• Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Cercis canadensis

eastern redbud

Nomenclature

Common Name:

eastern redbud

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Cercis canadensis

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

25-30 ft tall by 25-35 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

deciduous. Blooms late winter-spring. Fruits ripen summer-fall. Lifespan <50 yrs (Nelson) but in south part of range, likely much less (Denton)

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Moderate-sized specimen tree.

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Slightly acidic to somewhat calcareous.

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars

Larval host for Henry's elfin ( Callophrys henrici ) and io moth ( Automeris io ).





Popular with bees including bumblebees.

Native Habitats:

Upland hardwood forests. Bluffs, hammocks, secondary woods.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Flowers and young pods are edible.

General Comments:

Bloom can be long lasting relative to other early spring blooming trees -- as long as a month. Duration is dependent on temperature. Flowers grow directly from the trunk.