Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Legume Family (Fabaceae)
Eastern redbud is usually a short-lived, large shrub to small tree, reaching usually 15-30 tall with an umbrella-like flattened crown. Its trunk is usually twisted. Its bark is brownish black to reddish brown and smooth when young, becoming ridged later, sometimes with maroon patches. Its branches are zigzag and maroon to black. Has heart-shaped dark green leaves, which are rusty green when they first emerge from the bud. They turn yellow in the fall before they drop off. The small, pink to reddish purple to rarely white flowers appear in the spring before the leaves emerge in leaf axils and all along the old branches in clusters of 2-8. Bees visit the flowers. The flat, dry, reddish brown fruiting pods contain 4-12 flat, beanlike seeds. Many persist until after leaf fall. Many animals eat them. Found in eastern North America, it occurs as an understory tree on dry to moist well-drained soils in mixed forests to fence rows. They become less tolerant of shade with age. Used extensively as an ornamental plant. The bark has been used for treatment of dysentery. The flowers and fruit are edible. State tree of Oklahoma. Also known as Judas-tree or spicewood tree. Sometimes placed in the Caesalpiniaceae family. Listed as endangered in NJ and species of special concern in CT.
Copyright Brett Miley
