Judas tree

noun

1. a purple-flowered Eurasian tree, Cercis siliquastrum, of the legume family, supposed to be the kind upon which Judas hanged himself.
2. any of various other trees of the same genus, as the redbud.

Judas tree

noun

1. small Eurasian leguminous tree, Cercis siliquastrum, with pinkish-purple flowers that bloom before the leaves appear: popularly thought to be the tree on which Judas hanged himself See also redbud

Word History and Origins

Origin of Judas tree¹

First recorded in 1660–70