Cercis canadensis
Record ID:48Naming |
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|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Cercis canadensis |
| Common Names: | Eastern Redbud American Judas Tree, Canadian Redbud |
| Key Name: | Eastern Redbud |
| Parts Used: | Flowers, leaves, seeds |
| Sister Plants: | Cercis chinensis, Cercis occidentalis, Cercis siliquastrum |
| Comments: | Small deciduous tree or shrub attractive to early-season pollinators; thrives in Southern Ontario woodlands |
Characteristics |
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| 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 |
| Stem: | Short, often crooked, multi-trunked, gray bark with shallow furrows |
| Leaves: | Heart-shaped, 3-5 inches, bright green with reddish tinge when young, yellow in fall |
| Flowers: | lusters of pea-like pink to purple flowers, 0.5 in wide, on stems and trunk, blooming May – June |
| Fruit: | Flat, reddish-brown pods, 2-4 inches, containing 4-10 seeds |
| Taste: | ild (flowers), bland (leaves) |
| Odour: | Mild, sweet scent from flowers |
| Root: | Deep taproot with fibrous extensions |
| Image: |
Image URL: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.J3pwmC73fUUbOdEPY-AIqAHaHa%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=a5fb948524fe81b56d63371623aa327dcf29f3533fbefb227c62c180462cc88e&ipo=images |
Distribution |
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| Distribution: | Native to Southern Ontario, eastern North America from New Jersey to Florida, west to Michigan and Texas |
| Cultivation: | Plant in full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil; prefers moist conditions; space 15-25 ft apart |
| Harvest: | Flowers: May-June; Seeds: Fall when pods dry |
Medical |
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| Therapeutic Action: | Astringent, diuretic, tonic |
| Medical Uses: | Flowers used for colds, sore throats, and as a mild diuretic; leaves occasionally for poultices; limited evidence |
| Constituents: | Flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins |
| Solvents: | Water, alcohol (tincture) |
| Dosage: | Infusion: 1 tsp dried flowers in hot water, 1 time daily |
| Administration: | Internal: Infusion; External: Poultice |
| Formulas: | |
| Contra Indications: | May cause mild allergic reactions; avoid during pregnancy; consult healthcare provider |
| Preparation: | Infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried flowers in hot water 10 min |
| Chinese: | No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Veterinary: | Used for minor digestive issues in livestock |
| Homeopathic: | No known homeopathic use documented |
Pollination and Pollinators |
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| Apis: | Yes |
| Pollinator: | beetles,ButterFlies,wasps,flies,bee,HoneyBee |
| Pollen: | Yes |
| Pollen Notes: | Pollen attracts bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, beetles |
| Nectar: | Yes |
| Nectar Notes: | Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, butterflies, early-season pollinators |
Other |
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| Non-Medical Uses: | Ornamental, dye from flowers, edible flowers |
| Culinary Uses: | Flowers edible raw or in salads, young pods cooked |
| History: | Used by Native Americans for food and medicine; named "Judas Tree" from legend of Judas Iscariot; cultivated since 1641 in America |
| Reference: | Plants For A Future; USDA NRCS |
| URL: | https://usbm.ca/ency |
| Share: | Public |