Shrubs or small trees. Stems gray, twigs glabrous. Leaves: petiole 19–46 mm, glabrous or sparsely hairy; blade dull green, subcoriaceous, thin (0.05–0.25 mm), blades reniform, 29–79 × 43–93 mm, base cordate, sinus 9–23 mm deep, margins flat, apex emarginate to retuse, surfaces glabrous, sometimes hairy in vein axils abaxially. Pedicels glabrous. Flowers: calyx 8.4–10 mm wide; petals pink, nectar guides magenta, banner 5.9–7 × 4.9–6.3 mm, wings 7.2–9 × 5–6 mm, keel 9–11.5 × 7.2–8.9 mm. Legumes red-brown to brown, 60–105 × 13–19 mm, tapering unequally at ends, distal portion often wider than proximal.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–Apr.
Habitat: Canyons, dry washes.
Elevation: 600–2200 m.

Distribution

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Ariz., Nev., Utah.

Discussion

Cercis orbiculata occurs in the Intermountain area. It can be found in dry, shady canyons (especially in limestone or sandstone) and is also encountered in hanging gardens and along small streams in riparian woodland habitats. Cercis orbiculata is common in the canyons along the Colorado River; it also occurs in cool protected, high elevation canyons in the Sierra Ancha Mountains.

Flowers of Cercis orbiculata are larger and longer than those of C. occidentalis.

Cercis arizonica Patraw and C. arizonica Rose ex N. N. Dodge are invalid names that pertain here.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.