Cercis chinensis

Flower name
Cercis chinensis
Scientific name
Cercis chinensis
Aliasスオウバナ, 花蘇芳, 蘇芳花
Place of originChina to Korean peninsula
Place of floweringGarden, Park
Flowering seasonApril, May, June

What is Cercis chinensis

Birth flowers for Mar 16

The birth flowers of March 16 are Cercis chinensis (Chinese redbud) and Spearmint. Here, we introduce Cercis chinensis.

About Cercis chinensis
Cercis chinensis, commonly known as Chinese redbud, is a deciduous shrub or small tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is native to China and the Korean Peninsula. It is also known as Suou-bana (蘇芳花) and Suougi (蘇芳木) in Japanese, and in English as Chinese redbud or Judas tree.

Height: 2 to 6 meters
Leaves: Heart-shaped, yellow-green to green, with smooth margins
Flowering Period: April to June, before the leaves emerge
Flowers: Small, reddish-purple, bean-shaped flowers (about 2 cm in diameter) bloom directly on branches (a phenomenon known as cauliflory). Some varieties produce white flowers.
Fruits: In October, flat pod-shaped fruits (5–7.5 cm long, 1.25 cm wide) appear. They turn from green to dark brown as they mature.
Cercis chinensis is widely used as a garden or park tree. Its bark and heartwood are used in traditional Chinese medicine under the names Sobo-ku (蘇木) and Suho-boku (蘇方木), believed to be effective for bruises, diarrhea, and women's health issues.

Language of Flowers
"A Prosperous Life"
"Suspicion"
"Betrayal"
Etymology
The Japanese name "Hana-Suou" (花蘇芳) comes from the resemblance of its flower color to the red dye "Suou" (蘇芳).
The genus name "Cercis" originates from the Greek word cercis (meaning "pod"), referring to its pod-shaped fruit.
The species name "chinensis" means "from China," indicating its native region.

Related Species in the Cercis Genus
Cercis chinensis (Chinese redbud) – green leaves
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' – American redbud with dark purple leaves
Cercis canadensis 'Avondale' – A dwarf cultivar of American redbud with dense flowers
What is Cauliflory?
Cauliflory refers to plants that bear flowers and fruits directly on their main stem or trunk, commonly found in tropical forests.
Examples include Cercis chinensis, Cacao, Jabuticaba, Durian, Figs, Papaya, Brush Cherry, and Cannonball Tree.

Botanical Information
Scientific Name: Cercis chinensis
Common Names: Hana-Suou (花蘇芳), Suou-bana (蘇芳花), Suougi (蘇芳木), Chinese redbud, Judas tree
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: China, Korean Peninsula
Tree Height: 2–6 m
Leaf Color: Green
Leaf Shape: Heart-shaped
Flowering Season: April to June
Flower Color: Reddish-purple, white
Fruit Maturity: October
Fruit Shape: Flat pod
Fruit Length: 5–7.5 cm
Fruit Width: 1.25 cm
Fruit Color: Green → Dark brown

Related Links
Cercis chinensis (Chinese redbud)
American Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy')
Feature: Cauliflory
March Birth Flowers
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