Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud)

Cercis canadensis L.

Eastern redbud

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Rosidae	Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
Order	Fabales	Legumes (pea and bean families)
Family	Fabaceae	Legume family (peas and beans)
Genus	Cercis	From kerkis, the ancient Greek name for the redbud
Species	canadensis	“Of or referring to Canada”

About plant names...

Eastern redbud is native to eastern North America. Cultivars of eastern redbud are popular as ornamental plants.

Identification: This small tree reaches heights of 30' (9.1 m), though it is usually about half that height. The crown is often quite irregular in shape. It has dark bark that is smooth in younger trees and becomes scaly as the three ages. Broad, oval shaped leaves are about 4" (10 cm) around. As these plants begin to bloom, it looks almost as if the branches are covered with purple felt. Then the buds open, producing attractive pink/purple flowers. Fruits resemble brown pea pods, 1-3" (2.5-7.6 cm) in length.

Online References:

Cercis canadensis on www.carolinanature.com

Cercis canadensis at Illinois Wildflowers

Cercis canadensis on Wikipedia

Cercis canadensis at the Ohio State University PLANTFacts database

Cercis canadensis at the USDA Forest Service's Silvics of North America site

Cercis canadensis at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Cercis canadensis at the Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Cercis canadensis on the USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

Cercis canadensis at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Cercis canadensis on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

5/8/2007 · Groton, Massachusetts ID is uncertain

5/4/2017 · Underwoods, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia
≈ 6 × 4" (14 × 11 cm)

4/4/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, End, Phoenix, Maryland
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm)

Cercis canadensis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia
≈ 10 × 7" (24 × 16 cm)

5/4/2017 · Underwoods, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm)

5/4/2017 · Underwoods, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)

7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia

4/29/2010 · Groton, Massachusetts

7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia

5/4/2017 · Underwoods, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

Range: Zones 4-9:

About this map...