HORTSCIENCE 53(2):148–152. 2018. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12564-17 Cercis chinensis Bunge; Cercis chingii Chun; Cercis glabra Pamp.; Cercis occidentalis Cercis Torr. Ex A. Gray; and Cercis siliquastrum A Checklist of (Redbud) L. (USDA-ARS, 2017). All cultivars are C. canadensis L. unless otherwise indicated. Cultivars This database is available online at the National Arboretum’s website: www.usna.usda.gov, David L. Kidwell-Slak where the most updated version can be found. USDA-NRCS, Norman A. Berg National Plant Materials Center, 8791 Beaver Dam Road, Building 509, Beltsville, MD 20705 Checklist of Cercis Cultivars Margaret R. Pooler1 ‘Ace of Hearts’ (U.S. Plant Patent Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, U.S. National Arboretum, USDA- #17161, 2005): Found, named, and in- ARS, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Building 010A, Beltsville, MD 20705 troduced by Paul Woody (Fantz and Woody, 2005): Deciduous, compact, Additional index words. germplasm, ICNCP, ICRA, woody ornamental plants multistemmed tree; 4-m tall and 5-m wide at 8 years; young branches are greenish The genus Cercis L. (redbud; Fabaceae: and Asia, as well as representative redbud (RHS 146B-C) becoming dark gray brown Caesalpinioideae: Cercideae) is a morpholog- cultivars sold in the United States, in support to grayish brown (199A, 200B-C), bark is ically and biogeographically diverse group of our active breeding program and germplasm grayish (RHS 197B); leaves are broad with seven to thirteen species or subspecies collections. The increased popularity of red- ovate-cordate, 4–6.5 cm long and 4–6.3 cm that occur in North America, Europe, and buds and the proliferation of named cultivars, wide, upper surface is dark green (132A, Asia (Chen et al., 2010; Davis et al., 2002; combined with our interest in Cercis germ- 136A, 139A), smooth-textured, and some- Fritsch et al., 2009; Krussmann,€ 1976; plasm, prompted us to apply for appointment as what shiny, and lower surface is pale with Rehder, 1990; USDA-ARS, 2017). Mature the International Cultivar Registration Author- conspicuously reticulate veinlets; flowers plants range in size from small shrubs to large ity (ICRA) for Cercis, which was granted to the light violet (82A-B), calyx reddish-purple trees, tolerate full sun to shade, and are hardy USNA in 2013. (RHS 71B-C). from USDA Zones 4–9 (Raulston, 1990; The ICRA is a voluntary system of regis- ‘Alba’ (Raulston, 1990): White-flowered Robertson, 1976). In addition to their eco- tering plant names to promote the stability of eastern redbud (Burns and Raulston, logical role as a native North American plant cultivated plant nomenclature by preventing 1993): Likely multiple clones exist under (Cercis canadensis), redbuds are a significant duplication of names and ensuring that names this name. Name not established as it does crop for the American nursery industry, are in accord with the ninth edition of the not meet the provisions of the ICNCP, valued primarily for their showy early spring International Code of Nomenclature for Cul- Article 21.11, stating that a name that is bloom, glossy heart-shaped foliage, and tivated Plants (ICNCP) (Brickell et al., 2016). entirely in Latin cannot be established after adaptability to diverse environmental condi- It confers no legal protection over the name 1 Jan. 1959. tions. According to the 2014 USDA Census or the plant and does not imply distinctive- of Horticulture Specialties (USDA-NASS, ness, value, or performance of the plants in ‘Alba’ (Burns and Raulston, 1993): Cercis 2015), redbuds are the fifth most valuable question. It is simply a mechanism to estab- occidentalis. White-flowered California deciduous flowering tree crop in the United lish and document plant names. redbud. Introduced by Rancho Santa Anna States, with a total crop value of $26.7 In addition to compiling data and docu- Botanical Garden in Claremont, CA. million, and the seventh most commonly menting sources for cultivar names, the Name not established as it does not meet grown flowering deciduous tree in the United ICRA must also establish the plant names the provisions of the ICNCP, Article States, with nearly a million plants grown through publication to ensure that each name 21.11, stating that a name that is entirely in annually. According to the 2013 census, has precedence for its use. The purpose of this Latin cannot be established after 1 Jan. 1959. redbuds were sold by 1272 wholesale or checklist, therefore, is to establish the Cercis ‘Alba’ (Burns and Raulston, 1993): Cercis retail nurseries in 44 U.S. states. names and provide a resource for botanists, chinensis. White-flowered chinese redbud. Although redbuds have been cultivated nursery industry professionals, horticultur- Name not established as it does not meet for over a century, their popularity has in- ists, and others interested in this genus. the provisions of the ICNCP, Article creased in the past few decades, as evidenced This checklist is formatted in keeping 21.11, stating that a name that is entirely in by the number of named cultivars on the with the recommendations and style of the Latin cannot be established after 1 Jan. 1959. market; in 1980, there were 29 named culti- ICNCP. Names are listed in alphabetical vars (Burns and Raulston, 1993), whereas order. The abbreviated reference for a name ‘Alba’ (Burns and Raulston, 1993): Cercis today there are more than 60. Redbuds are is placed in parentheses, followed by a de- siliquastrum. White-flowered Mediterra- now highlighted in several botanic gardens, scription provided by that source, if avail- nean redbud. Sold in Europe. Name reg- including the collection at the JC Raulston able, and other information including source, istered on 13 June 2016. Name not Arboretum which is a Nationally Accredited introducer, etc. The first reference listed is the established as it does not meet the pro- Plant Collection of the American Public first publication of the cultivar name. Other visions of the ICNCP, Article 21.11, stat- Gardens Association Plant Collections Net- publications are ones that we deemed pro- ing that a name that is entirely in Latin work (Weathington, 2009). In addition, over vided practical descriptive information for cannot be established after 1 Jan. 1959. the past several decades, the U.S. National nursery growers. Full reference information = ‘Albida’ Arboretum (USNA) has amassed a diverse is listed in the Literature Cited section when collection of Cercis collected in North America available. Synonyms are cited at the end of ‘Alley Cat’ (Pleasant Run Nursery Cata- each entry following the ‘‘equal’’ sign. Ac- log, Allentown, NJ, 2016): Variegated cepted (valid) cultivar names are designated eastern redbud with white splashes, re- in bold type and undetermined or unaccepted ported to be stable and scorch resistant. To Received for publication 5 Oct. 2017. Accepted for # # publication 29 Dec. 2017. names are in plain type. A total of eight 20 tall and 20 wide. Found by Alan Bush International Registration of Cultivar Names for Cercis taxa are referenced in this checklist: in an alley near his home in Kentucky. Cercis (redbuds). C. canadensis L.; C. canadensis L. var. Introduced by Harald Neubauer of Hidden 1Corresponding author. E-mail: Margaret.Pooler@ mexicana (Rose) M. Hopkins; C. canadensis Hollow Nursery. Name established on 13 ars.usda.gov. L. var. texensis (S. Watson) M. Hopkins; June 2016. 148 HORTSCIENCE VOL. 53(2) FEBRUARY 2018 ‘Amethyst Mist’ (Hatch, L. 2010. The margins. Named by J.C. Raulston but ‘Covey’ (U.S. Plant Patent #10328, 1998): redbuds: Varieties of the genus Cercis. propagation and distribution records Grows to 1.5-m tall and 2.5-m wide after Digital PDF eBook. TCR Press, Raleigh, uncertain; possibly lost to cultivation. 30 years; leaves are 7–10 cm long and NC): Leaves emerge white with green Name not established because cultivar 8–12 cm wide; flowers are strong reddish speckles, transitioning to green during the may not have still existed at time of purple (78B) (Werner, 2002): Weeping season. Plants grown at JC Raulston Ar- publication (ICNP, Article 27). eastern redbud found in Cornelia Covey’s boretum (North Carolina) came from garden in Westfield, NY, in the 1960s; Shadow Nursery, TN. May be the same as ‘Brandywine’ (Hatch, 2017): A selection propagated and patented by Tim Brotzman ‘Mardi Gras’. Name not established be- of C. chinensis listed without description (Madison, OH). It has wild-type flowers and cause electronic publication does not meet by Blue Horizon Nursery. Registered in abundant fruit. conditions of publication (ICNCP, Article 25). Open Registration of Cultivars online in 2015. Name not established as it was listed = ‘Fantasy Falls’ = (?) ‘Mardi Gras’ without a description (ICNCP, Article 27.1). ä ‘Bubble Gum’ (Hatch, L. 2010. The red- = ‘Covey’ Lavender Twist ‘Appalachian Red’ (Pleasant Run Nursery buds: Varieties of the genus Cercis. Digital ‘Crosswicks Red’ (Princeton Nurseries Catalog, Allentown, NJ, 2016): Eastern PDF eBook. TCR Press, Raleigh, NC): redbud to 20# tall and 20# wide with neon Catalog 2006–07): Eastern redbud with Likely an interspecific C. chinensis. Less flowers more red than the wild type. Grows pink flowers. Found by Dr. Max Byrkit in magenta, more pink flowers than wild-type # # # # Maryland. This cultivar was originally to 20 –30 tall and 20 –30 wide. Name C. chinensis. Named by John Allen of established on 11 Oct. 2016. named ‘Appalachia’ (Raulston, 1990), but Shiloh Nursery (Harmony, NC). Name not the introducer (Harald Neubauer) and most established because electronic publication ‘Don Egolf’ (Amer. Nurseryman 92 nursery catalogs and gardens list the plant as does not meet conditions of publication (12):28, 2000): Cercis chinensis. De- ‘Appalachian Red’ (American Gardener, (ICNCP, Article 25). ciduous, slow-growing, compact, multi- July/Aug. 2007). Thus, ‘Appalachian Red’ stemmed shrub to 9# tall and 9.5# wide at best preserves existing usage and is the ac- = ‘Big John’ 15 years; heavy, dark green, heart-shaped cepted name following provisions of the leaves; prolific, bright rosy mauve flowers ‘Carnea’ (Burns and Raulston, 1993): ICNCP (Art.