Plant Details

Cercis canadensis

Redbud

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Cercis canadensis.

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Common names

25 names · 17 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Canada Redbud[1]
  • eastern redbud[1]
  • judas tree[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (16)
Dutch
  • Amerikaanse judasboom
  • Canadese judasboom
French
  • Gainier du Canada
  • gainier rouge[1]
Alabama
  • Takkistàaya[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 加拿大紫荆[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 加拿大紫荊[1]
  • 美東紫荊[1]
Czech
  • zmarlika kanadská[1]
Finnish
  • amerikanjuudaksenpuu[1]
German
  • Kanadischer Judasbaum[1]
Japanese
  • アメリカハナズオウ[1]
Polish
  • Judaszowiec kanadyjski[1]
Russian
  • Багрянник канадский[1]
  • Церцис канадский[1]
Slovak
  • judášovec kanadský[1]
Spanish
  • duraznillo[1]
Swedish
  • amerikanskt judasträd[1]
Turkish
  • Kanada Erguvanı[1]
Ukrainian
  • Церцис канадський[1]
  • Юдине дерево канадське[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Cercis canadensis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • eastern redbud — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • duraznillo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • gainier rouge — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Kanadischer Judasbaum — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Redbud — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • zmarlika kanadská — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Багрянник канадский — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • アメリカハナズオウ — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Takkistàaya — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • 加拿大紫荆 — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Canada Redbud — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • amerikanskt judasträd — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • judas tree — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Judaszowiec kanadyjski — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Церцис канадский — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • 美東紫荊 — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • 加拿大紫荊 — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Церцис канадський — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Kanada Erguvanı — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • amerikanjuudaksenpuu — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • judášovec kanadský — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Юдине дерево канадське — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.

General information

Scientific name: Cercis canadensis
Accepted name (Kew): Cercis canadensis L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Cercis (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Redbud
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Tree
Catalogue size class: Medium
Height: 6.1–9.14 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 7.62–10.67 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Multi-stemmed, Multi-trunked, Rounded

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Flowers, Leaves, Condiment, Seed capsule
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Basketry, Wood, Bee forage

Description

Flowers can be consumed both raw and pickled. They have a refreshing sour taste, are rich in vitamin C, and make a tasty addition to salads. These flowers can also be used as a spice. The unopened buds can be pickled or used as a substitute for capers. The seeds contain between 22.9-27.5% protein, 7.7-8.8% fat, and 3% ash with zero moisture content. However, it is not known whether the seeds are edible. There are indications that both the young seed pods (which can be eaten like peas) and the young leaves of this plant can also be consumed.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Crown

Crown shape: Broad ovoid
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1342309; name ID 2711402; Cercis L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1342310; name ID 2711403; Cercis canadensis L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Cercis canadensis

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 5166156, ID SSQS: Cercis canadensis L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Cercis canadensis — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .