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Cercis occidentalis
  • Western Redbud

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cercis occidentalis has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Flowers - raw. Added to salads[1], they have a pleasant acid taste[K]. The flower buds are pickled like capers[1].

Seedpods - roasted[2][3][1]. The pods are up to 9cm long[4].

Seed - cooked[1].

Flowers

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Cercis occidentalis.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Cercis occidentalis.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[5]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 3 months[6]. Sow spring in the greenhouse[7]. 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[8]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cercis occidentalis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils and pH types, but dislikes growing in wet soils, especially when these are of clay[5]. Prefers a deep damp sandy loam and a very sunny position[8][9]. Succeeds in light shade[5]. Dislikes drought[5]. Repays generous treatment[8].

This species does not flower very freely in Britain. Plants do not thrive at Kew, they prefer a hotter climate[8]. Plants require cool greenhouse treatment in Britain[10]. The flowers are produced on the branches of the previous or earlier years, and also on the trunk of the plant[11]. Plants are susceptible to coral spot fungus, especially when growing in areas with cooler summers where the wood is not fully ripened[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. 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[8].

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[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cercis occidentalis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cercis occidentalis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cercis occidentalis
Genus
Cercis
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[8][12][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    4.5 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    7. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    9. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    12. ? Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)

    "image:Cercis occidentalis branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cercis_occidentalis&oldid=76113"
    Facts about "Cercis occidentalis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusCercis +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has common nameWestern Redbud +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +, Seeds + and Seedpod +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageCercis occidentalis branch.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height4.5 +
    Has primary imageCercis occidentalis branch.jpg +
    Has search namecercis occidentalis + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCercis occidentalis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +