Ontario Trees & Shrubs website

Redbud
Cercis canadensis

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Other common names: Canadian Redbud, Eastern Redbud, Judas Tree

French names: Gainier rouge

Family: Legume Family (Fabaceae)

Distinctive features: Tree, Shrub

Similar species:
  •   Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) - Has larger seed pods; stubby thorns.

  •   Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) - Has very large seed pods; large wicked thorns.


Flowers: Spring;  Red/Pink;  Irregular flowers

Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Entire;  Alternate, simple.

Height: 8 m (26 ft)

Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas;  Open places in forests.

Books: Trees in Canada: 400    Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 104   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Uncommon.

Notes: This tree will only be found growing naturally in SW Ontario, although it is planted farther north and east.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: canadensis: of Canada


Photographs: 129 photographs available, of which 13 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Redbud leaves.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Upper surface of a Redbud leaf.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Underside of a Redbud leaf.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Partial view of a Redbud tree.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Redbud leaves in mid-autumn.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Redbud seed pods.

You can see why this tree is a member of the Legume Family (Fabaceae).

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Seed pods in the winter.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Trunk and bark of Redbud.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Young Redbud leaves emerging in mid-May.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Redbud is fairly rare in Ontario.
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Range map for Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)