κουτσουπιά = Judas tree, also known as δέντρο του Ιούδα
We drove down to Athens on 9th April, our Easter Sunday and Orthodox Palm Sunday. The motorway was unusually quiet – almost like driving in Peak Covid again. For large stretches, on both sides of the motorway one could see beautiful lilac-coloured trees. Apparently, they flower between the end of February and the end of April, so they are associated with Spring, Lent and Easter. They get the name Judas tree as tradition has it that Judas hanged himself from a cercis silquastrum. Looking at the trees, I can only conclude that Judas could not have been more than 500g as the branches of the tree would not support the weight of a cat let alone a human.
For learners of Greek, trees tend to be feminine, and their fruit neuter.
Some examples:
Tree Fruit
Ροδιά ρόδι pomegranate
Πορτοκαλιά πορτοκάλι orange
Λεμονιά λεμόνι lemon
Καρυδιά καρύδι walnut
