Heroes Not Zombies

Judas Tree, originally uploaded by bobsee.

This lovely tree is known in France as l’arbre de Judea – which probably relates to its prevalence in the Middle East. However, in English, is has come to be known as the “Judas Tree”. Many authorities believe this is a mistranslation from the French.
However, the story which goes with the name is that Judas hanged himself from this particular variety of tree and it produces its blood red blossom each year after Easter in some kind of remembrance of that.
I find these kinds of stories associated with trees fascinating, and this is one of the first I’ve come across where the story either evolved after the tree’s misnaming, or whether the story influenced the naming.
Does anybody know how this tree really got its name?

by the way, I framed this shot to include the church nearby to heighten the religious connection!