus, especially when growing in areas with cool summers where the wood is not fully ripened[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Resents root disturbance, plants should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible, preferably in May, and should be kept well watered until established[11]. Any pruning is best carried out in the winter[202]. A very ornamental plant[1], flowering well in Cornwall[59]. It flowers better when growing in a continental climate[200]. The flowers are produced on the branches of the previous or earlier years, and also on the trunk of the plant[82]. A good bee plant[108]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 3 months[113]. Sow spring in the greenhouse[78]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted out in their permanent positions as soon as possible[11]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Native to Asia-Temperate. WESTERN ASIA: Iran, Iraq (n.), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey Europe. SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE: Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sicily). SOUTHWESTERN EUROPE: France Cultivated in Africa SOUTH TROPICAL AFRICA: Angola. Asia-Temperate. WESTERN ASIA: Iraq. Europe. Northern America

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cercis canadensisRedbud, Eastern redbud, Mexican redbud,Texas redbudTree12.0 4-9 MLMSNM322
Cercis chinensisChinese RedbudTree15.0 6-8 SLMNM12 
Cercis occidentalisWestern Redbud, California RedbudShrub4.5 5-9 MLMSNDM303

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1149200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Wed Apr 21 07:52:34 2004

Turkish Name:Erguvan

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Subject : Cercis siliquastrum  
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