Mexican Redbud Cercis canadensis var. mexicana
Other plants called Mexican Redbud:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis
- Description
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Sometimes listed as C. mexicana or C. canadensis ssp. mexicana.
The Mexican Redbud can be found growing in its native habitat in the limestone soils around the shaded canyons and slopes from southwest Texas into northern Mexico. The name redbud come from its inner bark that bears a reddish color.
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 whereas 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).
The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis which means weaver's shuttle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver's shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom.
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: Leaf cutter bees can damage the foliage. Root rot and stem rot can appear on trees grown in moist or poorly drained soils. This tree can suffer from damage caused by deer. The falling seedpods can create a litter problem.
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cercis
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South West Texas to North Eastern Mexico
- Distribution:
- TX
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host to Henry's Elfin butterfly. Attractive to native bees and bumble bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Screening
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 11 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 11 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a legume that appears green and turns to brown as it ages.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Red, pea-like flowers in clusters in early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-6 in. alternate, simple, dark silvery/green, leathery leaves with undulating margins; develops glossy appearance with age. Thicker cuticle allows for greater drought tolerance than C. canadensis.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are thicker and more rigid than species. Grows in a multi-stemmed form.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Poor Soil
