PULSE FAMILY LEGUMINOSAE 
REDBUD 
Cercis canadensis L. 
The Redbud is a small tree 15-30 feet high, which is highly 
recommended for ornamental planting because it is a good- 
looking tree at all times and is extremely beautiful in bloom in 
April and May. 
Aside from its 
beauty it has no 
economic import- 
ance and is usually 
classed as a weed 
tree in the woodlot. 
It is largely a 
southern species, 
occurring in rich 
soil from Florida 
and Texas to Iowa, 
New York and 
southern Ontario. 
In Illinois it is 
common in the 
south and central 
part but is not 
found north of 
Kankakee county. 
Unlike most 
members of the Pulse family, the Redbud has leaves that are 
not compound; and the stipules soon fall off, so that they are 
seldom seen. The branch is shown as it appears in late autumn. 
The flowers appear before the leaves on branches of the 
preceding year. They are pink or red and produced very abun- 
dantly in small clusters. The calyx is rather short and broad 
and s-toothed. The corolla is imperfectly butterfly shaped. 
The standard, or upper petal, is smaller than the side or wing 
petals; the lower or keel petals are larger and not united. The 
IO stamens are distinct and the simple pistil develops into a 
several-seeded pod. 
Trees for the birds to build and sing, 
And the lilac tree for a joy in spring; 
Trees—Buiss CARMAN 
160 
