Genus CERCIS, Linn. 



LeguminaceiE. 



Syst. Nat, 



Decandria Monogj'nia. 



Si/t. Lin, 



Synonymes, 



Cercis, Siliquastrum, 



Of Authors. 



Derirattons. Cercis, is derived from the Greek kerkis, a shuttlecock, the name given to the Judas-tree by Theophrastus 

 SiliguastTum is derived from the Latin, tiliqua, a pod, husk, or shell, in sdlusion to the fruit of the trees of this genus. 



Distinctive Characters. Leaves simple, heart-shaped at the base, many-nerved, entire, protruded after 

 the flowers ; these borne in groupes, each on a pedicel proceeding directly from the trunk or branches. 

 De Candolle, Prodromus. 



HE genus Cercis comprises two species of deciduous trees, of the 

 third rank, natives of Europe, Asia, and North America. The Cer- 

 cis sihquastrum is indigenous to the south of France, Spain, Italy, 

 Greece, Japan, Asiatic Turkey, and more especially to Judea. It 

 was cultivated in Britain by Gerard, in 1596, who says, "The 

 Frenchmen call it gainier, as though they should say, vaginula, 

 or a little sheath. Most of the Spaniards name it algarrobo loco ; that is, Siliqua 

 sylvestris fatui (wild or foolish pod;) others arbol d'amor, for the braveness' 

 sake. It may be called in English, Judas-tree ; for it is thought to be that on 

 which Judas hanged himself, and not upon the elder-tree, as is vulgarly said." 



