AMERICAN GARDENER

Cercis siliquastrum, commonly called the Judas Tree or Mediterranean Redbud, belongs to the Fabaceae family (legume or pea family) within the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is part of the genus Cercis, which includes approximately 10 species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. The genus name Cercis comes … Read more

The Chinese Redbud, Cercis chinensis, is a member of the Fabaceae family, commonly known as the legume or pea family, within the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It belongs to the genus Cercis, which encompasses about 10 species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. The genus name Cercis originates … Read more

The Eastern Redbud, scientifically known as Cercis canadensis, belongs to the Fabaceae family, commonly referred to as the legume or pea family. It is part of the genus Cercis, which includes several species of redbuds native to North America, Europe, and Asia. The species is divided into three subspecies: canadensis, texensis, and mexicana, with canadensis … Read more

Desert Ironwood, scientifically known as Olneya tesota, belongs to the Fabaceae family, commonly referred to as the legume or pea family. It is the only species in the genus Olneya, making it monotypic. Classified as a perennial tree or large shrub, it falls within the subfamily Faboideae, characterized by its nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Its taxonomic hierarchy … Read more

The term “ironwood” refers to various tree species worldwide, valued for their dense, hard wood, often denser than water (approximately 1000 kg/m³ or 62 lb/ft³). It’s not a single species but a common name applied to trees across different genera and regions, typically prized for durability in construction, tools, or crafts. These trees, scattered across … Read more

The Western Redbud, scientifically Cercis occidentalis, belongs to the Fabaceae family, a large group of legumes including peas, beans, and acacias. The genus Cercis, derived from the Greek word for “shuttle,” referring to the shape of its seed pods, contains about 10 species of deciduous trees and shrubs. Cercis occidentalis is closely related to the … Read more

The Lady Slipper Plant, scientifically known as Euphorbia macrocarpa or commonly Pedilanthus macrocarpus, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, a diverse group including poinsettias and spurges. The genus Pedilanthus, meaning “slipper flower” in Greek, reflects the plant’s distinctive floral shape, though recent taxonomic revisions sometimes place it under Euphorbia due to shared traits like milky sap … Read more

The Ironwood Tree, commonly referring to Olneya tesota in North American contexts, belongs to the Fabaceae family, which includes legumes like peas and acacias. The genus Olneya is monotypic, with O. tesota as its sole species, derived from the Greek word for “olive-like,” reflecting its fruit’s appearance. Alternatively, “ironwood” may describe other species globally, such … Read more

Duranta erecta, commonly known as Sky Flower, Golden Dewdrop, or Pigeon Berry, belongs to the Verbenaceae family, which includes other ornamental plants like verbena and lantana. The genus Duranta, named after 16th-century Italian botanist Castore Durante, comprises about 30 species of tropical shrubs and trees. The species name erecta, Latin for “upright,” reflects its typical … Read more

The Peruvian Apple Cactus, scientifically classified as Cereus repandus (syn. Cereus peruvianus), belongs to the Cactaceae family, specifically within the Cactoideae subfamily and Cereeae tribe. The genus Cereus, derived from the Latin word for “torch,” includes about 33 species of columnar cacti native to South America. The species name repandus, meaning “turned up or back,” … Read more