Pollinator plant

Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

27 names · 17 languages
EnglishYour language
  • American Judas Tree[1]
  • American Redbud[1]
  • Canada Redbud[2][3]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (16)
Dutch
  • Amerikaanse judasboom
  • Canadese judasboom
French
  • Gainier du Canada
  • gainier rouge[2][3]
Alabama
  • Takkistàaya[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 加拿大紫荆[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 加拿大紫荊[3]
  • 美東紫荊[3]
Czech
  • zmarlika kanadská[3]
Finnish
  • amerikanjuudaksenpuu[3]
German
Japanese
  • アメリカハナズオウ[3]
Polish
  • Judaszowiec kanadyjski[3]
Russian
  • Багрянник канадский[3]
  • Церцис канадский[3]
Slovak
  • judášovec kanadský[3]
Spanish
Swedish
  • amerikanskt judasträd[3]
Turkish
  • Kanada Erguvanı[3]
Ukrainian
  • Церцис канадський[3]
  • Юдине дерево канадське[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

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

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

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

[1] Cercis canadensis — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Redbud — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Cercis canadensis.
  • Eastern Redbud — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Cercis canadensis.
  • American Judas Tree — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Cercis canadensis.
  • American Redbud — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Cercis canadensis.
[2] Cercis canadensis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Redbud — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • eastern redbud — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Kanadischer Judasbaum — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Canada Redbud — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • judas tree — results[0].names[13]; 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.
[3] Cercis canadensis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • Redbud — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • eastern redbud — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Kanadischer Judasbaum — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • Canada Redbud — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 48502; Cercis canadensis.
  • judas tree — results[0].names[13]; 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.
  • 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.
  • amerikanskt judasträd — results[0].names[12]; 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.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Cercis canadensis is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fabaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
6.1–9.14 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
7.62–10.67 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Multi-stemmed; Multi-trunked; Rounded

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
SE. Canada to NE. & EC. Mexico.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Tree
Size
Medium
Dimensions
12.00 m high × 10.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-9
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Flowers, Leaves, Seasoning, Seed capsule
Functions
Basketry, Timber, Pollinator plant
Edibility
4 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

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.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Cercis canadensis — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 5166156; ID SSQS; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 5166156; ID SSQS; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Cercis canadensis — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Cercis canadensis — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1342310; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1256665, 1256666, 1256667, 1256668, 1256669, 1256670, 1256671, 1256672, 1256673, 1256674, 1256675, 1256676, 1256677, 1256678, 1256679, 1256680, 1256681, 1256682, 1256683, 1256684, 1256685, 1256686, 1256687, 1256688, 1256689, 1256690, 1256691, 1256692, 1256693, 1256694, 1256695, 1256696, 1256697, 1256698, 1256699

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.