cercis

[ sur-sis ]

noun

1. any shrub or small tree of the genus Cercis, as the redbud or Judas tree.

cercis

/ ˈsɜːsɪs /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the leguminous genus Cercis, which includes the redbud and Judas tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of cercis¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek kerkís redbud, literally, weaver's shuttle (perhaps after the shape of the fruit), derivative of kérkos tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of cercis¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek kerkis weaver's shuttle, Judas tree

Example Sentences

Cercis canadensis, or 'Forest Pansy'

From Los Angeles Times

Proleptic branches may also be due to the shooting out of accessory buds—i.e. extra buds found in or near the leaf-axils of many plants, such as Willow, Maples, Cercis, Robinia, Syringa, Aristolochia, etc.—which do not normally come to anything, or do so only if a surplus of food materials is provided.

From Project Gutenberg

A closely allied species of Cercis, growing in Palestine, had, according to tradition, white flowers, until the arch-traitor Judas hanged himself from its limbs, when it blushed pink for very shame.

From Project Gutenberg

The underwood of the forest consisted chiefly of Laurus benzoin and Cercis Canadensis; the ground was covered with Equisetum hyemale, from one and a half to two feet high.

From Project Gutenberg

The numerous horse-chestnuts were in full leaf; the white ash was in flower, as well as many species of pear and plum, which looked as if covered with snow, and formed a beautiful contrast with the red 259 masses of the flower of the Cercis.

From Project Gutenberg