Redbud
Family: Fabaceae, legume family
Genus, species: Cercis canadensis
Leaves:
Leaves are heart-shaped, widest toward base, palmately veined. Leaf texture is thin and papery.
Bark:
Bark is reddish-brown, smooth
Flowers:
Flowers are small but showy, bright pink, produced in clusters in mid-April before leaves are produced. Flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees.
Fruit:
Fruit is a long flat pod, contains flat brown seeds.
Roots:
Root nodules contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
More Information:
The genus name Cercis is from the Greek for "Circe," a Greek goddess described in Homer's Odyssey who wove on a large loom because the tree's fruit looks like a weaver's shuttle. The species name canadensis means "from Canada."
Photos:Redbud leaf
Redbud flowers
Redbud flower
Redbud fruit
