Genus CERCIS, Linn. 
Leguminaceae. Decandria Monogynia. 
Syst. Nat. Syst. Lin. 
Synonymes. 
Cercis, Siliqiiastrum, Of Authors. 
Derivations. Cercis, is derived from the Greek kerkis, a shuttlecock, the name given to the Judas-tree by Theophrastus. 
Siliqwislrum is derived from the Latin, siliqua, a pod, husk, or shell, in allusion 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. 
Be 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 siliqiiastrum 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." 
