Practical
Plants

Cercis occidentalis

Western Redbud

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Cercis genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cercis
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
4.5 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Flowers - raw. Added to salads[7], they have a pleasant acid taste[K]. The flower buds are pickled like capers[7]. Seedpods - roasted[4][5][7]. The pods are up to 9cm long[9]. Seed - cooked[7].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Seedpod

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California to Arizona.
Habitat
Dry slopes and in canyons in foothills below 1100 metres[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[8]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 3 months[3]. Sow spring in the greenhouse[11]. 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[2]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils and pH types, but dislikes growing in wet soils, especially when these are of clay[8]. Prefers a deep damp sandy loam and a very sunny position[2][6]. Succeeds in light shade[8]. Dislikes drought[8]. Repays generous treatment[2]. This species does not flower very freely in Britain. Plants do not thrive at Kew, they prefer a hotter climate[2]. Plants require cool greenhouse treatment in Britain[1]. The flowers are produced on the branches of the previous or earlier years, and also on the trunk of the plant[12]. Plants are susceptible to coral spot fungus, especially when growing in areas with cooler summers where the wood is not fully ripened[2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8]. 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[2]. 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[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  9. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩

  10. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

  11. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  12. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩

Edit this page