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The objective of this study was to compare the structure and efficacy in terms of retarding cuticular transpiration of leaf cuticles from eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) and dull-leaf and glossy-leaf Mexican redbud [Cercis canadensis var. mexicana (Rose) M. Hopk.]. Leaves of Mexican redbud exhibited several xeromorphic characteristics compared to eastern redbud: a smaller, thicker leaf with thicker cuticles, more cuticular wax, a higher specific leaf mass, and greater hydrated water content on a leaf area basis. Mexican redbuds with a glossy leaf differed from those with a dull leaf only in a thicker adaxial cuticle lacking wax crystallite on the surface. Epicuticular wax crystallite were present on the abaxial surface of all leaves examined. Detached leaves of eastern redbud had a higher water loss rate than those of Mexican redbud only on a dry mass basis, not on a leaf area basis. There was no difference in the rate of water loss by detached leaves of glossy-leaf and dull-leaf Mexican redbuds after 4 hours.