The Legend of the Judas Tree

Judas Tree

Cercis siliquastrum

The tree from which Judas hanged himself has long been accepted by authorities as this one that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a beautiful sight in the spring time, with dense clusters of rose-pink, pea-shaped blossoms bursting before the leaves appear. In the East, the sweet-tasting flowers added savor to salads. Eventually the flower clusters turn into a podlike fruit, pretty but of no value as food. The seeds germinate in two years. The elegant and uncommon foliage resists insects. An old legend related that the pink flowers blushed rose-red with shame when Judas chose the tree from which to hang himself. The wood of this Ceris is very hard and beautifully veined, and takes a high polish. Theophrastus named it samuda.

Winifred Walker

ALL THE PLANTS OF THE BIBLE

Matt. 27:3,5 (KJV)Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thiry pieces of silver... And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

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