Mexican Redbud Cercis canadensis var. mexicana

Sometimes listed as C. mexicana or C. canadensis ssp. mexicana.

There has been much debate over the distinction between Cercis canadensis var. mexicana and Cercis canadensis var. texensis. Morphologically, the two varieties are very similar and are often distinguished from one another based on geographic distribution. More often than not, the leaf blade of C. canadensis var. mexicana exhibits an undulate margin where as the leaf blade of Cercis canadensis var. texensis is typically flat. However, the geographic overlap of these characteristics make the taxonomic separation of these two varieties difficult to verify, as described by Fritsch et al. (2009).  

Wildlife Value:  The flowers provide nectar for bees and once pollinated form leguminous pods, the seed can be consumed by birds. Members of the genus Cercis support the following specialized bee: Habropoda laboriosa.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree can suffer from damage caused by deer.  

References:

Fritsch, P. W., Larson, K. W., & Schiller, A. M. 2009. Taxonomic implications of morphological variation in Cercis canadensis (Fabaceae) from Mexico and adjacent parts of Texas. Systematic Botany. 34: 510 – 520. 

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Cercis canadensis.