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 5-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 

 10 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 — Bliss Carman 



160 



