Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Cercis canadensis
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| Common Names: |
Eastern Redbud American Judas Tree, Canadian Redbud
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| Key Name: |
Eastern Redbud
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| Parts Used: |
Flowers, leaves, seeds
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| Sister Plants: |
Cercis chinensis, Cercis occidentalis, Cercis siliquastrum
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| Comments: |
Small deciduous tree or shrub attractive to early-season pollinators; thrives in Southern Ontario woodlands
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Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Deciduous tree or shrub (15-30 ft), multi-trunked with a rounded crown, heart-shaped leaves, pink to purple flowers on stems and trunk, blooming May-June
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| Stem: |
Short, often crooked, multi-trunked, gray bark with shallow furrows
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| Leaves: |
Heart-shaped, 3-5 inches, bright green with reddish tinge when young, yellow in fall
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| Flowers: |
lusters of pea-like pink to purple flowers, 0.5 in wide, on stems and trunk, blooming May – June
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| Fruit: |
Flat, reddish-brown pods, 2-4 inches, containing 4-10 seeds
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| Taste: |
ild (flowers), bland (leaves)
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| Odour: |
Mild, sweet scent from flowers
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| Root: |
Deep taproot with fibrous extensions
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to Southern Ontario, eastern North America from New Jersey to Florida, west to Michigan and Texas
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| Cultivation: |
Plant in full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil; prefers moist conditions; space 15-25 ft apart
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| Harvest: |
Flowers: May-June; Seeds: Fall when pods dry
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Astringent, diuretic, tonic
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| Medical Uses: |
Flowers used for colds, sore throats, and as a mild diuretic; leaves occasionally for poultices; limited evidence
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| Constituents: |
Flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins
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| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (tincture)
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| Dosage: |
Infusion: 1 tsp dried flowers in hot water, 1 time daily
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| Administration: |
Internal: Infusion; External: Poultice
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| Formulas: |
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| Contra Indications: |
May cause mild allergic reactions; avoid during pregnancy; consult healthcare provider
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| Preparation: |
Infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried flowers in hot water 10 min
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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| Veterinary: |
Used for minor digestive issues in livestock
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| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
Yes
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| Pollinator: |
beetles,ButterFlies,wasps,flies,bee,HoneyBee
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen attracts bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, beetles
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| Nectar: |
Yes
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| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, butterflies, early-season pollinators
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Ornamental, dye from flowers, edible flowers
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| Culinary Uses: |
Flowers edible raw or in salads, young pods cooked
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| History: |
Used by Native Americans for food and medicine; named "Judas Tree" from legend of Judas Iscariot; cultivated since 1641 in America
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| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; USDA NRCS
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| URL: |
https://usbm.ca/ency
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| Share: |
Public
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