Field ManualAll plants

Judas tree
Cercis siliquastrum L.
Family: Fabaceae
Pet & Human Safety
People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
Dogs, cats and horses: no verdict. ASPCA species page not read. RHS lists no harm note; Diputacion de Cadiz says no published health effects. Treat as not confirmed safe.
PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
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- Hardiness zones
RHS H5 per RHS (hardy in most of the UK even in severe winters, about -15 to -10 C); USDA 7-9 per INRAE Jardin Thuret sheet (France source)
- Light
Full sun or part shade (RHS); full sun, light shade tolerated (INRAE).
- Water needs
low
- Mature size
height: 8-12 m at maturity (RHS); about 10 m (INRAE); 5-15 m (Diputacion de Cadiz); width: wider than 8 m (RHS); crown 10-12 m (Cadiz); timeToMaturity: 20-50 years (RHS)
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
Get the app: coming soonAnatomy & Guilds
Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
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Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
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Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
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