Cercis canadensis L.
Eastern redbud
Eastern redbud is native to eastern North America. Cultivars of eastern redbud are popular as ornamental plants.
Plants: 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.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, broad, oval shaped leaves are 2½–4½″ (7–12 cm) in size.
Flowers: 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 ½″ (1.5 cm) in size.
Fruits: Fruits resemble brown pea pods, 1¾–4″ (5–10 cm) in length. They contain flat, brown, elliptical seeds ⅛″ (6 mm) long.
Habitats: Open woodlands, thickets, woodland margins, limestone glades and along rocky streams and bluffs.
Online References:
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) 
7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
5/4/2017 · Underwoods, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
A cultivar · 6/27/2026 · Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine 
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) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| 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” |
Cercis canadensis description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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