Cercis siliquastrum L.

Spice Detail flower Detail fruit In the University

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Cercis

Catalan common name: Arbre de l´amor.

Spanish common name: Árbol de Judas. Árbol del amor. Cercis.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): East Mediterranean

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Garden plants.

Description: A small, deciduous tree which can reach a height of 10m, with dark brown rough bark and an irregular crown. The simple leaves, 7-12cm in length, kidney- or heart-shaped, arranged alternately, have a long petiole. Pink or white early flowers of the variety alba grow in racemes or fascicles on the branches and sometimes on the trunk itself with long peduncles. The pod is flat, 6-10cm long, and brown when ripe.

Observations: It is frequently grown as an ornamental tree for its spectacular flowering before the new leaves sprout and for its flowers which grow directly on the older trunks.