the Judas-tree; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the decandria clas of plants.

Species 1. The lilacortum, or common Judas-tree, is a native of the south of France, Spain, and Italy. It rises with an upright trunk to the height of 12 or 14 feet, covered with a dark reddish bark, and divides upward into many irregular branches, garnished with round, heart-shaped, smooth leaves, placed irregularly on the branches, having long foot-stalks. The flowers come out on every side of the branches, and many times from the stem of the tree, in clusters, having short foot-stalks; they are of a very bright purple color, to make a fine appearance, especially when the branches are covered pretty thick with them. The leaves having an agreeable pungency, are frequently eaten in salads. There are other two varieties of this tree; one with a white, and the other with a flesh-colored flower; but the first is the most beautiful. 2. The canadensis, or red-leaf tree, is a native of most parts of North America, and hath flowers resembling the former, but inferior in beauty. These plants are hardy enough to bear the open air, and are easily propagated from seeds. The wood of the first sort is beautifully veined with black and green, and takes a fine polish. By the Portuguese it is called the tree of love.