Blossoms suddenly emerged on a jujube tree's trunk and branches in Sochi.
In Sochi, Russia, the striking pink blossoms of the European buckthorn, commonly known as the Judas tree in folklore, have made an appearance in the city's "Riviera" park. Its flowers always bloom before its leaves.
While the tree's association with Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus Christ's disciples, is rooted in legend, it is believed that the plant's flowers were initially white, transforming to pink as a result of grief and shame following Judas' death. Another claim suggests the tree's name derived from the French "Judée" (Judea), attributing its origins to the region. According to the park's press service, the word evolved over time, possibly becoming associated with Judas' name.
Technically, what blooms in Sochi's parks is not the traditional "Judas tree," but the European buckthorn, or Rhamnus cathartica, a European native. The Judas tree, or Cercis siliquastrum, is a Mediterranean and Southern Russia native, known for its striking purple flowers. It is cultivated in Sochi mainly for its ornamental value.
European buckthorn, despite invasive tendencies in other regions, holds no notable history in Sochi, according to available sources. The confusion between the two trees likely arises from their names being used interchangeably in casual usage.
"Live Kuban" previously reported the magnolia blooming season in Sochi, providing further evidence of the city's diverse and flourishing flora.
In Sochi's "Riviera" park, the European buckthorn's pink blossoms create a scenic spectacle, offering a delightful addition to the home-and-garden lovers' appreciation of the city's flora. Conversely, the genuine Judas tree, native to the Mediterranean and Southern Russia, is not indigenous to Sochi but is cultivated for its lavish purple flowers, enhancing the local home-and-garden lifestyle through gardening endeavors.
