Practical
Plants

Cercis siliquastrum

Judas Tree

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cercis
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
12 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

Flowers - raw[9][16][2]. 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[8]. Seedpods - raw[9].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Seedpod

Material uses

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

Wood - very hard, beautifully grained, takes a very fine polish. Used for veneers[16][10].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
S. Europe to E. Asia.
Habitat
Stony slopes and in arid warm woods[12][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

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[10]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 3 months[5]. Sow spring in the greenhouse[14]. 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[4]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[10].

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[10]. Prefers a deep sandy loam and a very sunny position[4][7]. Thrives on chalk[4][17] and in dry sandy soils[17]. Probably does best on a poorish soil[12]. Succeeds in light shade[10]. Dislikes drought[10]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[11]. 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[4]. 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[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10]. 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[4]. Any pruning is best carried out in the winter[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], flowering well in Cornwall[13]. It flowers better when growing in a continental climate[10]. The flowers are produced on the branches of the previous or earlier years, and also on the trunk of the plant[15]. A good bee plant[3]. 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[10].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

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  6. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

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

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

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  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  10. 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↩8↩9

  11. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2

  12. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩1↩2

  13. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

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

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

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  16. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2

  17. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩1↩2

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