Redbud

Cercis canadensis, Legume family (Fabaceae)

Leaves:
Leaves are heart-shaped, widest toward base. Leaves are palmately veined. Leaf texture is thin and papery

Bark:
Bark is reddish-brown, smooth

Flowers:
Flowers are in clusters, showy, bright pink. Flowers in mid-April before leaves are produced. Flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees .

Fruits:
Fruit is a long flat pod containing flat brown seeds; starts out green then matures to brown in late summer and fall.

Habitat: 
Redbuds occur as large shrubs or small trees in the understory of the forest. Redbuds are often planted as ornamentals. Redbud roots have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules.


Redbud in bloom. (photo source #5)


Redbud leaf. (photo source #13)


Redbud flowers. (photo source #2)


Redbud fruit. (photo source #13)


Photo Sources:
2.  Dudle, D., DePauw University.
5.  Fox, V., DePauw University
13.  Symonds, G.W.D. and S.V. Chelminski.  1958.  The tree identification book.  William Morrow and Company, New York.