Cercis chinensis

Chinese redbud
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Genus:	Cercis
Species:	C. chinensis
Binomial name
	Cercis chinensis; Bunge (1835)
Synonyms
	Cercis canadensis var. chinensis (Bunge) Ito (1900); Cercis chinensis f. alba S.C.Hsu (1966); Cercis chinensis f. leucantha Sugim. (1977); Cercis chinensis f. pubescens C.F.Wei (1983); Cercis chinensis f. rosea P.S.Hsu (1966); Cercis japonica Siebold ex Planch. (1853); Cercis pauciflora H.L.Li (1944); Cercis pubescens S.Y.Wang (1980);

Cercis chinensis, the Chinese redbud, (simplified Chinese: 紫荆; traditional Chinese: 紫荊; pinyin: Zǐjīng) is a plant in the legume the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to China, where it grows in southern and north-central China and Manchuria.^[2]

Description

As a tree, the Chinese redbud may grow up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 50 centimetres (20 in), however, the species is normally found growing in shrub form. The flowers are pink or milky white in color whilst the leaf body is almost circular in shape, 6 to 14 centimetres (2.4 to 5.5 in) in length and tapers to a point at the end. Flowering in April, the Chinese redbud produces fruit in October.

The Chinese cercis (Cercis chinensis) Bunge is a native of China and a member of the Fabaceae family, which is extensively dispersed there. Its many parts can be utilized for traditional Chinese medicine, which dates back a long way, in addition to its high beauty value.

Cultivation

Although hardy, in cultivation this plant requires a sheltered spot in a southerly or westerly aspect, with damp well-drained soil.^[3]

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017):^[4]

C. chinensis 'Avondale'^[5]
C. chinensis 'Don Egolf'^[6]

Cercis chinensis 'Avondale'

References

^ Lopez Poveda, L. (2012). "Cercis chinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T19893034A20037636. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T19893034A20037636.en. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
^ ^a ^b Cercis chinensis Bunge. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
^ "Cercis chinensis". RHS. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 17. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
^ "RHS Plantfinder - Cercis chinensis 'Avondale'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
^ "RHS Plantfinder - Cercis chinensis 'Don Egolf'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.

Media related to Cercis chinensis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Cercis chinensis at Wikispecies

[IUCN-1] Lopez Poveda, L. (2012). "Cercis chinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T19893034A20037636. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T19893034A20037636.en. Retrieved 30 October 2022.

[powo-2] Cercis chinensis Bunge. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

[RHSPF-3] "Cercis chinensis". RHS. Retrieved 28 August 2019.

[4] "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 17. Retrieved 24 January 2018.

[5] "RHS Plantfinder - Cercis chinensis 'Avondale'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.

[6] "RHS Plantfinder - Cercis chinensis 'Don Egolf'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.

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