Virginia Tech Dendrology

western redbud Fabaceae Cercis orbiculata Greene symbol: CEOR9
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous, rounded to kidney shaped, heart-shaped base, 1 to 4 inches long, somewhat leathery.
Flower: Perfect, small, reddish-purple, pea-like flowers borne in small, frequent clusters, plants in flower are spectacular.
Fruit: Flat, leathery pods (legumes), 2 to 4 inches long, hanging in clusters.
Twig: Small branches are slender, angled, and have smooth, brown bark with lighter lenticels.
Bark: Thin and somewhat scaly, sometimes ridged, brown.
Form: A large, erect, rounded shrub (most commonly) or a small tree up to 20 feet tall.
Looks like: eastern redbud - Chinese redbud

Additional Range Information: Cercis orbiculata is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information