Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Cercis

Species:

Cercis canadensis subsp. mexicana

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Tree

Height:

610 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Bloom Colors:

pink, magenta, purple

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, birds

Fall Color:

yellow

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Capable of resprouting from root crown after fire or top damage. Shows resilience to periodic disturbance typical of its native semi-arid habitat.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seed coat is impermeable; hot water treatment or mechanical scarification improves germination. Seeds may be slow and erratic without proper treatment.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch