In which region is the Judas tree indigenous?

The Judas tree is a small deciduous tree from Southern Europe and Western Asia which is noted for its prolific display of deep pink flowers in spring. This species forms a small tree up to 12 m (39 ft) in height and 10 m (32 ft) in width.

The deep pink flowers are produced on year-old or older growth, including the trunk, in spring. Also, the flowers display a blossom with five free petals and fused sepals. The leaves appear shortly after the first flowers emerge.

The flowers are pollinated by bees, attracted by nectar. Pollen from the protruding stamens is deposited on the bee's body and carried to another flower's stigma. In Israel the tree has a status of a protected plant. British journalist Francis McCullagh reported seeing "innumerable" flowering specimens of this tree in Yildiz Park in Istanbul in April 1909.

There is a myth that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a tree of this species, causing its white flowers to turn red