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So what is an erguvan tree? Cercis siliquastrum, aka the redbud tree. The Bosphorus strait is dotted with redbuds for a few weeks in late April/early May. Some areas, Bebek included, have pockets of the trees like the one in the picture. It's no wonder that Roxelana's favorite color was erguvan mauve. There was nothing the Ottomans didn't have in that color.
Here in the Carolinas, we have its cousin, native cercis canadensis, blanketing our hillsides. Dainty blooms, ornamental seed pods and pretty heart shaped leaves make an attractive tree, so redbuds are popular in gardens of the southeast and all the way up into southern New England. When my grandmother passed away I planted a dwarf weeping variety called "Covey" at my old house in New Haven. I also have several of the burgundy leaved "Forest Pansy" variety in my new backyard. Currently, I'm coveting a new variety borne of "Forest Pansy" and "Covey", "Ruby Falls", which both weeps AND has beautiful burgundy foliage. I just need to find that sweet spot for it.
Fun note:
Green twigs have been used in southern Appalachia to season venison for years, so the tree is also known as spicewood up in the mountains. Native Americans ate the buds raw or boiled and roasted the seeds. I haven't tried any of these recipes, but some buds might look pretty on top of a salad...
I love researching plants! In fact I've done a lot of it for my novel. I have a special website I go to that has many details about the plants that are native to the area that is my setting.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, thanks Carolyn!
that was the one thing that still stands out in my memories of Bodrum- the whitewashed houses and the contrast agains the purple flowering trees and blue water. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOooh I'd say they're pinkbuds!!! And very pretty they are too!! And yes, they do look very tasty!! Lovely to see them garlanding the scenery! Bet they have a really heady fragrance!! Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteTake care
x
Must look stunning.
ReplyDelete:-)
Reminds me a bit of lilacs. I've always liked those. Remind me of Grandma.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have one too but don't ask me the scientific name or variety, just redbud to me. Did not know it was editable? Ever feel like Ewell Gibbons? Remember him, "Many parts of a pine cone are editable?" :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Beautiful photo. I love all the fragrant flowering trees in bloom at this time of year. They're just starting to burst with color down here in GA.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Are you sure that anonymous poster wasn't my mother? [g] Thanks for doing these posts about plants and flowers - I know so little, and yet my characters would certainly be familiar with these. I need to learn what they already know!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful picture!
ReplyDeleteNew follower slowly getting around to visiting all the Crusaders - must say I find this post intriguing! - a setting at a university in/near Istanbul - and I have a sudden new appreciation for my middle eastern geography to know that this beautiful tree blooms all over there. Used to live in N.C. myself and I really miss it this time of year (but not during summer)
ReplyDeleteI needed a dose of spring today-- thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI know it as the Judas tree. Judas was supposed to have hung himself on one after he betrayed Christ. They are beautiful....but I think of Judas when I see one!
ReplyDeleteFYI, via wikipedia : There is a longstanding myth that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a tree of this species. This belief is related to the common name "Judas Tree" which is possibly a corrupted derivation from the French common name, Arbre de Judée meaning tree of Judea, referring to a region where the tree occurs.
ReplyDeleteAnd my note - I wouldn't think a redbud was strong enough to hang a man. It's fairly delicate and would probably break under the weight. However, I can see a tale emerging from the bloodlike redbuds weeping through the bark. I suppose it doesn't hurt to be reminded of temptation's price once in a while, either.
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