Trees of Alabama and the Southeast Home Page

Leaves are simple, alternate, deciduous, and heart-shaped with smooth margins. Twigs are maroon to black and zigzag.  Buds are small and black above raised leaf scars. Bark is brown-black to red-brown and scaly. Flowers appear before leaves and are a brilliant purple-pink.  Fruit is a red-brown legume 3-4 inches long. Redbud is an understory tree found on a variety of sites in the east and central U.S.  The seed is eaten by birds and animals including deer.  Cultivars with different flower and leaf colors are available for landscaping.  Some group this species in Fabaceae.

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All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form.  All photographs are copyrighted by the named photographer(s), text copyright by Lisa Samuelson. © 2005, all rights reserved. Photographs by Mike Hogan.