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Mexican Redbud

Cercis canadensis var. mexicana

Other common name(s):

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts
Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

10
to
15
ft.

Spread

10
to
15
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Calcareous, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Drought Tolerant. Provide well drained soil.

Comments

Blooms February-April. Multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Pink blooms appear before leaves in the Spring. Leaves simple, heart shaped, leathery, glossy green, with undulating margins. Flowers red. Fruit a pod to 10 cm long. Mexican redbud is smaller in stature, has smaller, glossier, and more wavy-edged leaves, and is more drought tolerant than Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis). Larval Host: Henry’s Elfin butterfly
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Cercis canadensis ssp. mexicana

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CECAM. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=27178&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy, Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, 1988, 1991, pg 282. 5) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=527242#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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