Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 5353583

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Also known as American Redbud, Redbud Tree

Eastern redbuds paint woodland edges with vivid magenta blossoms long before their foliage unfurls in early spring. Their dark trunks showcase cauliflory, a unique adaptation where flowers burst directly from mature bark to attract early-emerging pollinators. Broad heart-shaped leaves follow the spring bloom, later yielding flat brown seedpods that linger on branches through winter.

Spring BloomHeart-shaped LeavesNative Tree
Eastern Redbud reference1 / 7
Licensed referenceno rights reserved, uploaded by Robert Ross · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Leafcutter Bees
  • Eastern Tent Caterpillar
ThreatsVerticillium wilt, botryosphaeria canker, wood-boring insects
HabitatsDeciduous forests, woodland margins, stream banks, urban landscapes
Life span50–75 years
Classification
  1. OrderFabales
  2. FamilyFabaceae
  3. GenusCercis
  4. SpeciesCercis canadensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spring Observation: Look for bright pink buds erupting directly from mature trunk bark in early spring.
  • Garden Placement: Plant in well-draining soil with partial shade to full sun for maximum bloom density.
  • Foliage Inspection: Watch for leafcutter bees harvesting neat, circular cutouts from the heart-shaped leaves.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…