Cercis siliquastrum L.

A spreading shrub or small tree. It grows to about 8-10 m high. The stems are crooked. It loses its leaves during the winter. The leaves are 10 cm long by 12 cm wide. The leaves are bluish green. They are alternate and have a heart shaped base. They have rounded tips with a short spine. The edges are wavy. The flowers are deep pink. They occur in clusters on the previous year's growth. They can occur on the trunk. The fruit are pods which ripen to purple. The pods are 10 cm long. They have long whiskers at the base.

It is native to W. Asia and S.E. Europe. Temperate. It grows best on dry, chalky soils. It cannot tolerate cold places. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

The pods are used with other vegetables in salads. The flowers are made into fritters. They have a pleasant acid taste. The flower buds are pickled in vinegar and used as a condiment. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat.

They can be grown from seed. Plants are difficult to transplant. It can be grown from tip cuttings.