
The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis, which means weaver’s shuttle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver’s shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom.1
Eastern redbud is a flowering tree that blooms before the leaves appear. In early spring, clusters of rose pink to light purple flowers mature and attract many pollinators including butterflies, and bees. The plant holds great wildlife value as a larval host plant and the bean pod fruits provide food for songbirds.1
Alternate simple leaves are 3-5″ across and broadly heart-shaped. Leaves are a redish purple when they open, changing to a dark green in summer. Flowers are a reddish purple in bud, becoming rosy pink to purplish when open.2
- Cercis canadensis. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/gleditsia-triacanthos/. No Publication Date. Accessed December 4, 2023.
- Eastern Redbud. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. https://www.uky.edu/hort/Eastern-Redbud. No Publication Date. Accessed December 4, 2023.
- https://pmcafee2013.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ceca4_plant_001.jpg
- https://extension.umass.edu/plant-identification/sites/plantidentification/files/plant/images/leaves/Redbud-leaves.jpg
- https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.x-rNrxH2j6HtDxulurV-3QHaE8?w=640&h=427&rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain
- https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/zMNcnk_EJWQCkgsgZraMhNbqnc0=/4288×2848/filters:fill(auto,1)/key-facts-about-growing-the-eastern-redbud-bush-4122417hero-3c69a0d94eb540298564766ed41810df.jpg
- https://www.landmark.edu/images/made/uploads/pages/img/Eastern_Redbud_bark_484_600shar-80.jpg