Zi Jing Pi

Cercis chinensis Bunge (Chinese redbud) is a deciduous small tree or large shrub in the Fabaceae, reaching 5-15 m in height with smooth grey to reddish-brown bark that becomes shallowly fissured with age. The simple, alternate leaves are broadly cordate to orbicular, 6-14 cm across, glabrous, with entire margins and palmate venation, turning yellow in autumn. In early spring, before leaf emergence, the tree produces dense clusters of bright rose-pink to magenta papilionaceous flowers borne directly on old wood and twigs (cauliflory), each about 1 cm long. Fruits are flattened, narrowly oblong legumes 5-9 cm long, dark brown when ripe, persisting on the branches. Native to central and eastern China.