# Judas-tree (*Cercis siliquastrum*) The Judas-tree is a beautiful tree that blooms with bright pink flowers in spring. Its heart-shaped leaves make it a lovely sight, and it can grow quite tall, providing shade in gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Love Tree, Redbud ![Judas-tree](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cercis_siliquastrum_-_Judas_tree_-_Erguvan_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cercis_siliquastrum_-_Judas_tree_-_Erguvan_01.jpg) ## Appearance The Judas-tree is a small, deciduous tree known for its striking deep pink to purplish-pink pea-like flowers that bloom directly on its bare branches and trunk in early spring. Its heart-shaped leaves follow, turning yellow in autumn. Long, flattened reddish-brown pods persist through winter. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fabales - **Family:** Fabaceae - **Genus:** Cercis ## Interesting facts - Ancient stories link its weeping form and red blooms to a famous biblical tale! - Its flattened seed pods can hang on branches all winter, making it easy to spot even then! - Its perfectly heart-shaped leaves make it a popular symbol of love and affection! - The bright pink flowers are totally edible and taste like a yummy sweet-sour snack! ## Special abilities - **Trunk Bloom:** Judas-tree can bloom directly on its old wood (cauliflory), maximizing sunlight for early spring pollinators before leaves appear. - **Early Pollinator Magnet:** Judas-tree has vibrant, pea-like pink flowers that burst open before its leaves, making it highly visible to hungry insects in early spring. - **Persistent Pods:** Judas-tree can grow long, flat seed pods that mature through summer, ensuring its seeds are ready for dispersal by autumn winds. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 400-1000 cm - **Spread:** 300-700 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Early spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its early spring flowers. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits the vibrant blossoms for essential spring food. - **Shelter:** [Eurasian blue tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-blue-tit) (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Nests in its branches, hidden by its heart-shaped leaves. - **Eats:** [Roe deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/roe-deer) (*Capreolus capreolus*) — Browses on young leaves and shoots, especially in natural habitats. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths when exploring and don't climb trees without an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Judas-tree? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Judas-tree? 400-1000 cm ### How wide does Judas-tree spread? 300-700 cm ### How big are the flowers on Judas-tree? 1-2 cm ### When does Judas-tree bloom? Early spring ### Is Judas-tree edible? Yes ### Is Judas-tree toxic? None ### What is Judas-tree's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [El Capricho Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-capricho-gardens) — Central Spain, ES · Park - [Gartenschaupark Hockenheim](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gartenschaupark-hockenheim) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Park - [Knoops Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/knoops-park-bremen) — Bremen, DE · Park - [Barcelona Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barcelona-botanical-garden) — Cataluña, ES · Park - [Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parque-grande-jose-antonio-labordeta) — Aragón, ES · Park - [Stadtpark Nürnberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stadtpark-nuremberg) — Bayern, DE · Park [View all places to see Judas-tree](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/judas-tree) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Judas-tree: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/judas-tree)